Overview of budget bikes and tips for choosing them

A bicycle is the most convenient and affordable means of transportation. This transport does not need rights and other documents. You can enjoy riding on asphalt terrain, and on the road. We will review budget bikes and give tips on choosing them.

The range of budget bikes is incredibly large, so everyone here will find something different. And we will show you those models that definitely deserve attention, featuring excellent value for money.

Budget city bike option for those who value practicality and economy. The device entered the market in 2017, but still does not slow down its popularity. Its weight is 19 kg, which is quite a bit. The number of speeds is 6, which is enough for urban driving. Although transport is cheap, however, the brakes on it are rim mechanical, making braking smoother, and the service life of the brake system longer.

Price: from 5 590 to 7 950 rubles.

This is an urban folding bike from the budget segment. Thanks to the long seatpost and steering the device is suitable for adolescents and adults from 130 to 180 cm tall and weighs up to 90 kg. One of the advantages of the model is folding frame made of steel. It’s difficult to call it light, but it is very strong, durable and easy to repair. The fork is made of steel and is rigid. The brake system is the rear foot. It can also be noted that the bike is equipped with a front light and a trunk is mounted at the rear.

Price: from 6 660 to 7 850 rubles.

The Sporting 1.0 model of the well-known Forward company gained its popularity back in 2017 and is still selling well in the market. Bike Ideal for cross country driving as well as uphill. Suitable for beginner cyclists who want to get a good device for little money. The frame on a bicycle is of increased strength and with a shock-absorbing fork, which allows you to easily overcome any off-road conditions.

Price: from 9 130 to 13 210 rubles.

Stylish, reliable, comfortable, lightweight and inexpensive - all this is about the bike of this brand. The model combines the laconicism of modern solutions and original design. The frame is made in the original curved geometry using aluminum alloy and supplemented with an AL 60 mm fork. Used as brakes V-Brake type PO. 21 speed is a clear advantage of this model.

Price: from 8 300 to 9 540 rubles.

The mountain bike is designed for mixed riding. Tektro HD-M275 hydraulic disc brakes are an incredibly attractive solution for overcoming both sports and quiet routes. Frame ALUXX-Grade Aluminum It is an aluminum alloy. And the wheels with Giant tires are quite durable and dynamic, which allows you to overcome any obstacles without straining.

Price: from 6,700 to 8,990 rubles.

So that your new iron friend lasts as long as possible, it is necessary to maintain it in good technical condition. The most painful place for budget models is the plug. She is often just a poor-quality imitator. Cheap material, poor processing deprive it of proper quality. To make the fork last longer, you can disassemble it (anyone can handle this task) and pour quality oil there.

The wheels on all bicycles practically do not differ (except in diameter). After the purchase, you can contact a mechanic who will qualitatively stretch all the components of the wheel, thereby increasing its service life. Well, maintaining the air level in the wheels is also periodically necessary. One of the myths about speed shifters is that cheap models do not do their job. On the contrary budget switches pretty well cope with their tasks. You only need to check the cable tension level sometimes and at the first sign of wedging change it.

Budget models are so cheap because they have their weaknesses in front of models of a more expensive segment. The first drawback is gear shifting. They either do not switch (it is extremely rare) or switch, but with the wrong frequency. You will have to take transport to the workshop or repair it yourself if you have the proper skills. Brakes on bicycles of the budget segment are also not of high quality. Often they make unpleasant sounds, and in worst cases do not work at all, thereby creating a direct danger to you.

The rubber on these bicycles wears out very quickly. Its tread is often very narrow, so traction leaves much to be desired. Well, and most importantly - depreciation. It is she who suffers the most on bicycles of the budget segment, since she has not the best quality, but receives the highest load.

Choosing a budget model of good quality is very difficult. Nowadays, bicycles of the "budget" class wear out for 1-1.5 years. For a better choice, we’ll tell you what factors you should definitely consider at the time of purchase.

• Double suspensions. We immediately say a clear “no” to such models. Double suspension - a bicycle with the presence of shock absorption in the front and rear.Shock absorbers are a complex mechanism, which is why it is absolutely impossible to expect a high level of depreciation on budget models. Replacing this component will cost a lot (on average from 4000 rubles).

• The brakes. They are rim, disc and drum. The first have rubber pads that compress the wheel rim during braking. This option is the most affordable and common on budget bikes. Disc brakes are more expensive, because they are not afraid of dirt and water. Drum brakes are a rarity. Often they are used on mountain or cross type bikes.

• Switches. Here the choice will mainly consist of Shimano and SRAM switches. Shimano are better, but cost a little more.

• Frame. One of the most common materials is steel. Although aluminum predominates in the budget segment, which is lighter and more durable. Steel, in turn, dampens vibration during high-speed driving. But bikes with such a frame are very heavy.

• Wheel size. The larger the diameter of the wheel, the greater the speed your vehicle can develop. Therefore, road, city and tourist models are equipped with tires with a diameter of 26-29 inches.

• Number of speeds. The average user will have enough 18 speeds, but anyone who is not afraid to pay a little extra can take a model with 24-27 speeds. The more speeds there are, the easier it is, for example, to climb a mountain or ride over rough terrain.

See how to choose a budget bike in the next video.