BikeFolded presents a list of top 5 premium folding bikes in the world. All are worth the expense with high-end components and extraordinary features. Get ready to open your eyes to the world of luxury cycling.
5. Hummingbird
The Hummingbird Bike Company announced the launch of its Kickstarter campaign for the Hummingbird in 2015. This has become the lightest folding bike in the world. The bike will be available in some variations with 16-inch wheels or 20-inch wheels, single-speed or 5-speed, four colors including yellow, red, black and raw carbon fiber. The simplest version weighs just over 14 lbs.
The Hummingbird team put thought into both mechanics and design. The bike is manufactured and assembled in Great Britain to the highest standard with leading technologies. The cheapest version is the Single-speed Hummingbird with 16-inch wheels and it will cost around $1,600.
4. IoT Brompton
Brompton is one of the largest folding bike manufacturers. Now they want to use Internet of Things for a connected bicycle that is more intelligent, trackable and programmable.
The IoT-connected Brompton would come with a sensor pack and Internet connectivity via Bluetooth. The sensors on the bike could gather data on temperature, pollution and noise levels. Then, cyclists could choose quieter, less polluted routes. Besides, the app allows us to create an emergency screen with important contact information in case of an accident. The bike would also receive data from the cloud so that it could provide real-time alerts for any vehicles that were coming too close.
Lastly, the motion sensor enables the owner to trigger an alarm mode when the bike is not in use. If movement is detected, the app will trigger a phone call to the owner and switch the house lights on.
3. Allen Sports Ultra X
Released in early 2015 with the price tag of $5,000, the Allen Sports Ultra X has been always the most desirable folding bicycle. It is among the lightest folding bikes, even the Brompton bikes with tiny wheels are at least 4 lbs heavier. The Ultra X weighs just 18.75 lbs, thanks to the all carbon-fiber body, including frame, fork, seat post, handlebar, rims, stem, crankset, and saddle.
The 20 speeds with a wide gear range are designed for high speeds on flat terrain as well as climbing hills. I had a chance to test the bike and I loved how easy it is to fold and unfold it. The patented Press-Link folding system makes the process effortless and it also creates a rigid frame while minimizing flexing. Overall, the Ultra X is a step in the right direction for carbon folding bikes and don’t have competition at the moment.
2. Dahon Clinch
Dahon Clinch is the new flagship series from Dahon, the world’s biggest folding bike manufacturer. They released some versions like Clinch D10, Clinch D20 and Clinch Pro with prices varying from $2,000 to $5,000.
They feature the diamond LockJaw frame which requires an allen wrench to tighten and loosen. The folding and unfolding processes take a little longer but you will have a super-strong frame instead. Moreover, it contributes to a sleek and clean design, nobody will notice you’re riding a folding bike. Dahon received some awards in Taiwan for the frame design. The handlepost employs Dahon’s inverted clamping system, which they claim saves weight and stiffens the bike’s steering. The Clinch D10’s frame is made of patented double-butted Dalloy tubing, which Dahon claims is 20% stronger than 6061 aluminum. The complete bike weighs in at 25 lbs.
Read also: New Dahon Folding Bikes Released in 2017
1. Helix
Helix is another project brought to life by a Kickstarter campaign, and it’s also the most successful one. It managed to raise over 2 million dollars in less than a year. People love Helix because it is equipped with big 24-inch wheels and disc brakes while maintaining an impressive weight of 20 lbs. Besides, it doesn’t look weird as others, it really looks and feels like a normal bike.
You’ll be surprised how efficiently Helix uses the space. After being folded, the size is just little larger than the wheels. Because of its one-piece frame design, the bike will be flex and creak free.
Helix features high-end components like a titanium frame and fork, and it will be made in Toronto, Canada. You have the option to choose the single-speed, 10-speed or 11-Speed Shimano version. The estimated retail price is $1,500 for the lowest-specced version.
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Why did you use a photo of a semi-folded Helix, rather than a completely folded one? It’s very misleading.
no john i do not agree, please be quiet you helmet
The Helix is looking more and more like a scam. It’s been nearly 2 years of push backs and no example of thus bike is in the hands of a customer or even available for testing.
It’s now September 2017 and still nothing. Orders have been taken even this year and not even 1 kickstart investor has a bike yet (and that’s hundreds of bikes that need to delivered first).
Try to email Helix in Canada —- try to get an address and the name of someone in accounting — you’ll not find any contact numbers.
You have forgotten the reise muller / pacific cycles birdy bikes !
Okay Ronnie thanks for letting us know 🙂
January 2018. still nothing from Helix.
Re the Helix, Kickstarter backers have been getting regular fortnightly updates on progress. It has been a long wait but hopefully coming to a conclusion soon and is looking like it will be worth it.
HELIX folding bike is a scam……….
My “scam” Helix bike is scheduled for delivery by the end of January, 2019
So, did you got it?
Sorry for the late answer, I’m cycling around the world with Helix right now
Gotta echo John Thomas: Your shot of the only partially folded Helix doesn’t do justice to the genius of the full sized wheels design and the compact elegant fold. In fully folded state, the wheels overlap each other exactly, and the steerer-tube-handlebar assembly folds over completely. The long delayed production roll-out has been excruciating for us backers — hence the conclusion of many that it was a scam. But as of today 65 bikes have been delivered from the factory, and production rate is gradually ramping up. Judging by the reactions and reviews of the recipients, the elegance, quality and precision of manufacture (and in particular, to my mind, the design and execution of the security twist-locks on the folding/extending mechanisms), and the solidity of ride has been nothing short of phenomenal. You didn’t mention in the review that the fork is a lefty mono-fork (that is how it saves space on the fold), and apparently it has turned out to be super solid on the ride, according to the early recipients.
Very nice. I have been in love with the GoCycle products but thanks to you now I found out Hummingbird which is lighter. Thanks
I own a Dahon d8, it feels like its the best