Cycling around London is not for the faint-hearted.
Despite the influx of protected cycle lanes and cycle superhighways, choosing a two-wheeled and non-motorised vehicle for your daily commute or general transportation is not a decision one should take lightly.
I’m no stranger to cycling around the city. I’ve lived here my entire life and even learned to drive around central London, so I’d argue that I’m pretty confident when it comes to the busy roads of the inner metropolis. When Boris bikes were first introduced back in 2010, I was ecstatic about the prospect of being able to take the tube in from my Zone 4 suburban home – where cycling was already the norm – and paint the town from Soho to Shoreditch on a two-wheeled wonder.
Now, Boris bikes, as well as those wonderful electric Lime, Dott and Human Forest bikes, are big boys. They’re bulky and relatively heavy, but their large wheels and – in the case of the latter three models, e-assist – allow for an easy and low-effort pedal between London boroughs. Since you can drop them off pretty much anywhere, there’s no need for them to be light or transportable.
So, let’s talk about the Brompton. Invented by Andrew Ritchie in 1975 and still believed by many cycle afficionados to be the best of the best when it comes to foldable bikes, South Kensington-based Ritchie believed there was a far more convenient way to get around the city. He built the first three hinged prototype from his flat overlooking Brompton Oratory and well, the rest is history.
What’s so great about a folding bike?
The idea behind the original folding bike was that you could go anywhere and everywhere – even to the pub to sink a pint after work – and you’d still be able to get home via a train, bus, or taxi without any complaints from bar owners or drivers. It’s the ultimate pedestrian-to-cyclist machine.
Additionally, with inner city flats becoming increasingly expensive and yet inescapably smaller, purchasing a compact and foldable bike allows you to save space and, in the long run, a whole lot of money.
What makes Decathlon’s folding bike different?
According to Decathlon, this bike can be folded up in just one second, making it a firm challenger to the Brompton brand at just £850.
Weighing 12kg with 16-inch wheels and an aluminium front and rear, it’s easy to store and allows users to rapidly switch from pedestrian to cyclist at the click of a button. The bike is ultra-compact and a fraction of the cost of competitor folding bikes and has a lifetime warranty for the frame vs. seven years on Brompton.
Without further ado, let’s get into the gears of this review.
User friendliness
This might just be me and my monkey brain, but dear god did it take me an age to fold and unfold this bike. Still, after much practice, I cannot remotely fold the BTWIN in under a second.
However, once you’ve finally got the right part folded into the right place – you’ll know. The wheels snap together with a powerful and handy magnetic closure, while the upper and lower frames similarly click in and out of place with the help of two separate hinges.
If you’re new to folding bikes like myself, you’ll need to watch many, many YouTube videos on 0.3x speed to learn the skill of the quick fold.
Functionality
To put this bike to the test, I cycled it all the home from Evening Standard’s HQ in the city to my home. According to Google Maps, this was set to be an easy 25-minute cycle with some gentle hills.
Boy oh boy, those hills did not feel gentle with this bike. I’m not currently in the business of cycling to and from work, so I initially put this down to a lack of fitness and practice. However, after chatting to my flatmate once I arrived home – sweaty and out of breath – I was acquiesced. On the good authority of my physicist friend, who cycles to work on a Fixie every morning, those small wheels on folding bikes do not make for an easy ride, especially in the city. Vindication.
I’m a measly 5ft3, and weigh about 60kg so you’d think those tiny wheels and the miniscule, foldable frame would suit me just right. However, I couldn’t help but imagine myself, though fitted with a helmet and a trusted ability to cycle – being concertinaed by any passing human or vehicle.
Nevertheless, I found the quick-change gear system wonderfully convenient, and the whopping nine gears definitely aided my ailing body on all those not-so-gentle hills. The brakes are strong, but not stiff, and the adjustable, seamless foam saddle is comfortable and supportive. Without wanting to sound too much like Harry Styles, this bike… feels like a bike. Only slightly bitesize.
Most importantly, it got me from A to B safe and sound and instilled with a newfound appreciation for the sheer convenience afforded by a value-for-money folding bike.
Size and Weight
The bike weighs in at a supposedly lightweight 12kg. However, frequent budget air flyers will know that this is slightly heavier than your standard carry-on suitcase. According to gym gear retailer PowerWave, 12kg is the equivalent to holding three 32-inch TVs. So consider it a workout in itself if you’re hauling on public transport.
Nevertheless, the BTWIN is certainly very compact. Unfolded, the bike measures 126 x 57 x 107cm and folds to an incredibly impressive 71 x 35 x 69.5cm. The width is hardly more than a regular ruler. My flat’s very narrow hallway barely fits my flatmates one, regular sized bike. Yet, with the BTWIN folded up against my bedroom’s side of the hallway, we’re able to sidestep around all four wheeled devices with relative ease.
Buy now: Ultra Compact 1 Second Light Folding Bike - £849.99, Decathlon
