Budget bike review and tips for choosing them

A bicycle is the most convenient and affordable means of transportation. This transport does not require a license or other documents. You can enjoy driving both on asphalt terrain and off-road. We will review budget bikes and give advice on choosing them.

The range of budget bikes is incredibly large, so everyone here will find something of their own. And we will show you those models that definitely deserve attention, featuring an excellent price-quality ratio.

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

Price: from 5 590 to 7 950 rubles.

This is a city folding bike from the budget segment. Long seatpost and stem, the device is suitable for adolescents and adults from 130 to 180 cm in height and weighing up to 90 kg. One of the advantages of the model is folding frame made of steel. It is difficult to call it easy, but it is very strong, durable and easy to repair. The fork is made of steel and is rigid. Braking system - rear foot. You can also note that the bike is equipped with a front light, and a trunk is installed at the back.

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 on the market to this day. Bike ideal for cross-country driving as well as uphill driving. Suitable for novice cyclists who want to get a good device for little money. Rugged bike frame with 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 an original curved geometry using aluminum alloy and is complemented by a 60 mm AL 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 both sporty and calm routes. Frame ALUXX-Grade Aluminum is an aluminum alloy. And the wheels with Giant tires are quite strong and dynamic, which allows you to overcome any obstacles without straining.

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

To make your new iron friend last as long as possible, it must be kept in good technical condition. The most sore point of budget models is the plug. It 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 high-quality oil there.

Wheels on all bicycles practically do not differ (except perhaps in diameter). After the purchase, you can contact a mechanic who will stretch all the components of the wheel with high quality, thereby increasing its service life. Well, it is also periodically necessary to maintain the air level in the wheels. One of the myths about derailleurs is that cheap models don't do their job. Vice versa, budget switches do their job pretty well. You only need to check the tension level of the cable occasionally and change it at the first sign of wedging.

The budget models are so cheap because they have their weak points over the more expensive segment. The first drawback is gear shifting. They either do not switch (it happens very rarely), or they switch, but with the wrong frequency. You will have to take the transport to the workshop or, with the proper skills, repair it yourself. The brakes on bicycles in the budget segment are also not of high quality. They often make unpleasant sounds, and in the worst cases, they do not work at all, thereby posing a direct danger to you.

The rubber on these bicycles wears out very quickly. Its tread is often very narrow, so its grip is poor. And, most importantly, amortization. It is she who suffers the most on bicycles of the budget segment, since it is not of the best quality, but receives the highest load.

Choosing a good quality budget model is not easy. Nowadays bicycles of the "budget" class wear out in 1-1.5 years. For a more correct choice, we will tell you what factors should be taken into account during the purchase.

• Two-suspension. We immediately say a clear "no" to such models. Full suspension - a bike with front and rear shock absorption.Shock absorbers are a complex mechanism, which is why it is absolutely impossible to expect a high-quality level of depreciation on budget models. Replacing this component will not be cheap (on average, from 4000 rubles).

• Brakes. They are rim, disc and drum. The former have rubber pads that compress the wheel rims 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 at all. Drum brakes are rare. They are often used on mountain bikes or cross-country bikes.

• Switches. The selection here will mainly consist of Shimano and SRAM derailleurs. Shimanos are of higher quality, but slightly more expensive.

• Frame. One of the most common materials is steel. Although the budget segment is dominated by aluminum, which is lighter and more durable. Steel, in turn, dampens vibrations during high-speed driving. But bicycles with this frame are very heavy.

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

• Number of speeds... The average user is quite enough 18 speeds, but those who are not afraid to pay a little extra can take a model with 24-27 speeds. The higher the speed, the easier it is, for example, to climb a mountain or drive over rough terrain.

For information on how to choose a budget bike, see the next video.