Decathlon Bicycles Review (Part 1): Folding Bicycles aka Foldies

In part one of our review, we review folding bicycles otherwise known as foldies.
Folding Bikes
Foldable bicycles (or folding bikes) are easy to get around with, as they are without the usual limitations you find in those bicycles that are full-sized. In Singapore where we don’t have the luxury of space for our homes, a folding bike is a great option if you are looking to save some space at home.
The three of us had the opportunity recently to each take a foldie out for a ride to test them out courtesy of Decathlon Singapore, and here are our thoughts.
Tilt 500 XS 14in Folding Bike ($360)
At 8.98kg, this is an incredibly light aluminum bike, hence making it easy to carry around. It comes in one size that fits all riders from 145cm to 180cm. Its small wheels and single-speed drivetrain mean this bike is not meant for you to go fast, but it certainly will do its job to help you commute conveniently.
The frame and stem is easy to fold - in just 30 seconds. When folded, its dimensions are 60 x 66 x 38 cm - really compact! The stand and seat post are theft-proof and you get a lifetime warranty on the frame, stem (excl. hinge), rigid fork and handlebar.
Tilt 120 20in 6sp Folding Bike ($290)
This is a slightly bigger folding bike, weighing in at 14.5kg and measuring at 78 x 66 x 38cm. It is of one size that fits riders from 145cm to 185cm. This also conforms to LTA regulations so you can fold it up (in 30 seconds) and bring it onboard buses and trains. The pedals can fold up too, so this makes it even more compact, taking up only 26cm in width.
Made of steel (steel frame and fork) for more durability, this bike comes with steel low-rise bars with a rise of 60mm so you can find a position on the bike to suit your body. The non-adjustable folding stem however, is made from aluminum for increased rigidity.
For the ride, it comes with a six-speed drivetrain designed for various riding conditions where you can shift to the appropriate gear accordingly, making it easy to set off and quick on flat ground as well.
There’s a double chain guard in place to stop your chain from jumping and also to protect it from dirt. Tyres are 20-inch, developed by Decathlon for a balance between performance and grip.
Tilt 500 7sp Folding Bike ($360)
With an aluminum frame and a steel fork, this bike has the same dimensions as the TILT 120, but weighs a little lighter, at 13kg. It also fits all riders from 145cm to 185cm. This bike however, is the quickest to unfold of the three, taking only 15 seconds.
The sweetest thing about this is the Shimano seven-speed derailleur, which makes it really easy to ride on any gradient so you can adapt your effort accordingly.
Going up overhead bridges or simply accelerating on a straight path would both be effortless. The Shimano Revo-Shift makes the process smoother as you can change gear swiftly and precisely.
This would be a bike that is great for commute, but also suitable if you want to take it for longer rides for exercise or for exploring areas of different elevation. This bike will be available in Orange at Decathlon stores in May 2022.
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