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Tired of wrestling a full-size bike onto a car rack? I bought the Xspec 20-inch, 7-speed folding bike so I could just throw it in the trunk and go.
I do have a regular bike, but getting it onto the carrier on the back of my car is a pain if you don’t have the right car and the right fittings. A folding bike that folds in half, with handlebars that fold down, can go in your trunk or back seat, and you can take a couple so you and a friend can ride on trips. I paid about $180 at the time. Below: what’s in the box, the tools I needed to put it together, the latch, and how it rides. The button goes to the current Xspec 20″ 7-speed listing on Amazon.
- Folds small enough for a trunk or back seat
- Shimano gears shifted quickly and held each gear
- Mud guards keep road spray off your clothes on trips
- Rear luggage rack for a lunch, water or a blanket
- Very maneuverable and easy to get used to
- Feels like a lot of bike for the money
- A huge amount of Styrofoam and foam dust in the box
- Assembly takes several tools and some trial and error
- The main folding latch is very stiff to open and close
- Seat post thumb clamp is hard to tighten by hand
- Upright steering feels a bit like a kids or dirt bike at first
- Not the bike for high speeds
- Tires arrived completely flat
▶ Watch the full review on YouTube
Unboxing: lots of foam, mostly pre-assembled
The box isn’t that heavy, just large, which is a little daunting. The most overwhelming thing is the Styrofoam and the dust it leaves everywhere, so plan to wipe the bike down or vacuum when you’re done. The only thing I needed to unpack it was a pair of scissors for the wire ties.
What heartened me was how put together it already is. There’s a shipping piece in the front fork you remove before installing the wheel, a foldable bar that lifts the handlebars up, then the handlebars, front wheel and seat post.
Assembly: the tools you actually need
Getting the front hub piece out and the wheel on took a 15 mm wrench, and I had to disconnect the brakes to get the tire on. I’d never assembled a bike before, so it was trial and error.
The handlebar extension tube tightens with a 6 mm Allen key. The brake handles are left loose so the cables can sag while you build it; tighten them where you want them with a 5.5 mm Allen key. The front mud guard feeds in from the front and attaches with two Phillips screws, plus a through-bolt with a self-locking nut that also holds the reflector bracket, so you’ll want an adjustable wrench to hold the nut.
The pedals thread in easily, but each one is meant for one side, and you need the 15 mm wrench to snug them up. The seat post clamp took a lot of effort; a pair of pliers would help.
Why I picked this one over cheaper folding bikes
It cost more than a lot of folding bikes, but three things sold me. First, the Shimano gear set. I don’t know much about bikes, but I recognize the name, and I’ve had bikes that hang between gears. On this one the thumb lever clicked into gear quickly and distinctly and held it.
Second, the mud guards. They’re not fashionable or heavy duty, but on vacation you’re not in athletic gear and may not have a washing machine, so protection from puddles and road debris is nice. Third, the rear luggage rack. Not every folding bike has one, and with a few bungee cords you can carry a lunch, water bottles, a blanket or something you buy along the way.
The folding latch: rock solid, almost too solid
The big hinge in the middle of the frame has a latch with a little catch that keeps the post from accidentally popping open. I have no doubt it won’t open by accident, but opening it the first time took a piece of cardboard and a screwdriver to pry it, and closing it took both hands and ended in a disconcerting bang. I couldn’t find a way to adjust the tension, so it may need breaking in.
Folding the handlebar and dropping the seat are no problem. My tip: practice folding and unfolding a few times before a trip, or bring a small tool kit.
How it rides
Both tires were dead flat, so I filled them with my portable battery air compressor. On the road it feels a little like a short bike. The seat and handlebar positions are about right, but the steering tube is very vertical, so the front wheel feels right underneath you, a bit like a dirt bike or a kids bike.
That doesn’t make it bad. You get used to it very quickly, and it’s super maneuverable, which is great for a city or vacation bike on streets you don’t know. If you’ve ridden any bike before, you’ll take to it like a duck to water. I’d add a handlebar flashlight with a strobe and a rear light for safety.
FAQ
What tools do you need to assemble the Xspec folding bike?
In my build: a 15 mm wrench (front wheel and pedals), 6 mm and 5.5 mm Allen keys, a Phillips screwdriver and an adjustable wrench, plus scissors to unpack. Pliers help with the seat clamp.
Does the Xspec folding bike have gears?
Yes. Mine is a 7-speed with a Shimano gear set and a thumb shifter.
Does it come with fenders and a rack?
Mine came with front and rear mud guards, a rear luggage rack and a kickstand.
Is the folding latch hard to use?
At first, yes. It was very stiff to open and close. Practice it a few times before a trip.
How does a 20-inch folding bike ride?
The steering feels quick and the front wheel feels close to you, but it’s easy to get used to and very maneuverable. It’s not made for high speeds.
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