For many cycling enthusiasts, storage space is a luxury. Whether you’re navigating apartment living, embracing the RV lifestyle, or simply need a bike that fits neatly in your car trunk, the challenge of bike storage is real. Flatbike addresses this directly with their CHANGE folding mountain bike, a full-sized, Collapsible Mountain Bike designed for versatility and convenience. While not engineered for extreme downhill trails, this bike emerges as an excellent choice for commuters, recreational riders, and those seeking a collapsible mountain bike capable of light off-road adventures.
Flatbike’s Unique Approach to Folding Bikes
Flatbike carves its niche in the cycling world by focusing on cyclists who demand the performance of a full-sized bike but require the space-saving benefits of a folding frame. Founder Bob Forgrave recognized the need for a practical bike storage solution and partnered with Changebike, a Taiwanese brand known for its innovative folding mechanisms.
Changebike’s design ingeniously utilizes quick-release couplers at the seat tube, allowing the collapsible mountain bike to fold in half efficiently. Flatbike enhances this design for the North American market by incorporating Wellgo’s quick-release pedal system and tailoring build kits to meet regional preferences. Beyond this mountain bike model, Flatbike’s offerings extend to hybrid and road bikes, all emphasizing their collapsible design philosophy.
Collapsible vs. Break-Away Frames: Understanding the Difference
The realm of folding bikes includes various designs, and Flatbike distinguishes itself from bikes employing S&S Couplers or Ritchey Break-Away systems. While Break-Away frames excel in compactness for air travel, they demand considerable time for assembly and disassembly. As someone with past experience with a Ritchey Outback Break-Away bike, reassembly often took 10 to 15 minutes.
In contrast, the Flatbike CHANGE collapsible mountain bike transitions from folded to ride-ready in under a minute. This speed is a significant advantage for those with limited storage at home or needing to quickly stow the bike in a car trunk. Flatbike’s collapsible bikes are also popular among boat owners, private pilots, and long-haul truckers for their easy storage and portability.
Beyond mere convenience, storing your bike indoors or in your vehicle reduces the risk of theft. Flatbike further addresses security with quick-release pedals. Removing pedals when locking up your collapsible mountain bike acts as a deterrent, encouraging thieves to seek easier targets.
Riding and Review of the CHANGE Collapsible MTB
The Flatbike CHANGE collapsible mountain bike arrives compactly packaged in a 35x30x14-inch box, neatly contained within a tote bag for effortless transport. Initial setup, following the provided instructions, took about 10 minutes, including unfolding, pedal and handlebar installation, and brake and gear adjustments (primarily for the first setup). Once familiar with the process, transitioning between folded and rideable states becomes remarkably quick, achievable in approximately one minute.
It’s important to reiterate that this collapsible mountain bike isn’t designed for aggressive mountain biking. Features like the upright riding position, conservative frame geometry with a steep 70° head tube angle, and a 135mm quick-release rear axle are not optimized for challenging trails. However, these aspects are unlikely to detract from the experience for Flatbike’s intended user. This bike is ideally suited for riders seeking more capability than hybrid bikes like Trek Dual Sports, with the added benefit of compact storage.
The inclusion of a 120mm suspension fork with lockout and a dropper seatpost is a welcome surprise. The 1×11-speed Shimano Deore drivetrain and hydraulic disc brakes are robust components, promising longevity. The 27.5×2.2-inch Continental Cross King tires offer a good balance of speed and grip, and the RockShox Recon Silver RL suspension fork is well-matched to the bike’s intended use. Handling is agile enough for city riding yet stable on gravel paths, bike trails, and gentle singletrack.
Final Verdict: Is the Flatbike CHANGE Right for You?
If you value space-saving solutions without compromising the riding experience of a full-sized bike, the Flatbike CHANGE collapsible mountain bike is a compelling option. For apartment dwellers, RV owners, or anyone in the #VanLife community needing a versatile bike for urban commutes and light trail exploration, Flatbike’s folding system presents a practical and effective solution to your cycling needs.
