After last year’s electric scooters, the Mini brand continues to explore two-wheel territory, this time with a folding bicycle. The Mini Folding Bike stays true to the company’s tradition, in the sense that it fits into the boot of almost any vehicle when it’s folded. Not surprisingly, all Mini models can accommodate the small bicycle into their trunks.
The bike is aimed at customers who spend a lot of time in crowded cities with Mini claiming that it is “absolutely suitable for commuters and impresses in urban travels”. When folded, it can be taken free of charge on public transport.
Mini’s bicycle features a light-weight aluminum frame and a simple folding mechanism that allows it to be folded and unfolded in a few seconds. The bike collapses along the crossbar and handlebars in order to take up a minimum amount of space. In addition, the saddle can be retracted and the pedals folded up, making it easy to handle.
The MINI Folding Bike weighs less than 11 kilograms (24 lbs) and is equipped with 8-gears and 20-inch wheels. It has a teflon-coated chain to prevent soiling caused by chaing oil, a gel saddle and mudguards that make it usable in the rain as well. The bike comes in matt black paint with silver highlights such as the Mini lettering on the crossbar, the brand logo on the handlebars and the British flag on the rear forks. The chain and the bell are painted in neon yellow.
The bike will be available from August 2011 from select Mini dealers and on the company’s German online store for a price of €499 ($728).
By Dan Mihalascu
PHOTO GALLERY
