Honestly I didn’t know much about Allen Sports before trying the new bike. All I know is that this is a family owned company well known for its high quality rear mounted bicycle carriers including the best-selling Allen Sports Deluxe 2-Bike Trunk Mount Rack. I am also using a product of Allen Sports, which is the Allen Sports 5W light set and really it is worth every penny.

$245 at Amazon & Prime Eligible

It looks like Allen Sports just started expanding its business in 2014 when I saw a new wave of folding bikes introduced on Amazon. Today, we will take a look at their lowest-priced bike, the Allen Sports Downtown. Additionally, we’ll explain to you why this folding bicycle is so special.

First of all, we’ll describe the bike briefly. Then, we’ll provide you with the bike’s unboxing video. Also, we’ll list all the bicycle’s key features. Thus, you’ll get an opportunity to explore the bike’s features. After that, we’ll share the bike’s folding/unfolding video. Thus, you’ll get an understanding of how the Allen Sports Downtown bicycle is folded and unfolded. Plus, we’ll give you some insights into the bike’s performance. Above all, our review includes Test Riding video as well as the images of the bike. So, you’ll get the perfect opportunity to learn more about the Allen Sports Downtown bike. As a result, we’ll outline the pros and cons of Allen Sports Downtown and this will help you make a conclusion whether the bike is worth buying or not.

What Cyclists Should Expect form the Bike

Without a doubt, the Allen Sports Downtown is a great choice if you would like to purchase a bike for riding in urban environments. It’s worth noting that the bike comes with 1 speed gearing. With such a bike as the Allen Sports Downtown you’ll find it easy to ride on flat trails. The bicycle also goes up small hills pretty well.

It’s crucial for you to know that the process of folding/unfolding the bike is very simple and doesn’t take too much time. The reality is the Allen Sports Downtown bike comes with patented frame release levers that make it possible for a cyclist to fold/unfold his/her bike quickly when such a necessity arises. It will take you no longer than 8 seconds to fold/unfold the Allen Sports Downtown bicycle. The bike is best-known for its patented wheel lock system. This type of system locks the bicycle when it’s folded.

The Allen Sports Downtown bike’s frame is made of aluminum. That’s the reason why the bike is lightweight. That means that it wouldn’t be difficult for you to carry the bike. It’s pretty easy to take the bicycle on bus and on train as well.

The Allen Sports Downtown is known for being a small-sized folding bike. When the bike is folded, it decreases in size dramatically and becomes even smaller. So, you’ll be able to put the Allen Sports Downtown bicycle in a car easily and quickly. Just fit the bike into a trunk and go with it anywhere.

Unboxing Video

Features and Specs

• Colors: Grey, Green, Blue
• Speed: 1
• Weight: 26 lbs (11.8 kgs)
• Folded Dimensions: 15.4 x 33.5 x 28 inches (39cm x 85cm x 71cm)
• Tires: 20″ x 1.5″
• Valve on tire: Shraeder
• Wheel Size: 20″
• Frame: 6061 Aluminum
• Forks: Lightweight Steel
• Handlebar: Steel
• Handlebar Post: Alloy one piece
• Saddle: DDK 3166
• Rims: P-6N Alloy
• Crank Set: Samox
• Front Brake: WinZip
• Rear Brake: WinZip
• Seat post: Hi-ten Steel
• Pedals: non-folding
• Maximum rider weight: 242 lbs.
• Suggested rider height: 4’9″ (145cm) to 6’6″ (198cm)
• Shipping weight: 34 lbs.
• Box dimensions: 34 x 25.5 x 15.5 inches

Folding / Unfolding Video

Performance

There is a lot to like about this bike. I immediately see the differences in the first time I unfolded the bike. Basically I just needed to gently tap on the locking tab securing the 2 wheels, swing the handlebar to upright position, lock it in place, and finally open the frame by swinging out the front wheel. I really love the hinge levers on this bike because sometimes I even don’t have to press them to the frame at all, they could automatically snap in place. This is a huge advantage because I always have to use a lot of pressure to secure 2 wheels and snap hinge levers on other folding bikes.

On the other hand, folding the Downtown is pretty straightforward and I really love the locking tab which is used to secure wheels. I just hate that it is still quite bulky and you might need a strap to fix the wheels and handlebar post. Anyway the locking mechanism could be the easiest and fastest on a folding bike I’ve ever tried. I could unfold the bike in 10 seconds and fold it in about 15 seconds. Hopefully the next generations or the more high-end bikes will make the pedals foldable, eliminate the needs of pressing golden button when pulling hinge levers, and make it easier to secure the handlebar post when folded.

In terms of riding experience, the Allen Sports Downtown is a 1-speed bike, so it works great on flat roads and doesn’t require regular maintenance. If you are living in the city, 1 speed is more than enough. The Downtown provides a simple and smooth ride, and it is ready to use out of the box. I just took it out of the box and didn’t need to bring to a bike shop for professional setup. The bike can easily fit inside my car trunk but notice that its shipping box is quite big and it might not fit, you can see the specs above for the exact dimensions of the bike and the shipping box.

As the Downtown is the cheapest folding bike in the series, it also has the lowest specs to reduce the cost. It is the heaviest one and also the only one that is not using 451MM wheels which can provide a more comfortable ride. However, it doesn’t mean that this comes with cheap components. I’ve been riding the bike for one month and haven’t got any problem. The frame is still very sturdy and the locking mechanism doesn’t get loose at all.

Images

Test Riding

Pros

• Effortless and fast folding mechanism.
• Sturdy frame.

Cons

• No folding pedals.
• Bulky when folded and might require a strap.
• High price when it is not on sale.

The Allen Sports Downtown is a good 1-speed folding bike and I totally recommend it if you can find it on sale. Don’t hesitate to buy it when the price comes down to less than $300.

Regular Price: $449

Special Price: $245 at Amazon & Prime Eligible

Conclusion

It would be great for you to check out customer reviews of the Allen Sports Downtown before to decide if this folding bicycle is a good option for you or not. The bike’s customer reviews statistics shows that the vast majority of cyclists are happy with the Allen Sports Downtown folding bicycle. According to the statistics, up to 73% of consumers have left positive feedbacks about the bike. They say that the Allen Sports Downtown is a high quality folding bike that performs very well. Cyclists find the bicycle comfortable and easy to use. Above all, riders like the design of the Allen Sports Downtown folding bike very much. All of this means that the Allen Sports Downtown is a great budget friendly folding bike!

Check price and read more customer reviews here