Not long ago, I had the chance to test Allen Sports Downtown, the cheapest folding bike of the manufacturer, and I quite loved it. In this post, we are going to review the more high-end and of course more expensive one, Allen Sports XWay. Does its performance deserve the extra money and what makes the difference? Let’s check it out.

First of all, we’ll describe Allen Sports XWay aluminum 20 speed folding bicycle briefly. As we have already mentioned, Allen Sports XWay aluminum 20 speed folding bike is an expensive bicycle. So, the big question is – why this type of a folding bike is so expensive? Now, it’s time to get the answer!

You need to pay a close attention to the bike’s parts. Obviously, the bike’s components are made of high quality materials. So, the bike’s parts are likely to serve you for a long time. The bike itself is lightweight. That means that you’ll definitely find it easy to carry your folding bike if such a need arises. It’s pretty easy to travel with a bike. Allen Sports XWay aluminum 20 speed folding bicycle can be easily taken on bus, train or other types of public transportation. Do you prefer to travel by a car? There is no doubt that Allen Sports XWay aluminum 20 speed folding bicycle will fit in your car!

Allen Sports XWay aluminum 20 speed folding bike comes with 20 speeds. So, you’ll be able to ride your bike at high speeds. The bike is universal. So, this type of a folding bike can be used either for long distance travels in rural areas or for everyday riding around the city. One way or another, the bike will provide you with great riding experience.

With Allen Sports XWay aluminum 20 speed folding bike, you’ll be able to select a speed for any type of a road. With this type of a bike you’ll find it easy to ride on flat terrain or climb hills. Allen Sports XWay aluminum 20 speed folding bike makes it possible for you to overcome different types of challenges on the road quickly, easily and successfully.

Another big advantage of Allen Sports XWay aluminum 20 speed folding bike is that its folding/unfolding process is very simple. It’s worth noting that the bike is equipped with patented frame release levers. That’s why it doesn’t take a cyclist too long to fold/unfold a bike. So, you’ll be able to fold/unfold a bike within 8 seconds. When the bike is folded, it becomes very compact and doesn’t occupy too much space.

We all know that the vast majority of folding bikes come with 20″ or 16″ wheels. Allen Sports XWay aluminum 20 speed folding bike is best known for its 451 MM wheels. Clearly, wheels of this type have significant advantages over standard wheels and, of course, they can contribute greatly to the bike’s performance.

Below, we’ll provide you with deep insights into Allen Sports XWay aluminum 20 speed folding bike. We’ll draw your attention to the bike’s key features and specs. Plus, we’ll tell you about the Allen Sports XWay aluminum 20 speed folding bike’s performance. Also, we’ll outline pros and cons of the bike. Above all, this review contains unboxing video, folding/unfolding video as well as test riding video. Finally, you’ll know what to expect from the bike and will be able to make a conclusion whether Allen Sports XWay aluminum 20 speed folding bike is worth its money or not.

$1,078 at Amazon & Prime Eligible

Unboxing Video

Features and Specs

• Colors: Black Stone
• Folded size: 33.5 inch x  13.8 inch x 27.6 inch (85cm x 35cm x 70cm)
• Weight: 24.6 lbs (11.1 kgs)
• Frame: 6061 Aluminum
• Forks: 6061 Aluminum
• Speeds: 20
• Wheel Size: 451mm
• Tires: 20″ x 1-3/8″
• Valve on tires: Presta
• Front Derailleur: Shimano
• Back Derailleur: Sram X9 10 Speed
• Rims: Shinning Alloy
• Crank Set: Lasco
• Shifters: Sram X9 Trigger
• Front Brake: Tektro
• Rear Brake: Tektro
• Pedals: Folding
• Kickstand: built-in
• Brake levers: Tektro
• Handlebar Post: Alloy adjustable
• Handlebar: Aluminum
• Saddle: DDK 3166
• Seat post: Aluminum
• Fenders are not included
• Recommended Rider Height range: 4’11” to 6’7″ (150cm to 200cm)
• Max Rider Weight: 242 lbs (110 kgs)

Folding / Unfolding Video

Performance

After taking the Allen Sports XWay out of the box, I was immediately amazed at its build and design. As compared to the Allen Sports Downtown, this is absolutely on a different level. Instead of the simple and cute design on the Downtown, the XWay makes me feel like folding bikes can seriously convince pro-cyclists this time. I had the same feeling when I tried the Dahon IOS S9 but that was too bulky for a portable bike, the XWay is a lot lighter, smaller and looks cool at the same time. Even when I compare it to the Downtown, it is still folded smaller and 1.4 lbs lighter.

What distinguishes the XWay to other folding bikes is its 451mm wheels. The most popular wheel size on folding bike is 20 inches (or 406mm), so the change is not significant but it is noticeable. I can see that the wheels are slightly bigger but the tires are also thinner and narrower. The new wheels are said to deliver a more comfortable ride and smaller folded size. In theory, the design obviously can help us ride faster and maneuver more comfortably and responsively. I will need further tests to prove it. It is hard to say when I don’t have the same bikes with those two types of wheels to try at the same time. At the moment, I can say I had a much better riding experience on this bike rather than the Downtown. I can ride faster and shifting gears is also very smooth as you can see in the video below. The performance might be credited to the wheels but I guess it is also the result of the 20 speeds and the narrower and lower-resistant tires.

I also love the performance of the Sram X9 10-speed rear derailleur and Shimano 2-speed front derailleur. I haven’t tried climbing steep hills yet but the XWay can easily tackle moderate hills. However, the setup could be too complicated and redundant if you are living in the city.

The folding mechanism of the XWay is almost the same as the Downtown. I still can easily fold/unfold it within 10-15 seconds. I love the XWay even more because it allows adjusting the handlebar and handlebar height.

The only problem I have is that the bike is still unstable in folded position. It can’t stand on its own and it is dropped to the ground all the time, this is probably because the heavy handlepost is folded out and it is not secured into the package. The issue also affects mobility of the bike as I can’t grab the handlepost to carry the bike to my car trunk. Besides, notice that you should examine the bike carefully before riding it. It is ready to use out of the box but the brakes were very loose on my bike and I had to adjust them properly before taking the road.

Images

Test Riding

Conclusion

Pros

• Amazing design
• Lightweight and small folded size.
• Great performance of 451mm wheels and 20-speed derailleurs.

Cons

• Unstable in folded position.

The Allen Sports XWay folding bicycle has the high MSRP of $1,699. This is a hefty price but remember that this is an entry into high-end folding bikes, so the price makes sense. It has 5-star rating on Amazon, so you can be confident buying the awesome folder.

Regular Price: $1,699

Special Price: $1,078 at Amazon & Prime Eligible

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