Flatbike CHANGE Folding Mountain Bike Review

Not every cyclist is lucky enough to have space to store an entire fleet of bicycles. If you live in a small apartment, frequently travel in an RV, or need a bike that you can keep in the trunk of your car, Flatbike may have a solution for you. This full-sized folding bike mountain bike isn’t the best option for aggressive trail riding, but if you, or someone you know, is looking for a versatile bike for commuting, bike path cruising, and light-duty singletrack, Flatbike’s CHANGE folding mountain bike is worth a look.

Related: Types of Bikes: Choosing the Right One for You

Flatbike Change Folding MTB Highlights 

• Folds in half to fit in car trunks and small spaces

• Can transition from folded to rideable in less than a minute

• Equipped with 1x11-speed Shimano Deore drivetrain and hydraulic disc brakes

• Wheel size: 27.5″

• Weight: 32 pounds with pedals

• Measures 37″ x 30″ x 15″ when folded​

• Price: $2,380

• For more information, visit CHANGE Folding Off-Road MTB – Flatbike

• From now through the end of February, readers can use the code “MTBRDEAL” to get $120 off the CHANGE Folding Off-Road MTB or CHANGE 812

What Is Flatbike?

Flatbike is a folding bike company that found a niche among space-strapped cyclists who want a folding bicycle with the fit and handling benefits of a full-sized bicycle. Flatbike founder Bob Forgrave saw a need for a different bike storage system and found most of what he was looking for in a Taiwanese brand called Changebike.

Changebike developed a folding mechanism that uses quick-release couplers at the seat tube to fold the bike in half. Forgave imported these frames to North America and sought to make them even more compact by incorporating Wellgo’s quick-release pedal system and different build kits that cater to North American cyclists. In addition to the mountain bike featured here, Flatbike also offers hybrid and road models.

Flatbike Versus Break-Away Style Frames

Even within the world of folding bikes, there are sub-categories. According to Forgrave, Flatbike’s bicycles serve a different clientele than bikes that use S&S Couplers or are built using Ritchey’s Break-Away frame system. Ritchey’s Break-Away frames fold down smaller, which is great for flying with a bike. The downside to Break-Away frames is that they take significantly longer to assemble and disassemble.

As a former owner of a Ritchey Outback Break-Away travel bike, I would generally spend between 10 and 15 minutes reassembling it before hitting the road. (The exact time will depend on the specific build and the mechanical aptitude of the owner.) In contrast, Flatbike’s frames can transition from folded to functional in less than a minute, which makes them a good option for riders who have limited space in their homes or want a bike they can transport in the trunk of their car. Forgrave notes that the company’s bikes are also popular with folks who live on boats, private pilots and long-haul truckers.

In addition to the space-saving benefits of a folding bike, storing your bike in your home or vehicle can reduce the likelihood of theft. The quick-release pedals are another theft deterrent feature—lock up your bike and remove your pedals when running errands, and a would-be thief is likely to look elsewhere.

Flatbike CHANGE MTB Review

The CHANGE arrived in a box that measured 35x30x14-inches. It comes smartly packed in a tote bag, allowing it to be easily transported between rides. After reading through the directions, it took me approximately 10 minutes to unfold the frame, install the pedals, install the handlebar, and adjust the brakes and gears. (The last three steps must only be done during the initial build.) Once I got the hang of it, I found I could transition between folded and rideable in about a minute.

As I mentioned in the introduction, this isn’t a bike designed for mountain bikers to take on expert-level trails. Downsides for use as a dedicated trail bike include an upright riding position, conservative frame geometry (short reach measurement and a steep 70° head tube angle), and a 135mm-spaced quick-release rear axle.

While some mountain bikers may turn up their nose at these features, they’re unlikely to matter much to Flatbike’s target rider. I see the ideal customer for this bike as someone who wants a bike that is more capable than Trek’s Dual Sport models and needs it to be as compact as possible when not in use.

I was glad to see that Flatbike equipped this bike 120mm suspension fork with a lockout as well as a dropper seatpost. The 1x11-speed Shimano Deore drivetrain and hydraulic disc brakes are great additions that should stand up to years of use. The 27.5x2.2-inch Continental Cross King tires roll fast, and the RockShox Recon Silver RL suspension fork is appropriate for the task at hand. The bike’s handling is quick enough for navigating city streets without being twitchy on gravel roads, bike paths, and flowy singletrack.

Verdict

If you live in an apartment or dorm room, own an RV, or are a member of the #VanLife crowd and want a versatile bike to ride around town and take on some gentle trails, Flatbike’s folding system could solve your cycling needs.