Allen Sports Ultra X Folding Bike Review – a High-end Carbon Fiber Bike

When I tested the Allen Sports Ultra 1 a few months ago, I thought its performance reached the limit that no other folding bike can overcome. I figured out I was wrong after trying Ultra X, the more high-end folding bike by the same manufacturer.

Specifications & Features

• Folded Dimensions: 33.5″ x 27.6″ x 13.8″ (85cm x 35cm x 70cm)
• Weight: 18.75 lbs (8.5 kg)
• Speeds: 20
• Frame: Carbon Fiber
• Fork: Carbon Fiber
• Wheel Size: 451 mm
• Tires: 20″ x 1-1/8″
• Valve on tires: Presta
• Rims: Alexrims CARBON
• Crankset: FSA Carbon
• Pedals: Ultra-light, non-folding
• Front Derailleur: Shimano
• Back Derailleur: Sram X9 10 Speed
• Shifters: Sram X9 Trigger
• Front Brake: Tektro
• Rear Brake: Tektro
• Brake levers: Tektro
• Kickstand: not included
• Handlebar Post: Carbon adjustable
• Handlebar: Full Carbon
• Saddle: All Carbon
• Seat post: Carbon
• Fenders: not included
• Recommended Rider Height: 4’11” to 6’7″ (150cm to 200cm)
• Max Rider Weight: 242 lbs (110 kgs)
• Max/Min distance from seatpost to handlebar: 59.05cm/ 55.88cm
• Max/Min distance from saddle to pedal: 91.44cm/ 73.02cm

Image Gallery

Performance

The Allen Sports Ultra X has the same design as its brother, the Ultra 1. If you look at the bikes from a distance, you will hardly be able to distinguish between the two. However, the Ultra X actually has some important upgrades which make it much more superior.

Instead of equipping carbon fiber on the frame and fork only, the Ultra X uses carbon fiber throughout its body, including the handlebar, handlepost, saddle, seatpost, rims and crankset. Therefore, it has a ridiculous weight of 18.75 lbs and becomes the most lightweight folding bike I’ve ever used. After riding the bike, it is so difficult to come back because all other folding bikes feel so heavy for me now.

Apart from the material upgrade, you can also see that Allen Sports uses a new pair of pedals for the Ultra X, they are non-folding but super compact and lightweight. The saddle is still extremely narrow and I feel uncomfortable after just half an hour sitting on it, even with padded cycling shorts. To avoid the saddle sore, I’d recommend you to change to a softer saddle. A little more cushioned saddle will support your bottom better.

My favorite features like press-link folding system which delivers a very fast folding and unfolding processes, thin 451mm wheels for a more responsive ride and super smooth shifting are still retained on the bike. One issue is that the bike is still easy to fall down in the folded position.

You might be thinking all those upgrades are gimmicks that couldn’t change your riding experience notably. After trying the bike in the last 2 months, I figure out this is not only the lightest but also the fastest folding bike ever. My average speed is about 13 mph and maximum speed reaches over 20 mph. That means the max speed is significantly faster than the Ultra 1’s.

Update: The frame started making a creaking noise on the road. I knew something went wrong and stopped using it. At the moment, there is a recall on both the Ultra 1 and Ultra X.

Conclusion

Pros

• Very lightweight
• High-quality components
• Fastest folding bike ever

Cons

• Uncomfortable saddle
• Expensive

Overall, the Ultra X is a great performance bike with a sporty design and I recommend it if you have a few thousand bucks to spare.