Giant’s new 2010 Clip folding bicycle showed up at our local bike shop. Despite being super cool with some quite unique features, it hasn’t gotten much press among cycling websites we searched. So out came the iPhone for some quick detail pics.
There’s a lot of little details on the ALUXX aluminum frame that stand out. The first is the retractable split kickstand. Compare the photos above and below and you’ll see that when the seatpost is down, it pushes the kickstand out of the bottom of the seat tube. Pull the seatpost up, and it closes into the frame. There’s a secondary seatpost adjustment inside the main tube to allow for seat height adjustment without risking the kickstand jutting out of the bottom.
We’re just getting started. Hit ‘more’ to see the rest of the photos and specs…
As the kickstand comes down, it automatically opens into a “Y” shape to hold the bike upright and straight.
The pedals fold flat, minimizing the space it takes up when folded.
Cannondale has its Lefty, Giant has a “Righty” fork.
The says are only on the right side, too. This design allows the bike to fold its left side flat against itself, creating a compact package:
The Clip weighs in at 26.1 lbs, not too bad for a 20″ wheel folding bike.
To make the folded package smaller, the handlebar flips down and snaps into the black clip. Simply twist a lever on the front of the mushroom shaped hinge on the steerer tube and the handlebar flips down to lay parallel to the frame and keep the front wheel straight.
There are two release levers on the frame, one each on the top- and down-tubes. The top one releases just by pulling, the bottom one has a push-release lever that prevents it from opening automatically.
The hinge release levers have adjusting bolts.
The rear axle has a “female” clip that the front axle snaps into. Drivetrain is a SRAM twister with Shimano derailleur and 8-speed cassette. The crankset is a Giant brand alloy piece with chain-guide plates. It comes with fenders and a bell, too.
Average retail price is $1,025 and it comes in Pearl White, Metallic Black or Metallic Orange. We’re picking one up as soon as this infernal rain stops and will give it a quick review shortly…