With city traffic more congested than ever, MINI is offering up a solution to urban parking overcrowding: the MINI Folding Bike. Rather than cram a whole roll of quarters into that parking meter for 15 minutes, park further out and finish your trip on a bicycle. Not just any bicycle, but a rather clever little number that folds up small enough to fit in the boot of your MINI. More after the break.

The bike folds along the crossbar and handlebars. The saddle retracts and the pedals fold up close to the aluminum frame. This makes the bike extremely easy to handle and saves space. Fitted in a sleeve under the saddle is a fitted transport bag for portaging odds and ends. The MINI Folding Bike claims to match the riding characteristics of a “normal” bike. Weighing less than 24 lbs, the bike is equipped with 8 gears and 20-inch wheels, keeping it quick and versatile. The teflon-coated chain keeps your pants clean and reduces the wear and tear on the components, and the gel saddle keeps things comfortable. The bike also features the customary visibility features and fenders to keep the road off you and your clothes.

Even on two wheels, the MINI design details show through. The bike comes in matte black, and features silver highlights in the MINI lettering on the crossbar. The MINI logo is featured on the handlebars and a monocrhomatic Union Jack motif on the rear forks. The bike chain and bell are the set apart in bold neon yellow.

Components  Description
Frame  AAA Series, aluminium 7005 patented
Fusion Technology
Fork  Dahon Slipstream, aluminium U7
double-butt. Matt black
Handlebar  Kinetix Comp double-butt. Aluminium, matt black
Stem  Aluminium, matt black, height-adjustable,
2 x quick release
Bar grips  Biologic ARX, screwed, black with grey lines
Brakes  Kinetix V-brakes, front and rear
Shifter / brake lever  Avid FR5 aluminium, matt black
Crank set  Kinetix Supra forged aluminium l=170 mm
black, aluminium chain
 guard
Bottom bracket  BSA cartridge bearings,
sealed, 3-set.
Chain  Taya Chain OCTO,Teflon-coated, neon yellow
Pedals  Folding pedals, aluminium body, black,
non-slip
Shift system  NEOS.2 for 8-speed, black
Gear lever  Sram Twist 8-speed grip shift
incl. cable control
Cassette  Sram 8-gear, silver, 11-32 teeth
Front wheel hub  Kinetix Neutron 74 mm,
aluminium, black with hollow axle and SSP
Rear wheel hub  Kinetix Comp. 8x cassette,
black with hollow axle und SSP
Rims  Kinetix Comp, hollow chamber, black with
CNC brake track
Tyres  Schwalbe KOJAK 35-406 Dahon special edition
Inner tubes  Schwalbe Unitube 20” AV6
(with car valve)
Spokes  Niro Black, d=2mm, brass nipple, silver
Saddle  Selle Royal Gel, black without logo
Seat post  Super-Oversize 580 mm, patented head,
aluminium, matt black with
 scale
Saddle clamp  Dahon “Turtleneck”
with quick release, black
Passive lighting  Spokes, front and rear
reflector (as accessory pack) and pedal
 reflectors
according to DIN and STVZO (German Road Traffic

 Licensing Regulation)
Bicycle bell  Thumb-lever bike bell,
“Billy” model, same colour as chain
Accessories  Transport bag in sleeve
(fitted beneath saddle), MINI Folding
Bike-
 specific operating instructions (various
languages), component
 manufacturers’
operating instructions
Chain case  Does not apply, see chain
guard cover on crank set
Others  Supplied assembled and ready to ride
(non-inflated tyres in folded
 state), in special
box with MINI Logo

The MINI Folding Bike will be available in August of this year in select MINI dealers, and at www.MINI.de/shop, at an MSRP of about $730. No word yet on US availability. US availability has been confirmed.