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2 Vintage Folding Bikes Vista and Hercules
£20.36 GBP
These are two vintage folding bikes, a Hercules and a Vista, discovered as a barn find. Both use the classic 20-inch wheel size that was standard for compact folding designs, making them genuinely portable compared to full-size bicycles. The frames are steel throughout, which gives them durability and a solid feel underfoot, though it does mean they're heavier than modern aluminium alternatives. Each bike is finished in brown.
The drivetrain on both is kept simple with just three speeds, powered by a hub gear that needs minimal maintenance. Stopping power comes from side-pull caliper brakes, which were the practical choice for everyday bikes of this era. These brakes work reliably once adjusted properly, though they do require a bit more hand pressure than modern rim or disc systems.
As barn finds, these bikes represent the kind of sensible, no-nonsense transport that was common before modern lightweight designs took over. The 20-inch wheels and three-speed setup suit short urban journeys and gentle terrain rather than longer rides or hills. They fold down to a manageable size, making them worth considering if you're after a piece of cycling history that actually works, though anyone expecting modern convenience or performance will need to adjust their expectations accordingly.