Vintage CTC German Folding Bike Lightweight 3 Gears 16" Wheels Capital Chelsea

This vintage CTC German folding bike is a lightweight camping or boating machine made in Western Germany, designed for the Cyclists' Touring Club. It's the sort of bike that was built when fold-up bicycles meant serious engineering rather than compromise, and it shows. The aluminium frame folds down to a compact size, making it genuinely portable for trips away, whether you're loading it onto a boat or throwing it in a car for a weekend getaway. At its heart, it's a functional piece of kit that prioritises practicality over everything else.

The bike runs a 3-speed hub gear system with side-pull caliper brakes, which keeps things simple and low-maintenance. The 16-inch wheels are typical of folding bikes from this era, giving you a nimble, manoeuvrable platform that's easy to handle when folded or unfolded. The colour is red, which has held up reasonably well given its age. What makes this particular example interesting is how complete it still is: it comes with a rear cycle rack, a rear pouch for carrying bits and pieces, a puncture repair kit, and a side stand. Despite its years, the tyres are still holding air, and the bike is described as eminently rideable and genuinely fun to throw a leg over.

This is the kind of bike that works best for shorter trips around town, weekend adventures, or anyone who needs something that doesn't take up much space at home. The 3-speed gearing handles gentle rolling terrain without drama, though you won't be attacking hills with any urgency. What you get instead is that particular satisfaction of riding something that's been made to last, with a bit of character that modern folding bikes sometimes lack. Collection is from Barnstaple in North Devon, or you're welcome to arrange your own courier, though the seller isn't able to package it for transport themselves.