Nanoo Bikes

Simon Whiten

Preview of Nanoo Bikes

If the idea of a folding bike immediately turns you off then these funky little commuter bikes from Nanoo may just change your mind.

Black Nanoo is designated the FB14 and retails for £699

First up a Nanoo looks really cool. If you want people to change their transport strategy, the alternatives you give them must look good and be appealing, especially if they are to work in an urban environment. The Nanoo certainly fits the bill.

NANOO bikes are aluminum folding bicycles which should help to keep the weight down – 12 Kg for the mechanical version and 16 Kg for the electric one – so whilst not lightweight they are not bad for commuters.

White Nanoo is the FB12 and will sell for £599

Once you get used to the folding action, you can fold them in 10 seconds. But the really clever bit is that once folded they are transportable on their own wheels, using one hand to steer via the bars which you can still hold at a comfortable height as you walk along the platform to your train, or down the street, or into your office, or wherever. This means that unlike other folding bikes, you don’t have to carry a Nanoo about, which is a fantastic idea. However, it’s still small enough to fit in your car boot or stand unobtrusively in a busy train carriage. It makes a Nanoo a very practical option for lots of people.

It still folds small enough to make transportation easy in a car or on the train, and to port the folded bike you simply push it along on its wheels

Unlike many folding bikes, the Nanoo retains the traditional diamond shape of a normal bicycle, which should endear it with the same inherent strength meaning that, in theory at least, you can do just about anything with it.

Reassuringly the Nanoo is just missing a seat tube to make it a traditional diamond frame

The Nanoo was designed in co-operation between Italy (Advance Mobility S.r.l) and Taiwan (the Jee Ann Bicycle Co Ltd). We have two bikes in to test. One has gone straight off to our resident Brompton afficinado, Ed Owen for a full review. The other was left with me for photos and to see what an enthusiast rider might think…
 

The black Nanoo has gone to Ed Owen who usually commutes on board a Brompton…

 
Immediate ride impressions are that it’s obviously different to riding a full sized bike. The steering, thanks to the small front wheel, is super quick giving the sensation of less stability, though of course, it’s no different to other bikes in this class. The aluminum 12” rims and wide sectioned tires are certainly comfortable.
 
Apparently the bike can handle people of different heights, from 140 cm to 200 cm, and carry a load of up to 110 Kg. The riding position is meant to allow a comfortable and relaxed posture presumably to avoid too much sweat.
 
The Nanoo is available in a range of wheel sizes and brake options, and in an electric version (which will sell for £1600) with pedal assisted technology that allow it to cover a distance of 30 Km. This will increase the appeal for many, as will a variety of colour options. There is also a sporty version with 14″ wheels, a double chainset upfront and an internal hub gear. There’s a handy range of accessories to go with the bike and increase its practicality, such as front and rear baskets. The retail prices are £599 for the FB12 and £699 for the FB14.
 
Apparently Nanoo bikes are really taking off with a few celebrities enjoying their flexibility. We certainly like Nanoo’s slogan -“NANOO…think a better life!” Let’s see if that’s the case. Full review coming soon…

 
[rps-include blog=127.0.0.1 post=30120]
 

Nanoo logo

Nanoo bikes certainly look good…

The black Nanoo in the foreground is a 14″ model with cable operated disc brakes

The black Nanoo has gone to Ed Owen who usually commutes on board a Brompton…

Black Nanoo has traditional spoked wheels as opposed to the cast wheels on the white 12″

Black Nanoo is designated the FB14 and retails for £699

White Nanoo is the FB12 and will sell for £599

Both Nanoos have aluminium frames

Reassuringly the Nanoo is just missing a seat tube to make it a traditional diamond frame

Bikes look cool, particularly the white, but there’s a range of colour options to suit all tastes.

Sunrace M30 gear shifters and Taiwanese Alhonga V-brake levers

Two quick release handles – one for stem alignment and the other to lock the folding handlebars – prevent hassle when folding the bike

7-speed block and Shimano Tourney rear mech

Rear Alhonga V-brake

Busy folding handlebar

White FB12 folded in front of unfolded black FB14

It still folds small enough to make transportation easy in a car or on the train, and to port the folded bike you simply push it along on its wheels

To unfold simply set the seatpost…

…then simply push the rear wheel with your foot…

…and once you get the knack it’s very quick…

…as the frame drops into place under its own weight.

You need to lock the unfolded frame into place…

…which is a very simple operation

This quick release allows you to set the stem and bars straight,a s well as quickly adjusting their height

This double quick release allows you to unfold the bars…

…which simply snap into place…

…before being clamped by the same quick release lever.

As with all the parts on any folding bike, make sure it’s properly engaged.

Folding pedals need to be snapped back into a usable position

They are plastic, standard commuter pedals

Nanoo UK (Imperial Cycles)