Korean Bike Tech Makes Folding Bikes Better at Hills

Folding bikes are perfect for commuters who need something portable, but they've always had one big weakness: hills can be brutal with just a single gear.

A Korean company called Contavelo just solved that problem with a surprisingly simple invention. Their Easy Ride crankset adds two speeds to any small-wheel folding bike without the weight or bulk of traditional gear systems.

Here's what makes it clever. Most bikes use derailleurs or internal gear hubs to change speeds, but those add weight and complexity. Some folding bikes can't even fit a front derailleur because of how they're designed. The Easy Ride builds the gearing right into the crankset itself, using a clutch and ratchet mechanism that weighs just 1.5 pounds.

Switching gears is almost playful. You just pedal backward between 45 and 90 degrees, and the mechanism shifts between first gear (for hills) and second gear (for flats). No handlebar controls needed. You can even shift while standing still, which anyone who's ever struggled to find the right gear at a stoplight will appreciate.

Installing it does require some bike mechanical skills. You'll need to remove your existing pedals, chain or belt, crankset, and bottom bracket, then reassemble everything with the Easy Ride in place. But for riders who know their way around a bike tool kit, it's a straightforward swap.

The device works with both chain and belt drives, and it's made from aluminum alloy and heat-treated steel for durability.

The Bright Side

This kind of innovation shows how simple engineering can solve real problems without overcomplicating things. Instead of adding motors or batteries, Contavelo looked at what actually bothered folding bike riders and created something elegant. The result is a product that makes cycling more accessible to people who might avoid hills or longer commutes because their folding bike couldn't handle varied terrain.

The Easy Ride is currently raising funds on Kickstarter, where backers can reserve one for $259 (retail price will be $432). For folding bike owners tired of grinding up hills in a single gear, that might feel like a small price for bigger possibilities.