Is the Hummingbird the world's lightest folding bike? (video)

A new folding bike is seeking funding on Kickstarter. The Hummingbird claims to be the world's lightest folder, with a total weight of 6.5kg.

Made from carbon fibre, similar to the majority of present day road bikes, the single speed bike is said to have a smoother ride than its competitors thanks to the superior build materials.

If the funding round is successful and the bike is launched there will also be a five speed option.

>>> Read more: The best folding bikes: a buyer’s guide

At the time of writing, the funding round is just over halfway to its £50,000 target with more than three weeks to go.

The bike is designed in Britain, where it will be manufactured too. The company uses 3D printed prototypes to speed up the research and development phase.

The biggest claim made by the manufacturers refers to the folding system.

"The folding system is the biggest innovation, as it solves a problem that every other folding bike has," Hummingbird states on its website.

"The pivot for the rear triangle is around the bottom bracket shell, and the chain tensioner is removed. This means a lighter system as well as a safer one – the chain can’t fall any more."