Inhaltsverzeichnis
- Best folding electric bikes of 2023: A compact option for city riders
- Folding mechanism
- Best folding electric bikes: our picks
But before that, here’s some important information on what to look out for when searching for a foldable electric bike to meet all of your needs. A city bike is all well and good for the working week, but what about the weekends? Luckily, the FIIDO D3 Pro’s grippy 20” tires mean it’ll hold its own should you decide to stray from the cycle paths. With a full battery life of 60km, you can complete that Sunday ride with ease, with charge to spare for Monday’s commute. A powerful LED front light will also see you through winter commutes, although for UK readers, it’s worth remembering that cyclists riding at night are required by law to have a rear red light.
- ‘Cast’ wheels are mainly made from alloy, which makes them quite durable, especially when used with fat tire sizes.
- Not everyone will enjoy biking on such a low-step through aluminum frame or with such narrow handlebars.
- When it comes to range, on a full charge you can ride for up to 71 miles.
- Out of the box, the RadPower RadExpand 5 required slightly more assembly than most of the other bikes in this guide.
This setup is best for relatively flat rides as it only has 45Nm of torque. This affordable fold-up electric bike has a punchy 500W motor and 672Wh battery that is seamlessly built into the frame. This combination provides 40 miles of range with a max assisted speed of 20mph. Although the unorthodox gearing arrangement on the Brompton provides a wide range of gears and a compact fold, the shifting itself takes some getting used to. You aren’t supposed to pedal when changing the internal hub gears, but you do need to pedal when changing the two external ones. So it may take a ride or two for that to come naturally, without your having to think about it.
And because not every folding e-bike is easy to move once it’s folded, we also look at this element closely, paying particularly close attention to the weight. This is especially important for a folding e-bike, given how much the battery and motor add over a normal folding bike. It’s no good having a compact folding machine if it’s awkward to move around and difficult to lift. As you will be carrying a folded bike at some point the overall weight needs to be considered, too, especially for folding e-bikes, where the battery and motor create an additional load.
Best folding electric bikes of 2023: A compact option for city riders
E-bikes are available in all shapes and sizes, and most folding electric bikes are more technical. Each model has a different max speed, power rating, maximum load capacity, and weight. All folding ebikes come with a full year of coverage and lifetime assistance. Each folding electric bike we offer comes with 1 year of coverage against frame, motor, battery, and component defects. And while most companies cut off their service once your warranty expires, with BikeBerry's Lifetime Assistance we're here to answer any questions you need to keep you riding for years.
The GSD S10 is very convenient to use and folds down fast, ready for storage. However, only the handlebars and stem fold and the seatpost telescopes all the way dow. As with any broad question the answer is, to some degree, 'it varies'. They will however be noticeably heavier than those without a battery and motor. With those big tyres, we'd never have an issue taking the ‘alternative’ route anywhere.
These are not origami-style commuter bicycles that can be easily carried up stairs or onto a ferry or light rail. For the most part, the transformation is simply a way to take up less space while sitting idle. Unless you’re into carrying 60-pound pieces of metal and rubber up a flight of stairs. Dahon’s Mariner D8 ranked as our first choice after testing, thanks to its features, which included everything on the list of what most commuter riders want in a folding bike. First and foremost, we found the Mariner smooth to ride and to shift, as well as appropriately geared for pedaling up hills.
The folding design means you can take it anywhere and use it for commuting or exercise - no need to purchase a separate transport. The ECOTRIC 500 Watt Electric Bike is a foldaway bicycle that has been designed to be highly compact. The electric drive system allows you to go further and faster than you ever thought possible. High-performing models power the foldable bike at speeds of up to 28 miles per hour.
The quality and components also vary greatly, with a big difference in battery life and motor strength. Depending on how you plan on using the bike, it’s important to select one that is suitable for your needs. The Vektron S10's ten-speed drivetrain ensures that you can work with its battery assistance most efficiently. Commuters can see a theoretical range of up to 106km, and with Shimano hydraulic disc brakes, we think that you should feel entirely safe using the Vektron S10’s pedal assistance in wet conditions. A thoroughly futuristic design, the Gocycle G4 looks, unlike any other folding electric bike. Named for its position as the fourth generation of Gocycle's design, the G4's designer is a former McLaren employee, and that shows in the choice of materials and shapes.
Folding mechanism
Finally, even with all of these components, it still folds up quickly and neatly. The best folding electric bike will fold quickly and securely, be relatively lightweight, be comfortable to ride, and come fully equipped for urban commuting. With that said, let’s take a look at some of the differences we see between models. And none of them really ride quite as smoothly or comfortably as a good full-size bike. Although some electric folding bikes are bought to simply be flexible and convenient bikes for storing and transporting to pleasant cycling locations, many will see use in the rush hour. As such, there are certain points that make a bike more practical for commuting.
The good news is that you will still have some light exercise while enjoying a ride on this fantastic folding electric bike. Some other features worth mentioning are odometer, speedometer, trip time, and metal fenders. The only downside that needs to be addressed is the lack of disc brakes, which have become somewhat expected on electric folding bikes. You’ll get decent braking power with these V-brakes, and they also reduce the weight. EP-2 Pro comes fully equipped for commuting needs with a rear rack, fenders, and integrated lights.
Best folding electric bikes: our picks
The Lectric XP 3.0 is a striking e-folder with 3-inch-wide tires on 20-inch wheels and an industrial-styled forged-aluminum frame. The battery is integrated into the frame, which powers a 500-watt hub motor with 55Nm of torque. A seven-speed drivetrain provides gearing for varied terrain, and there’s a throttle to let you zip along pedal-free. It includes a 50mm travel suspension fork, as well as a large LCD screen. The bike ships as a Class 2 e-bike but can be upgraded to a Class 3, increasing its max speed to 28mph from 20mph. Those wheels also incorporate a 250W motor at the front and a three-speed Microshift hub gear at the rear.
After weeks of testing these bikes side-by-side, the most impressive, all-around performance came from the Blix Vika+ Flex. The Vika+ Flex has plenty of power and a max speed of up to 24 mph, while the hydraulic disc brakes control your speed smoothly and effectively. A smaller battery helps it keep its weight down compared to other top performers, along with a smaller folded size that makes it notably more easily portable than the over 60-pound models we tested. Tall riders will appreciate the height range on the seat post, which gave our six-tool lead tester enough room to extend his legs while pedaling fully. The RadExpand 5 is nearly 5 pounds lighter than its predecessor, uses a 750-watt continuous-power motor, and has improved geometry (including an adjustable riser bar that can be moved forward and back). This electric, fat tire folded sits on 20-inch wheels and 4-inch tires that can go farther (up to 45 miles) and faster on terrain other e-bikes can’t https://www.hipeakbike.com/products/hipeak-elias-48v-step-thru-fat-tire-folding-electric-bike reach.
There’s an LCD screen on the left-hand side of the handlebars that shows you all the relevant information, such as battery level, speed, and pedal assist level. There are dedicated buttons for selecting the pedal assist level and a thumb throttle on the right-hand side of the handlebars. Since the motor is so torquey, I recommend you be careful when riding over rough terrain. This bike includes 3-inch tires that are mounted to 14-inch rims, which gives your children maximum grip and a smooth ride.