The best folding bikes Cycling Weekly

What’s a folding bike?

Folding bikes are set other than different machines in the marketplace by one defining attribute: they fold. The collapsable nature of those bikes means that they’re supreme for anybody who desires to cycle to a practice station, and take their bike with them for the journey into the unknown on the opposite aspect (or the usual 2 mile radius from London Bridge).

>>> Best Black Friday bike deals

Folding bikes are additionally permitted on peak time trains, which may clear up issues for commuters.

These useful commuting friends are usually not solely standard amongst these negotiating the each day grind, nonetheless. They’re additionally extremely useful for individuals for whom area is a limitation. The best bike for anybody who lives in a small flat, folding bikes are additionally standard amongst those that take pleasure in caravan and even canal boat holidays.

Selecting to go cycle touring on a folding bike additionally provides you the chance to combine your modes of transport simply – and there are variations with loads of baggage provision and huge tyres designed with this function in thoughts.

Light-weight, low cost or electrical folding bike?

There are lots of completely different manufacturers providing folding bikes – and what may be the proper possibility for one individual often is the worst for an additional. Key variations will be discovered within the wheel dimension, folding mechanism, weight and worth.

Folding mechanism: Some kinds are extra consumer pleasant than others, so it’s price seeing a motorcycle within the flesh and practising folding and un-folding before you purchase, notably should you anticipate to be unravelling the bike in a rush on a practice platform.

Folding bike wheel dimension: Historically, folders are small bicycles – however there are variations designed round full sized rims. Fashions with smaller wheels might be lighter and extra compact when folded, however gained’t collect as a lot momentum on the highway. A folding bike with bigger wheels might be a lot sooner rolling as soon as the wheels are on top of things – however will seemingly weigh extra and might be  little extra cumbersome to load onto public transport.

Light-weight folding bikes: After all, should you intend to be hoisting the bike on and off trains, then it’s comprehensible that you really want it to be gentle. This may be achieved although utilizing a lighter body materials. Brompton have just lately launched titanium to their vary and there are manufacturers making carbon folders. Larger high quality elements will even scale back the burden, as will choosing fewer gears – akin to a singlespeed model – however this may solely actually go well with somebody who doesn’t intend to come back throughout many hills of their use of the bike.

Low cost folding bikes: The saying ‘you get what you pay for’ principally rings true right here. You may decide up a folding bike for below £200, and you may as well spend effectively in extra of £2000. An inexpensive folding bike will do the job for you – however you may anticipate it to be heavier than extra premium choices due to decrease finish elements and a extra hefty body. Discovering the best possibility for you comes down to selecting which aspect of compromise to take a seat on.

Folding bike adjustability: Most folding bikes might be ‘one dimension suits all’, with an excessive amount of adjustability – that means that it’s simple to share the bike throughout members of your family. Nonetheless, if you recognize this is a vital consideration, it’s price guaranteeing that the mannequin you purchase presents a variety of adjustment that’s simple to make use of. Brompton bikes, for instance, have a protracted seatpost that’s adjusted through a easy fast launch lever, making it simple to swap between riders.

Electrical folding bikes: Prior to now few years, electric folding bikes have change into a style of their very own. The addition of a motor often makes for a higher general mass, however weights are ever lowering and the extra energy will make ascents considerably simpler.

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The most effective folding bikes

Gocycle GS folding e-bike

Learn extra: Gocycle GS folding e-bike review

• RRP: £2,499 Weight: 16.8kg Wheel dimension: 20″
• Execs: Packs right into a compact bag, good experience place, snug and fast Cons: A bit difficult to fold and unfold

Gocycle’s rethinking of the city e-bike contains a beautiful swooping magnesium alloy body and distinctive single sided swing arm. It doesn’t finish on the body although: the wheels are radical too being made from alloy in a motorcycle impressed five-spoke design. Mix all this with a strong motor powered on the entrance wheel and the Gocycle GS is the proper city bike. It additionally gained a spot in our Editor’s Selection awards in 2019.

Purchase now: Gocycle GX from Gocycle for £2,899

Brompton Discover

• RRP: £1,525 Weight: 11.88kg Wheel dimension: 16″
• Execs: Versatile, snug, folding motion, experience Cons: Costlier than the usual from Brompton

Designed in partnership with explorer Alistair Humphries, the Brompton Discover is a motorcycle that may do your typical commute together with longer days within the saddle, perhaps taking in a mountain or two.

The Brompton Discover is an actual change from the norm with the London based mostly model, wanting extra on the consolation and endurance aspect, decrease gear ratio and luggage to go bike packing with together with a lot more helpful extras all for £1570 with mudguards and £1525 with out.

Find out more here

Purchase now: Brompton Explore at Evans Cycles from £1,525

Brompton M6L folding bike

Learn extra: Brompton, the perfect commuter bike?

• RRP: from £915 Weight: from 10.68kg Wheel dimension: 16″
• Execs: Customisable to your wants, metal body with high quality welding is strong Cons: Costly

London based mostly model Brompton is the market chief. It presents one body dimension, with a variety of customisation choices. Modifications will be made to the handlebar form, body weight, variety of gears, ending package and naturally color. Brompton bikes function a conventional 16 inch wheel dimension, and are fast and simple to fold.

Handlebar form drastically influences the geometry of the bike. Out there choices are:

• Brompton M handlebar fashion: basic Brompton fashion
• Brompton H handlebar fashion: presents a extra upright place
• Brompton S handlebar fashion: the extra sporty possibility that provides fast dealing with
• Brompton P handlebar fashion: gives a number of hand positions, supreme for touring or longer rides

The bikes take their names from the client’s customisation. For instance, a motorcycle with ‘M’ formed handlebars, six gears and mudguards however no rack mount might be a ‘Brompton M6L’. – which weighs 11.78kg.

See the range at Evans Cycles

Purchase now: Brompton M6L at Evans Cycles from £1,145

Tern Verge X11

• RRP: £2400 Weight: from 10.81kg Wheel dimension: 22″
• Execs: High finish spec, hydraulic disc brakes, 11 gears Cons: Carbon body drops weight however is much less strong, very costly

Should you’re after one thing tremendous speedy, and prepared to pay over the common threshold for it, then the Verge X11 is an inviting possibility. With 22″ wheels, it’s a bit of nearer to a typical hybrid and comes with a SRAM Power 1x chainring and huge ratio cassette. Which means simple upkeep and gearing that gained’t really feel dissimilar to a highway bike.

You additionally get Kinetix Professional X wheels, with Schwalbe Durano tyres and a uniquely designed adjustable stem – nevertheless it does are available at £2400.

Learn extra: Tern Verge X11 review

Purchase now: Tern Eclipse X22 at Tredz for £2,400

B’Twin Tilt 500 folding bike

• RRP: £299.99 Weight: from 12.9kg Wheel dimension: 20″
• Execs: Cheap Cons: Decrease-end elements

Folding in half and on the stem, this B’Twin is a reasonable possibility that comes from the in-house model at sports activities retail giants Decathlon.

This mannequin options seven derailleur gears, comes fitted with mudguards and the extremely adjustable saddle top permits for sharing throughout the family. The claimed weight is 12.9kg.

Purchase now: B’Twin Tilt 500 at Decathlon for £299.99

Airnimal Joey Commute folding bike

Learn extra: Airnimal Joey Commute folding bike review

• RRP: £1599 Weight: from 13.5kg Wheel dimension: 24″
• Execs: Bigger wheels make for good experience high quality Cons: Cumbersome to hold round

One other bigger wheel possibility, the Joey is fitted with 24″ wheels, giving it a road-like experience high quality. Tyres can be found in sizes as much as 2″, to permit for gentle off-road use, or you may follow skinny 1″ rubber for faster rolling on the highway. This mannequin makes use of a 8 velocity Shimano Alfine hub gear system and disc brakes.

The massive wheel dimension implies that when folded, the bike is extra cumbersome to move than a conventional 16″ model – nevertheless it’ll go well with somebody who desires a motorcycle that’s blast to experience, however nonetheless takes up minimal area at residence.

Purchase now: Airnimal Joey Commute folding bike range here

Hummingbird folding bike

• RRP: £3495 Weight: from 6.5kg Wheel dimension: 16″
• Execs: Exceptionally gentle, singlespeed is easy for flat places (geared choices obtainable for hillier terrain) Cons: Very costly, carbon body, seatpost and handlebars much less strong than alloy or metal

Launched through Kickstarter, the Hummingbird folding bike grew to become available to buy in Could 2017 and continues to promote into 2018. The model declare it’s the lightest folding bike on the earth, at 6.5kg.

This can be a single velocity affair with a folding rear triangle, that was developed through 3D printed prototypes.

Purchase now: Hummingbird Folding Bike from Hummingbird for £3,495

Raleigh Evo Electrical Folding Bike

• RRP: £1,350 Weight: from 20kg Wheel dimension: 20″
• Execs: Comparatively cheap, fitted with rack and mudguards Cons: Heavy

An aluminum body with an 8 velocity Shimano Altus gear system and v-brakes. This bike comes fitted with steel mudguards and a rear pannier rack already put in: it’s a commuter from the get-go, however may additionally make a stable touring possibility.

The tyres, crankset, stem and different ending package elements are all Raleigh made.  The fork is metal and the general weight is 20kg.

Purchase now: Raleigh Evo Electric Folding Bike at Halfords for £1,349

Tern Vektron S10 electrical folding bike

• RRP: £3,600 Weight: from 22.1kg Wheel dimension: 20″
• Execs: Dependable Bosch energy system has lengthy vary and cuts effort of commute Cons: Energy makes using simpler, however has implications on weight which make carrying tougher

Tern launched the Vektron electric folding bike through Kickstarter. It’s based mostly round 20 inch wheels, options a top quality Bosch battery and might energy a rider as much as 20mph. A full cost can final for between 30 and 60 miles – relying upon utilization.

This bike comes with an adjustable stem, built-in lights and hydraulic disc brakes. The Atlas Rack has a most load capability of 27 kg and the body will go well with riders from 4 foot 10 to six foot 5. This bike does are available at 22.1kg.

Purchase now: Tern Vektron S10 at Tredz for £3,600

Buying within the US?

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Folding bikes: what are the advantages of utilizing one?

The advantages of choosing a folding bike are quite a few – and embrace:

• Ease of switching between biking and public transport
• Ease of storage in your house
• Safety of not having to lock the bike exterior (it could sit below your desk at work!)
• Skill to take the bike on vacation – standard with caravan customers and canal boat holidayers, some will be packed into airline baggage
• Supreme for individuals who take pleasure in touring however need to soar on a practice, boat or automotive with out an excessive amount of trouble
• Most are constructed with resilience and easy upkeep at entrance of thoughts

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Should you plan to make use of your new folding bike for commuting to work, however have but to get began on the each day experience – listed below are just a few suggestions…

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Folding bike body supplies

Like some other fashion of motorbike, there are a number of choices in the case of frame material.

Market leaders Brompton specialize in metal – utilizing their famend prime quality brazing methods to make sure that the body welding gives the lightest but strongest bond doable. Metal is resilient and cozy – nevertheless it’s not gentle they usually’ve moved into titanium for increased finish choices to supply a extra featherweight different.

A excessive variety of manufacturers go for aluminium, deciding on the favored body materials for its steadiness between weight and resilience.

For individuals who actually need to splash out, there are carbon framed variations obtainable – such because the LIOS Nano, which is available in at simply over 8kg. Although utilizing carbon will make for a brilliant gentle folding bike, it’s simpler to break than aluminium, which is price making an allowance for as many folders stay a tough life being lugged on and off practice platforms.

Folding bike part decisions

The character of a folding bike implies that they’re standard amongst commuters who will favour elements that promote ease of upkeep and day-to-day comfort.

Robust tyres with an excellent degree of puncture safety are sometimes excessive on the agenda for commuters who need to restrict the time they spend fixing flats. Examine what rubber is fitted to the edges of your would-be bike if that’s you. Schwalbe and Kenda are standard producers of small diameter tyres for folding bikes, and most might be 1.75-2 inches huge – providing loads of grip due to a large quantity and thus elevated contact patch with the tarmac when in comparison with conventional highway tyres.

The variety of gears specced in your new machine might be vital too. Should you anticipate to maintain your journeys to flat metropolis streets, a singlespeed (only one gear) will minimize down on upkeep and general weight. Nonetheless, those that anticipate to experience hilly terrain might be happy to listen to that there are many folding bikes that come provided with triple chainsets and 11-32 huge ratio cassettes. It will provide a neater experience on the inclines, however will add to the burden.

Many folding bikes function inner hub gears – which means that the shifting system is solely sealed, chopping down on upkeep dramatically. Shifting on hub gears is usually simpler for novices, as there isn’t a chain stress to fret about. As well as, there’s no likelihood of the system being bent or broken –  a danger when left unattended on a busy practice. If you’d like a number of chainrings and a large unfold of gears, you’ll need to go for a derailleur system.

Disc brakes are additionally starting to look on folding bikes, and although often heavier and costlier, these will provide higher stopping energy – particularly in moist climate.

Should you anticipate to be biking in your workplace garments, and need to be certain that you don’t bear a maker of your mode of transport in your apparel, then chainguards and mudguards could be a helpful addition. Provision for baggage, a body mounted pump and built-in lights are all ‘good to have’ equipment which you’ll really feel justified in anticipating on increased finish fashions.

Folding electrical bikes: a rising development

Folding bikes haven’t been uncared for from the e-power working its approach via the biking business, and folding electrical bikes have change into a quick rising household.

Having a battery pack fitted to your folding bike means you may commute through bike and practice, with out having to fret about working out of gasoline on a climb or getting scorching and sweaty in your work garments.

>>> Essential commuting clothes for cycling to work

Choosing a folding electrical bike can be a approach of overcoming one of many oft-quoted drawbacks of e-bikes: their dimension and weight. Although a folding electrical bike will weigh greater than a typical folding bike, it’ll be lighter than a full sized e-bike.

The lightest folding e-bike we’ve seen really that can be purchased is the A-bike at 12kg, however most fashions are over 15kg and over 20kg isn’t an unreasonable mass.

As per any e-bike, a wise issue to think about is the battery run time – most folding electrical bikes can energy you for about 50 miles. Take a look at the ability of the battery too, and the charging mechanism.

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