Foldable bikes are a versatile and often-overlooked cycling option. Maybe your studio apartment has a limited amount of storage place, or perhaps your commute involves a train, several flights of steps, and an elevator. A foldable bike can let riders bring a bike into places that don’t normally allow them. They can also be handy for saving space in an RV or van life situation. Regardless of your particular needs, folding bikes are available with a variety of features to suit. From lightweight singlespeeds and cruisers to folding e-bikes, almost every kind of bike you can be found in a folding version. Check out our five top options below, or scroll deeper for longer reviews of these and other bikes, plus buying advice.
The Best Folding Bikes
Wheels for the Road or the Trail
It’s important to consider wheel size when thinking about which folding bike you should get. The smaller the wheel, the smaller the bike will fold. On the other hand, larger wheels allow the bike to tackle rougher terrain but do not fold as compactly. Most folding bikes use 20-inch wheels to ensure they fold down to a manageable size and stay relatively light when commuting or traveling on public transport. If you plan on riding longer distances, 700c wheels will offer a smooth ride and maximize your pedaling input. Alternatively, a folding e-bike offers some pedal-assist to save energy and make sure you don’t show up to work with sweaty clothes. If you plan to ride off paved paths, then a folding fat bike with 4-inch tires can smooth out a bumpy trail.
Size, Weight, and Folding Mechanism
As folding bikes get more expensive, their overall weight typically goes down due to higher-quality parts and lighter frame materials, such as carbon fiber and titanium. If you climb stairs more often than you climb hills, opt for a singlespeed or a model with fewer gears. This can trim even more weight.
Consider how quickly and easily the bike folds down, especially if you’re the type who gets to the train at the last minute. More crucially don’t confuse a folding bike with a travel bike. While a folding bike can absolutely be your travel bike, the term 'travel bike' typically describes bicycles with full-size frames that are able to be disassembled into smaller pieces. This allows riders to pack a full-size bike into a case that is under the TSA size limit for oversized luggage. While folding bikes are designed to be folded quickly and easily without the use of tools, travel bikes will require tools to be disassembled and the process can take quite a bit of time depending on your level of mechanical skill.
Most folding bikes come as “one size fits all” with a lot of adjustability built-in. Check for quick-release levers or simple adjustments so that the bike fits and rides well. A model with a lot of versatility may even be suitable for more than one member of your family.
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Electric Options
Most electric folding-bike options come with a 250-watt motor and enough torque for safe but fast acceleration. The higher the torque, the faster the acceleration and the more powerful the bike will feel. Most folding e-bikes are Class 1, meaning they top out at 20 mph and are acceptable on bike paths. If you encounter several flights of steps during the course of an average day, keep in mind that a battery and motor add to the bike’s overall weight.
How We Chose These Bikes
Every product here has been thoroughly evaluated and vetted by our team of test editors. We research the market, survey user reviews, speak with product managers and engineers, and use our own experience folding, unfolding, carrying, stashing, and of course, riding these bikes to determine the best options. The ones we haven’t tested were carefully chosen based on their value, quality of parts, our experience riding similar models, and how the overall package meets the needs of the intended buyer.
Ridden and Reviewed
BEST OVERALL
Brompton C Line Explore
Pros
- Folds smaller than any other folding bike
- Plenty of options to customize yours
Cons
Brompton bikes are much sought after due to their overall high quality, and because they pack down really small—so small you can commute to and from the airport and wedge one into the overhead compartment for a long-distance, car-free commute. The brand offers a variety of drivetrain setups, color schemes, handlebar shapes—and a full lineup of luggage systems. We love the popular C Line Explore model for its six-speed drivetrain and U-shaped handlebar, which puts the rider in a comfortable, upright position. The steel frame is hand-brazed and ready to ride in wet weather, thanks to full-coverage fenders. Plus, all Bromptons are assembled at the brand’s London factory.
SMOOTHEST RIDE
Tern BYB S11
Pros
- Premium parts
Cons
- Doesn't fold as small as a Brompton
This 20-inch-wheeled bike folds up smaller than any of the brand’s previous models thanks to proprietary double-folding mechanisms on the frame that allow it to be broken down into thirds, so it shrinks down nearly as small as a folding bike with 16-inch wheels. But the BYB’s larger wheels give it a smooth, uncompromised ride and better stability than smaller-diameter wheels. The S11 model has a 1x11-speed Shimano Ultegra drivetrain and comes equipped with fenders, front and rear racks, and a chain guard—a bonus for commuters.
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MOST VERSATILE
Rad Power RadExpand 5
Rad Power Bikes RadExpand 5 Electric Folding Bike
Rad Power Bikes RadExpand 5 Electric Folding Bike
Pros
- Big tires are good on a wide variety of terrain
Cons
- Not as compact as other folding bikes
The Rad Power RadExpand 5 is a lot to take in. It’s an electric-assist bike, a cargo bike, and a folding bike—with 4-inch-wide tires that would make a Lunar Rover jealous. The RadExpand has something for everyone. City riders will appreciate how easily the fat tires roll over potholes and other road imperfections. Its rear rack can haul quite a bit of cargo and the full bike has a load capacity of 275 lbs. Basically, anyone who wants in on the e-bike action but is limited on storage space. It’s also a great option for RVers who want something they can use to zip around the campsite or for a quick trip into town. This Class 2 e-bike top outs at 20 mph and has both pedal assist and a throttle.
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BEST MOTOR
Tern Vektron S10
tern Vektron S10
Pros
- Bosch Active Line Plus motor
Cons
- Weighs 48 pounds
The 2019 Tern Vektron S10 improves upon the original’s über-compact folding design with more power and a bigger rack. The Bosch Active Plus motor delivers 25 percent more torque to help you conquer hills on the nearly 50-pound bike, and the 10-speed Shimano Deore drivetrain gives you options when you’re pushing more of the weight in eco mode. Tern uses 20-inch wheels to position the weight lower to the ground and keep the bike from becoming top-heavy while hauling cargo on the integrated rear rack, which is now longer and lower, thanks to a diagonally mounted battery. It’s a bike that disguises its heft well and folds up to stand on its rear end for a portable package that goes wherever you do.
GOES ANYWHERE
Aventon Sinch
Pros
- Powerful motor, throttle
- Four inch tires roll over potholes and rough roads with ease
Cons
- Heavy (66lb.)
With a front suspension fork and 4-inch-wide tires, Aventon’s Sinch folding e-bike broadens the types of terrain on which you can ride your folding e-bike. A 500-watt motor gives you the power and torque you need to climb hills, and a throttle gives you the option of not pedaling at all. Its off-road stature means the Sinch isn’t the most portable folder on this list; it’s 66 pounds and takes up nearly 17 cubic feet while folded (compare that to about 3 cubic feet for the Brompton). That means the Sinch is better for people buying a folding e-bike to take up minimal space in an RV or apartment, not those needing to carry their bike or bring it inside with them.
BEST FOR HILLY COMMUTES
Blix Vika+
Pros
- Comes with fenders and a rear rack.
- Has a throttle for pedal-free assistance.
- Fully charges in 2 to 3 hours.
Cons
- Folding mechanism isn’t smooth.
- Folding stem flexes noticeably.
Weighing almost 50 pounds, the Vika+ is among the heavier folding e-bikes out there, but what it lacks in staircase friendliness it makes up for in power assistance. The 20-inch-wheeled aluminum bike is powered by a 500-watt rear hub motor. Included with the motor and electric system are five levels of pedal assist and a throttle mode for burning rubber in the bike lane (well, up to 20mph), all of which can be controlled by buttons on the handlebar and monitored by an LCD display that shows your speed, range, trip meter, and odometer. Depending on the assistance setting, the battery has a range of 20 to 45 miles per charge.
As for the nonelectric components of the bike, 7-speed Shimano gearing gives you everything you need to keep pedaling with the e-assist turned off, with Tektro V brakes for stopping. Ultimately, it’s a pretty great bargain for a fast-folding bike that packs down smaller than most e-folding bikes. Plus, the bike comes equipped with commuter-friendly details: a rear cargo rack, fenders, and head- and taillights.
BEST LIGHTWEIGHT FOLDING E-BIKE
Brompton Electric C Line
Brompton Brompton C Line Electric
Brompton Brompton C Line Electric
Pros
- Folds to same dimensions as nonelectric Bromptons
Cons
- Maximum pedal assist is 15.5 mph
We’ve long loved Bromptons for being one of the only folding bikes that can, according to Brompton, fit in an airplane overhead compartment; the electric iteration of the 16-inch-wheeled bike still folds to the same small dimensions but adds a custom-developed 250W front-hub motor with a removable 300Wh battery pack that offers a riding range of 25 to 45 miles between charges. Priced at $3,850, the bike shifts and accelerates smoothly with or without the e-assist. Although the motor and battery do add weight, something you’ll notice if you have to haul the bike upstairs, at roughly 35 pounds (including the battery), this is still one of the lighter e-bikes out there. The e-assist tops out at 15.5 mph.
LIGHTWEIGHT, SPACE-SAVING E-CARGO BIKE
Tern GSD S10
Tern Tern GSD S10
Tern Tern GSD S10
Pros
- Space for a child seat
- Hauls up to 375 pounds
- Long range
Cons
- Pricey
With the new HSD, Tern combines all the best traits of a folding bike, e-commuter, and cargo bike in the ultimate bid to replace your car. A midsize cargo bike, it’s got everything we love about the older GSD, like plenty of cargo and kid capacity, but in an even more compact, convenient package that feels much less overbuilt for a smaller family or solo rider. The bike can handle up to 374 pounds, with space for one child seat. Its Bosch Active Line Plus motor is smooth and quiet as it accelerates up to 20mph, and the Gates belt drive and Shimano Nexus 8-speed internal geared hub are as high quality as they are low maintenance. The bike has a 400Wh battery with a 69-mile range and fits riders 4-foot-11 to 6-foot-5. With all that, it’s still a great folder—it feels as nimble as a regular bike when riding, but once you’re done, you can double down the handlebar, and stand the bike on its rear rack to fit into compact spaces.
More Options to Consider
FULL-SIZE FOLDING
Montague Boston
Pros
- More stable than smaller folding bikes
- Single pivot point means less frame flexion
- Flip-flop hub
Cons
- Doesn’t fold as small as 20- and 16-inch options
For those who want the convenience of a folding bike without the tiny-wheeled look, there’s the Montague Boston—a folder that uses standard 700c wheels and has a flip-flop hub for fixed-gear or singlespeed riding. No, you won’t get the ultra-compact folded size of a bike with 16- or 20-inch wheels, but the bike will still pack down much smaller than a traditional bike and fit easily into your trunk. A pivot point on the seat stay allows the back of the bike to fold toward the front in one move; just remove the front wheel and it’s ready to stow. The Boston comes in two sizes and features a riser handlebar for a comfortable riding position.
GREAT VALUE
Dahon Mariner D8
Pros
- 8-speed Shimano drivetrain
- Fenders and rear rack
Cons
There are lots of reasons why this popular Dahon folder deserves your attention—the aluminum-frame bike has brand-name parts, a quick-folding design, and everything you need for a convenient commute, like fenders and a rear rack. The bike’s Shimano Altus rear derailleur shifts smoothly with trigger shifters, and its 8-speed gearing is more than capable of tackling urban climbs. Thick, 1.75-inch-wide Schwalbe Citizen tires on 20-inch wheels are burly enough for city riding.
INEXPENSIVE
Decathlon Btwin Tilt 100
Pros
- Easy to fold
Cons
- As bare bones as it gets
Decathalon routinely delivers products that we love for a very low price. Sure the Btwin Tilt 100 doesn’t have a ton of features but at just $249 it’s easily the cheapest option on our list. It’s got a steel frame that is simple to fold. There is only one gear, although the frame does have a derailleur hanger for potential future upgrades. If you’re on a tight budget and need a simple, easy-to-maintain, folding bike to get you through the last few miles of your commute this is a great option. If the ride you're looking to do on your folding bike involves a lot of hilly terrain, consider spending $50 more for the Tilt 120 which features six gears.
LIGHTEST ON OUR LIST
Bike Friday pakiT
Bike Friday Bike Friday pakiT
Bike Friday Bike Friday pakiT
Pros
- Weighs 16 pounds
- Folds small
- Quality parts
Cons
If your commute involves a lot of bike-carrying to get on or off public transit or summit a five-story staircase at either end, you’ll want something light. The pakiT is a standout in that regard. According to Bike Friday, it weighs just 15 pounds and can fit into a backpack for easier toting. The pakiT is built with 16-inch wheels to help keep it compact and has a menu of customizable options, including singlespeed and 8-speed models. Choose from a variety of builds and five colors or upgrade to the Elite Custom build and choose from 20 colors. Bike Friday’s size range should accommodate riders from 4-foot-5 to 6-foot-3. The brand also offers three belt-drive options, which are easy to maintain and great for keeping the grease off your pant legs. Add an electric-assist motor for easy climbing. Builds start at $1,595 for a singlespeed model and go up from there.
Test Editor Dan Chabanov got his start in cycling as a New York City bike messenger but quickly found his way into road and cyclocross racing, competing in professional cyclocross races from 2009 to 2019 and winning a Master’s National Championship title in 2018. Prior to joining Bicycling in 2021, Dan worked as part of the race organization for the Red Hook Crit, as a coach with EnduranceWERX, as well as a freelance writer and photographer.
