Best folding bikes reviews by industry experts

A folding bike has grown to become the ideal commuting bike, especially for city dwellers. Most manufacturers of folding bikes target adults as they are the major users of folding bikes. A folding bike is designed to be easily folded into a compact form that can be easily stored or transported.

Like any other bicycle, folding bikes come in a variety of forms as produced by different manufacturers, they are folded using different mechanisms as chosen by the producers usually through a fulcrum on the frame of the bicycle.

Folding bikes are very portable with the designs targeted at making them compact and light and so, they can easily be carried on planes, trains, boats or just manually moved around by the rider.

The history of folding bikes can be traced back to the Second Boer War back in the 1800s where infantry soldiers use them as a faster means of transport which can be easily folded and backed when they are on their feet.

The needs surrounding the use of folding bikes have inspired manufacturers to design varying forms of the bikes with peculiar aspects of the bikes such as its weight given more attention than a regular bicycle.

Folding bikes on an average are more expensive than regular and conventional ones due to the improved materials they are made of to make them lighter as well as the folding mechanism, both factors also contribute significantly to the quality differences between individual folding bikes from different manufacturers.

While some folding bikes may have a locking mechanism that holds the folded halves in place, others don’t and this sort of bikes can be very awkward to lift, dangerous even as the folded halves will swing on and about when being lifted.

Mostly, urban workers have the most use of folding bikes as they are often involved in multiple means of transportations.

One can easily ride his bike from his house down to the train station and then fold the bike as he boards the train to the nearest station to his working place, unfold his bike and ride the remaining distance to his work, pretty convenient, right? The same is true of a student or any other user for that matter.

In hurry then take a look at these bikes and buy now with a discount or wanna read detailed reviews about these bikes then scroll down below

1. Schwinn loop adult folding bicycle
2. Dahon piazza d7 folding bike
3. Zizzo lightweight folding bike
4. ids folding bike
5. hugncmy folding bike with disc brake
6. kingttu 26 inch folding bike
7. Eurobike folding bike
8. schwinn hinge convertible folding bike
9. hosote folding bike
10. Marine D8 folding bike from Dahon

In fact, most public transport system only permit the folded bikes aboard their platforms and reject regular bikes as this may give discomfort to other passengers, this makes folding bikes more appealing to city dwellers involved in mixed-mode commuting.

Because of the popular use of folding bikes for commuting purposes, manufacturers have continued to develop lighter materials for use on the bike to ease transport.

Also, because of its compactness, many individuals who are concerned about the safety of their bike when they are parked outside, prefer to choose them as they can be conveniently stored and tucked away, taking little room as compared to a regular bicycle.

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Because of the focus on lightness and compactness of folding bikes, most manufacturers make them as simple as possible, removing any component that is not deemed essential from a regular bike, so a folding bike might not be the ideal bike for racing or any other esoteric interests that involves rough terrains or long distances.

Meanwhile, most folding bikes retain other essential features including rear and front fenders, gear shifters and rear carry racks.

Best Folding bikes Reviews 2022

SCHWINN LOOP ADULT FOLDING BICYCLE

Schwinn is back again with another elegantly designed product, this time with the Schwinn loop adult folding bike. It is a commuting optimized bike, which comes in 7 different speed levels which can be changed with the shifter. Schwinn has been in the market for over a hundred years and with that time, it has gained people’s heart and approval.

Although it is a bit heavier, it folds neatly and easily into a small unit which you will fit conveniently in your car and can easily be packed with the heavy nylon bag it comes with, whether you want to take it out with you in the car or just want to store it. With a durable steel frame, it is guaranteed to last forever, well almost forever.

Though, the steel frame material also makes it heavier than if other materials or alloys had been employed instead, but what it lacks in lightness, it makes up for in price as it is comparably cheaper than most of the other folding bikes of similar quality.

Features:

• Weight: 41.1 pounds
• Dimension (extended): 35 x 15 x 35 inches
• Dimension (folded): 30 x 32 x 11 inches
• It comes with a heavy gauge nylon carry bag for storage
• It has a rear carry rack
• The frame made of highly durable steel metal
• It features an incredible shifter to help you cut through brisk winds and tackle small hills easily
• It has up to 7 speed levels

Pros:

• It is made of highly durable steel
• The speed level can be adjusted
• It folds easily into a compact size that can be easily transported or stored
• It is relatively affordable
• It can be used to transport other materials with its rear rack
• It doesn’t require a time-consuming additional assembly

Cons:

• It is quite heavy, especially if you hope to lift it around for a long distance
• The seat’s height cannot be adjusted
• The seat can also be very uncomfortable

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DAHON SPEED UNO FOLDING BIKE

An ultra light piazza bike from Dahon that satisfies every aspect of a commuting bike, it is made of a very light alloy with a net weight of just over 20 pounds and comes with a magnetic latch mechanism that ensures that the two halves of the bike are held in place and do not swing around and are held firmly in place, this prevents the risk of being injured while moving the bike around, together with a secondary lock mechanism, the bike can be confidently secured in place.

The bike also folds super easy and can be neatly folded under 12 seconds. This is the perfect bike to use in between transportation media, like between train and taxi rides. It comes with a pricey tag though but its quality is assured as it has been frequently reported to be quite durable.

It also has a beautifully simple design, with many of the extra components replaced with more simpler designs, like the brake which features a coaster brake which enables the bike to be stopped with bike pedaling more like most infant bikes.

Features:

• Weight: 24.1 pounds
• Dimension (extended): 30 x 11 x 11 inches
• Dimension (folded): 11.7 x 30 x 25 inches
• It has only a single speed level
• It features a magnetic latch witch a secondary lock mechanism
• Its frame is made of chromyl which makes it super light
• It also features a backpedaling coater brake mechanism

Pros:

• It is very light and convenient to transport
• It folds easily within 10 seconds
• It is very durable
• It has a latch mechanism which further eases transport and reduces risk of injury
• It has a simple design which further increases the ease in transport

Cons:

• It is expensive to purchase
• The speed levels cannot be adjusted
• It doesn’t have a rack for carrying other items
• The seat level is fixed and cannot be adjusted

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Ids FOLDING BIKE

With a regular looking frame, the ids folding bike is fairly light with a net weight of 34 pounds. The bike is ideal for commuting and folds quite easily as well. It is comparatively much less expensive than most of its counterparts. It features an 18 speed shifter for adjusting the speed level as well as a regular handle brake mechanism.

The bike does not come fully assembled and the user has to fit in the front wheel following the instructions in the manual.

Many users don’t feel it is too stressful to assemble. It can be neatly folded within ten seconds and with its price, it seems like a very fair deal.

The seat cannot be adjusted, taller users are usually advised to get an additional longer seat for increased comfort, and the front handle, however, can be removed easily.

Features:

• Weight: 34 pounds
• Dimension (extended): 52 x 8 x 27 inches
• Dimension (folded): 38 x 14 x 29 inches
• The frame is made of a fairly light metal
• It comes with 26 inch wheels
• It features a 18 speed shifter and a rear V-brake

  

Pros:

• It is fairly light, convenient to transport in personal vehicles as well as in commercial transport systems
• It is relatively cheaper
• It possesses an adjustable speed shifter system
• It folds easily under a very short time
• It is durable

Cons:

• It requires additional assembly by the user
• It doesn’t have an adjustable seat
• It doesn’t have a latch system and may swing dangerously around when folded

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Hugncmy LIGHTWEIGHT FOLDING BIKE

A beautifully designed folding bike from hugncmy that is a product of well thought out engineering that fulfils all requirements of a commuting bike. From its super light aluminum alloy frame to the vinyl seat cover, the sheer thought put into designing the bike can be seen. It is also ergonomically designed with an adjustable seat that enables riders of different height to sit comfortably on the bike.

It is very light and weighs just about 24 pounds thanks to the aluminum alloy as well as the light tires which are described as “multi-terrain” that can ride smoothly on most surfaces you will encounter in a town or city.

It features a magnetic catcher latch that holds the folded bike together and prevents dangerous swinging movements, so it can be folded with ease under little time and security of the folded bike is assured as the latch keeps it held together and compact for transport or storage. It also has a very sleek and modern design to it, so you can ride in style.

Features:

• Weight: 24.5 pounds
• Dimension (extended): 31 x 12.5 x 27 inches
• Dimension (folded): 27 x 31 x 12.5
• It has an 8-speed grip shifter
• It features a 10mm V-style brakes
• Majority of the bike is made up of aluminum alloy, including the frame, handle bar and the fulcrum

Pros:

• It is super light and can easily be transported or stored
• It is convenient to ride for people of varying height thanks to its adjustable stem
• It can be folded easily without uncomfortable swings as the magnetic latch will hold both halves together
• It has a gear shifter that enables an easy maneuver while riding up and down hills and around corners
• It is quite durable and efficient
• It has a short folding period within 10 seconds

Cons:

• It is quite expensive
• It doesn’t have a rear carry rack

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kingttu FOLDING BIKE WITH DISC BRAKE

The supersonic folding bike from kingttu is a light weight bike that fits majority of the requirements for a great folding bike. While it is not in fact the cheapest of folding bikes around it is still relatively less expensive than others of similar qualities. It features an impressive design with which you can adjust most of its parts, including the sit post, the stem and the kickstand.

Made very light using a strong but light aluminum framework, it can easily be moved around from place to place, especially convenient for city commuters. It has a working 7-speed gear system with a typical rear and front fender to protect the wheels and keep it from damage.

It also has a sleek and unique design that is both stylish and modern with a variety of colors to choose from, including red, black and white.

It comes at a 100 percent assembled state, easing you of the inconvenience of having to put the parts together. It folds quite easily with a lock mechanism to keep the two folded parts in place when being moved, with an estimated folding time of 10 seconds. It is fitted with a sturdy rear carrier with which you could carry additional luggage along with you during your ride.

Features:

• Weight: 29 pounds
• Dimension (extended): 33 x 25 x 14.5 inches
• Dimension (folded): 33 x 14 x 26 inches
• It is fitted with a 7-speed shifter system
• It features a fully adjustable seat, stem, and frame
• Its frame, as well as most of the other parts, are made of aluminum alloy
• It has a rear carry rack

Pros:

• It is fairly light, easy to store and transport
• It folds easily under 10 seconds with a lock mechanism
• It has a rear carrier to carry other items
• It has an easily adjustable stem to fit users of varying height
• Its aluminum alloy ensures its durability
• Its speed levels can be adjusted with the shifter

Cons:

• It is a bit expensive

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ZIZZO 20 INCH FOLDING BIKE

This is another premium folding bike from Zizzo, once again it offers what majority of commuters would need from a folding bike and comes at a mid-price, not cheap but it will not break your pocket either. It is made mostly of aluminum alloy, which ensures its lightness and durability with an adjustable stem to fit users of varying height.

Its tire design are optimized to be used on multiple terrains so you can easily switch from the tarred road to an unpaved corner without having any difficulty, with a double-walled rim. It also features a typical 7-speed derailleur system with a grip style shifter made of stainless steel.

It is a light bike that can easily be folded with a built-in magnetic catcher to hold the two folded halves together and prevent awkward movements during movement.

It also comes with the conventional and very efficient V-brakes also made of aluminum alloy as well as a front and rear fender to keep dirt away from you.

Features:

• Weight: 26.5 pounds
• Dimension (extended): 31 x 12.5 x 27 inches
• Dimension (folded): 27 x 31 x12.5 inches
• The frame is made of aluminum alloy and the brake of stainless steel
• It is fitted with multi-terrain tires
• It has an adjustable stem
• It features a 7-speed shifter derailleur system

Pros:

• It is quite a light bike that can be easily carried about.
• It folds into two neat halves with a magnetic clutch waiting to lock it in place
• It folds into a sturdy and compact form within a reasonably short time
• It is durable and moves smoothly on most surfaces
• It has an adjustable stem to fit in varying heights of users

Cons:

• It is without a rear carry rack
• It is a bit expensive

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Eurobike FOLDING BIKE

The eurobike folding bike is an elegantly designed bicycle produced in Taiwan. It features an hi-ten steel frame and alloy wheel wheels. It features a 6 speed derailleur gear shifter system that is quite efficient though not of the more conventional 7-speed system. It also has a rear carrying rack in case you need room for additional luggage.

It is not very expensive and can even be called cheap when it is compared with other folding bikes but users have often named it to be just equal to its quality.

While it does not have an adjustable stem or seat post, it makes up for this with a 550 mm long sit which should fit users up to 6’3’’, although it might not be as convenient as if it was an adjustable seat.

Features:

• Weight: 34.6 pounds
• Dimension (extended): 33 x 13 x 26 inches
• Dimension (folded): 80 x 40 x 65 cm
• The frame is made of Hi-ten steel
• It features a shimano 6-speed shifter
• It has a carry rack on its rear end

Pros:

• It is affordable
• It folds easily into a compact form
• It has multiple gears

Cons:

• It is not as durable as many of its counterpart
• It is a bit heavy to lift

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Hosote FOLDING BIKE

The Cycling deal folding bike is an urban and beautiful bike which comes at an affordable price as well. It is a very light bike weighing 25 pounds fitted with a shimano 7-speed derailleur system. It is fully fitted with aluminum frames and handles and comes at an excellent bargain.

However, the sun deal travel folding bike needs to be assembled off the box and this might be inconvenient and time consuming for many people especially workers.

It folds into neat and compact form with ease under reasonable time. It also comes in an angelic blue color which augments its sleek features and confirms its name as an urban travel bike.

Features:

• Weight: 25.1 pounds
• It is made of aluminum alloy frames
• It features a 7-speed derailleur shifter system
• It comes in a sleek black colour

Pros:

• It is very light and portable
• It is durable
• It is efficient with varying speed levels
• It is relatively affordable]
• It folds easily in seconds

Cons:

• Its seat post cannot be adjusted and can be inconvenient for users with extreme heights
• It does not have a rear carrier rack
• It does not have a lock mechanism

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Schwinn CONVERTIBLE FOLDING BIKE

The schwinn hinge convertible folding bike is named after the ford mustang convertible to emphasize its durability and speed. It is shipped in two different versions, one with a single speed level and another with the more common shimano 7-speed gear.

It features a sturdy and highly durable aluminum alloy frame with an adjustable seat post. Although for an aluminum folding bike, the ford dahon convertible is quite heavy at over 40 pounds in weight.

It is decked with rear and front fenders over the tires to protect your attire from dirt and splashes. It features a powerful heavy duty  V-brake.

It also has carriers a sleekly built rear rack with which you can stack your extra bags or boxes while on the move. It is also ideal for both sexes and a good fit in the urban regions. It has a very sleek and urban design that is sporty and modern.

Features:

• Weight: 42 pounds
• Dimension (extended): 34 x 27 x13 inches
• It comes in both single speed and multiple speed level models
• It features a rear carry rack
• It has an adjustable stem
• Its frame is made of aluminum
• It features a Shimano 7-gear shifter system

Pros:

• The stem can be adjusted to fit users of different height
• It can be easily folded within seconds
• It is very efficient and works well on different terrains
• It is durable
• It has a rear carry rack

Cons:

• It is quite heavy and can be inconvenient to transport
• It is also quite costly.

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MARINER D8 FOLDING BICYCLE FROM DAHON

This Marine D8 from Dahon is a top-of-the-line folding bike possessing all the full features of an excellent folding bike but at a price! It is one of the more expensive bike and totally not pocket-friendly, but you will be can be assured that you are getting top quality for your money!

With an excellently exotic body design, the Dahon Mariner comes in a custom quicksilver color with a simple and sturdy design.

It weighs about 25 pounds, talk of a light bike without having to sacrifice too much of the other features. It has a carry rack installed on its rear and a notch further from the conventional bicycle, it features an 8-speed Shimano drive train.

It folds into a compact unit within a few seconds with a very simple mechanism supported by highly efficient magnet latch that locks the folded halves in place.

It has a sturdy and light frame made of aluminum alloy, the material used for most of its parts including the conventional V-brakes.

Features:

• Weight: 26 pounds
• Dimension (extended):
• Dimension (folded): 25 x 31 x 12 inches
• Its frame is made of aluminum alloy
• It features a Shimano 8-speed derailleur shifter system
• It has a rear carry rack

Pros:

• It folds easily and efficiently under a few seconds
• It has a rear carry rack
• It has an efficient magnetic latch locking mechanism
• It is very durable
• It has a good speed adjust system
• It is very lightweight and portable
• It has an adjustable stem

Cons:

• It is quite costly, expensive even

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BOXER FOLDING BIKE FROM COGHORN

The coghorn folding bike is sleek and beautiful in design coming in two custom colors (black and red) with Dungaree stitch saddle and grip which can be easily swapped for something more suitable to your taste in terms of colors and texture.

The bike is fully foldable and can do so in less than 15 seconds. It is a very affordable bike coming at a price that is comparatively much more cheaper than many other folding bikes, an excellent choice for anyone on a tight budget.

It has a sturdy frame and folds with a very efficient mechanism. Although the bike is heavier than many of the lightest bikes, it is still portable enough in size and weight to be lifted around a few blocks weighing just a little over 30 pounds.

The bike does not come with fully assembled parts but users have described the additional assembly as easy and simple, it also comes with a free 16-in-one multi-tool to help with the assembly as well as future adjustments. Its seats can also be adjusted, supporting users of over 6 inches in height.

Features:

• Weight: 33 pounds
• Dimension (extended):
• Dimension (folded): 27 x 14 x 33 inches
• It features a shimano 7-speed derailleur shifter
• It also features rear and front fenders
• It comes in two custom colors

Pros:

• It is quite affordable
• It folds easily and efficiently under good time
• It has an adjustable stem to fit users of extreme heights
• It has an adjustable gear system

Cons:

• It does not have a rear carry rack
• It does not have a folding mechanism
• It is a bit heavy for a folding bike

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BENEFITS OF FOLDING BIKES

Folding bikes promise a lot of benefits to users with several lifestyles and especially commuters majorly because of their portability, some of which will be discussed below

• Portability: Folding bikes are highly portable and very convenient to store and transport in their folded forms. This makes them especially suitable for to be transported in vehicles either as a commuter or to take them for recreational use in parks or open fields as well as for exercise. They are often lightweight and compact and will fit into most the most compact of cars without the need for additional bicycle racks to be fitted to the trunk.
• Storage and Safety: Because of the highly compact and light design, a folding bike can be easily stored away without taking much room. Most folding bikes can be folded up within seconds after which it can be easily lifted and tucked into your storage room or just on the balcony especially if you are concerned about the safety of your bike parked outside.
• Convenience: Folding bikes are optimized for convenience as they are light and compact with many coming with a magnetic lock mechanism to hold the parts in place and avoid unnecessary swinging motions.

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BUYING GUIDE FOR FOLDING BIKES

When considering getting a folding bike, a variety of factors need to be out under consideration. Except for the obvious budget limits, one must strive to get the best value for their money and this is especially true for anyone who aspires to get a new folding bike, either to replace an old one or for recent reasons, the following factors should definitely be considered when choosing a folding bike.

1. folding mechanism – The major selling point for folding bikes are their ability to fold into a more compact and more easily stored form and this is achieved by different means as chosen by the manufacturer and it affects the overall price of the bike as well as the folding efficiency including the time it takes to fold as well as the ease at which this is accomplished.

A very good look into the folding mechanism offered by a folding bike is imperative for anyone considering an investment of a folding bike as this determines majority of its basic functions and will usually decide the users overall satisfaction. Popular folding mechanisms includes:

• Magnet folding
• Triangle hinge
• Half or mid-fold
• Vertical fold
• Suspension mechanism

2. Locking : While not all folding bikes come with a licking system or mechanism, you may want to choose a bike with one. A good locking system will keep the two folded halves of the bike together and firmly held together and this contributes mostly to the convenience of transporting and storing the bike.

Else, the folded bike parts will dangle and swing leisurely around which can be both uncomfortable and dangerous. A magnetic latch is the more common locking mechanism featured on folding bikes, although other means may b employed.

2. Weight: The weight of the bike of course is as significant as the quality in itself as it reflects directly on a number of the other qualities especially its motility. A light bike should not be heavier than 30 pounds.
3. Durability: A sturdy and durable bike should always be the aim of anyone who intends to buy a folding bike since they are often more expensive than their regular counterparts. You want to get a bike that is worth the investment in price and will last you for as long as possible.
4. Material: Often times the frame and other aspects of the bikes are made of metals for obvious reasons but the particular material to be chosen for your bike contributes to other aspects of its qualities and functions including its weight and durability.

While steel frames are more conventional and come cheaper, they are often heavier and rigid even though they promise a long lasting frame.

Aluminum alloy is a more suitable option for a folding bike as it is both durable and light but it makes the bike more expensive as well. Other materials have been sampled as well including carbon fiber which is super light as well as sturdy.

2. Carrying Rack: A carrying rack is also a good criterion to look into especially if you will need to be transporting other items with you routinely. With a rear carry rack on your folding bike, you can easily transport extra baggage and stack them safely behind you while you go about your ride.

Overall, you should decide which kind of bike you need or will be most effective for you using these qualities to judge and compare the prices of the bikes available to you.

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FAQs For Buying Folding Bikes

IS A FOLDING BIKE SUITABLE FOR ME?

That is dependent on several factors but if you are a mixed-mode city commuter and you need a compact and lightweight bike to mediate your transportation media, then you should definitely get a folding bike.

Also if you are concerned about the safety of your bike and you would prefer to take it indoors with you, then a folding bike is a good choice for you as well.

Folding bikes are compact an light, can easily be stored and transported via various means of transportation. However do consider the limitations on folding bikes such as speed and the facts that they cannot operate effectively on tough terrains.

DO FOLDING BIKES REQUIRE ASSEMBLY?

While some require some minor and additional assembly, they are usually simple and easy to put together. But if you are not comfortable or assembling parts of a bike can be inconvenient for you, you can easily get one that is totally pre-assembled.

DO I HAVE TO PEDAL MORE ON A BIKE WITH SMALL WHEELS?

This is a popular misconception but it is not true. Smaller wheels fitted on folding bikes do not require additional efforts to pedal as the cycling mechanisms are often adjusted to be as efficient as regular bikes.

ARE SMALLER WHEELS SLOWER THAN LARGER WHEELS?

For the sake of compactness, folding bikes are generally fitted with smaller wheels than typical everyday bikes and the smaller wheels might be a cause of concern for anyone who wants to choose a folding bike but overall, smaller wheels are not usually slower, although some qualities of larger wheels give them an edge over smaller wheels, like momentum, other factors favors smaller wheels so that at the end of the day the net efficiency is comparable.

WILL FOLDING BIKES WORK FOR SOMEONE THAT IS 6 FEET TALL?

Generally folding are targeted at adults and so optimized to support a narrow range of heights, but usually most folding bikes are convenient for people up to 6 feet tall but if you are taller you might need to get a longer seat for better convenience or preferably, get a folding bike that has an adjustable stem which you can adjust to suit your height.

HOW MUCH WEIGHT CAN A FOLDING BIKES HOLD?

Most folding bikes can support up to 250 pounds efficiently. However if your intention is to carry other heavy contents with you especially on the rear rack you might want to consider a host of other factors that the distribution of the weight may complicate including the material components, wheels and tires.

ARE FOLDING BIKES FASTER THAN REGULAR BIKES?

While top manufacturers of folding bikes try to bridge the speed gap between regular bikes and folding bikes, some of the qualities of a speeding bike are usually sacrificed for compactness and lightness. So, often times and on an average scale, folding bikes are not as fast as regular bikes and cannot withstand harsher terrains.