Updated November 18th, 2023
Folding ebikes are a great option for people with limited storage space. You can transport them in a car or SUV without using a hitch rack. They make great travel companions to keep in an RV for exploring after you arrive. How do you know which folding ebike is the best for you? There are so many different styles and types of folding electric bikes from heavy fat tires bikes to lightweight compact street bikes.
See our top picks below for the best folding ebikes available today. Keep reading for the rest of our recommendations, a guide to electric bikes, and a FAQ.
The 10 Best Folding EBikes Of 2024
- BEST OVERALL: Aventon Sinch.2
- TOP PICK: Lectric XP3.0
- BEST VALUE: Gotrax F1
- BEST PREMIUM BIKE: GOCYCLE G4i
- MOST PORTABLE: Blix Vika+
- BEST OFFROAD: Heybike Mars2.0
- LONGEST RANGE: Magicycle Jaguarundi
- Ride1Up Portola
- RadPowerBikes RadExpand 5
- Rattan LF 750 PRO
1. Best Overall – Aventon Sinch.2
Specifications
- Max Speed – 26 mph
- Range – up to 55 miles
- Max Rider Weight – 300 lbs
- Bike Weight – 68 lbs
- Folded Size – 35 x 28 x 31 inches
- Motor Power – 500 watt rear hub
- Battery – 48 volt 14 ah
- Speeds – 8 Speed Aventon
- Brakes – Mechanical disc
- Wheel Size – 20 inch x 2.4inch tires
Overall Score
What we liked:
- Very quick and smooth feeling motor activation with torque sensor
- Folds into a small space for storage or transport
- Folding latch is easy to use with positive engagement
- Upright comfortable riding position
- Includes fenders, rear rack and light
- Wide tires give good traction on a variety of surfaces
What we didn’t like:
- It’s a heavy bike at 68 lbs for picking up to load
- Aventon branded shifter and derailleur are clunky feeling
- Folding mechanism pivot is very stiff
The Aventon Sinch.2 is their latest folding bike that has all the improvements they added to the second generation Aventon bikes. It has a silky smooth and responsive torque sensor. It has a color LCD display that can be linked to a phone app to adjust settings. It has a beefy heavy duty feeling frame that reminds of of the Aventure 2 frame. It has 20 inch by 4 inch wide big fat street tires that give it excellent traction and balance.
The Sinch.2 is fun to ride and has good power with a 500 watt hub motor and 48 volt battery. The torque sensor responds super quick to pedal input. It rides almost as nice as my favorite Aventon Level 2 ebike.
The bike has a top speed of 26mph in pedal assist and 20mph with throttle. You have to pedal really hard for anything over about 23mph.
The Sinch.2 folds up with a folding frame, folding handlebars, and folding pedals. The handlebar won’t quite fold vertically down making it take a little more space. This is still a very heavy bike weighing in at 68 lbs. Without the battery it will still weigh close to 55 lbs. That is the biggest downside to this bike. It’s fun to ride. It’s compact. It’s portable. It weighs a lot.
See our review of the Aventon Sinch.2 to learn more.
See Best Deals!
WIN A TESLA MODEL3 And $600 OFF E-Bikes During AVENTON BLACK FRIDAY SALE
2. Top Pick – Lectric XP 3.0
Specifications
- Max Speed – 28 mph
- Range – 45-65 miles
- Max Rider Weight – 330 lbs
- Bike Weight – 64 lbs
- Folded Size – 37 x 18 x 28 inches
- Motor Power – 500 watt rear hub
- Battery – 48 volt 10.5 or 14 ah
- Speeds – 7 Speed Shimano Tourney
- Brakes – Hydraulic disc
- Wheel Size – 20 inch x 3 inch
The Lectric XP 3.0 improves almost everything upon the already very popular Lectric XP 2.0. It has more torque, more suspension travel, more braking power and still comes in at a very affordable price.
The XP 3.0 is one of the best folding electric bikes out there. It looks like a bike that should cost $3000-$4000 instead of just $1000. Lectric keeps the cost down by selling a ton of them. The XP 3.0 is available in both step-thru and regular frame designs to suit rider preference.
It has a 500 watt motor and 2 battery options. A regular range (10.5ah) and long range version (14ah). The controller and all electronics are upgraded from the older version. The XP 3.0 has much improved acceleration and taller gearing means it is easier to pedal at higher speeds too.
They use a power/wattage based cadence sensor instead of a speed based sensor which gives you a bit more control over the power level and responsiveness of the bike. You aren’t stuck with 100% power all the time up to a fixed speed.
New for the XP 3.0 is an integrated rear rack that has a weigh capacity of 150 lbs. This means it can be used for a passenger or just carrying lots of stuff.
Lectric also offers tons of accessories for the XP 3.0 from rear seats, pet carriers to food carriers. It makes it one of the most versatile bikes out there.
What we liked:
- Convenient folding design that can be stored almost anywhere
- Available in regular and step-thru frame designs
- Heavy duty rear rack with 150 lb capacity
- Has fenders, racks and lights all standard
- Improved motor, controller, and gearing over the XP 2.0.
- Fun to ride with lots of power and top speed
- Strong hydraulic brakes with 180mm rotors
- Power based cadence sensor makes it easier to control
What we didn’t like:
- At 64 lbs it’s a bit heavy to carry around
- There isn’t much to dislike about this bike
See Best Deals!
3. Best Value – GoTrax F1
Specifications
- Max Speed – 20 mph
- Range – 15-25 miles
- Max Rider Weight – 265 lbs
- Bike Weight – 58.3 lbs
- Folded Size – 38 x 18 x 27 inches
- Motor Power – 350 watt rear hub
- Battery – 48 volt 7.8 ah
- Speeds – 1 Speed
- Brakes – Mechanical disc
- Wheel Size – 20 inch x 2.6inch tires
Overall Score
What we liked:
- Powerful and punchy feeling for a 350 watt motor
- Small compact size when folded
- Quick acceleration when riding with just throttle
- Easy to adjust for different rider sizes
- No assembly required
- Has headlight and tailight
- Easy to read and use LCD display and controls
What we didn’t like:
- The key is difficult to turn to unlock the battery for removal
- One crank required tightening after the second ride
- The brakes needed a little adjustment
- The front wheel has a slight wobble and could use truing
The Gotrax F1 is a cheap folding electric bike that is big on performance. It only has a 350 watt motor but you will swear it’s got more when you ride it.
The F1 is a simple lightweight folding bike with a single speed driveline and 350 watt motor to keep the weight down. This makes it very easy to store it almost anywhere. It’s easy to throw into the back of an SUV to take on trips. You could also easily fit it into the storage area of a boat or carry it with you and hide it under your desk at work.
The bike is surprisingly fun to ride. It has strong acceleration on throttle only. It can go up to 20mph on throttle alone or with pedal assist. The gearing is about right for riding the bike between 10-15mph so it works for most flat ground riding.
During our test rides, we were able to get more than the 25 mile published range with the F1 even with a heavier rider. We were impressed by the range of this bike for the battery size.
The handlebar and seat height can be adjusted to make it work for most riders. We found it comfortable to ride for as long as it took to empty the battery.
If you want a cheap and fun electric folding bike, then the GoTrax F1 could be the bike for you.
See our full review of the Gotrax F1 to learn more.
See Best Deals!
UP TO $600 OFF and more during GOTRAX BLACK FRIDAY SALE
4. Best Premium – GOCYCLE G4i
Specifications
- Max Speed – 20 mph
- Range – up to 50 miles
- Max Rider Weight – 220 lbs
- Bike Weight – 37.7 lbs
- Folded Size – 35 x 15 x 24 inches
- Motor Power – 500 watt front hub
- Battery – 36 volt 10.4 ah
- Speeds – 3 Speed Shimano Nexus
- Brakes – Hydraulic disc
- Wheel Size – 20 inch x 2.25 inch
The GOCYCLE G4i is one of the most innovative and unique ebikes out there. It was designed by F1 race car designer Richard Thorpe and looks like something out of a futuristic sci-fi movie. It is also one of the most expensive folding ebikes out there with a price north of $5000.
The G4i has a 500 watt front hub motor on a monofork with front suspension. The rear of the bike has a 3 speed pedal driveline that automatically shifts as you go faster or slower. No more forgetting to downshift when you stop. The pedal driveline is encased in a magnesium casting to reduce maintenance and mess.
The frame is composed of an aluminum front section, carbon fiber middle portion, and magnesium casting at the back. This combined with magnesium wheels allows the bike to come in at just under 38 lbs while still having a 10.4 ah battery. This is one of the few ebikes that is actually easy to pickup and load.
The Gocycle uses a phone app for adjusting settings. It has a very basic LED light display that shows information with individual lights. For the cost of this bike there should be a color LCD at a minimum. The bike also has a daytime running light bar in front of the handlebar to be more visible to traffic.
It has a top speed of 20mph and no throttle making it a Class 1 bike only. Bikes in the US have 500 watts of output. Bikes going to the EU are limited to 250 watts.
What we liked:
- F1 inspired frame design
- Very lightweight for a folding ebike at under 40 lbs
- Front and rear suspension for smoothing ride
- Enclosed pedal driveline to prevent mess and maintenance
- Pedal driveline with automatic electronic shifting
What we didn’t like:
- Very high cost
- Basic LED light display
- Low 220 lb weight capacity
- No throttle
See Best Deals!
5. Most Portable – blix Vika+
Specifications
- Max Speed – 24 mph
- Range – up to 45 miles
- Max Rider Weight – 240 lbs
- Bike Weight – 55 lbs
- Folded Size – 36 x 21 x 28.5 inches
- Motor Power – 500 watt rear hub
- Battery – 48 volt 12.8 ah
- Speeds – 8 Speed Microshift
- Brakes – Hydraulic disc
- Wheel Size – 20 inch x 2.4 inch
The Blix Vika+ is a classic looking bike with chrome parts and silver wheels that takes a more lightweight approach. The Vika has 20 inch x 2.4 inch wheels with street tread and a 500 watt motor that helps shave some pounds off the bike. This bike is meant for riding in urban terrain and comes in at a very reasonable 55 lbs. You can get it down to 47 lbs taking the battery out. For those who want an easy to store and transport folding ebike this is very important.
This bike is one of the few ebikes I’ve seen with chromed handlebar, seat post, and rims giving it a much more classic look than the typical black trimmed bike. It reminds me of a fun bike from when I was a kid. It has color matched fenders and racks to go with it.
The Vika+ is light and nimble feeling with good acceleration. The 500 watt motor feels a lot more effective on a bike with lighter wheels that don’t eat so much power. It has an 8 speed pedal driveline with a twist shifter.
The cadence sensor only needs about a 1/4 turn of the cranks to activate which makes it one of the more responsive cadence sensors out there. The 5 PAS levels vary the speed and power output. Level 1 and 2 give you good low speed performance that isn’t jumpy for riding in congested places. PAS levels 3-5 give you fast acceleration and higher top speeds.
What we liked:
- Classic chrome and silver trimmed appearance
- More lightweight than most folding ebikes
- 2.4 inch width street tires give the bike a much more light and nimble feel
- Lots of available accessories for customizing the bike
- Step thru design is good for smaller riders
- Hydraulic brakes give good stopping power
What we didn’t like:
- Ride can be a little rough with no suspension fork and narrow width tires
See Best Deals!
6. Best Offroad – Heybike Mars 2.0
Specifications
- Max Speed – 28 mph
- Range – 45 miles
- Max Rider Weight – 330 lbs
- Bike Weight – 75 lbs
- Folded Size – 37 x 28 x 22 inches
- Motor Power – 750 watt hub motor
- Battery – 48 volt 12.5 ah
- Speeds – 7 speed Shimano Tourney
- Brakes – Mechanical disc
- Wheel Size – 20 inch
Overall Score
What we liked:
- Lots of power and strong acceleration
- Good for heavier and larger riders
- 100 lb capacity heavy duty rack
- Phone app that lets you customize the bikes performance
- Can fold into a compact size for storage and transport
- Easy to use folding mechanisms
- 28mph top speed with throttle and pedal assist.
What we didn’t like:
- Bike is very heavy to pick up and carry after folding
- The battery meter is very erratic showing 2 to 3 bar swings due to battery sag.
- Difficult to ride in tight or congested spaces due to the strong motor activation and cadence sensor
The Heybike Mars 2.0 electric foldable bike is a great high powered offroad e-bike. It has a specified capacity of 330 lbs along with a 45-60 mile range and 28mph max speed.
This bike has a 750 watt rear hub motor with a peak output of around 1200 watts. It has plenty of power for taking heavier riders uphill without much need for pedaling. It has a 7 speed Shimano driveline to help with climbing if needed.
It has 20 inch wheels with 4 inch wide tires. The bike has front suspension and a suspension seat post that give it a nice cushy ride. For more cush or traction on loose surfaces, you can lower the tire pressure too.
There are mechanical cable pull disc brakes for stopping. The brakes have plenty of power. You won’t mistake them for hydraulic brakes but they get the job done.
The bike folds to allow it to fit in your car or storage space. It also weighs 75 lbs so it is not a carry around bike when you are not riding. Not real far anyways. You can reduce the weight by removing the battery but it’s still a heavy bike.
This is a great e-bike that is fun to ride and very comfortable. It’s got lots of power for heavy riders and climbing hills.
See our review of the Heybike Mars 2.0 to learn more.
See Best Deals!
7. Longest Range – Magicycle Jaguarundi
Specifications
- Max Speed – 25 mph
- Range – 28 to 60 miles
- Max Rider Weight – 350 lbs
- Bike Weight – 60 lbs
- Folded Size – 45 x25 x 31 inches
- Motor Power – 750 watt rear hub
- Battery – 48 volt 15 ah
- Speeds – 7 Speed Shimano Tourney
- Brakes – Hydraulic disc
- Wheel Size – 20 inch x 2.4 inch
The Magicycle Jaguarundi is a long range offroad folding ebike. It comes with the largest battery of any of our picks with a 48 volt 15 ah battery. It has a 750 watt rear hub motor. This gives it more power and range for going on off road treks. The Jaguarundi comes with 20 inch by 4 inch wide offroad tires for good cushion and traction. It is a folding bike so we would limit offroad use to dirt roads and smoother trails. It is not a bike made for technical mountain bike trails. It will be a lot of fun blasting down fire roads and jeep trails.
The Jaguarundi uses a cadence sensor and 5 levels of pedal assist for control. It also has a throttle for those times you just feel like going along for the ride. The cadence sensor needs about a 1/2 turn of the pedals to activate the motor which puts it about average.
The bike comes in at around 60 lbs which means you can get it down to close to 50 lbs with the battery removed. It’s not one of the heavier folding bikes but isn’t near the lightest either. It’s on the lighter end for 4 inch wide fat tire folding bikes. It is 45 inches long folded which puts it at the bigger end of folded size.
What we liked:
- Very good power for climbing hills and heavier riders
- Longer range than most folding ebikes
- Comes with rack, fenders, and lights
- Step thru design is good for short riders under 5′ tall
What we didn’t like:
- 45 inches long after being folded
- Shimano Tourrney pedal driveline
See Best Deals!
Get up to $700 Off Ebikes and Free Battery during Magicycle Black Friday Sale
8. Ride1Up Portola
Specifications
- Max Speed – 28 mph
- Range – 20 to 45 miles
- Max Rider Weight – 300 lbs
- Bike Weight – 60 lbs
- Folded Size – 33 x 19 x 30 inches
- Motor Power – 750 watt rear hub
- Battery – 48 volt 10.4 or 13.4 ah
- Speeds – 8 Speed Shimano Altus
- Brakes – Hydraulic disc
- Wheel Size – 20 inch x 3 inch
The Ride1Up Portola is the latest new bike from Ride1Up and their first folding bike. They took a take no prisoners approach to the design with great features. You get a 750 watt motor, heavy duty rack welded on the frame, hydraulic disc brakes, and 2 battery options. It uses a Shimano Altus shifter derailleur and shifter. No Shimano Tourney anywhere. All this for under $1000.
The Portola folds just in front of the crank allowing a battery that can be removed with the frame folded or unfolded. They offer both a 10.4 and 13.4 ah battery giving you up to 45 mile range. It comes shipped as a Class 2 ebike with 20mph top speed but can be set up to 28mph for pedal assist making it Class 3. It uses a 24 magnet cadence sensor which is about as responsive as a cadence sensor can be.
The Portola comes in at just 60 lbs. This is still heavy. It is light considering it still has front suspension, a really beefy rear rack, and a long range battery. They achieved this using smaller 3 inch wide tires with hybrid tread instead of heavier 4 inch wide offroad tires. Most people will never take these bikes anywhere beyond a dirt road and that is all the ability it needs.
What we liked:
- Easy to use step-thru frame good for short or tall riders
- Has Shimano Altus components throughout (no Tourney)
- 750 watt rear hub motor gives good climbing power
- 2 available battery options
- 3 inch tires are a nice balance between comfort, range, weight, and a little offroad ability
- Heavy duty welded on rear rack that can hold a second passenger
What we didn’t like:
- Heavy to pick up and carry
- Very simple black and white LCD display
See Best Deals!
Get up to $400 Off Ebikes during the Ride1UP Black Friday Sale
9. RadPowerBikes RadExpand 5
Specifications
- Max Speed – 20 mph
- Range – 25 to 45 miles
- Max Rider Weight – 275 lbs
- Bike Weight – 62.5 lbs
- Folded Size – 41 x 25 x 29 inches
- Motor Power – 750 watt rear hub
- Battery – 48 volt 14 ah
- Speeds – 7 Speed Microshift
- Brakes – Mechanical disc
- Wheel Size – 20 inch x 4 inch
The RadPowerBikes RadExpand 5 is an offroad adventure folding ebike. It comes with 4 inch wide offroad tires along with a 750 watt motor and 14 ah battery. This will give it plenty of range and power for hills. RadPowerBikes limits the motor output on their bikes to exactly 750 watts so they have less power than other 750 watt motor bikes which can output 1000-1500 watts. This does give you more durability for the motor and battery and a more quiet bike.
The RadExpand comes with a heavy duty rear rack along with heavy duty fenders. It’s ready for an offroad trek. They saved weight by not including a suspension fork. You can lower tire pressure down to get a good amount of suspension out of the 4 inch wide tires.
A very basic LED light display is used for controlling the bike. Hopefully they will update the bike soon to the dual display found on the RadRover 6 that is one of my favorite display sets. The current design works and it’s easy to use and tells you what you need to know.
What we liked:
- Heavy duty frame construction
- No suspension fork to save weight
- Includes rear rack, fenders and lights
- Adjustable BMX style handlebar
- Microshift pedal driveline
What we didn’t like:
- Very basic LCD display
- Bike limited to 750 watts power output
- Battery can’t be removed with seat in low position
- Heavy to carry at 62.5 lbs
See Best Deals!
Get up to $1200 OFF during the Rad Power Bikes Black Friday Sale
10. Rattan LF 750 PRO
Specifications
- Max Speed – 28 mph
- Range – Up 45 miles
- Max Rider Weight – 300 lbs
- Bike Weight – 64 lbs
- Folded Size – 39 x 18 x 28 inches
- Motor Power – 750 watt rear hub
- Battery – 48 volt 13 ah
- Speeds – 7 Speed Shimano
- Brakes – Mechanical disc
- Wheel Size – 20 inch x 4 inch
The Rattan LF 750 Pro is a folding ebike ready for light duty offroading. It has puncture resistant 26 x 4 inch knobby tires. It has a heavy duty rack that comes with a seat to carry a small passenger. The step-thru frame design makes it good for small or large riders. There is also a step over frame version available, the LM 750 Pro for those who prefer that style.
The bike has a 750 watt motor giving it lots of hill climbing and cargo carrying power. The 13 ah battery should be enough to let it go 35-45 miles in real world usage. The bike has offroad tires, front suspension fork, and suspension seat post to help smooth out the terrain. This bike with a folding frame is really only designed for dirt roads and gravel paths. I would not take it somewhere with really technical terrain with lots of rocks and roots to climb over.
The bike comes as a nice overall package with the rear seat along with fenders, rack, and lights. There is a variety of baskets, bags and other accessories available for it from Rattan.
What we liked:
- Step-thru frame accommodates a wide range of rider heights
- Color LCD display and simple controls
- Available in 3 colors
- Comes with a rear seat and a variety of accessories
- Magnesium wheels to save weight
- Good value at just a little over $1000
What we didn’t like:
- Very heavy at 64 lbs
See Best Deals!
Folding EBike Guide
Folding ebikes are easier to store if you don’t have a lot of space. They can be much easier to load into the back of an SUV or car if you don’t have a heavy duty bike hitch rack that ebikes require. Folding electric bikes come in a huge variety of styles, sizes, and weights. There are very heavy offroad folding ebikes and lightweight ebikes designed for urban street riding. How do you know if a folding electric bike is right for you? Which one should you choose? Let’s discuss some of the main features of folding ebikes to help you decide.
Folded Size
The 2 most important factors for folding ebikes are how big is it when it’s folded and how much does it weight. You are buying a bike because you want something that is small, easy to store and easy to transport. The smaller the bike is when folded, the easier it is to fit in the back of a car or SUV or maybe a boat.
Weight
After size the next biggest consideration for a folding electric bike is the weight. Folding Ebikes can range in weight from 35 lbs to 90 lbs. There is really light bikes like the GOCYCLE G4i that weigh in at 37 lbs. At the opposite end is bikes like the Heybike Mars 2 that weighs in at 75 lbs. 37 lbs is a lot easier to carry but it won’t go as far or as fast as the heavier folding bike.
Wheel size
Almost all folding ebike use 20 inch diameter wheels. This is the best compromise for a folding bike to be small and still have a decent ride. The width of the tires can vary a lot. Bikes designed for street riding on pavement will have 2 inch to 2.4 inch wide tires. These provide good traction on pavement and are still cushy enough to absorb some cracks and bumps in the pavement.
Offroad folding ebikes will have tires up to 4 inches wide. These are much cushier and provide better traction on loose surfaces. The downside to 4 inch wide wheels and tires is that they weigh a lot.
If the weight of your ebike is very important, look for a bike with thinner wheels. If you care more about ride comfort and ability to ride off pavement then 4 inch wide tires are the best choice.
Power
Folding bikes can vary from lightweight 250 watt bikes to heavier 750 watt bikes. You should consider where you live and what terrain you will want and need to ride. A 250 watt hub motor powered bike can propel an adult at 20mph on flat land just fine. It won’t provide much help for climbing steep hills.
If you plan to ride mostly on flat roads and paths you can get a lighter weight bike with a smaller 250-350 watt motor. If you live somewhere with lots of hills I would go for at least 500 watts or more. If you want to ride at higher speeds above 20mph then look for a bike with more power. The Ride1Up Portola has a 750 watt motor and 28mph top speed
Range
How far do you need to go with your e-bike? Fodling e-bike range can vary from 25 miles to about 60 miles. A longer range means bigger batteries. Bigger batteries mean the bike will cost more and weigh more. Batteries will have some loss of range over time so it is always best to buy something that can go farther than you need it to. Folding ebikes have more limited space for batteries. 15ah seems to be about the max size battery a folding ebike can have.
Range of e-bikes varies a lot based on rider weight, how many hills you have to climb, and how fast you go. If you are a heavy rider who likes to ride fast then consider bikes with a larger battery. If you are a lighter rider, who rides in a flat area, you can get buy with a small battery.
Motor
Most folding ebikes have hub motors. They are simpler and need less space in the frame than mid-drives. Having the folding mechanism at the middle of the frame doesn’t really work with a large motor in that spot. Hub motors are more simple and easier to maintain. They do not put as much load on the pedal driveline which means you can go for a lighter weight pedal driveline.
Torque Sensor or Cadence Sensor
One of the biggest differences in electric bikes is the pedal assist sensor. Most bikes have either a cadence sensor or torque sensor. Some bikes can have both. The Aventon Sinch.2 has a very smooth feeling torque sensor with a very natural riding feel and easy to control in tight spaces and congested areas. The Ride1Up Portola has a cadence sensor and is much easier to ride at higher speeds.
Torque sensors sense you pushing on the pedal to activate the motor. They will give you assistance that is proportional to how hard you push the pedals. This gives you lots of control and allows you to have just a little motor power or a lot of motor power. As you go faster and run out of pedal range you will run into a point where it’s difficult to push the pedals at the speed you are pedaling. You won’t get as much assistance. It feels like you’re not getting much assist above 22-23mph which is the downside to torque sensors. It feels like you need to do a lot more work to go faster.
Cadence sensors just sense that you are turning the pedals and the motor turns on. It doesn’t care how hard you are pedaling. Cadence sensor bikes tend to run at fixed speeds for each pedal assist level. At higher pedal assist levels you can go well over 20mph while ghost pedaling or spinning the pedals slowly without putting in any force.
If you want a Class 3 ebike that will easily go 28mph in pedal assist without putting in much effort, a cadence sensor is a better choice. The downside to cadence sensors is that the bike wants to go a fixed speed based on the level you have set. On many bikes, the lowest level is 10mph. When the motor kicks on it wants to go 10mph at full power and lurches forward. This makes it hard to ride in tight spaces or with a lot of pedestrians.
Battery
Battery size range for electric folding bikes runs from 10 ah to 15 ah. The large majority of folding ebikes have 12 to 14 ah batteries. Most batteries are 48 volt although there are some 36 volt batteries such as the GOCYCLE G4i. Range is proportional to battery size. If you want to go farther, get a bigger battery. Bigger sized battery cells have less voltage sag under load so they will perform better on steep climbs. A lower voltage battery is smaller and will weigh less and be more compact.
Brakes
Folding bikes can come with either u-brakes or disc brakes. Disc brakes have much better stopping power. I would spend at least enough to get a disc brake equipped bike.
Disc brakes can be either cable pull or hydraulic. Cable pull brakes are more simple and need less maintenance. Hydraulic disc brakes have much better stopping with less hand effort. In my opinion, the extra stopping power of hydraulic brakes is more than worth any extra work involved.
Pedal Driveline
As you go up in price you get better hardware for the pedal driveline. More speeds mean more pedal range which means you have more climbing power and higher gears for going faster. 7 speed drivelines run out of range above 20mph. 9 speed drivelines give you higher gears for going faster. Folding ebikes almost universally have Shimano or Microshift 7 or 8 speed components.
Suspension
Some folding bikes have a front suspension fork to help take the edge off of cracks and potholes. There are some full suspension folding ebikes out there too. A front suspension fork weighs several pounds more than a fixed fork. You have to decide whether bike weight and portability is more important than suspension for smoothing rough terrain.
A suspension seat post can help smooth the ride a lot for only a little weight gain. The Heybike Mars 2.0 comes with one and it does a great job soaking up pot holes and cracks in the pavement.
E-Bike Classes
The 3 classes of ebikes are:
- Class 1 – 750 watts power, pedal assist only, 20mph top speed
- Class2 – 750 watts power, throttle control, with 20mph top speed
- Class3 – 750 watts power, pedal assist only, 28mph top speed
A lot of places only allow Class 1 or 2 ebikes on bike paths. There are a lot of e-bikes out there that either aren’t classified or can be changed into different classes. An Aventon Sinch.2 can be a class 1, 2 or 3 e-bike by removing the throttle or adjusting the top pedal assist speed. It is stickered as a Class 2 e-bike from the factory.
See this article from Bosch to learn more about e-bikes classes
The Best Folding Ebikes
Folding Electric Bike FAQ
You might also like
- Best Ebike Helmets Helpful Guide
- The Best Fat Tire EBikes Helpful Guide
- The Best Electric Bikes Under $2000 Helpful Guide
- Best Commuter EBikes Helpful Guide
Doug Ryan
Co-Founder & Chief Editor
I grew up back east in Pennsylvania and learned to ski on a family trip to Killington, Vermont when I was 6. I immediately fell in love with the mountains and outdoors and have been skiing across the US and Canada ever since. I went to school for Mechanical Engineering, and have a Master’s Degree in Material Science and Reliability.
I am a total gear nerd and love learning how things work and thinking about how they could be improved. Nothing excites me more than trying out new gear. I’d rather spend 3 hours taking my bike apart and learning how to change something than go to a bike shop. These days I reside in Michigan by the Great Lakes and go skiing, biking, and boating as much as possible.
doug@adventuregearinsider.com
