Riding bikes give us immense joy and bring back childhood memories. With growing technology and development, we have seen a constant change in the design of these folding bicycles. Now there are many bikes with gears, disc brakes, and shock absorbers.
The new segment in the bicycle is the foldable ones. So, What is the best folding bike for the tour? These are the best collapsible folding bikes on the market, that are of great help, and you can easily carry them along on your trips and picnics. They can easily be get attached to the rear end of the car, along with a safari exploration.
Best Collapsable Bicycles of 2020 – Reviewed & Tested
★ Best Overall ★
- Unique Style
- Most Compact
- Various Colors Available
★ Best Value ★
- High Performance
- Best For Long Distance
- Build With Best Material
Detailed Lightweight Folding Bikes Reviewed
Vilano Urbana Single Speed Folding Bikes
This is a lightweight bike, weighing 21.5 pounds, single-speed, mainly for riding city roads on a fun basis. Build quality of the bike is very good, having a solid frame that could bear some good tensile load. The single-speed gear has no shifting problems, which cuts the maintenance cost.
The bike is very durable, and you can expect it to be with you for the coming years. The portable bike is recommended for kids and boys because it is going to hard for adults to ride this thing and enjoy. Overall, it is a good folding bike having the capability to last years.
Strida LT Belt Drive Folding Bike
The frame of the bike is A-Type, which won’t be familiar with you, but it is solid and made of 6000 aluminum, industrial grade, making it solid and light. It weighs around 22 lbs and folds in the dimension of 45″ x 20″ x 9, colors that are available in the market are Turquoise, Black, Red, and White.
The special belt drive folding bike is integrated can last up to 50000 miles without oil and grease. The riding position is comfortable and wheels are low. When you ride this thing, it would take some time to adjust, but eventually, you’re going to love it.
Allen Sports Folding Travel Bikes
The fold-up bike is moderate-heavy, not suitable for the daily commute, but you can carry this up if you want to. The weight of the bike is 25.6 and foldable size is 33.5-inch x 13.8-inch x 27.6 inch. The integrated 7-speed gears make it easy to ride on city roads and take some trips uphill.
Winzip brakes are good and working efficiently. This foldable bicycle could be a great companion for evening rides. The bike frame is solid and made of industrial-grade aluminum. The folded size is compact, comparable to others in the same segment.
Durban Bay – Best Inexpensive Folding Bikes For Commuting
This bike is pretty heavy, comparing to the bikes available in the same section. The reason for weighing 32 lbs is that the frame is made of high tensile steel having b type latch. 6 gears are present to ensure smooth riding experience.They’re going to get you running on a flat road or mountain.
Folded dimensions of the bike is 33″ x 25″ x 14″. Mud guards are included, but you have an option to choose rack or not. Colors available in the market are black, white red and blue. This is a decent commuter bike, not meant for serious work. Commuting is not desirable due to heavy weight, but you can adjust.
Allen Sports Ultra X – Lightweight Folding Bikes
This folding bicycle is for those who takes their riding experience seriously, and want to devote that time to ultralight performance biased bike. Carbon fibre high density, lightweight frame can hold up any load, and only weighs 18.5 pounds.
This bike comes in lighter segment, due to light structure of fibre. Foldable size of the bike is 33.5 inch x 13.8 inch x 27.6 inch. 20 speed gears combination by Sram X9 10 Speed is present to give smooth experience. Available colour in the market is only carbon. 20 inch tires are present, to make it for adults as well as boys.
Sueh Q6 – 7 Speed Folding Bike
Sueh Q6 is an upgraded model from Q1, and the bike is mainly for recreational purposes only. If you’re looking for a bike, which you’re going to use day to day life, for commuting, then it is not your type. The bike is ideal for family outings, towns, and some moderate hills.
Basically, it can handle only light use, heavy-duty work is not its thing. The body is made up of aluminum, which makes it lightweight. It only weighs 27 lbs. the bike folds into the dimension of 32.28” x 23”x 13”. Available color in the market is orange, black and white.
AVANTI 20″ Lightweight Aluminum Folding Bike
The bike has an lighweight aluminum frame, which is pretty solid, but makes it heavier, about 30 pounds. The metal frame makes it a rigid and durable folding bike, but being made of aluminum doesn’t help in weighing light, it is still heavy.
The color available in the market is red, black and white. Rack and fenders are included in the box. 6-speed gears are present but not Shimano. The bike is simple, for commute purpose, but not heavy duty ones.
Shimano 6 Speed Folding Bike
Another average bike, but with Shimano 6 speed gears. The metal frame is made of hi-tensile steel, making it more rigid than aluminum ones, but it increases the weight. With the budget, the bike has a lot of things, but when you unwrap it, it needs a few adjustments.
You have to tighten some things in order to ride it smoothly. It is available in the single color option. The bike is not for commute purposes, but mainly for town roams. Everything of steel makes is very bulky, not easy to carry and tore.
Dahon Briza D8 Folding Bike
This is a full size adult bike, with a low step. When you ride this thing, you will find yourself at height higher than expected. Your posture will be straight and you can ride it for hours, without any back pain.
The riding is smooth due to 8 speed Shimano gears and shifter. Dahon is known for bikes that are good with specs, as well as price. This bike only costs 699 dollars, and weighs 27.1 lbs. color options available in the market are Shadow and mist.
Xootr Swift Folding Bike Review
A lightweight and easy folding bike, with 8-speed gear. It can take the good load, but when folded, the bike doesn’t fold to the expected size. So it can be a real problem to carry and store, but nevertheless, its minimal frame makes it somehow easy.
The whole body is made of aluminum making it weigh only 25 pounds. Swift bikes has a unique design, introducing Patented TrusFold system, which makes it easy to fold and open. Xootr bike has worked well , and this bike is an epitome of the development.
Montague FIT Full Size Folding Bike Review
The bike is top in the segment, and due to its patented fit design and folding technique, it is the strongest Montague folding bike ever made. The carbon fork of the bike is made for tough roads and shocks.
When we look at the price, it is 1245 dollars, expensive for rookies, but every part of this bike is worth every penny. The solid aluminum frame supports the parts effectively, and make the bike weigh only 26.5 lbs. the color choices that are available in the market are hunter green and pure black.
When it is said that this is the strongest folding bike, it is true. The frame is fully aluminum having their FIT design. The bike has no middle hinge, which makes it stronger. Carbon fiber fork has better response and steering.
It can absorb a good amount of shock. When folded the size of the bike becomes 36″ x 28″ x 12″. While folding, the bike separates into two pieces and is the only flaw I have ever notice in the bike.
Coming to the gears, it is integrated with 30 speeds Shimano Tiagra with the optical display. The specs you get are the flagship of the brand. While riding the bike, if gears are changed while accelerating and it is found that they’re very smooth, like cutting butter with a hot knife.
The bike picks up speed in no time, and you won’t even feel any discomfort in doing that. Wheels are of Kenda Kontender Lite having 700c x 23mm slick. They’re light, strong and comfy. Their traction is pretty good, despite the fact that they’re thin.
The saddle is very comfortable, and it doesn’t hurt you after a while. It has Double Density Performance, with “Center Gap” Comfort Technology that makes sure that you enjoy every meter of the ride. The brakes are also effective enough to stop it in less time, no matter at which speed you’re riding.
Folding would take only 20 seconds, but for that, you have to remove the front wheel. The folding compresses the bicycle way much than any other in the segment. You can easily carry it along yourself on public transportation.
The bike is best in the segment, having all the high-end features, from gears to frame, from fork to saddle. The price is a bit high, but if you’re willing to invest that kind of money, it is a guarantee that you will get a bicycle that is never going to leave you in tough situations.
It has low maintenance and is extremely durable. This bike is suggested for regular riders, for those who want to go work on it, the ones who roam around the city. It has got everything you need.
- Adult size bike
- Lightweight only weighs 26.5 lbs.
- 30 speed Shimano gears
- Unique FT frame and folding technique.
- Strong frame
- Smooth ride and comfy saddle.
- Separates into two pieces while folding
Montague Navigator Full Size Folding Bike Review
The bike is designed for adults and has 27 speeds to make the riding experience smooth. The folding system of the bike is very unique, and it is what makes them the strongest in the segment. The frame of the bike is very strong and has two connecting rods.
These rods provide extra support and make the cycle rigid on the rough roads. The available color option is blue and black. Being a strong bike, it only weighs 27 pounds. Fenders and rack are included in the packaging.
The whole metal frame is made up of aluminum (Custom drawn 7005 Series Aluminum with FIT System), which means it is light but strong. The middle hinge is absent, which gives you the full feel of an adult bike.
The price range of this bike makes it a great deal. There are some bikes which are much lower in the wheel size but weigh the same. If we take into consideration the price, then you should definitely go for this.
Riding this bike is a real comfort. With such rigid support, you’re going to love the handling and pedaling. 27 speeds gear are of Shimano Sora, 9-Speed rear, and 3-speed front. While riding this thing, it was found that the gears shift effortlessly.
We mostly see that with an increase in gears, it is really difficult to shift frequently, but not with this bike. You can ride this thing for a good interval, because the saddle is very comfortable, having center gap comfort technology.
When it comes to breaks, it is integrated with Caliper side pull type, an alloy made. The thing works like charm. When tested the brakes on different speeds, and it stopped almost at the same time. As far as breaks are concerned, they deliver pure performance.
The bike hardly has any maintenance than normal greasing and oiling. The parts are very strong and the gears are smooth. Folding this bike is very easy, a normal kid can do it. This full-size bike compresses a lot when folded. The size reduction ratio is great. The front wheel can be removed for folding, so there is some extra effort, but worth it
When you ride this thing, the tires are sleek, so you get acceleration without even trying hard. The gears help you to reach a speed at no time. This is more like a racing bike, which you can use it for day to day purpose. You can easily carry it along on public transport. It does okay on rough roads, but on city roads, it has no competition. The price tag makes it a great deal.
This bike is recommended to people who want to go to their work on it regularly, because it is durable and strong.
- Strong metal frame (FIT frame)
- Adult size bike
- 3×9 speed gears by Shimano
- Racks and fenders included
- Sleek tires, good for city use
- Good price
- Bike separates into two pieces when you fold it.
What Is A Best Folding Bikes For Adults?
They function like normal bikes, but the one feature that stands out apart in them is the foldable support structure. The beams can easily be bent, and folded into half, to save space.
They also save the energy that you put in to carry them, as now you can easily attach them to your car’s rear end. These folding bikes are made of light alloys, usually of aluminum and steel, to provide stability and strength. You can choose from a wide range of best folding bikes if you want to buy one.
They come in every shape and size. You can but one for the kids, as well as boys to adults. Most of the folding bikes are simple in specifications, but you can also choose from mountain to racing. Most of the regular customers buy them for their kids, as it is easy to fold them and get them in the car.
The mountain type folding bikes are more complex, they have disc brakes, gears, shockers, and a solid metal frame. But, they can be folded easily and you can carry them along. They are also expensive ones, due to better build and durability.
The folds depend upon the bike frame, some bikes can bend into really small piece, and some only into halves. Well, that’s obvious that the one having one fold is going to take more space, but it’s also convenient to unfold them and ride.
The era of a folding bike has started and people are preferring them over normal ones, due to the ease of access, mobility, compactness, and features. They’re doing equal work, just with the added benefit of being compact. I would prefer them over your daily bicycle, because if you buy folding bikes, then it won’t be your just a daily bicycle, it will be more than that
Folding Bike Benefits
These type of bikes have many benefits over conventional bikes, as you can carry them along, store in less space, and commute.
They’re easily be adjusted in public transports. Unfold them from your storage area, and take it for a ride. The most important benefits over other bikes are:
Compact
They’re tailor-made to become compact bicycles as possible, according to their design. The latest patented designs are in the market that makes folding them easy and fast.
If you’re not a regular user, you can always fold the bike, and make it sit in your store area, consuming less space. Even if you’re a daily commuter, folding bikes help you to get into public transport easily.
You can unfold and ride to work again. Parking is also easy, just fold it, lock it, and you’re good to go.
Popularity
They’re becoming popular these days like the Beach Cruiser Bikes, and people are not even buying the normal ones. They now prefer folding ones due to the reason that they’re in trend, and have lots of benefits over them.
Durability
Folding bikes strength is their frame. The foldable frame is designed so well, to keep up with the folding capability and to bear the weight you put on it. So they’re designed way better than you see in the normal bikes.
Hence, they’re stronger and durable. Also, they’re made from industrial grade steel, aluminum or carbon fiber, depending upon the bike, making them good at tensile load.
Maintenance
They have very low maintenance, due to the fact that they’re already so well built, that the only thing you require is to oil parts and nothing else.
The frame, gears, brakes, saddle chain and tires, every part is built keeping quality in mind.
Storage
Due to their foldable reduced size, they consume less space than normal bikes. You can always unpack and ride them whenever you want to.
This has changed the way people see a bicycle as a waste of space. Storing and parking has become easy now.
Specs
These bikes have more specifications than normal bikes, like different shocker systems, patented brakes or gear shifters.
They’re packed with more performance parameters. It is suggested to buy these bikes as the first one, because they have it all, and you won’t have to change after some time.
Ease of Travel
The capacity to fold, makes it easy to carry them around, hence, a good choice for people who go to work by public transport. Now, they can reach the station fast, and just fold the bike can travel.
Travelling has become easy with these bikes. You can see many people doing that. You can pack them in your car, and go for a family picnic, and ride them enjoying the time. This open gates to hundreds of opportunities of them carrying along with you.
Performance
Folding bikes have better performance than normal ones, due to the fact that they’re light, have better shifting and gear mechanism.
They accelerate pretty fast and stop without any delay. Thanks to their excellent gears and brake systems.
Types of Fold Up Bikes
Folding bike types are classified on the basis of their user. The user specifications play an important role in governing the type of folding bike. There are mainly Four types of folding bikes:-
Kids Folding Bike
These folding bikes are small in size, folds into really small piece, and can be easily adjusted in the car. The size of the tires is usually between 18 to 22 inches.
They contain shockers and gears, depending upon the budget. Kids usually don’t need that kind specification, so they’re mostly normal ones. These bikes are helpful for kids, you can make them carry with you on family outings, for enjoying the ride.
These bikes are durable and strong. Kids are preferring these bikes due to their modernistic design. For smaller kids, you can also consider buying the best bike trailers which are a convenient accessory to have with you.
Folding Mountain Bicycle
They’re purely made for performance. They’re made from tough aluminum that can withhold good tensile strength. Expensive ones are made from carbon fiber, which is stronger than lighter than aluminum.
These bikes are designed for mountaineers and adventurers, who ride through tough mountains and trails. These fold up bikes have best combination of gears. Their shifters are sensitive and of the best quality.
The tires are grippy and wide. You can fold them up, and hang on the backside of the car, to go to the off-roading experience. They have better durability and strength. They’re of course expensive, but worth every penny.
Adult Folding Bike
These folding bikes are for adults, having the wheel size of 22-24 inches, but only for light use on city roads.
They’re mostly of picnic and outing kind of bikes. They’re basically bigger version of the bikes available for kids.
You can carry them along with you in our car. They’re not mad for commuting, but could be used. As stated earlier, they’re for light use only.
Folding Commuter Bike
These are modernistic light frame bicycles, purely made for the purpose of commuting. They have comparatively thin tires, more combination of gears and better folding capabilities.
They are extremely lightweight, made of aluminum or carbon fiber when you for the expensive one. You can run them to the nearest subway, fold them, and easily carry them along to your work. Parking is easy, just fold and lock.
These type of bikes are great at performance on city roads. They accelerate fast and brakes are good enough to make it to city roads.
These bikes, performance-wise are better than the normal folding bikes. You can easily adjust them into your car. They’re adult bikes, normally having wheel size of 22-26 inch.
Tips On Choosing The Best Folding Bicycle
Your collapsible bike should have features that you’re going to use in everyday life, along with durability. If you’re planning to buy a foldable bike, there are many parameters that you should care.
These parameters will decide the comfort, budget, and type. The market is full of a fold-up bike, that it is really hard to decide for which one to go to. You have to considerate each and every influencing factor, let’s have a look at them.
Good Foldable Bike Wheel Size
Wheel size matters, because it is directly proportional to the height and segment of the cycle. Low wheel size means the cycle is for kids, high wheel size means the cycle is for adults, and in between for boys. Normally, for adults, the 26-inch wheel size is preferable.
But you can always go down or up, according to the height. For kids of 2-4 years, it usually 14-17 inches and goes up to 24 inches for 8-9 years of age. Mid aged kids can buy a wheel size of 18-22 inch.
Now the range is given because different kids have different height, so it is preferable to bring your kids with you while choosing the right kids foldable bike.
Brand
After deciding the type of user, you should consider some brands that give you the desired specs and durability. There are many best folding bike brands like mini, Vilano, Allen sports, and many more.
We are never going to get out of brands, so we have to sort out the brand that has better value, warranty period, and reputation. The brand decides the quality of material used, the strength of the frame, and durability.
I would suggest going to the brands that you have heard and used. You can read folding bike reviews online, or on amazon for a better idea.
Bike Suspension Type
If you’re planning to buy a kid folding bike, then having a suspension is not a good idea, however, if you want to take extra care, go for it.
The suspension is usually for adventurous and racing type bikes, so that’s purely your decision to have one or not. There are three types mainly, piston type, spring type and combination of both.
The lateral one is meant for high-end bikes, but you can use the other two for day to day purposes. The piston type, however, is expensive, due to compressible fluid in it. The spring type is always easy to manage, and cheap.
Good Folding Bike Maintenance
If a bike has a low maintenance cost, even after a good amount of usage, then you will know that you have brought true value to your money. If the folding bike is durable, it will last, without giving you any more expenses.
Of course, occasional expenses like greasing and brake shoes are a must. But beyond that, there will be no other, if you have bought a good bike.
Folding Mountain bikes usually require a good amount of maintenance, because they do heavy works, but kids bicycle usually don’t buy that one, which has less requirement.
Pricing
The budget will always be the governing factor for the purchase. If you have found a bicycle that has all your specs, then look for similar bicycles, with other brands.
Compare the cost, according to brand value. Basically, all the other parameters will depend upon this single parameter. If you want good specs, your budget will increase, and vice versa.
Choose the one that best suits your budget, along with the specs. Kids folding bike is cheap, mountain bikes are expensive, and racing ones are more.
How To Fold A Bike
Foldable Bike User
Now there is a difference between the requirement of a mountaineer and a high school kid. The type of the folding bike you’re going to buy purely depends upon the requirements of the owner.
A kid doesn’t need a folding bicycle with shockers, gears, and wide tires. Similarly, you can’t hand a mountaineer a low specs bicycle, which doesn’t even relate to mountains. You have to recognize your purpose, if you want some durability, go for the simple one, for daily use purpose.
If you’re looking for some adventures, then go for mountain folding bikes, if it is simply for kids, you can go for starter bikes.
Bike Frame Material
The frame is the most of the important part of the best folding bikes. It supports all the units and weight of the user. Folding Mountain bikes usually have an aluminum frame, which is lighter, and you can lift it up easily.
For day to day life, the iron frame is more preferable, because it is durable. The iron used is galvanized iron, to make it rust-free. However, nowadays, a mixture of metals are used to give steel strength and use it as a frame material.
Titanium is also used, but it is expensive, and only for high-end racing bicycles. Carbon fiber has replaced aluminum in racing bikes, due to elastic and strength properties.
Bike Brake Type
Brakes help to stop a bike, and they’re important for safe riding. There are commonly three types of brakes, the conventional shoe type, power brakes, and disc brakes.
The shoe type brake is least effective, and you have to apply from quite a distance, there is also some maintenance due to shoe damage. Power brakes are better, but use shoes, their distance for stopping is less.
The disc types are best and preferable, obviously, cost you more, but worth spending. Their maintenance is low, and are very effective. Disc diameter is an important parameter for governing effectiveness.
Fold Up Bike Gears
Gears are helpful for variable speeds, and they also make the riding smooth. You have to choose the combination according to your needs. There are 3×5, 3×7, 3×8, 1×5, 1×7 combinations and many more.
You can also opt for a single gear bicycle, but if you’re planning to give yourself or your kid a good foldable bike, go with the gears. A best folding bike with gears increase the maintenance of the bike, now you have to oil and grease them.
Also, their wires can be a problem, so, I would say, if you think that you need them, then go for it, because having them, without any use will just cost your maintenance.
Conclusion
If you’re really planning to have a good bike, then go for foldable ones. The simple ones are equally good, but then you don’t have the privilege to fold it and carry them along with you.
They’re usually light, so, lifting them, along the mountains is not that difficult. In a way, foldable bikes are always ahead of simple ones. The market is full of them, judge them according to the parameters I mentioned above and buy yourself a decent folding bike.
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