Having a folding is the next logical step in riding if you are someone who is always found on two wheels instead of four. A folding bicycle is a bike that you can fold up into a smaller unit. This enables it to be carried around with you, into an office, or into your apartment with easy. I know how many options there are out there for these type of folding bikes. For this reason, I decided to create a comprehensive list for our folding bike reviews that you will on this site. The list below is going to go into the best folding bike depending on what kind of terrain you are riding on.
If you often times find yourself cycling in to work, it can be hard to find a spot to part and even worse, you will need a great bike lock. You can skip both of these completely if you go with a folding bike because it will allow you to pack it in on your back right into your office! If you have somewhere far to go and do not want to take the car, you can easily bring them on any type of public transportation and set them up as soon as you get to your location. These get rid of all the cycling excuses out there and let you have fun while still getting mobility and great exercise.
Best Folding Bike Reviews – Our Ultimate List
When buying folding bikes, make sure you look at how many gears they have, what the dimensions are, and think about the type of terrain you will be riding them in. I have compiled a long list below of the best folding bikes currently on the market right now with the criteria you will want to pay attention to. You can click on the picture to check out the price or click the name to read a more in depth review.
Product
Cycle
Dimensions
Weight
Gears
Price
Schwinn Loop 7 Speed
16" x 32.5" x 26"
33 Lbs
7
$$
Restrospec Speck Single Speed
10" x 30" x 22"
23.5 Lbs
1
$$
Dahon Boardwalk
12.1" x 30.4" x 25.4"
30.5 Lbs
1
$$
Dahon Vybe C7A
11.8" × 31.5" × 26"
25.5 Lbs
7
$$
Dahon Speed Uno
11.7" x 30" x 25"
24 Lbs
1
$$
Hasa Sram 6
13" x 33" x 25"
27.5 Lbs
6
$$
Allen Sports Downtown
15.4" x 33.5" x 28"
26 Lbs
1
$$
Dahon Speed D7
11.8" x 30.3" x 25.2"
27.5 Lbs
7
$$
Dahon Mariner D7
11" x 31.9" x 25.7"
26 Lbs
7
$$
Dahon Mu Uno
10.2" × 30.7" × 25.9"
22 Lbs
1
$$$
Dahon Speed P8
12.60" x 32.28" x 26.38"
27 Lbs
8
$$$
Dahon Mu P8
11.7" x 30.8" x 25.7"
27 Lbs
8
$$$
Strida SX
45.2" x 20" x 9"
26 Lbs
1
$$$
Dahon IOS S9
15.5" x 34" x 30"
28.5 Lbs
9
$$$$
Brompton S1E
22.2" x 21.5" x 9.8"
22.5 Lbs
1
$$$$
Procedo V3 Storm 500
28" x 36" x 48"
55 Lbs
8
$$$$
Dahon Jetstream P8
11.3" x 32.4" x 25.7"
29 Lbs
8
$$$$
Allen Sports X Way
13.8" x 33.5" x 27.6"
24.5 Lbs
20
$$$$
Folding Bike Tips
Here are a few things to keep in mind when you are looking around and getting ready to make your first purchase.
Getting the right size cycle is very important. If you get one that is too large, you will have a harder time carrying it around when not in use. If you get one that is too small, riding the folding bike will be very uncomfortable. Always read the description and read the different reviews to see what people who have purchased before you have thought about the bike fit. Remember, the more expensive the cycle, the better experience you are probably going to have because of the upgraded components and comfort factors.
Comfort is not always a priority when these are being made. Because of this, many people think about getting a different seat to put on after they have bought their bicycle. New seats offer maximum comfort and are cheap so there is really no reason not to get one if you are unhappy.
When shopping around, get as many high quality components and feats that you can. The higher the price of the cycle, the more features it will have. Upper priced items will have different reflectors, usually more lights, and brand name components for shifters and pedals. These will also create a lighter unit, making it easier to ride and carry around. Think of this as an investment, you want them to last a lifetime, so purchase with that in mind.
After you have a rough idea of the type of bike you want, you will then start to sort through all the options. You will soon figure out that there are tens, if not hundreds of different bike manufacturers and brands. Let’s have a look at some of the most popular.
Popular Folding Bike Brands
Schwinn
Schwinn is probably one of the oldest bike brands on this list. It was created in Chicago, the Midwest of the United States of America. Since its creation, they have dominated bicycle manufacturing for years. They have been bought and sold a few times since the good old days but the Schwinn of today is still high quality. The quality is there but the price has fallen as they have increased production with better technology. You probably are familiar with this brand because of their well known sting ray model created years ago. For a cheap price, you can get a nice beginner folding cycle and be very happy for the time to go.
Dahon
Dahon has been around for the last three decades at the very least. When they first started, the company did not have nearly as many models as they do today. Currently, there are more than 30 different bike models and has sold millings of folding bicycles all around the world since their creation. Durability on the Dahon has always been a priority. These things can take a beating and still function like they are brand new. People rave about them and there is good reason for that. Much of the money they receive is going in to further research to come out with better features with newer models. I did not know there were folding bicycle races, but there are, and Dahon has been a winning brand! Folding and unfolding these bicycles is very quick compared to their competitors and they have done everything possible to ensure the safety of any riders. If you are looking for an urban cycle, these are a brand you should be paying attention to.
Brompton
Brompton is the tip of the ice burg for quality folding bikes. The company comes from the United Kingdom and they only sell to a few select retailers so getting your hands on one is easier said than done. That being said, Brompton Folding bikes have gotten a lot of awards and the reviews speak for themselves over the year. If you have a few thousand dollars to spend and want the best of the best, a Brompton folding bike is going to be one of the most compact folding units you can purchase.
Columba
This is a brand that yuo probably have not heard of. Dahon and Brompton have dominated the brand war, but Columba has started to move more ground with a small bass of consumers who love their products. They have a nice mountain folding bike that is extremely well made. They are known for being strong and durable in make, and look a lot different than the competition. If you are a person who is heavier, then getting typical folding bikes will not be enough for your weight. Something larger such as the Columba 26 inch is just what you need. They are almost as strong as a typical cycle, shifts smoothly, and is actually on the comfortable side. Lightweight and super strong, Columba has created an awesome product for an ever growing niche of people who need to travel while getting in shape.
Shimano
Finding a product that is well build, but at the same time lightweight is difficult. Shimano has come out with a mountain bike as well as a few street units that hold up to both of these standards. Shimano is a well known component manufacturer known for their breaking systems and derailleurs. Combining these with a product that can folded to fit in a suitcase is an excellent find. Not only are the components well made, but they are extremely comfortable. The seat, the seat post, the fork, and the frame are all engineered together to ensure maximum comfort and ride quality. With all smaller units, the ride quality is not going to be as good as a full sized cycle, but that being said, they still ride smooth and the mountain bike is well made. The wheels can be taken off, you can store it anywhere and they look great!
Who Should Purchase One?
The people who should think about buying any of the folding bikes above is typically going to be someone who is health conscious. This could be that you are fit and want to remain in shape, or perhaps you are heavier and just want a convenient way to get some exercise while going about your daily activities. When these first came out, they were cumbersome and did not gain traction quickly. They were not user friendly, were often very heavy, and they looked awful. Those times have since passed and it is not easier than ever to get started as a mobile traveler. Did I mention that they retain a very high resale value too? You could get one and ride it for a few months and sell it for the price you bought it at! Not bad…
The one main advantage of buying a folding bicycle is going to be that they are much smaller and compact than a full size unit. These are the perfect way to transport yourself around town if you live in a high rise building, or work in downtown New York. You will be able to weave in and out of traffic, get to where you are going, and fast. The lightweight folding bikes are small, quick, and handle extremely well. You can keep them anywhere you want and be ridden in any country which makes them possible to take with you while traveling by plane. Some people I know have purchased an high end one and got rid of their car. That is crazy, but works for them.
The Best Folding Bike Has These Things
Not every single folding bike is created equal. There are a few different styles, and each one is going to have a few different features from one another. If you end up purchasing one that does not work for you, you will lose a lot of money and it will be an uncomfortable time. This usually means you will end up not using and getting all the benefits from riding, what a shame. Below are a few things you need to remember after reading our folding bike reviews to really nail down your purchase strategy.
Components
This is going to be what mainly determines the price of your bicycle. The higher end the components, the more it is going to cost. This is not really a bad thing. The more money you put into your bike, the lighter weight it will be. Even though it will not weigh as much, they are typically a lot stronger and more durable so will last longer. You will be able to get upgraded brakes, saddle, and sometimes different handlebars for the more expensive folding bikes. Check to see what the frame itself is made out of. Get something is known to be as lightweight as possible but still remains strong. Look at what type of breaks and shifters you are getting. Are they a brand name? Finally, always remember to wear a helmet when you are out on the road to remain safe.
Size of the wheels
There is going to be a wide range of different wheel sizes available but the typical range is between 16 and 20 inches. There are larger wheel sizes that go up to about 26 inches. These larger sizes feel like a full sized road bike. If you want something small, stick to the smaller wheel sizes. These smaller sizes are also a lot easier to transport and are compact enough to put in a backpack. If you are heavier or extremely tall, you will have no choice but to select a bigger wheel size.
Small Fold, Big Fold
Lets face it, the reason you want to buy a folding bicycle is for the fold aspect. A lot of people want something that can be folded into a super small size and fit anywhere they want to store it. For this reason, you need to chose a wheel size of 16 inches and something that is very lightweight. If you read the reviews on Amazon from the different products, you can typically get a good understand of how fast those folding bikes take to put together. If you can set it up in under half a minute, this is a good time to shoot for. Make sure to look at what you weigh, how tall you are, and how much you weigh before looking for what kind of fold you are looking for.
Wrapping It Up
The best folding bikes are going to be different for different people. Think about how you will use it and where you want to store it. Are you going to be using it to get around, or strictly for exercising and trying to lose wight. Look at what brand makes the cycle you are interested in and what the material is they use for the frame. What are the components? Are they high quality? There are cheap folding bikes out there, but you want to spend the extra money on something that is going to last you years of enjoyment. Read real reviews and get something you will cherish and pass down to your children. I hope the guide I put together above was enough to help you make a decision. If not and you have any questions, please feel free to ask away in the comments below!
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