Folding electric bike or folding electric bike?

Both names "folding electric bike" and "folding electric bike" are accepted and refer to folding ebikes that can travel up to 25 km/h with little effort. In any case, this type of EAB has become a must-have for daily commuting. The market for electrically assisted folding bicycles (EABs) has been growing rapidly in recent years, as their maneuverability, practicality and flexibility make them an ideal means of transportation, especially for city dwellers. It's compact and can take you anywhere, just like a conventional electric bike, but takes up much less space.

The folding electric bike allows you to take the train, the metro, the bus and all public transport without risking a fine. Commuting to work is greatly facilitated, while on vacation it allows you to take advantage of a two-wheeler to push the adventure a little further by getting off a boat, a car or a motor home.

The electric folding bike, ideal for your trips in the city

The folding EAB is above all the perfect partner for city dwellers. Designed for city travel, it is compact, easy to handle and allows you to ride easily and effortlessly through the urban jungle. If you want to ride a bike, this is the bike for you! It is also very appreciated in the case of a mixed trip bike / car, or bike / public transport. 

While a conventional electric bike can be difficult to store, your folding electric bike can easily be tucked under your desk, in a closet, or tucked discreetly into a corner of your workspace. 

The most compact electric bike

If the number one criterion of your future EAB is its compactness, then the electric folding bike will meet your expectations. Depending on the brand, there are different types of folding, which sometimes allow you to slip your bike into a backpack! Other models can be slid on the ground, like a suitcase with wheels. 

To remain easy to transport, folding bikes are generally very light, weighing on average about fifteen kilos, including the battery. An advantage that also allows them to wear out their battery life less quickly.

Which folding electric bike to choose?

There are many folding electric bikes available on the market, at all prices! Here are some criteria to consider to help you choose the model that will satisfy you the most. 

Define the use of your folding EAB 

Your choice of folding electric bicycle will differ according to the desired use. For example, for a 100% urban use and on short distances, a compact folding electric bike with a front wheel motor and a 35 km range is sufficient.

If you want to take your EAB with you on public transportation, be sure to consider the time and method of folding. Also check the measurements of the bike when it is folded. 

If you're going to take your folding ebike on vacation for a few rides in the wilderness, then look into a folding electric mountain bike. It will certainly be less compact, but its larger tires will allow you to make short trips. 

Check the folding time

The folding time and its ease of execution are very important if your routes are meticulous. The average time is 30 seconds to several minutes. Some top-of-the-line folding electric bikes can even be folded in 10 seconds: very practical for catching the bus at the last minute without fearing that it will start up again without you! 

The most common types of folding on the current market for folding ebikes are horizontal (or sideways) folding, vertical folding (like an umbrella bed) and accordion folding. It's up to you to determine which one is the most practical for your use and your available space.

The size of the wheels on an electric folding bike

The overall size of the bike depends in part on the size of the wheels. On a folding EAB, the frame size varies little: it is globally between 30 and 40 cm. 16 inches is the wheel size of an ultra-compact bike, ideal for the trunk of the car or for transportation. But for everyday use, a 20-inch folding electric bike is the preferred size. It is also the most common size on the market! It represents the right compromise between comfort and compactness.

Choosing a lightweight folding electric bike 

What increases the weight of a folding electric bike is of course its pedaling assistance system and especially its motor and battery. You should therefore pay attention to the composition of the bike, aluminum frame, light handlebars... and not add too many accessories (mudguards, luggage rack...) which, in addition to weighing it down, will be a potential hindrance when folding. 

If you are looking for a light folding electric bike (i.e. a folding electric bike of
less than 15 kg) the market record is currently held by the Austrian brand Vello whose 20 inch folding electric bike weighs 9.9 kg (including battery). It beats the 6-speed model from Brompton, which has long been the lightest folding electric bike. 

The transmission

A gearbox offers more strength than a derailleur. In addition, there is no risk of the gearbox becoming unbalanced when folding and storing the bike. If you plan to ride in the city, 1 to 7 gears are sufficient, a 6-speed model is ideal.

The different battery options and autonomy of folding electric bikes

Folding electric bicycles usually have a lithium-ion battery: this technology stores more energy than others, which gives them a better range. This type of battery can also be recharged at any time, without waiting for a complete discharge. Finally, they are designed to be used on a regular basis: a use adapted to electric bikes. 

On folding electric bicycles, to meet the constraints of folding and compactness, the batteries generally offer a lower autonomy than on conventional electric bicycles, because they are smaller in size. They will rarely exceed 70 km of autonomy on the most efficient models. 

Finally, on most folding bikes, the battery is removable, so you can easily recharge it anywhere, but also remove it if your bike is not used for a long time or stored in a place that is too cold or too hot. 

The different motors on an electric folding bike

All electric bicycles approved for use in Belgium have a 250 W motor that allows them to travel at speeds of up to 25 km/h, which is also the case for folding electric bicycles. What differs between models is the torque delivered by the motor and expressed in Nm (Newton-Meter). This is the force of the rotational movement of your motor. The higher the torque, the easier it will be to climb hills with your folding electric bike. 

Secondly, depending on the model of folding bike, the motor can be placed differently, which has a significant impact on the ride. For example, a motor located in the front wheel offers a pulling sensation and is recommended if you are only riding in the city, where it will be convenient to start quickly after a red light. A motor located in the rear wheel gives the opposite sensation: that of being pushed. It is the most pleasant if your environment is hilly. Finally, a motor integrated in the crankset allows a more fluid accompaniment and adapts to your pedaling. It is the right choice for a use shared between the city and the countryside, but it is also the most expensive solution.

The most popular brands of folding electric bikes

If you are looking for a reliable folding electric bicycle, there are several brands of folding electric bikes that are widely acclaimed for the quality and practicality of their models.

Among these, you will find the English manufacturer Bromptona pioneer in the manufacture of folding bikes. Handmade in London, they are among the most compact ebikes in the world and feature a unique folding system, patented by the manufacturer.

Eovolt is a French brand specialized in electric folding bikes. It is based in Lyon, where it assembles all its compact folding bikes. One of the best known is the Eovolt Confort, this folding electric bike weighs less than 15 kg and folds in only 10 seconds!

Finally, Venilu is a Belgian manufacturer of electric bicycles. One of its ranges, called Urbana, offers a high-end folding electric bicycle. Weighing only 15 kg, it can travel up to 60 km and is ideal for daily use.

How much does a folding electric bike cost?

The price of a folding electric bike varies from 800€ for the cheapest EABs, to more than 5 000€ for the top of the range folding electric bikes. What explains this big difference in price is simple: the battery autonomy, the efficiency and durability of the motor, but also the quality of the components used on the bike (disc brakes, comfort of the saddle...), as well as its manufacturing location. 

If you are looking for a cheap folding electric bike, the Tilt 500 from Decathlon is a good value 20 inch folding electric bike . But the moreyou use your folding electric bike on a daily basis, the more varied your usage and the more you should invest in a durable bike. If you're riding in the countryside, you'll want to consider a folding electric bike for all roads .Finally, for compact, sturdy folding bikes, you'll also need to spend a fair amount of money.

What are the advantages of choosing a folding electric bike from Upway?

Upway's objective is to make electric bikes accessible to the greatest number of people by offering affordable electric bikes, delivered at home and guaranteed for 1 year. The first advantage of buying a folding ebike refurbished is its price: 20 to 60% cheaper than new. 

So you can afford a cheap folding electric bike, even if it is from a big brand such as Brompton, Moustache, VanMoof, Giant Btwin, Riese & Müller, Cowboy or Kalkhoff. We carefully select the bikes we resell and our professional mechanics located in Gennevilliers, near Paris, check 20 points and replace everything that needs to be replaced. The result: low-cost electric bikes in near-new condition!

Upway ships its ECVs all over Belgium.

Reduce your environmental impact with a folding EV refurbished

Buying a folding electric bicycle refurbished means giving it a second life and thus extending its durability, instead of throwing it away. Thus, on a second-hand EAB refurbished, the electrical elements as well as the various mechanisms are inspected by a professional mechanic whose role is to restore everything to as close to new condition as possible.