Electric bikes may be a great alternative to public transport or driving when it comes to commuting, but they all have the trouble of being relatively cumbersome. That’s where an electric folding bike comes in. Being able to fold an electric bike greatly reduces the area it takes up and makes it much easier to transport and store. Today we’ll take you through some of the best folding electric bikes on the market that we think are well worth your money.
If you’re interested in the best value non-electric folding bikes, we’ve compiled a list of the best cheap folding bikes.
Contents
Our Top 3 Picks
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Best Cheap Foldable Electric Bike
Swagtron SwagCycle E-Bike – Folding Electric Bicycle
Swagtron are becoming quite well known for building well priced and yet feature heavy electric forms of standard transportation. For example, we’ve recently reviewed their attempt at creating an electric scooter, the Swagtron Swagger. We really liked it, it is a very competent attempt at an electric scooter and has many features and and the quality you’d expect from electric scooters that cost a lot more money. We liked it so much that it even made it onto our list of the best electric scooters for commuting.
Today we’ll look at their attempt at a folding electric bike, the SwagCycle. The first thing you’ll notice is that the SwagCycle is a very striking looking bike. Fitting somewhere between a scooter and a traditional foldable bicycle, the SwagCycle has no pedals or chains and is completely powered by a 250 W motor. The motor is powered by a 36V battery that can give a range of around 10 miles on a full charge. The battery and motor work together to get the SwagCycle up to a top speed of 10 miles per hour.
It uses an aircraft grade aluminum for the main frame of the e-bike, which produces a strong and durable product. The folding mechanism might not be quite what you’re expecting as only the handlebars fold down to create a slightly more compact version of the bike for storage. It would have been nice if the entire thing folded in half but it’s still a nice addition that helps it fit in smaller spaces.
Continuing with the trend that Swagtron products tend to have, the SwagCycle is fitted with quite a few features and extras that many other electric bicycles don’t have, especially foldable ones at this price. These include:
- A micro USB charging point built into the battery so you’re able to charge your devices whilst you ride
- A twist throttle
- A built in horn
- A front headlight for night time riding
- A kick stand
- An accompanying mobile app
Overall, the Swagtron SwagCycle is a very capable little machine. It is definitely suited to city riding and is perfect for commuting. There isn’t any suspension and the ride can be a bit rough so we’d recommend it for shorter commutes. But comparing the price SwagCycle to other foldable bikes and the SwagCycle will almost always come out on top. For example, you can buy 4 Swagtron SwagCycles for the price of one Enzo Ebike and still have change left over.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
Check out our Swagtron Swagboard review, one of the best value for money electric skateboards on the market.
Best Affordable Folding Electric Bike
Cyclamatic CX2 Folding Electric Bike
For a more detailed look at the Cyclamatic CX2 read our full review.
We’ve recently reviewed some of the best value for money electric bikes and one of those was a Cyclamatic. Well here we are again with the best affordable folding e-bike being a Cyclamatic. This time it’s the CX2, but it has many of the same great features and comes in at a very affordable price.
The CX2 has a 250 W motor that will easily help you reach 15 miles per hours. This is powered by a rechargeable lithium ion battery that is also removable. This gives the user approximately 25 – 30 miles of range on a single charge. This will obviously vary depending on the weather, rider and terrain but if you’re going to be using it in the city for your commute we’d expect you to reach at least 25 miles.
The Cyclamatic CX2 has multiple riding modes to allow you to choose how much effort you put in and can even be ridden with no electrical assistance at all if you desire. This is all controlled through a simple system on the handlebars.
The CX2 also features:
- A padded saddle
- 20 inch Kenda tires
- Mud guards
- A 6 speed Shimano transmission system
- V-brakes
- Electric lights
- A bell
- A set of front and rear reflectors
Pretty much everything you need to get you riding comfortably and safely.
Overall, the CX2 is perfect for people looking to buy a very well priced folding e-bike for city commutes. It’s designed especially for this exact purpose and will make your mornings an absolute breeze. Just be weary that if you do have to manually pedal a few people have reported them being tough and not as well made as some other bikes. We find this to be a small percentage of the buyers but it is still something to be aware of nonetheless.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
Best Folding Electric Mountain Bike
Ancheer Folding Electric Mountain Bike
Ancheer is another company that has already had a bike make it onto one of our lists. The Ancheer electric mountain bike was our choice for the best cheap electric bike. It was well made and great value for money. Well Ancheer have done it again with their folding version of their electric mountain bike.
The bike has a very striking appearance, with unmistakably large wheels, a solid looking frame despite it having the ability to fold and a little fabric pack on the front of the handlebars which houses the battery.
The frame is made from an industrial aluminum alloy that makes the Ancheer incredibly lightweight and yet very strong. The frame is coated with an anti-rust and anti-exposure paint to make it more durable. The wheels are 26 inch magnesium alloy wheels that have an anti-slip resistance think tire. This allows the entire system to be suitable for any weather including rain and even snow. The folding mechanism is very simple and it feels sturdy when extended, unlike some cheaper mountain bikes. It also folds down quite a way and makes storage a lot easier, even with the large wheels.
The Ancheer is powered by a 36V 8Ah battery that powers a 250 W motor. This is said to give it about 30 miles maximum range when in assistive mode. The battery is able to fully charge in 4-6 hours. How much power you want the bike to exert is dependant on which mode you set it to. It has 2 modes: assistive and e-bike. E-bike will power the entire thing for you so you don’t have to pedal at all, whereas assistive will give you a bit of power to help you out. This is all controlled by a small panel on the handlebars.
Other features include:
- High strength carbon steel suspension system
- A smart lithium battery charger included
- A bright headlamp on the front of the bike
- A horn on the handlebars
Overall, the Ancheer is a great e-bike that is well worth your money. Mountain biking with the electrical assistance makes it a lot less demanding and can open up the sport to many more people. It has a great feature set, comes mostly assembled and Ancheer are said to have a very good customer service team. Not only this but the Ancheer foldable mountain bike follows its non foldable brother and is priced very cheaply. For the quality and features you get with this, you’d be expecting to pay two or three times a much with many other brands. For all this, we can’t really fault it.
Read our full review of the Ancheer Folding Electric Mountain Bike for a more detailed look.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
Best Fat Tire Folding Electric Bike
Addmotor MOTAN Electric Folding Bike
If you live somewhere that doesn’t have the best weather or you need to traverse snow, sand or any soft terrain, then a foldable electric bike with fat tires could be exactly what you’re looking for.
The Addmotor MOTAN is a strong and sturdy bike that has the power to match. It’s built from a folded aluminum alloy to give it strength and keep it light. With this and the 20 inch fat tires it can easily accommodate riders up to 300lbs. It has a 500 W motor and uses a 48V 10.4 Ah Samsung lithium ion battery. These give it a top speed on flat ground of around 23 miles per hour and a staggering max range of 55 miles. The top speed and max range will be very dependant on the rider, terrain and conditions but knowing you could potentially get 55 miles out of the battery is a great feature. The battery also charges in 3-4 which is very good for a battery of this size.
Speeding up and travelling is no problem for the MOTAN, but how is slowing down? Well it has a set of TEKTRO disc brakes that work incredibly well. Even when travelling at very high speeds it can easily bring you to a safe halt. It’s also quite comfortable with the big tires acting as a form of suspension. It lacks the sort of suspension you’re likely to see on a classic mountain bike but it quite comfortable nonetheless.
The MOTAN also has a range of nifty features, including:
- LCD display with a USB charging port
- New large rear luggage rack
- Collapsible top tube
- Comes in a range of colors
Overall, the Addmotor MOTAN is a fantastic e-bike. It’s performance is one of the best we’ve come across at this price range and its ability to comfortably handle sand and snow makes it a brilliant choice for those of you in difficult conditions. We think the price is a little steeper than it could have been but you are getting a great bike.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
Best Cargo Foldable Electric Bike
Nakto Folding Electric Bicycle
The Nakto folding electric bike is small, lightweight and fun way to transport stuff around. It has a 250 W motor and a 36 V 10Ah battery that gives it enough energy to manage a comfortable 20 miles on a single charge and is enough for some people to manage around 22 or 23 miles. The battery will usually charge in about 3 – 4 hours depending on how much it has been used, which is very good considering the price point of this bike. The motor and lightweight frame gives the Nakto a top speed of around 20 mph. This bike is one of many that now includes multiple control modes so you have the choice of how much work you do and you can even ride it with no electrical assistance at all.
The Nakto is well built and feels sturdy. It is fitted with a quick release clamp to assist in folding the bike quickly and makes a perfect bike for taking with you on travelling holidays or using as a commuting bike.
Other features that the Nakto offers are:
- Front v-brake and rear expansion brake
- Adjustable and quick release seat post
- Maximum rider weight of 250lbs
- Included tool kit and smart battery charger.
Overall, the Nakto cargo electric bike has everything you need to get you started with electric bicycles. It would make a great commuter bike or a bike to take up the shops and has great reviews all over the internet. Best of all it comes in at at a very reasonable price, which really feels like an absolute bargain for what you’re getting.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
Advantages of Foldable E-Bikes
Like with electric scooters there are many advantages that come with owning and using a foldable electric bicycle. We’ve covered a few here in case you’re on the fence about one.
Electric bikes don’t require a license
Folding electric bikes are not considered mopeds, motorcycles, or any other form of powered transport as they are able to operate completely manually. Basically every country will class these as bicycles, however there may be certain rules and restrictions to the power and top speed. We’d recommend checking in your country first. But as long as you abide by these rules you don’t need any kind of special license to operate one.
Portable and Lightweight
Electric bikes will always be somewhat heavier than their manually-pedaled equivalent. However, they’re still lightweight compared to many other forms of transportation and if you get yourself a top of the line folding electric bike you won’t have to be lifting much weight at all. Add to that the easy folding design, and you’ve got yourself one of the most portable forms of transportation on the market. The lightweight and portability of folding bikes also means you can bring it with you on public transportation, allowing you to travel long distances quickly. Many people use folding e-bikes to cover the final leg of their journey after having travelled part of it on public transport.
Easy storage
Space is at a premium in all urban apartments nowadays and a normal bicycle will take up plenty of room if it’s even allowed. However, a folding electric bikes take up much less space with some taking up to 70% less. This allows you to stash your bike almost anywhere, including discreet corners that are out of the way when you don’t need it. No need to sacrifice valuable space or pay for additional storage.
Enhanced protection against theft
Conventional bikes and even folding mountain bikes will all have the potential to be stolen. Chains and locks do help prevent that but even the sturdiest lock can be broken, not to mention potential vandalism or accidental damage when you’re not around. A folding city bike will allow for you to easily keep an eye on your bike by bringing it along to your place of work or appartment.
Clean, green and (almost) free commuting
One of the major things stopping many people from riding bicycles to work is the hassle with having to deal with being sweaty. Nobody wants to be sweaty when they get to the office, especially if they have no place to shower. Electric folding bicycles allow you to minimize the effort needed and sometimes reduce it completely to none. You’ll thank yourself for getting an electric bike on hot summer days. Not only this, but you don’t have to pay for public transport, parking, fuel or taxes. Just top up the battery at home or work, and ride away knowing that you’re on one of the most efficient and greenest methods of personal transportation available.
Never worry about running out of power
One of the biggest advantages of an electric bicycle is that they can be operated completely manually. If you run out of power, you can just ride your bike as you normally would. Some even come with the ability to charge the battery as you’re pedaling, meaning you can get a little extra power without even charging. This means electric bikes can be extraordinarily versatile and allows you to take extended trips on your bike with no fear of being stranded.
Final Thoughts
Finding the perfect folding electric bike for you can literally be life changing. You could save a huge amount of money, make the tiresome commute a joy and generally have a lot of fun. Hopefully this list has provided some information and ideas to get you started and if you haven’t found the ideal foldable e-bike for you then you can always comment below of connect with us on Facebook to ask us any questions you may have.
Read More on AltRiders
- Everything you need to know about Electric Bicycles
- Best Electric Bikes for Commuting in 2020
- Top 10 Best Electric Bikes under $1000
- The 5 Best Electric Bike Conversion Kits Reviewed
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