Currently very popular, the folding electric bike is perfectly suited for urban use. In fact, it is rather a folding electric bike or electric bike with assistance, as legislation does not yet allow fully electric drive bikes.
The electric bike is therefore an ordinary bike equipped with an assistance system composed of an electric motor, a battery, and an electronic control unit. The folding electric bike is distinguished by a folding and unfolding system that allows it to be folded in half. It is therefore more practical and more maneuverable.
That said, with the abundant offer on the folding electric bike market, it is often difficult to make a choice. To help you, here is our buying guide and comparison of the best folding electric bikes.
Folding electric bike buying guide 2023
In this first part, you will discover some tips to choose your folding electric bike well.
Advantages of the folding electric bike
The folding electric bike offers many advantages:
Easy to use
Thanks to the driving force generated by the electric motor, the folding electric bike offers the best of both worlds: mechanically driven bikes and electric two-wheelers. It is not only easy to use but also more comfortable than a conventional bike, especially uphill.
Easy to carry
Equipped with a folding and unfolding mechanism, the folding electric bike is compact. It easily fits in the trunk of a vehicle and does not require the installation of a bike rack. It can also be easily carried on a bus, subway, or train.
Economical
Besides its affordable price, the electric bike does not require specific maintenance. Moreover, it uses clean energy that is more affordable than fuel. By opting for an electric bike, you will quickly recoup your investment and enjoy a practical, healthy, and eco-friendly means of transport.
An ecological mobility solution
Compared to cars and motorized two-wheelers, the electric bike is an ecological means of transport. It does not pollute and helps protect the environment.
How to choose your electric folding bike?
Here are the most important selection criteria you should consider when buying an electric bike folding bike:
The power of an electric bike folding bike
The more powerful the motor, the better the bike performs. Nevertheless, the technical characteristics do not differ much between different models due to restrictions imposed by legislation.
The battery of an electric bike folding bike
The battery must be powerful enough to supply the motor regardless of road conditions. Of course, it must offer good autonomy. Preferably choose a removable Li-ion battery with a range of over 60 km.
Rear-wheel drive, front-wheel drive, or mid-drive motor?
Most electric bikes use a front-wheel drive system in which the motor is integrated into the front wheel hub. This design allows easy installation and offers a sportier road behavior on flat terrain. However, it is less efficient uphill.
Furthermore, positioning the motor on the front wheel can cause an imbalance between the masses on the two wheel axes. For better weight distribution, the battery of a front-wheel drive bike is often placed at the rear.
Models equipped with a rear-wheel drive system, where the motor is placed in the rear wheel, are generally more stable.
In a mid-drive system, the motor is placed in the crankset. This design offers optimal efficiency, progressive assistance, and better weight distribution. Moreover, it helps lower the center of gravity, which provides better stability and handling.
The weight of an electric bike folding bike
A light folding bike is easier to handle and carry. However, a high weight can sometimes be explained by additional equipment or a more robust frame.
The folding and unfolding system
For a folding bike, it is obvious that the folding and unfolding system must be quick and easy to handle. High-performance bikes generally fold in less than 10 seconds.
Wheel size
Bikes with small wheels are lighter and more compact when folded. However, they perform less well on the road. A folding bike with larger wheels is faster, but it is also heavier and bulkier.
Accessories
When purchasing a folding electric bike, pay particular attention to the accessories offered by the manufacturer: lighting system, lock, mudguard, luggage rack, etc.
The price of a folding electric bike
A low price is not always synonymous with poor quality. Likewise, a high price does not necessarily mean the electric bike is of good quality. Generally, prices tend to fall due to the entry of new manufacturers into the market. Ideally, choose a folding electric bike offering a good quality/price ratio.
Folding electric bike comparison and reviews
In this second part, you will discover our selection of the 5 best folding electric bikes. For each of the models presented below, we will detail the strengths and weaknesses before giving you our verdict.
Folding electric bike GoCycle GX: the most stylish
The GoCycle GX is a model classified in the high-end folding electric bike category. It competes directly with the Brompton folding electric bike. The stylistic design is the work of Richard Thorpe, founder of GoCycle and former engineer at McLaren.
Launched in 2019, the GX takes up the main stylistic features of the GS. However, it adopts a new 6061 T6 hydroformed aluminum alloy frame. It weighs 17.8 kg, which is standard for a folding electric bike.
Like the GS, the GX is powered by a 250 W brushless motor integrated into the front wheel. In case of wheel slip, a traction control system acts by reducing the motor torque to optimize the electric bike's traction. The motor operation is managed by an electronic module offering 4 driving modes: Eco, City, On-demand, and Custom.
A removable 13.7 Ah battery integrated into the frame powers the motor and the electric bike's electrical equipment. It offers a range of 65 km. GoCycle announces a charging time of 7 hours with a standard charger and 4 hours with a fast charger.
One of the great features of the GX is its ultra-fast folding and unfolding system. Indeed, with a little practice, it is possible to fold the electric bike in less than 10 seconds. It should be noted that unlike previous models, folding and unfolding do not require wheel removal.
The standard equipment of the GX also includes:
- The Cleandrive three-speed transmission system provided by Shimano.
- Hydraulic brakes at the front and rear.
- 20-inch wheels with magnesium rims and PitstopWheels quick-mount system.
- A rear shock-absorbing suspension with Lockshock system.
That said, two things can be criticized about the Gocycle GX:
- 1- Although it is a premium electric bike, it is not equipped with a real screen, but with small LED indicators showing the charge level.
- 2- The headlights and mudguards are not offered as standard, but as options.
Despite these two drawbacks, the GX remains the best folding electric bike from the GoCycle brand.
Strong points of the GoCycle GX
- Very comfortable.
- Sleek design.
- Ultra-fast folding and unfolding system.
- Several driving modes.
- Very maneuverable.
Weak points of the GoCycle GX
- The headlights and mudguards are not offered as standard on the electric bike.
- Lack of a real display screen.
Folding Brompton Electric Bike: the most robust
Let's continue our folding electric bike comparison and review, with the Brompton Electrique (or Brompton Electric). Unlike the GoCycle range developed from scratch, this "Made in London" electric bike is only an electric version of the Brompton folding bike with mechanical drive.
The design is certainly compact and refined, but it is not as original as that of the GX. The frame is solidly built from ultra-resistant steel and gives the electric bike a robust look. The folding and unfolding mechanism is very easy to handle. Once the electric bike is unfolded, it can be rolled in Trolley mode thanks to two small wheels placed on the triangle.
Regarding the motor design, Brompton called on « Williams Advanced Engineering », the technology branch of the famous Formula 1 team « Williams F1 Team ». This collaboration gave birth to a 250 W brushless motor.
Integrated into the front wheel hub, the motor is powered by an 8.55 Ah Samsung Li-ion battery offering a maximum range of 70 km. A small originality compared to the competition, the battery is placed in a small 1.5 L pouch that attaches to the front part of the electric bike. Equipped with a USB port, it can be used to charge a smartphone or a camera, for example.
The bike is offered in two versions: a 2-speed version (16.6 kg) and a 6-speed version (17.4 kg). Like the GoCycle GX, the Brompton Electric is not equipped with a real LCD display screen, but with small LED indicators that show the battery charge status. This is a bit regrettable for a premium folding electric bike!
Strong points of the Brompton
- Robust.
- Elegant.
- Ingenious folding and unfolding system.
- Impeccable finish.
- Efficient motor.
Weak points of the Brompton
- The fork is short.
- Less stable than the GX.
- Lack of a real display screen.
Electric bike folding Hercules ROB Fold F7: the best equipped
The ROB Fold F7 "Made in Germany" is one of the few folding electric bikes equipped with a mid-drive motor. It is a 250 W brushless motor from the 3rd generation Bosch Active Line Plus electric motor range. Housed in the crankset, it transmits the driving force to the rear wheel via a metal chain. A Shimano Nexus transmission system allows choosing between 7 different speeds depending on road conditions.
The motor is powered by a 11 Ah (400 Wh) Bosch original Li-ion battery offering a range of 80 km. For a full charge, allow 5 to 7 hours. The battery, being removable, can be taken out and charged separately from the bike.
Like most folding electric bikes, the maximum speed of the Hercules ROB Fold F7 is electronically limited to 25 km/h. Depending on road conditions, it is possible to choose between 5 riding modes: Off, Eco, Tour, Sport, and Turbo.
German engineering obliges, the design of the ROB Fold F7 recalls the elegance and finesse of an Audi or a Porsche. The frame is made of 7005 aluminum alloy. It is easy to fold and unfold thanks to an intuitive system. The 20-inch wheels and the lowered center of gravity give the bike excellent road stability.
In terms of equipment, the ROB Fold F7 is probably the best electric bike folding in the selection. Unlike the GX and the Brompton Electric, it comes standard with a lighting system, a Bosch Purion onboard computer with LCD display, an aluminum luggage rack (i-Rack), and mudguards at the front and rear.
Other premium equipment further enriches the standard features, notably the patented Royale Nuvola saddle, the height-adjustable stem with Speedlifter Twist system, and the Magura HS11 hydraulic brakes at the front and rear. The only drawback of the ROB Fold F7 is probably its weight, as it weighs 22.6 kg!
Highlights of the Hercules ROB Fold F7
- Very elegant design.
- Exceptional finish quality.
- Mid-drive motor, balanced masses on both wheel axes.
- Standard equipment rich in features.
- 5 driving modes.
Weak points of the Hercules ROB Fold F7
- Relatively heavier than other electric bike foldings.
Hercules electric bike folding ROB Fold F8 - 400 or 500 Wh: the best range
Let's continue our electric bike folding comparison and review with another flagship model from the German manufacturer Hercules: the folding electric bike ROB Fold F8. This model almost has the same technical characteristics as the ROB Fold F7: 250 W Bosch Active Plus mid-drive motor, aluminum frame, 20-inch wheels, height-adjustable stem, Bosch onboard computer, etc.
That said, it has two main features. First, it offers a choice between a 400 Wh (11 Ah) battery providing a range of 100 km and a 500 Wh (13.8 Ah) battery providing a range of 150 km.
Next, it is equipped with a Shimano Nexus 8-speed transmission system with freewheel. The braking system has also been improved with the adoption of new Magura HS22 brakes. Compared to the ROB Fold F7, the ROB Fold F8 is heavier and weighs 23.1 kg.
Strong points of the Hercules ROB Fold F8
- Extended range.
- Sleek design.
- Shimano Nexus 8-speed transmission system.
- 5 driving modes.
- Very rich standard equipment.
Weak points of the Hercules ROB Fold F8
- Heavy.
Weebike electric bike folding - Le Road Noir: the best value for money
Flagship model of the Weebike range, Le Road Noir is an affordable and very high-performance electric bike folding. At first glance, it impresses with its original design reminiscent of BMX and extreme sports. The 6061 aluminum frame and 20-inch wheels with star-shaped spokes further emphasize the bike's compact and robust look. Thanks to a clever folding and unfolding mechanism, the bike folds and unfolds in seconds.
Regarding technical performance, the electric bike folding Le Road Noir has nothing to envy from other premium folding electric bikes. It is powered by a 250 W brushless motor integrated into the rear wheel hub. This drive mode helps optimize the bike's stability and handling, especially uphill or on turns.
The electric power is provided by a removable 10.4 Ah Li-ion battery supplied by Samsung. The range is comparable to that of the GoCycle GX and the Brompton Electrique and can go up to 70 km. Like the other models, the maximum speed is limited to 25 km.
Another particularity of this bike is that the drive system is equipped with a pedaling sensor that adapts the motor's driving force to the pedaling rhythm.
The Road Noir is also equipped with a Shimano Acera 7-speed transmission system. Weighing 23 kg, it is relatively heavy. That said, it benefits from a perfectly balanced weight distribution between the front and rear axles. The well-designed proportions and the lowered center of gravity also help improve the bike's agility and handling.
The standard equipment is generally very rich compared to the GoCycle GX and the Brompton Electrique. Indeed, the Road Noir is equipped with an LCD display screen placed on the handlebar, a front headlight, a rear reflector, and mudguards at the front and rear.
Strong points of the Road Weebike
- Best value for money.
- Performance comparable to that of high-end models.
- A rich standard equipment.
- A powerful motor.
- Good autonomy.
Weak points of the Road Weebike
- Heavy.
Comparison of the best folding electric bikes: what to remember
To conclude this electric bike folding comparative and review article, it is clear that the GoCycle GX stands out for its unmatched comfort and refined design. The Brompton Electrique is less original, as it is derived from the mechanical version. That said, it is very robust and offers respectable performance.
The ROB Fold F7 and the ROB Fold F8 are the only bikes in this selection equipped with a central motor. Besides their design worthy of a German luxury car, they feature a very rich standard equipment. The folding electric bike ROB Fold F8 also stands out with an 8-speed transmission system and a reinforced braking system. The version equipped with the 500 Wh battery offers a range of up to 150 km.
In terms of value for money, the Road Noir is the best electric bike folding bike in this selection. It stands out for its original design inspired by BMX and extreme sports. Moreover, it offers performance similar to that of high-end electric bikes. Clearly, it is the favorite of this selection!
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Garrett Miller
Garrett Miller City Electric Tandem Cargo Fatbike
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