The 6 Best Folding Electric Bikes of 2021 (So Far)
The 6 Best Folding Electric Bikes of 2021 (So Far)
Electric folding bicycles are sprouting up on city streets, on trains and busses, and in office buildings and apartment hallways for a good reason. It’s hard to beat the convenience of a bike that origamis down to fit under your desk—but can also make your commute faster and less taxing. More and more companies are hustling to create the ultimate mini-commuter machine. Ready to make the upgrade? We've pulled together our top picks for the best folding e-bikes.
1) Aventon Sinch Foldable Ebike
Aventon
With a front suspension fork and 4-inch-wide tires, Aventon’s Sinch folding e-bike broadens the types of terrain on which you can ride your folding e-bike. A 500-watt motor gives you the power and torque you need to climb hills, and a throttle gives you the option of not pedaling at all. Its off-road stature means the Sinch isn’t the most portable folder on this list; it’s 66 pounds and takes up nearly 17 cubic feet while folded (compare that to about 3 cubic feet for the Brompton). That means the Sinch is better for people buying a folding e-bike to take up minimal space in an RV or apartment, not those needing to carry their bike regularly.
2) Tern GSD S10
Tern
Tern's GSD S10 folding e-bike boasts an extensive capacity, nimble handling—even fully loaded, thanks to a short wheelbase and 20-inch wheels—and enduring range in a package not much bigger than most non-cargo e-bikes. The stout frame holds a 250-watt Bosch motor that gives up to 275 percent of your power back to the pedals and reaches 20 mph. The GSD has room for two battery packs, extending the batteries’ combined range to a claimed 150 miles and making the Tern one of the longest-lasting e-bikes on the market. A laundry list of accessories and a (claimed) 396-pound carrying capacity round out the GSD’s status as an epic day-tripper.
3) Rad Power Bikes RadMini Electric Fat Bike
Rad Power Bikes
This RadMini hits the trifecta of weird but lovable bike niches: It’s an electric folding fat bike. On 20-inch by 4-inch tires, it can go farther and faster on terrain other e-bikes can’t get to, but it also folds up small enough to fit in your trunk or office when not in use. Powered by a 750W (peak) Bafang geared hub motor, in addition to your pedaling with a 7-speed Shimano Tourney drivetrain, the bike has about a 25- to 45-mile range and a max speed of 20mph. A front suspension fork with 60mm of travel smooths out dirt roads and other rough terrain and Tektro mechanical disc brakes lend confident stopping power. The bike weighs 64 pounds, so you probably don’t want to ride it too far without one of the five levels of pedal-assist. But considering the bike comes with a sturdy rear rack that can hold up to 40 pounds with the option of adding a front rack, this bike could be an incredible asset for anyone looking to replace their car commute with a bicycle—especially down country gravel roads.
4) Murtisol Folding Aluminum Bike
Murtisol
We present the Murtisol: a sub-$600 e-bike—among the cheapest we’ve ever seen. This seems like an excellent time to mention that we haven’t tested this particular bike, so we can’t comment on its performance or longevity. But still—an under-$600 e-bike? What a time to be alive. This3-speed circus bike rolls on 14-inch wheels and has a maximum speed of around 15 mph, with a claimed range of 15 miles if you're cruising on throttle only.
5) Qualisports Volador 20 Ebike
QUALISPORTS
Marketed to private pilots with a jumpseat’s worth of room in their Cessna, the Volador is a 350W back-to-basics take on the e-bike—with 20-inch wheels, 7-speed gearing, and quick-release levers for fast size adjustments after unfolding. The selling point here is weight: 36 pounds for a full-function folder. Riders who are looking for faster and higher-featured bikes may want to look elsewhere—unless, that is, they find themselves taking ground-bound modes of transportation like subways, where a walk back up the stairs is an unavoidable part of the flight plan. It’s at times like these that the old Colin Chapman motto, “Simplify and add lightness,” comes into its own.
6) Tern Vektron D8 Folding Electric Bike
Tern
rei.com
Tern is solely devoted to small bikes, so it makes sense that it would design one of the best electric models. Powered by a Bafang M400 mid-drive motor, the Tern Vektron D8 can go up to 20mph and has a battery range of25 to 56 miles, depending on which of the four assisted modes you’re in. The bike has 8-speed Shimano Claris shifting that’s been smoothly integrated with the e-assist, as well as Shimano hydraulic disc brakes for strong stopping power. At 49.6 pounds and with 20-inch wheels, it’s not the smallest or lightest bike in this roundup, but it’s still compact enough to fit easily on buses, subways, and in taxi trunks when folded.
The best folding electric bikes, chosen by our gear experts, for zipping from city streets to train to work or anywhere else.