What is a folding electric bike and are they worth it?

With so many different types of electric bikes on the market we wanted to help shed some light on what is a folding electric bike and are they worth it? Electric folding bikes still have their part to play in this ever growing market so here we find out why they can open up a whole new world of possibilities if storage space is limited and whether they might be a good option if you are looking for your next ebike.

What is a folding electric bike?

Ok lets start with the folding part first – These bikes are designed to reduce in size so they can be stored away in small spaces yet be light enough to carry by the user, initially these were targeted at the commuter market which proved very popular as they were light-weight and could be folded down and carried onto trains and buses or even stored away in the boot/ trunk of your car.

There is usually a hinge located somewhere on the frame where the bike ‘folds’ in half, along with a similar mechanism on the handlebar stem with the final step lowering the saddle back into the down tube.

For example E-solomo bike Model EB-01 is one of our best selling products, are a favorite among commuters for excellent quality, ease of use and lightweight frames.

There are of course various different designs and mechanism’s out there, however it is important when considering a folding electric bike to not lose sight of the most important factors – 

Weight – Will you be carrying it onto buses, trains and up stairs?( to your apartment) 

Storage – When folded down will it fit in your required space or car boot? 

Ease of use – Is it quick easy to fold down?

So Why would you buy one?

For me, the main reasons for buying a fold up Electric bike are as follows:

• Limited or no outside storage available at home 

• Need to carry the bike onto public transport ie trains, buses etc often 

• The bike needs to fit into the boot of my small car

Before electric bikes you may have wanted to do part of your commute by train and cycle the rest of the way however I don’t really see this being necessary as you can easily commute 10 – 20 miles and arrive in good shape at the office on most Ebikes.

The main challenge with Electric folding bikes Vs standard versions is the weight difference. There is a trade off here if you want long-range, then batteries tend to be bigger and heavier. If you need to carry your bike onto trains or up stairs then this can be problematic.

If storage space is top of the list then these bikes are a good solution and great for urban/ city riders and commuters.

Downsides of folding electric bikes…

You could argue there are ‘Downsides’ to all bikes however because folding bikes are designed for a dual purpose ( to be portable and/or easy to store) then this will of course limit what the bike can cope with off-road for instance and have an impact on the overall style and look of the bike as a result.

There are not many Electric folding bikes which I would call ‘Lightweight’ but there are a few exceptions EB-01 has done this well and delivered a good compromise between portability and function, price also can be affordable.

Conclusion – What is a folding electric bike?

Hopefully the above answers the question of what is a folding electric bike and are they worth it? In my view they definitely have a place in today’s market and can make it even more possible for everyone to own and benefit from electric bikes, especially if storage space is limited.

We will continue the innovation on electric bike to create more options to buyers on battery packs if its range you need through to practicality like being able to hitch trailers on the back! We are now making more other design electric bikes emerging which are bridging the gap between urban and light off-road use which is fantastic to see.

If you already own a folding electric bike then please do share your experience with us as I would be interested to hear what you bought and if you would recommend to other users. 

Alternatively if you need any help of advice then please drop me a line below as I would be happy to help.