8 Best Folding Bikes for Commuters With Limited Storage Space
Ride it to work, errands, and happy hour, then fold it in half and tuck it away in your coat closet.
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Cities are growing, apartments are shrinking, and commute times continue to rise. For some reason, though, we keep cramming more and more into each day. But it seems, at least, city dwellers who are tired of sitting in traffic, enduring long walks to and from the train, or are still trying to be diligent about social distancing, are opting for an eco-friendly alternative — a bicycle.
So we're here to inform you city slickers that there's an even better option: the folding bike. These tiny bikes stow easily in a small apartment or under your desk, and they're allowed on trains in peak times. A folding bike is the practical choice for urban dwellers who need something compact, lightweight, durable, and affordable.
The Best Folding Bikes
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What to Look For
Folding bikes come in all shapes and sizes, but vary greatly depending on their intended use. Most bikes are highly adjustable within their one-size-fits-all frame. We considered wheel size, weight, gears, and additional features, such as electric pedal assist, when choosing the best folding bikes.
- Wheel Size: Folding bikes were traditionally made with smaller 20-inch wheels, and that remains the standard. There are even a few full-sized bikes that fold, but we focus strictly on bikes with 20-inch wheels.
- Weight: As the quality of materials improves, so does price. An entry-level bike is made of steel, midlevel is made of aluminum, and expensive options may have some carbon or titanium parts. If you just need your bike to fit in a corner when not in use, a cheaper option is just fine. But if you climb stairs to the subway and your apartment, every pound counts.
- Gears and Electric Motors: Most of these bikes come with a 1x7 or 1x8 drivetrain that is low maintenance and shifts as smooth as butter, but some have two front gears for more versatility. Some even boast electric motors, which are a nice feature for long, hilly commutes — but an electric bike comes with a significant increase in weight and price.
How We Chose
Our test team has been testing folding bikes for years. We've surveyed the market and thoroughly evaluated every option based on user reviews, speaking with product managers and engineers, and using our own hands-on experience of folding, carrying, and riding these bikes. We've ridden our fair share of collapsible bikes, from simple and affordable to burly and full-featured. And the ones we haven't personally ridden were carefully chosen based on value, quality of components, and our experience with similar models.
Check out our picks, leave the car in the garage, save the planet, and simplify your commute when you ride a new folding bike.
A note on availability: Due to increased demand and supply chain issues that continue to affect the bike industry, some of these products may fluctuate between in and out of stock. We will be frequently checking and refreshing the links to these products as they become available again.
Schwinn Loop Adult Folding Bike
Pros
- Attractive price point
- Rear cargo rack carries heavy loads
Cons
- Cheaper option may not last forever
Looking for an affordable folding bike? Schwinn has answered the call. This easy-folding bike with an aluminum frame weighs just 33 pounds. Its 1x7 Shimano drivetrain with twist-grip shifters can toggle through gears easily to make light work of rolling hills on your grocery route, while the rear cargo rack can carry your picnic supplies from the supermarket to the park.
This Schwinn, with 20-inch wheels, intuitive components, simple assembly, and an attractive price, is a no-brainer for the entry-level folding-bike rider who wants to minimize commute times and is dealing with limited storage space.
Pros
- Handlebars and one-piece frame deliver responsive handling
- Wheels and tires are beefier than most
Cons
- A bit pricey for the average commuter
Tern's C8 is the little brother of their tricked-out Vektron S10 cargo bike, but it's top-of-the-line when compared with most non-electric folding bikes. The C8 features a reliable 1x8 drivetrain, solid Impac tires on 20-inch wheels, a cargo rack, some rain-fighting fenders, and a low overall weight of just 28 pounds.
But most notable about this bike is what Tern calls their Physis handlepost: The frame and handlebars are made from one continuous piece of aluminum (rather than multiple pieces welded together), which makes the bike stiffer and stronger and the handlebars more responsive to small movements.
Translation: You can maneuver with ease to avoid potholes, squirrels, and car doors opening into the bike lane.
Pros
- Ships via Amazon Prime
- Under $350
Cons
- Budget-quality build
Zizzo is one of the few brands that has bikes in stock, with high user reviews, and will ship in two days with Amazon Prime. So if the thought of waiting a week (or much longer) is just not in your wheelhouse, we won't be surprised if you're drawn to the most affordable folding bike in our review.
The Campo has 20-inch wheels, a 1x7 Shimano drivetrain, and weighs 28 pounds. Its pedals fold, too, to help it become even more compact. If you're just trying your hand at folding bikes, this budget option is a safe choice.
Pros
- 6 pounds lighter than the next lightest option
- Incredibly low maintenance
Cons
- Single speed lacks versatility for inclines
- Pedal brakes are a step back in time
If you're looking for the absolute simplest folding bike with the least maintenance, this Vilano is it. The Urbana has just one speed, which means there is no derailleur or shifters to fail. It's this simplicity that we love, but if you live in a hilly city, you might want to think twice before buying a bike without gearing.
The Urbana has 20-inch wheels that you'd expect. But another area it differs is with pedal brakes, again for simplicity and reliability, which is unique in our review. It's also the lightest bike by a mile, with a total weight of just 21 pounds. That’s a difference of 6 pounds when compared to the next lightest folding bike we reviewed.
With such a small possibility of mechanical issues, a weight so minimal, and a price so low, this bike should be in the running.
Pros
- Handmade in London
- Rich company history steeped in quality for over 40 years
- The most compact when folded
Cons
- Quality doesn't come cheap
If you're searching for one of the highest-quality folding bikes in the game, then you're probably familiar with Brompton. They've been building their bikes by hand in England since 1981, which explains their cult following among cyclists on the busy streets of London. This longstanding reputation means their replacement parts are incredibly easy to come by, too.
This Brompton has a 1x6 drivetrain that is simple to use and even easier to maintain, an incredibly strong steel frame that is as light as most aluminum bikes (27 pounds), a neutral riding position for both commuting and fitness rides, classic 20-inch wheels, puncture-resistant tires for reliability, reflective sidewalls for visibility, and fenders to reduce road spray when you haven’t seen the sun for days.
Bromptons also have some of the best folding mechanisms around, enabling them to become more compact than any other bike. If you've ever seen someone stuff a bike into a plane's overhead luggage compartment, it was most likely a Brompton. And four miniature wheels and the cargo rack act as a stand, allowing the bike to stand independently when folded and move easily on a rush-hour train.
Pros
- Electric motor can travel up to 56 miles
- Hydraulic disc brakes stop on a dime in wet weather
- Included cargo rack hauls heavy loads (or children) around town
- Folds small to store in tight spaces
Cons
- Weighs nearly 50 pounds, which makes stairs and train travel difficult
The Tern is one of the highest-quality folding bikes around. Its frame is actually the same length as a regular bicycle, so you won't feel like you're pedaling a circus bike — yet it folds down to a third of its volume in less than 10 seconds, making this the perfect vehicle for anyone commuting on public transport and living in a small apartment.
This tiny beast is electric, with a Bosch Performance Line Drive System, a Bafang 250-watt drive system with a maximum assist speed of 20 mph, and multiple battery sizes that can travel up to 56 miles per charge, depending on use. Work as hard (or as little) as you want, yet still get to the grocery store in rush-hour traffic quicker than most vehicles, without covering your business suit in sweat.
The Vektron is built with the highest quality components, too, including classic 20-inch wheels, stout and puncture-resistant tires, hydraulic disc brakes, a 1x10 drivetrain that pairs well with the motor, and a heavy-duty cargo rack.
All this technology comes with a price, though — both in dollars and weight. With a final weight of 48 pounds, you better have an elevator, a ground-floor apartment, or be made of pure muscle.
Pros
- Electric
- Easy to balance
- Super compact
Cons
- Not a way to stay fit
Though this isn't exactly a bicycle, we think it deserves your attention. Because what's better than two wheels? Three wheels! And we think this folding tricycle could be the future of big-city transportation for people looking for an alternative to a train or bicycle.
This tricycle weighs just 30 pounds, which is right on par with most non-electric folding bikes. If the streets are in disrepair or the sidewalk has roots growing through the concrete, three integrated shock absorbers and 10-inch pneumatic tires will help smooth your ride. And when you show up to work early for the fifth time this week, this scooter can slide discreetly right under your desk.
We haven't mentioned this yet, but this scooter is obviously electric. A single charge powers up to 18 miles of travel, depending on which of the three speeds you choose. Imagine how much money you'll save by no longer taking 1-mile Uber rides.
Pros
- Easy to adjust for a better ride
- Aluminum frame is strong yet light
- Fenders and rust-resistant components are great for wet climates
Cons
- A bit expensive for the average commuter
Riding a folding bike doesn't mean you have to sacrifice performance and ride quality for convenience. This Dahon is hand-welded from space-grade aluminum alloy, making it the perfect combination of precision, strength, and lightweight (just 27 pounds). It folds down smaller than many others, yet is affordable and built to ride. And it's aimed at riders in wet climates (like Seattle), with rust-resistant components and fenders that deflect spray from your tires.
The Mariner features Flex Adjust technology, which lets you easily switch handlebar and seat positions mid-ride to adapt to changing road conditions. When combined with beefy 20-inch wheels and a 1x8-speed Shimano gear set that shifts smoothly and quickly, the Mariner handles more like a true road bike in a compact, folding package.
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