Best folding bikes 2021: brilliant bikes for commuting with easy storage, from Brompton, Bickerton and Tern

Products reviewed in brief: 

• Brompton M3L, Best for: Short range commuting and storage, buy here
• Carrera Intercity, Best for: value, buy here
• Bickerton Argent 1909 Country, Best for: comfort and style, buy here
• Tern BYB S11, Best for: taller riders, buy here
• Go CycleGX, Best for: design and power-assisted speed, buy here

By their nature, folding bikes have smaller wheels than full-sized bicycles so they’re better suited to riding shorter distances of between three and five miles.

There’s very little chance of a folding bike ever being stolen because you can simply store the bike inside your house, or office (one day). Most shops and other public places will also allow you to take a folded bike inside with you, and they are easy to take on and off public transport.  

How to choose a folding bicycle

Unlike standard bicycles that come in different frame sizes, the majority of folding bikes are ‘one size fits all’. Nevertheless, all models allow for seat post height adjustment and saddle reach while some also provide adjustable handlebar stems.

When choosing a folding bike, first consider the size of its wheels as this generally determines its comfortable cruising speed and hence the time it takes to get from A to B. In a nutshell, the bigger the wheels, the faster you’ll go.  

Folding bikes: wheel size matters

A bike with 16-inch wheels (as fitted to all Brompton bikes) will fold into the smallest of packages but you will likely be overtaken but every other cyclist. In that respect, most other manufacturers have opted for 20-inch wheels which allow the rider to travel a little bit faster without too much extra effort.

Another important consideration is price. As with most products, the ‘you get what you pay for’ maxim holds true. If you can stretch your budget to around £350, then go for a decent folder like the Carrera (reviewed below). But if you want a bike that will provide better reliability in the long term, consider spending upwards of £600.

Electric folding bikes

If you live in a hilly area consider a folding electric bicycle. Electrically assisted bikes have revolutionised the bicycle industry and we can’t stress enough how effortless they make the act of cycling, especially up hills. E-bikes don’t require a license but their motor’s, by law, are only allowed to provide assistance when the pedals are in motion. Hence, you can’t simply hold a button in and expect to be propelled along on battery power alone.

The only major caveat with electric folding bikes is the weight – they are usually several kilograms heavier than standard folders. This is something you will most definitely notice when carrying the bike up stairs or when the battery runs out of juice and you’re left to rely on muscle power alone.