Top 5 Best Value Foldable Bicycles
If you are shopping around for a foldable bike you will soon realise that they range from £100 to the thousands. Let’s start with the entry level folding bicycles that doesn’t break the bank.
With today’s high fuel prices and cost of motoring (road tax and maintenance), the everyday commuters may consider paying more for good quality folding bikes. These will pay for itself in the long run, with trouble free cycling to and from work.
For the rest of us, the occasional rider or simply to pedal around the neighbourhood, the convenience of a folding bike for easy of handling, moving and storage is unparalleled. Here is a list of 5 of the best budget folding bicycles you can buy on the market.
Budget Folding Bicycles
We take a look at 5 of the cheapest fold-able bicycles including a folding mountain bike equipped with dual suspension. A quick look at our line-up.
- Stowabike 26″ Folding Dual Suspension Mountain Bike FOLDING MOUNTAIN BIKE
- Stowabike 20″ City Compact Bike Folding Bicycle FOLDING COMPACT
- Kingston Freedom Folding Bike HYBRID
- Viking Belmont, Six Speed, 20″ Wheel Bike, Blue
- Viking Avenue, Six Speed, 20″ Wheel Bike, Pearl White
Under £200
Stowabike 26″ Folding Dual Suspension Mountain Bike FOLDING BIKE
Looking for a full size (or nearly) mountain bike that folds, the Stowabike 26″ is your answer. The Dual suspension, and quality components from the likes of Shimano meant it is built to last. If you want the fun of a full size bike and still be able to fold and keep it stored at home, in the car or tight spaces AND not looking to spend too much, the Stowabike is what you need.
- 26″ wheels with front steel fork and back alloy body spring suspensions
- 18 speed Shimano R-TZ50 Gears
- Folded Dimensions and Weight: L 39″ x H 35″ x W 23.5″(86.5 L x 96.5 H x 32 W (cm)) approx 18.2 kg
- Silver
Stowabike 20″ City Compact Bike Folding Bicycle FOLDING COMPACT
It may not have suspensions, why no compact folding bike has suspensions to show, it does give you the standard 6 speed gear arrangement on 20″ wheels. It comes with full length steel mudguards and rear rack for carrying things. The difference between this and some of the others compacts listed here, apart from the weight (it is a little on the heavy side) is that the pedals don’t fold and the handlebar stays upright. The only parts you need to worry about when collapsing the bike is the middle hinge which is well made and solid and the seat’s quick release to lower the seat.
- 20″ wheels single wall on steel rims
- 6 Speed Shimano Gears with microshift grip gear shifter
- Folded Dimensions and Weight: W 24″ x L 34″ x H 32″ 15 kg
- Silver
Kingston Freedom Folding Bike
Spotting a slightly retro look, the full length Kingston Freedom offers a 6 speed gear arrangement, style and comfort on 20″ wheels with lightweight aluminium rims. Like the Viking Avenue, the seat is of a vintage brown colour but unlike the Viking Avenue, it comes with both mud guards and rear rack for carrying things.
- 20″ wheels for stable ride on aluminium rims,
- compact frame, folding handle bar, folding right side pedal
- Full length mudguards and rack
- 6 Speed Shimano Gears
- Folded Dimensions and Weight: approx. 80cm x 40cm x 75cm 13.5kg. (Maximum saddle height: 36″) – LIGHTEST
- Black
Viking Belmont, Six Speed, 20″ Wheel Bike, Blue
The other Viking bike on our list, the Viking Belmont is at the top of our under £200 category. As such, Viking has added a bit more kit to this than compared to the Viking Avenue. It still carries that distinctive 20″ yellow gum wall tyres suitable for treking on lightweight allow rims.
- 20″ wheels with gum wall for treking
- Full length mudguard and rack
- 6 Speed Shimano Revoshift Gears
- Folded Dimensions and Weight: 13-inch frame, 15.5kg
- White
Viking Avenue, Six Speed, 20″ Wheel Bike, Pearl White
No rear rack or mud guards, which may be a disadvantage in wet weather and for the daily commute. You would expect to get at least the mud guards. A back back or messenger case would make up for the lack of rack but a mud guard is essential in our books. It spots a vintage brown saddle and brown handles to match.
- 20″ wheels with gum wall for treking
- 6 Speed Shimano Revoshift Gears
- Folded Dimensions and Weight: 13-inch frame, 15kg
- White
Under £400
We intend to look at the next batch of folding bikes in the £200 – £400 price range, the mid range offerings but we thought you give you a little taster. These are from the more popular make like Dahon and Viking. For the most up to date prices, please click on the links below:
Dahon Boardwalk S1 Black Obsidian Folding Bike Bicycle
- Single Speed
Viking Park Lane, Seven Speed, 20″ Wheel Folding Bike, Silver
- 7 Speed Gears
Dahon Vybe C7A Obsidian Folding Bike Bicycle Vibe
- 7 Speed Gears
Viking Apex, Eight Speed, 20″ Wheel Bike, Matt Black
- 8 Speed Shimano Gears
Dahon Speed Uno Folding Bike, Shadow
- Single Speed
Final Thoughts
For the occasional biker, the quick ride to the city, an outing that you take with the children, the vacation that you couldn’t do without a bike, limited boot space, small flat or small shed; whatever your reasons, there is a folding bike for that. And, with the prices we have seen so far, there is even a folding bike that will fit all pockets too.
In our opinion any of the highly rated folding bikes under £200 or £400 are your best bet. If you are after a compact folding bike under £200, we would recommend the Kingston Freedom Folding Bike. If you have a bit more cash to spare, then the Dahon Vybe C7A Obsidian Folding Bike Bicycle Vibe is your choice for under £400. Both offering good equipment and parts.
But if you would rather have a full size biking experience, then you are pretty much limited to the Stowabike 26″ Folding Dual Suspension Mountain Bike. But what is at the other end of the scale… if money were no object. If you must know, Brompton folding bikes starts from around £700 and tops at around £1200.
