Very popular at the moment, the folding electric bike is perfectly suited for urban use. In fact, it is more of an electrically assisted bicycle or folding e-bike, because the legislation does not yet authorize bicycles with fully electric drive.
The VAE is therefore an ordinary bicycle equipped with an assistance system made up of an electric motor, a battery, and an electronic control box. The folding VAE finds its particularity in a folding and deployment system which allows it to be folded in half. It is therefore more practical and more manageable.
That said, with the abundant supply on the folding eBike market, it is often difficult to make a choice. To help you, here is our buying guide and our comparison of the best folding electric bikes.
Folding electric bike buying guide 2023
In this first part, you will discover some tips for choosing your folding electric bike.
The advantages of the folding electric bike
The electrically assisted folding bike offers many advantages:
Easy to use
Thanks to the driving force generated by the electric motor, the folding electric bike offers the best of both worlds: mechanically driven bicycles and electric two-wheelers. It is not only easy to use, but also more comfortable than a conventional bike, especially when going uphill.
Easy to carry
Featuring a folding and deployment mechanism, the folding VAE is space-saving. It stores easily in the trunk of a vehicle and does not require the installation of a bike rack. It can also be easily transported on a bus, subway or train.
Economic
In addition to its affordable price, the VAE does not require specific maintenance. In addition, it uses clean and more affordable energy than fuel. By opting for an VAE, you will quickly amortize your investment and benefit from a practical, healthy and ecological means of transport.
An ecological mobility solution
Compared to cars and two-wheelers with thermal engines, the VAE is an ecological means of transport. It does not pollute and helps protect the environment.
How to choose your electric folding bike?
Here are the most important selection criteria that you should consider when purchasing a folding electric bike:
The power of a folding electric bike
The more powerful the engine, the more efficient the bike. However, the technical characteristics do not differ much between the different models due to restrictions imposed by legislation.
The battery of a folding electric bike
The battery must be efficient enough to power the engine whatever the road conditions. Of course, it must offer good autonomy. Preferably opt for a removable Li-ion battery with a range of more than 60 km.
Propulsion, traction, or central engine?
Most electric bikes use a traction drive system in which the motor is integrated into the front wheel hub. This design allows easy assembly and offers sportier handling on a flat slope. However, it is less efficient when climbing.
In addition, the positioning of the motor on the front wheel can cause an imbalance between the masses on the two axles of the wheels. For better weight distribution, the battery of a front-wheel drive bike is often placed at the rear.
Models equipped with a rewheel drive system, in which the motor is placed in the rear wheel, are generally more stable.
In a mid-drive system, the motor is placed in the crankset. This design offers optimal performance, progressive assistance, and better mass balance. In addition, it helps to lower the center of gravity, which provides better stability and better handling.
The weight of a folding electric bike
A light folding bike is easier to handle and transport. However, high weight can sometimes be explained by additional equipment or a more robust frame.
The folding and deployment system
For a folding bike, it is obvious that the folding and unfolding system must be quick and easy to handle. Performance bikes typically fold in less than 10 seconds.
The size of the wheels
Bikes with smaller wheels are lighter and more compact when folded. However, they are less efficient on the road. A folding bike with larger wheels is faster, but it is also heavier and more bulky.
The accessories
When purchasing a folding electric bike, pay particular attention to the accessories offered by the manufacturer: lighting system, anti-theft device, mudguards, luggage rack, etc.
The price of a folding electric bike
Low price does not always mean low quality. Likewise, a high price does not necessarily mean the bike is of good quality. Generally, prices always tend to fall due to the entry of new manufacturers into the market. Ideally, opt for a folding e-bike offering good value for money.
Folding electric bike comparison and reviews
In this second part, you will discover our selection of the 5 best folding electric bikes. For each of the models presented below, we will detail the strong points and weak points before giving you our verdict.
GoCycle GX folding electric bike: the most stylish
The GoCycle GX is a model classified in the category of high-end folding electric bikes. It is positioned in direct competition with the Brompton folding electric bike. The stylistic design is the work of Richard Thorpe, founder of GoCycle and former engineer at McLaren.
Launched in 2019, the GX incorporates the main stylistic features of the GS. However, it adopts a new 6061 T6 hydroformed aluminum alloy frame. It weighs 17.8 kg, which is normal for a folding e-bike.
Like the GS, the GX is powered by a 250 W brushless motor integrated into the front wheel. In the event of wheel slip, a traction control system acts by reducing engine torque to optimize the bike's traction. Engine operation is managed by an electronic module offering 4 driving modes: Eco, City, On-demand, and Custom.
A removable 13.7 Ah battery integrated into the frame powers the bike's motor and electrical equipment. It offers a range of 65 km. GoCycle claims a charging time of 7 hours with a regular charger and 4 hours with a fast charger.
One of the great features of the GX is its ultra-rapid folding and deployment system. In fact, with a little practice, it is possible to fold the bike in less than 10 seconds. Note that unlike previous models, folding and deployment do not require dismantling of the wheels.
The GX's standard equipment also includes:
- The three-speed Cleandrive transmission system supplied by Shimano.
- Hydraulic brakes front and rear.
- 20-inch wheels with magnesium rims and PitstopWheels quick mounting system.
- Rear shock absorber suspension with Lockshock system.
That said, there are two things we can criticize about the Gocycle GX:
- 1- Despite being a premium electric bike, it is not equipped with a real screen, but with small LED lights displaying the charge level.
- 2- Headlights and mudguards are not offered as standard, but as an option.
Despite these two drawbacks, the GX remains the best folding electric bike from the GoCycle brand.
Key features of the GoCycle GX
- Very comfortable.
- Sleek design.
- Ultra-fast folding and deployment system.
- Several driving modes.
- Very maneuverable.
Weaknesses of the GoCycle GX
- Headlights and mudguards are not offered as standard on the bike.
- Lack of a real display screen.
Brompton Electric folding bike: the most robust
Let's continue our folding electric bike comparison and review, with the Brompton Electric (or Brompton Electric). Unlike the GoCycle range developed from scratch, this “Made in London” bike is only an electric version of the Brompton folding bike with mechanical drive.
The design is certainly compact and refined, but it is not as original as that of the GX. The frame is solidly constructed from ultra-strong steel and provides a robust appearance to the bike. The folding and unfolding mechanism is very easy to handle. Once the bike is unfolded, it is possible to roll it in Trolley mode using two casters placed on the triangle.
Regarding the engine design, Brompton called on “ Williams Advanced Engineering ”, the technological branch of the famous Formula 1 team “Williams F1 Team”. This collaboration gave birth to a 250 W brushless motor .
Integrated into the front wheel hub, the motor is powered by an 8.55 Ah Samsung Li-ion battery offering a maximum range of 70 km. A small originality compared to the competition, the battery is placed in a small 1.5 L bag which attaches to the front part of the bike. Equipped with a USB port, it can be used to charge a smartphone or a camera for example.
The bike is offered in two versions: a 2-speed version (16.6 kg) and a 6-speed version (17.4 kg). Like the GoCycle GX, the Brompton Electric is not equipped with a real LCD display screen, but with small LED indicators which display the battery charge status. This is a bit unfortunate for a premium folding electric bike!
Strengths of the Brompton
- Robust.
- Elegant.
- Ingenious folding and deployment system.
- Impeccable finish.
- Efficient engine.
Weak points of the Brompton
- The pitchfork is short.
- Less stable than the GX.
- Lack of a real display screen.
Hercules ROB Fold F7 folding electric bike: the best equipped
The ROB Fold F7 “Made in Germany” is one of the few folding eBikes with a central motor. This is a 250 W brushless motor from the range of 3rd generation Bosch Active Line Plus electric motors. Housed in the crankset, it transmits the driving force to the rear wheel via a metal chain. A Shimano Nexus transmission system allows you to choose between 7 different speeds depending on road conditions.
The motor is powered by an 11 Ah (400 Wh) Li-ion battery of Bosch origin offering a range of 80 km. For a full charge, allow 5 to 7 hours. The battery, being removable, can be removed and charged separately from the bike.
Like the majority of folding e-bikes, the maximum speed of the Hercules ROB Fold F7 is electronically limited to 25 km/h. Depending on road conditions, it is possible to choose between 5 driving modes: Off, Eco, Tour, Sport, and Turbo.
German engineering requires, the design of the ROB Fold F7 recalls the elegance and finesse of an Audi or a Porsche. The frame is made of 7005 aluminum alloy. It is easy to fold and deploy thanks to an intuitive system. The 20-inch wheels and lower center of gravity give the bike excellent stability on the road.
In terms of equipment, the ROB Fold F7 is probably the best folding electric bike in the selection. Unlike the GX and the Brompton Electric, it is equipped as standard with a lighting system, a Bosch Purion on-board computer with LCD display screen, a luggage rack (i-Rack) in aluminum, and mudguards at the front and rear.
Other premium equipment further enriches the standard equipment, including the patented Royale Nuvola Saddle, the height-adjustable stem with Speedlifter Twist system, and the Magura HS11 hydraulic brakes at the front and rear. The only drawback of the ROB Fold F7 is probably its weight, since it weighs 22.6 kg!
Points forts du Hercules ROB Fold F7
- Very elegant design.
- Exceptional quality of finish.
- Central motor, masses balanced on the two axles of the wheels.
- Standard equipment rich in equipment.
- 5 driving modes.
Weak points of the Hercules ROB Fold F7
- Relatively heavier than other folding electric bikes.
Hercules ROB Fold F8 folding electric bike - 400 or 500 Wh: the best autonomy
Let's continue our folding electric bike comparison and review, with another flagship model from the German manufacturer Hercules: the ROB Fold F8 folding eBike . This model has almost the same technical characteristics of the ROB Fold F7: Bosch Active Plus 250 W central motor , aluminum frame, 20-inch wheels, height-adjustable stem, Bosch on-board computer, etc.
That said, it has two main particularities. First, it offers the choice between a 400 Wh (11 Ah) battery offering a range of 100 km and a 500 Wh (13.8 Ah) battery offering a range of 150 km.
Then, it has a Shimano Nexus 8-speed transmission system with freewheel. The braking system has also been improved with the adoption of new Magura HS22 brakes. Compared to the ROB Fold F7, the ROB Fold F8 is heavier and weighs 23.1 kg.
Points forts du Hercules ROB Fold F8
- Extended autonomy.
- Sleek design.
- Shimano Nexus 8-speed transmission system.
- 5 driving modes.
- Very rich standard endowment.
Weak points of the Hercules ROB Fold F8
- Heavy.
Weebike folding electric bike - The Road Noir: the best quality/price ratio
Flagship model of the Weebike range, The Road Noir is an inexpensive and very efficient folding electric bike. At first glance, it impresses with its original design reminiscent of BMX and extreme sports. The 6061 aluminum frame and 20-inch wheels with star-shaped spokes further accentuate the compact and sturdy appearance of the bike. Thanks to an ingenious folding and unfolding mechanism, the bike folds and unfolds in seconds.
When it comes to technical performance, the Le Road Noir folding electric bike has nothing to envy of other premium foldable e-bikes. It is powered by a 250 W brushless motor integrated into the rear wheel hub. This training mode helps to optimize the stability and maneuverability of the bike, particularly when going uphill or on bends.
Power supply is provided by a removable 10.4 Ah Li-ion battery supplied by Samsung. The range is comparable to that of the GoCycle GX and the Brompton Electric and can go up to 70 km. Like the other models, the maximum speed is limited to 25 km.
Another particularity of this bike, the drive system is equipped with a pedaling sensor allowing the driving force generated by the motor to be adapted to the pedaling rhythm.
The Road Noir is also equipped with a 7-speed Shimano Acera transmission system. Weighing 23 kg, it is relatively heavy. That said, it benefits from a perfectly balanced weight distribution between the front axle and the rear axle. The well-designed proportions and lower center of gravity also help improve the bike's agility and handling.
The standard equipment is generally very rich compared to the GoCycle GX and the Brompton Electric. Indeed, the Road Noir is equipped with an LCD display screen placed on the handlebars, a headlight at the front, a reflector at the rear, and mudguards at the front and rear. the rear.
Strengths of the Le Road Weebike
- Best quality price report.
- Performance comparable to that of high-end models.
- A rich standard endowment.
- A powerful engine.
- A good autonomy.
Weak points of the Le Road Weebike
- Heavy.
Comparison of the best folding electric bikes: what to remember
To conclude this folding electric bike comparison and review article, it is clear that the GoCycle GX stands out for its unrivaled comfort and refined design. The Brompton Electric is less original, since it is based on the mechanical version. That said, it is very robust and displays respectable performance.
The ROB Fold F7 and ROB Fold F8 are the only bikes in this selection to be equipped with a central motor. In addition to their design worthy of a German luxury car, they have a very rich standard equipment. The ROB Fold F8 folding eBike is also distinguished by an 8-speed transmission system and a reinforced braking system. The version equipped with the 500 Wh battery offers a range of up to 150 km.
In terms of quality/price ratio, the Road Noir is the best folding electric bike in this selection. It stands out for its original design which is inspired by BMX and extreme sports. Additionally, it displays similar performance to high-end electric bikes. Obviously, this is the favorite of this selection!