Cheapest folding bikes in 2016
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A-Bicycle Folding Bike
Key Specifications:
- Weights only lbs (5.7 kg)
- Compact folding size 26″ x 12″ x 6″
- Frame is made of steel
- Saddle can easily be adjusted
Our first pick is also our smallest bike, the folding bike from A-Bicycle is only 26″ x 12″ x 6″ when it is folded and the producer even argues that you can put it in a rucksack. In our test, we tried to put the bike into a normal schoolbag, but the wheels stood out. So we definitely think that you can put your bike into a rucksack, it it has a large enough filling capacity.
The A-Bicycle Folding bike weighs only 12.5 lbs, around 5.7 kg. Comparing this bike to other folding bikes, it is definitely the lightest bike on the market. Even though it looks rather frugal, the frame is made of steel. These advantages make the A-Bicycle Folding bike a helpful companion on the streets.
Are there any downsides with this folding bike? As main disadvantage the A-Bicycle Folding bike is only for people, who weight up to 187.4 lbs or 85kg. Therefore, if you weight more you cannot ride this bike. This weight restriction is mainly because of its lightweight design.
On the other hand, because the A-Bicycle Folding bike has extremely tiny wheels it can only be driven on non-bumpy city streets.
Overall, the folding bike from A-Bicycle provides a good experience if you are a daily commuter and look for a bicycle, which you can take with you wherever you go. However, it`s weight restrictions and it`s tiny wheels make it only relevant for city riders. Therefore, it is no surprise at all that this bike is heavily advertised for business people and students.
Best Choice Products Folding Mountain Bicycle
Key Specifications:
- Come with pre-installed shimano 6-speed shifter & derailleur
- The standart color is black and the front and the rear match, even the chain is colored in black
- Brakes for the front and the rear
- Saddle can be adjusted from 35″ to 42″ with their quick-release adjustment system
- Bike weight is 37.2 lbs
For our next bike we picked a folding mountain bike from Best Choice Products. This bike some with a shimano 6-speed shifter system and derailleur, specifically the Shimano RS35.
The bike`s frame is made of steel, with 50.8×28.6×50.8mm in width. What makes the overall bike extremely cool in our opinion is that it comes entirely in black, even the chain is black. So if you like black as a color for your bike, the this folding bike is definitely for you.
Furthermore, there are not many folding “mountain” bikes on the market, but this is definitely the cheapest folding bike. The Folding Mountain Bicycle from Best Choice Products comes with free mudguards, which save you from mud splashes outside the beaten city paths.
The manufacturer claims that this bike can be folded within 15 seconds, which we could confirm in our test. The folding mountain bike weights 37.2 lbs and even a 200 lbs person can ride this bike.
The main disadvantage of this bike is that it does not come fully assembled. Even though Best Choice Products claims that the bike is easy to assemble, in our test we struggled having all the essential tools together to assemble this bike. We highly recommend the Topeak Alien II 26-Function Bicycle Toolkit.
Besides having a satisfied buying experience this bike is one of its kind. There are not many mountain folding bikes on the market and the price of this bike tops everything. If you are not satisfied with this bike Best Choice Product provides the option of getting your money back.
Mantis Flex Folding Bike
Key Specifications:
- The frame is made of steel
- Mountain bike wheels
- Single speed
- Front and rear brakes
- The chain is guarded and the bike come with an extra kickstand and a bell
The Flex Folding bike from Mantis is a slightly more expensive than our other folding bikes, but can be bought for under $200. The frame is made of steel and it comes with mountain bike wheels. Mantis decided to guard the chain, which is one of the most convenient features.
I guess you are now wondering, what we mean by pointing out this childish looking feature. Let`s say that you are wearing a suite or a blazer with long trousers and want to ride your folding bike home. It is extremely inconvenient, if your trousers get damaged when they go through the chain.
Because of this, many people knit their pants on before they set off, but if you wear an expensive suite and want to look cool with your brand new folding bike, knitting your pants on, will look not very stylish at all.
Besides this must-have feature the Flex Folding bike comes with standard bicycle accessories such as a kickstand and a bell.
One of the main disadvantages of using this bike is that the Flex Folding bike does not look very stylish because of its chain guard and its pre-colored frame. However, if you do not look on the stylishness of a bike this bike definitely delivers great value.
20″ Steel Folding Bike with Shimano 7 Speed Silver by Columba
Key Specifications:
- 20″ wheels
- Steel frame and fork
- Comes with preinstalled Shimano 7 speed shifter and derailleur
- Even the pedals can be folded
- Front handle stem can be removed. The bike comes with fenders, rear carrier and kick stand.
The 20″ Steel Folding Bike with Shimano by Columba is their latest designed folding bike. The manufacturer promises that the bicycle is 85% factory assembled, which we can confirm, when you get the bike. The 2 things that still have to be done is to check all screws again and screw down the pedals.
The folding bike weighs only 33 lbs and with some practice you can fold it within 10 seconds. When the bicycle is folded it is extremely compact and can securely be stored or transported. Its folding dimensions are 31″ x 14″ x 25″. For example, the bike easily fit into a Honda Civic.
With its 20” wheels this folding bike is on the one hand excellent for riding on bumpy city streets, but can also be used outside on beaten bike paths.
When you order the bike you can get it in Black, Yellow, and Red. In comparison to other bikes, this makes it an extremely stylish companion.
Based on other reviews and expert talks this bike main disadvantage is its small wheels. One might say that this is good for steering, but steadiness suffers. Another disadvantage is that the PVC plastic breaks look rather cheap. However, based on bikers, which have the 20″ Steel Folding Bike with Shimano 7 Speed Silver by Columba for several years, the breaks are extremely steady, even under high speed.
Xspec 20″ 7 Speed Folding Bike
Key Specifications:
- Can be folded in under 15 seconds
- Comes with a 7 speed Shimano gear system
- Front and rear fenders can be installed and a bike rack is already included in the package
- Great bicycle for daily commuters
The Xspec 20″ 7 Speed Folding Bike is the newest bicycle line of Xspec. The bicycle comes with a 20” steel bike frame and Shimano SL-TX30 Shifter and Shimano RD-TZ50 Rear Derailleur. The breaks are Steel V Brake which will let you slow down extremely quickly.
The Xspec 20″ Speed Folding Bike comes in black and yellow and is an extremely stylish eye catcher, when riding in the city.
Many reviews show exceptional satisfaction with this bike. As one reviewer describes on amazon:
“I’m exceptionally happy with them. We owned a bike shop for 10 years and have attended several bike mechanic schools so I believe I’m qualified to express an opinion. The bikes are well built. The components are good quality. Folding and unfolding is SIMPLE. No tools required.”
However, one of the main disadvantages are that you have to adjust the breaks when you get the bike. Indeed this is not rocket science and can be easily done within minutes. Furthermore, when you get the bicycle shipped the chain is in the wrong cogs. Turning the wheel will drop it onto the correct set. After researching several reviews and videos, we can definitely see that many Xspec 20″ Speed Folding Bike definitely undervalue this bicycle. Hence, we recommend the informed reader to look beyond the surface and get a much deeper picture of this exceptional bicycle.