For this weeks blog we have our Top 5 folding bicycles that are currently available. So for all you fellow commuters who have to regularly endure standing pressed up against a random strangers armpit and discard any boundaries of personal space this weeks blog is just for you. Folding bikes are not reserved purely for Rapha wearing investment bankers so we have tried to give an option for all budgets.
Brompton M6L 2020 Folding Bicycle
Price – £1,145
The only candidate for the number one slot in our Top 5 folding bicycles. The original and most peoples perception of what is meant by a folding bike. The UK classic brand Brompton are top of the pile and the most expensive bike in our list. They provide a single frame size running on a set of comedy sized 16 inch wheels but allow you to then customise the bike with colours, number of gears and handlebar styles. The bikes are effortless to fold and relatively lightweight.
Brompton folding bike
Brompton M6L Specification
| Frame | Steel |
|---|---|
| Fork | Steel |
| Suspension | Standard Block |
| Number of Gears | 6 |
| Shifters | Brompton Shifting |
| Chain set | BSR 6 Speed |
| Pedals | Brompton folding on left. Aluminium cage flat pedal on right |
| Brakeset | Brompton dual-pivot callipers |
| Handlebars | M Type |
| Grips | Brompton Foam |
| Wheelset | Brompton standard 6 Speed BSR |
| Tyres | Schwalbe Marathon Racer |
| Saddle | Brompton Standard |
| Seatpost | Brompton Standard |
| Accessories | Brompton Mudguards |
| Extra Features | Front Carrier Block |
| Weight | 11.78 kg |
Best price – £1,145 from Evans Cycles
B’Twin Hoptown 120 Folding Bike
£199.99
The challenger in the line-up and a huge difference in price between this and the Brompton. It has a 6 gear system built into the hub and comes with mudguards and a saddle height that can accommodate all but the tallest of cyclists. Styling wise it steals much of its cues from the Brompton but fails to fold down into quite such a small package when commuting.
BTwin 120
BTwin 120 Bike Specification
| Frame | Steel |
|---|---|
| Fork | Steel |
| Suspension | None |
| Number of Gears | 6 |
| Shifters | Grip shifter |
| Chain set | 6-speed Shimano TZ20 14/28 freewheel |
| Pedals | fold-up pedals |
| Brakeset | Steel V-brakes |
| Handlebars | Steel low-rise bars |
| Grips | Foam |
| Wheelset | 20-inch, single-wall rims. Steel hub. |
| Tyres | 20 x 1.75 gumwall city tyres |
| Saddle | Comfortable, seamless foam saddle |
| Seatpost | steel seat post |
| Accessories | Compatible with the Tilt transport cover |
| Extra Features | Front and rear battery-powered lights |
| Weight | 14.5 kg |
Best price – £199.99 at Decathlon
Raleigh Stowaway 7 2020 Folding Bike
£450
A similar proportioned bike to the B’Twin with a somewhat ugly cabling system running up the elongated handlebar stem. The frame is aluminium sporting a 7 speed Shimano Tourney set of gears but comes complete with mudguards and a rear pannier that certainly makes it versatile but contributes to a bucket load of extra weight resulting in it tipping the scales at 13kg.
Raleigh Stowaway
Raleigh Stowaway 7 Specification
| Frame | Raleigh aluminium folding frame |
|---|---|
| Fork | Raleigh Steel fork |
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano Tourney 7 speed |
| Number of Gears | 7 |
| Shifters | Shimano Revo 7 speed |
| Chain set | Raleigh 42T Alloy Chainset |
| Bottom Bracket | Square Taper |
| Cassette | 14-28t 7 speed |
| Chain | KMC |
| Pedals | Raleigh Folding |
| Brake Levers | Alloy V Brake |
| Handlebars | Raleigh short steel |
| Stem | Raleigh Alloy Folding |
| Grips | Raleigh comfort grip |
| Rims | Raleigh Alloy Double Wall |
| Front Hub | Alloy Quick Release |
| Rear Hub | Alloy Quick Release |
| Tyres | Raleigh 20″ City Tyre |
| Saddle | Selle Royal RIO |
| Seatpost | Alloy 30.6mm x 500mm |
| Seatpost Clamp | Alloy |
| Accessories | – Mudguards Rear Carrier |
| Weight | 14.5kg |
Best price – £450 from Evans Cycles
Carrera Crosscity Electric Folding bike
£999
The Carrera Crosscity Electric Bike is perfect if you’re looking for a reliable solution for your daily commute or fancy a bit of leisure riding with an electric boost. With a 313Wh battery offering up to 30 miles of power assistance on a single charge, this bike will more than cover the average commute. The battery feeds its power through a stable rear hub motor that can propel you to speeds of up to 15.5mph.
carrera-crosscity
Carrera Crosscity Specification
| Frame | Steel |
|---|---|
| Fork | Steel |
| Suspension | Standard Block |
| Number of Gears | 8 |
| Shifters | Shimano Acera |
| Chain set | Alloy |
| Pedals | Folding |
| Brakeset | Promax V Brakes |
| Handlebars | M Type |
| Wheelset | Alloy double wall |
| Tyres | Kenda K924 |
| Saddle | Non folding |
| Seatpost | Extended Seatpost |
| Weight | 18 kg |
Best price – £999 from Halfords
Tern Link C8
£617.50
Folded the Tern comes in bigger than the class leading Brompton but compact enough to be practical while on the move with the bike folded. With a geared hub on the back the rear and Shimano gear set but no mudguards or rear pannier Tern keep the weight down but sacrifice some of the functionality of other manufacturers with this approach.
Tern Link C8
Tern Link C8 specification
| Frame | Aluminium |
|---|---|
| Fork | Steel |
| Suspension | Standard Block |
| Number of Gears | 8 |
| Shifters | Brompton Shifting |
| Chain set | Shimano Tourney |
| Pedals | Folding |
| Brakeset | V Brake |
| Handlebars | Tern Physis 3D |
| Wheelset | 20″ wheeels |
| Tyres | Impac BigPac |
| Saddle | Velo Comfort |
| Seatpost | Super Oversize |
| Weight | 12.8 kg |
Best price – £617.50 from Wiggle
Full List of Top 5 Folding Bicycles
- Brompton M6L Folding Bicycle
- B’Twin Hoptown 120 Folding Bicycle
- Raleigh Stowaway 7 Bike
- Dahon QIX Q8 Folding Bike
- Tern Link C8 Folding Bike
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