We had produced the Top 5 Folding Bicycles back in 2020 but a flood of new models emerged in 2021 and for this year in 2022. This has prompted us to update the list to have these new models for 2022 and extend this list with 8 of the Best Folding Bikes 2022. 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.
Best Folding Bike 2022
Brompton M3L 2020 Folding Bicycle
Price – £1,175
The only candidate for the number one slot in our Top folding bicycles. The original and most peoples perception of what is meant by a folding bike. It has become an inter-changeable term for folding bike in the same way Hoover as a brand defines vacuum cleaners. 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 M3L 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 for the Brompton M3L bike
Best current price – £1175 from Halfords (Editor note – with bikes in stock as of January 2022 although they are flagging as low)
Cheapest Folding Bike 2022
B’Twin Tilt 120 Folding Bike
£249.99
The challenger in the line-up and a huge difference in price between this and the Brompton. This is the cheapest folding bike in our line up and an incredible package for under £250. 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.
For under £250 this is incredible value and Decathlon continue to manage supply well so stock is good to buy this now.
BTwin Tilt 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 for the BTwin Tilt 120 folding bike
Best price – £249.99 from Decathlon
Raleigh Evo-2 Folding Bike
£275
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.
A very good alternative to the B’Twin Tilt 120 Folding Bike. The Raleigh Evo-2 has the added flexibility of a rear pannier system to help with bag transport. Otherwise another great budget folding bike option.
Raleigh Evo-2 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 for the Raleigh Evo-2 Folding Bike
Best price – £275 from Halfords
Best Electric Folding Bike 2022
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 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
Best Folding Bike for Tall Riders 2022
Tern Node D8
£807.50
With 24″ wheels the Tern Node D8 is the best folding bike for tall riders over 6′ 3″ who may find the Brompton and others a struggle. 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. Folding in under 10 seconds a very practical option for commuter cyclists.
Tern Node D8 specification
Frame | Aluminium |
---|---|
Fork | Steel |
Suspension | Standard Block |
Number of Gears | 8 |
Shifters | Shimano |
Chain set | Shimano |
Pedals | Folding |
Brakeset | V Brake |
Handlebars | Tern Sweep |
Wheelset | 24″ wheeels |
Tyres | Schwalbe Big Apple |
Saddle | Bio Logic Como DLX |
Seatpost | Super Oversize |
Weight | 13.3 kg |
Best Price for the Tern Node D8 Folding Bike
Best price – £807.50 from Wiggle (Editor note – Wiggle are struggling for supply with limited stock of the Tern Node D8 folding bike. January 2022)
Gocycle G4
£3999
The GoCycle G4 folding bike has a hydroformed aluminium main frame with PitstopWheels. This provide great performance at a low weight. The lightweight and durable aluminium frame houses the battery, which provides up to 65km of range with a 7 hour charging time.
Hydraulic disc brakes provide excellent stopping power giving you consistent braking performance in all riding conditions. Gearing is provided by internal Shimano Nexus 3 speed hub gears that give you consistent shifting in all conditions. This is coupled with incredibly low maintenance as all the components are protected from the elements.
Prices have shot up through 2021 so the latest prices for 2022 are now £3999 and demand continues to be high.
GoCycle GX 2020 Specification
Frame | Hydro-formed 6061 T6 alloy |
---|---|
Fork | 6061 T6 alloy |
Suspension | None |
Number of Gears | 3 |
Shifters | Shimano Nexus |
Chain set | Shimano Nexus |
Pedals | Folding |
Brakeset | Hydraulic disc |
Handlebars | Quick folding |
Wheelset | 20″ wheeels |
Tyres | GoCycle All weathers |
Saddle | Velo sport |
Seatpost | Aluminium |
Weight | 17.8 kg |
Buy the GoCycle G4 for £3999 direct from GoCycle
Best Alternative to the Brompton M3L Folding bike
Bickerton Argent 1707 City Folding Bike
£675
Go Outdoors have joined the folding bike band wagon and stock a number of models with the Bickerton the pick of the crop. For anyone looking to an alternative to the Brompton M3L folding bike this is a cracking option.
The Bickerton Argent 1707 City folding bike is a well specced lightweight bike weighing only 14kg. The bike uses a 7-speed gearing system for when you’re commuting giving good flexibility for inner-city cycling.
The lightweight aluminium frame folds simply and quickly. The folding mechanism means the bike can be collapsed in just 10 seconds. This means the bike is an all-round versatile option for riding and travelling on a variety of transport.
Bickerton Argent 1707 City Specifications
Frame | Argent Platform, Aluminium |
---|---|
Fork | Steel Rigid Forks |
Suspension | None |
Number of Gears | 7 |
Shifters | Shimano |
Chain set | Shimano Nexus Hub |
Pedals | Folding |
Brakeset | Alloy V Brake |
Handlebars | Quick folding |
Wheelset | 20″ wheeels |
Tyre | Schwalbe Impac Bigpac |
Saddle | Comfort Gel Saddle |
Seatpost | Aluminium |
Weight | 13 kg |
Best price for the Bickerton Argent 1707 City
Buy the Bickerton Argent 1707 City Folding Bike for Go Outdoors for £675
Best Folding Mountain Bike
Change Bike folding mountain bike DF-812 Trail Pro
£1799
Mountain bikes undergo more strain and challenge than a road bike. Hence traditionally it has been incredibly hard to create an effective folding mechanism. Change Bike have been tackling this and developed their DF-812 Trail Pro MTB that we have fully tested to ensure it was worth including in this list.
The frame has a unique folding system with two quick releases on the seat tube, undo these and the frame folds completely in half. Take the front wheel out, again with a quick release mechanism, and this then attaches to a discreet fixing on the seat stay. The pedals also have a quick release mechanism for easy removal.
>>> Full review of the Change Bike Folding MTB
Change Bike Folding MTB Specification
tem | Specification |
---|---|
Speeds | Shimano Deore 20 Speeds |
Sizes and Colours | 17″, 19″, 21″ / Dark Green, Light Blue, Matte Black |
Frame | Aerospace-Grade Aluminium 7005 Double Butted, Taiwan Made |
Front Fork | FOX Performance 32 Float 27.5 FIT4, 1.5T Travel: 100mm |
Shifter | Shimano Deore SL-M6000 |
Bottom Bracket | Shimano Deore |
Front Derailleur | Shimano Deore FD-M6025 2x10s |
Rear Derailleur | Shimano Deore RD-M6000 10S |
Sprockets | Shimano CS-HG500 11-42T |
Chain | Shimano Deore |
Crankset | Shimano Deore FC-M627 38x24T 170mm |
Brake | Shimano Deore BL-M615 |
Wheels | Mavic Crossride 27.5 |
Tyre | Kenda 27.5 x 2.1 |
Handlebar | Aluminium, Barbore 31.8mm, Length 580mm |
Stem | Aluminium, 31.8mm x 55mm, Steerer: 28.6mm |
Seat Post | Aluminium, 31.6mm x 300mm |
Saddle | Prologo Scratch Pro |
Pedal | Wellgo Bearing QRD C-128 |
Weight | 12.8KG |
Best Price for the Change Bike Folding MTB
Buy the Change bike Folding Mountain Bike DF-812 Trail Pro for £1,799.00
Full List of 8 of the Best Folding Bikes 2022
- Brompton M3L Folding Bicycle
- B’Twin Tilt 120 Folding Bicycle
- Raleigh Evo-2 Bike
- Dahon QIX Q8 Folding Bike
- Tern Link C8 Folding Bike
- GoCycle GX 2020
- Bickerton Argent 1707 City Folding bike
- Change Bike Folding MTB