Where Can You Go on a Folding E Bike?

Portrait of Mitchel Anderson, Rider Guide's Editorial Lead
Josh Jones
September 22, 2023

A devoted road and gravel cyclist and all-around gearhead, Josh has been riding and writing about electric scooters for the past five years. He’s generally happier on two wheels than two legs. When Josh isn’t writing or wrenching, he’s usually out on the road….

Lectric XP 3.0, a folding e bike, foldable electric bike for all terrain

Folding Bikes Go Electric... Or Electric Bikes Get Foldable...

Lately, electric bike manufacturers — from big names in cycling to small local upstarts — have more or less proven my hypothesis that there really is an e bike for just about everyone.

No matter your age or level of fitness, you can find a ride for you beach vacation, daily commute, road or mountain bike adventure, or afternoon of errands and picking up the kids.

Where can you go on a folding e bike? Pretty much anywhere….

Maybe U.S. cities won’t start to look like Amsterdam anytime soon, but we’re going to see a lot more bikes on the road in coming years, and a majority of those new arrivals will be electric. How many of them will be folding electric bikes is another story, but folding electric bikes also come in all shapes and sizes.

Folding e bikes can be just as rugged, maneuverable, and convenient — and have the same range and speed — as regular-sized non-folding electric bicycles.

Misconceptions about Folding E Bikes

While folding e bikes are sturdy, reliable, and incredibly convenient, there may be a perception among consumers that they are lesser versions of full-size electric bicycles. While they’re usually smaller, not all folding e bikes sacrifice power for portability.

Nonetheless, it’s reasonable to think of folding bikes as smaller than ordinary, non-folding bicycles, since this has typically been the case among non-electric folding bikes like the classic Brompton and many look-alike brands that use small wheels, compact frames, and other means of reducing weight and bulk.

Brompton even makes several electric versions of their small folding bicycles, and there is no shortage of slight, folding e bikes built on a similar platform. But there are also folding bikes originally designed for jumping out of airplanes into combat zones. The folding bike has always had its tough side.

Many folding e bikes are built differently, and it’s well worth surveying the options if you’re thinking of going electric.

black Gotrax F2 folding electric bike

Even if you don’t foresee the need to fold your bike very often – say you have ample bike storage space at home and you don’t travel often – you’ll find that the option to go compact can save you a huge headache on those occasions when you might need more space.

But doesn’t choosing that option mean you’re sacrificing some degree of stability or strength? I don’t think that’s true at all with todays electric bikes, and benefits of owning one can outweigh any minor drawbacks.

Modern budget folding electric bikes made by GOTRAX and Lectric boast rugged frames and full size motors and batteries for long range and high top speeds. The Lectric XP 3.0 even has a passenger package that can carry additional riders up to 150 lbs.

The Benefits of Owning a Folding E Bike

Smaller physical size

A folding e bike is the perfect solution for those who are looking for a convenient way to get around. From short commutes to leisurely rides, a folding e bike is undoubtedly one of the most efficient and practical forms of transport out there.

Thanks to their smaller physical size compared to traditional bicycles, folding e bikes offer easy storage and portability. This means you can easily take your bike with you wherever you go, making them perfect for use in cities and towns.

Likewise, whether you’re heading to the beach or going for a ride in the country, a folding e bike lets you enjoy outdoor adventures without the hassle of having to lug around a bulky bike rack. In most cases, you can fold your bike and stow it the trunk, backseat, or rear of an SUV.

So if you’re looking for a convenient and lightweight mode of transport, then a folding e bike is the perfect solution.

Ease of Storage

Folding e-bikes are the ideal solution for people looking to gain the advantages of cycling, but without the added hassle of finding a secure storage area inside their already cramped house or apartment.

These compact bikes fold up in step-by-step processes, making them easy to store anywhere: in the trunk of your car, beneath tables, in closets, and even beneath your office desk. Folding e-bikes also allow you to take them with you on buses and in trains, so there’s no need to leave it unattended while at a destination.

Increased Security

The fact is that bike theft is more frequent than ever, with 2 million bicycles stolen annually in the United States alone. Because their high value when compared to their non-electric counterparts, e bikes are 3 times more likely to be stolen that standard bikes.

Buying a folding electric bike can decrease your odds of theft significantly and bring you the peace of mind that you’ll be able to keep your new purchase safe from thieves.

Portability

Portable folding e-bikes offer an exciting new way to get around. Whether you’re planning on a short bike ride on a nearby trail or a longer journey to explore a new town or city, these foldable bikes are the perfect option for anyone who needs a little extra boost on the road.

With a folding e-bike, you’ll have the flexibility to take your bike securely to the destination of your choice with the added bonus of an extra push of power along the way.

Whether you are exploring a new path, city, or country, you can now confidently traverse your journey knowing that you have a reliable form of transportation that you can take almost anywhere..

Recreation

A folding e bike is an ideal companion for exploration, recreation, and adventure. Taking one of these bikes on your next outing can offer the perfect combination of convenience, portability, and fun.

You can buy folding bikes with fat tires that roll through mud, snow, and sand — and take them with you wherever you go.

Commuting

Folding e bikes are a great option for those looking to commute to work. Not only are they more environmentally friendly than a car, they are also more convenient, allowing commuters to maneuver around traffic jams and parking headaches.

Foldable electric bikes can easily be taken on public transport or carried into the office. This means that you can get to work with much less stress and hassle.

Ebikes are also a great way to stay in shape even when on the way to work. Or you can take it easy when you need to hold back and not overexert yourself. With many models having speeds of up to 20 mph, you’ll be able to get to work faster while still getting the exercise you need…. or not.

If you’re looking for a more convenient, fun, and healthy way to get to work, investing in a folding ebike may just be the perfect solution.

profile shot of an electric bike with cargo baskets on front and back

Best Budget Go-Anywhere Folding E Bikes

Finding the right folding e-bike can be a daunting task. There are so many different models and brands on the market. It’s important to think about the kind of terrain you’ll be tackling and the type of environment you’ll want to ride in when it comes to making your choice.

Some folding e-bikes are made for off-road use, such as trails and gravel roads, while others are designed for city and suburban commuting.

Some folding e bikes, however, can go anywhere, with fat, knobby tires and tough frames.

Lectric XP 3.0

The Lectric XP 3.0 is a foldable electric bike available with a large 672Wh battery that can cover up to 65 miles of range. (Its standard battery promises up to 45 miles.)

The XP 3.0 can also be outfitted with a passenger kit, as mentioned, as well additional storage racks, baskets, panniers, etc.

At 64 lbs, the XP 3.0 is not a light carry, but for under $1000, it delivers all the features of a full size fat tire electric bike while collapsing down to about half the footprint. 

The Lectric XP 3.0 comes in both a step thru and more standard frame edition, and both of these models are foldable. 

Look out for our full review of the XP 3.0 coming soon. 

GOTRAX F2 E Bike - $799

Gotrax F2 E-bike riding on freeway
+7 more
Air 2022Air 2023

The Gotrax F2 is the exact type of e-bike to look at if you are wanting a solid first e-bike. Its relatively small size and folding capabilities make it just about as compact as an adult ebike can be, but still delivers the performance, quality and features to make it fun and versatile.

The $799 price tag makes this one of the best values on the market for an electric bike with high top speed, long range, off-road capability, room for cargo, and a space-saving form factor.

pros icon of thumbs up
PROS
5 speed modes for all rider levels
Fat 3 inch wide tires cover all terrain
Long range
Room for cargo
Folding and compact
cons icon of thumbs down
CONS
Throttle a little jumpy
Braking could be better

Technical Specifications

top speed icon of speedometer
Tested Top Speed:
20 mph
water resistance icon of raining cloud
Water Resistance:
IPX4
Tested Weight icon of a scale
Max Rider Weight:
265 lb
weight icon of kettlebell
Weight:
58 lb
tested range icon of a path between to points
Tested Range:
22.1 mi
Based on our independent performance tests which may differ from manufacturer’s claims.
The GOTRAX F2 is available in United States from Gotrax.
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