It would have a higher score if it had any of the following: belt drive (1 point), mid drive motor position (1 point), single speed or internal gear hub transmission (1 point), front disc brakes (0. Regular inspections and adjustments can help identify any issues early on and prevent costly repairs down the road. A mobile app lets you tweak the amount of assistance you get from the motor and check your battery level while you ride. A smaller bike will get you less dirty looks on a crowded train, but will often tend to be more skittish when unfolded at your destination.

At just over 12kg it’s light enough to lift on and off trains, and it will take mudguards to keep the grime at bay on damp days.If you’ve got a bigger budget and want some electric assistance, you can’t go wrong with the Gocycle G4.

With more of a focus on the rider experience yet still folding down small enough to take on public transport, they’re also popular with frequent flyers who want to explore upon arrival. It is suitable for anyone, whether they are just getting into cycling or they are a seasoned cyclist. We offer 10 days free cover with all new bikes purchased, provided by our insurance partner VeloLife. The traction control is a great feature – we often felt it kicking in to keep us safe when pushing the bike hard on slippery autumn roads – and we were impressed by the power of the hydraulic disc brakes, too. At the same time, storage at home will also take up less space, and they’ll also comfortably fit into the boot of a car or even your normal baggage allowance if travelling by air.Generally speaking, non-folding bikes can be taken on the above-ground sections of the TfL network outside of peak hours, but aren’t allowed in deeper tunnel sections as non-folding bikes can block access in emergencies. Internal hub gears offer multiple gears but are located within the hub of the rear wheel, making them low maintenance and weather-resistant.

On expiry of the deferral period, interest accrued during the deferral period will be applied to your repayments. The ORUS Unisex’s Folding Bike is a bike that was design for adults who want to get back into biking without the hassle of carrying around a bulky bike. And non-folding bikes are only allowed on some sections of the Elizabeth line, and only at certain times. This clever bike features 7 speed Shimano gears, 20'' tyres, pump, battery lights at the front and rear for safety and a padded saddle for comfort and is fully equipped withmudguards to ensure dirt on your travels is not a problem. Coming in single-speed, hub-geared, and electric versions, none are cheap, but if you want the world’s lightest folder this is where you’ll find it.It’s small enough to leave in your car for weekend adventures, and the dark blue paint job looks really smart. All the bikes featured take a different approach to solving this longstanding design conundrum, but which offers the best balance between practicality and performance? Of course, if you’re looking for something with a bit more assistance, and don’t mind a little extra weight, you might also consider an electric folding bike. But that extra practicality often comes with a weight penalty – clever folding systems tend to add bulk, while frames are often beefed up to cope with the extra stresses and strains placed on them.

It’s got a 250W motor built into the front wheel, which Brompton claims will help whisk you along for between 25-50 miles. The front and rear brakes are quick and easy to operate, and the rear derailleur is design for an easy, comfortable ride.

It’s a great choice for urban commuters as the drivetrain is covered to stop you getting oil on your clothes, and the wheels are mounted on one side only so you don’t need to take them off to repair punctures. Alpha Trade LTD’s success and commitment to innovation has also led to the formation of multiple new companies that work alongside its core business. Easily the sort of thing you could happily spend all day riding, their large 24-inch wheels, conventional geometry, and wide range of gears make them almost indistinguishable from a conventional machine. If you’d rather go for a big name, we’d recommend any of Brompton’s C line range, both the C line urban and the electric C line explore. This bike came to prominence back in 2016 when it was used by Team GB members used during downtime at the Rio Olympics.