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Electric folding bikes 20 inches: What are the most important tips for buying an electric folding bike?

If you are thinking about buying an electric folding bike, you will quickly see that there are a number of points that need to be taken into account. It goes without saying that this can be overwhelming.

Von Fabian Huber  |  4 minutes read time

Elektro Klappräder 20 Zoll: Was sind die wichtigsten Tipps für den Kauf eines E-Klapprads?
About the author Fabian Huber

Fabian founded MYVELO together with Vincent. The two share a long-standing passion for cycling. Together they have cycled thousands of kilometers and fought for victories in the German racing bike league. The idea of founding MYVELO arose from their many years of experience and knowledge of what makes a good bike. Find out more about MYVELO now

Published: April 29, 2021  |  Updated: July 16, 2024

If you choose the wrong folding bike, you won't be able to enjoy it for long and it might end up in a corner somewhere gathering dust. Of course, it shouldn't come to that, because in the best case scenario, an electric folding bike will become your daily companion that you won't want to do without. Below, we'll explain in more detail what you need to consider when buying folding bikes with a size of 16 to 20 inches.

Folding bikes with 20 inches - what is there to know

Basically, the most important thing is to think about what you want from an electric folding bike. There are now numerous different folding bikes with 20-inch tires on the market to choose from. There are men's and women's bikes and unisex models.

Much more important, however, is the question of what you actually want to use your folding e-bike for. If you only want to cover short distances on flat terrain with your folding e-bike and transport as little luggage as possible in the basket, an e-folding bike with an average battery power is perfectly sufficient.

If, on the other hand, you want to use a Pedelec to commute to work every day (longer distances) and possibly take it with you on the train, then you should choose a compact electric folding bike with a higher battery capacity for longer distances.


What are the most important features of 20-inch folding bikes?

If you plan to use your electric folding bike for cycling in normal traffic in the city, it is essential that it complies with the road traffic regulations. For this, features such as a bell, a lighting system, reflectors, rear lights with reflectors, red reflectors and other features are required. A powerful brake, a chain guard, mudguards and a bike stand should also be included.

With many models it is possible to attach a shopping basket or a luggage rack to the E-Bike folding bike.

Furthermore, these points are relevant for most people:

  • folding dimensions
  • Weight
  • reach
  • optics

The folding bike test: What should you pay attention to when buying?

There's no question about it - you should always start with a detailed folding bike test before blindly deciding on any model on the market. If you want to do yourself a favor when buying, you should pay attention to details. Unfortunately, a higher purchase price usually means better quality. It is therefore advisable to invest a little more in a high-quality model.


The frame of the E-Bike folding bike

First of all, it is important that when testing a folding bike, you make sure that the frame is as stable as possible. Of course, a folding e-bike must also be able to withstand a higher body weight without any problems. The welds in particular should be checked for clean workmanship.

The frame must not wobble when unfolded, but should be absolutely stable. The majority of folding bikes with 20-inch wheels are made of aluminum, which ensures a low weight. A carbon frame is significantly lighter, but these models have not been able to prevail because they come with an immensely higher purchase price.

The brakes on the E-Bike folding bike

The brakes on an e-bike should be as easy to adjust as possible and operate without much effort. The most important thing, however, is good braking power that works reliably even with little effort. If you buy an e-bike online, you obviously cannot know this without ordering it.

It is advisable to read the reviews of other buyers. This will usually give you a quick feel for whether a folding e-bike is equipped with high-quality, functional brakes or not. Basically, there are rim brakes and disc brakes, and it is important to distinguish between them. MYVELO uses disc brakes because they are more efficient and easier to maintain.

By the way: The rims of an e-bike are usually made of aluminum or steel, both of which are extremely robust. Aluminum is generally a good choice - especially compared to steel rims when weight is important. Unlike rim brakes, disc brakes do not place any load directly on the rim. This also means that there is no longer any risk of the rim being braked through.

The gear shift on the e-folding bike - what should you pay attention to when testing the folding bike?

There are two types of gears on folding e-bikes - derailleur gears and hub gears. The latter is more suitable for flat terrain without any particular challenges.

All you need to do is look for good workmanship and a reputable manufacturer - then you can't go wrong. Brands such as Shimano, Rohloff and SRAM are usually a good choice, as they can also send spare parts to the customer if required.

A 20 inch folding e-bike can be an excellent investment, especially if you are looking for a flexible, compact and environmentally friendly means of transport.

Conclusion: An e-folding bike offers many possibilities

Once you have decided to buy a new folding bike, you should take the time to do a quick check. Someone who commutes a lot and uses their bike for short distances at most needs a slightly different model than someone who wants to cover long distances and only wants to fold up the e-bike occasionally.

In some cases it may be useful to purchase a second battery to double the radius.

In the online shop, it is particularly easy to compare different models, and if you are still undecided, you can of course take a test drive. We offer all interested parties the option of testing our folding bikes free of charge on a test drive.


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