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Folding bike – these tips will help you with your purchase

The practical folding bikes have become an indispensable part of the cityscape. You see them everywhere and for good reason. The foldable bikes are practical and space-saving. The folding bikes are easy to transport even in narrow trains and buses.

Von Fabian Huber  |  5 minutes read time

Klapprad – diese Tipps helfen Dir beim Kauf
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: December 16, 2022  |  Updated: June 28, 2024

There are important points to consider so that you can buy a suitable folding bike. Our blog article will help you and give you helpful tips on the subject of folding bikes. We answer frequently asked questions and explain how you can travel safely with a folding bike.

The right size – what inches and weight say about a folding bike

Size plays a crucial role in a folding bike. The frame and tires are slightly smaller so that the bike can be folded up to save space. This means that you cannot compare the conventional sizes of a bicycle with those of a folding bike. Folding bikes have their own size specifications.

The frame size of folding bikes is also uniform across different models. If you are 150 - 195 cm tall, riding a folding bike is completely problem-free.

What differs between the bikes is the wheel size. Most models are between 14 and 24 inches. Folding bikes with a size of 20 inches are particularly popular and not without reason! With this wheel size you can ride comfortably and at the same time store it in a space-saving manner.

Tip: Pay attention to the weight. If you want to use the bike every day to travel from the train to the office or if you have to carry it up several steps, the folding bike should weigh between 10 and 15 kg. E-bike folding bikes are a bit heavier, but many models only weigh 20 kg.

Does the folding bike fit my height?

Folding bikes have a smaller frame and wheels, which is why they are not suitable for every body size. Although you can choose between different inch sizes, even larger bikes have a limit in terms of body size and maximum rider weight.

If you are over 195 cm tall, a folding bike can become too small. Trekking bikes like our Milano or Ibiza models are a good alternative. If you want to take the e-bikes with you on vacation, all you need is a bike rack for your car and your vacation can begin. You can also take them on public transport without any problem.

Folding process – what you need to pay attention to

A folding bike is only really practical when the advantages of its size can be used optimally. It is therefore crucial that a folding bike has a small folding size. The number of folding hinges plays a key role in this.

Practical plus of the myvélo models:

  • foldable saddle and pedals

  • the handlebar can be folded down

  • large folding hinge in the middle

An important criterion is the folding process itself. If you want to use the bike on public transport, it is helpful to be able to fold it up quickly. That is why we use an easy-to-use folding lock on our models. The bike can be opened and closed easily in just a few steps. This saves time and nerves in stressful situations. Safety during the ride is important to us, which is why we only use double-secured folding mechanisms.

For smooth driving – the gearshift

Quality and the number of gears - both criteria are important for a good driving experience. A derailleur gear system combines both elements. The gear system is ideal for everyday driving and is a perfect match for powerful rear engines.

Tip: A folding bike with 7 gears is ideal for daily trips with hills and steep sections. Gear shifts from high-quality manufacturers such as Shimano also offer durability and enable easy shifting.

Safe on the road with high-quality brakes

The brake is an important feature of a bicycle. It ensures safety, which is why you should never skimp on brakes. Important feature: The brake should be easy to operate.

Disc or rim brakes are often used on folding bikes. Rim brakes are attached directly to the side of the rim. A cable connects the brake lever to the brake calliper. If braking is necessary, the rim is clamped here. Disc brakes, on the other hand, are attached to the hub. This placement ensures that the brakes have more power and are more precise.

Mechanical or hydraulic?
A hydraulic brake requires oil and brake fluid to work properly. Mechanical brakes work with a pull that brings the bike to a stop quickly.

Easy to remember: Mechanical disc brakes have high braking power and are low maintenance. That's why our myvélo folding bikes are equipped with disc brakes.

The practical advantages of a folding e-bike

If you want to travel faster with your folding bike, you shouldn't do without electric support. To make the folding e-bike a great addition, a high-quality battery and motor are crucial.

To ensure that riding fun is guaranteed, a long range is important. That's why the MYVELO bikes are equipped with a high-quality battery and motor. With a range of over 70 km, you can master short and long distances with the folding bikes.

Additional functions provide comfort

Do you like to go out in the woods and want something a little more sporty? Conventional folding bikes often reach their limits when it comes to such requirements. The fat-tire bike offers a safe alternative. The thick tires are not only an eye-catcher, they also ensure stability at high speeds.

A practical extra is electric support. With a folding e-bike, you can travel quickly and benefit from the support when pedaling.

These advantages are combined in our Rio and Palma bikes. The combination of folding bike, e-bike and fat bike ensures riding fun, functionality and safety.

Tip: The Rio folding bike has a low entry. If you want to get on and off even easier, this model is the right choice.

This is what a good folding bike should have:

  • This is what a good folding bike should have:
  • height-adjustable seat and handlebars
  • no tools are required for the folding process
  • as low a weight as possible
  • high-quality gearshift and brakes
  • Electronic support is ideal

It is also important that the bike is equipped in accordance with the German Road Traffic Act. If the folding bike does not meet these requirements, it may not be ridden on public roads. To meet these requirements, it must have a bell, reflectors, lights and special red reflectors.

The most important points briefly summarized

If you want to buy a folding bike or e-bike, think about your daily routes. The area of ​​use of the bikes largely determines which functions are necessary. Also consider the following before buying:

  • Size

  • Weight

  • folded size

  • gearshift and brake

  • battery and motor

  • Additional features

If you want to buy a folding bike and think about the points mentioned above beforehand, you will get a lot of joy from the bike. You can also decide for yourself how comfortable the new bike should be. We recommend a folding e-bike, which will provide you with optimal support on your everyday journeys.

What is the difference between a folding bike and a folding bike?
How do you recognize good electric folding bikes?

Further information and frequently asked questions zu Folding bike – these tips will help you with your purchase

Get advice from cycling enthusiasts

The cost of a folding bike varies depending on the model. High-quality bikes cost up to €3,000. You can pay up to €5,000 for a comfortable folding e-bike.

If you want to buy a folding bike, you should look for good features. High-quality brakes, a practical folding process and equipment that complies with the German Road Traffic Act are important. You should also pay attention to the size of the wheels. For people over 195 cm tall, a trekking or SUV bike is a great alternative.

A folding bike can usually be folded up at several points. The most important point is the folding mechanism in the middle of the bike. At this point, the bike can be easily folded up in just a few steps.

The size of many folding bikes is 20 inches. This is partly because this size is suitable for many body sizes. On the other hand, the format ensures that the folding bike is small when folded.

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