All You Need to Know About Folding Electric Bikes

Simply put, a folding ebike is an electric bike designed to fold into a more compact form. This is done mostly for easy transportation and storage.

The market for folding electric bikes in Los Angeles has exploded in the past few years, motivating manufacturers to come up with unique designs, a wide range of features, and nearly all price brackets targeting every budget under the sun.

With so much in the way of variety, choosing the right folding ebike in the USA for you can be difficult. It’s a big investment that shouldn’t be made on an impulse.

The good thing about folding ebikes is that you can always sell them later on if you change your mind, but take too long and the laws of devaluation will kick in, meaning, you’ll suffer a few losses in the process.

In this guide, we’ll try to help you better understand if a folding ebike is the ideal option for you, and in doing so, determine the best type for you (we’ll also discuss the best Ancheer folding electric bike in 2021).

Folding eBikes vs. Conventional eBikes

Before you commit yourself to a folding ebike, you should look at a few key decisions to make an informed decision.

Ask yourself if you really need a folding ebike

This should be the first question you should consider before dropping the big bucks on folding ebikes. It’s the only way to minimize any regrets at a later stage. Most people buy folding ebikes under the notion that it is cheaper than normal electric bikes, which is almost never the case.

They assume that since the folding electric bikes fold up and resemble children’s toys, they’re probably not the real deal, and therefore, should have a lower price tag. Like most items, there are many choices of folding ebikes at different price levels that target different users.  

What Will You Be Using this Folding eBike For?

Are you hoping to travel around with this ebike or joy ride around the park? Do you plan on riding long distances or do you plan on going off-roading? The answer to these questions will reveal if you want to buy a folding electric bike at all (especially the best Ancheer folding electric bike, because those things will cost an arm and a leg!).

When it comes to normal cycling, it helps to know what you’ll be using it for to pick an ebike that best suits you.

You might like the idea of having the best Ancheer folding electric bike that can be stored in the back of your car easily, but transportation shouldn’t be the sole reason to purchase it.  

• Best Electric Mountain Bike with Removable Battery

Electric Bike Size

A cursory look at the market will reveal that not all folding ebikes are the best fit for all riders. The same goes for the best Ancheer folding electric bike and their full-sized variants.

Chances are, most folding ebikes (especially those sold by reputable manufacturers) will accommodate a range of heights, and the approach isn’t always foolproof.

What’s the point in buying something if it’s not going to be right for you in terms of size? This is especially true for people who are smaller (or larger) than average trends.

Check out 4 Best Electric Bikes with Child Seat

Reasons to Buy the Best Ancheer Folding Electric Bike

Space considerations

If you live in a small apartment or share the same space with other residents, you might want to utilize every single square foot possible.

Folding electric bikes in Los Angeles do a fairly decent job of not adding to the clutter and can be tucked underneath stairs and squeeze into smaller spaces effortlessly. This makes them ideal for smaller apartments.

Commuting

In California, a folding electric bike may be allowed in several areas, subject to local laws and regulations. In general, if you’re traveling at a slower pace than traffic, you can take the ‘lane’ if it’s not wide enough for a bike and a vehicle to safely share side by side.

However, if you can keep up with the traffic, you can ride whatever you want, even the best Ancheer folding electric bike.

Just make sure to check in with the local laws before taking your folding electric bike in Los Angeles for a ride.

Transportation is a Breeze

Being able to fold up an ebike and toss it in your trunk (or even your backpack) greatly expands your transportation options. Leave it to major cycle manufacturers to develop innovative design concepts that fit nicely in the trunk of a regular car.

When folded up, the best Ancheer folding electric bike can fit at the back of your car and look like it belongs there.

At the end of the day, it mostly boils down to what you’re using the electric bike for.

If you’re looking for sheer performance, a conventional non-folding electric bike is a better choice.

Let’s assume that your heart is set on a folding electric bike for non-competitive use. How should you go about buying one? Let’s make a checklist to answer this question.

Pricing

In California, Los Angeles, folding electric bikes can range between an estimated $400 and $4000+ depending on the quality and features.

If you toss breakaway bikes into the mix, the most expensive options, and will cost you the most depending because of the components.

And remember the unspoken rule of capitalism: you get what you pay for. So if you want something that offers more performance bang for your buck, you’ll have to become more flexible with pricing.

Weight

The weight will determine how much effort you’ll need to exert in order to ride the bike, and if it is practical to transport it easily. Your goal should be to match the ebike based on your chosen activity and if your body allows it.

For instance, some riders might be struggling with a back condition that prevents them from lifting heavyweights.

It is worth mentioning that some folding electric bikes are generally heavier than their full-sized counterparts despite being smaller. This makes sense because the folding system adds at least 10kgs or more of weight.

Then there is the safety consideration to these bikes. Lighter bikes mean you can’t add much baggage to them.

Folding Mechanism

There are different types of folding options available, each with its fair share of pros and cons. Among the most popular is the mid horizontal fold design. This design places less stress on the frame, which is important since you’ll be doing this several times in a day and might even be carrying heavier loads.

Then comes the triangle hinge vertical fold ebike, which is steadily getting more popular.

This type of folding ebike tackles the issue of stress points, and may also come with built-in suspension. The third and least popular option is the swivel fold.

Some electric bikes in Detroit may feature two to three different folds for even more compactness (such as the ones by Brompton) or those that don’t require much disassembly (Ori or Reach).

You can also choose from break-away folding ebikes that can be disassembled to fit into travel bags.

Ease of Transport

This depends on the total weight of the folding ebike as well as its overall compactness.

Most folding ebikes cannot be wheeled when folded. This can become a huge hassle if you’re forced to carry it around in restricted areas such as the inside of buildings or train platforms.

You might want to consider if you plan on traveling with the ebike because some folding ebikes are easier to carry on a plane.

Wheel Size

Folding ebikes can be found in a variety of wheel sizes. If you want more compactness, you should go with the 16” wheel size for the best results.

In general, smaller wheels are more durable and robust, owing to their smaller spoke lengths. That said, riding on smaller wheels will make you feel every bump and imperfection on the road.

If that is something you would rather avoid, you might want to opt for the larger 20” sizes that feel much better on a road. There are also folding ebikes that can match the speed of conventional ebikes thanks to their larger 26-27” wheels.

Smaller wheels are extremely fast in terms of acceleration and are great for city riding. However, a larger wheel will always give superior results on the road because it’s easier to maintain constant speeds.

Suspension

Most folding ebikes have an aluminum construction, which means they’re not that good at absorbing shock-like traditional steel frames.

Some models will come with no suspension at all. Some options (like the best Ancheer folding electric bike) may have front or rear suspension integrated into the folding mechanism.

And indeed, some may have both options. For example, the Ancheer Folding Electric Bike comes with a high-strength front suspension fork that makes riding extremely comfortable while also keeps you safe.

The front suspension fork is particularly useful when cornering, and makes it easy to ride on a straighter line. 

Compatibility with Upgrades

Is the folding electric bike in Detroit compatible with standard electric bike components or does it only work with specialized parts only? This is definitely true in the case of tire sizes because there are so many limited options for smaller wheels.

Some folding ebikes also make use of proprietary technology that isn’t compatible with full-sized electric bikes.

As a general rule, it is better to find an option that works best across a wide range of upgrades.

Availability

There are many folding electric bikes in Detroit available out there, and it can be tough to figure out which one to purchase.

You’ll also have to know if the bike retailer can handle servicing for the bike, or if they have parts so you could do it yourself? What types of warranty does the retailer offer? What is their relationship with the manufacturer?

In today’s interconnected era, we have the opportunity to place an order online, but in most cases, you’re doing so at the risk of not having any support in the event you’ll need repairs. If it is a reputable company, like Ancheer, then you should be good to go.

However, if you are ordering from a foreign company, that just means a bit more hassle for warranty claims and the like.

Our advice is to create rapport with the sales representatives of the company before placing an order. See if they genuinely engage with you or if they send canned responses. That is a great way to test if they’re willing to help in the future.

Motor

Most folding ebikes cut off assistance at about 20mph, which means they’re considered as a Class 1 category bike in the USA. They are powered by 250 to 350-watt motors, with most motors having a high peak wattage rating that they can hit for a few minutes.

Torque is also critical because it tells you how capable the motor is. Motors with higher torque feel more powerful and accelerated more quickly than motors with less torque. In general, the more powerful a motor, the more energy it uses.

For the most part, you should be satisfied with the 20mph speed limit on a folding ebike. If you want to upgrade to 28mph or higher speeds, the folding ebike will have to be upgraded to a more powerful motor and large battery. And that will just make the ebike heavier and more cumbersome.

Do You Plan on Extensively Traveling with Your Folding eBike

Can you travel extended distances on a folding ebike? In general, yes – as long as you keep your expectations realistic, that is. The fact of the matter is, most folding ebikes are made for ease of commute.

However, it is more difficult to travel on smaller wheels than on larger wheels. It’s more practical to use full-sized wheels because you will use less time and energy to cover the same amount of distance.

Bigger wheels let you ride with greater comfort and arrive on time, thereby saving time and energy. Another thing to consider with folding ebikes is that some of these products come with hinges on the frame. They are not designed to carry much weight (not more than 10kg) and aren’t meant for higher distances either.

Doing so will put a lot of torsional stress on the frame due to the extra load from all the pedaling. If you visit online forums, you’ll hear of horror stories where some folding ebike riders snapped their frame hinges from heavy usage.

This is why we recommend opting for folding ebikes that do not involve a hinge in the frame because this is a major stress point that can easily snap in half.

Finally, here is our recommendation for the best Ancheer folding electric bike.

Ancheer 20 Inch Wheel Folding City

Specification

• Range: 30 miles
• Motor: 250 watts
• Speed: 15mph
• Battery weight: 2.2kg
• Load Capacity: 150kg
• Battery: 36V 8A
• Pedal: Aluminum alloy pedal

Ancheer has been around for several years and we’ve done our fair share of reviews of their bikes, so it comes as no surprise that their products almost always make it to our list. This ebike is a cost-friendly bicycle that offers a lot in the way of performance.

Motor

This best Ancheer folding electric bike is powered by a 250W motor and will net you speeds of up to 15 mph. The acceleration is very and will keep the ride exciting.

There are two modes of power.

The assist mode helps you pedal manually while the ebike mode powers the entire bike so you can enjoy the ride without lifting a finger. All of this is controlled via a small display panel on the handlebar.

Frame

The best Ancheer folding electric bike comes with an aluminum alloy frame. This is standard fare as most folding ebikes go. The construction is durable and keeps the weight under control. The frame can be shrunk into a smaller size, which is perfect for transportation.

The front fork is made from high-strength carbon for good shock absorption capabilities, making the ebike suited for all terrains. The seat is properly adjusted and allows you to be fully comfortable.

Brakes

The ebike comes with front and rear disc brakes to ensure your ride remains safe at all times. The combined power of both brakes gives you good stopping power at very high speeds. You can easily bring the ebike to a full stop on a moment’s notice.

Overall, the brakes do a fairly decent job on most trails, with the exception of some minor squealing when breaking.

Wheels

This Ancheer ebike has 26” wheels made from a double-layered magnesium alloy for a stable ride across all terrains. Add the shock absorption capabilities thanks to the front forks, and you’re pretty much guaranteed to have a comfortable ride come what may.

Pros	Cons
Good design	Long charging time
Comfortable ride	Slightly heavier due to big tires
Foldable

Click here to check prices.

You may like the following electric bike articles:

• What are the Best 4 Wheel Electric Bikes?
• Best Fat Tire Electric Bikes with 1000W Power Output – 2021 Edition
• 4 Best Big Cat Electric Bikes
• 5 Cheapest Electric Bikes – 2021 List
• 5 Best Electric Trikes for Seniors
• Best 3-Wheel Electric Bikes
• How Long Does a Battery Last on an Electric Bike?

Wrapping Up

The professionals over at Ancheer outdid themselves with this folding electric bike. It comes with a durable frame, long-lasting battery, powerful motor, and dual mechanical brakes for a wonderful ride. It’s a bit astonishing they were able to do all of this under a price tag of $600.

If you were to ask us, we would easily consider this to be the best Ancheer folding electric bike in 2021. Let us know what you think in the comments section below.