Best Folding Bikes Under $500, $300 – Review 2021

A foldable bike may not seem like a big deal at first, but they’re lifesavers! How many times have you commuted to work or somewhere else riding your traditional bike, only to find there’s nowhere to store it once you get there? It’s frustrating, as leaving them outside wouldn’t be safe.

That’s why foldable bikes are so convenient for a lot of people. They’re not that expensive either, with some being available in less than 500 dollars.

In this article, we’ll review some of the most useful foldable bikes currently available.

We’ve separated them into two categories, but first, let’s see why buying one of them would be a good idea.

Best Budget Folding Bikes Comparison in 2021

Benefits of Using Folding Bike

Here are some of the benefits of having one of these bikes;

Lightweight, Resistant & Durable

Foldable bikes are often lightweight, but they’re not any less resistant compared to other bikes. In fact, some of them are capable of supporting 230 pounds of weight.

Compact

After folding it, what you get is a compact bike that is easy to carry. You can put it in the car or store it at the office, ready to unfold and use it again once you finish with your work there.

Good for Your Body!

Just like any other bike, foldable bikes allow you to do some exercise while having a lot of fun. If you want to take a break, you have to do nothing more than to fold it.

5 Best Folding Bikes under $500

Let’s start by reviewing foldable bikes available below 500 dollars. These bikes are a bit expensive, but their quality is incredible and worth the money.

SwagCycle Pro Folding Electric Bike

It isn’t an exaggeration to say this bike is an incredible piece of engineering. Out of the products reviewed here, this bike is easily the most innovative and modern.

Apart from great aesthetics, the build features a sturdy, robust, and foldable frame that supports up to 264 pounds.

Just like the frame, the stem and handlebars fold too, making it easier to carry the bike from one place to another.

Since it’s an electric bike, you can let it do the entire job for you once you get tired.

The battery included is quite powerful, allowing you to reach up to 18 mph through the app for better optimization.

Whether you ride over a plain surface or up to 12-degrees hills, the bike does both pretty well.

If you want to use the app, you’ll need an iOS or Android device. Establishing the connection is quick, and once you do, you can use the phone to track information like speed, GPS, and more.

Taking your phone with you shouldn’t be a problem, as the bike features a USB port to keep it charged at all times.And if you decide to purchase this bike, you should be aware of some stuff.

First, the bike is way too different from the traditional bicycle, so it may take a couple of rides before you get used to it. The other thing is the lack of shock absorption.

Those are the only two issues you can expect while using the bike. Now that you’re aware of them, you’ll be in a better position to take care of them.

Specifications:

Wheel Size	10 Inches
Brake Style	Disc
Number of Speeds	4
Suspension Type	Rigid
Bike Weight	30.4 lbs
Charging Time	3~4 hours
Max Load	264 lbs
Battery	37v 4.4 Ah Lithium-ion

KESPOR K7 20” Folding Bike for Adults

Although not as innovative as the previous product, this bike from KESPOR still has plenty of remarkable features for your benefit.

First, the use of aluminum for the frame’s build, making it durable and easy to fold when needed.

The bike is available in different colors, including black, white, blue, and navy. For the speeds, it features Shimano’s Twist Shifter, which offers a 7-speed mechanism.

Other than being foldable, the bike performs well over different surfaces due to the quality of the gear system.

Also, to compensate for the speed capability, the bike features front and rear disc brakes made of aluminum alloy.

Under your command, the brakes put the wheels to a smooth stop, ensuring your safety on the road.

Another pleasant addition is the saddle. It feels comfortable throughout the ride, and riders can adjust the seat post to make it suitable for them too.

The total weight this bike supports is 230 pounds, covering riders with different physique.

Diverse heights shouldn’t be a problem either, as the seat adapts to riders from under five feet and past six feet tall.

Once folded, the bike measures 31x14x26 inches, making it compact to carry it in the back of the car, or at the office after you get there.

Before using the bike, you may have to make some adjustments first. There are problems with the alignment of both the handlebar and the neck, and they may require you to loosen it using an Allen key. Of course, that’s only if you consider it necessary.

Specifications:

Wheel Size	20 Inches
Brake Style	Disc
Number of Speeds	7
Suspension Type	Rigid
Item Weight	29 Pounds
20″ Alloy Wheels	Yes
Rim Material	Double-wall Aluminum
Rear carrying rack	Yes

Related Guide: best Gravel Bikes Under $3000

Dohiker 14-inch Electric Folding Bicycle

If you intend to go on a long ride, it’d be better to have a long-lasting battery to get you there.

The following electric bike from Dohiker offers that benefit, as it features an efficient battery capable of running 25 to 30 km in electric mode only, and 45-60 km in moped mode.

Other than the modes mentioned above, electric and moped, the bike offers a third mode: the pure manpower mode.

It’s an effective method to exercise your body and increase your energy. As for the other two, well, the electric mode is suitable when the rider gets tired, and moped is useful during aerobic exercise.

For its build, the bike features an aluminum alloy shell, which is capable of putting up a total weight of 120 kg.

Other than being highly resistant, this material is quite durable, guaranteeing the bike becomes a long-term investment.

Of course, your comfort is also important. Because of that, the bike offers an adjustable handlebar and saddle.

Both the handlebar and the saddle are easy to adjust, and they’re capable of adapting to the rider’s height perfectly.The height supported is between 160cm to 190cm.

As it couldn’t be any other way, there’s also a built-in LED screen. Through the screen, you can keep track of the riding mode, the bike’s speed, the remaining battery power, and the distance traveled. Additionally, there’s a built-in USB port too.

Once you finish the ride, you can proceed to fold the bike. This process may take some time, but don’t get frustrated. Over time, you’ll do it faster and faster.

EuroMini ZiZZO Urbano

You’ll see plenty of EuroMini bikes reviewed in this article. The Urbano 20” bike is the first one, and it’s one of the good folding bikes under $500 for sure.

It features a lightweight aluminum frame, which, as the name states, folds easily for more convenience.

The high-quality components are outstanding because they allow the bike to put up with a lot of abuse.

Whether your height is below five feet or over six feet, you can rest assured the bike will adapt to your body to make the ride more comfortable.

Not only will the bike accommodate the height of your body, but the weight too. The maximum weight capacity the bike holds goes up to 240 lbs, allowing a variety of riders to enjoy the bike comfortably.

Besides being comfortable, the EuroMini Urbano is highly efficient too. Not only does it feature an outstanding Shimano 8-speed derailleur, but it also comes with Shimano shifter and cassette gears for better performance.

Since speed doesn’t mean much without good wheels, there’s a pair of Kenda multi-terrain tires, which are ultra-light and will do well over most surfaces.

The rims are incredible as well, featuring a double-wall design.
However, controlling the bike could be a bit of a problem.

That’s because the handlebar is too sensitive, turning at the slightest touch even if it’s unintentional.

Customers would have to check that before first use to prevent unpleasant incidents from happening.

Another issue is the instruction manual, as some sections are too blurry to understand.

Specifications:

Wheel Size	20 Inches
Brake Style	Linear Pull
Number of Speeds	8
Suspension Type	Rigid
Item Weight	24.5 Pounds
Frame	20″ 6160 Aluminum Alloy
Handlebar	6° Sweep Black 54cm
Tires	Kenda Kommuter 20×2.0″

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EuroMini ZiZZO 20″ Heavy Duty Folding Bike

Here’s another EuroMini bike. If you liked the previous one for its endurance, then you’ll love this one too.

Instead of putting up with 240 lbs, this heavy-duty bike will hold a total of 300 lbs! EuroMini has definitely earned its popularity by offering bikes for everyone.

That being said, if you’re familiar with the brand, you’ll recognize most of the components featured in this bike.

You get the traditional lightweight aluminum frame, adjustable handlebar and stem, and adjustable seat post, among others.

A couple of pleasant additions are the fenders and the cargo rack. The fenders are at the front and back, keeping dust and debris from getting your clothes dirty.

Additionally, the cargo rack is pretty helpful to carry your stuff with you along the way.

True to the brand’s style, this EuroMini bike comes with the 7-speed Shifter, and 11-28T cassette gears, with 7 speeds too.

Depending on the road and your needs, adapting the bike’s speed won’t be a problem at all. You get to do it quickly with a hand movement.

Of course, the bike folds too, which is the reason it’s on this list. There’s a magnet catcher that will hold the bike together after folding it, securing there aren’t any incidents afterward.

Pretty much everything about this bike is great. People have pointed out that the bike consumes as much space folded as it does unfolded, but that’s not the case.

The only thing truly missing is color variety, because the current designs aren’t that good-looking.

Specifications:

Wheel Size	20 Inches
Brake Style	Linear Pull
Number of Speeds	7
Suspension Type	Rigid
Item Weight	29 Pounds
sport type	Cycling

5 Best Folding Bikes under $300

Next, we’ll discuss the top foldable bikes under 300 dollars. Don’t let the lower price fool you, though; bikes in this category have a lot to offer.

Bkisy Tricycle 26’’ Wheels & 7-speed Mechanism

The first product is perhaps the most impressive folding bike since it’s not the classic bicycle but rather a tricycle. It features three 26” wheels, and 7-speed system to meet your demands.

Also, the bike looks great too, showing red, blue, and white colors. Yes, just like the flag.

With carbon steel used for its build, the frame is durable and resistant. It’s anti-rust, anti-corrosion, and it will support a total weight of 110 kg, including the rider and cargo.

Even with a heavy load, the wheels are always stable, and they never disappoint.

Riders will be able to load the cargo in the large basket located at the rear. The size of this container makes it possible to store and move fruits, food, tools, small appliances, and more.

As mentioned earlier, the 7-speed Shimano drivetrain is another one of the tricycle’s top features.

It allows the riders to change speeds both easily and quickly, which is pretty useful in case of an emergency.

Regardless of how fast or slow you’re going, the bike quickly adapts to your demands.

Other than the adjustable speed, the bike features front V-brake and rear brake, doubling down the rider’s safety on the road.

This dual brake system guarantees smooth and sudden stops if needed.
Riders will also enjoy the adjustable padded seat since it’s extra-large, and it comes with springs for more cushioning.

Also, there’s a soft backrest that helps to improve your comfort on the road.
Unfortunately, not everything’s good.

The tricycle looks like a lot of fun, but inexperienced riders could have trouble with the instructions since they’re not clear.

Specifications:

Wheel Size	26 Inches
Brake Style	Linear Pull
Number of Speeds	7
Suspension Type	Rigid
Item Weight	66.3 Pounds
Load Capacity	220lbs

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EuroMini ZiZZO 20” Via Folding Bike

Foldability is a feature that makes the bikes convenient to carry around. However, if the bike isn’t lightweight, then the fact that it folds means nothing.

That’s pretty clear to the creators of the next bike, which features light aluminum alloy, weighing only 27 lbs approximately.

The aluminum build not only makes the bike lightweight but also reliable. Even over rough surfaces, the vibrations received are minimum, guaranteeing your comfort at all times.

Also, the wheels do a pretty good job too at absorbing the shock from bumps.

Another benefit of buying this bike is how easy it adapts to the riders. Size doesn’t seem to matter, as the adjustable stem can support people below five feet and way over six feet equally.

This bike features stainless steel cassette, combined with high-quality Shimano 7-speed derailleur.

Whether you’re riding over hills or plain surfaces, the bike tackles both efficiently.

Additionally, the aluminum derailleur hanger absorbs impacts, preventing any damage to the derailleur.

For the rider’s safety, the bike comes with aluminum alloy V-brakes attached, which are lightweight and effective.

Under your command, the brakes will have the power needed to stop the wheels.

As a nice addition, the bike also includes front and rear fenders attached. These components keep debris away, allowing your clothes to remain clean during the ride.

Moreover, the only issue with this bike is the seat, which is not as comfortable as you’d expect. In most cases, people have had to replace it shortly after starting to use the bike.

Specifications:

Wheel Size	20 Inch
Brake Style	Linear Pull
Number of Speeds	7
Suspension Type	Rear, Front
Item Weight	26.5 Pounds
Frame	20″ 6160 Aluminum Alloy
Handlebar	6° BackSweep Black
Tires	Kenda Khan 20×1.95″
Weight Capacity	240 Lbs

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EuroMini ZiZZO Campo

Convenient would be a good word to describe this bike. The aluminum alloy stem folds easily, and there are several adjustable features included to keep you comforted during your rides.

For instance, if needed, you can rotate the handlebar to adapt it to your position. But that’s not all! The height of the seat post is also adjustable, allowing you to set it in the most comfortable position too.

Once set, the alloy clamps keep ever secured and at the height of your preference.

Much like the other bikes, this one comes with the Shimano 7-speed Tourney Derailleur as well. This component is rust-resistant, just like the chain, to endure tough surfaces.

With the many speeds available, it’s only natural the bike includes controls to keep the ride safe.

The Shimano Revoshift grip shifter comes included in the handlebar. This mechanism is highly responsive, allowing you to shift speeds on the road without a hassle.

Of course, the ride eventually ends. The bike features front and rear V-brakes to get you to your destinations safely.

These brakes are lightweight, and their response is top-notch, putting the wheels to a smooth stop as soon as you need it.

The weight of the bike is 28 lbs, making it reasonably lightweight. Even though it’s light, it’ll still put up with 240 lbs.

Besides the aluminum alloy stem, the pedals also fold. After folding everything, the magnetic frame catch keeps the bike secure.

Although everything else is perfect, the wheels aren’t the best. Many customers pointed out that the composite rubber used is too soft, and they recommend replacing them.

Specifications:

Wheel Size	20 Inches
Brake Style	Cantilever
Number of Speeds	7
Suspension Type	No
Item Weight	28.5 Pounds
Max Weight Capacity	240 lbs.
Derailleur	Shimano Tourney
Rim Material	Aluminum Alloy
Tire Style	2″ Multi-terrain

Schwinn Loop 20-inch Adult Folding Bike w/ Rear Carry Rack

Without a doubt, one of the most appealing aspects of this bike is the frame’s curved design.

It looks classy as none other, and there are different colors available like black, silver, and white too! All of them look great. However, there’s far more to this bike than its looks.

For example, the bike supports six-foot riders comfortably, and it’s capable of folding for easy carrying around.

As you can see, the bike isn’t necessarily small, but it is once it’s folded.
Other convenient features are the pant guard and the fenders, which are at the front and rear.

These components keep the dirt and debris away, guaranteeing the riders reach their destination with clean clothes.

Additionally, the bike includes a rear carry rack and a nylon carry bag. You can take your items with you by loading them on the rack, and the bag is useful to keep the bike secure after folding it.

Once it arrives in your hands, the bike comes pre-assembled, requiring barely any effort on your part to finish the assembly.

The frame isn’t only stylish but also durable and resistant. Its total weight is 33 pounds, which is relatively lightweight. As for the wheels, they measure 20 inches.

What about the saddle, though? That’s a bit of a pickle. It’d be easier to find people that don’t like it rather than those who do.

In some cases, customers have ordered a separate saddle to replace the one included as soon as the package arrives.

Specifications:

Wheel Size	20 Inches
Brake Style	Cantilever
Number of Speeds	7
Suspension Type	No
Item Weight	33 Pounds
Light Alloy Folding Frame	Yes
Front and Rear V-Brakes	Yes
Best Use	Commuting
Full Wrap Fenders	Yes

Xspec 26″ 21-speed Mountain Bike

Closing up our good folding bikes under $300, we have the Xspec 26-inch, a mountain bike with 21-speed functions.

This mechanism allows you to ride the bike at either low or high speeds, as you see fit depending on the environment around you.

It’s a powerful bike, and there’s no denying that. Naturally, due to its speed capabilities, the bike needs high-quality brakes too.

That’s why the disc brake technology featured is incredible, as it improves the traditional stopping power you’d see in the V-brakes systems.

Another interesting feature is the dual steel suspension system, both at the front and back.

It allows the bike to ride smoothly, which translates to more comfort for the riders. And the double-wall rimmed wheels are also comfortable, as they resist pretty well over tough surfaces.

The frame, which features high-tensile steel, is also durable. Even though the bike isn’t the lightest, weighing 42 lbs approximately, carrying it around folded shouldn’t be a problem.

In fact, the folding latch will secure the folding mechanism to maintain the bike compact.

After ordering the bike, it arrives well-packaged. Most of the parts come already assembled, but you still need to do some work to attach the rest of the pieces.

Luckily, if you have some experience, the assembly is an easy process that won’t give you headaches.

If you don’t have any experience assembling bikes, the process may be a little tough. It’s even worse considering that the instructions included are for a different model.

Another issue is the low-quality of the pedals. You may end up replacing them after some time.

Specifications:

Wheel Size	26 Inches
Brake Style	Disc
Number of Speeds	21
Suspension Type	Dual
Item Weight	42 Pounds

Things to Consider before Buying

If you want to find a remarkable foldable bike, consider the next information before making your final decision.

Build

First and foremost, you want your bike to be durable. Consider buying a foldable bike featuring materials like aluminum or steel, as they’re often the most resistant and long-lasting.

Adjustable Parts

Since every rider is different, a foldable bike with adjustable parts is a must.

Components like the handlebar and the seat post must be easy to adapt to your body, or else, you’ll find yourself in an uncomfortable position.

Comfortable

Most of the time, the saddles included in the purchase are just not good, requiring people to change it as soon as possible.

Keep this issue in mind in case you have to replace the saddle too. Other components people often change are the pedals and wheels.

Electric or Not?

You can decide to buy either a standard bike or an electric bike. In our reviews, we’ve included foldable bikes from each category, allowing you to choose the one you like most.

An electric bike comes with a battery and a motor to get you to your destination without breaking a sweat.

Brakes

For your safety, make sure the brake system featured in your preferred bike actually works. It may be surprising how many times the brakes don’t work properly. If that’s the case with your bike, you’ll have to change the brakes quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Below are the most commonly asked queries regarding the folding bikes:

How to fold a bike?

First, you start with the pedals. Then, you lower the seat post as much as possible and proceed to remove the handlebar and lower the handle post to the back after twisting the safety catch to release the clip.
Finally, go to the main hinge and lift the safety catch. Then, use both hands to release the clamp.

How to lock a foldable bike?

Some bikes feature a magnetic catcher that will secure the bike once folded. Other models use a strap or a bag.

How much is a foldable bike?

The price of foldable bikes varies depending on different features like the features offered, brand, and capacity. In here, we discussed models available under 500 dollars.

Is it easy to fold a bike?

Although it depends on the model of the bike, most of them are easy to fold.

Are electric foldable bikes worth the money?

Yes. Electric bikes may be a little expensive, but they offer incredible features like display screens to make your ride way better.

Final Words

Give any of the foldable bikes reviewed here a try, and you’ll quickly see why many riders prefer them over the standard bicycles.

Convenience, lightweight, durability, and a lot of fun are some of the things you can expect once you own one.