Folding e-bikes are one of the most practical types of electric bikes you can buy. They give you the extra boost of an e-bike while being much easier to store, transport and take with you than a full-size model.
But not all folding e-bikes are made with the same kind of rider in mind. Some are designed to be lightweight and easy to carry, while others use the folding design to make a larger, more comfortable e-bike easier to store or transport.
We’ve tested plenty of e-bikes at Electroheads, so we’ve picked out some of our favourite folding models available in Canada. Whether you want something for your daily commute, a bike to keep in the trunk of your car, or a folding e-bike that can handle longer adventures, here are the models we’d recommend.
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ADO Air 20 Ultra, $3,099.00
Weight: 22kg | Range: Up to 100km
ADO bikes are some of our favourite to ride at Electroheads. Their motors and carbon-belt drive systems make for really a smooth but also powerful riding experience. That is no exception on this bike. The three-speed system shifts seamlessly to meet your needs and match the terrain you are tackling be it flat or hilly. The torque sensor kicks in as soon as you press down on the pedal and gives a very natural riding experience.
It is not the lightest folding bike at 19kg but ADO hasn't compromised on any of the heavier components (suspension, long-range battery, rear rack) that make this an exceptional ride. This isn’t just a folding city commuter bike, this can be your companion on longer days out and adventures.
It comes with a removable seatpost battery so that you can take it with you meaning that you can charge it anywhere and it acts as a deterrent to any thieves. The folding element means that it can be folded for easy storage inside, put in the trunk of a car, taken on trains, and fairly easily carried up a flight of stairs.
GoTrax F1V1, $1,099.00
Weight: 46.68 lbs | Range: 35-64km
GoTrax e-bikes have never disappointed me and the F1V2 was no exception. It is a folding fat tire bike that is powered by a 350W motor and offers up to 64km of range.
The range is reduced if you are relying on the motor on the throttle rather than using the pedal assist so if you are riding with just pure electric power then the range is reduced to 35km. I usually like to use the throttle a lot on an e-bike if it has one but I do find time and time again that with GoTrax bikes I use the pedal assist much more because the power delivery is so smooth as seamless. The 350W motor puts out a decent amount of power assist and with 5 levels of assist to choose from you can more easily control how much power you need.
This bike is super comfortable with a wide cushy saddle and upright riding position.
I would say that the folding aspect of this bike definitely makes it easy to store but at 46.68lbs it is not the most lightweight folder for easy commuting. That being said it is easy to fold down and put in the trunk of a car to be taken out on adventures further afield.
You also get a bunch of accessories in the box such as a bike lock, phone holder, seat bag and rear view mirrors, which are all just nice little additional extras to receive when buying a bike.
This bike does fold which means that it can be more easily stored or it can be folded up and put in the trunk of a car and taken out for more lengthy weekend adventures.
Fiido D11, $1,669.00
Weight: 17.5kg | Range: 40-100km
If portability is high on your list of priorities, the Fiido D11 is one of the most interesting folding e-bikes on this list.
At around 17.5kg, it is significantly lighter than some of the chunkier folding models here, making it much easier to move around when you aren't riding. It also has a clever, minimalist design that doesn't immediately look like a typical folding e-bike.
The 250W geared motor provides smooth pedal assistance, while the Shimano seven-speed gearing gives you plenty of flexibility when the terrain changes. Fiido quotes up to 100km of range in pedal-assist mode, although that can drop to around 40km when using the throttle heavily.
One of my favourite features is the 417Wh battery, which is hidden inside the seatpost. It keeps the frame looking clean and means the battery can be removed for charging indoors.
The D11 also has a five-second folding mechanism, so it is particularly well suited to commuters who need to regularly fold and store their bike. The compact folded size makes it easier to keep at home, take in a car or combine with other forms of transport.
If you want a folding e-bike that prioritises portability without feeling like you've bought a tiny compromise of a bike, the D11 is a really compelling option.
Samebike CY20, $1,099.00
Weight: 61.7 lbs | Range: 45-90km
The Samebike CY20 takes a very different approach to the Fiido D11. This is a big, chunky folding e-bike that puts comfort and practicality ahead of keeping the weight down.
It has a 350W motor and 36V 13Ah battery, along with seven-speed Shimano gearing so you can tailor the ride to the terrain and how much effort you want to put in.
There's also suspension at both the front fork and seat, which makes a noticeable difference if you're riding over less-than-perfect roads. Add in the wide, comfortable design and this is a folding e-bike that feels much more like a full-size bike when you're riding it.
The CY20 is also designed with practicality in mind. You get a phone holder and attachable basket, USB ports for charging your devices while you're riding and a clear LCD display that puts your riding information right in front of you.
There's a 150kg maximum payload, too, which makes this a particularly interesting option for larger riders. The rear rack can also be fitted with a padded passenger seat, giving you the option of carrying a second passenger.
All of those features do come at a cost: weight. At 61.7lbs, this is by far one of the heaviest bikes on this list, and I wouldn't want to carry it much further than a few feet or up more than a flight of stairs.
But that's not really what this bike is about. The folding mechanism is much more useful for storage and transporting the bike in a car than for carrying it around all day. If you're happy to trade portability for comfort, practicality and a higher carrying capacity, the CY20 makes a lot of sense.
