The best folding bikes for the city

In the budget shelf of folding city bikes, the Dorozhnik Onyx PH 2022 model definitely deserves attention. And here's why.

The city bike is built on a compact 12.5” aluminium frame and is suitable for heights from 140 to 180 cm. The driving position of the bike is adjusted by adjusting the height of the seat and steering wheel. Approximately in the middle, the frame is made breakable - the folding mechanism allows you to quickly transform the bicycle into a convenient form for transportation or storage.

The model is equipped with a Falcon 3 three-speed planetary hub, which is many times more reliable than a traditional mounted transmission. The gear shift mechanism is located directly inside the rear hub, which increases the immunity of transmission elements to external factors (moisture, dirt, etc.). At the same time, the city bike has a cartridge carriage that does not require lubrication and maintenance for many thousands of kilometers.

The bike's 20-inch wheels provide good rolling and excellent maneuverability. From the factory they are shod with universal 1.95" wide Wanda tires. The manufacturer also took care of the comfort of travel - the city bike has a soft saddle, full-length fenders, a rear trunk (withstands loads of up to 15 kg) and a parking step. And although the model is equipped with components of the simplest rank as attachments, this is still a budget bike - the bike is well worth the money.

An adult city bike with a Mini prefix is a good solution from the portfolio of the Pride bicycle brand for comfortable rides along city streets and park paths.

The bike turned out to be moderately light and very comfortable. Its frame is made of aluminium alloy, and the rigid front fork is made of steel (to better absorb vibrations from the road surface). The bike has 20-inch wheels - quite small and maneuverable, but at the same time capable of withstanding high impact loads. The wheels are shod with semi-slick Innova tires with omnivorous driving properties both on asphalt and on light primers.

The model has an 8-speed transmission based on a compact Microshift Acolyte Super Short switch. It will come in handy for precise dosage of pedaling force depending on the road situation and terrain. In conjunction with the “gearbox” there are mechanical rim brakes of the clamping type, used to dampen speed.

The Pride Mini 8 2023 can support rider weights of up to 135 kg, while the bike itself weighs approximately 13 kg. The model's equipment is sparse - it comes with only a chain guard and a folding kickstand for parking the bike. Wings and trunk are supposed to be purchased separately at your discretion. The main thing is the folding bicycle frame, which greatly simplifies the storage and transportation of a city bike in urban environments.

The compact city bike Author Simplex 2023 is designed for comfortable trips through the streets of the “concrete jungle” over relatively short distances. And if necessary, the folding design allows you to easily transport the bike on public transport.

The model provides two folding points with quick-release fasteners - in the central part of the frame and on the handlebar stem. When folded, the bike measures approximately 65x80 cm. It will take up minimal space in the cabin of a conventional bus, fit in the trunk of a car, and will not require much storage space at home. In addition, the weight of the city bike is 12.6 kg - “the reason for this” is the lightweight aluminium frame made of 7005 alloy.

The model will fit riders of any height and gender. The bike is mounted on 20-inch wheels shod with Kenda K-193 tires, and the body kit for it is an 8-speed transmission made from basic Shimano Altus components. A convenient grip shift type shifter is responsible for changing gears, and control handles for V-brake mechanical rim brakes are located on the bike’s handlebars.

The 2023 Author Simplex comes with full-length fenders, a rear rack, a chain guard and a fold-down parking step. To complete the picture, the city bike will need to be equipped with bicycle lights. In terms of price/quality ratio, the model is one of the most attractive in the segment of compact city bicycles with a folding design.

The Maxxter Ruffer is a new age electric folding bike. Moreover, absolutely everything in the model folds and unfolds: frame, steering wheel, seat, pedals. When folded, the bike easily fits into the trunk of a regular sedan, and thanks to the carrying handle, it is convenient to carry it into an elevator.

The bicycle is aimed at traveling in the rhythm of metropolitan life. A 250 W brushless electric motor is installed on the rear wheel of the city bike, allowing it to reach speeds of up to 25 km/h. It could have been more, but the speed limit is limited electronically for safety. The speed is not displayed on the on-board computer - it serves to display the remaining battery charge level.

The main mode of operation of the electric motor is PAS (Pedal Assist System), i.e. assistance in pedaling. It is in it that the bike is able to cover a distance of up to 40 km using electric traction. Using the classic throttle on the handlebars, the bike's mileage on a single battery charge is significantly reduced. The model also received a 7-speed transmission made from Shimano components and reliable disc brakes.

The bike was really equipped with everything you need. Judge for yourself, the bike comes on 20-inch wheels, has a rear rack, fenders, chain guard, parking stand, bell and lighting equipment. The only complaint about the model is its considerable weight (23 kg in full “outfit”). However, the full-size counterparts of the city bike weigh an order of magnitude more - the electric bike turned out to be quite balanced for its size.

At the start of sales of the HIMO Z20 electric bike, they were collected from the world one by one as part of the Indiegogo crowdfunding platform. And the model did not disappoint - the city bike has been in high demand for more than the first season in a row.

The bicycle is compact and has a folding design. About halfway through, the frame breaks, and the steering speaker and pedals can also be folded. A removable battery with a capacity of 360 Wh was placed in the lightweight aluminium frame of the bike, the power from which is transmitted to the electric drive in the rear wheel. Without taking pedals into account, the city bike has an autonomous range of approximately 50 km, and in the pedal assist mode the distance covered can be increased up to 80 km.

The electric motor in the model is not the most powerful - the bike can climb steep climbs only when using electric traction in conjunction with the pedals. The “idle” roll of the bike is also very modest. But the user is kindly provided with a 6-speed transmission made from Shimano components. Front and rear mechanical disc brakes help the city bike slow down quickly.

HIMO Z20 has a maximum travel speed of up to 25 km/h. Data on speed, selected driving mode and remaining battery charge level are displayed on the on-board computer screen with IPX7 moisture protection. The only thing missing from the model is the fenders on the wheels; moreover, a parking stand, a chain guard and lighting equipment are included in the factory equipment of the bike.