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We bought 7 folding electric bikes and rode them for hundreds of miles in side-by-side tests. We timed their assembly, measured their speed and range, and packed them up to see how small we could make each bike.
The Blix Vika X is our favorite model due to its excellent ride quality, small folded size, and less-than-average weight. We love how spirited this bike feels on the road and how easily it can hide in an office or car trunk. By far, the smoothest of the folding bikes is the Aventon Sinch with 4-inch tires and a suspension fork. This bike is powerful and has excellent range, but those attributes make it heavier than the rest. Our favorite budget model is the Lectric XP 3.0 that arrives fully assembled, is easy to pack, and is fun to ride. Nothing about the Lectric's ride quality would indicate that it can easily be stowed in the trunk of your car.
Editor's Note: On December 2nd, 2024, we updated this review to add the new Blix Vika X.
Folding bikes can be an incredibly convenient method of transport without taking up much space when not in use. The new Blix Vika X gives us a full-featured, fun-to-ride bike with a powerful motor in a compact package. Despite being a small, folding model, the Vika X has impressive features like electronic shifting and the ability to modulate power and shifting independently.
The Vika X uses a 500-watt motor that cranked out an impressive 1010 watts of power in our dyno test. This bike has powerful acceleration, and you can ride with pedal assist up to 28 mph or 20 mph with the throttle alone. Using a steel fork and 2.4" tires, the Vika has a remarkably nice ride quality for a 20" wheeled bike. The Vika X is well-suited for year-round use with features like fenders, lights, hydraulic disc brakes, turn signals, and even a horn. The bike is also quite practical, with an MIK-compatible rack and 614Wh battery that propelled us 24.7 miles by throttle alone.
Like it's predecessor, the Vika + Flex, the Vika X is feature-packed but still remarkably easy to transport. With a folded size of 35" x 20" x 26" and a weight under 56 pounds, it hasn't lost sight of its convenience. The Aventon Sinch Step-Through with its 4" tires and suspension fork is a more comfortable ride but it's much larger and weighs 68-pounds. Folding the Vika X requires no tools and can be done in seconds. The bike arrived almost completely assembled; unfolding it and completing the final steps took just 13 minutes. Blix gave the Vika enough adjustability to accommodate riders between 4' 10" and 6" 2", but riders at the top of this range felt more awkward on its 45" wheelbase.
“The Blix could offer more comfort or range, but we're pleased with how it stays true to being a convenient folding bike,” says tester Lesley Robinson. This bike's torque sensor and quality display give it a premium feel that sets it apart from the competition. If you want to spend less, check out the Lectric XP 3.0 Step-Thru, which is several hundred dollars less but has similar adjustability and range.
Our testers were unanimous with this one; we all agree that the Lectric XP 3.0 is award-worthy. It covers the most important bases well, with excellent ride quality, smooth power delivery, and a respectable range. It is Class 2 and Class 3 capable, allowing speeds up to 28 mph in pedal assist. The 500-watt motor impressed us with its torque, providing an unexpectedly peppy ride. A suspension fork and 3-inch wide knobby tires provide a smooth ride over varied surfaces, and a large range of fit ensures that users of varying heights can ride comfortably. It also includes integrated lights, fenders, and a cargo rack capable of carrying 150 lbs. The bike arrives completely assembled, and the large, integrated display screen keeps your speed, distance, and other data available at a moment's glance. Lectric crushes the competition at this price point.
The XP 3.0 falls slightly in the range department due to its moderately sized 500 Wh battery. Exclusively using the throttle (no pedaling), we got 24.51 miles down our range test track. We expect significantly more range by utilizing the pedal-assist modes. Despite its space-saving folding design, it still weighs over 62 pounds, which can be challenging to move around or load in the trunk. Still, electric bikes are expensive, and if you want to pay significantly less than average while getting above-average performance, the Lectric XP 3.0 is our Best Buy recommendation.
Updated Model Available
The Aventon Sinch.2 has been released with additional features like a rack, fenders, eight-speed drivetrain, and additional range. We're linking to the updated bike in our affiliate links.
The smoothest and coolest bike in the bunch is the Aventon Sinch Step-Through. This bike feels top-notch with 4-inch wide tires and a suspension fork that absorbs the bumps and cracks in the road. It handles well at high speeds and produces very little noise. The excellent ride quality will continue for over thirty miles on a single charge; this model's range tested at the top of its class. The Aventon provides plenty of power and is also quite easy to assemble. The quality display and ergonomic controls are both quite user-friendly. When it comes to curb appeal, the Sinch brings it. We love the hydroformed aluminum frame design, semi-integrated (yet removable) battery, and tan-wall tires' look. We found the time in the saddle on this bike quite enjoyable.
The biggest disadvantage of the Aventon Sinch is its significant weight. Folding bikes have portability as a large part of their appeal, and this model's nearly 70-pound weight makes it tough to lift in and out of car trunks and trailers. Its folded size is also one of the largest we measured, though it can still more easily fit where non-folding bikes cannot. We were disappointed at the lack of included features, although Aventon sells accessories to customize your ride. Yet, for the smoothest and most stylish ride in a category not known for either, the Aventon Sinch will satisfy.
If it was a contest based on looks alone, the Sinch Step-Through would take the win. It also happens to have the smoothest ride of all with a suspension fork and big cushy tires.
A folding electric bike that's more adventure-ready than its competitors, the Rad Power RadExpand 5 is our recommendation for those looking for more versatility. With its knobby, extra-wide tires, this bike excels on pavement, fire roads, mixed conditions, and smooth trails. Wide handlebars contribute to controlled and stable handling, adding to the damp and pleasant ride quality. The part spec on this bike contribute to its versatility in urban environments, with integrated lights, fenders, and a stout rear cargo rack. The 750W motor easily pushes this Class 2 bike along at up to 20 mph using the throttle or four levels of pedal assist. Most impressively, this bike stunned in our range test, gobbling up over 31 miles on our standardized test track thanks to its large capacity 672 Wh battery.
With a super wide recommended user height range of 4'10" to 5'10", the RadExpand 5 has a huge range of fit, though it is less than ideal for taller riders. While functional, the LED display is quite basic compared to the screen-equipped competition. Like most fat-tire bikes, the wide knobby tires create more noise than models with narrower or smoother tires. While the bike folds down to reduce its size significantly, it's among the largest in its folded position, and at 64 lbs and 8 oz, it can also be challenging to carry or load into a vehicle. These minor drawbacks aside, we recommend this adventure-ready model for those seeking a versatile bike that's as adept at riding across town as it is tackling dirt roads from your RV.
The RadExpand 5's sturdy design and wide knobby tires put fewer limitations on where you can ride your folding electric bike.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
How We Test Folding Electric Bikes
We started testing e-bikes in 2019. Since then, we have tested over 100 different e-bikes across several electric bike categories. Here, we started this folding electric bike review with extensive research into the category, looking up specs and comparing models at multiple price points while reading feedback to glean what consumers want regarding performance. We then purchase our selection of top models, unbox them, and assemble them as we begin our extensive testing process. Each bike is charged and ridden repeatedly for several weeks as our testers incorporate them into daily life, using them on commutes to work and evening joy rides. We also set up standardized circuits to uniformly assess each model. After conducting all our tests, we compile notes and score each product across several predetermined metrics, resulting in a cumulative score for each bike in the test fleet.
We divide our folding electric bike testing among six different rating metrics:
Ride Quality (25% of overall score weighting)
Range (25% weighting)
Power (20% weighting)
Portability (15% weighting)
Interface (10% weighting)
Assembly (5% weighting)
See our how we test article for more detailed info on our test processes.
Why Trust GearLab
Joshua Hutchens, our Senior Bike Review Editor at GearLab, heads up this review. Joshua spends much of his time atop two wheels for work, fun, commuting, and training. Over the past thirty-six years, Joshua has served almost every role in the bicycle industry. He has competed in nearly every discipline of cycling and owned and operated several cycling businesses, from bicycle shops to indoor bicycle parks. He has professionally tested and reviewed electric and non-electric bikes of all forms, with well over 100 electric bikes, mountain bikes, fat bikes, commuter e-bikes, e-MTBs, and more since 2017. Joshua's vast experience building, fixing, and riding bicycles has produced a discerning eye and an uncanny ability to assess and highlight the differences in performance between models. When he's not traversing the Western United States for the best riding, he resides in South Lake Tahoe, where he coaches mountain biking through the local community college.
Riding bike paths around town is part of our overall assessment of these e-bikes.
We collapse and deploy these folding models multiple times to learn which models make it easy, and which do not.
The controls and display on the Lectric XP 3.0 were among the best in the test.
We tested these bikes side by side, which helped us determine the pros and cons of each bike. This way, testing provides quantitative and qualitative data that allows us to use a comparative scoring model.
What's the Best Value?
Electric bikes of all forms start at a high price tier, and folding ones are no different. Paying more in this category gets you a more powerful motor and a larger battery, improving acceleration, speed, and the all-important range. More expensive bikes have higher-quality features and offer more sophistication in user interfaces, such as LCD screens that track speed and display trip data. Bucking this trend, however, is the Lectric XP Step-Through 3.0. This model costs about half of the top-tier folding bikes we tested. Yet, its performance is within striking distance of the costlier models in ride quality, range, power, and user interface.
The Lectric XP 3.0 utilizes high volume 3-inch tires to expand the bike's versatility.
Credit: Joshua Hutchens
Ride
Our Ride metric is all about the feels and what the bike offers to make the ride more enjoyable. Each bike's design, components, and features combine to affect ride quality and convenience. We examine these aspects while riding every e-bike over varied terrain, from city streets to off-road trails. Notably, the larger 20-inch wheels scored higher in ride quality than the models with smaller wheels. We also test each model's handling ability at low and high speeds and assess their turning radii. Brake quality and smooth shifting are also factors that we evaluate. Smooth rides that keep the rider comfortable and confident are the heart of this performance metric. Additionally, comfort plays a factor, as do included features that enhance the user experience.
The cushiest ride accolades go to the Aventon Sinch. A modest but effective 45-mm of suspension travel dampens cracks and bumps in the road, and the bulbous 4-inch wide tires have a lot of air volume to further smooth out the ride. This bike is very stable, handling turns at speed and maneuvering around obstacles easily. The mechanical disc brakes aren't the most powerful but function well. It has a nice, comfy saddle, too. Our main gripe is that its height range is more limited than Aventon suggests, as our six-foot-tall tester (with long legs) could have used a little more seat height adjustment. Also detracting from its score is a somewhat disappointing feature set that lacks integrated bike lights, fenders, or a cargo rack. Bonus points are scored here, though, by the sharp look of this bike and a quieter ride compared to the competition. Look good, ride good.
Wide tires, front suspension, and slick looks of the Aventon make it stand out from the pack when it comes to ride quality.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The Blix Vika X offers great ride quality via other avenues than the Aventon Sinch. With its greater range of height adjustments, tall and long-legged riders will likely feel that this bike fits them better, greatly impacting ride comfort. Its top-notch features also make this model convenient for regular commuters. We are big fans of bike lights that run off the bike's battery power, and this bike has them. The rear light also functions as a brake light as the dependable and powerful hydraulic disc brakes are applied. Other features like front and rear fenders, a rear cargo rack, a USB charger for your phone, and a bell are also handy additions. It handles quite similarly to the other top-rated models. However, with a rigid frame and slightly narrower tires, it can feel jarring over rough surfaces.
The Blix Vika X is chock full of features but remains lightweight and portable.
Credit: Joshua Hutchens
The Rad Power RadExpand 5 also excels in ride comfort, bringing fat-bike vibes to this category. The fatty tires provide cushioning underneath, while the extra wide handlebars grant this bike very steady handling. This handling control is great on city streets, especially on trails and fire roads that often require more heads-up navigation around obstacles. This bike's off-road versatility makes it shine. Another impressive model is the Lectric XP 3.0. Despite being cheaper, it provides ample ride quality with a front suspension fork with 80 millimeters of travel. These models also have useful features like lights, fenders, and cargo racks.
The Rad Expand 5 can really expand the scope of your travels.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Range
If you like wandering rides or have a long commute, hone in on this metric. Knowing an e-bike's range lets you plan how far you can go on one charge. We create a standardized range test using the same course with the same rider (so rider weight is not a factor) for every model, starting with a fully charged bike and riding until the battery is dead. During this test, we note distance traveled, elevation gain/loss, average speed, and the elapsed time of the entire ride. We only use the throttle in this test to remove the variable of rider input through pedaling. Therefore, the results of the range tests represent the baseline of each bike's range potential. Using the pedal-assist modes, you can almost always extend the distances each model can cruise before the power runs out.
The large, 672 Wh battery of the RadExpand 5 went the furthest in our range test. We hummed along at a fast average speed of 17.1 mph. We traveled 31.2 miles with 1,627 feet of elevation gain, only engaging the throttle. Its power remained strong until its final 1-2 miles, where it slowed down some. Most e-bikes drop off power significantly in the final watts of battery life, making this model stand out even more.
The Cinch might not be the most portable folding electrics we've tested, but it sure is comfortable.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The Aventon Sinch and Rattan Folding bikes followed next in the distance traveled in our range test, going 30.1 miles and 29.7 miles, respectively. The Aventon's battery is the same size as the RadExpand 5, and the Rattan's battery is smaller at 624 Wh. Also showing admirable performance in our Range metric was the Blix X. Its 614-watt-hour battery chewed up 24.7 miles and 1200 feet of vertical gain on our test course. It also maintained its power well until the end of battery life.
We were surprised to find the Rattan Folding near the top of the charts in our range testing.
Credit: Jason Peters
Power
Our Power metric considers acceleration, max speeds, and overall power output in pedal assist and throttle modes. A powerful motor helps in traffic conditions on the road and improves riding in hilly areas. Our tests measure time from a complete stop to reaching top speed and uphill speed tests. Smooth acceleration also scores bonus points here, as too-aggressive acceleration can feel jumpy. Having more levels of pedal assist allows the rider to fine-tune their speed to match their effort, too.
The Lectric XP 3.0 stands out in this metric, boasting a top speed of 28 mph in its Class 3 configuration with the pedal assist (Class 2 status is also an option) from its 500-watt motor. Its five levels of speed assist give the rider a great range of controlled support while pedaling away. When pedaling, the pedal assist kicks in quickly within a quarter rotation of the cranks. It quickly accelerated from a stop up to 20 mph (its top throttle-only speed). It maintained an average of 15.5 mph on our uphill test.
The Lectric XP 3.0 is a great partner for exploration.
Credit: Joshua Hutchens
The Blix Vika X is another powerful model, hitting 19.7 mph in our uphill test and having four levels of pedal assist that can support up to 28 mph (in Class 3 setting). The RadExpand 5 has a larger 750-watt motor. It did not outperform the other top models in our acceleration and uphill tests, though it hung with them. It has four levels of pedal assist. The Aventon Sinch and Rattan Folding performed admirably in our Power metric, too, getting up to 20 mph in about 12 seconds from a dead stop and having five levels of pedal assist. We are confident that any of these top five performers in this metric have adequate power for the needs of most riders.
Power delivery on the Vika X was amongst the highest in our test despite having a small 500W motor.
Credit: Joshua Hutchens
Portability
The portability of folding electric bikes is a significant part of their appeal to many riders. The ability to quickly fold, store, and later deploy this model allows it to be packed into a car trunk or stuffed into smaller storage spaces. While all models here pack down much smaller than non-folding bikes, we found large differences in this metric, mostly due to weight but also in their collapsed size. Smaller, lighter bikes fared better here, as they are easier to carry upstairs or lift into a trunk or RV.
The most portable folding e-bike tested is the Swagcycle EB5 Plus. Its 14-inch wheels contribute to a small compact size (26 x 15.6 x 23.6 inches), and it only weighs 37 pounds, roughly half that of the heaviest models in our test fleet. This bike is the most manageable if you take it on public transport or carry it into an office or classroom.
This little bike can go almost anywhere with you.
Credit: Laura Casner
Another impressive model here is the Blix X. Yes, it's heavier than the abovementioned models at 55 pounds 9 ounces. However, it's also much more manageable than the other top-rated models that all weigh over 60 lbs and fold down smaller. Its pedals fold inward in its collapsed format, saving some space. It also has small magnets that help hold the bike in its folded formation, and a bottom bracket allows it to stand on its own when collapsed. If you don't want to sacrifice performance and portability is a priority, the Vika X is our pick.
Compact-mode of the Blix, complete with a stand to keep it upright.
We like that the pedals fold to decrease the folded width of the Blix and making portability more convenient.
The Blix Vika X and Vika + Flex pack down to an easy travel size.
Most e-bikes have removable batteries. Removing the battery can knock off a few pounds during transport, and it also means that you only have to carry the battery, not the entire bike, to a power source to charge it.
Interface
The user interface consists of everything the rider uses to interact with the bikes. This includes the display, controls, and battery. Some models have basic displays with LED lights, while others shine brighter with LCD screens. The layout of controls and how intuitive they are factor into our Interface metric, too. Removable batteries also allow off-bike charging and add security when locking your wheels outside.
Our favorite user interface is on the Aventon Sinch. Its control unit on the left-hand side of the handlebar is easy to reach and manipulate while riding. The five single-function buttons intuitively toggle through walk mode, pedal assist modes, and changing data fields on the LCD screen. The display screen itself is located in the middle of the handlebars. The speedometer and battery life are easy to read, and you can customize the in-field data extras to fit your needs (trip distance, average and max speed, trip time, calories burned, etc.). This bike stands out for the Aventon app compatibility, where you can easily change your phone's screen and bike settings. We also like the battery integrated into the frame, adding to the bike's good looks. It is still easily removable to charge off the bike if desired.
The sleek appearance of the Aventon doesn't compromise its utility.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The Blix Vika X has the nicest screen in our test; the color display features intelligent auto-adjust backlighting and shows a wealth of information. The Aventon also has a functional, readable LCD screen that we found easy to use. The three buttons of the control pad have room to improve ergonomically. However, we like that we can turn the lights on and off with these controls, and operating them is intuitive. The built-in USB port is very convenient for charging a mobile phone while riding. The battery locks in place, or you can remove it for charging and safe storage.
The display on the Vika X has rich colors and well-laid-out graphics.
Credit: Joshua Hutchens
The Lectric XP 3.0 impresses in this metric, too. We're glad Lectric didn't skimp here despite its lower price tag. The left-hand controls are intuitive and ergonomically placed, and the large 2 x 3-inch display screen has large text that we can read easily, even on bright, sunny days. This bike has a twist-throttle on the right handlebar, and you can set the cruise control to ride at a constant speed, too. Its battery is hidden in its frame, too, which helps in the looks department. The battery can still be removed once the bike is folded.
Lectric's display is easy to read, even in bright light, and shows all you need to know at a glance.
When the bike is folded, you can remove the integrated battery for security or charging off the bike.
Assembly
Ordering these folding electric bikes online means they come in a box and require some assembly. This only happens once for most users, so it's not a major consideration, but still noteworthy. Suppose you are unfamiliar with bikes and their components. In that case, selecting a bike with easy assembly may be easier. We timed how long it took to get each bike set up from its boxed state to assess this metric and noted the accompanying difficulty.
Three bikes took the lead in ease of assembly: the Aventon Sinch, the Lectric XP 3.0, and the Swagcycle EB5 Plus. These bikes do not require assembly tools (beyond a bike pump). Just open the box, remove the packaging, and unfold them. Handlebar and seat heights must be adjusted easily with quick-release levers. Once you charge the battery, you are ready to ride. These bikes took roughly ten minutes to set up. The most difficult part is moving them in their heavy boxes.
The XP models couldn't be easier to assemble. That's because they come fully assembled. Simply remove the packaging materials, unfold the bike, and you're ready to ride.
Credit: Jeremy Benson
The Blix Vika X falls closely behind, taking about thirteen minutes to set up and requiring only installing the handlebar and pedals. The most time-consuming model to assemble was the Rad Power RadExpand 5, but it comes with detailed instructions and tools and only took us 45 minutes to complete.
Folding electric bikes can be a great way to get around, and their designs make them convenient for transport or those short on storage space.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Would you be better off with an Electric Scooter?
A key feature of folding bikes is how easy they are to stow. But electric scooters are even easier to stow and more compact. Putting an electric scooter in the back of a ride-share is much faster and easier than a folding bike. An electric scooter that meets most people's needs generally only costs $300-600, much less than most folding bikes. That said, electric scooters have some big drawbacks compared to folding bikes. Scooters generally feel unstable if going faster than 20MPH, and many electric scooters won't even go that fast. All the more expensive electric scooters generally perform poorly on hills, and most can not climb hills greater than 15%. Finally, most electric scooters handle rough terrain very poorly compared to a folding bike. Hit a pothole on a folding bike, and you get a jolt, but hit the same one on a scooter, which might cause a crash.
In summary, folding bikes will still offer much better handling and hill climbing. But for many people, especially on small trips, a scooter might be all they need at a much better price. Read GearLab's Best Electric Scooter Review to see a side-by-side comparison of the best scooters.
Conclusion
Folding electric bikes provide a convenient solution for anyone looking to save gas and space. The expanding e-bike market hosts a plethora of options, and we know you have specific needs you want to meet with your purchase. Our thorough testing process aims to narrow your choices to help you make a swift, informed decision. We hope our efforts and analyses help you get outside with the wind whipping past your ears on the right folding electric model for you.
