Traditional Vs. Folding E-Bikes: A Comprehensive Comparison

Debating whether to go for a traditional e-bike or a folding one? Then there are a few things that you need to know about.

Folding e-bikes are, in general, more compact than traditional electric bikes as they can quite literally fold into a square shape. Regular e-bikes, in their turn, are considered to be more durable and typically have a longer battery life.

Below, we will dive deeper into the topic, so that it would be easier for you to make an informed e-bike-related decision. 

Read Also: E-Bike Vs. Traditional Bike: Which Is Your Perfect Ride?

Traditional vs. Folding E-Bikes – How We’ll Compare Them

We will be comparing the two types of electric bikes against the following factors:

• Portability and compactness
• Weight
• Durability
• Battery capacity
• Cost

Portability & Compactness

Traditional E-Bikes

Compact e-bikes typically have wheels ranging between 14 and 24 inches in size. They also have a relatively short wheelbase and a much lower frame than regular bicycles.

With that being said, traveling with a traditional e-bike or storing it can become a problem, as even the ones with small wheels can take up a lot of space.

Folding E-Bikes

Some folding e-bikes can be easily stored in a coat closet or even under an office desk. As such bikes can collapse into a square shape, you can quite easily transport them. Furthermore, there are models that allow you to wear the folded e-bike like a backpack when you don’t need it.

By the way, the fact that you are more likely to store your folding electric bicycle inside would also mean that your two-wheeled friend won’t get stolen from a bike parking area.

Do bear in mind, however, that some folding e-bikes use fat, large tires, and in such a case, the space savings won’t be considerable.

How They Compare

If you do not need your bicycle to have massive wheels, then a compact folding e-bike might be the right option for you. You can easily bring such an e-bike home (and it will take up as little space as carry-on luggage). 

Read Also: How To Choose The Perfect E-Bike For Your Needs

Weight

Traditional E-Bikes

Lightweight e-bikes can weigh around 30 lbs.

Electric bicycles are twice (or, in some cases, even thrice) as heavy as regular bikes due to the fact that they contain an electric motor and a battery.

Folding E-Bikes

• Mini folding e-bikes typically weigh around 30-40 lbs
• Folding electric mountain bikes – 40-70 lbs
• Folding fat-tire e-bikes – 50 lbs

How They Compare

Folding e-bikes are usually heavier than traditional ones as they have an additional hinge and latch mechanism.

Durability

Traditional E-Bikes

The average lifespan of an e-bike battery is around 3-5 years, and the electric bicycle motor can last anywhere between 3,000 and 15,000 miles before it would need to be replaced.

If durability is one of your top priorities, choose an e-bike with a sturdy frame made of high-quality carbon fiber or aluminum.

Folding E-Bikes

Due to the nature of the engineering of folding e-bikes, they are not as durable as traditional ones. Batteries on such bicycles are not as rugged, and users tend to complain about having issues with their handlebars or brakes when riding folding electric bikes.

How They Compare

If you are not an extreme rider and you only need an e-bike to get you around your city, then even a ‘less durable’ folding e-bike might be a great fit for you.

But those who prefer aggressive off-road riding should definitely opt for a traditional model.

Battery Capacity

Traditional E-Bikes

With relaxed pedaling, you can expect to get about 22-50 miles out of a single charge of an average battery used on traditional electric bicycles.

Folding E-Bikes

Such e-bikes usually have a weaker battery than the regular models, simply because they have a hinge and latch mechanism that takes up valuable space that could have been otherwise used to install a larger battery.

How They Compare

Those shopping for a folding e-bike might prioritize compactness and portability. To achieve that, a lot of manufacturers have decided to equip their folding models with weak batteries that provide a range of only about 20-30 miles.

If you tend to use your electric bicycle a lot, that might become a problem.

Cost

Traditional E-Bikes

For a good quality electric bicycle, the prices can start at $1,500-$2,500 and go much higher. If you are looking for a basic two-wheeling friend for general riding activities, the chances are high that you wouldn’t be charged more than $1,700 or so.

Folding E-Bikes

You can find a folding e-bike for as little as $500, but if you’re looking for a high-quality model that will last for several years, be prepared to pay at least $2,000.

Furthermore, on cheaper folding e-bikes, the controller might be strapped externally to a frame tube (on traditional electric bicycles, it is hidden inside). Folding models also sometimes have more visible external cables to avoid damaging them when folding. So, the appearance of the bike is also something that should be taken into consideration when coming up with a budget for buying an electric bicycle.

How They Compare

If you compare two e-bikes with the same battery capacity, wheel size, etc., the folding model would generally be more expensive than a traditional one.

The Breakdown

In case you decide to go for a rather high-quality e-bike, here’s a quick breakdown of what to expect from a traditional and a folding model.  

The Winner – Traditional E-Bike

Electric bicycles that do not fold are typically more durable and a bit cheaper than folding models. And though the latter can be conveniently stored even in a small apartment, the majority of them are quite heavy which might become a problem.

Traditional e-bikes are also available in various sizes. Some of them can easily fit in the trunk of your car, so going for a folding e-bike might simply not make sense for the majority of people.

Read Also: A Comparative Analysis of Foldable E-Bike vs. Conventional E-Bike