Folding Vs. Non-Folding E-Bikes: Everything You Need To Know

E-bikes have made transportation much easier. We now have electric folding bikes, which add a lot of convenience and flexibility into the mix. One critical difference between an electric bike and a foldable electric bike is that the latter can be folded and stored in a small space, opening up biking as an option to those who might otherwise might be limited by space or vehicle cargo space.

Folding E-Bikes combine all the features of an E-Bike with a folding bike. They’re easier to store, more secure, and more convenient to travel with. Non-folding bikes will be more sturdy and somewhat less heavy. There are plenty of great quality folding E-Bike options.

If you’re not sure what the exact differences between the two bike types are, keep reading. We’ll compare the two, explain when a folding e-bike can be superior to a normal e-bike, and debunk some common misconceptions regarding folding e-bikes.

What Are the Benefits of a Folding E-Bike?

There are many reasons why folding e-bikes are becoming such a hit in the e-bike circuit. Many people are seeing the benefits of buying this type over a standard bike. Let’s have a look at some of these benefits in detail:

Easy to Move and Carry

There’s a possibility that wherever you catch your bus or train to work could be a bit of a distance from your home. Instead of walking all that way or getting a taxi, why not simply ride a bike.

A folding e-bike would be so easy to ride to the bus stop, then simply fold up and carry onto the bus. If you usually bike to work, you could simply fold up your bike and hop on a bus if it starts to rain or you’re running late. How convenient!

If where you live is prone to traffic jams, then the folding e-bike could also be a lifesaver. Due to the bike’s typically slimmer frame, you’ll be able to easily wind through small areas like alleyways, etc.

More Secure

Considering how most electric bikes are very expensive, it’s natural that most people fear having their precious bikes stolen. Unfortunately, locking your bike up nowadays is not enough to guarantee that it will be safe from theft.

Being able to fold up your bike and store it in a closet or under your desk will give you far more peace of mind. Carrying it up to your apartment or storing it inside your home also means you do not need extra space to secure your bike. The small size of a folding e-bike makes storing it in your hallway more painless than a traditional bike.

A Smooth and Sweat-Free Ride

When riding any type of electric bike, you don’t have to peddle as much (or at all if you don’t want to). This means you’ll be using less energy while riding. There’s no need to break a sweat if you don’t want to; instead, you can just enjoy feeling the wind run through your hair as you ride.

Functional 

Foldable e-bikes give riders a lot more flexibility because you can also continue to pedal manually if the battery dies. You don’t need to be afraid of traveling long distances, even if your battery gets low, because you can simply keep cycling without the help of the motor.

Comparing Folding to Non-Folding E-Bikes

There has been much debate about whether a folding e-bike is objectively better than a non-folding e-bike. Take a look at the following comparisons and use the details to help pick the one that best fits your cycling needs.

Storage Space

When not in use, a non-folding e-bike requires a larger amount of storage space. It’s important to realize that a non-folding e-bike is simply a regular bike with a controller, battery, and motor. They’re built with the same frame, with the same dimensions. As a result, it’ll need more significant storage space.

All you have to do with a folding e-bike is simply fold it. When it comes to storage, it takes up a lot less space. As a result, you’re really spoilt for choice when it comes to your storage options. It can be kept under your desk at work, under the stairs, in the trunk of your car, or even at the back of your closet.

Flexibility and Convenience

Non-folding e-bikes have a disadvantage in terms of convenience and flexibility. It’s more difficult to get aboard a bus or train with a normal bike – sometimes it may not even be permitted for you to do so.

In this case, you’ll have to just wait it out if you’ve run out of energy or the weather unexpectedly changes. Traveling with a non-folding bike in these situations can be a nightmare.

A folding electric bike, on the other hand, is simple to fold up and transport. If you live in an apartment or work on the fourth floor, simply fold up your bike and carry it with you.

If your bus stop is far away, pedal there, then fold up your bike and get on the bus. Easy and much more convenient, especially while traveling.

Sturdy and Stable

When it comes to sturdiness and stability, non-folding electric bikes take the cake. Every machine has certain vulnerabilities, such as joints or hinges, where the machine will be stronger if not overworked. Particularly concerning a joint where you need to fold it up.

Because folding e-bikes need to be folded every time you want to pack them, this can cause certain problems. Over time, the joints that hold both sections together will inevitably deteriorate.

Security

You must ensure that your electric bike is securely protected. Of course, carrying your e-bike with you wherever you go is by far the safest option. However, as we have discussed, this would be impossible with a non-folding e-bike due to size and space constraints.

Another security option is to keep your bike locked up inside your house or garage, or outside in a high-visibility location. If you choose to park your bike outside your office, make sure it’s in a high-traffic area and that the lock you use is thick and durable.

Sadly, even with many security measures in place, there’s still no guarantee that your bike won’t be stolen. But, it will be far less likely.

Keeping a folding e-bike secure is much more effortless. Simply fold it up and bring it along with you wherever you go. It can be folded and stored literally anywhere, away from the prying eyes of bike thieves.

Is a Folding E-Bike Right for You?

Folding e-bikes have many benefits that many people are not aware of. This bike is commonly used for commuting, leisure, or simply transporting light cargo.

Apart from what I have mentioned above, a folding e-bike would be right for you for the following reasons:

Exercise

Most people say they don’t work out because they don’t have enough time. But a folding e-bike allows you to easily work out while going about your everyday routine. Cycling boosts your mental and physical fitness, as well as your immune system, and can help you cope with minor stress.

This is accomplished by the release of endorphins from exercise, which is responsible for making humans feel happier and more satisfied overall.

Saving you Money

When you use a folding e-bike instead of alternative transport methods, you’ll definitely be saving money. The prices of diesel and petrol, as well as transportation fares, are getting higher every day.

For your bike, you only need to invest in the initial machine and recharge and recycle your batteries. Of course, over time this will be a lot cheaper than forking out for gas once a week.

Saving the Environment   

Folding e-bikes, unlike automobiles and motorcycles, do not emit carbon into the environment. Nowadays, everyone wants to be a little more considerate of how much they are polluting the atmosphere. An e-bike is a great place to start!

Assistance when Cycling

If you have a health issue or suddenly don’t have the energy to pedal, an electric bike would be ideal. Using the motor on the folding e-bike can help you with pedaling when you aren’t able to.

This will also reduce the stress impact on your knees and thighs riding a normal bike can have. E-bikes will also be able to assist you while climbing up a hill. All these points will help you manage longer rides without using too much energy and without straining yourself.

Are Folding Bikes More Likely to Break?

Unless you go for a cheap, low-quality, folding bike, generally, folding e-bikes shouldn’t break easily. A common misconception is that it’s more likely to break just because it has a part that folds, especially at the joints and hinges.

The truth is that with all machines, the joints and the hinges can be considered the weakest points. But folding e-bike manufacturers have made efforts to make sure the joints and hinges are reinforced.

They’ve done this by reducing the weight burden on the joints and hinges, thus increasing durability. You will be surprised to know that some folding e-bikes can last even longer than standard bikes.

But remember, you’ll always get what you pay for. So, it would be advisable to go looking for a higher-quality folding e-bike like the Lectric XP 2.0; an example of a fantastic folding e-bike with plenty of great features.

Are Folding E-Bikes Slower? 

For some reason, people assume that folding e-bikes will be slower than a conventional bike. But even without a motor, a folding e-bike can still go faster than a conventional bike.

Normal bikes can reach a speed of around 20 mph, with the Lectric CP 2.0 reaching 28 mph, even without assistance from the motor. Imagine the speed of the bike when the motor’s power is added. A folding bike does not suffer any reduction of speed.

Are There Folding E-Mountain Bikes?

There are many types of folding e-bikes, but you need to be extra careful with choosing this bike type for mountain biking. Mountain biking needs a sturdy, agile and powerful bike to avoid serious injury. Considering the fact that a folding e-bike can be folded, its frame cannot be considered sturdy enough for this activity.

To make a foldable e-mountain bike sturdier, manufacturers would need to invest a lot of money in the structure and materials. So this type of bike is very expensive to manufacture. This could be one of the reasons why this bike type hasn’t been well received.

However, with more unique styles and designs, manufacturers are trying to revive the market for this bike. The best price for a foldable e-mountain bike would be around $500-$1500.

All the features included with an e-mountain bike are also found in the foldable version; the speed, range, motor, and power rating.

Conclusion

The comparisons between non-folding e-bikes and folding e-bike have just been discussed here in detail. So now it’s up to you to weigh up the points and make a decision.

There’s no denying that electric bikes are the future, so, choose wisely between the two. Who knows, non-electric bikes may even be phased out completely in the future.