Best Folding Bike

If finding a top quality folding bike and staying within a budget is your goal, the Tern Link C7 is the option you want to consider. Retailing at around $500, it was built with the budget-conscious shopper in mind. Although it is at the higher end of the budget pricing, it is worth it.

With Tern's patented DoubleTruss technology, this bike has a much stiffer frame and better power transfer from the pedals to the rear wheel. Unlike some of the other folding bikes, the Link C7 comes with 20-inch wheels (versus 16) and with 7 speeds. It's great for commuting and urban riding.

Weighing in at 27.5 pounds, and folding to approximately 13 x 33 x 25, it is a great size for a folding bike with 20-inch wheels. It comes with a flat handlebar, BioLogic Ergo grips, and cassette, shifter, and rear derailluer by Shimano.

The simple locking mechanisms on this folding bike make it an easy 10 seconds until you are unfolded and off for a fun day of riding.

The Citizen Barcelona is a cool little folding bike that has the look and feel of a beach cruiser. This bike has a low step over frame, a comfort saddle, and a more upright ride to make cruising around town a pleasure.

The Barcelona is equipped with a Shimano Nexxus 3-speed internal hub, making this a low maintenance choice. At 31 pounds, it isn't the lightest folding bike on the market, but when the budget is tight, this is one of the sacrifices. It folds to 33 x 36 x 16, and is small enough to tuck away in the trunk or in your apartment.

If you are looking for something easy to ride at a great price, the Citizen Barcelona comes in at $399. This bike has a unique style that begs to be ridden.

Citizen makes the list again with the Gotham 2. The name may bring Batman to mind, and if you check the sleek style and bold colors on this bike, you may feel like a superhero.

The Gotham 2 weighs in at a lighter 28 pounds and has a folded size of 33 x 25 x 14, making this bike a very manageable size. The folding pedals give it an even slimmer profile.

The Gotham 2 comes with 20-inch wheels, a Shimano Tourney 7-speed derailleur, and a RevoShift index grip shifter. The Citizen Gotham 2 hits the budget at $319, and is sure to turn heads on any urban commute.

The Kettler Verso Cologne gives you many of the things you would expect from a top-of-the-line folding bike, at a much lower price. Retailing at around $350, it is well within the means of many first timers to the folding bike world.

The Verso Cologne is equipped with a Shimano 7-speed Tourney rear derailleur and thumb shifter for easy shifting. V-brakes, luggage rack, fenders, and kickstand are all standard on this Kettler.

With a folded size of 31 x 12 x 31, you can stash this just about anywhere. Whether you are just out for a Sunday afternoon ride or you are commuting to work, the Verso Cologne will handle the job nicely.

If the first thing on your mind when it comes to a budget folding bike is the cost, the Schwinn Hinge 20 is where you want to look. With a price of less than $200, it is the lowest price folding bike on the list.

With a folded size of 30 x 32 x 11, it's in line with many other 20-inch folding bikes, and will fit in the tight spaces just like the higher-priced models.

Schwinn is a name most of us know, but not everyone is familiar with their folding bike line. If the price is where you want to start, take a look at the Schwinn Hinge 20.

Brompton, handmade in London, England, is the ultimate in quality, convenience, and versatility, has the most compact fold, a high quality build, and loads of customizable options. It locks in place when folded, so you can pick it up by the top tube or by the saddle and carry it with you. It also has a convenient push cart mode and weighs in at 20-28 pounds, total weight. The folded size is just over 22 inches high, 21 inches long, and 10 inches wide. With a little practice, it can be folded and unfolded in 10-20 seconds. This model is available in single speed, 2-speed, 3-speed, and 6-speed standard ratios. The back wheel folds under for easy parking; the wheels are 16" standard. Pick your paint color or colors, your gearing, your handlebar style, a rear rack, front bag, and so much more. The standard frame is chromoly steel, but other options are available. Configure this bike for commuting, fast rides, traveling, or global trekking. This bike will do it all - carry your bags, pull a trailer, pack into a suitcase - it even fits through airport security.

Tern Verge X-10 is a great option if you are looking to shave off some weight and want a bike with some speed. This Tern has a 10-speed SRAM drivetrain and weighs in at about 21 pounds, making it a lighter option. As the name would imply, this bike is built for speed, with a wide gear ratio, mountain bike derailleur, and American Classic hubs. The Tern Verge X-10 comes with 20-inch wheels. It is currently only available in a white and orange color scheme, and comes with a t-bar handlebar setup with Ergon grips. It doesnt have a park mode without completely folding it; however, it does lock when folded, making it easy to pick up and carry. The locking mechanisms for the hinges on the Tern are easy to use and come with a safety latch. Tern is what you may call a descendant of Dahon. Tern is manufactured in Taiwan, and was created by the son of the founder of Dahon.

The quality, construction, and overall performance of a Dahon folding bike ranks up there with the best of them. The Dahon Mu P24 is no exception. As the name implies, this Dahon has a 24-speed drivetrain, which isnt something you would expect in a folding bike. The SRAM DualDrive drivetrain has an unbelievably wide gear range: extreme lows and extreme highs. You will be able to tackle the hills, the valleys, and anything in between. This bike is easy to move, weighing in at only 26 pounds and folding up to approximately 30x26x13. It's perfect for the cyclist who wants to explore the convenience of a folding bike, but doesnt want to give up all the gears of a full-size bike.

The Dahon Speed D7 is a great option in a folding bike that is more budget-friendly. This is where performance meets easy on the wallet. With a name like Speed, Im sure youre wondering if it lives up to its name. In short, yes. This 7-speed Dahon is equipped with a Neos derailleur, ProMax V brakes, and a lightweight chromoly frame. Just like Tern, it has 20 wheels. This is a great bike for commuting - it comes with a standard rear rack and fenders. It weighs in at just under 28 pounds. The folded size of this bike is approximately 30x25x12; it has a standard flat handlebar, and is available in a few color choices. The hinge locks are similar to that of the Tern. This is a great bike if you are transitioning to a bike for your commute, or if you are trading in the standard bike for a folding bike.

Everyone knows the name Schwinn, and many of us remember them as our first bike. They make some good bikes, and are much more budget-friendly for someone who wants to try out a folding bike before making a big commitment. Though it's not as light or versatile as the higher-end folding bikes, the Schwinn Loop 7 has a 7-speed drivetrain and low stand-over. It still cuts down on space, just like any other folding bike. It has a rack on back for carrying the necessities, a sturdy frame, and great tires for getting you through almost anything. If you are watching the pennies but still want to try a folding bike, this is a good option.