However, one aspect that many riders tend to overlook is understanding the gears and ratios of a folding bike. Alternatively, if you have grander plans, a better-equipped and more expensive choice could be a wiser investment.

Internal hub gears offer multiple gears but are located within the hub of the rear wheel, making them low maintenance and weather-resistant. If you live somewhere with a lot of hills you might want to spend a bit extra on the more practical multi-speed or electric versions. For our money, if you don’t mind the limited range of gears and moderate weight, they’re by far the most dependable and the easiest folding of folders. Folding bikes are one of the most convenient ways of getting around, particularly if part of your commute involves taking a bus or a train. Fold it up and it’ll fit within your regular baggage allowance, allowing you to fly straight to the Alps and take on the biggest HC climbs.Whether you're a commuter, a traveler, or a fitness enthusiast, folding bikes offer a practical solution for riders of all levels. It would have a higher score if it had any of the following: belt drive (1 point), mid drive motor position (1 point), single speed or internal gear hub transmission (1 point), front disc brakes (0. But for a bike that could get fairly limited use, you need to ask yourself whether you’re getting the best bang for your buck.

With 10kg weight, full range of gears and recognisable components, this is one of the most full-sized feeling folding bikes. The full carbon frame is built by Prodrive, better known for its work in motorsport building race cars for Aston Martin, Subaru and Volkswagen. The seven-speed gears will see you up all but the steepest hills and it easily folds down small enough to bring on the train or leave in your car.Plus, as folding bikes can normally come inside with you, they’re less prone to getting stolen than a full-size commuter bike that demands to be locked up on the street. Tern makes a huge range of folding bikes covering the transport needs of all kinds of cyclists, whether that’s getting around town or heading off on a fully loaded touring adventure.

It is suitable for anyone, whether they are just getting into cycling or they are a seasoned cyclist. Brompton are the market leaders for a reason, folding them is a breeze, they look the business and you can go for a battery powered model if you like for extra convenience. The carbon fibre frame and aluminium swingarm have a simple elegance, while the folding mechanism has been really well thought out. Not only do you want everything you’d expect of a conventional bike, but you want it miniaturised and made to fold. Cramming a near full-size ride into a tiny package, it goes a long way to justifying its premium pricing.Achieved in a minimal two steps, the bike’s aluminium rear stays pivot around the bottom bracket, which means the distance between it and the rear hub stays constant at all times. It’s a great choice for urban commuters as the drivetrain is covered to stop you getting oil on your clothes, and the wheels are mounted on one side only so you don’t need to take them off to repair punctures. Some folding bikes will come with front and rear mudguards to keep you clean from road splatter – but check before purchasing.

It’s is perfect for those who want to ride and be environmentally friendly without sacrificing convenience. After all, some options will come with just one gear, others limited hub-based systems, while others still will have the same wide-ratio external derailleur gearing found on conventional machines. If you’d rather go for a big name, we’d recommend any of Brompton’s C line range, both the C line urban and the electric C line explore. Generally speaking, non-folding bikes can be taken on the above-ground sections of the TfL network outside of peak hours, but aren’t allowed in deeper tunnel sections as non-folding bikes can block access in emergencies.

The traction control is a great feature – we often felt it kicking in to keep us safe when pushing the bike hard on slippery autumn roads – and we were impressed by the power of the hydraulic disc brakes, too. With a 250W front wheel-drive motor with traction control and three-speed gears, you can ride to work without breaking a sweat. Once you have arrived at your destination simply fold away and pop into the provided carry bag and place wherever you like for that ultimate convience.