We put six of the best electric folding bikes to the test to find out which one is the most useful for those using them on a boat
Many boat owners have already discovered the joys of carrying a folding bicycle on board. It allows you to explore further afield than the immediate confines of whatever marina you happen to be visiting and makes that boring but necessary trip to the supermarket that much less of a chore.
But even the best folding bikes can prove a bit of a slog, especially in warmer climes – after all, the only way is uphill from most marinas.
Now, however, the latest generation of electric folding bikes promises to take you further and faster than ever before, whatever your age or fitness level.
Designed from the ground up as electric bikes rather than hastily converted pedal cycles, they feature powerful electric motors, long-range lithium ion batteries and neat folding mechanisms that often conceal the batteries and cables within the frame.
The result is a lighter, neater, more compact solution that is both fun to ride and easy to store on board.
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6 of the best electric folding bikes tested
Coyote Connect
The least expensive bike on test turned in a very solid performance, even if its packaging isn’t quite as neat as some
Build quality 3/5
The Coyote Connect’s 20in wheels feel sure-footed under way while the sturdy aluminium frame gives a secure, stable ride. It’s not the most stylish of packages but its utilitarian appearance won’t offend anyone either.
Performance 3/5
The six Shimano Tourney gears are slick and easy to use, rotating on your right handlebar. When you decide it’s time for a shot of electric power from the front-wheel motor, just use your left thumb to turn it on and choose the level of assistance you need from the three available.
The 24V lithium ion battery doesn’t have quite the same urge as some of its 36V rivals but it will still reach the 15.5mph restricted top speed and its 9Ah capacity delivers an impressive range.
Rider comfort 4/5
A wide range of seat and handlebar height adjustment with pedals in the natural place meant all our testers found it easy to find
a comfortable riding position. The broad saddle also met with approval from our heavier testers.
The front V-brakes and rear hub brake aren’t as powerful as some but are progressive and easy to use. The battery is stowed under the rear luggage rack rather than mounted in the frame but the extra carrying capacity is a welcome bonus.
Portability 3/5
It’s a little heavy to lug about but as you won’t be carrying it further than a few metres from the back of your boat to the pontoon, that shouldn’t be a major problem.
The Coyote folds and unfolds quickly and logically, although its slightly untidy shape and size (60x86x45) when folded may
not make it the easiest to stow on board.
Value 5/5
It may be the cheapest of our group at £499 but it doesn’t feel that way when you ride it. Our news editor Steve bought one for himself over a year ago and swears by it. It’s backed by a three-year frame and a one-year battery and component warranty.
It may be the cheapest of our group at £499 but it doesn’t feel that way when you ride it. Our news editor Steve bought one for himself over a year ago and swears by it. It’s backed by a three-year frame and a one-year battery and component warranty.
Verdict 3/5
Available exclusively at Halfords, the low price, sturdy build and comfortable ride make this a surprisingly good budget E-bike package. Spend an extra £30 on a bag suitable for any folding bike with wheels up to 20in and you’re ready to roll.
RRP: £499
Kudos Secret
This cleverly designed and surprisingly affordable E-bike is unlikely to stay secret for long after this test
Build quality 3/5
The extruded aluminium frame is neatly welded with a modern rectangular design that houses the battery inside. Twenty-inch wheels and Kenda tyres with front and rear V-brakes and six-speed Shimano gears give confidence under pedal and electric power.
Performance 5/5
The Secret’s 36V 8Ah LiMnO4 battery is more powerful than the Coyote’s and hidden inside the aluminium frame –hence the ‘Secret’ name.
There is so much acceleration on tap that you really need to go carefully at first until you get used to the right-hand twist-
grip throttle controls. The LED unit on the handlebar displays three assist levels and tells you how much battery you’ve got left.
You can use the throttle to set off and start pedalling until the power automatically kicks in at the level you set on the handlebar display. Take care using the power to start without pedalling; the eager motor can cause your front wheel to rear up if you overdo it.
A gentle squeeze of the very efficient brake levers cuts out the motor when you need to slow down.
Rider comfort 4/5
Taller riders will need a longer alloy seat post than standard (400mm) to ride comfortably and Kudos can supply a 500mm one for a nominal extra charge. This aside, it’s a pleasant bike to ride, although the pedals can clip the ground if you lean over too far into corners.
Portability 4/5
The Secret folds quickly down to a compact size and stands on its own without wobbling over.
A Velcro strap holds it all neatly in place while you lift it into your boat’s lazarette. Its 19kg weight is par for the class, although sadly they no longer supply a storage bag to protect the bike from salt water and knocks.
Value 5/5
At £765, we felt that the Secret represented excellent value for money, offering the style and features of the more expensive bikes without the hefty premium.
Verdict 4/5
This is the bike which most of our testers said they would buy for themselves. It performed well under both pedal and electric power, folded easily and its combination of style, quality and price was spot on.
RRP: £765
Freego Folding Light
Stylish looks and an impressive array of equipment help justify this bike’s premium pricing
Build quality 4/5
Similar in style to the Kudos Secret, the rectangular section alloy tubing conceals the battery within the folding frame. A slightly more curvaceous shape and higher-spec equipment helps justify the extra cost.
Performance 4/5
Three-speed Shimano Nexus internal hub gears don’t give you quite the same range of pedalling options as the six-speed derailleur alternatives but they are blissfully easy to use and less prone to the chain falling off.
The electric motor is mounted on the front wheel with five different power modes giving strong performance uphill and on the flat. The disc brakes are so effective, they take a bit of getting used to.
Rider comfort 5/5
The frame is sturdy and strong with plenty of adjustment to suit all sizes and very comfortable handlebars. Like many of the bikes, the pedals are set quite low but the 20in wheels give a safe, secure ride.
Portability 4/5
Although Light in name, this model is almost identical in weight to the Coyote Connect and the Kudos Secret. During folding and unfolding, the black plastic locking band is a bit of a hindrance while you’re pulling levers on the handlebar stem but the whole bike does go down very neatly, including the pedals folding flat.
Value 3/5
Available in ‘sugar apple green’ and ‘pewter grey’, the Freego comes in at £1,249.
A two-year warranty reflects Freego’s confidence in the life of its 36V 8Ah battery – lithium batteries deteriorate over time so Freego uses only Grade A cells. And its frames are covered for five years!
Verdict 4/5
The Freego Folding Light is marginally better than the Kudos Secret due to its superior LCD display, it has better brakes and additional features, but it’s not quite enough to warrant the substantial extra price.
RRP: £1,249
Woosh Gallego
With its 16in wheels and quirky, fun looks, this bike lives up to its name – the Woosh part, anyway
Build quality 3/5
This is by far the smallest of the bikes with 16in wheels instead of the usual 20in ones and a much more compact aluminium frame with a flip-over Brompton-style back wheel.
The 36V 7.5Ah lithium polymer battery is concealed inside the frame and some of the details like the leather saddle and chrome handlebar ends add a touch of style.
Performance 3/5
The Woosh runs its 250W front-wheel motor via a twist-grip throttle with truly startling effect. The small wheels and rather precarious top-heavy riding position exaggerate the feeling of acceleration to the point that it verges on the alarming even if the top speed is limited to the usual 15.5mph.
The three-speed gear shifter is easy to use but the low-set pedals, small wheels and compact frame size don’t feel suitable for prolonged journeys under pedal power alone.
Rider comfort 2/5
The Gallego is fine for short journeys around the marina but if you’re over 6ft tall or the wrong side of 12 stone, you’re unlikely to feel very comfortable or secure on longer rides. The pedals are prone to clipping the ground if you lean into the bends and our larger testers looked and felt out of proportion to the frame.
Portability 5/5
This is where those small wheels and frame size come into their own. It’s 1kg lighter than all the others in the test (apart from
the Gocycle G3 (see below)) and can fit into a tighter space.
The flip-over back wheel acts as a stand and gives it a basic form of rear-wheel suspension. The only downside is that you have to remove the seat post to fold it fully.
Value 3/5
At roughly the same price as the Kudos Secret, the Gallego represents decent value for money and goes at a cracking pace, but it doesn’t feel as sturdy as some, and the one-year warranty is rather limited.
Verdict 3/5
This is the bike to get if you have very limited space on board and only intend to use it on short trips around the marina. Those smaller 16in wheels are the limiting factor for anything more challenging, although it’s possible that younger teenagers and women might cope better with the smaller frame size.
RRP: £769
Gocycle G3
Racecar engineering and a futuristic design put this high-tech bike on pole position, albeit at a price to match its punchy performance
Build quality 5/5
Designed by former McLaren Cars employee Richard Thorpe, this futuristic E-bike is a league ahead of its more functional rivals.
The ultra lightweight magnesium frame and wheels are made using a process called Thixomolding, which gives them the look
and feel of carbon-fibre mouldings, while the swingarm rear suspension and fully enclosed chain are as elegant as they are practical.
Quick-detach PitstopWheels clip on to the single-sided forks with a simple twist-and-lock design. A row of LEDs in the handlebars show what mode you’re in as well as battery power remaining. There’s also a built-in front light and electronic three-speed gear selector.
Performance 5/5
A 250W motor powers the front wheel while you pedal the rear. The motor is controlled by a torque sensor in the pedals, which can be tuned to give varying levels of assistance via the smartphone app.
This also makes it possible to override the sensor and speed limiter (where legal) and drive it on the throttle alone. Gocycle claims the motor has more than twice the power-to-weight ratio of conventional E-bikes and it felt like that to us.
The low centre of gravity ensures excellent handling while the hydraulic disc brakes are super effective.
Rider comfort 5/5
The frame is designed to replicate all the key touch points of a full-size bike. You can even adjust the angle of the handlebars as well as the height. The slightly fatter wheels, rigid frame and proper rear suspension give a very secure and comfortable ride.
Portability 4/5
The Gocycle doesn’t fold in the conventional sense but the wheels come off, the saddle post lifts out and the whole lot stows neatly into a wheeled carry bag. It takes longer to do than the other bikes but the end result is extremely neat and easily stowed on board.
Value 3/5
At £3,299 it’s a lot of money, but it’s not hard to see where the money’s gone.
Verdict 5/5
This is the clear winner in terms of style, build quality, performance and rider comfort but that punchy price and complex folding procedure may put some people off.
RRP: £3,299 / $4,999
Wisper 806 Torque
This hardy, dependable bike will last a long time and go all day, but is it worth the hefty weight and price tag?
Build quality 4/5
The Wisper 806 Torque has a hand-built alloy frame with an impressive ten-year warranty. Its step-through design makes it the easiest to mount and its restrained but classy looks will appeal to more conservative types. The battery is perched over the rear wheel rather than integrated into the frame.
Performance 4/5
The brushless front-wheel drive 250W motor is so quiet that you can only tell it’s on by the boost in speed you get as soon as you engage the throttle and begin to pedal. Tektro V-brakes keep you in complete control and there is a choice of battery allowing you to increase your range to 50 miles with the optional Samsung mega-range 575Wh version. The standard long-range 375Wh battery carries you 30 miles.
The centrally mounted and generously sized LED display shows speed in mph and tells you how much battery power you have left. A Remote Control Service System deep sleep mode protects the battery when the bike’s not moving.
Rider comfort 5/5
Everything about the Wisper speaks of dependability. The folding mechanisms are well engineered and reassuringly strong.
The cabling runs through the frame and even when exposed is well insulated against damp sea air. The HZ saddle features a 3D skin gel that moulds to your backside and the oversized tyres help to soak up bumps. Not the raciest of rides but a comfortable one with plenty of range and a reassuringly solid feel.
Portability 3/5
The downside of that big battery is weight. At 22kg, this is by some margin the heaviest of the bikes on test and you feel it when lifting it into or out of a lazarette. However, the folding mechanism works well and the end result is impressively compact.
Value 3/5
At £1,599-£1,799 (depending on battery size) the Wisper 806 Torque costs twice as much money as the Kudos Secret but it does feel like a quality product backed up by that impressive warranty.
Verdict 3/5
A very respectable ride and clearly a quality product but the weight is likely to be a problem for some boat owners and the £1,599 RRP price looks a little on the high side compared to some of its rivals.
RRP: £1,599
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