As soon as it was clear that folding bikes were the next big thing, many manufacturers began popping up in the industry. For a newcomer, therefore, it may be not easy to pick from the ocean of choices available. Selecting the best folding bike from the options available is equally challenging. This blog post discusses the famous folding bicycle brands and reveals their ups and downsides.

Best Folding Bike Brands of 2024: 5 Picks

1. Brompton

Brompton is not just one of the domineering folding bike manufacturers, it is credited for being the best. It is equally the oldest most relevant brand in the market making waves since the 1970s.

Brompton has five major lines, Lines A, and Lines C which have the most affordable folding bike releases so far, with some costing under $1200, and the most recent Lines P and Lines T which have the more expensive, and sophisticated models. The Brompton Line T was released in 2021 and there are media whiffs that a new Brompton model is being developed, however, the company has yet to make any official statements in that regard.

Best Folding Bike to Buy from the Brompton Lines

It is established that Brompton folding bikes are great, but then again, there are at least 10 various types, and the question of which do I buy? According to popular reviews, here are the best Brompton bikes in the market:

1. Brompton P Line Urban – The Brompton P Line is a 4-speed, super lightweight bike (10kg), titanium bike. It is designed for urban commuting and sold for about €2775
2. Brompton C Line Explore – The Brompton C Line Explore is a 6-speed steel bike weighing about 12kg. it has one of the smallest folding sizes the company has produced so far and is sold for about $1850.
3. If you are on a low budget, the Brompton A and B Lines are the go-to section. These are 3-speed, low-cost bikes, priced under $1000 and with high utility as well.

Brompton is great for its size, ease of foldability, and quality, but the price? Not so much, a great Brompton bike could cost too high. The latest T lines for example have products costing up to $4000.

2. Dahon

Riders are always interested in the Dahon vs Brompton competition. Dahon was founded in the 1980s by David T Hon (that’s how the name was coined Dahon). It is currently headquartered in California and is one of the world’s largest producers of folding bikes.

Dahon bikes are more versatile when it comes to wheel size. Unlike Brompton which only produces 16 inches frames, Dahon bikes have 14, 16, 20, and even 24 inches frames, so, there is more variety to choose from.

1. The Dahon Mariner D8 is top on the list of recommendations. Sold for only about $950, it comes with powerful 8-speed gear, 12.59 kg, and a larger 20-inch wheel size.
2. The Dahon HIT folding bike is an alloy aluminum bike weighing 11.52 kg. It is 6-speed geared and has 20 by 1.75 inches tires. It is just about €700.
3. Dahon Vybe D7 and the Vybe series are the next worthy recommendation.

Dahon folding bikes are more affordable than Brompton and have more variety with wheel sizes, however, they are still more expensive than average ordinary folding bikes.

3. Tern

Next is the Tern bikes which is a viable, reliable, and resourceful alternative to Brompton and Dahon. Tern is remarkable for its strong bikes. The company had a rough start with Dahon bikes but attained autonomy in 2013. The HSD series is its newest model release.

1. Tern Link D8 – Sold for about $950, this is a power 8-speed drivetrain bike with a 20-inch wheel size and an improved folding mechanism. It weighs only about 12.1kg.
2. Tern Verge P1 – Weighs 11.7 kg, 10 speeds, and sold for about $1500.
3. The HSD S11 – This is in the electric category with an 11-speed Shinamo Groupset and a rider capacity of 150 kg. It can go up to 76 miles on full charge and is sold at about $4000 (quite on the higher side).

Tern bikes stand out for how strong they are. The Tern Link D8 for example is exceptional for urban city rides and extremely commendable. They are also cheaper than the high-cadre bikes. However, they are not so small in folding sizes.

4. Bike Friday

Bike Friday is very popular among air-traveling folks for being compact foldable and perfect for suitcases. It was founded in the 1990s by Oregon brothers in the USA. Its latest addition is the World Tourists folding bike which comes with astonishing new and durable design. Some of its most famous products are:

1. The Bike Friday All Packa – sold for about $2500 is the most expensive in the categories of best bike Fridays. Its 20 by 2.4 inches tires improve rides on rough terrains and have a 9-speed or 18-speed gear option.
2. Bike Friday PackIt – This bike makes this list due to its ability to fit into a backpack. More so, it weighs only about 9kg, which is spectacular compared to other expensive bikes. It has 16 inches of wheels and costs about $1700
3. Bike Friday D7 on the under hand is sold for under $1000 and is one of the cheapest and most durable in the market.

Bike Friday started out as a very cheap alternative, but in recent times, that has changed. Bike Friday models are getting more and more expensive by the day.

5. Montague

Montague bike made a name as the bike with a military outlook with its recent Paratrooper folding bike. The company dates back to the 1980s and has remained relevant to date. It is iconized for being one of the strongest for rough rides such as off-road adventures.

The top and famous Montague folding bikes are:

The paratrooper line: spectacular!

Especially the:

1. Paratrooper elite about $3000
2. Paratrooper Highline about $1500
3. Paratrooper pro-rated about $1300
4. Paratrooper Express about $800

Other equally durable and great folding bike brands include Bickerton Portables, Raleigh Folding Bikes, Gocycle, Vilano, and Hummingbirds which are more affordable brands.

What to Know Before Buying a Folding Bike?

This tip will be summarized in one paragraph. Select for purpose – not for looks or brand name. Except you anticipate a fashion show, go for a bike that is good for your road, your riding plans, and your budget. If you miss any of these, you may have a powerful bike with less utility, and that may not augur well in the long run.

The Bottom Line

Do not be too hinged on Dahon vs Brompton, when looking for reliable folding bike manufacturers. Try other brands and manufacturers listed above, you may find your best bike in the least expected brand. Look out for suitability to your riding terrain, your personal use, and other factors as those will help you get the best bike beyond brand labels.