Bike finder: Which budget e-folding bike should I buy?

Budget e-folding bike

For: Nick Jackson, aged 65, from Malvern
Bike needs: Electric folding bike to take on the train
Must have: Low weight, disc brakes, rack, off-road capability
Budget: £2,000

Rebecca Bland

When it comes to electric folding bikes, you’ll generally find they’re either lightweight and compact and not that powerful, or they’re well equipped but harder to lug around trains stations and the like.

With a budget of £2,000, it’s not impossible to find something that’s low in weight, uses disc brakes, has a rack and is capable off road, but you likely won’t find anything as high-spec as a Brompton e-bike.

One option would be something like the MiRider 16 (£1,595), which comes with 16in wheels, a singlespeed drivetrain and mechanical disc brakes. It’s also just over 17kg, so it’s towards the lighter end of the scale for being carried.

MiRider e-bikes are quite popular with motorhome owners, and this one can handle light off road (think towpaths and compacted bridleways). It’s also within budget, but it doesn’t come with a rack – although MiRider does offer accessories that may alleviate this.

Another British brand, Estarli offers a few folding e-bikes, and one is specifically aimed at off-road riding: the E20.8 (£1,895). It comes with an 8−speed Shimano drivetrain, a rear rack and a choice of chunky off-road or gravel/hybrid tyres.

It also has hydraulic disc brakes, which is a rarity at this price point. The only box it doesn’t tick is weight – it’s around 20kg depending on accessories. But it does fold down nicely and can be wheeled easily when folded.

Estarli E20.8 £1,895

Dan Joyce

Whichever e-bike you decide on, I think 20-inch wheels and wide tyres are essential. They will provide better comfort and control on bridleways and unsurfaced cycle tracks compared to smaller wheels and narrower tyres, yet the folded bike will still be compact enough to fit in train luggage racks easily.

I’d like to recommend the Brompton Electric G Line, which with 20×2in tubeless-ready gravel tyres and a sturdy frame is a sort of ATB of the folding bike world. Unfortunately, it’s almost double your budget at £3,499.

Like Rebecca, I think MiRider is a good option but I favour the MiRider 20 Singlespeed (£1,795) for its larger wheels. It doesn’t come with a luggage rack but you can add one for £50. The only issue is its weight: it’s 20kg.

So instead I’ll recommend a Tern Link B8 (£700) fitted with Nano Electric Bikes kit (from £900). Tern Links are good-value folders and this one has disc brakes, a rack and 20×1.75in tyres.

It weighs 13.6kg by itself and the Nano kit will bump that to around 17-18kg, depending on the spec you choose. (I’d recommend the larger 10Ah battery, which adds £160.)

If you’re prepared to forgo the disc brakes, a Tern Link D8 (£970) would save you 1.5kg over the Tern Link B8. You can fit the Nano kit yourself or get Nano to fit it for you, which costs from £100.

Tern Link B8 £700 and Nano Electric Bikes kit £900+

First published in Cycle magazine, April/May 2023 issue. All information correct at time of publishing.