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Riding your bike to the mountains is all fun and games until you realize that there isn’t enough room for your bike to be stored. It would also be quite inconvenient if you’re traveling using public transport.
That’s where a folding mountain bike comes in for the rescue! These bikes, often called “folders” or “foldies”, utilizes various innovative designs and hinges to save you the hassle of moving around with a full-sized bike.
If you’re planning to get a new folding mountain bicycle, you’re in for a treat! In the following article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know before picking your ideal folder bike for your mountain rides. So without further ado, let’s dive in!
Top 4 Folding Mountain Bikes Available on the Market
With all the styles and designs that you can stumble across out there, you can easily get overwhelmed while trying to pick the best.
To save you the hassle of going through them all, we’ve compiled this list of the best 4 options that you can find out there. Let’s check them out!
1. Max4Out Folding Mountain Bike
An all-round perfect bike for adult men and women of all ages. It comes at an affordable price, which makes it double a budget-friendly option.
Bike Specifications
- Folded Size: 37 x 34x 15 inches
- Speeds: 21
- Bike net weight: 40.1 lbs
- Wheel size: 26 inches
- Maximum weight capacity: 220 lbs
Bike Overview
Kicking off the list with one of the all-round best items on the market. The Max4Out folding bike combines the durability of a mountain bike along with aesthetics and innovative folding design needed for efficient space-saving.
It has 26-inch wheels, enabling you to reach higher speeds while on the road. They also give you decent stability while riding offroad and on the trail. It comes with a 21-speed Shimano shifter as well as Shimano front and back derailleurs
The bike features 3-spoke magnesium wheels, which adds to the durability of the bike’s carbon steel frame.
Moreover, the bike has an advanced full-suspension for excellent support and stability no matter how rocky your ride is.
The folding mechanism of the bike is quite easy once you get the hang of it.
It folds to a super small size, despite its ability to carry up to 220 lbs of weight when in use.
The bike comes 85% pre-assembled with a little left to put together. The customer service team will send you assembly tools as well as a comprehensive video to help you get the bike ready. Additionally, it comes in stylish blue and red color options for you to choose from.
Pros
- Excellent for buyers on a budget
- Available in two color options
- Aesthetically pleasing design when folded and unfolded
- Ultra-comfortable padded seats to soak up shocks and vibrations
Cons
- Requires frequent changes in parts
2. Eurobike Folding Mountain Bicycle
One of the top-performing mountain bikes with foldability options. Ideal for adults who like to push their limits every now and then.
Bike Specifications
- Folded Size: 39 x 7 x 27 inches
- Speeds: 21
- Bike net weight: 40 lbs
- Wheel size: 26 inches
- Maximum weight capacity: 330 lbs
Bike Overview
Eurobike MTB is another popular option for mountain cyclists who are looking for foldability features. The bike comes with a durable and rugged steel frame that can handle heavy-duty use for a long time.
The suspension fork is also made of steel to provide powerful absorption of shocks and vibrations. The design folds in nicely and saves a huge amount of space.
As for speed, the bike comes with a Shimano gearbox of 21 speeds with a 26-inch wheel for excellent stability on the road and trail.
The Eurobike features a disc brake system for a reliable stop and bite to the ground when needed, which adds to its safety even on steep ground.
The assembly of the bike is quite impressive, with some users claiming that it only took them about 5 to 15 minutes to fully put it together.
Despite all its merits, it was noticeable that the handlebar on the bike comes quite lower than usual, which might be a bit problematic for some. However, you can easily fix this issue by attaching a drop bar or a riser bar.
Pros
- Rugged steel frame construction
- Folds up nicely into a compact size
- Extremely easy to put together
Cons
- The handlebar runs a bit low
- Requires tuning of the gears and brakes from time to time
3. Montague Paratrooper Elite Folding Mountain Bike
A uniquely superb folding mountain bike that’s fit for the avid mountain cyclists who are looking for nothing but the best no matter how pricey it can get.
Bike Specifications
- Folded Size: 36 x 28 x 12 inches
- Speeds: 30
- Bike net weight: 27 lbs
- Wheel size: 27.5 inches
- Maximum weight capacity: 300 lbs
Bike Overview
If you’re looking for a bike that has “premium” written all over it, you should look no further than the Montague Paratrooper Elite.
This bike is the premium version of an already high-end mountain bike, so you should expect everything about the bike to be one of a kind.
For example, the bike comes with 30-speed gears and a much larger wheel size of about 27.5 inches.
This allows this bike to reach higher speeds while maintaining the ultimate level of stability as well as comfort while on the road.
One of the things that put the Paratrooper Elite head and shoulders above the competition is the bike’s patented folding technology.
The company’s DirectConnect Technology allows for an ultra-efficient folding mechanism that allows for a more compact and rugged structure all the while keeping the bike indiscernible from a non-folding bike when in use.
The smart folding technology also allowed for a lighter frame while remaining remarkably sturdy. That’s why this bike weighs half as most other bikes on the market while having a huge maximum weight capacity for you and your luggage.
Pros
- Exceptionally large wheels for extra speed
- Multiple speed options
- Patented folding technology
Cons
- Luxurious price tag
4. Xspec Folding Mountain Bike
A popular and highly versatile option that comes at a reasonable price and suits a wide range of tastes and users.
Bike Specifications
- Folded Size: 41 x 32 x 22 inches
- Speeds: 21
- Bike net weight: 41 lbs
- Wheel size: 26 inches
- Maximum weight capacity: 220 lbs
Bike Overview
Lastly, the Xspec is an inexpensive mountain bike that’s fit for anyone who’s looking for a reliable bike that can do it all without breaking the bank. The bike features a high tensile frame that folds quite easily and quickly.
In fact, it won’t take you more than a couple of tries until you get used to the folding mechanism. After that, it’ll only take you less than half a minute to fully fold it up.
The bike isn’t heavy due to its light but sturdy frame, which allows you to use the bike for commuting too.
With a wheel of 26 inches diameter, 21 gear speed, and highly responsive disc brakes, you’ll be able to achieve an excellent balance between stability and speed on various terrains.
Another versatility option about this bike is that it accommodates a wide variety of lengths. Although it’s ideal for those who are between 5 and 6 feet, it can still be used by other taller or shorter cyclists too.
In addition to all that, the bike has a streamlined design that looks impressive whether you’re using it or carrying it while folded.
Pros
- A highly versatile model that suits various purposes, bikers, and terrains.
- Durable steel frame for longevity and shock absorption
- Folds up to the pedals
Cons
- Quite a time-consuming bike to initially put together
Why Get a Folding Mountain Bike?
Making an investment in a quality folding mountain bike might not come cheap. So, is it worth the price?
In the following section, we’ll list some of the most common reasons while a lot of bike riders shift to folding bikes every day.
Easier Storage
If you live in a smaller apartment or your garage if filled up with a lot of items, you might want to consider a folding bike. These bikes are significantly smaller in size when they’re folded and won’t need a huge space.
This makes them ideal for hikers, as you can easily store it anywhere in your tent without eating up all the leg space available inside.
Portability on Travels
Full-sized bikes are too bulky for bus and train rides, and you might require a special permit to carry one into them.
On the other hand, taking a folded bike along into public transport is usually free and unrestricted without needing any permissions or paying extra fees.
Lighter in Weight
Folding bikes are designed with portability in mind. The manufacturers expect that you’re more likely to carry them around, and therefore, they make them lighter in weight.
Not only will that make it easier to lift your bike, but it’ll also give you a little speed boost, as the bike won’t weigh you down as much.
Environment-Friendly Option
If you’re wary about the environmental impact of carbon-heavy journeys, getting a folding bike is a great way to become even greener!
Of course, using a regular bike is super environment-friendly. However, with a folding mountain bike in hand, you’ll get more opportunities to ditch the camper and go fully green on your hikes!
Saves You Money
Although a folding bike is usually more expensive than a full-sized counterpart, having a folding bike, in general, saves you money in the long run.
As you get to use them on more occasions than a regular bike, you’ll waste a lot less money on gas and car maintenance.
Things to Look for While Choosing the Best Folding Mountain Bike
While shopping for a good mountain folding bike, there are some critical aspects that you need to consider before making your final decision.
Here’s everything you should know regarding these factors, so you can pinpoint the ideal folder mountain bike for your needs.
Frame Materials and Durability
It’s crucial for mountain bikes to have a durable frame, so they can withstand all the shocks and unforgiven off-road terrain.
When shopping for a mountain bike, make sure it has either steel or aluminum frames, as these ones can support both your body and your gear weight while taking a lot of beating.
Avoid opting for carbon frames because they easily lose their tensile strength with time and can easily break.
Sizing Options
Bikes are available in various sizes to suit various body lengths. Make sure you check the ideal size option for the bike, so you can feel comfortable while using it.
Luckily, some bikes are available in wide sizing options that can fit teens and adults equally. These bikes are great options if more than one person will be using the bike.
The Folded Size & Ease of Folding
Since you’re mainly buying the bike to save space, it’s critical that you have an idea about its size when folded.
Additionally, check for a folding mechanism video of the bike that shows you how to do it correctly.
It’s ok to be a bit laggy in the beginning. But, once you get the hang of it, you’ll fold the bike in less than a minute.
Overall Weight and Maximum Limit
One aspect that’s always neglected until it’s too late is the weight specifications of the bike. With a folding mountain bike, you’ll be doing a lot of carrying.
That’s why it’s essential to make sure that you can carry the weight of your bike for quite some distance.
Moreover, mountain bikes mean that you’ll most likely have a gear backpack on you, so you have to count that in while figuring out the maximum weight capacity of the bike you’re going for.
Wrap Up
Back in the day, folding bikes used to be bulky and awkward. However, with modern technology and designs, these bikes became sleeker and with a much better convenience score than their predecessors.
A good folding mountain bike should be durable and easy to fold and unfold while supporting you and your luggage.
For that reason, we recommend the Montague Paratrooper Elite as the best overall folding mountain bike on the market.
However, if you’re looking for a more versatile option that you can use in more than just mountain rides, consider the versatile and popular option Xspec Folding Mountain Bike.