Which folding e-bike is right for me?

Which e-folding bike is right for you mainly depends on four things: how much it weighs, how small it folds, what wheel size it has, and how many watt-hours the battery provides. We don't name a test winner because we haven't conducted our own tests. With these criteria, however, you can find the bike that suits your everyday life.

Below, we go through the points with examples from our e-folding bikes. The figures come from the manufacturers in each case. The models to compare are listed at the end of the page.

How heavy can an e-folding bike be?

You carry a folding bike more often than a regular e-bike: onto the train, into the trunk, and up the stairs. From around 25 kilos, carrying it up stairs can become very cumbersome according to ADAC.

According to JOBOBIKE, the Ace Pro weighs 24 kilos and the Sam around 24 kilos. ENGWE states that the O20 Boost weighs 26.5 kilos. According to DYU, the DYU D3S stays under 20 kilos. The ENGWE Engine X, at around 32 kilos, and the ENGWE L20 3.0 Pro, at around 33 kilos, are significantly heavier. If the description does not state a weight, ask before buying.

How small does it fold?

Measure beforehand where the bike is meant to be stored: in the trunk, in the hallway, or under your desk. Not every model lists its folded dimensions.

According to the manufacturer, the JOBOBIKE Sam measures 90 by 81 by 47 centimeters when folded. The ENGWE O20 Boost measures 88 by 52.5 by 85 centimeters when folded.

If the folded dimensions are missing, ask about them before buying. A bike that doesn't fit in your trunk won't help you even with a large battery.

14-inch, 20-inch, or Fatbike tires?

According to the manufacturer, the Ace Pro, Sam, and O20 Boost all roll on 20 x 2.125-inch tires, and all three have a suspension fork. The DYU D3S has 14-inch wheels.

The OUXI Q11, ENGWE EP 2 Pro, and ENGWE Engine X have wide Fatbike tires measuring 20 x 4.0 inches. Which size is right depends on how much space you have at home and in your car, as well as the routes you ride.

How many watt-hours does the battery need?

Compare the watt-hours (Wh), because they indicate how much energy the battery stores. If the description only lists volts and amp-hours, multiply the two figures.

ENGWE lists 720 Wh each for the O20 Boost and the L20 3.0 Pro, while OUXI also lists 720 Wh for the Q11. According to JOBOBIKE, the Ace Pro has 540 Wh. For the DYU D3S, the manufacturer lists 36 V and 10 Ah; for the EP 2 Pro and the Engine X, it lists 48 V and 13 Ah each.

For mixed riding, ADAC estimates 50 to 100 kilometers per charge, depending on capacity.

How much torque?

Torque, measured in newton meters (Nm), indicates how strongly the motor assists you, for example when starting or riding uphill. JOBOBIKE lists 45 Nm each for the Ace Pro and the Sam, while ENGWE lists 75 Nm for the O20 Boost and up to 100 Nm for the mid-drive motor of the L20 3.0 Pro.

According to the manufacturers, the Ace Pro, O20 Boost, and L20 3.0 Pro have torque sensors. They measure how hard you pedal.

Brakes and payload

The manufacturers specify hydraulic disc brakes for the Ace Pro, Sam, O20 Boost, L20 3.0 Pro, and Q11. According to ENGWE, the disc brakes on the EP 2 Pro and Engine X are mechanical. ADAC recommends hydraulic brakes for riders with a high body weight or lots of luggage.

According to the manufacturers, the maximum payload is 150 kilos for the O20 Boost and 120 kilos for the Ace Pro, Sam, and DYU D3S. Heavier riders with a backpack should take a close look at this.

Which e-folding bike should you not buy?

One with a throttle, if you don't want a motor vehicle. A pedelec only assists while you pedal and only up to 25 km/h at most (§ 1 para. 3 StVG). If an e-bike travels up to 25 km/h using a throttle without pedaling, ADAC generally classifies it as a moped, requiring a helmet, a moped test certificate, and an insurance license plate. Check the product description for rated continuous power, cutoff speed, and throttle. For the DYU D3S, the manufacturer explicitly states: without a throttle.

Also avoid one that is missing important specifications. Without the weight, folded dimensions, and watt-hours, you won't know whether the bike fits into your everyday life.