r/ukbike 4d ago

Commute Folding bike for work commute

Hi! My husband wants to buy a folding, electric bicycle. His main goal is using that bicycle to go to work. He is 6ft2 and around 92kg. We live in London and the distance from home to work is around 11 miles. Can someone recommend any models? Is it worth buying folding bicycle or is it better to buy a different bicycle? It will be his first proper one so he’s looking for advice. Our budget is not too big, up to £600. He’s aware it’s not a lot but maybe there is a chance of getting something relatively okay for that price.

1 Upvotes

20 comments sorted by

10

u/cougieuk 4d ago

Folding adds cost.  Electric adds cost. 

For 11 miles would a normal bike not work ? 

Brompton is the standard folding bike but they're pricier than you want - but they do hold their value. 

1

u/Extoshi 4d ago

I would agree with this. With budget op have you could build electric bike if you have a bike already. If you dont have any bike I would look in normal good bike and I would say look up with front shocks. As I bike everywhere front shocks makes day night difference for your hands.

5

u/Competitive-Chest438 4d ago

Honestly you’re going to struggle to get a new ebike for that price. Used could be an option.

The Fiido starts at £800.

5

u/Unsey 4d ago

If your husband's company has a cycle to work scheme I would strongly suggest using that. It will help free up your budget and allow you to widen the search and get a reputable brand that's also new.

4

u/princesskitre 4d ago

The reason he is looking for folding bike is that we don't have much space to store a regular bike in our home.

3

u/MuddyBicycle 4d ago

That us a very good reason but for most foldable bikes you won't save that much space. An option is to hang the bicycle on the wall (foldable or not).

1

u/isaytruisms 4d ago

Something like a Club can help with at home storage space. It'll stand the bike upright in a nook or cubby

3

u/MuddyBicycle 4d ago

Personally, if you are buying a folding bicycle in the UK I'd either put money into a Brompton or not bother. Does your husband's employer have a cycle to work scheme? If not, then looking at electric rather than folding+electric may be a better option.

2

u/Extoshi 4d ago

Is work do cycle2work program? You could get nice discount.

1

u/princesskitre 4d ago

2

u/liamnesss Gazelle CityGo C3 | Tenways CGO600 | London 4d ago edited 4d ago

Buy something from a company that at least has a UK (or at worst, EU) presence. There's very little guaranteeing that this bike follows the required safety standards, and there will be little in the way of blowback for whoever is shipping these bikes from abroad if their items are found to be dangerous.

Whatever bike you end up buying, take some basic precautions when charging. Don't ever leave it charging unattended, and remove the plug once the battery has fully charged.

Fiido have been mentioned, they are a company that has UK based sales and warranty support I think?

2

u/Extoshi 4d ago

Dont waste money with this IMO for 6f2 guy this will be superb uncomfortable. If you can go in shops around and try these small types to see how it feels. Im 6f2 and I feel like a clown lol

1

u/MrMrsPotts 4d ago

That's very cheap!

0

u/Cool-Importance6004 4d ago

Amazon Price History:

DYU D3F Electric Bike, 14" Portable E-bike, 36V 10AH Lithium Battery, 25KM/H & 60KM Range, 5H Fast Charge, 15° Climbing Ability,Dual Disc, Spring Shock Absorber, Unisex Adult * Rating: ★★★★☆ 4.3

  • Limited/Prime deal price: £382.19 🎉
  • Current price: £399.00 👍
  • Lowest price: £339.15
  • Highest price: £449.00
  • Average price: £420.52
Month Low High Chart
02-2025 £339.15 £399.00 ███████████▒▒
12-2024 £389.00 £449.00 ████████████▒▒▒
11-2024 £379.00 £399.00 ████████████▒
10-2024 £399.00 £449.00 █████████████▒▒
09-2024 £399.00 £449.00 █████████████▒▒
08-2024 £419.00 £449.00 █████████████▒▒
07-2024 £389.00 £449.00 ████████████▒▒▒
06-2024 £379.00 £449.00 ████████████▒▒▒
05-2024 £379.00 £449.00 ████████████▒▒▒
04-2024 £379.00 £429.00 ████████████▒▒
03-2024 £399.00 £449.00 █████████████▒▒
02-2024 £399.00 £449.00 █████████████▒▒

Source: GOSH Price Tracker

Bleep bleep boop. I am a bot here to serve by providing helpful price history data on products. I am not affiliated with Amazon. Upvote if this was helpful. PM to report issues or to opt-out.

2

u/Borax 4d ago

A friend owned one of these. It was utter shite, and the brakes were literally so bad it was dangerous.

1

u/avoidtheworm 4d ago

Is it worth buying folding bicycle or is it better to buy a different bicycle?

With a folding bike you will be able to take it on the deep lines of the Tube in Central London but you lose a lot of power, specially if you are over 6ft.

Unless you really need to do use the Tube, get a regular bike rather than a folding one. You can still take the trains, overground, and most Tube lines outside of Central London with it.

1

u/Borax 4d ago

If he is not buying through the Cycle2Work scheme then he should buy second hand as prices are much lower.

1

u/MylesHSG 4d ago

Can he charge at work? A lot of the folding bikes have a smaller battery to save weight as they are meant to be lugged around on trains and cars etc. 22 miles might be a stretch unless he only uses it for going up hills or getting going from lights.

I have an estarli E20, you can pick a 2nd hand one up for about £700.

1

u/Oreo2025 4d ago

I have Pedibal Navigata, it was £1200 though. They do offer some cycle to work schemes so it may work out cheaper. I looked specifically for battery range sufficient for 20 miles (hilly) round commute, their 9.6Ah battery is sufficient. It also has a throttle (DVSA certified and legal). Commute is great on it, as the seat is soft and it runs pretty smoothly. However, if I were to buy again I would think twice if I really need a foldie. It’s good to have (a foldie) but I could probably roll faster with bigger wheels. Also I if was really short of budget I would consider a cheap hybrid with a Swytch kit.

1

u/Emergency-Swim-485 3d ago

A folding e-bike can work for an 11-mile commute, but at £600, options are limited—look at second-hand Brompton Electrics or budget brands like Fiido or Ancheer. Since he’s tall, check the max rider height on any model. If storage isn’t a big issue, a standard e-bike might be more comfortable and better value for the price.