Comparison · updated
Folding bike vs city bike
Two good bikes, two different jobs. Here's which one fits how you ride — with prices, sizes and our picks.
Side by side
| Folding bike | City bike | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Commuters who combine cycling with trains or buses; Small flats with no bike storage; Travel and keeping a bike in the car boot | Daily commuting in normal clothes; Shopping, errands and short trips; Riders who want a bike that just works with minimal maintenance |
| Skip it if | You ride long distances or rough roads | You want to ride long distances fast |
| Entry-level | under €/$900 | under €/$700 |
| Mid-range | €/$900–2,200 | €/$700–1,500 |
| Performance | €/$2,200+ | €/$1,500+ |
| Sizes | One size | S, M, L, XL |
| Models in our list | 1 (EU)15 (US) | 6 (EU)16 (US) |
| Electric versions | yes | yes |
Choose a folding bike if…
- Commuters who combine cycling with trains or buses
- Small flats with no bike storage
- Travel and keeping a bike in the car boot
Choose a city bike if…
- Daily commuting in normal clothes
- Shopping, errands and short trips
- Riders who want a bike that just works with minimal maintenance
Top picks
EuropeA Line 3-speed
A small fold for the hallway, a proper ride for the day.
- Steel
- Brompton
- 11.3 kg
Editor ONE FE
An everyday companion for errands and the ride across town.
- Aluminium
- Gates Carbon Drive
Speed 900
An everyday companion for errands and the ride across town.
- Aluminium
- Shimano Altus
- 11.5 kg
Top picks
United StatesMariner D8 II
A small fold for the hallway, a proper ride for the day.
- Aluminium
- Shimano Altus
- 12.7 kg
K9
A small fold for the hallway, a proper ride for the day.
- Aluminium
- DAHON
- 10.4 kg
Brilliant L Train V-Brake
Put everyday errands on two wheels.
- Steel
- Shimano Nexus
- 12.2 kg
Stinson 2 LS
An everyday companion for errands and the ride across town.
- Aluminium
- Shimano Acera
Frequently asked questions
Is a folding bike better than a city bike?
Buy a folding bike if you combine cycling with trains or buses or have no room to store a bike. Otherwise a full-size city bike rides better, carries more and costs less for the same quality.
Which is cheaper, a folding bike or a city bike?
A good city bike is usually cheaper. Entry-level folding bikes cost under €/$900 and city bikes under €/$700; mid-range €/$900–2,200 vs €/$700–1,500.
Can a folding bike do what a city bike does?
Partly. A folding bike isn't ideal if you ride long distances or rough roads. A city bike isn't ideal if you want to ride long distances fast.