When buying an electric folding bike, you look at four things: the wheel size, the weight, whether the battery is removable and how many kilometres you ride per day. If the bike comes along on the train, in the car or in the camper van, folded size and weight matter most. If you ride longer distances in one go, start with the battery.
The wheel size determines how the bike rides and how small it folds
The wheel size is the first choice and affects the riding position, the weight and the folded size.
- 16 inch. Short and agile, so it fits in anywhere. The BOHLT X160 OR has a cast magnesium frame and weighs 18.8 kg. This is the size for the train, the last stretch from the station and the city centre.
- 20 inch. You sit upright, the bike rolls more smoothly and you have a better view of the traffic. The BOHLT R200 weighs 24.8 kg and has 6 gears.
- 20 inch fatbike. Wide tyres roll over cobblestones, forest paths and beach access paths. The folding BOHLT F20 and BOHLT Fat Twenty both weigh 28 kg including the battery.
Weight determines whether you really take it with you
On paper, weight is a number. In practice, it is the difference between a bike that comes along and a bike that stays at home.
The electric folding bikes we currently sell weigh from 18.8 to 28 kg. If lifting is part of your daily route, you will notice the difference between nineteen and twenty-eight kilos immediately. If the bike mainly goes in the boot or the camper van, a folding fatbike is a pleasant middle ground.
If the bike always stays in the shed, it does not need to fold. The BOHLT Rebel and the RED6 Ghost are fatbikes with a fixed frame without a hinge and weigh 30.5 kg.
Look for a removable battery
This is the point that makes the most difference at home. If the battery is fixed, the whole bike has to go to the socket. If the battery is removable, you only take the pack inside and the bike stays in the shed, the garage or the bike storage.
The F20 and the Fat Twenty have a removable battery, as do the Rebel and the Ghost. On the X160 OR, the battery sits in the top tube: you charge via the charging port on the bike or take the battery out. You then charge indoors at room temperature, which a lithium battery likes. Read more about this in our article on the lifespan and maintenance of an e-bike battery.
Battery capacity and range
Capacity is given in watt-hours (Wh). The higher the number, the further you get. The manufacturer's figures for the current models:
- X160 OR: 187 Wh
- R200: 281 Wh, up to 45 km, charging approx. 5 hours
- Fat Twenty: 375 Wh, up to 40 km, charging approx. 5 hours
- F20: 375 Wh, 45 to 55 km, charging approx. 6 hours
- RED6 Ghost: 468 Wh, 50 to 60 km, charging approx. 8 hours
- BOHLT Rebel: 627 Wh, up to 80 km, charging approx. 7 hours
Work out your own ride and include the return trip. For the stretch from the station to the office and back, a compact battery is more than enough. If you make day trips from the campsite, choose a model with a bigger battery.
Gears and brakes
The X160 OR rides on a single gear, designed for flat terrain: unfold, get on, ride off. The R200 and the Fat Twenty have 6 gears and the F20 has 7, for a suitable gear in headwinds and on bridges. The Rebel runs on a belt drive that you don't need to grease, that leaves no grease marks on your trousers and that runs quietly.
The folding bikes we currently sell have disc brakes, for a short braking distance that remains easy to modulate in the rain. The Rebel has hydraulic disc brakes, which brake with little hand force.
Rules, load capacity and delivery
Pedal assistance up to 25 km/h with a 250 W motor counts as a regular bicycle. You don't need a helmet, licence or registration plate, and you ride on the cycle path. This applies to all electric bikes we currently sell.
Next, check the maximum load, including rider and luggage. For the R200, the F20 and the Fat Twenty it is 120 kg, for the Rebel 150 kg. If you often carry shopping, do the sums before you order.
Every bike comes with a 24-month manufacturer's warranty and you have a 30-day cooling-off period. If you order before 21:00 on a working day, your bike will arrive within 24 hours, and delivery is always free. The full range can be found under e-bikes.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a licence or helmet for an electric folding bike?
No. With pedal assistance up to 25 km/h and a 250 W motor, the bike counts as a regular bicycle. No compulsory helmet, no licence and no registration plate, and you ride on the cycle path.
Which wheel size should I choose for the train and the last stretch to the office?
16 inch. The X160 OR is short, agile and weighs 18.8 kg. If you prefer to sit upright and roll more smoothly, 20 inch suits you better.
How far can I go on one battery charge?
That depends on the battery. According to the manufacturer, the R200 goes up to 45 km, the F20 45 to 55 km and the Rebel up to 80 km.
Why is a removable battery handy?
You only take the battery pack inside and leave the bike in the shed or bike storage. That saves lifting and you charge at room temperature.
How much weight can the bike carry?
For the R200, the F20 and the Fat Twenty the maximum load is 120 kg, for the Rebel 150 kg. That includes rider and luggage.
How quickly will the bike arrive?
Ordered before 21:00 on a working day, delivered within 24 hours. Delivery is always free.
