A commute isn’t always perfectly suited to one mode of transport. Sometimes it’s easier to cycle to the train station, take a train, and then ride again for the last part of your journey to the office. You might also want to start cycling as part of your commute, but be struggling to find a way to neatly store your bike beside your desk or in your car.

That compact design makes folding bikes especially useful for mixed-mode commutes, small homes and workplaces with limited cycle storage. This is where fold up bikes come into their own. A folding bike gives you more freedom to build a commute around your route and your space.

And with Cyclescheme, you can save up to 47% on a new folding bike and eligible cycling accessories, with the cost taken tax-efficiently from your salary on a monthly basis. With no big upfront payment and more than 2,600 participating retailers, one compact fold up bike can make everyday work travel simpler.

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What is a fold up bike, and how does it work?

A fold up bike, more commonly called a folding bike, is a bicycle designed to fold into a smaller, more portable size for storage and transport. Depending on the model, the frame may hinge or separate, while handlebars, pedals or the seatpost may also fold or retract.

With fold up bikes, you can cycle one section of your commute, fold the bike when you reach a station, and continue by public transport. Then, when you arrive at work, you may be able to keep a compact folding bike under a desk or in another suitable indoor space rather than relying on external cycle storage. Fold up bikes can also suit people who live in flats, use several types of transport, or need a bike that takes up less room at home.

Different folding mechanisms, wheel sizes, weights, and frame designs are available, so the right choice for you depends on how far you ride, how often you carry the bike, and where you plan to store it throughout the day.

Benefits of fold up bikes for your commute

For many commuters, convenience is the biggest attraction of a fold up bike. Fold up bikes can help you:

• Combine cycling with rail or bus travel
• Cycle the first or final part of a longer journey
• Avoid some congested sections of a commute
• Keep a bike in a smaller home
• Carry a bike into suitable indoor spaces
• Switch between cycling and other transport if plans change

That flexibility makes folding bikes particularly useful for city and hybrid commutes where cycling the whole distance isn’t always practical.

Which type of fold up bike should you choose?

There’s no single folding bike for every commute. The type of bike you choose will depend on your riding distance, the route you take, the weight and folded size of the bike, and your capabilities as a cyclist. Fortunately, there are various fold up bikes options to choose from, including…

Standard fold up commuting bikes

The folding commuter bike is the most common type and is how these bikes were introduced to the mainstream. They’re built more for convenience than performance, but they will still get the job done. As they grow in popularity, commuter bikes are gradually becoming lighter, smaller, and easier to fold away.

As the most popular type of folding bike, there’s more choice. Available in steel, aluminium, and even carbon fibre, many can be customised with bespoke mudguards, luggage, panniers, racks, and lights. Commuter bikes also tend to fold down in the most compact way, specially designed with public transport in mind.

Fold up road bikes

Fold up road bikes generally appear much like commuter bikes, bar a few key differences.  A folding road bicycle will have a higher saddle as well as drop handlebars to accommodate an athletic riding position. Just because you’re on a folding bike, it doesn't mean you can’t rack up some speed.

We don’t recommend using a fold up road bike for your next tour or cycle challenge, but it will increase how far you can comfortably travel. Rather than simply getting you from A to point B, you can travel further and use your energy more efficiently. So, if you’re looking for a bike to use as a run-around but still want the convenience of a folding mechanism, a folding road bike could be the answer.

Fold up mountain bike

Fold up mountain bikes incorporate more of the elements and characteristics of mountain bikes into their design, with suspension, larger tyres, and wider flat handlebars. Many folding mountain bikes are considerably larger than their counterparts, with some being almost full-sized.

Whilst regular commuter folding bikes are more likely to suffer at the hands of road conditions, folding mountain bikes are designed for rough terrain. These bikes aren’t best suited to commuters who use public transport, as they aren’t quite compact enough to fit into overhead luggage space even when collapsed. Instead, these bikes are better suited to car boot space or for saving room in your home-storage area. 

Fold up leisure bikes

These varieties aren’t trying to meet any specific criteria, as they’re quite simply vehicles of leisure. Where commuter bikes are designed to be as commuter-friendly as possible, a folding leisure bike is a relatively basic option that can be compactly collapsed.  

Fold up leisure bikes are ideal for those with very short commutes. Plus, if you’re in need of a quicker way to get to your local shop or a way to explore further afield than a walk could take you, a folding leisure bike might be the right choice.  

Ultimately, these bikes are for cyclists who aren’t concerned about miles travelled, calories burned, or speeds achieved. This means they aren’t designed to the same specs as other folding bikes, so are often the most affordable folding bike option too.

Electric fold up bikes

Electric folding bikes combine a folding frame with pedal-assisted electric power. The motor can make hills, longer journeys and stop-start commuting feel easier while retaining the storage benefits of a folding bike.

Like other e-bikes, electric fold up bikes make a great choice for commuters who are returning to cycling after a long break, or those who are making cycling part of their commute for the first time.

What are the disadvantages of fold up bikes?

Fold up bikes offer plenty of flexibility, but it’s important to think about the journey you’ll actually make. Many folding bikes have smaller wheels than full-sized bicycles. Smaller wheels can accelerate quickly and help create a compact fold, although some riders may prefer larger wheels and find them more comfortable for longer journeys or uneven roads.

Weight also matters and should be considered before buying. If you’ll be carrying your fold up bike up station stairs every morning, a lighter model could make your commute easier than a heavier one.

Finally, there’s the cost. With extra engineering required to make the bikes fold, the cost of manufacturing can be higher than that of a standard bike. This extra cost will be reflected in the retail price. However, while the price is a little steeper than some standard bikes, the expense may be worthwhile if you can’t store or use a larger bike.

Ultimately, you should try different options where possible and choose a bike around your route rather than appearance alone. Fortunately, Cyclescheme has over 2,600 participating retailers nationwide, which gives you plenty of places to browse and test fold up bikes before making a commitment.

Save on a fold up bike with Cyclescheme

Cyclescheme is a salary sacrifice benefit that helps you save on the cost of new bikes, including fold up bikes, as well as other eligible cycling accessories. In fact, with Cyclescheme, you can save up to 47% on your new bike and cycling accessories through monthly salary sacrifice payments, with no large upfront costs.

You also get plenty of choice with Cyclescheme. As mentioned, we work with more than 2,600 bike shops across the UK, including independent shops, major retailers, online stores, and brands selling direct.

Before applying, you’ll just need to check if your employer offers Cyclescheme. You can then make your application, get approval from your employer, and use your Cyclescheme Certificate towards an eligible folding bike. You can even use the Cyclescheme calculator to get an idea of how much you could save!

Start cycling to work with Cyclescheme today

Cyclescheme has spent over 20 years helping people make cycling to work more accessible and affordable. More than 50,000 UK employers trust Cyclescheme, with over 1.2 million Cyclescheme customers taking part.

Whether you need a compact bike for the train, an electric folding bike for a longer route, or simply something that fits comfortably into your home, Cyclescheme can help make the cost easier to manage.

Your bike, your commute, and your way to work.

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