Folding Bike Weight Guide

Understanding folding bike weight

Folding bikes range from 7.5kg (ultra-lightweight) to 18kg+ (electric models). Most quality folders sit between 10-14kg. The right weight depends entirely on how much you carry the bike.

What determines weight

• Frame material: Steel (heavier, cheaper), aluminium (lighter, moderate cost), titanium (lightest, expensive), carbon (very light, very expensive)
• Wheel size: 16-inch wheels are lighter than 20-inch wheels (both wheels and tyres)
• Gearing system: Hub gears are heavier than derailleur systems
• Components: Premium components use lighter materials
• Accessories: Mudguards, racks, lights add 0.5-2kg
• Build quality: Cheaper bikes often use heavier materials

Weight categories and what they mean

Ultra-lightweight (under 10kg)

Examples:

• Brompton T Line: 7.5kg (full titanium, £3,500-4,500)
• Brompton P Line: 10.3kg (titanium rear, £2,800-3,400)
• Tern Verge X11: 10.4kg (high-end aluminium, £2,200)

Characteristics:

• Premium materials (titanium, carbon, high-grade aluminium)
• Expensive due to material costs and engineering
• Very easy to carry, minimal fatigue
• May sacrifice some durability for weight savings

Best for: Frequent daily carrying, multiple flights of stairs, weight-critical users, those who can afford premium

Lightweight (10-11kg)

Examples:

• Dahon Vybe D7: 11.3kg (aluminium, £450-550)
• Decathlon Tilt 900: 11.9kg (aluminium, £480-550)
• Some premium steel folders: 10.5-11kg

Characteristics:

• Good balance of weight, cost, and durability
• Aluminium frames typically
• Comfortable for regular carrying
• Wide price range from budget to mid-premium

Best for: Regular commuters with moderate carrying, good value seekers, daily use

Standard (11-13kg)

Examples:

• Brompton C Line: 11.6kg (steel, £1,500-2,200)
• Tern Link D8: 12.1kg (aluminium, £700-750)
• Most mid-range folders: 11.5-12.5kg

Characteristics:

• Most common weight range for quality folders
• Manageable for moderate carrying
• Durable materials and construction
• Good balance of all factors

Best for: Occasional to moderate carrying, car boot lifting, short station walks

Heavy (13-15kg)

Examples:

• Budget folders with heavier materials: 13-14kg
• Folders with extensive accessories: 13-15kg
• Some 24-inch wheel folders: 14-15kg

Characteristics:

• Budget pricing often drives heavier construction
• Noticeable when carrying regularly
• Adequate if minimal carrying required

Best for: Minimal carrying, car-only transport, budget priority

Very heavy (15kg+)

Examples:

• Electric folding bikes: 15-25kg
• Very budget folders: 15-18kg

Characteristics:

• Electric motors and batteries add substantial weight
• Challenging to carry any distance
• Essentially car-transport only

Best for: Electric assist priority, no carrying required, car-only use

Weight in real-world carrying scenarios

Platform stairs (20-40 steps)

Common at UK train stations. Carrying bike up and down stairs twice daily.

• Under 10kg: Easy, minimal fatigue even daily
• 10-11kg: Comfortable, manageable daily
• 11-12kg: Noticeable but acceptable
• 12-13kg: Tiring for daily use, occasional OK
• Over 13kg: Challenging daily, avoid if possible

Recommendation: Under 12kg for daily platform stairs

Station concourse walks (50-200m)

Walking through stations with folded bike. Brompton can roll; others must be carried.

• Rolling (Brompton): Weight matters less, can roll easily
• Carrying short distance (under 100m): 12-14kg manageable
• Carrying long distance (over 100m): Under 12kg preferred

Recommendation: Choose bikes that roll when folded, or keep weight under 12kg

Office stairs (2-4 floors)

Daily carrying to office without lift.

• 2 floors: Up to 13kg acceptable
• 3 floors: Under 12kg recommended
• 4+ floors: Under 11kg strongly recommended

Recommendation: Lightweight folders for multi-floor offices without lifts

Car boot lifting

Lifting folded bike into boot daily.

• Low boot (estate cars): Up to 14kg manageable
• Medium height (hatchbacks): 12-13kg comfortable
• High boot (SUVs): Under 12kg preferred

Recommendation: Match weight to boot height and your physical capability

Apartment stairs (ground to upper floors)

Regular carrying to flat without lift.

• 1 floor: Up to 14kg workable
• 2 floors: Under 13kg recommended
• 3 floors: Under 12kg strongly recommended
• 4+ floors: Under 11kg or consider alternatives

Recommendation: Weight is critical factor for upper-floor flats without lifts

Minimal carrying scenarios

If your journey involves minimal carrying (lift to platform, short walk, straight into car boot at ground level), weight matters significantly less. Focus on other priorities like ride quality, fold size, or price. 12-14kg is perfectly acceptable with minimal carrying.

Detailed weight comparison by model

Weights are approximate and vary by configuration. Accessories add 0.5-2kg.

Balancing weight against other priorities

Weight vs cost

Achieving low weight costs money:

• Brompton C Line (11.6kg steel): £1,700
• Brompton P Line (10.3kg titanium): £3,000 (£1,300 more for 1.3kg less)
• Brompton T Line (7.5kg titanium): £3,900 (£2,200 more for 4.1kg less)

Cost per kilogram saved increases dramatically. Determine whether weight reduction justifies cost for your situation.

Weight vs durability

Lighter materials may sacrifice durability:

• Steel: Heavier but very durable, repairable, long-lasting
• Aluminium: Lighter, adequate durability, not repairable if damaged
• Titanium: Light and durable but extremely expensive
• Carbon: Very light but can catastrophically fail if damaged

Daily heavy use may favour durable materials over lightest options.

Weight vs features

Accessories add weight but provide functionality:

• Mudguards: +0.3-0.5kg (essential for UK weather)
• Rear rack: +0.4-0.7kg (useful for carrying)
• Dynamo lighting: +0.3-0.5kg (eliminates charging hassle)
• Front bag system: +0.5-1kg when attached (very practical)

Stripping features to save weight may reduce usability. Balance weight against practical needs.

Can you reduce your bike's weight?

Effective weight reductions

Lighter tyres (save 200-400g total):

• Cost: £40-80 per pair
• Benefit: Noticeable weight saving, often better performance
• Trade-off: May sacrifice puncture protection

Lighter saddle (save 100-300g):

• Cost: £30-150
• Benefit: Easily replaceable component
• Trade-off: Lighter saddles may be less comfortable

Remove unnecessary accessories (save 300-1,000g):

• Cost: Free
• Benefit: Immediate weight reduction
• Trade-off: Lose functionality of removed items

Expensive weight reductions

Titanium components (save 500-1,500g):

• Cost: £200-800+ depending on parts
• Benefit: Significant weight saving
• Trade-off: Expensive for modest practical benefit

Carbon components (save 300-800g):

• Cost: £150-500
• Benefit: Light weight
• Trade-off: Fragile, expensive, limited folding bike options

Weight reduction recommendations

• Simple upgrades (tyres, saddle): worthwhile if components need replacement anyway
• Removing accessories: only if features genuinely unused
• Expensive component upgrades: rarely worth cost unless weight truly critical
• Better approach: buy lighter bike initially if weight is priority

What weight should you choose?

Calculate your carrying distance

Measure your typical journey:

1. Count stairs you climb with bike (per direction)
2. Measure walking distance with folded bike (metres)
3. Note how often you lift bike (into car boot, up steps)
4. Calculate total carrying per day

If carrying exceeds 100m or 40 steps daily, weight matters significantly.

Decision framework

Choose under 10kg if:

• You carry bike daily up 3+ floors
• Multiple flights of station stairs daily
• Budget allows £2,500-4,500
• Weight is your top priority

Choose 10-11kg if:

• Daily carrying of 2 floors or 50m+
• Weight matters but budget is £500-2,000
• Good balance of weight and value

Choose 11-13kg if:

• Moderate carrying (1 floor, short walks)
• Weight is one factor among several
• Most riders fit this category

Choose 13kg+ if:

• Minimal carrying required
• Car transport with low boot
• Lifts available at stations and office
• Other factors (price, ride quality) matter more

Lightest folding bikes available

For riders needing minimum weight:

• Brompton T Line (7.5kg): Lightest quality folder, full titanium, premium pricing. See our lightweight bikes guide
• Brompton P Line (10.3kg): Titanium rear frame, more affordable than T Line
• Tern Verge X11 (10.4kg): Premium aluminium, 20-inch wheels
• Various carbon/titanium customs (7-9kg): Specialist manufacturers, very expensive

All achieve low weight through expensive materials. Budget £2,200-4,500 for quality lightweight folders.

Final weight selection advice

• Be honest about actual carrying distance and frequency
• Test carrying a weighted bag matching bike weight before buying
• If uncertain, prioritise lighter side (easier to carry than expected)
• Remember: 1-2kg difference is noticeable daily but not between occasional carries
• Do not pay premium for low weight if carrying is minimal
• Consider bikes that roll when folded (Brompton) to reduce carrying impact
• Weight matters less than fold size for some scenarios (tight storage)
• Test ride and carry folded bike if possible before committing

Related guides: Size guide | How to choose | Best folding bikes