The key to any successful fitness regime is consistency and one of the easiest ways to stay consistent is to workout from home. But if you are short on space you will need compact equipment and they don’t get much smaller than a folding exercise bike.
However it can be difficult to know which model to get, so we have created a list of our top choices for a variety of different users and budgets. There are certain trade-offs that come with these compact designs but find out more below and make sure you have the best folding exercise bike for your goals.
At A Glance
Best Folding Exercise Bike Overall
Best Budget Folding Exercise Bike
Best Folding Exercise Bike For Seniors
Why Trust Us
At Home Gym Supply, our goal is to help people create a home workout environment that will enable them to reach their goals.
We are lucky enough that we get the opportunity to collaborate with a number of the leading cardio equipment brands in the UK, including ProForm and NordicTrack. This unique position allows us to see first-hand what machines are up to the task and which ones fall short.
As a result of our insights and experience, we often get asked for feedback by the manufacturers as they look to improve their products.
Our team is committed to staying up to date with the latest news and releases by attending exhibitions like FIBO where we get to meet more manufacturers and see what products are coming to the market.
Best Folding Exercise Bikes - Our Top Picks
1. Bluefin Fitness Tour Lite Exercise Bike - Best Foldable Exercise Bike Overall
Resistance Type |
Magnetic |
Resistance Levels |
8 |
Maximum User Weight |
120kg |
The Bluefin Fitness Tour Lite Exercise Bike is a standout choice from Bluefin, a UK-based company known for quality home gym equipment since 2013. This bike comes with a reinforced steel frame capable of supporting users up to 120kg while also being foldable to take up minimal space. Thanks to the strong frame, the bike feels stable even when pedalling hard.
It features a 2 kg magnetic flywheel with 8 whisper quiet resistance levels which can be adjusted easily via the turn dial knob. While the resistance is lighter compared to full-size exercise bikes, it's sufficient for a good cardio workout and compact foldable exercise bikes often struggle to produce a lot of resistance due to the small flywheel.
The adjustable height seat can accommodate users up to 6'5" and has a backrest and handles for added support while working out.
Most of the folding bikes in our list lack interactive features, but the Bluefin Fitness Tour Lite can be connected to Kinomap via a smart device, offering interactive workouts for added variety.
While using your smart device, there is a tablet holder that sits on the front of the display making it easy to follow along to the workouts.
Considering the bike's price point of around £200 this is a very welcome bonus feature.
Priced slightly higher than some of the other foldable models in our list, the extra investment is well worth it for a quality UK-brand bike with a strong steel frame and interactive features.
Pros |
|
Cons |
|
2. ATIVAFIT Exercise Bike Foldable - Best Budget Fold Up Exercise Bike
Resistance Type |
Magnetic |
Resistance Levels |
8 |
Maximum User Weight |
250 lbs (113kg) |
If you are on a tight budget but want to add extra cardio into your daily routine then the ATIVAFIT Exercise Bike is a great option. This particular model is currently the best seller in the UK and it is not surprising as ATIVAFIT specialise in affordable home gym equipment.
They have slightly modified the standard x-frame design to include a curve to further reduce the footprint when folded, but it's also easier to hop on as it gives you more room to swing your leg between the seat and console. Plus, once you have finished your workout it has transport wheels which make it easy to move.
Although the seat has an adjustable height, if you are over 6ft tall then you might feel a little cramped while cycling.
It offers 8 levels of quiet magnetic resistance, but keep in mind, that the compact design means the resistance is light but still delivers a cardiovascular workout.
The console tracks all the basic information that you need such as distance, speed, time, and heart rate. However, the heart rate monitor might not be very accurate but it can still be used as a guide for your workout intensity. There is also a tablet holder mounted in front of the display, letting you catch up on your favourite shows while you pedal away.
So if you want a budget-friendly option that will get you moving then this is a good choice.
Pros |
|
Cons |
|
3. BCAN Folding Exercise Bike
Resistance Type |
Magnetic |
Resistance Levels |
8 |
Maximum User Weight |
150kg |
If you are concerned about the maximum user weight of the folding exercise bikes we have seen so far, then the BCAN Folding Exercise Bike might be the one for you. It comes with a reinforced X-frame design which supports up to 150kg while still being compact when folded, which makes it perfect if you are just getting started on your fitness journey.
BCAN have paid special attention to the comfort of the bikes with an oversized seat providing the support needed for an effective workout. The seat height is adjustable, catering to users from 150cm to 180cm in height. However, if you're over 6ft, you might struggle to fully extend your legs.
We also really appreciated the the thoughtfully designed display with a built-in tablet holder which allows you to use a tablet without covering the bike's display. While this might seem like common sense, this detail is often overlooked by other brands and is a pet peeve of ours.
In total, there are 8 levels of quiet magnetic resistance which produces a light resistance but manages to deliver an effective cardiovascular workout.
So, if you are just getting started and need a compact bike that can support a heavier user then this might be the one for you.
Pros |
|
Cons |
|
Related: 10 Best Exercise Bikes in the UK
4. EVOLAND Foldable Exercise Bike - Best Compact Exercise Bike
Resistance Type |
Magnetic |
Resistance Levels |
8 |
Maximum User Weight |
120kg |
The EVOLAND Foldable Exercise Bike is a straightforward, budget-friendly option for anyone who is just getting started on their fitness journey. Priced around £90, it's slightly cheaper than some of the alternatives we have looked at, partly because it has left out the often inaccurate heart rate sensors, saving a few extra pennies.
Its console is easy to use with just a single button to toggle through metrics like time, speed, distance, and calories burned.
While the x-frame design common in folding bikes makes it very compact for storage, it does require you to lift your foot a little higher to get your foot over the middle.
For maximum comfort, it comes with an oversized and well-padded saddle.
The bike uses magnetic resistance, which is quite light but sufficient to get your legs moving and you sweating after a prolonged period. Plus, it's almost silent in operation, making it ideal for home use where noise can be a concern.
Overall, the EVOLAND foldable exercise bike is a no-frills, affordable option that's perfect if you're looking to add some extra exercise into your routine without spending a lot.
Pros |
|
Cons |
|
5. Magic Life Folding Exercise Bike
Resistance Type |
Magnetic |
Resistance Levels |
10 |
Maximum User Weight |
120kg |
The Magic Life Folding Exercise Bike costs a touch more than some of the other options on our list but comes with a few bonuses.
It offers 10 levels of adjustable resistance, perfect for a steady cardio workout but as we see with the compact design, the resistance is limited. But this is the trade-off to save space.
Its LCD display is large and easy to read, tracking time, speed, distance, odometer, calories, and pulse. But, the pulse is quite inaccurate, but they're still helpful for monitoring workout intensity.
But to keep you entertained as you workout, there is a tablet holder which is always a welcome extra.
Just beneath the display are a pair of resistance bands to engage your upper body but they are a little limited as you can only perform a few exercises, but a nice idea nonetheless.
The seat is oversized and comes with a backrest and handle for added support and can be adjusted to 7 different height levels to suit your height. You can also adjust the bike's angle between upright and semi-recumbent positions but it would be nice if the seat angle would change for the recumbent position.
Related: Top 7 Best Recumbent Exercise Bikes in the UK
But overall, the Magic Life Folding Exercise Bike is a good quality bike that has the extra dimension with the resistance bands and varying seat position.
Pros |
|
Cons |
|
6. Xterra Fitness FB Folding Exercise Bike
Resistance Type |
Magnetic |
Resistance Levels |
8 |
Maximum User Weight |
100kg |
With over 30,000 reviews on Amazon, the Xterra Fitness FB Folding Exercise Bike stands out as a popular choice. Xterra is a well-known US brand with a selection of very popular budget-friendly pieces of home gym equipment. In the UK Xterra is distributed by Dyaco which is also a very well-run company and has good customer service.
Priced at just over £100, it is affordable and whisper quiet thanks to the magnetic resistance. Plus, the x-frame design which is the go-to design for folding exercise bikes does exactly what you want and collapses to take minimal space.
It comes with a basic and easy-to-use display that tracks the time, speed, distance, odometer, calories and pulse. But as we say we often see with the pulse sensors on budget-friendly equipment, that they tend to be quite inaccurate.
We would have liked to see a tablet with the display like on the ATIVAFIT model but you can easily set it up in front of a TV for entertainment.
If you want a little extra support you can choose the optional backrest and seat handles, adding some extra support. Taller users (over 6ft) might find it difficult to stretch their legs as the seat rail doesn’t extend quite far enough.
The bike's resistance is on the lighter side, expected from a compact bike with a 1.5kg flywheel, but you can adjust it to 8 different levels using the turn dial knob.
Overall, if you're aiming to increase your daily activity using up much space, the Xterra FB folding bike is a solid choice from a trusted brand.
Pros |
|
Cons |
|
7. LeikeFitness Folding Stationary Bike
Resistance Type |
Magnetic |
Resistance Levels |
12 |
Maximum User Weight |
150kg |
The Leikefitness Folding Stationary Bike offers a comfortable cycling experience but has added versatility.
Its X-frame design has a slight bend to make it easier to get on and off the bike which is a welcome design feature.
For comfort, the bike has an oversized seat with a backrest and handles which also helps you feel stable while riding.
You can adjust the seat from an upright to a semi-recumbent position. While the semi-recumbent angle feels a bit unusual at first, it's a nice option to have, though it would be nice if you could change the seat angle for this position.
In total, there are 12 levels of silent magnetic resistance which produces enough for a cardio workout but not enough for a high intensity session. But they have included resistance bands just below the display to allow you to burn a few extra calories and perform a few upper body exercises.
The large, easy-to-read console tracks distance, speed, time, calories, and pulse, and includes a built-in tablet holder to keep you entertained as you exercise. However, the built in hand pulse sensors aren’t very accurate, but this is a common issue in this price range.
Overall, the Leikefitness bike is a well-built, sturdy, and comfortable option, making it a great choice for a quality folding exercise bike.
Pros |
|
Cons |
|
Rounding Up
When it comes to finding the best folding exercise bike, it needs to combine space-saving design, comfort, and functionality.
So, we hope our list has helped you find a folding exercise bike that will suit your needs and help you reach your fitness goals.