The Best Fold Up Exercise Bikes of 2024
Home gym equipment is all the rave right now, and folding exercise bikes are no exception. With exercising outdoors not always an option due to our beloved British weather, home gym equipment has become incredibly popular.
Folding exercise bikes offer a convenient and great means of staying fit and burning a few hundred calories without exposing yourself to the extremes of the colder months. Unlike their traditional counterparts, folding exercise bikes can be conveniently put away so you won’t have to worry about dedicating an entire room or garage to a gym. And let’s face it – for many of us that just isn’t an option anyway.
We’ve rounded up the best folding indoor exercise bikes available to the UK and listed the pros and cons of each based on our professional knowledge and experience.
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1. Ultrasport F-Bike
The Ultrasport F-Bike is a sturdy, yet light, folding exercise bike with a number of functions and 8 different resistance levels.
If you’re looking for something bearing superb build quality this is a great option. The bike takes just 10-15 minutes to put together, and once done can be simply folded up and put away.
There is an LCD screen which is used to display functions such as duration, current speed, distance travelled and number of calories burned, although we generally find with the latter it’s better to be more conservative with your expectations. Plenty of gym machines will calculate the number of calories burned based on a whole lot of assumptions and averages, and the F-Bike is no exception to that. If you want to track the number of calories burned you’d be better of with a dedicated fitness tracker and app that takes your profile into consideration.
Nevertheless, the pulse rate value displayed on the LCD display is provided by the pulse sensors on the handlebar and this does in fact provide an accurate reading. This is handy for those wanting to maintain their exercise in particular heart rate zones.
When folded, the F-Bike has dimensions of 131 x 43.5 x 45 cm and weighs just 15.5 kg. For reference it’s about the size of a large suitcase.
Pros
- Excellent value
- Very quiet
- Quick assembly
- Great build quality
Cons
- Maximum user weight of 100 kg
2. BTM G500
The thing we liked most about the G500 is the cushioned seat with a backrest which can be adjusted to the desired height. This makes for a much more comfortable ride especially over a longer duration. The additional handles either side of the seat also allow for more comfort if you find leaning forward on a bike for an extended period puts too much stress on your lower back.
The main handles of the bike feature heart rate sensors for those wishing to monitor their heart rate on the LCD display. The display offers a number of other functions such as duration, distance covered and number of calories expended.
The BTM G500 comes in a little heavier than others at 18 kg, but thanks to the transportation wheels this isn’t too much of an issue and can easily be wheeled around when folded.
A nice feature of this bike is the phone/tablet holder which means you can watch something while exercising. The 2.5kg flywheel is relatively quiet which is a bonus.
The folded dimensions of the G500 are 138.5 x 50 x 28 cm.
Pros
- 10 resistance levels
- Comfortable and adjustable seat
- Padded backrest
Cons
- Maximum user weight of 100 kg
3. SPORT24 Folding Exercise Bike
The SPORT24 Folding Exercise Bike features an ultra quiet magnetic wheel making this the quietest bike on the list.
Once again an appealing feature of this bike is the padded and adjustable seat and backrest. Combined with the 2.5 kg frictionless magnetic flywheel, this bike provides a very smooth and comfortable ride even after extended use.
There are 8 different resistance levels easily controlled by a knob at the front of the bike, and a small LCD display with functions such as speed, time and distance. Where this bike is lacking is that there is no pulse monitor or sensors. However Sport24 do currently offer a bundle which includes a fitness tracker watch for those wishing to monitor their heart rate.
The bike weighs 19 kg and when folded comes in at 115 x 45 x 45 cm, making this one of the smaller yet heavier bikes on the list.
Unlike some of the other folding exercise bikes, this one supports a maximum user weight of 120 kg. If you’re looking for an option that is sturdy and comfortable, but not too worried about extra features, this is a good choice.
Pros
- Sturdy and wide base
- Very quiet
- Maximum user weight of 120 kg
Cons
- No heart rate monitor
4. Sportstech X100
The X100 from Sportstech, a German company priding itself in the build quality of its products, features a comfortable, adjustable seat and backrest, heart rate sensors, silent belt drive system and power rope resistance bands.
The bike takes no more than 15 minutes to put together and is very sturdy once set up. Folding it up is easy enough and the transport wheels provide a convenient method of wheeling it around. The X100 weighs just under 17.5 kg and once folded has dimensions of 130 x 48 x 45cm.
The addition of power ropes is an interesting one and Sportstech claim its dual patented resistance band system allows you to take your training up a notch by means of multi-tasking. The idea is great and in theory you’ll be getting a full-body workout. If you can pat your head and rub your tummy you might find it useful.
The “German engineering” here is obvious and you’ll be getting a solid product for your money. The build quality sets this apart from others and so the X100 should be considered if quality craftsmanship is important to you.
Pros
- Near silent
- Superb build quality
- Includes power rope resistance bands
Cons
- Maximum user weight of 100 kg
- Pricer than others