Lightest Folding Bikes: 16 Lightweight Foldable Bikes

Weighing in at just 6.9kg, the Hummingbird Single-Speed is the lightest folding bike in the world.

Hummingbird launched in 2015 and a couple of years later had a successful Kickstart campaign to create the lightest folding bike around.

They’ve achieved this incredibly low weight thanks to a mixture of high-tech and minimalism. A carbon fibre frame is key to this bike’s lightness – while nearly all of the bike’s components are also made from carbon.

But just because it’s light, Hummingbird have still produced a high-performing folding bike with solid acceleration and good brakes thanks to its carbon tri-spoke mag wheel.

Importantly, as well as being extremely easy to carry, the Hummingbird is also easy to fold, and takes less than five seconds to do so. However, it should be noted that the Hummingbird isn’t as compact as a Brompton Bike – for example – when folded down and remains a bit long (although narrow, too). Nevertheless, bike is very easy to carry around and you shouldn’t have a problem carrying it on a train, either.

Hummingbird is handmade in the UK, but they do ship internationally (including to the USA), although be prepared to pay customs fees upon arrival if so.

Released in 2022, the featherweight Brompton T Line is the comfortable the lightest Brompton bike ever, weighing it at 7.45kg.

This is a completely redesigned Brompton, with only the breaking system being carried over from previous models. However, if you’re a Brompton fan – don’t worry – the folding mechanism is the same.

Rather than using steel as commonly found on Brompton Bikes, the Brompton T Line uses an aluminium frame and other lightweight carbon parts.

The Brompton T-Line has two models available: “One” – a single speed model weighing just 7.45kg, and “Urban” – a 4-speed version weigh in a little bit more at 7.95kg.

Sitting comfortably in the premium area of lightweight folding bicycles, we have the Atto from Austin.

Revolutionary for urban cyclists, the Atto is a quiet and refined folding bicycle. Thanks to the Gates carbon belt, you can also get to where you need to be without the mess of a chain.

Built largely of high-grade Toray carbon fibre, it’s no wonder that this foldie comes in at just over 8kg. You’ve also got the choice for a geared version, but expect a significant increase in weight and price.

With a single folding mechanism in the centre that locks securely, you’ll see that the transition from pedestrian to cyclist and back again is seamless and fast, clocking in at under 10 seconds. This means you can spend less time folding your bike and more time using it.

Dahon has a range of lightweight folding bikes – which we’ll also cover in this guide – but by far the lightest Dahon folding bike currently available in the Dahon K3, which weighs just 8.1kg.

Impressively, the K3 is actually a three-speed bike – so although it’s light, it’s not sacrificing all of its functionality.

Made from an aluminium frame, the Dahon K3 is one of the best budget lightweight folding bikes around and is well-worth a consideration for any multi-modal commuter.

Admittedly, it won’t have the zip of a Brompton as it has just 14” wheels, but it is a solid option for short rides nonetheless.

The Ultralight from Helix; the clean, compact and extremely lightweight folding bike. With its 24″ wheels, it rides comfortably without compromising on it weight.

Helix is trailblazing when it comes to innovative production in folding bikes. Using laser-cutting and robotic TIG welding for its titanium tubes (both reportedly industry firsts), the Ultralight is made with a precision that is seemingly unmatched. Both the frame and the locking mechanism are full titanium, meaning it’s not just lightweight but extremely durable as well.

Starting as just 8.9kg for the single-speed option (also available with a 11 speed derailleur or Alfine 11 weighing 9.2kg and 10.4kg respectively), the Ultralight is for anyone looking for some of the best components in the industry available on a folding bike.

One of the sleekest lightweight folding bikes around right now is the Tern Verge X11, weighing in at just 10.2kg.

While folding bikes aren’t known for being particularly elegant, Tern have done a great job in designing sleek and futuristic bike that performs as good as it looks.

Importantly, this super light folding bike is also extremely easy to fold up and down – with Tern saying practised users can complete the process in just 10 seconds.

Despite being the lightest foldable bike on the market as of 2021, the Verge X11 is also impressively robust, has 11 gears to make hills manageable and has powerful Shimano Deore hydraulic disc brakes.

If you can afford the £2400 price, the Tern Verge X11 is a lightweight folding bike to behold.

An exceedingly well designed, stylish dream for a commuter. It’s easy to fold and powerful, making sure that you can get to work without breaking a sweat.

Lighter than many of its non-electric folding rivals at only 10.3kg, the 2nd generation of folding electric bike from Hummingbird is currently the lightest folding e-bike in the world.

Thanks to the all-in-one motor system, 158Wh battery and 250W motor, it can reach an impressive top speed of over 15mph, more than enough for getting through the city.

Whilst not the cheapest on this list, it’s an impressive and extremely convenient folding bike that’s a great sustainable means of transport that could save you money in the long run.

The Liberté from Zizzo is a great affordable folding bike for those on a budget.

It’s a no-thrills, lightweight folding bike that’s great not just for short trips in the city, but is also easy to carry on public transport. With 8 Speed Shimano gearing and 1.5 inch high-pressure road tires, you’ll be surprised at the speeds you can reach without too much effort. It’s a nippy, compact foldie that’ll tuck away out of sight when you’re done with it.

Don’t expect top of the line titanium components at this price point, but do be surprised by how compact and fast the Liberté is. It’s built to be used, not be put on display.

A masterclass in cool, introducing the Rocky Titanium from Vello.

This folding bike is perfect for the commuter who wants a stylish folding bike with a classy look. But the titanium frame isn’t just for show; it provides a durable finish that makes it highly resistant to weather, be it rust or corrosion. So whilst it’s not the cheapest on this list, it’s made to last, and is definitely a great investment.

The Rocky Titanium isn’t just a lightweight folding bike; it’s a high performance bike that’s capable of folding. With its elegant looks and trekking components, it’s a bike that can handle everything you can throw at it and will look great doing it.

Making it to the list once again, Zizzo have impressed us with their Urbano.

Whilst slightly heavier than its road-savvy counterpart the Liberté, weighing in at a hair under 11kg, the Urbano is the rough and ready lightweight folding bicycle of choice for the budget conscious.

What the Urbano lacks in speed, it makes up for in versatility, comfort and affordability. The thick tyres are able to traverse most trails, and the wide saddle makes for a distinctly more comfortable ride.

It’s an especially good option for those who plan on cycling through a variety of different terrains. It can handle not only the city streets, but cobbles and dirt tracks as well.

When you don’t know what you’re up against, prepare for everything. And, at around $500, you can do that for steal.

The lightest Brompton folding bike available, the self-proclaimed M6L Super Light features everything you’d expect from a Brompton: premium built quality, good ride performance and easy folding.

A standard Brompton M6L model is available for around £1275, but if you want less to carry, the Super Light has shaved off 700 grams from the standard model. It might not sound a lot, but if you do have to carry your folding bike a lot, you’ll feel the difference.

The M6L Superlight has replaced the heavier steel parts found in other Bromptons and replaced them with extremely lightweight titanium and aluminium parts.

But Brompton haven’t sacrificed on functionality. Indeed the “6” in its name means this is a 6-Speed bike, giving you all the gears you need to get tackle uphill moments, while the “L” represents the fact that this bike is fitted with splashguards as standard – again a very useful feature for British riders!

If you don’t have to deal with hills on your commute, the Dahon Mu Uno is a very good lightweight folding bike for a reasonable price.

Although being single speed limits the variety of terrain this bike can handle, it’s still an urban warrior. Despite weighing in at just 11.4 kg (the lightest Dahon folding bike available), it’s still managed to pack in a rear pannier rack (with elasticated straps) and even front and rear mudguards.

The design of the Dahon Mu Uno also makes it one of the sleeker folding bikes around.

Practicised users can also fold up this bike in just 15 seconds – which is very useful if you’re regular on and off the bike.

The cheapest folding bike on this list by quite some distance, the FabricBike offers a remarkably lightweight folding bike for under £300.

There are two versions of this bike: a 7-Speed option which weighs in at 11.55kg or if you’re happy with a single speed version, you can skim off more than half a kilo with it weighing in at 10.9 kg.

Indeed, I might have done this light foldable bike a disservice by focussing on the 7-Speed version rather than the Single Speed in this list ranking.

The bike also looks sleek with a silver finish and brown seats, while frequent users can fold up the FabricBike Folding in under 15 seconds.

The best budget lightweight folding bike by a mile. Absolute bargain.

The Brompton M3L weighs the same as the Brompton B75, but you’ll enjoy a more luxury finish and accessories.

This lightweight Brompton is equipped with splashguards as standard, while the right pedal is also foldable to save you a few extra inches.

The M3L is a 3-Speed folding bike with enclosed gears to help protect against dirt and other things coming into contact with the hub.

A solid and light mid-range Brompton for commuting.

The mid-range Tern folding bike has significantly bigger wheels than found on Brompton’s (20” v 16”) and the Verge P10 once again has more of a sporty look and feel about it.

Tern bikes are extremely easy to fold and take just 10 seconds to do so when you know what you’re doing.

The Tern Verge P10 provides a fast and agile urban cycling experience, with a 10-Speed drivetrain and hydraulic disc brakes. It also comes with a built-in rear light, a kickstand and a brass bike bell as standard – all of which help make this the ideal commuter folding bike.

Despite all of these handy commuting features, the Verge P10 weighs in at just 11.7 kg.

Another great budget folding bike that is also light is the BTwin Tilt 900, available from Decathlon for £450.

This folding bike is readymade for commuters, with built-in lights, a padded seat and splashguards as standard – none of which prevent this fold-up bike weighing in under 12kg.

The bike can be collapsed down in just 15 seconds and one feature I love about this bike is that you can actually push it around on two wheels (while folded), using the seat to control. This is great if you need to “carry” it longer distances, before pushing the seat post down quickly at the last moment.