Hi All,

I am thinking about getting a commercial foldable electric bike to help me commute from work (4 miles from home, 2 rides a day), preferably under $1,000.
I do not have a size limit, as long as it can fit into a regular trunk.
I would prefer if it looks not too far away from a regular bike since I do not want the police to stop me for it.
I live in New Jersey, so it would be better if the manufacturer is in the US, too.

I've read some of the other threads, but the suggested bikes are either too expensive or in Europe. I haven't found any potential option.

Please help me find a bike that would fit my need. Thank you so much!

Difficult to locate one (except maybe Amazon) in your price range from what I've encountered, but look at electricbikereview; they may have tested something. If this were my goal, it would be DIY with a (hopefully) Craigslist bike or something in the $300 - $500 range and a hub (probably front) kit. DW has lots of experience with "folders"; maybe he can help.

Micah Toll has fairly good credibility. He has written some good articles on ebikes, sells a battery kit, etc, so if he likes this bike, I believe him. Disclaimer, I've never seen one.

Lots of places to buy it.
https://swagtron.com/product/swagtron-swagcycle-eb-5-lightweight-aluminum-folding-ebike/?attribute_pa_color=white&gclid=CjwKCAjw_MnmBRAoEiwAPRRWW18lro6MkRDfrSwXzHQ6O64Dqk3t8PxHftNkASh9Xicp Cnj62lhfUxoCZggQAvD_BwE

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/swagtron-swagcycle-eb-5-14-electric-bike-white/6307487.p?skuId=6307487&ref=212&loc=1&ref=212&loc=1&ds_rl=1266837&ds_rl=1266837&gclid=CjwKCAjw_MnmBR AoEiwAPRRWWyu7As3GZD9eAXXkaV-M_Nq-60xzQzJW-SLt92Xn_CNcux1NkCZuOhoCkKQQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

What I don't like about it is 14" wheels. They're going to ride hard on bad streets, so you could be standing on the pedals using your legs as shock absorbers. If so, I'd install some quality sturdy folding pedals that won't snap off. (Folders have fold-away pedals by the way) Not a big expense, maybe 25 dollars. It's only a single speed too.

A more featured ebike is the Swagtron EB7. Has a derailleur and 16" wheels.Still a bit small and at this price $699, there are folders with 20" wheels and front shocks.
https://swagtron.com/product/swagtro...xoC86YQAvD_BwE

The Ancheer 20" folder has been around for a while and is less money than the above,

Read the reviews carefully on the Ancheer,
https://www.amazon.com/ANCHEER-Foldi.../dp/B07Q4DL1DR

$100 cheaper on ebay.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ancheer-20-...A8TAh5bPdAHLFw

However, I don't own any of the above. I bought two folding Downtube bikes, and put motors on them. Motor/wheel was about $250-300. Batteries around $250, Overall, I spent more than buying a cheap one when I include the $300 cost of the bike..

Sondors Step

American manufactured* bikefriday folding e-bikes are going to be many multiples of your budget.

This leaves the American manufactured* Worksman FMB3CB folding bike with their E-Bike Aftermarket Kit, about $1300 for both plus assembly.
https://www.worksmancycles.com/


*These bikes are assembled in the USA using American manufactured frames and imported components.

Thank you for your reply, but I would prefer not to DIY since I do not trust myself with the safety

[MENTION=414154]Doc_Wui[/MENTION] Thank you so much for this informal reply. The Ancheer ebike seems like an ideal option for me, I will definitely dig deeper for this.

This one looks really nice, thank you, I'll do more research about this.

[MENTION=447988]Dewey101[/MENTION] This one looks really nice, thank you, I'll do more research about this.

The Ancheer that DW referenced has 95% acceptance (4 or 5*) from verified purchasers at Amazon, and they have a good return policy. Obviously it isn't the highest quality, but you don't have a long commute. Seems like the best choice so far, or save a little more and look for a good deal on a closeout model. If your commute is on bumpy streets, (IMO) try to locate something with wider tires and 20" wheels.

You could think about putting something like a hill topper on a 20" folding bike, something decent from Dahon or one of the other well known brands. 90 year old grannies can install a hill topper, so I'm pretty sure you can too! You can always pay your local shop to help or just double check your work. There's a hill topper thread on here - search it. Folks are pretty happy with them.

Hilltoppers are certainly not hard to install, but starting at $799 with only a throttle and you need a bike, prove my premise, which is that I cannot convert an ebike for less than what it costs to buy the least expensive ones. I don't think hilltoppers come in 20" wheel anyway.

Sondors Step is one bike new to me. I didn't realize it folded, though I can't see much advantage if it has 27.65" tires.

I've seen a Sondors Fold-X down near the St Peterburg waterfront chained up to a parking meter. It occurred to me that it could have been easily lifted up and tossed in a thief's car. It's a nice looking bike, but I would get rid of the noisy tires and put on smaller 20x3's.

Another folder that is truly intended for a 4 mile ride, and carrying on a train, is the velomini at $1200. It's supposed to be 31 pounds.
https://velomini.com/buy/velomini-plus
For me, it's no good because when I ride a bike, I want an enjoyable ride, and with the little wheels, that's a bike where you're watching for bumps and potholes more than usual.

My LeBS has a Qualisports Volador, 20" wheels, 38 - 40 pounds for $999 that looks pretty good; look it up on the web site or go to the Electric Bicycle Center if you're close to Fullerton, CA. Also looks pretty good on electricbikereview (making me wonder if I should procure a couple and throw them in the back of the SUV.

Google, 5 seconds: I'm seeing base model 20" Hilltoppers on their website for $549. This + a Dahon Vybe D7 could potentially make a nice little machine for the OP.

$549. No throttle, On/offswitch, I did say throttle, but I didn't see the 20" option. Thanks for the correction!

Add $489 for the Dahon Vybe D7. Close to the OP budget, and definitely a better folder bike to start with, Likely a lot lighter too. But it's 24V and push button. That's primitive. In my opinion, the $749 kit is better for most people.

I had no idea New Jersey had ebikes in a state of limbo. Was reading about a lady who had 12 tickets issued to her ebike for being illegal by local cops.

The bill making them legal is on your NJ governors desk. Did he ever sign it?
https://www.nj.com/news/2019/03/nj-c...now-about.html

I looked at the comments on the above article. Wow. Seems like everyone hates scooters and ebikes.

The other inexpensive option is a Leeds kit for $550. Add that to an inexpensive steel Dahon or go big if you want - there's a nice Bike Friday for $500 on CL in the Bay Area.

I totally discourage anyone from buying an Ancheer. Its low price is tempting, but there is a reason for its low price- Its a crappy bike. Be prepared to have an ebike mechanic at hand, because it will break, and break often. I know because I'm the mechanic.

A folding bike for commuting will make you hate ebikes. Buy a full size bike and if you need to transport it, get a hitch rack.

-SP

A quality folding bike works fine for commuting...e.g. Bike Friday or Brompton both make ebikes. But they are not cheap. Cheap and good do not go together.

Tern Vektron S10. Your budget is too low and the stuff suggested is super expensive after you buy it. Those really cheap bikes are cheap initially for a reason, they are passing off the costs of the bike to you instead of making a quality product that will last.

Keep battery size in mind if you ever plan to fly with it.