So, you’re an avid cyclist and boating enthusiast and looking for folding bikes for your trip. You enjoy the feeling of the sea breeze on your skin but also like to bike coasting smoothly down a waterfront trail.
But, your two pastimes have always been exclusive. After all, how could you fit a full sized bike within the cramped cabin space of a boat? And what kind of bike could hold up under the wet and salty conditions found at sea?
As it turns out, many folding bikes are ideal candidates to overcome these obstacles. They can transform to fit the space you have, and are constructed such that, with proper care, they won’t corrode away.
Below you’ll find 7 of the best folding bikes suited to your boating needs.
First on the list of seaworthy folding bikes is this offering from SAVA, the SAVADECK. A premium build, the SAVADECK features a cutting-edge carbon fiber frame, granting it an excellent strength to weight ratio.
At a mere 22 lbs, it’s easy to bring on board or off. When folded, it forms a trim package (25.6” x 25.6” x 31.5”) that can be easily stored out of sight.
That carbon fiber frame is also far more corrosion resistant than metal options, providing some extra protection against the inevitable exposure to saltwater spray.
The memory foam saddle and disc brakes are also better suited to withstand the elements, and the brake and gear cables are internally routed, so they won’t get tangled up with your other boating gear.
The bike’s 20” wheels save space and are just right for tight maneuvering through boatyards and port towns. Just unfold and adjust the seat height to your liking. With 9 speeds to choose from, you don’t have to worry if the terrain gets hilly, or if you want to ride a longer distance at your port of call.
Venerable bike manufacturer Schwinn has a lineup including a bike for practically every circumstance, including a foldable to sail with. The Loop features an aluminum alloy frame that can be quickly folded down to 29.5” x 29.5” x 19”, allowing you to make the most of your boat’s limited space.
The bike includes a step-through frame construction for easy mounting, and a rear carry rack, perfect for ferrying provisions from town. At 33 lbs, the Loop is likely to weigh less than the supplies you’re carrying.
Yet, its sturdy 20” alloy wheels and 7 speeds provide the agility and versatility needed to transport what you need. Meanwhile, front and rear fenders keep dirt, mud, and water from splashing you or your cargo.
Schwinn’s efforts to keep the Loop protected from the elements aren’t limited to when you’re riding.
The bike comes with a nylon carrying case that shields your ride and all its components from corrosive saltwater spray while in storage or transit.
This doesn’t eliminate the need to wipe down and dry your bike before folding and stowing it while at sea, but it does mean you don’t have to worry about ambient moisture causing the bike to rust while not in use.
3 ) Qualisports 350W Dolphin Folding Electric Bike
The first electric option on this list, the Dolphin from Qualisports is as sailor-friendly as its aquatic namesake. It’s also just as sleek in design, with a 6061 aluminum alloy frame that keeps weight low.
Even with the addition of a 350W brushless motor and 14Ah battery, the Dolphin comes in at a relatively svelte 50 lbs, so you won’t feel like you have an extra anchor on board.
Folding the bike down to it’s snug 32.6” x 18.9” x 27.5” profile is simple to do, so stowing it isn’t an issue. Yet the Dolphin really shines once you take it ashore. It’s 20” wheels are fitted with wide, 2.35” tires, granting traction and comfort on sandy piers and cobbled streets alike.
A 7 speed Shimano drivetrain adds to the versatility, but the pedal assist and full throttle modes grant true freedom. With 62.5 miles of range, the Dolphin can carry you all around town while you get your land legs back.
You can keep an eye on your travel distance and battery life thanks to the informative LCD screen, or just enjoy the sights without breaking a sweat.
EuroMini’s ZiZZO is a little more comfort focused than the average folding bike. Primarily demonstrated by the extra-wide comfort saddle, this design focus is also made evident by the fully adjustable seat post and handlebars.
Yet none of these features interfere with the bike’s smooth folding mechanism. It can be folded in just 10 seconds, making it quicker to carry it with you than to secure it with a bike lock.
No need to fear it falling open, magnetic catch keeps the bike securely compact, even when the seas get rough.
An aluminum frame, 7 speed drivetrain, and the 20” wheels combine to create the iconic folding bike profile and feather-light weight. This bike is only 28.5 lbs, barely enough to rock the dinghy. Yet, it provides a sturdy and responsive ride — and a safe one, thanks to front and rear linear V-brakes.
The ZiZZO also goes the extra mile when it comes to withstanding wet and salty environments. The cassette and chain are both treated with a rust-resistant coating, prolonging their life at sea.
The Forte, EuroMini’s second entry on this list, has a lot in common with the first.
The wide saddle and tires once again provide the sort of shock absorption needed to ride comfortably through a chaotic port where obstacles abound. The fully adjustable handlebars and seat allow for most people, male or female, to find their riding sweet spot.
The no-fuss folding mechanism with the magnetic clasp returns, and once it’s engaged, the bike’s 27” x 31” x 12.5” dimensions match those of the slender ZiZZO. However, the Forte isn’t a copy.
The bike features a rear carrying rack, which ups it’s utility.
Carry your gear along as you pedal inland, or fill your panniers with souvenirs to bring aboard. The sturdy aluminum frame can bear 300 lbs — no need for you to shoulder the burden.
Front and rear fenders add both classic style and protection from the grit and grime of the road and trail, and double-wall alloy 20” rims can take a bruising and keep on cruising.
And, even with the added components, the Forte is just 29 lbs.
6 ) Nakto 250W Fashion Foldable City Electric Bike
The Nakto Fashion lives up to its name, with an attractive foldable frame design featuring a braided cord management system, stylish frame curvature, and a classic matte black finish.
Yet, it’s far from all looks and no substance. This bike goes all-in with it’s e-bike identity. A 250W rear wheel drive motor and 10Ah battery pair up to provide either an assisted or fully powered ride.
There are no gears in the traditional sense, but rather a slide from low power to high, letting you choose how much, or how little, you want to exert yourself.
Nakto outfitted the bike to handle city commutes, making it a great choice for running errands or simply getting around quickly at your port of call.
A rear rack is included, as are front and rear fenders and V-brakes. The large padded saddle has spring support, so bumpy rides won’t leave you with a sore bottom. And, thanks to the battery, head and tail lights are included, so you can ride safely even if you happen to drop anchor at night.
At 50 lbs and dimensions of 42” x 48” x 30”, the bike may seem a bit chunky. However, if you want the benefits of an e-bike in a boat-friendly package, the Fashion is a very practical option.
AddMotor’s Motan e-bike is the most powerful electric bike on this list. It also features the most bold styling, with bright colors in contrast to the more understated wraps on the other bikes. The Motan has more of a BMX, all-terrain sensibility packed into the foldable form factor.
The most immediately visible proof of this is the fat tires. They have the standard 20” diameter, but their 4” width puts them in a performance class of their own.
Fat tires absorb shocks like no others, making for a cushioned ride. Moreover, they are able to gain traction on even loose surfaces like snow and sand, so you can cruise on the beach itself astride this bike.
A MOZO suspension fork smooths the ride quality even further, and gives the Motan more offroading capabilities. The 750W motor, powered by an 11.6Ah battery, makes short work of even difficult terrain.
With corrosion-resistant aluminum alloy construction, and a fold downsize of 42.5” x 21.5” x 29.5”, the Motan is a fine choice for boating, particularly when your destination consists of more technical terrain.
Normally, buying a bike is about comfort, performance, and quality. When buying a bike to take with you out to sea, those concerns are still important, but they are joined by a few others specific to the circumstance.
First, boating exposes a bike to the corrosive saltwater environment. Certain metals will quickly succumb to rust, weakening the frame and destroying more delicate components.
Then there is the matter of space and weight. Boats have a finite amount of space, and the bike will need to be carried from place to place often.
Lastly, you want a bike that isn’t too specialized.
You want to be able to service it with a minimum of tools. If for some reason you don’t have or lose, a tool, you want the best chance of finding it readily wherever you happen to be.
Construction Material
Boating environments are especially moist and salt-laden. It’s inevitable that the elements will eventually bypass a bike’s lubricants and protective coatings to work on the material beneath.
The right construction material greatly extends the life of a bike regularly subjected to life at sea and along the coast.
Folding bikes are typically constructed of steel, aluminum, and carbon fiber. In the case of the metals, there can be different alloys of varying quality, but in general, they can be rated in the order listed, with steel being the least resistant to corrosion and aluminum being more resistant.
Carbon fiber, properly sealed, is the best of the three, but if saltwater gets into the fibers it can corrode more quickly than aluminum.
Folding Bikes Weight
Another bicycle characteristic impacted by construction materials is weight. Because of the impact weight has on speed and maneuverability, shaving off pounds is one of the primary aims of bike design in general, but when it comes to boating, it is even more important. Boats have limited cargo capacity.
Just like a bike, there is a maximum safe weight, beyond which the risks are many.
A lighter bike has the obvious benefit of contributing less to reaching this limit, and allowing more passengers or cargo to be loaded on board.
Perhaps more impactful is the fact that a folded bike will have to be carried on and offboard, and potentially loaded into a dinghy as well. Lifting a bike under 30 lbs poses minimal risk for someone of average fitness.
Above that amount, you begin to run the risk of injury if you aren’t used to hefting that many pounds. The basic rule here is that lighter is better.
How Big Are They When Folded?
The biggest advantage a folding bike has over a non-folding bike is the ability to rearrange the dimensions of the space they take up. They can basically be folded in half horizontally, and the pedals can be folded or removed for the ultimate thin profile.
The 7 bikes above each have their folded dimensions listed. The e-bikes are bulkier, due to things like motors and batteries which have to be accomodated.
Even then, the absolute longest folded dimension is 42.5” for an e-bike, and 29.5” for a regular bike.
On average, pedal-powered foldable have a length and height of 2.5’, and a width of 1.5’. They are compact enough to fit in many odd spaces onboard, in chests, lockers, or between and under counters and tables.
Basket For Provisions
Reprovisioning your ship is a necessary task. Depending on what you need and how far you have to carry it, it can be a serious chore. This is one of the reasons having a folding bike can be such a boon. Regardless of what you’re transporting, it’s easier to let your bike handle the weight.
That said, not every folding bike comes equipped to handle the task. Several of the options above include a rear rack for cargo, but this is more of a platform for attaching panniers or a basket.
Even for the bikes lacking a rack, there are numerous front-facing baskets that can be attached to the head tube.
A rigid frame basket large enough to meet your needs might actually measure longer in some dimensions than your bike when folded.
To avoid this problem, make a point of buying collapsible baskets. Also, remember to opt for aluminum over steel construction, both for the lower weight and the superior corrosion resistance.
Performance & Ease of Use
It’s important to make sure you purchase a folding bike that you can store on your boat, and that can withstand the elements. Yet, you also need a ride that performs well, and that you can operate with ease.
The 20” wheels on folding bikes don’t easily eat up the miles like the large diameter wheels on a road bike. They also aren’t suitable for the sort of heavy off-roading of mountain bikes.
Instead, they are ideal for quick acceleration and maneuvering around obstacles.
Wider tires with all-terrain treads make for a versatile ride across the easy to moderate conditions you can expect riding through port towns and down coastal trails.
As for ease of use, folding bikes — even their electronic versions — are generally less complicated than their full-frame counterparts.
They have fewer gears to deal with, and straightforward twist shifters and brake levers. Moreover, the folding mechanisms are very easy and intuitive, allowing the whole process to be completed in seconds.
Final Words – Best Folding Bikes
Carrying your bike with you on your boat is no stranger than mounting it onto a rack on your car. You can’t always ride to each destination, but that doesn’t mean you don’t want access to your trusty steed once you arrive.
Folding bikes are the perfect way to accomplish this.
They address the unique challenges inherent in bringing a bike into a seafaring environment, without sacrificing much in the way of comfort or performance when it comes time to hop in the saddle.
Kaye is a mother of two boys who is on a mission to improve her physical and mental well-being. With a passion for trying new beauty products and stacking her supplement intake, Kaye is always eager to discover new ways to enhance her lifestyle.
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