One of the great things about most exercise bikes is that they’re pretty compact, making it easy to fit them in rooms that might not be able to hold a larger treadmills or elliptical.
That said, sometimes we need an even smaller model that can be brought out and put away as needed – enter the foldable exercise bike.
Foldable exercise bikes are small, lightweight cycles that can easily be stored away in closets after use, opening up shared floor space for other activities.
These compact bikes can get the job done, but the best way to avoid disappointment is to have realistic expectations and to know what to look for.
And this is exactly what I’m here to help with.
In this guide, I’ll go over my picks for the best foldable exercise bikes the year has to offer, but I’ll also offer my 2 cents regarding the stuff you should look for when comparing models.
This way, whether you like any of the bikes listed here or not, you’ll be well-equipped to find the right foldable bike to meet your needs.
Well, let’s get to it already.
| Weight Limit | Backrest? | Warranty | |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Exerpeutic Gold 525XLR | 400 lb | Yes | 1 year |
| #2 Bulbhead Slim Cycle | 300 lb | Yes | 1 year |
| #3 LEIKE X Bike | 330 lb | Yes | 1 year |
| #4 LANOS Foldable Bike | 330 lb | Yes | 90 day |
| #5 XTERRA FB350 | 225 lb | Yes | 1 year frame 90 day parts/labor |
| #6 Exerpeutic Folding Bike | 300 lb | No | 1 year frame 90 day parts |
| #7 AtivaFit Folding Upright Bike | 220 lb | No | 1 year |
The 7 Best Foldable Exercise Bikes of 2024
#1 Exerpeutic Gold 525XLR
Exerpeutic’s one of the OG’s when it comes to folding exercise bikes and they offer several models to choose from, depending on your budget and what you’re looking for.
But I think the 525XLR deserves the top spot because of how heavy-duty it is for a folding exercise bike.
With a weight limit of 400 lb, this is one folding cycle that can hold most users safely and with a large seat and backrest, it’s going to be more comfortable than most.
It also weighs in at around 55 lb, which is pretty heavy for a folding bike (but it’s that extra steel in the frame that allows this bike to hold larger riders).
The 525XLR comes with 8 magnetic resistance levels and an adjustable height seat that can accommodate most folks between 5’2′ – 6’5″ tall.
Exerpeutic only backs this bike with a 1 year warranty, but that’s to be expected in this price range.
Speaking of price, the 525XLR is a little more expensive than some, but if you’re looking for one of the heaviest-duty folding bikes around, this is a good choice.
#2 Bulbhead Slim Cycle
I never saw it, but apparently this was one of those “as seen on tv” machines where they have infomercials and all that trying to sell it.
A lot of that tv fitness equipment looks pretty weak to me, but the Slim Cycle actually seems pretty legit.
And again, it’s got a ton of happy customers praising it, so Bulbhead must be doing something right.
Anyway, the Slim Cycle comes with a large, thick, contoured cushion and backrest for added comfort and comes with 8 resistance levels that are adjusted via a dial in the front.
The console is a little larger on this model than most, making it easy to see your workout metrics as you ride (including heart rate).
The Slim Cycle comes with an impressive 300 lb weight capacity and weighs in at 44 lb, making it pretty easy to move around when folded.
Oh, this bike has something a lot of the others don’t too – an included resistance band with handles so you can do upper body strengthening while riding.
Overall, users tout the Slim Cycle as one of the most comfortable folding bikes on the market, so if that’s what you’re looking for, this could be just what the doctor ordered.
#3 LEIKE X Bike
This isn’t a brand I’m familiar with, but they have a huge lineup of affordable fitness equipment to choose from.
That said, their X Folding Bike seems to be one of their most popular items.
The LEIKE X Bike comes with a 330 lb weight limit, allowing people of all sizes the ability to safely access it and it does come with a backrest, allowing for a more reclined sitting position during use.
The X Bike also comes with 10 resistance levels, offering a couple more than the 8 most others come with.
The console is pretty similar to all the others we’ve seen, but I will say, I think the X Bike is a little more pleasing to the eyes than most – I like the blue on the flywheel and console.
LEIKE also backs this bike with a 1 year guarantee for added peace of mind.
And users generally agree that this bike offers a smooth, quiet pedaling motion.
Overall, if you’re looking for an attractive folding bike with an impressive weight limit, the LEIKE X Bike is certainly worth considering.
#4 LANOS Foldable Bike
This is another brand I’m not familiar with (there seems to be a lot of these), but they offer several budget-friendly cardio machines to choose from.
But it’s their foldable bike that seems to be getting more attention.
The LANOS Bike isn’t quite as attractive looking as the LEIKE X Bike (I’m not a huge fan of the neon blue look), but it’s specs are pretty impressive.
Highlights include a contoured seat with backrest, 10 levels of resistance, and a max weight limit of 330 lb.
And according to LANOS, most folks between 4’6″ and 6′ tall should be able to use it fairly comfortably.
With an assembled weight of 44 lb, the LANOS Bike is a little heavier than some (which I see as a good thing), but it should still be easy to move around in the folded position.
The biggest downside here is that LANOS only backs this bike with a 90 day warranty, so something to consider.
But otherwise, this foldable cycle has a lot to offer for folks who fit within the height limitations.
#5 XTERRA FB350
XTERRA’s a legit home fitness brand with an impressive pedigree – it’s part of the same family that includes Sole and Spirit Fitness, 2 of the best home fitness brands around.
XTERRA specializes in more budget-friendly equipment, offering solid gear that won’t destroy your budget.
And the FB350 is a good example of a classic folding upright bike.
This model comes with a smaller backrest and is designed for smaller users (weight limit only 225 lb, fits heights of 4’10” to 5’10”), but the LCD console is easy to see during workouts.
And the FB350 also comes with built-in grip heart rate monitors, allowing you to track your pulse during workouts.
XTERRA backs this cycle with a 1 year frame, 90 day parts/labor guarantee, which is pretty good for this price range.
The biggest downside to the FB350 is that it’s designed for smaller folks, but if you fit the size requirements, this XTERRA bike could be a nice choice (it’s got a whole lot of happy customers on Amazon).
#6 Exerpeutic Folding Exercise Bike
This is Exerpeutic’s classic Folding Exercise Bike and even though it isn’t as heavy-duty as the 525XLR listed above, it’s still one of the most popular folding bikes on the planet.
It’s even been the top ranking exercise bike on Amazon in the past…
Impressive.
Anyway, this folding bike is very simple and straightforward, not really any big surprises to speak of here.
This bike doesn’t come with a backrest, so if you’re worried about having back support during rides, this might not be the right option for ya.
But it does come with a 300 lb weight limit and the ability to fit folks between 5’3″ – 6’1″, which is pretty good for a bike in this price range.
Speaking of price, I’ve seen this Exerpeutic bike go for well under $100, making it one of the most affordable cycles on this list (but I can’t say how long that price will last).
Overall, if you’re looking for a classic folding bike that takes it really easy on the wallet, Exerpeutic is a smart brand to go with.
#7 AtivaFit Folding Upright Bike
Rounding out my list is a popular folding bike by AtivaFit.
This bike is very similar to the Exerpeutic listed above – so much so, that it would be a little tough to tell ’em apart if you didn’t look at the fine details.
But there are a few differences worth mentioning.
First, the this folding bike costs a good deal more than the Exerpeutic mentioned above.
It also comes with a significantly lower weight capacity of 220 lb, so larger users may want to consider a more robust bike.
The AtivaFit bike also comes with 8 resistance levels and simple little LCD console for viewing workout stats.
The only real difference is that this bike comes with a bigger seat than some, which some folks might find a little more comfortable, especially during longer rides.
AtivaFit also backs this bike up with the standard 1 year warranty.
Overall, AtivaFit has an attractive, wildly popular folding bike here with a whole lot of happy customers.
Choosing A Folding Exercise Bike
Folding exercise bikes are realllly popular.
And it’s easy to see why these bikes are so popular, I mean they’re really affordable, easy to use, and take up very little floor space.
Plus, you can fold ’em in half and toss ’em in a closet after your workout – not bad.
That said, you need to have a realistic expectation of what these bikes can offer before deciding to buy one.
First of all, folding bikes are very small compared to traditional, non-folding exercise bikes and most of them come with lower weight capacities.
Also, these cycles come with much smaller flywheels and less sophisticated resistance systems, so don’t be surprised when your folding exercise bike doesn’t feel like the professional indoor cycle you’ve used at your local Gold’s.
You’re also likely to be disappointed if you’re expecting any fancy console features like workout programs, bluetooth, or streaming capabilities because these little guys don’t have any of that.
But, if you’re simply looking for an affordable bike that can handle low to moderate intensity workouts and you have realistic expectations, a folding exercise bike can be a great investment.
I’ve worked with several patients over the years who have purchased these bikes and they’ve worked great – especially when it comes to range of motion for the legs and trying to improve circulation.
Which is what I really think these bikes would be best suited for – gently getting your joints moving.
Anyway, there are a lot of foldable bikes on the market now, but some are higher-end than others.
When comparing these bikes, I encourage you to consider the following specs:
Weight Capacity
As I mentioned, a lot of foldable bikes come with significantly lower weight limits.
For example, many standard exercise bikes come with 300 lb limits, while it’s not uncommon to see 225 – 250 lb weight limits on folding bikes.
Which is reasonable, considering how much lighter and smaller these bikes are (which is necessary to ensure they can fold in the first place).
First and foremost, you have to make sure it’s safe for you to ride, but even if you’re under the stated limited, I always like to see a higher weight limit because it often indicates better overall build quality.
You know, stronger bikes should be able to hold heavier users – makes sense.
So, when in doubt, I say go for the bike with the higher weight capacity.
Backrest
This is actually kind of a big one when it comes to choosing between these folding bikes, especially considering all of these cycles more or less come in the same design.
Basically, some come with a small backrest and side handles, others don’t.
Having a backrest might be a good idea for folks dealing with achy backs because it allows you to recline a little more, while offering some support.
Speaking of reclining, some of these bikes (God bless ’em) market that they offer both upright and recumbent bike cycling, but in reality it’s just that you can lean back against the seat rest.
I guess you can’t blame ’em for trying.
Warranty
Most of these affordable bikes won’t come with much of a warranty, but it’s still worth investigating before making a decision.
Most folding cycles will only come with a 1 year guarantee, although some may offer as long as 2 years – which actually isn’t that bad considering the price range we’re talking about here.
Which, for most, will be $200 or less.
But, again, when in doubt, I say go with the model with the longer warranty.
Alrighty, these are pretty simple devices, so that’s about it when it comes to comparing specs and features.
Most will come with very similar consoles and more or less the same number of magnetic resistance levels (8 or 10 typically).
Final Thoughts
Ok, so there ya have it.
I’m gonna be honest, after awhile all of these folding bikes may start to look the same to ya and that’s understandable – the differences between them can be very subtle.
But when comparing bikes, I encourage you to look at the performance specs that matter most:
- Weight limit
- Backrest (or lack there of)
- Warranty
When it comes to flywheels, resistance levels, and console features, all of these bikes are pretty darn similar, so I don’t think you have to spend a lot of time worrying about that stuff.
Budget will play a role too, of course, but most of these bikes are in the same, budget-friendly price range.
Well, that about does it.
If you have any questions or know of any folding bikes that deserve a spot on this list, please share your comments below and I’ll get right back to ya.
