by Larry Lagarde
Weight is frequently an issue with bicycles. Bike racers want low weight to win races; folding bike owners want a lightweight folding bike for practicality. The lighter the folding bike, the easier it is to tote onto a bus, up a flight of steps or into an RV, car trunk, closet, boat, plane, office, etc.
As folding bike sales increase, so does the pressure on bike companies to position their models ahead of the competition. This has led some makers to list the weight for their bikes without components that many folding bike consumers consider important (pedals, kickstand, fenders, carry rack, etc.).
In fairness, some folding bikes were designed without a provision for certain components (don't even think about placing a carry rack on an A-bike) so an apple to apple comparison on specs is tough to do. Regardless, questions about lightweight folding bikes come up all the time. For this reason, I assembled the following Top 5 list denoting the lightest weight folding bikes that were in production when this article was published in 2007. I've included a photo and some key facts about each bike.
Lightweight Folding Bikes - Top 5
2026 update: “Top 5” referred to the five lightest production folding bikes identified when this article was published in 2007, not necessarily the five best folding bicycles to purchase today. The prices shown below are the original 2007 prices. Availability is only part of the decision: handling, replacement-parts availability, service support, rider capacity, and how easily the bicycle can be lifted and transported also matter.
1. A-Bike
Wt: 13 lbs.
Carry Capacity: 185 lbs.
# of Speeds: 1
Frame: Aluminum & plastic.
Misc:
No carry rack; practical only on smooth surfaces.
Original 2007 Price: $340
2026 status: The original Sinclair A-Bike appears to be out of production. Visually similar copies are still sold, primarily through overseas marketplaces, but their origin, quality, parts availability, and support may be difficult to verify.
2. CarryMe
Wt: 18 lbs.
Carry Capacity: 190 lbs.
# of Speeds: 1
Frame: Aluminum.
Misc:
No fenders. Tiny carry rack. Rolls when folded.
Original 2007 Price: $490
2026 status: The CarryMe remains in production through Pacific Cycles, but it is substantially more expensive than it was in 2007 and has very limited sales and service representation in the United States. Its small wheels and unconventional geometry also produce handling that can feel unfamiliar to riders accustomed to conventional bicycles.
3. Hasa Minimax
Wt: 19 lbs.
Carry Capacity: 250 lbs.
# of Speeds: 9
Frame: Carbon fiber & alloy.
Misc:
No fenders or carry rack.
Original 2007 Price: $2600
2026 status: HASA still references the Minimax on its company website, but current production and availability could not be confirmed.
4.
Strida 5
Wt: 19 lbs.
Carry Capacity: 200 lbs.
# of Speeds: 1
Frame: Aluminum.
Misc: No kickstand. Folds roughly to the size of a golf bag. Rolls when folded.
Original 2007 Price: $800
2026 status: The Strida 5 remains in production, but obtaining one in the United States may require purchasing from overseas. Domestic parts, warranty, and service support appear limited. Its short wheelbase and distinctive geometry also create handling characteristics that may feel unusual to riders accustomed to conventional bicycles.
5.
Kent
Superlite 1
Wt: 22 lbs.
Carry Capacity: 200 lbs.
# of Speeds: 1
Frame: Magnesium/aluminum alloy.
Misc: Carry handle built into frame.
Original 2007 Price: $169
2026 status: The Kent Superlite 1 has been out of production for many years.
What is the best-supported lightweight folding bike today?
The market has changed considerably since this comparison was first published. Extremely lightweight folding bicycles are still available, but many are difficult to obtain or service in the United States. Small wheels, short wheelbases, and unconventional frame designs can also produce handling characteristics that feel unfamiliar to riders accustomed to conventional bicycles.
The Brompton T Line is now the clearest modern counterpart to the ultralight bicycles in this original list. The Brompton P Line is slightly heavier, but still comparatively light. Both are expensive, but Brompton has established United States representation, replacement-parts availability, and trained dealers such as RideTHISbike that can provide test rides, proper setup, and continuing service.
RideTHISbike no longer sells other pedal-only folding bikes in this weight class because we have not found another currently supported product that matches Brompton's combination of compact folding, conventional handling, construction quality, parts availability, and dealer support.
See Current Bikes for Sale
Plan a Visit or Test Ride
Do you know of a folding bike weighing less than 23 lbs (including pedals, kickstand, fenders & carry rack)? To be sure, there are plenty of other lightweight folding bikes out there.
If you feel I missed one, speak up by clicking on the comment button below. By the way, bikes that are not yet on the market don't count but deserve honorable mention. Two I can think of include Alessandro Belli's 9 lb. thermoplastic suspension folding bike (VERY COOL; see photo at right) and the 19 lb. Strida 5 that is to be released sometime next year.
Note: Although not shown in the photo, the Kent Nexus folding bike now comes with fenders.
:-)
Labels: lightweight-folding-bike