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Small Wheel Folding Electric Bikes in Canada — Top 5 Compact E-Bikes for 2025 (Tested Picks for Commuters: Portability, Range & Value)

Published on Monday, August 25, 2025

Compact folding e-bikes pair small wheels with integrated motors and batteries to deliver effortless urban mobility. Designed for commuters who need quick folding, lightweight electric assistance, and compatibility with mixed-mode travel (transit plus bike), these bikes excel in tight-storage environments like apartments, offices, and public transit racks. In Canada, demand for small-wheel folding e-bikes is driven by dense city centers, a growing network of bike lanes, limited downtown parking, and the convenience of taking a single vehicle through a commute that might include a train or bus. Buyers typically prioritize fast and reliable fold mechanisms, a balance between range and weight, weather-resistant components for four-season use, and a practical cargo or accessory ecosystem. Price sensitivity varies by rider: some prioritize ultimate portability (fold size and weight), while others want more power and range even on a compact frame.

Quick Menu

1. Best Premium Compact

2. Best Bosch-Powered Commuter

3. Best Lightweight High-Tech

4. Best Affordable Compact

5. Best Cargo-Capable Fold

1
BEST PREMIUM COMPACT

Brompton Electric C Line

Brompton

Brompton Electric C Line earns its spot for small-wheel folding e-bikes by delivering an industry-leading compact fold, premium build quality, and exceptionally portable footprint ideal for last-mile urban commutes. Compared with larger, more powerful rivals like Tern or Biktrix it prioritizes portability and refined ride quality at a higher price, offering strong resale value and convenience for riders who need the smallest, most travel-friendly package.

4.6
★★★★☆

  • Ultra-compact fold

  • Handbuilt charm

  • Ultra-compact fold

  • Handbuilt charm

Review Summary

90%

"Owners praise its compact fold, premium build and crisp ride. Range is modest for the price and it's expensive, but reliability and resale value are strong."

  • Smooth urban ride

  • Iconic ultra-compact Brompton fold with 16" small wheels for easiest portability and storage.

  • Smooth urban ride

  • Iconic ultra-compact Brompton fold with 16" small wheels for easiest portability and storage.

Time-Saving Convenience

Enhanced Physical Well-Being

Brompton Electric C Line earns its spot for small-wheel folding e-bikes by delivering an industry-leading compact fold, premium build quality, and exceptionally portable footprint ideal for last-mile urban commutes. Compared with larger, more powerful rivals like Tern or Biktrix it prioritizes portability and refined ride quality at a higher price, offering strong resale value and convenience for riders who need the smallest, most travel-friendly package.

  • Ultra-compact fold

  • Handbuilt charm

  • Smooth urban ride

  • Iconic ultra-compact Brompton fold with 16" small wheels for easiest portability and storage.

  • Electric assistance via a compact front-hub 250W motor and removable battery suited for urban ranges.

  • Ultra-compact fold

  • Handbuilt charm

  • Smooth urban ride

  • Iconic ultra-compact Brompton fold with 16" small wheels for easiest portability and storage.

  • Electric assistance via a compact front-hub 250W motor and removable battery suited for urban ranges.

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$4,500-6,500 CAD

2
BEST BOSCH-POWERED COMMUTER

Tern Vektron S10

Tern

Tern Vektron S10 is the market leader for performance-oriented small-wheel folders thanks to a Bosch mid-drive, a robust frame, and real-world cargo and climbing capability that outperforms many compact competitors. Heavier and less ultra-compact than the Brompton or GoCycle, it compensates with technical reliability, broad service support and range—making it a smart choice for commuters who need power and durability over the absolute smallest fold.

4.5
★★★★☆

  • Bosch-powered punch

  • Sturdy commuter frame

  • Bosch-powered punch

  • Sturdy commuter frame

Review Summary

87%

"Users like the Bosch mid-drive torque, comfortable geometry and solid range. It's heavier than non-electric folders but folds reasonably well and feels like a commuter workhorse."

  • Long-range confidence

  • Bosch mid-drive assist with an integrated battery offering reliable, smooth power for daily commuting.

  • Long-range confidence

  • Bosch mid-drive assist with an integrated battery offering reliable, smooth power for daily commuting.

Time-Saving Convenience

Enhanced Physical Well-Being

Skill Development & Mastery

Tern Vektron S10 is the market leader for performance-oriented small-wheel folders thanks to a Bosch mid-drive, a robust frame, and real-world cargo and climbing capability that outperforms many compact competitors. Heavier and less ultra-compact than the Brompton or GoCycle, it compensates with technical reliability, broad service support and range—making it a smart choice for commuters who need power and durability over the absolute smallest fold.

  • Bosch-powered punch

  • Sturdy commuter frame

  • Long-range confidence

  • Bosch mid-drive assist with an integrated battery offering reliable, smooth power for daily commuting.

  • Sturdy fold with 20" wheels that balance ride stability and compact storage.

  • Bosch-powered punch

  • Sturdy commuter frame

  • Long-range confidence

  • Bosch mid-drive assist with an integrated battery offering reliable, smooth power for daily commuting.

  • Sturdy fold with 20" wheels that balance ride stability and compact storage.

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$4,000-6,000 CAD

3
BEST LIGHTWEIGHT HIGH-TECH

GoCycle G4

GoCycle

GoCycle G4 distinguishes itself with a lightweight, highly integrated design and a fast, intuitive fold that marries portability with premium ride dynamics, positioning it between Brompton's compactness and Tern's power. Its technical innovations—clean drivetrain, streamlined chassis and low maintenance—deliver a refined small-wheel folding experience at a typically higher price than the value-focused options on this list.

4.4
★★★★☆

  • Folds in seconds

  • Chain-free drive

  • Folds in seconds

  • Chain-free drive

Review Summary

85%

"Riders appreciate its futuristic design, light handling and quick folding. It's high-priced and some report occasional electronic or service quirks, but long-term satisfaction is generally high."

  • Futuristic styling

  • Lightweight, highly integrated unibody design and quick-fold Pitstop-style wheel system for fast handling and storage.

  • Futuristic styling

  • Lightweight, highly integrated unibody design and quick-fold Pitstop-style wheel system for fast handling and storage.

Time-Saving Convenience

Recreational Enjoyment

Enhanced Physical Well-Being

GoCycle G4 distinguishes itself with a lightweight, highly integrated design and a fast, intuitive fold that marries portability with premium ride dynamics, positioning it between Brompton's compactness and Tern's power. Its technical innovations—clean drivetrain, streamlined chassis and low maintenance—deliver a refined small-wheel folding experience at a typically higher price than the value-focused options on this list.

  • Folds in seconds

  • Chain-free drive

  • Futuristic styling

  • Lightweight, highly integrated unibody design and quick-fold Pitstop-style wheel system for fast handling and storage.

  • Clean, enclosed drivetrain and integrated battery for low maintenance and a polished look.

  • Folds in seconds

  • Chain-free drive

  • Futuristic styling

  • Lightweight, highly integrated unibody design and quick-fold Pitstop-style wheel system for fast handling and storage.

  • Clean, enclosed drivetrain and integrated battery for low maintenance and a polished look.

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$4,500-6,500 CAD

4
BEST AFFORDABLE COMPACT

Biktrix Kutty X

Biktrix
🏠 Local Product

Biktrix Kutty X provides one of the best value propositions among small-wheel folding e-bikes by pairing strong motor torque and customization options with a competitive price point. It trades some of the ultra-compact folding finesse and finish of premium European builders for greater propulsion and battery capacity, appealing to riders who prioritize range and acceleration over the tiniest folded dimensions.

4.1
★★★★☆

  • Fat-tire grip

  • Mini but mighty

  • Fat-tire grip

  • Mini but mighty

Review Summary

78%

"Buyers praise the value, strong motor and customization. However, the Kutty X is heavier, bulkier when folded and some report fit/finish or customer-support issues."

  • Off-road ready

  • Compact folding frame designed for easy stowage and short-trip urban mobility.

  • Off-road ready

  • Compact folding frame designed for easy stowage and short-trip urban mobility.

Recreational Enjoyment

Enhanced Physical Well-Being

Time-Saving Convenience

Biktrix Kutty X provides one of the best value propositions among small-wheel folding e-bikes by pairing strong motor torque and customization options with a competitive price point. It trades some of the ultra-compact folding finesse and finish of premium European builders for greater propulsion and battery capacity, appealing to riders who prioritize range and acceleration over the tiniest folded dimensions.

  • Fat-tire grip

  • Mini but mighty

  • Off-road ready

  • Compact folding frame designed for easy stowage and short-trip urban mobility.

  • Robust rear-hub motor (commonly offered around 500W) with throttle options for flexible city riding.

  • Fat-tire grip

  • Mini but mighty

  • Off-road ready

  • Compact folding frame designed for easy stowage and short-trip urban mobility.

  • Robust rear-hub motor (commonly offered around 500W) with throttle options for flexible city riding.

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$2,000-3,500 CAD

5
BEST CARGO-CAPABLE FOLD

Rad Power Bikes RadExpand 5

Rad Power Bikes

RadExpand 5 is the budget-friendly contender that brings practical performance and commuter-ready features to the small-wheel folding segment, offering one of the most aggressive price-to-spec ratios on the list. While it doesn't match Brompton's compact fold or GoCycle's lightweight engineering, it excels as an affordable, serviceable platform with wide U.S. support and a sturdy ride for everyday use.

4.2
★★★★☆

  • Cargo-ready design

  • Value packed

  • Cargo-ready design

  • Value packed

Review Summary

82%

"Customers value the affordability, torque and practical cargo capacity. However, it's large and heavy when folded and long-term component quality has mixed reports."

  • Comfortable ride

  • Powerful hub motor and high-capacity battery combo built for strong hill performance and longer range.

  • Comfortable ride

  • Powerful hub motor and high-capacity battery combo built for strong hill performance and longer range.

Time-Saving Convenience

Recreational Enjoyment

RadExpand 5 is the budget-friendly contender that brings practical performance and commuter-ready features to the small-wheel folding segment, offering one of the most aggressive price-to-spec ratios on the list. While it doesn't match Brompton's compact fold or GoCycle's lightweight engineering, it excels as an affordable, serviceable platform with wide U.S. support and a sturdy ride for everyday use.

  • Cargo-ready design

  • Value packed

  • Comfortable ride

  • Powerful hub motor and high-capacity battery combo built for strong hill performance and longer range.

  • 20" small-wheel, foldable platform with a sturdy frame and integrated rear rack for cargo and utility use.

  • Cargo-ready design

  • Value packed

  • Comfortable ride

  • Powerful hub motor and high-capacity battery combo built for strong hill performance and longer range.

  • 20" small-wheel, foldable platform with a sturdy frame and integrated rear rack for cargo and utility use.

Order Now

$2,000-3,000 CAD

What research and evidence say about folding e-bikes and their benefits

Research into electric bikes and mode-shift behavior shows that e-bikes can increase overall cycling activity, replace short car trips, and make commuting more accessible to a wider range of people. Studies on multimodal commuting and bike adoption consistently point to convenience and reliability as top drivers: when a bike fits easily into an existing commute (for example, folding onto a train or storing at work), people are much more likely to use it regularly. Small-wheel folding e-bikes trade some high-speed stability for improved maneuverability, smaller folded footprint, and faster folding times, which are decisive practical benefits for urban users.

E-bike adoption increases active travel: surveys and transport studies show riders tend to bike more often with pedal-assist and replace many short car trips.

Multimodal convenience matters: research on transit integration finds that compact, foldable bikes increase the likelihood of combining bike + public transit for daily commutes.

Battery performance varies with temperature: studies and manufacturer guidance note that cold Canadian winters reduce lithium battery range, so plan for 10-30% lower range in very cold conditions.

Small wheels affect handling: smaller-diameter wheels make bikes more nimble and foldable but can transmit road shock differently than larger wheels — high-quality suspension or tire choices help mitigate this.

In the Canadian context, small-wheel folding electric bikes are a practical answer to mixed-mode commuting, tight storage, and last-mile solutions. This page’s top picks — Brompton Electric C Line, Tern Vektron S10, GoCycle G4, Biktrix Kutty X, and Rad Power Bikes RadExpand 5 — each bring a different balance of portability, range, and price. For many Canadian commuters seeking the best overall mix of foldability, riding comfort, and usable range, the Tern Vektron S10 stands out as the most balanced choice on this list. We hope you found what you were looking for; use the search to refine by range, weight, price, or to expand to alternatives and accessories.

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