Brompton C Line Explore
The Brompton C Line Explore earns best-in-class status for travel folding bikes thanks to its famously compact fold, refined ride quality and long-term durability, making it the top choice when carry size and everyday convenience matter most. It commands a premium price but that cost buys a smaller packed footprint and high resale value compared with larger-wheel options like the Montague or the more budget-oriented Dahon, while offering a more polished, proprietary package than modular competitors such as Tern and Bike Friday.
Airport-ready fold
Smooth city glide
Airport-ready fold
Smooth city glide
Review Summary
"Users praise the Brompton C Line Explore for its unbeatable compact fold, premium build quality and comfortable urban ride; common complaints are the high price and limited gearing on very hilly routes."
Customizable flair
Iconic ultra-compact fold with a very small packed footprint ideal for trains and apartments.
Customizable flair
Iconic ultra-compact fold with a very small packed footprint ideal for trains and apartments.
Time-Saving Convenience
Recreational Enjoyment
The Brompton C Line Explore earns best-in-class status for travel folding bikes thanks to its famously compact fold, refined ride quality and long-term durability, making it the top choice when carry size and everyday convenience matter most. It commands a premium price but that cost buys a smaller packed footprint and high resale value compared with larger-wheel options like the Montague or the more budget-oriented Dahon, while offering a more polished, proprietary package than modular competitors such as Tern and Bike Friday.
Airport-ready fold
Smooth city glide
Customizable flair
Iconic ultra-compact fold with a very small packed footprint ideal for trains and apartments.
16" wheels on a durable steel frame (C Line) offering a comfortable ride and long-term resilience.
Airport-ready fold
Smooth city glide
Customizable flair
Iconic ultra-compact fold with a very small packed footprint ideal for trains and apartments.
16" wheels on a durable steel frame (C Line) offering a comfortable ride and long-term resilience.
$2,200-3,200 CAD
Dahon K3 Plus
The Dahon K3 Plus stands out as the value-oriented travel folder, offering an ultra-light, simple three-speed platform that keeps purchase and maintenance costs lower than Brompton and Tern models. Its strengths are affordability and quick folding for carry-on travel, though riders trade off the ultimate compactness and premium componentry of a Brompton and the higher gear range or ruggedness of models like the Tern BYB S11 or Montague Paratrooper Pro.
Featherlight frame
Quick three-speed
Featherlight frame
Quick three-speed
Review Summary
"Buyers like the Dahon K3 Plus for its extremely light weight, simple folding and strong value, but note the small wheels can feel twitchy at speed, the 3-speed setup limits versatility, and some report frame flex or service issues over long-term use."
Budget-friendly portability
Super-affordable, lightweight folding with a very simple and fast fold for short-trip travel.
Budget-friendly portability
Super-affordable, lightweight folding with a very simple and fast fold for short-trip travel.
Time-Saving Convenience
Recreational Enjoyment
The Dahon K3 Plus stands out as the value-oriented travel folder, offering an ultra-light, simple three-speed platform that keeps purchase and maintenance costs lower than Brompton and Tern models. Its strengths are affordability and quick folding for carry-on travel, though riders trade off the ultimate compactness and premium componentry of a Brompton and the higher gear range or ruggedness of models like the Tern BYB S11 or Montague Paratrooper Pro.
Featherlight frame
Quick three-speed
Budget-friendly portability
Super-affordable, lightweight folding with a very simple and fast fold for short-trip travel.
Small-wheel design with an internal 3-speed hub that minimizes maintenance on the road.
Featherlight frame
Quick three-speed
Budget-friendly portability
Super-affordable, lightweight folding with a very simple and fast fold for short-trip travel.
Small-wheel design with an internal 3-speed hub that minimizes maintenance on the road.
$600-900 CAD
Tern BYB S11
The Tern BYB S11 positions itself as the performance-minded travel folder, pairing a fast 11-speed drivetrain and a rugged but compact chassis that bridges the gap between city-compact Bromptons and larger full-size folders. It offers higher gearing and greater speed potential than economy models like the Dahon K3 Plus and typically easier serviceability than Brompton’s proprietary parts, though its folded volume is generally larger than a Brompton and it is less heavy-duty than the Montague Paratrooper Pro.
High-gear speed
Sturdy ride
High-gear speed
Sturdy ride
Review Summary
"Reviewers appreciate the Tern BYB S11's fast folding, stable ride and wide 11-speed range for mixed terrain; drawbacks reported are a higher price and a folded package that is larger than a Brompton."
Novel vertical fold
Advanced compact-fold geometry that delivers a short packed length while keeping good ride stability.
Novel vertical fold
Advanced compact-fold geometry that delivers a short packed length while keeping good ride stability.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Time-Saving Convenience
Recreational Enjoyment
The Tern BYB S11 positions itself as the performance-minded travel folder, pairing a fast 11-speed drivetrain and a rugged but compact chassis that bridges the gap between city-compact Bromptons and larger full-size folders. It offers higher gearing and greater speed potential than economy models like the Dahon K3 Plus and typically easier serviceability than Brompton’s proprietary parts, though its folded volume is generally larger than a Brompton and it is less heavy-duty than the Montague Paratrooper Pro.
High-gear speed
Sturdy ride
Novel vertical fold
Advanced compact-fold geometry that delivers a short packed length while keeping good ride stability.
11-speed drivetrain and higher gearing for faster commuter and travel cruising speeds.
High-gear speed
Sturdy ride
Novel vertical fold
Advanced compact-fold geometry that delivers a short packed length while keeping good ride stability.
11-speed drivetrain and higher gearing for faster commuter and travel cruising speeds.
$2,800-3,700 CAD
Montague Paratrooper Pro
The Montague Paratrooper Pro claims the market-leader role for adventure-minded travelers who need a full-size ride in a foldable package, delivering rugged frames and large wheels suited to rough roads or bikepacking trips where compactness is secondary to performance. While heavier and less pocketable than Brompton or Bike Friday packables, the Paratrooper Pro outperforms them off-road and is a clear financial value for travelers who prioritize durability over the smallest folded dimensions.
Full-size muscle
Tactical-ready build
Full-size muscle
Tactical-ready build
Review Summary
"Owners of the Montague Paratrooper Pro praise its full-size, rugged performance, strong components and off-road capability, while many note it is heavy and bulky when folded, making it less convenient for frequent multimodal commuting."
Rugged off-road
Full-size wheels and a patented folding frame that gives genuine mountain-bike performance in a foldable package.
Rugged off-road
Full-size wheels and a patented folding frame that gives genuine mountain-bike performance in a foldable package.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
The Montague Paratrooper Pro claims the market-leader role for adventure-minded travelers who need a full-size ride in a foldable package, delivering rugged frames and large wheels suited to rough roads or bikepacking trips where compactness is secondary to performance. While heavier and less pocketable than Brompton or Bike Friday packables, the Paratrooper Pro outperforms them off-road and is a clear financial value for travelers who prioritize durability over the smallest folded dimensions.
Full-size muscle
Tactical-ready build
Rugged off-road
Full-size wheels and a patented folding frame that gives genuine mountain-bike performance in a foldable package.
Sturdy construction and long-travel-ready geometry designed for rough roads and off-road travel.
Full-size muscle
Tactical-ready build
Rugged off-road
Full-size wheels and a patented folding frame that gives genuine mountain-bike performance in a foldable package.
Sturdy construction and long-travel-ready geometry designed for rough roads and off-road travel.
$1,400-2,200 CAD
Bike Friday Pakiit
The Bike Friday Pakiit is the specialist travel folder for air travellers who want a lightweight, highly configurable bike that packs down into airline-compatible luggage and can be custom tuned to rider dimensions. It typically costs more than mass-market folders but offers bespoke fit and reduced checked-bag hassles that neither generic Dahon budget models nor heavier Montague full-size folders can match, making it ideal when airline convenience and personalized geometry are top priorities.
Suitcase-compact fold
Travel-tested durability
Suitcase-compact fold
Travel-tested durability
Review Summary
"Bike Friday Pakiit buyers commend the custom-fit ride, lightweight chassis and airline-friendly packability; common negatives are the premium price, occasional long lead times and more disassembly/assembly compared with instant-fold bikes."
Custom fit options
Highly configurable, made-to-order frames and component choices to match rider fit and touring needs.
Custom fit options
Highly configurable, made-to-order frames and component choices to match rider fit and touring needs.
Time-Saving Convenience
Recreational Enjoyment
Eco-Friendly Living
The Bike Friday Pakiit is the specialist travel folder for air travellers who want a lightweight, highly configurable bike that packs down into airline-compatible luggage and can be custom tuned to rider dimensions. It typically costs more than mass-market folders but offers bespoke fit and reduced checked-bag hassles that neither generic Dahon budget models nor heavier Montague full-size folders can match, making it ideal when airline convenience and personalized geometry are top priorities.
Suitcase-compact fold
Travel-tested durability
Custom fit options
Highly configurable, made-to-order frames and component choices to match rider fit and touring needs.
Folds compactly for airline or long-distance travel and can be set up for loaded touring with racks.
Suitcase-compact fold
Travel-tested durability
Custom fit options
Highly configurable, made-to-order frames and component choices to match rider fit and touring needs.
Folds compactly for airline or long-distance travel and can be set up for loaded touring with racks.
$2,700-4,500 CAD