Tight Squeeze: How To Store a Folding E-Bike
Written by: Rémy Rossi | January 17, 2024 | Time to read 3 min
Learn how to get the most from your folding electric bike with these storage tips and tricks.
More about the Author: Remy Rossi
Rémy Rossi is a bike writer, mechanic, and educator who got his start in community-based bike shops and co-ops. With a decade in the industry, he still wrenches on bikes when he can and plays bike polo on a fixie.
If you’re talking the time to fold your electric bike, you should also make the effort to store it in the most space-optimal way. A bicycle’s odd shape— this goes for both standard and folding e-Bike— has wide handlebars and pedals that jut out that don’t make storage super easy, but there are a few tricks. In this article, I’ll help you store your folding e-Bike in tight spaces.
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Fold the bike down properly
Collapsing your bike down the way it was intended allows the compact e-Bike to fold down into its smallest size. Following correct protocol also ensures that the components aren’t damaged during the folding process— with electric bikes, there can be a few cables hanging around that you should be aware of. Fold the bike down and rest it on the built-in stand, then move on to locating the perfect storage spot.
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Find the right storage spot
Choosing the right place to store your e-Bike can help it take up even less space and stay out of the way. Folding e-Bikes collapse down into a rough cube shape which fits well into the corner of a room, garage, shed, or wherever else you need to store your two-wheeler. Folding e-Bikes like the Aventon Sinch are heavy, so you won’t be able to store it on a shelf or on top of anything else.
Bikes can have dirt on the tires and a grime-covered chain, so be careful about staining the surrounding area. Sometimes I put a tarp or mat down— and to prevent wall marks, I may even put painters tape on the wall right where the handlebars or tires typically hit.
But be sure to put the e-Bike in an accessible area that makes it easy to get the bike in and out, unless you’re leaving it there for long-term storage. Having to dig through your garage to get your e-Bike will make it less likely for you to take it out for a ride— your bike will miss you and you’ll miss it, too. An accessible spot reduces the chance for any complications when taking out the heavy bike— the amount of times I have tripped in my garage because of untidy and crowded items is laughable.
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Space-saving tips for folding e-Bikes
I’ve discussed the pros and cons of folding e-Bikes and, while they aren’t always a silver bullet solution, they can help you save space.
- Slam that seat: Save inches by lowering the seat on your electric bike as far as it can go. If you really need extra room, you can remove the seat and lay it on the ground below the e-Bike.
- Foldable pedals if you’ve got ‘em: Some electric bikes have foldable pedals that can further collapse down the folded unit. It reduces the awkward form factor of pedals sticking out, which can prevent the bike from resting flush against a wall. I don’t think there’s any need to go out and buy foldable pedals, though.
- Deflate the tires: This is only recommended for long-term storage. Some folding e-Bike have oversized fat tires that hold a lot of air and are quite massive, especially compared to the compact profile when folded. You can decrease the footprint of the bike by a few inches by letting the air out of the tires.
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Despite all my skepticism, though, folding electric bikes are a welcomed part of the cycling family. They can be the perfect solution for certain riders who need the boost from an e-Bike and still want the foldability.
Key Takeaways
- Fold Properly to Protect Your Bike: Follow the correct folding method to minimize space and prevent damage to components.
- Store in an Accessible, Protected Spot: Place the bike in a clean, easy-to-reach location, using mats or tape to guard against dirt and scuffs.
- Use Space-Saving Tricks: Lower or remove the seat, fold pedals, or deflate tires (for long-term storage) to reduce the bike’s footprint.
