isinwheel U3 Folding Electric Bike Review: Is This 500W Foldable Ebike Worth It?

A super affordable folding e-bike that's perfect for short city trips and small apartments, but the tiny wheels, low speed, and missing features mean it's not for everyone.

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Key Specifications

Motor
500W
Weight
51.92 lbs

Best For

How this e-bike scores for different riding styles

Compact & Portable
92/100

Excels in this category with foldable design, 51.92 lbs weight, and 55.9 inch folded length. Perfect for apartment storage, car trunks, and public transit integration.

Daily Commuting
78/100

The 45+ mile range and compact foldable design make it excellent for daily commutes, though the lack of integrated lights and throttle slightly reduces convenience for urban commuting.

Recreational Leisure
75/100

The 19 mph speed, front suspension, and adjustable seat/handlebars provide comfortable leisurely riding. However, small 16-inch wheels may feel less stable for extended casual cruising.

High Performance
38/100

The 500W motor and 19 mph max speed fall well short of high-performance standards. This bike prioritizes portability over power and speed.

Off-Road Adventure
35/100

With only front fork suspension, 16-inch wheels, and no fat tires, this bike is poorly suited for serious off-road use. The 500W motor lacks the power needed for challenging trails.

Cargo & Utility
25/100

No rear rack, no fenders, and unspecified weight capacity suggest this compact bike is not designed for cargo hauling or utility purposes.

Our Verdict

The isinwheel U3 is a budget-friendly folding e-bike that does one thing really well - it's easy to carry and store. At under $400, this bike gives you the basics you need: a motor to help you pedal, a battery that lasts a decent distance, and the ability to fold it up when you're done. The 500W motor isn't super powerful, but it gets you moving at 19 miles per hour, which is fast enough for getting around town. The bike folds down to about 56 inches and weighs 52 pounds, so while it's not feather-light, most adults can lift it into a car trunk or carry it up some stairs.

This bike is perfect for people who live in small apartments or need to take their bike on trains or buses. If you ride a few miles to the train station, fold up your bike, then ride a few more miles on the other end, this bike does that job well. The 45-mile range sounds great, but remember that's only if you're pedaling hard and going slow. If you use more motor power, expect maybe 25-30 miles, which is still good for most daily trips. The removable battery is handy because you can take it inside to charge instead of parking your bike near an outlet. The front suspension and disc brakes are nice touches that you don't always see on cheap bikes.

However, this bike has some real downsides you should know about. The 16-inch wheels are really small - about half the size of normal bike wheels - which makes the ride feel bouncy and less stable, especially on bumpy roads. There's no throttle, so you always have to pedal (the motor just helps you). It also doesn't come with lights, a display screen, or any fancy features. If you want to ride fast, climb big hills, or go on long adventures, this bike will disappoint you. It's also not safety certified by UL, which some buyers might worry about. This bike is best for short city trips, not for serious riders or people who need something powerful and feature-packed.

What We Like

  • Super affordable at just $399.99 - one of the cheapest e-bikes with decent features on the market
  • Folds up small and weighs only 52 pounds, making it easy to store in your apartment or take on the bus
  • Goes up to 45 miles on one charge, which is great for longer rides without worrying about running out of battery
  • Has pedal assist and a removable battery so you can charge it anywhere without moving the whole bike
  • Front suspension and disc brakes give you a smoother, safer ride than cheaper bikes without these features

What Could Be Better

  • No throttle option means you have to pedal all the time - you can't just twist and go like some other e-bikes
  • Tiny 16-inch wheels make the ride feel less stable and smooth compared to bikes with normal-sized wheels
  • Missing basic safety features like built-in lights, so you'll need to buy and attach your own for night riding
  • The battery is pretty small at 280.8 Wh, which means the 45-mile range only works if you pedal a lot and go slow
  • Only goes 19 mph max speed, which is slower than most e-bikes and barely faster than the 20 mph legal limit

Standout Features

Foldable design at $399.99
One of the cheapest foldable e-bikes available, typically costing $800-1500 in this category
45+ mile maximum range
Above average for compact folding e-bikes, which typically offer 20-35 miles
51.92 lbs weight when folded
Lighter than many folding e-bikes which often weigh 60-70 lbs, making it more portable

Full Specifications

Performance

Motor Power500W

Build & Frame

Wheel Size16 inches

Weight & Capacity

Bike Weight51.92 lbs

Features

Included Features

Foldable
Pedal Assist
Removable Battery
Suspension

Not Included

App Connectivity
Cruise Control
Fat Tires
Fenders
Integrated Lights
LCD Display
Rear Rack
Throttle
UL Certified
USB Charging
Walk Mode

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about isinwheel 16 inch Ebike Foldable Electric Bike Adults, 500W Electric Bicycle, Front Fork Suspension, 19 MPH UP to 45 Miles Folding Ebike for Adults and Teens for Leisure Riding&Commuting

How far can I really ride on one charge?

The bike says it can go 45+ miles, but that's only if you pedal a lot and use low power. If you use the motor more, expect around 25-30 miles, which is still good for most daily trips around town.

Is this bike easy to fold and carry?

Yes, it folds down to about 56 inches long and weighs 52 pounds. That's light enough for most adults to lift into a car or carry up stairs, though it's not super lightweight.

Can I ride this without pedaling?

No, this bike doesn't have a throttle. You have to pedal all the time, but the motor helps make pedaling easier. You can't just twist a handle and go like you can on some other e-bikes.

Does it come with lights for riding at night?

No, it doesn't have built-in lights. You'll need to buy and attach your own bike lights if you want to ride safely at night or in the dark.

How fast does this bike go?

The top speed is 19 miles per hour with the motor helping you. That's fast enough for city riding but slower than many other e-bikes that can hit 20-28 mph.

Scores

Overall Score 58/100
Value Score 85/100
Popularity 62/100

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Tags

budget friendly ultra compact apartment friendly folding design commuter basic entry level small wheels lightweight portable removable battery under 500

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