Top Pick: Velotric Fold 1 – Best Budget Folding E-bike

Velotric Fold 1 Features and Specifications

• The Velotric Fold 1 can function as a class 1, class 2, or class 3 e-bike, offering speeds ranging from 12 mph to 28 mph and equipped with a thumb throttle, Cadence Sensor, and five levels of pedal assist.
• Initially delivered as a Class 2 e-bike permitting speeds of up to 20 mph without modifications.
• Weighing 63 lbs with a robust 440 lb payload capacity, the bike costs $999, comes in three color options, and targets riders between 49 to 65 inches in height.

“Are you looking for a foldable e-bike? Vele Tre introduces their newest model called The Fold, offering versatile speed options and impressive features.”

Motor, Transmission, and Brakes

• Powered by a 48v 750 W brushless rear hub motor with up to 150 watts of peak power and 70 Nm of torque.
• Features a Shimano 7-speed transmission, ensuring smooth gear shifts, two-piston hydraulic brakes with 180 mm rotors for reliable stopping power.
• Equipped with a 52-tooth chainring in the front to prevent ghost pedaling at any velocity.

“The Velotric Fold 1 houses a robust 48v motor, a 7-speed transmission, and reliable hydraulic brakes, delivering a seamless and safe riding experience.”

Battery and Charging Details

• Contains a UL-certified 48v 14.7 Ah battery with 624 Wh power, allowing for easy on-bike charging via a UL-certified port.
• The 2-amp charger can recharge the battery from 0% to 100% in approximately 7.5 hours, facilitating quick turnaround times.
• Comes with two keys for secure charging and battery removal, with a well-secured battery placement to prevent rattling during rides.

“The Fold 1’s battery boasts UL certification, a decent capacity, and quick recharge times, providing convenient and reliable power for your rides.”

Riding Experience

• The Velotric Fold 1 features a USBC charging port under the display for convenient charging.
• Control elements include a rear brake lever and a thumb shifter for changing gears.
• The bike is equipped with a bell for added safety and communication.
• Scott demonstrates riding the bike without power, showcasing the ease of maneuvering with thinner tires and low rolling resistance.

“Got it in gear 4, I mean it’s pretty simple to ride with zero power.”

Speed Testing and Performance

• Scott tests different pedal assist levels to reach varying speeds, with pedal assist four achieving a top speed of 24 mph.
• By combining throttle and pedal assist, he reaches a top speed of 29 mph, showcasing the bike’s impressive performance.
• The bike exhibits smooth acceleration and efficient speed increase in various test scenarios on different terrains.

“Zero ghost pedaling… makes this bike a dream to ride for a foldable ebike.”

Braking and Handling Tests

• Scott demonstrates the bike’s brake light function in sunny conditions, emphasizing safety features.
• He conducts a braking test at different speeds and classes, showcasing the bike’s efficient braking capabilities.
• The bike demonstrates quick stopping distances, highlighting its reliable performance when decelerating.

“Let’s go ahead and test out the brake light… time for the brake test now.”

Company Background and Quality Control

• Scott provides insights into Velotric as one of the fastest-growing eBike companies in the US.
• The company’s commitment to quality is demonstrated through in-house manufacturing of components like batteries.
• Velotric’s focus on quality control aims to ensure that all products meet high standards for performance and durability.

“Vatri is one of the fastest-growing eBike companies in the US… they want to control the quality to make sure everything is up to par.”

Battery Performance and Range

• The bike’s battery power depleted during the ride, showcasing its limitations under stress.
• The battery dropped to 40% after a sand test, affecting its overall endurance.
• Despite challenges, the bike maintained speeds of around 23 mph, indicating decent power output.
• The aggressive testing conditions, including hill climbs, significantly impacted the battery life.
• By testing the bike to its limits, the reviewer provides valuable insight into worst-case battery performance.

This bike has geared extremely well… we are already just dropped down to our last 20%. Oh no, we’re going to have to turn around.

Review of Velotric Fold 1

• The bike covered a distance of 26.8 miles during the testing period, with about 21 miles ridden before the battery depleted.
• The reviewer found the Velotric Fold 1 to be the best budget folding e-bike under $1,000, highlighting its overall performance during the review.
• The only suggested improvement on the bike would be to modify the pedals for better suitability, especially for users with larger boots.
• Despite being a folding e-bike, this model did not feel like one, offering a comfortable and efficient ride according to the reviewer’s experience.

“This is probably the nicest folding ebike that I have reviewed for under $1,000.”

Riding Experience and Comfort

• The reviewer expressed satisfaction with the bike, mentioning that it felt like a non-folding e-bike in terms of comfort and usability.
• The design elements like the saddle, grips, and the overall structure contributed to a pleasant riding experience, making it a preferred choice for extended rides.
• The reviewer indicated that the bike’s design and components worked cohesively to provide a level of comfort that would make it suitable as a primary bike.

“I really felt like I could ride this bike all day.”

Battery Monitoring and Features

• The reviewer pointed out the lack of a voltage reading in the display but mentioned that the current battery indicators, signaling when the battery levels were low, were sufficient for monitoring.
• The display was designed to flash to indicate different battery levels, providing clear signals for when it was time to return home due to low battery.

“Those indicators were enough to let me know that it was time to come home.”