The folding e-bike segment tends to follow familiar patterns: compact frames, modest capabilities, and predictable compromises. The Velotric Fold 1, however, arrives with specifications that suggest something different might be brewing in this corner of the market.
At first glance, this folder presents familiar elements – 20-inch wheels, a collapsible frame, and urban-focused geometry. Look closer though, and you’ll notice practical touches like a significantly lower step-over height than the typical 17-inch standard of most folders. This isn’t just a marketing bullet point – it translates to real accessibility benefits for riders concerned about stability or mobility.
The attention to user experience extends to the folding mechanism itself. While the three-step folding process isn’t revolutionary, the included tether strap – a seemingly minor detail – eliminates the common frustration of folders swinging open during transport. It’s the kind of small but thoughtful addition that saves you from either growing a third arm or digging through your garage for a bungee cord solution.
With a price point that puts it squarely in the competitive ‘affordable’ price range, the Fold 1 gave me some eyebrow raising numbers in range, capacity, and capability. During my testing, I set out to determine if results translate to meaningful advantages for riders – and who might find this bike to be the right fit for their needs.
That’s enough for the cute intro, let’s get into the real results.
My Experience Riding The Velotric Fold 1 Electric Bike
Range
Estimated Range (from Velotric): Up to 55 Miles
Real World Range Test Results:
- MIN PAS: 78 miles
- MAX PAS: 23 mile
Range estimates are the wild west of e-bike specs – sometimes you strike gold, other times you’re left stranded. What’s particularly telling about an e-bike manufacturer isn’t just their advertised numbers, but how those claims stack up against real-world performance. It’s like a canary in the coal mine for the rest of their spec sheet.
Velotric claims “up to 55 miles” for the Fold 1, which actually turns out to be conservative – at least in certain conditions. Our range tests yielded some interesting numbers: 78 miles in minimum pedal assist and 23 miles in maximum assist. Let’s break down what that actually means for your riding.
That 78-mile result in minimum assist is the highest we’ve seen from any folder we’ve tested, and there’s some smart engineering at play here. The Fold 1 employs a cadence sensor with speed limits tied to assist levels, keeping PAS 1 to around 10 mph average – a bit slower than the typical 12-14 mph we see in this class. This conservative approach, combined with a larger-than-usual 608Wh battery, creates a surprisingly efficient setup for cruising.
The flip side? That impressive efficiency takes a nosedive when you crank things up. Our max assist test yielded 23 miles while pushing 20+ mph speeds. No surprises here – you’re asking that 750W hub motor to work considerably harder. It’s basic physics: more speed equals more power draw equals less range.
What does this mean for your commute? If you’re content to cruise at lower assist levels, the Fold 1 can handle multiple days of moderate commuting without a charge. But if you’re planning to use those Class 3 speeds regularly, you’ll want to keep your charger handy. It’s a classic case of “you can have it all, just not all at once.”
Power (Motor & Battery)
The Fold 1 packs a punchier motor than we typically see in this category – a 750W rear hub unit (peaking at 1,050W) with 70Nm of torque. While most folders opt for a more modest 500W setup, this beefier motor delivers solid performance across most riding scenarios without feeling like overkill.
Power delivery comes through a cadence sensor with some interesting programming choices. The system keeps things notably reserved in lower assist levels but opens up considerably in higher PAS settings. This split personality explains our range test results – efficient cruising in low PAS, spirited performance when you want it in the higher modes.
The battery setup shows some thought. The 608Wh Samsung-celled pack (UL 2271 certified) mounts externally between the seat tube and rear rack. This placement isn’t just about cramming in a bigger battery – it helps maintain decent handling by keeping the weight centrally located rather than skewing the bike’s balance with too much weight in the rear or up front. Plus, dont get hung up on its external mounting, this battery is IPX7 water resistant, so it can handle all the rain your commute might have along the way.
For speed control, you’ve got the standard five pedal assist levels to work with, plus adjustable speed limiting between 12-28 mph. It’s a Class 3 e-bike that lets you dial things back if your local regulations (or comfort level) require it, which is always a nice feature.
All-in-all, this power system punches above its folding bike weight class without trying too hard to impress. It’s got the juice when you need it but knows how to sip the battery when you don’t.
Components
The Fold 1’s component selection tells us a lot about its intended purpose. Starting up front, we’ve got a basic but functional coil spring fork with 60mm of travel and 32mm stanchions. It’s not winning any technical trails awards, but the lockout feature is handy when you want a more efficient ride on smoother surfaces.
Rolling stock consists of 20-inch alloy wheels wrapped in chunky 3-inch puncture-resistant rubber. This combo makes sense for a folder – the smaller wheels keep things compact while the wider footprint adds stability and comfort without resorting to more complex suspension solutions.
The drivetrain keeps things simple with a 7-speed Shimano Tourney setup, trigger shifters, and an 11-28T cassette paired with a 52T chainring. This gear range works well for its intended use, and the trigger shifters with their gear window are more user-friendly than the twist shifters often found at this price point.
Cockpit-wise, the 660mm flat bar provides decent control without being unwieldy when folded. The adjustable stem and ergonomic lock-on grips are practical touches, though the foldable plastic pedals are clearly chosen for compactness – a common trade-off in folding bikes.
Braking comes courtesy of hydraulic discs with 180mm rotors. While the 2-piston calipers aren’t anything fancy, they’re a solid choice for a bike that might see all-weather commuting duty. The larger rotors are a smart spec given the potential for loaded riding with cargo.
The overall build leans practical rather than flashy – there’s nothing here that’ll wow the spec-sheet warriors, but everything serves its purpose for the intended city bike or commuter use case.
Screen / User Interface / App
The Fold 1 keeps things straightforward in the cockpit with a no-frills LCD display that covers the basics without trying to reinvent the wheel. The roughly 1.8-inch dual-tone screen isn’t winning any design awards, but it’s readable and gives you the essentials: current speed, odometer, PAS level, battery status, and light indicators.
Navigation is handled by integrated buttons that double as your control center. The interface is intuitive enough – hold the ‘+’ button for a couple seconds to fire up the headlight, and the ‘-‘ button gets you into walk mode at a manageable 2.9 mph when you need to hoof it. Nothing groundbreaking, but nothing frustrating either.
You won’t find any smartphone connectivity or fancy app features here, which might disappoint the tech-savvy crowd but will likely be a non-issue for most riders. The display does what it needs to do without adding complexity or potential points of failure – sometimes simpler is smarter.
How to Fold the Velotric Fold 1
The folded footprint tells a familiar story in the US folding market – at 42″ x 22″ x 34″, the Fold 1 occupies about 5.1 square feet of real estate. While our European friends might raise an eyebrow (looking at you, Brompton devotees), these dimensions sit right where you’d expect for a full-featured folder in the American market.
Unlike some folders that treat their folding mechanism like a party tri, springing open at the most inconvenient moments, Velotric includes a simple retention strap that keeps everything locked down during transport. It’s the kind of “why isn’t this standard?” feature that makes you question how many times other manufacturers have actually carried their own folded bikes.
For urban dwellers playing the eternal space-management game, the Fold 1 will tuck under a desk or into a closet corner with about the same footprint as a rolled-in office chair. Not exactly invisible, but then again, neither is that Peloton gathering dust in your living room.
Velotric Fold 1 Model Options
The Fold 1 takes a straightforward approach to its model lineup – one size, two colors (blue or grey), and a frame design that fits riders from 4’9″ up to 6’ 5”. No ‘analysis paralysis’ here, though if you’re north of 6’ 5” you might need to get creative for a good fit.
On the utility front, you get three mounting points on the downtube and front rack mounts – enough to handle basic cargo duties without going overboard. The accessory lineup keeps it practical: suspension seatpost for smoothing things out, phone mount for navigation, front basket for hauling, and a rearview mirror for urban awareness.
The display interface sticks to the essentials with speed, battery, PAS level, and odometer readouts. You’ve got five pedal assist modes to work with, which gives enough range between efficient cruising and full power without overwhelming you with options.
Velotric backs the package with a two-year warranty, which is becoming pretty standard in the e-bike world but still worth noting for a folder that’ll see more frequent manipulation than your average bike.
Is The Velotric Fold 1 Worth Buying?
After putting some serious miles on the Fold 1, what stands out isn’t any single feature – it’s how the whole package comes together for everyday use. At $1,199, you’re getting a folder that nails the basics while adding some thoughtful touches where they count.
With impressive range that actually delivers in the real world, a notably low step-over height that makes it accessible to more riders, and a folding mechanism that won’t make you curse under your breath. The included rear rack, fenders, and lights mean you won’t be nickel-and-dimed getting it commuter-ready.
Sure, there’s room for improvement. The display is pretty basic, the plastic folding pedals feel like a compromise, and at 65 pounds, “portable” might be a stretch if you’re dealing with stairs. But these aren’t deal-breakers – they’re just the trade-offs you make for keeping the price accessible while maintaining performance where it matters.
Pros:
- Nearly 50 miles of range from a single charge makes for practical range that is good for nearly any use case.
- Impressive 440 lb max payload capacity means you and your gear have a place on the Fold 1
- Safety and Durability inspected with the paperwork to prove it as the Fold 1 is UL 2849, UL 2271 and ISO 4210 certified
- The centrally mounted battery gives the Fold 1 better weight balance and lends to an overall better handling e-Bike.
Cons:
- Only one frame size and two frame colors might feel limiting to dialing in the ‘perfect’ bike you may be wanting.
Who’s it for? If you’re an RV’er, traveller looking for a capable ride that packs away, or maybe a daily commuter, or just someone tight on storage space, the Fold 1 makes a solid case for itself.
The Fold 1 isn’t reinventing the folding e-bike, but its making improvements in ways that matter for actual real-world daily use. And sometimes, that’s exactly what you need.
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