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The Velotric Fold 1 Plus comes in four color options: mango (a yellow-orange blend), electric blue, pearl white, and stone grey. Despite offering just one frame size, Velotric claims it accommodates riders from 4’9″ to 6’6″. At 5’11”, I found the fit comfortable with room to spare in both directions. The telescoping stem helps fine-tune reach and comfort based on your proportions, while the seat post offers about 8 inches of adjustment range.
The riding position stays true to Velotric’s fold series philosophy—upright with a slight forward lean toward the handlebars. The wide, plush “urban comfort ergonomic” saddle does a solid job supporting your sit bones and lower back during longer rides. Combined with the adjustable components, it creates a comfortable setup for most riders.
The 750W rear hub motor delivers 75 Nm of torque, making this one of the more powerful folding e-bikes currently available. What sets it apart is the “sensorswap” technology that lets you switch between cadence and torque sensors while riding. Add in 15 riding modes (three base modes with five pedal assist levels each), customizable speed limits from 12-28 mph, and Class 1, 2, or 3 capability—it’s arguably the most customizable e-bike I’ve tested. While new riders might find all these options overwhelming initially, the learning curve is manageable, and having granular control over speed limits is useful when lending the bike to others.
The bike handles both flat terrain and steep climbs well, thanks to that substantial power output. It’s refreshing to see this level of performance from an established brand rather than a flash-in-the-pan company.
The drivetrain is straightforward and appropriate for this price point: a Shimano 7-speed setup with a 52t chainring and 11-28t cassette. The Shimano trigger shifters performed reliably throughout testing. The hydraulic disc brakes feature 2-piston calipers and 180mm rotors with motor cutoff sensors that immediately stop power when you brake—a smart safety feature that prevents accidental throttle input during emergency stops. Braking performance met expectations with solid, predictable stopping power.
Daily usability is well thought out. The adjustable LED headlight outputs 130 lux, while the taillight includes brake indicators and cockpit-controlled turn signals for better visibility. Fenders keep road spray at bay, and the rear rack supports up to 120 pounds. The 60mm suspension fork and 20×3 all-terrain tires make it capable on light off-road terrain while remaining practical for urban commuting.
The Fold 1 Plus strikes a balance between versatility and performance, offering serious power in a package that’s equally at home navigating city streets or exploring less paved paths.
Range
Estimated Range (from Velotric): 68 miles
Real World Range Test Results:
- MIN PAS: 68 miles
- MAX PAS: 30 miles
The Velotric Fold 1 Plus leads the Velotric folding lineup with an impressive estimated range of 68 miles on a single charge. Velotric is transparent about their testing conditions: Eco mode, PAS level 1, flat terrain, and a 187-pound rider. While these are fairly specific parameters, I wanted to see how the bike performed under real-world conditions.
I conducted two comprehensive range tests to give you a realistic picture of what to expect. Both tests used Trail mode (the middle setting between Eco, Trail, and Boost) with the torque sensor engaged rather than cadence mode. The torque sensor provides more dynamic power delivery by matching your pedaling effort and pressure, which typically results in better battery efficiency than the cadence sensor’s more aggressive power output.
My testing conditions were nearly ideal for this comparison test: I weighed approximately 180 pounds, rode on a relatively flat dedicated fitness trail without traffic stops, and used PAS level 1 for the first test and PAS level 5 for the second.
On Trail Mode PAS 1, I was able to cover 68 miles (right on the money for the brand’s estimation). Then on Trail mode PAS 5 (after a full recharge) I covered 30 miles. This tells me a few things: had I used Eco mode for the PAS 1 test, I likely would have far exceeded the 68 mile range estimation from Velotric. Still, nearly 70 miles on a single charge is a very solid range for any e-bike. And with the PAS 5 test at higher speeds, 30 miles is still very impressive as well.
For practical use, this means whether you’re commuting to work, running errands around town, or enjoying recreational rides, the Fold 1 Plus can handle multiple days of typical use without requiring daily charging.
Power (Motor & Battery)
The Velotric Fold 1 starts to shine when you look at the power specs and compare it against the rest of the folding ebike market. With a rear hub motor nominally rated for 750W’s and pumping 75Nm of torque its not only the most capable setup out of all of Velotrics folders, but among the top in the entire folding ebike landscape across all brands.
The motor has a few standout features that enhance the ride.First, you have Velotrics “Sensor Swap” which allows you to choose between cadence and torque sensors, and you can even switch between them during rides to find what works best for different conditions. This flexibility is rare—most e-bikes come with only one sensor type.
Up next is Cruise Control, which like your car, maintains a set speed until you activate the brakes, perfect for longer rides on consistent terrain. It’s honestly a feature I would expect more brands to give at this point, but it seems Velotric is the main player with this and on longer rides, would be a nice feature for the throttle-only crowd.
Then, there is a speed limiter where you can tweak both throttle and pedal assist, adjusting and limiting speeds between from 12 to 28 mph. To me, this feature is invaluable for new e-bike riders or when lending the bike to friends or family new to e-bikes who might want some safety guard rails the first few times out.
There are 15 Riding Modes that provide assistance (Eco, Trail, and Boost) with five PAS levels within each. While this might seem overwhelming to newcomers,its a short learning curve but a nice flexibility option for those who like to dial-in a ride to their preference.
In terms of the battery, the Fold 1 Plus has a 48V, 13Ah battery that provides 624Wh of capacity and carries UL 2271 certification with a two-year warranty. Rather than hiding the battery within the frame, Velotric uses an open design that positions the battery centrally along the seat post under the saddle.
This placement is out of sight to the rider but I think helps with the bike’s center of gravity and handling. The battery locks securely in place but removes easily for off-bike charging or security when parking with the provided keys that come with the Fold 1 Plus.
Components
Components on the Fold 1 Plus are straightforward and what you would expect for a folding ebike at this price range, although I’ll admit it still packs a few pleasant surprises.
The cockpit on the Fold 1 Plus is a combination of function and space constraints. The telescoping stem offers about 4 inches of vertical adjustments to better dial-in your fit, while the 660mm riser bar accommodates all the needed controls. However, between the grips, shifters, throttle, bell, brake levers and display, there is little room for much of anything else, although I was able to still mount my phone without anything getting in the way. In a perfect world, I’d like to see a 680mm-700mm bar for a bit more breathing room.
A 7-Speed Shimano drivetrain handles the bike’s gearing. In the rear is a Shimano Tourny derailleur with an 11-28t cassette, 7-speed chain and a 52T front chain ring. This setup coupled with the bikes e-system provides all you need for any typical rides on both flats and climbs.
The front suspension fork has 60mm of travel with 34mm stanchions, a nice choice over more commonly seen 32mm stanchions, giving a stiffer, more responsive handling front end with less flex. The font fork also has a bolted front axle and a lockout feature should you want to not use the suspension. Pairing that suspension with the Velotric urban comfort saddle and 3” wide all-terrain tires makes for a good balance of comfort and capability.
Braking on the Fold 1 Plus covered by hydraulic disc brakes, a solid choice and what’s becoming an expected ‘standard’ in e-bikes these days. A 2-Piston caliper mated to 180mm rotors with a 1.8mm thickness do a solid job of providing braking that delivers confident stops when you need them, in both measured and unexpected short stops.
Screen / User Interface / App
The 3.5-inch full-color display serves as the bike’s command center, providing comprehensive ride information and system controls. The Type-C USB port allows for charging and updates, while the bright screen remains readable in various lighting conditions with adjustable screen brightness with 5 levels or an auto mode.
On the display, you will find all the usual suspects like current speed, PAS level, riding mode, battery charge remaining, active sensor mode, odometer, trip meter, motor and controller temperatures, estimated calorie burn and CO2 savings, plus indicators for headlight, walk mode, and turn signals. So, yeah, it’s pretty data-rich.
The display’s advanced settings allow customization of speed limits for both PAS and throttle (12-28 mph), screen brightness, measurement units, and motor sensor selection. You can also set up Apple Find My integration and access a QR code for app pairing. A convenient shortcut lets you switch between motor sensors on the fly by holding the ‘M’ button while riding.
The companion smartphone app extends the bike’s functionality with GPS-based ride tracking, access to most display settings, over-the-air updates for motor, battery, controller, and display components, and additional speed settings and limits.
OTA updates for motor, battery, controller and display
Speed settings and limits
Velotric Fold 1 Plus Model Options
The Fold 1 Plus comes in one standard frame size with a generous rider fit range that spans from 4’ 9” to 6’ 5”. For those concerned about fit, the adjustable seat height and forward/aft microadjust seat post team up with the telescoping stem to give you some breathing room to better tailor the bike’s fit to your body.
When it comes to colors, the Fold 1 Plus is available in 4 colors. I was sent the ‘Mango’ colorway, a nice blend of yellow and orange that feels almost beachy in a way. If the beach and mango vibe aren’t to your liking, they have more modest options like blue, grey and white. These colors paired with the black accents of tires, components and cockpit, the Velotric Fold Plus looks sharp.
The fold ships with a few handy and practical accessories free of charge, like the alloy fenders, front to back lighting (with turn signals), a nifty little ebike tool kit, and a 2A charger. Should you want more gear to rig it out, Velotric has a small army of optional accessories you can purchase, things like:
- Front Basket
- Spare Battery
- Rear Rack Bag
- Rearview Mirror
- Suspension Seat Post
- Phone Mount
- Rear Rack Pannier Bag
- Rear Passenger Pegs
If you’re looking to add your own gear like water bottles or other gadgets, there are 4 bosses to mount your specific gear in addition to the frame integrated rear rack that has a 120 lb payload.
As it ships the Velotric Fold 1 Plus is ready to hit the ground running with all the needed basics and some nice perks (like those turn signals), but knowing you can rig it out more with your own or the optional accessories from Velotric is another nice touch.
Is The Velotric Fold 1 Plus Worth Buying?
So, when the dust settles, what does the Velotric Fold Plus bring to the table that other folders don’t already? Well, quite a bit actually. It’s the biggest payload (460 lbs) I’ve personally ever seen on any folding ebike. The power at 75 Nm’s with a 750W hub motor make it a force for taking peppy rides around town or tackling local hills. The range nearly hit 70 miles in my testing in Trail mode and I’m confident I would have been north of 70 miles had I used the more relaxed Eco mode for testing. Tech heads will appreciate the OTA updates via the app, speed controls and Apply Find My integration for the more security/safety focused owners.
So, is it perfect? Nope.
The 15 motor levels of power (3 Modes x 5 PAS levels) can be confusing for newcomers and feels like a bit of a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist. Plus, the 67 lb tested weight of my test bike means a two person lift and careful consideration when physically moving or folding the bike.
But, zooming out, these are small gripes in an otherwise solid contender for Best Folding e-Bikes now that we are half way through 2025. Will it take the podium? That remains to be seen. But, for now, the Veltoric Fold 1 Plus delivers more power and capability than nearly any other folding e-bike on the market these days, and there is something to be said for this when brands are struggling to offer value in uncertain economic times.
Once again, it was a big swing for Velgoric in a crowded field that I think will certainly be a hit for many riders looking for a highly capable and comfortable folding ebike.
Pros
- Big Payload: 450lb Payload with 120lb rear rack limit is another industry leader in folding e-bikes.
- Great Range: I was able to cover nearly 70 miles in my range testing on Trail mode, PAS 1.
- Security&Tech: Apple Find My tech elevates the security and OTA updates via the Velotric App to ensure the e-bike stays up to date with the latest bug fixes and e-system improvements as they roll out.
- Sensor Swap Tech gives riders the best of both worlds, allowing owners to switch during rides and use what’s best for them.
- Off-Road Capable and Comfort: 60mm suspension fork and all-terrain tires make this folder equally capable and comfortable on varied terrain.
- Safety and Durability Testing: UL 2271, 2849 and ISO 4210 shows the brand’s investments into recognized safety and durability standards.
Cons
- 15 motor power levels can feel a bit confusing to new riders, fortunately the learning curve is short and you’re not required to use all of them.
- At 67.4 lbs, this bike is heavy, but on par with most folders, just keep this in mind if you plan on folding/lifting or moving it often.
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