Velotric Fold 1

Velotric’s Fold 1 is a folding e-bike with a high-capacity integrated rear rack and 750W motor. 

This review will discuss the bike’s full specifications and our ride testing data and highlight what the Fold 1 does well, where it falls short, and who should consider it. To finish, we offer our assessment of the overall value, so keep reading to learn more. 

Who Are Velotric?

California-based Velotric was founded in 2021 and has built a range of e-bikes covering the commuter, fat tire, utility/cargo, folding, hybrid, and fitness categories. The company has impressed by consistently improving its lineup of attractive and competitively priced e-bikes. Velotric says it currently has over 1,000 shops in its dealer network.

What Is the Fold 1?

This is a step-through folding e-bike that folds in the usual way, with one hinge in the middle of the frame and another above the head tube. The pedals also fold to reduce the folded footprint, and Velotric provides a basic Velcro strap to secure the bike when folded.

The Fold 1 is supposed to fit in any car, SUV, RV, or apartment, and at 65.8lb, most people should be able to lift it into a trunk. However, carrying it is challenging. We were able to fit the bike in an SUV, but we didn’t test putting it in a regular sedan.

Velotric says the folded bike is 33″ high, 38″ long, and 19″ wide, but we measured 40″ long. The other two dimensions are accurate.

The Fold 1 is only available in one size, but handlebar and seat height can be adjusted to achieve a better fit. The bike comes in three colorways: Stone Grey, Electric Blue, and the glossy Pearl White we tested.

The 750W rear hub motor peaks at 1,050W and has 70Nm of torque. The 7-speed drivetrain is typical budget Shimano with an Altus trigger shifter next to the right grip and a Tourney rear derailleur. This setup operated fine throughout testing. Like most budget folding e-bikes, the Fold 1 uses a cadence sensor. 

Other standout characteristics of this bike are its 440lb weight capacity, good acceleration and hill-climbing performance, and great brakes. It also has a sturdy integrated cargo rack rated for 120lb. Velotric offers a good range of bags, baskets, and other accessories to install on the generous mounting points. 

Pros

Powerful Motor

The Fold 1 is powerful and peppy, with good acceleration thanks in part to the responsive pedal assist. There’s plenty of power for hills, and the bike easily maintains 20mph. 

Adjustable Class

Velotric made it super easy to adjust the Fold 1 between Class 1, 2, and 3, with clear instructions on how to do it. Removing the throttle is straightforward and allows the bike to meet Class 1 or Class 3 regulations, and Velotric includes stickers for places that require the power rating and speed to be displayed.

Unlocking the Class 3 top speed of 28mph for pedal assist also unlocks the throttle to 28mph. However, exceeding 20mph with the throttle is illegal, so Velotric has made the throttle easy to remove.

Great Brakes

The Fold 1’s brakes are excellent. Many budget folding bikes make do with mechanical brakes, but the Fold 1 has two-piston Tektro hydraulic discs.

The brakes were quiet throughout testing, and they stopped the Fold 1 from 20mph in an impressive 15.5 feet, several feet shorter than competing bikes we have tested.

Cons

Battery Display and Voltage

It is important to be able to accurately estimate remaining range when riding an e-bike. Unfortunately, the Fold 1’s display has a rudimentary five-bar battery indicator.

Even with an accurate five-bar meter, it’s hard to estimate range, but on the Fold 1, it isn’t always accurate. This was particularly apparent during the PAS 5 range test. The first bar disappeared after 1.5 miles, stayed at four bars until 13.5 miles, and fell to two bars two miles later.

At this point, I happened to stop and turn the bike off. When I powered it up again, the battery was back at four bars. After another three miles, the readout dropped to three bars, and then, even more worryingly, after just a few more miles, the meter suddenly fell to one bar, skipping two bars completely.

The battery meter then started flashing and continued like that for eight miles before showing empty. After a mile on empty, the bike died.

Turning the bike off and on again brought it to life for another minute or two. I was able to repeat that process two or three times and then the battery was completely empty. Altogether, it lasted 25.58 miles. When testing the bike on PAS 3, the battery level fell consistently.

Sizing

Velotric says this bike is good for riders from 4’9″ to 6’5″, and it’s clearly not. To get full leg extension, I set the saddle as high as it could safely go. This bike will be too small for riders with inseams greater than 32″, and unfortunately, it only comes in one size.

Gearing

The Fold has a relatively big 52t chainring, but the wheels are only 20″, and the smallest cog at the back is 14t. This gearing works fine up to 20mph, but ghost pedaling occurs above that, so reaching the max speed of 28mph by pedaling isn’t possible. 

What Does It Do Best?

The Fold 1’s low stepover height makes it easy to get on and off. It’s also easy to transport and store, and the folding works well.

Velotric made it convenient to set the bike up for Class 1, 2, or 3, which is great for locales that enforce e-bike rules. The speed limit can be adjusted between 12 and 28mph in mile-per-hour increments.

The motor is peppy and responsive, providing good acceleration and hill-climbing ability. With moderate pedal assist usage, the Fold 1 has good range, especially considering the size of the battery. 

The brakes are powerful and make very little noise. The Fold 1 can carry a total of 440lb, with 120lb on the cargo rack, and there are plenty of mounting points for accessories, many of which you can get from Velotric.

Finally, the rear light is bright and has brake activation. 

Reasons to Look Elsewhere?

For riders over 6′ tall or with inseams greater than 32″, the Fold 1 is likely too small. Those looking to travel long distances at high speeds may also need to look elsewhere.

Estimating battery range is also challenging, and the inadequate gearing range results in ghost pedaling above 20mph.

Specs

Electric Bike Class: Class 1, 2, or 3
Warranty: 2-year conditioned and limited
UL Certification: UL 2271,  UL 2849
IP Rating: IPX6
Total Weight: Claimed: 63lb – Actual: 65.8
Motor Brand: Velotric
Motor Type: Rear hub
Motor Nominal Output: 750W
Max Torque: 70Nm
Battery: 48V 12.6Ah (608Wh)
Range Claimed: 55 mi
Range Tested (PAS 3): 35.29 mi – 1,306 ft. – 14.3mph avg.
Range Tested (PAS 5): 25.58 mi – 994 ft. – 18.7mph avg.
Top Speed: 28mph
Throttle: Thumb-style
Pedal Assist: 5 levels
Charger: 54.6V 2A
Charge Time: 6 hours
Display: 1.8″ LCD, black and white
Frame: 6061 aluminum
Fork: Coil suspension 60mm travel – lockout
Brake Levers: Tektro Hydraulic
Brake Calipers: Tektro dual-piston hydraulic
Brake Rotors: 180mm
Chain: KMC
Crankset: 170mm – 52t
Derailleur: Shimano Tourney
Shifter: Shimano Altus
Freewheel: 14-28t
Rims: 20″ Aluminum
Tires: 20” x 3”
Fenders: Full coverage
Lights: Front 60-lux LED, rear integrated with brake indicator
Grips: Rubber lock-on
Saddle: Velotric “urban comfort”
Pedals: Plastic folding
Handlebar: Aluminum Alloy, Φ25.4mm, 660mm
Kickstand: Single-sided
Rear Rack Capacity: 120lb
Payload Capacity: 440lb

Frame and Geometry

The aluminum step-through frame is available in three colors. However, it comes in only one size, which Velotric says fits riders from 4’9″ to 6’5″. As explained, this height range isn’t accurate, and this bike doesn’t suit riders taller than about 6′ or with inseams greater than 32″.

Handlebar height can be modified using the stem’s 80mm of adjustability, but there’s no way to alter reach.

The Fold 1’s dimensions match those Velotric lists, except for the folded length, which Velotric puts at 38″, but we measured at 40″.

The Fold 1 has a budget 60mm coil suspension fork that feels better than most other cheap suspension forks, with no clunk or harsh bottoming out.

The bottom bracket on this bike is press-fit, so most owners will need a professional mechanic if it needs servicing.

This bike is rated to carry 440lb of rider and cargo and up to 120lb on the rear rack. There are lots of places to mount accessories, and Velotric offers many accessories, such as bags, baskets, and seat pads.

The bike folds in three places: at the top of the head tube, in the middle of the frame, and at the pedals. The frame and head tube hinges are secured by a spring-loaded clasp, with a thumb-operated locking lever that prevents users from unintentionally opening the clasp.

The hinges worked smoothly throughout testing and were secure when closed. Despite these folding points, the bike felt solid, with no shimmy.

Measurements

Seat Tube: 16.14 “(410mm)
Reach: 17.51″ (445mm)
Stack: 20.90” (531mm)
Stand Over Height: 15.74″ (400mm)
Virtual Top Tube Length: 24.96″ (634mm)
Saddle Height Min: 31.49″ (800mm)
Saddle Height Max: 38.97″ (990mm)
Wheelbase: 45″ (1143mm)
Total Length: 65 “(1651mm)
Folded Length: 40″ (1016mm)
Folded Height: 33″ (838mm)
Folded Width: 19″ (482mm)
Recommended Rider Height: 4’9″ – 6’5″ (realistically only up to around 6′)

Display and Control

The Fold 1 has a basic 1.8″ black-and-white display mounted in landscape orientation. It also has a 3-button control pad and a USB port for charging a phone. The USB port is the older Type-A style, not the current Type-C.

Several Velotric bikes, including the Fold 1, don’t have a key-operated lock or display lock to secure the bike and prevent the display from being powered on.

The display has a simple five-bar battery indicator with no percentage readout, making it hard to estimate remaining range.

The screen has icons for light, walk mode, error, battery, current speed/units, PAS level, riding data, and power output.

The Fold 1’s display doesn’t have an advanced settings menu but lets you customize some display settings. 

The Fold 1’s speed limit can be adjusted by pressing the power and minus buttons for 20 seconds when the bike is turned off. This brings up a screen showing the speed setting. Powering the bike off saves the new setting.

Motor

The Fold 1 has a 750W Velotric-branded motor in the rear hub. It produces 70Nm of torque and a peak power of 1,050W. 

The cadence sensor is well-tuned, and when riding, the bike feels powerful and peppy, whether using pedal assist or throttle.

In testing, the Fold 1 demonstrated better motor response and quicker acceleration than Velotric’s already impressive Discover 1 Plus, which also uses a cadence sensor.

The thumb-style throttle works nicely and is good for maintaining higher speeds, though this obviously uses more battery than pedal assist. The throttle provides power in line with the selected PAS level.

The Fold 1’s performance test results put it in the middle of the pack of the folding e-bikes we’ve reviewed for most metrics. The one place where it was a bit slower was in the climbing tests.

Battery and Charger

The Fold 1 has a 48V 12.6Ah battery. At 608Wh, it’s quite a bit less than we’d like to see with a 750W motor, but in range tests, the Fold 1 generally performed on par with the competition.

As with all Velotric e-bikes, the battery and electrical system are UL-listed. The 2A charger is on the small side, so charging takes up to six hours.

As with many compact folding e-bikes, this one carries its battery externally, hanging off the seatpost. That may be less visually appealing, but it makes it easier to access and remove.

There’s a key-operated lock on one side of the battery, and the charge port is on the other side with a rubber cap. Removing and installing the battery is straightforward.

Drivetrain

Like so many entry-level e-bikes, the Fold 1 has Shimano 7-speed gearing, in this case, a 52t chainring with a single-sided aluminum chain guard and a 14-28t cassette at the rear. While this gearing is fine for pedaling at speeds up to 20mph, ghost pedaling starts above that speed. 

Brakes

The Fold 1 has hydraulic disc brakes with Tektro two-piston calipers and 180mm brake rotors. The brake levers have set screws that allow you to adjust the lever reach.

The brakes are responsive and quiet. In testing, the Fold 1 took just 15.5 feet to stop from 20mph. This is substantially shorter than competing bikes we’ve tested.

Wheels, Tires, Fenders 

The Fold 1 rolls on 20″ aluminum alloy wheels and 3″ wide Chaoyang Arisun tires. The combination of width, light off-road tread pattern, and Chaoyang’s K-RUBBER compound provides a nice mix of traction and ride comfort for urban rides and light trails.

Accessories

The Fold 1 comes with integrated lights, a 60-lux headlight, and a rear light with brake activation. Velotric also includes a single-sided kickstand, which worked well in testing.

The integrated rear rack is rated to carry 120lb, and Velotric offers optional own-brand and aftermarket baskets, bags, and other accessories for customizing the bike.

The head tube has dedicated mounting points for Velotric’s front rack, and there are two sets of bosses on the down tube for bottle cages and other accessories.

Velotric sent us a suspension seatpost to test with the bike. This isn’t a stock component, but it enhances the overall ride comfort.

Touchpoints

The Fold 1 comes with lock-on rubber grips. They’re ergonomic, like the grips on other Velotric bikes, but they’re skinner than most. 

The Fold 1’s saddle is the same urban comfort unit found on many Velotric bikes. It offers plenty of cushion and is wide enough to provide good support without getting in the way of pedaling. The saddle was comfortable for longer rides.

Lastly, the Fold 1 comes with folding pedals that help reduce the bike’s folded footprint. These plastic pedals feel a bit cheap, and they’re slippery when wet.

Conclusion

Overall, the Fold 1 is an impressive bike for this price point. It’s a shame the gearing isn’t better, as that would both make it easier to pedal at higher speeds and improve battery range by reducing reliance on the throttle.

The combination of poor range at high speeds and an unreliable battery indicator lets the bike down somewhat.

Nonetheless, the Fold 1 is peppy, with enough power for climbing hills and cruising at 20mph. And when it comes time to stop, the brakes really impress.

With the ability to easily configure e-bike class and carry high payloads, the Fold 1 is a lot of folding e-bike for the money. Riders at or below 6’1″ who can live with the inaccurate battery meter and limited gearing will likely find the Velotric Fold 1 a solid choice.

Score Breakdown

• Build quality: 90
• Performance / Innovation: 80
• Design: 75
• Ride quality: 90
• Price / Value: 80

Overall: 83

This affordable folding e-bike largely raises the bar for feel and performance at its price point, though it’s not without flaws.

For a folding electric bike that’s relatively lightweight, I think this is an excellent option.

… a budget, foldable e-bike with the highest water resistance rating available, and a larger-than-average battery… this is a great deal…

With all the features that this comes with, I feel like this is really great value for the money.

… I feel like this would be extremely comfortable for much longer road trips…

It seemed like everything about this bike worked. The only thing that I would even change out on this bike if I was to keep it are the pedals…