Unhappy with Velotric Fold 1

[Old-tool-guy]

I started riding a Ride1Up Cafe Cruiser and it was/is a very good bike. Wife and I each have one, very happy with it. Unfortunately as I age I am starting to have mobility issues, and I have a problem getting my leg over the frame, even though it’s a step-through model.

I found that the Fold 1 has a very low step-over height, one of the lowest on the market, so i bought one. I don‘t have a need for the folding feature and it weighs the same as the R1U so no advantage there. I have only had the Fold for 108 miles but I have come to hate it, I‘m sorry I bought it. The sole issue is the battery range, it sucks. Looking at the website it shows the range as 45 miles on throttle and 55 miles on pedals. I get half that.

We like to ride on prepared trails, this weekend we rode the rails-to-trails at High Bridge in Va. Since it’s an old rail line, it is very flat. We rode about 20 miles and at the end I was down to 2 bars, by comparison the wife has 4 bars left. I contacted Velotric customer service, they explained that the estimated range is apparently calculated the same way car makers do their mpg values: the bike rider has to weigh less than 187 lbs, cannot use the throttle, must use only pas level 1, on a flat level surface. What good is that?

 

[Tom@WashDC]

I started riding a Ride1Up Cafe Cruiser and it was/is a very good bike. Wife and I each have one, very happy with it. Unfortunately as I age I am starting to have mobility issues, and I have a problem getting my leg over the frame, even though it’s a step-through model.

I found that the Fold 1 has a very low step-over height, one of the lowest on the market, so i bought one. I don‘t have a need for the folding feature and it weighs the same as the R1U so no advantage there. I have only had the Fold for 108 miles but I have come to hate it, I‘m sorry I bought it. The sole issue is the battery range, it sucks. Looking at the website it shows the range as 45 miles on throttle and 55 miles on pedals. I get half that.

We like to ride on prepared trails, this weekend we rode the rails-to-trails at High Bridge in Va. Since it’s an old rail line, it is very flat. We rode about 20 miles and at the end I was down to 2 bars, by comparison the wife has 4 bars left. I contacted Velotric customer service, they explained that the estimated range is apparently calculated the same way car makers do their mpg values: the bike rider has to weigh less than 187 lbs, cannot use the throttle, must use only pas level 1, on a flat level surface. What good is that?

It is good for thier advertising, but it ain't real world conditions.

 

[Gionnirocket]

A quick search shows the Velotric has a 13ah battery while the R1UP has a 15ah...so the battery is a little smaller and both with a 750w motor.
Are you doing any pedaling?
My experience... even in a low gear some input from you should get you near 40mi with the 13ah on flat terrain @15mph

 

[Old-tool-guy]

Gionni … i typically have it in level 2 and i pedal the entire time. I only use the throttle to get started from a stop. The days of running along side and throwing my leg over the seat ended decades ago.

 

[Gionnirocket]

I hear ya. . .
The mileage quote is a bit subjective and add there's many variables.
Leaving your wife out of the equation... For comparison if you rode the R1UP on the same ride, how much battery would you have when you returned?

 

[RunForTheHills]

It looks like they offer extra batteries and range extender batteries for it. I wouldn't throw good money after bad if there are other things you don't like about the bike. But if range is the only issue, you could buy another battery.

https://www.velotricbike.com/produc...MI_8Hpq_-2kwMVWyCtBh1FjwhgEAQYASABEgKGofD_BwE

https://www.velotricbike.com/produc...MI_8Hpq_-2kwMVWyCtBh1FjwhgEAQYASABEgKGofD_BwE

 

[Extreme1]

Using the throttle to get moving from a stop, uses a lot of battery. Try pedaling to get moving from a stop and see if the range changes.