Product Review: The Velotric Fold 1 Plus Folding E-Bike For RV Life

Are you looking for an easy to ride e-bike that’s a perfect fit for RV life?  If so, you’ll definitely want to read this review.  Because California based e-bike company Velotric just added the game changing Fold 1 Plus folding e-bike to its affordably priced lineup of fully decked out bikes. Not only that, but the Fold 1 Plus’s space saving, ergonomic design allows it to take up less space than other folding e-bikes. And It does this without sacrificing ride quality. 

 This bike could be the best thing on two wheels for anyone looking for a relatively lightweight e-bike, that’s a whole lot of fun to ride. So much so that the company bills it as “Built for getting wild”.  But fun and space efficiency aren’t all this well built e-bike has to offer. That’s because it comes with a package of features that make it one of the best e-bikes on the market today, hands down.

The Fold 1 Plus Is UL and ISO Safety Certified

When Velotric reached out to ask me to review the Fold 1 Plus for them, I was excited to try it out. I’ve been a fan of e-bikes for a while now, and the opportunity to try a new one out had me tickled.  Especially for a quality brand like Velotric.  That said, the company has become well known for its commitment to producing high-quality, budget-friendly ebikes.  They also are committed to ensuring their Velotric bikes are among the safest on the market.
 In the case of the Fold 1 Plus, this means going through rigorous testing to meet both UL (UL 2271 & UL 2849) and ISO certification requirements. 

UL and ISO certification is an assurance that your bike won’t unexpectedly fail when you’re riding. It ensures the bike won’t give you a nasty shock, or suddenly catch fire. This certification on both the bike and the battery should be essential for all e-bikes, but so far, they’re not. As a matter of fact,  it’s a level of safety that few e-bike manufacturers offer.  Velotric has gone the extra mile by designing and building  bikes that meet or exceed UL’s and ISO demanding standards.

Safety Features Of The Fold 1 Plus At A Glance

• UL (Underwriters Laboratories) certification (UL 2271 & UL 2849) 
• ISO 4210 Standard Certification (International Standards Organization) 
• UL Bike is waterproof (certified IPX Level 6)
• Battery is waterproof (certified IPX Level 7)
• Turn signals with beepers that remind you to turn them off.
• A brake light to alert drivers or other cyclists behind you that you’re slowing down or stopping
• A 3 way tail light.
• A headlight that’s bright enough for night riding
• Reflectors on front, back and on folding pedals
• 180 mm Tektro hydraulic disc brakes for powerful stopping power
• Apple FindMy ™ integration allows you to see exactly where your bike is at any given time using any Apple device 

The Fold 1 Plus Is Comfortable And Safe For Extended RIdes

With a stepover clearance of  about 15 inches (390 mm), the Fold 1 Plus is easier to get on and off than most other e-bikes. This could be especially beneficial for seniors or anyone else with mobility issues.  

Once you’re on this bike, it gets even better.  The Fold 1 Plus is designed to fit anyone from 4’9” to 6’5 comfortably.  It does this by offering both an adjustable seatpost and a stem that can be easily set to just where you need it.  The seat itself is that perfect mix of plush and firm that lets you ride for hours without so much as a hint of saddle-soreness. 

 I took the Fold 1 Plus out for a 3 hour test ride without any discomfort at all. However,  a perfect frame fit and a comfy seat weren’t the only things keeping the ride as smooth and pretty much effortless.  That said, the Fold 1 Plus has been endowed with a 60 mm hydraulic shock fork that lets the bike flow over both road surface irregularities and small obstacles (like rooty sections)on trails like they aren’t even there.

I live in an area that’s ubiquitous with mountainous terrain.  The Fold 1 Plus had enough power to go up the hills at 15 miles per hour, but I didn’t really push it.  After 3 hours of riding on various terrain in its 3 riding modes, the battery dipped to just shy of ⅔, making it more efficient than other e-bikes I have ridden. 

Comfort Features At A Glance

• Low step through (15”) height 
• Adjustable seat post
• Comfortable seat
• Adjustable stem height
• 60 m hydraulic shock fork
• 3 inch tires
• Paddle grips
• Easy to reach controls and setting
• Easy to see colour display screen with adjustable light levels

Pros and Cons of the Velotric Fold 1 Plus For Camping Or RV Life

The Velotric Fold 1 Plus is a meticulously well-made e-bike. Velotric seems to have thought of everything to optimize rider experience. That said, each one of my test rides  left me smiling and wanting more. Even in slippery conditions, handling was nimble and comparable to a high end mountain bike. I didn’t expect that from an e-bike at all.  I have to say, it was hard to find anything I didn’t like about this bike. 

Great Features At A Budget Friendly Price

That said, the Fold 1 Plus’s low MSRP of $1499 puts it on the lower end of the e-bike price scale. But you get a whole lot of bike for your buck here. You might expect that the budget-friendly price would be reflected in component quality and/or overall ride experience.

However, the truth is quite the opposite.  The Fold 1 Plus has an array of  components and features that make riding it super fun. While it’s great for quick trips to the camp store, it’s more than ready for extended sightseeing rides too.

Final Thoughts On The Fold 1 Plus

Elegant geometry, incredible features, versatility, and a comfort package that’s second to none help the Velotric Fold 1 Plus to redefine the standard when it comes to folding e-bikes. 

Velotric has really thought of everything here and created a folding e-bike that’s a real treat to ride. On top of that, they found a way to make it take up significantly less space when folded than other all terrain e-bikes. It all adds up to a bike that’s so much fun to ride, you’ll be looking for excuses to go riding.