Velotric Fold 1 vs Velotric Fold 1 Lite

Where each one wins

• Velotric Fold 1 Lite is 11.3 kg lighter.
• Velotric Fold 1 Lite is 18 km further on range.
• Velotric Fold 1 Lite is 231 Wh more battery.
• Velotric Fold 1 is 15 Nm more torque.

The Velotric Fold 1 leads on 1 of these, the Velotric Fold 1 Lite on 3. Neither sweeps it, so the choice comes down to which of those you actually use.

What each one costs to own

Over 5 years the Velotric Fold 1 Lite costs about 369 EUR less to own, once purchase, charging, servicing, a battery replacement where one is due, and resale are all counted.

That figure moves mostly on the battery. The Velotric Fold 1 covers about 36,853 km before its pack is due for replacement; the Velotric Fold 1 Lite, about 49,173 km. Ride less than that and the replacement never enters the sum.

Run these numbers on your own mileage

Which one to buy

• Pick the Velotric Fold 1 Lite if you ride to the edge of the battery and dislike planning around it.
• Pick the Velotric Fold 1 Lite if you would rather charge less often than carry less weight.
• Pick the Velotric Fold 1 Lite if you carry the bike up steps, onto a train, or into a flat.
• Pick the Velotric Fold 1 if your route has real hills, or you carry cargo or a passenger.
• Pick the Velotric Fold 1 Lite if the five-year total is what you are optimising.

Verdict

On the measured axes the Velotric Fold 1 Lite is the better buy, and the Velotric Fold 1 needs a reason of its own: a colour, a frame, a shop you trust, a price that moves. None of those are in our numbers, and all of them are legitimate.

Range here is an estimate under one reference ride, not a measurement. Yours will differ with terrain, weight, tyres and weather, which is what the range calculator is for.