Vello, a folding bike specialist, presented a new electric model weighing no more than 10 kg. A feat largely linked to the choice of an entirely titanium frame, which makes it the lightest folding electric bike in the world.
If cycling in the city is on the rise, not everyone has the space to store such a machine, even less if it is electric. The Austrians of the Vello brand have made a specialty of developing folding bicycles. Already holder of the record for the lightest folding electric bike in the world, the manufacturer has taken a new step, this time with a 9.9 kg model. A featherweight for an electric bike, achieved thanks to a frame made of titanium that weighs only 1.9 kg.
The folding of the Vello is done in 8 seconds, according to its designer. Once folded, it only occupies a volume of 57 x 79 x 29 cm. It’s admittedly not as compact as a Brompton Electric (58.5 x 56.5 x 27cm), but the Vello opts for 20-inch wheels, compared to just 16 for the Brompton. A choice that gives the Vello model better stability. These wheels are shod in Schwalbe Kojak tires with a resolutely urban profile which will have everything to do in terms of damping in the absence of suspension. Braking is provided by hydraulic disc brakes.
Hub motor and “unlimited” autonomy
On the electrification side, Vello opts for a Zehus motor housed in the rear hub and capable of developing up to 40 Nm. Unsurprisingly, the assistance will not make it possible to reach the performance of the largest motors on the market, but lightness which is here in sight. This motor is associated with a 173 Wh battery with which the Vello Bike+ promises a range of at least 50 km at the maximum assistance level, which is very promising. The Zehus system incorporates a KERS energy harvesting device. It promises to recharge the battery when braking and backpedaling. The manufacturer boasts outright unlimited autonomy thanks to this system, which remains very unlikely.
It is possible to choose between several transmissions, including two from the stalls of Schlumpf. The German brand equips the Vello with its Speed Drive system for use in town or Mountain Drive for more hilly outings. For weight gain, the lightest electric bike in the world logically opts for a solution single speed and a Gates carbon belt. Note, the assistance is managed in part by a slope sensor and not by a torque sensor, which could have an impact on the naturalness of pedaling.
A tariff as heavy as the bike is light
The Vello Bike+ also benefits from Bluetooth connectivity which allows it to be linked to a smartphone and an application. This app makes it possible in particular to locate the bike if it disappears, to set the levels of assistance or even to electronically lock the motor to slow down potential thieves.
Inevitably, such equipment and such a light frame have a price that will not go unnoticed on your bank account. Vello does not yet reveal the price of its ultra-light toy, but its previous model which weighs 12.9 kg is displayed at 4490 €. We can therefore safely project ourselves beyond the €5,000 mark for the Vello weighing less than 10 kg.