Vello, the world’s lightest folding bicycle

Battant Brompton, the Austrian company Vello is launching the world’s lightest folding bike, also available in electric version.

In recent months, if you’ve been following cycling developments, you couldn’t miss the Brompton T-Line. This titanium version of the famous folding bike was promoted as the lightest in the world at just 7 kg. We even tested it, alongside the more conventional Brompton C-Line. But the British manufacturer had to give up its title…

A folding electric bike under 10 kg

Indeed, an Austrian company has broken Brompton’s weight record. Meet Vello, with two “L”s, a brand with several years of experience launched in 2018. “With our folding bike models, Vello has already established itself successfully in Germany as an innovative folding bike brand,” declares co-founder and CEO Valentin Vodev, “the next logical step for us is expansion into France.”

This is how Vello arrived at the Pro Days in Paris, cycling industry’s trade show, in July 2022. The company presented its folding bike, claiming a weight of only 6.5 kg! This is possible thanks to the same material, titanium, while the wheels are larger at 20 inches. Its folding system is also faster, taking just 8 seconds compared to 15-20 seconds for the British rival.

And the Vello model has an electric version, keeping the weight below 10 kg. At 9.9 kg, it is thus the lightest folding electric bike in the world. However, you have to remove the pedals to achieve this. Brompton cannot compete, as its new P-Line electric weighs 15.6 kg. Vello includes a front disc brake, as well as Bluetooth connectivity. The app displays information, geolocation, and allows engine locking.

A KERS system like in F1

This titanium Vello has a 40 Nm motor in the rear wheel, which also incorporates the battery. There is no removable battery, but the bike features an energy regeneration system. The technology draws inspiration from F1 racing and hybrid or electric cars. It recovers excess energy during braking, deceleration, and downhill riding.

This allows it to have a capacity of only 160 Wh, half that of Brompton’s (300 Wh), thereby limiting weight. Vello even claims that recharging on the lowest mode is no longer necessary, providing infinite autonomy! The brand still reports a more realistic range of 30 to 50 km in Turbo mode. To reduce weight further, the bike uses a carbon Gates belt. For more sporty users, optional chain and derailleur transmissions are available.

This lightest folding bike in the world does not yet have a price. The Vello range remains available in France with its eight models, including the Bike+ Titanium (12.9 kg) at €4,490 in France, or €3,290 in the standard version (13.9 kg). The non-electric range includes three versions: Vello Rocky (BTC style), Gravel, and Speedster (urban), starting at €1,590. A special model at €3,590 also offers a Rohloff hub motor with 14 speeds, providing “performance equal to a traditional mountain bike.”

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