On the Fence Heybike Mars 3.0 or Velotric Fold 1 Plus

Posted by VanillaComplex6390@reddit | ebikes | View on Reddit | 9 comments

Help me out bikers who have experience with one or the other...

I need a foldable class 3 bike.

I want range, speed, and comfort

The Mars 3.0 has rear suspension 750w motor, and a twist grip throttle on the right

The Velotric has a better range, better dealer network (I travel with mine) and the torque/cadence converter.

They both have options I want, but I cant decide which one... help me please.

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S0biepan@reddit

I bought a mars 3.0 recently. I have had it for about 5 weeks now. Like you I am sure, I put exhaustive effort into research. I cannot speak to the other bike but I can tell you my honest feedback on the mars 3

I received it and my wife unboxed it and cut the cable to the light. The horn and light didn’t work. I reached out to heybike via email and told them the light didn’t work. They immediately shipped me a new one so that was nice. It gave me confidence in their customer support.

I live on top of a mountain. Literally on a steep hill and there are no flat areas. My friend has an xp4 I tested riding up a steep 2.4 mile hill and then a series of up and down smaller hills to my house and it did ok. I had to put a little effort into PA but it had about 60% battery after the down and back total about 6 miles.

My search finally lead me to the mars based on their torque (95nm) and battery. I also liked how at the dealer it felt much more solidly built. Anyhow I put it together and took it around the house and the smaller hills and this thing just went almost without effort.

I charged it fully and a few days later took it on the same ride as my buddies xp4. The exact path and I didn’t peddle once and returned with 82% battery remaining.

The thing is a beast. It has front and rear suspension so I can take it in the mountain trails, can handle like 450 pounds (I am 6’2 215 pounds), torque sensor which is oddly smooth. So far I am happy with it and after wife confirmed we bought her the same one.

Best of luck in your search. There are ~900 e-bike lol and it’s impossible it feels like to make the decision.

Cheers

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VanillaComplex6390@reddit (OP)

thanks for that, I previously had a mars 1.0, and it was great, till it wasn't, the battery totally died, and I couldn't source another from hey bike as they quit producing it. I did not like that their customer support seemed to take forever though. I test rode a foldable ranger the other day and thats where I discovered the twist grip throttle, and liked it, and my mars had a lever on the right, so im naturally used to that where as the Velotric is on the left. but thanks for the review and im going to seriously weigh these options

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Overdrive2064@reddit

What did you end up deciding on? I'm in the same spot

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Inciteful_Analysis@reddit

I have the Fold 1 Lite. It has a smaller motor, smaller battery, cadence only, smaller monochrome display, no turn signals. But the frame, drivetrain, brakes, and wheels are the same, I believe. The bike handles well enough on pavement and brakes are excellent.

For a folder, I am happy with it. The weaknesses (aside from being a folder) are all addressed by the Plus.

Having dual sensor mode is a good thing even if you prefer a torque sensor for those times you want to cruise without much effort.

Velotric also sells a long range 783Wh battery for the Fold/Trike series. If you really want massive range.

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Eryomama@reddit

I bought a fold 1 plus on discount through a rebate so I wasn’t expecting anything crazy but it kinda blew me away. If unlocked and pedal hard you can get slightly past 28 mph. I have an emoto but this things speed still surprises me. Cadence sensor makes it feel too jerky so I stay on torque it feels smooth. Il never go back to cadence bikes. I don’t fold it too much other than when I brought it home but it’s certainly portable albeit heavy. It has slightly knobby dualsport tires that do well on off roading fire road type trails if that’s your thing.

That lack of rear suspension was a downside but for the type of areas hub motos go it isn’t bad, threw a suspension seat post on it it’s pretty decent now.

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VanillaComplex6390@reddit (OP)

Yes I’m buying in Colorado with a good rebate tax incentive.

What range are you realistically getting

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