Heybike Saturn vs Velotric Fold 1
Two commuter e-bikes at a similar price, compared on the same normalized specs. Both scored by us, both reviewed in full.
The verdict
They cost the same and score almost identically, so this comes down to whether you'd rather have Saturn's extra shove and range buffer or Fold 1's lighter, easier-to-live-with frame.
Buy the Heybike Saturn
Buy the Heybike Saturn if you want more torque and a bigger battery for hills or heavier loads, and don't mind hauling a 103 lb bike.
Buy the Velotric Fold 1
Buy the Velotric Fold 1 if you need to carry or store the bike often (it's 40 lb lighter), want the higher 440 lb payload rating, or want actual gears (7-speed) instead of a single hub speed.
The differences that matter
- Heybike Saturn pulls harder from a stop and on hills, by 25 Nm of torque.
- Heybike Saturn carries 349 Wh more battery, which is the main thing that sets how far you get.
- Heybike Saturn runs a 250W bigger motor on continuous power.
- Velotric Fold 1 is 40 lb lighter, which you notice lifting it or carrying it up steps.
Who each one is for
Heybike Saturn
Everyday riders who want one powerful, big-battery bike for commuting, errands, and hauling cargo, and who have somewhere to store it at ground level.
Velotric Fold 1
A daily commuter who wants a compact, foldable bike that can climb, carry a load, and cruise on throttle power when your legs are done.
Spec by spec
| Spec | Heybike Saturn | Velotric Fold 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,299 | $1,299 |
| Motor (nominal) | 1,000W | 750W |
| Torque | 95 Nm | 70 Nm |
| Battery | 956.8 Wh | 608 Wh |
| Claimed range | 50 mi | 55 mi |
| Weight | 103 lb | 63 lb |
| Max payload | 330 lb | 440 lb |
| Motor type | hub | hub |
| E-bike class | Class 2/3 | Class 3 |
| Brakes | 2-Piston Hydraulic Disc Brakes with Motor Cut-Off | 180mm Hydraulic Disc Brake |
| Drivetrain | Not published | SHIMANO 7-speed, 11-28T |
| Tire size | 20 x 4.0" | 20x3.0" |
Highlighted values are the better of the two where both brands publish the number. Where a spec isn't published we leave it blank rather than guess.
The short version on each
Heybike Saturn
What's good
- Serious power for the price: 1,800 watts of peak output and 95 Nm of torque pull the bike and a load up steep hills without straining.
- A big battery for a mid-priced commuter, so a normal week of riding fits between charges.
- Strong value at $1,299, since this much motor and battery usually costs several hundred dollars more.
What to know
- At 103 pounds it's heavy even by fat-tire standards, so lifting it onto a car rack or up a step is a two-person job.
- Heybike doesn't publish the drivetrain, so you're buying a bit blind on the exact gearing and shifter.
Velotric Fold 1
What's good
- A throttle lets you ride without pedaling, and you can set the top assisted speed anywhere from 12 to 28 mph
- 70 Nm of torque from the 750W motor gives you enough power for hills, not just flat streets
- Handles a 440-pound payload, one of the higher limits you'll find on a folder this size
What to know
- 20-inch wheels roll over bumps and potholes with less smoothness than a full-size commuter