VELLO unveils new urban folding e-bikes with regenerative braking at Milan Design Week Fuorisalone 2023

14 Apr 2023

First eBike from VELLO to feature a mechanical drivetrain combined with a Schlumpf Drive for double the gear range and ultimate versatility. Presented for the first time ever at Milan Design Week Fuorisalone 2023.

Photo credit: VELLO Bike

VELLO, the innovative bicycle company known for its exclusive design and signature folding mechanism, is proud to announce the launch of its new product, VELLO Bike+ GEARS, at Milan Design Week Fuorisalone on April 18th.

The VELLO Bike+ range is built around the Zehus platform, a self-contained motor and battery integrated into a hub-based system, with Bike+ GEARS marking the first time a bike using Zehus has featured mechanical gears.

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Zehus offers 250w of power, up to 40 Nm of torque, and unique regenerative braking K.E.R.S technology (Kinetic Energy Recovery System). By pedalling backwards, the motor switches to regenerative braking, with the energy generated being fed back to the battery to increase an already impressive 75 km range.

Existing editions of the Bike+ take advantage of the Zehus automatic gearing system, an advanced technology that detects the slope and quality of the road to determine the level of assistance and gear required. The derailleur system offers a lower-cost entry to the Bike+ platform for those that like to take things back to basics and have full control.

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VELLO unveils new urban folding e-bikes with regenerative braking at Milan Design Week Fuorisalone 2023
Photo credit: VELLO Bike

For the ultimate in versatility and gear range, the 3 gears derailleur can be paired with a Schlumpf Speed or Mountain Drive. This system doubles (2x3 gears) the effective gear range of the bike to 6 with a simple flick of the heel. Speed Drive offers a higher gear for those in flatter urban environments, while the Mountain Drive offers a super low alternative to the standard gearing, enough to get up 17% gradients without breaking a sweat.

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The core of the bike remains the same as existing models. The Red Dot Design Award-winning frame features an elegant magnetic folding mechanism, capable of transforming from a compact, easily transportable package to a fully functional bike in less than 10 seconds.

The inaugural ride of the new VELLO model will take place on April 18th. The VELLO Bike Tour is for anyone interested in sustainable transportation and cutting-edge design. The tour will start at La Stazione delle Biciclette in Corso Lodi, 66, and will wind through Milan's historic districts, including Brera, Navigli, and Porta Venezia. Along the way, participants will have the opportunity to visit some of Design Week's most interesting pop-up exhibitions. Furthermore, the tour will include a stop at Zehus, VELLO's motor partner for the folding e-bikes, where participants will be able to discover Zehus' KERS (Kinetic Energy Recuperation System) technology. The VELLO Bike Tour will close off with a party at La Stazione delle Bicicletta.

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VELLO unveils new urban folding e-bikes with regenerative braking at Milan Design Week Fuorisalone 2023
Photo credit: VELLO Bike

Interested journalists, designers, and design enthusiasts alike are invited to register for the VELLO Bike Tour:

Tickets are limited, so early registration is recommended!

"We are thrilled to be a part of Milan Design Week this year and to showcase our newest folding bike," said Valentin Vodev, co-founder of VELLO Bike. "Our goal is to offer a practical and stylish alternative for urban commuters. We believe that the new folding bike with mechanical gears and the Zehus motor offers commuters more flexibility. We are excited to introduce the bike to the design community and to demonstrate how innovative technology can enhance the cycling experience."

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Technical sheet

  • Frame: Chrome-molybdenum steel (CroMo)/Double butted, heat-treated precision tubes or ultra-lightweight titanium frame with CNC machined titanium parts, (CroMo steel fork and rear triangle)
  • Colour: CroMo frame: Anthracite or Titanium frame: brushed silver
  • Handlebar, grips: Foldable handlebar (VELLO BIKE design) and ergonomic grips
  • Saddle: Comfortable saddle Selle Royal, Matrix foam
  • Seat post: Satori Aluminium 30.9 mm x 500 mm (optional 600mm)
  • Stem riser: Fully adjustable (VELLO Bike design)
  • Gear lever: Shimano Deore Rapidfire (right). Optional: Schlumpf Drive gears in the bottom bracket.)
  • Gear system: VELLO 3-speed, Optional: 6-speed system in combination with Schlumpf Speed Drive (1:1.65) or Schlumpf Mountain Drive (2.5:1)
  • Tilt sensor: no (manual shifting)
  • Drive: Shimano HG54 Chain
  • Brake System: Maximum braking power with the low-maintenance hydraulic disc brake
  • Tires: CroMo-frame: 20’’ Schwalbe Marathon Original 40-406 or titanium frame: 20’’ Schwalbe Kojak 35-406
  • Meters of development: 
    3-gear version: 12.4' – 22.7' (3.78m - 6.93m)
    6-gear Speed Drive: 12.4'- 26.5' (3.78m - 8.09m)
    6-gears Mountain Drive: 5.05' – 22.7' (1.54m - 6.93m)
  • Pedals: Full aluminium folding pedal
  • Weight: 14.4 kg/31.7 lbs CroMo-frame, 13.4 kg/29.5 lbs titanium frame (approx., without pedals +/- 5%) + 900 gr/ 1.98 lbs for the variants with Speed Drive or Mountain Drive
  • Folded size: H: 57 cm x L: 79 cm x W: 29 cm, (H: 22 in x L: 31 in x W: 11 in)
  • Length unfolded: 155 cm (61 in)
  • Maximum permissible weight: 125 kg/276 lbs

Specifications electric motor

  • Zehus Drivetrain - Power: 250 W/ max. 40 Nm
  • Max. speed: 25 km/h max. with motor assistance and up to 40 km/h manually using the optional Schlumpf Speed Drive gear system
  • Battery life cycle: over 1,000 cycles
  • Range: up to 75 km (46.6 miles) in hybrid mode to theoretically unlimited range using the self-charging technology
  • Bluetooth 5.1 Smartphone connection using the free Bitride Connect app or the optional wireless remote control, three sensors.
  • Integrated battery pack with smart BMS, 173 Wh
  • High-efficiency BLDC motor with regenerative braking and self-charging K.E.R.S-technology (Kinetic Energy Recovery System). By pedalling backwards, the motor switches to recuperation mode and starts braking - the energy generated by this recharges the battery
  • Motor-Battery-Sensors: ALL-IN-ONE Generation2 motor, no wires on the frame
  • Water protection IP Certification Rating Scale: IPX5
  • Motor weight: 3.2kg