Folding bikes have their place and, if I can get one with a battery and motor thrown in as part of the package, I’m happy. There are some prime examples of where this works to great effect, with the Gocycle G4 still being my pick of the bunch. The Brompton Electric P Line 12-speed, which I tried not long ago, also works well even if I’m still not that much of a fan of their folding system.
Now, though, there’s another arrival worth of staking a claim in our best electric bike guide, in the shape of the Volt Lite. I’ve tried and liked other Volt bikes previously. They’re nicely designed with interesting styling and are built to a decent standard, too. Therefore, I kind of knew what to expect from the overall look and feel of the Volt Lite.
A lot of electric bikes are a real headache to carry if you need to get them up flights of stairs or on and off packed trains. The Volt Lite is, thankfully, quite a svelte thing, and while I wouldn’t describe it as super light, the battery-electric two-wheeler can be moved around with ease if you’re not making use of the power it has on tap. And, of course, it’s a folding bike, which means the Volt Lite is even more practical for those tight spaces or carrying scenarios.
(First reviewed July 2024)
Volt Lite review
Price and availability
The Volt Lite is priced at the premium end of the folding electric bike spectrum. It comes with a price tag that starts at £2,899 for the standard issue model finished in brushed aluminium. Volt sells directly to the consumer, and the Volt Lite can be ordered via their site. Delivery comes up as being free, though, and Volt also sells a GPS tracker as an optional extra if you think you’ll need it.
Design and build
The Volt designers have done a decent job with the Lite. It certainly looks the part with its brushed aluminium frame design really standing out from the crowd. I fear that may be a downside for attracting thieves, mind, who might spot the shiny and valuable two-wheeler in amongst other bikes in high street parking bays. Nevertheless, the fit and finish of everything is similar to what I’ve experienced with Volt bikes previously.
The quality of components and solid build with welding that looks suitably industrial strength does mean the Volt Lite isn’t quite as, er, light as I’d hoped. The upside to this is that it feels much more solid, both when it is folded and even more so when it has been unfolded and sits there on its stand, looking like it really wants to be ridden. It’s an enticing two-wheeler, for sure.
Better still, I think this bike inspires much more confidence, not only when I’m getting it ready to be ridden but also once it’s good to go. I’ve ridden a few folders that have felt decidedly flimsy on the go, almost like they’re suddenly going to fold up again when I apply the brakes. Not so with the Volt Lite.
This is a sturdy bike, with a great wheel and 20-inch Schwalbe tyre combination that adds an additional feelgood factor to the already solid frame setup. Add on a comfy saddle and belt drive, and this is a sound-as-a-pound package.
The folding/unfolding part of the puzzle is easy, too. Volt has added nice chunky levers for the main joint clips, which are easy to close and undo. When folded, the Volt Lite is held together by a magnet system, which stops the sections from unfolding when you lift it. This is a simple enough idea and works well too. In fact, there’s no dark art or knack involved in getting the Volt Lite ready for the road, unlike Brompton’s folders, which I still struggle with to this day.
Riding experience
As I mentioned, the Volt Lite isn’t the lightest folding bike I’ll ever ride but I’m glad about the way it feels robust. With the battery on board it weighs in at 18kg, which is heavy enough for lifting purposes. However, when it comes to riding the Volt Lite that extra bit of bulk works in its favour. There’s also the practicality of the powertrain that makes the Volt Lite additionally appealing.
This centres on a central crank with a small Bafang motor that’s very low-key in the overall design. Bafang motors are found in countless other e-bikes, so there’s no reason to think it will not be any less good fitted to the Volt Lite. This is powered by a Panasonic battery that’s also invisible to the rider.
Drive to the back wheel is done via a carbon belt setup, and unlike an old-school chain system, this means it’s very smooth when it comes to the delivery of power. There’s less maintenance involved, too, so it’s a win-win.
Volt’s choice of quality components adds to the riding experience, with the Shimano Nexus 3-speed hub gear system working to great effect. Changing up and down the gears is done via the twist grip on the handlebars. Meanwhile, power is switched on and off by a shiny button under the saddle. The slightly cheap and cheerful-looking LED computer display shows trip information and modes, which can be scrolled through using the ‘Up/Down’ buttons on the left-hand side of the handlebars.
I can’t really fault the Volt Lite out on the road. There’s enough power and oomph on tap – 75Nm of torque and the delivery of this is smooth and linear. Scrolling up and down through the ride modes is a cinch, and the belt drive feels smooth enough. The slightly chunkier wheels and tyres offer a much better ride quality over many flimsier e-bikes, too, so I’d say it’s worth having a little extra bulk for what it adds to the overall quality of the riding experience.
Stopping power comes from front and rear hydraulic discs, which, during my time with it, made the Volt Lite feel very reassuring, even on steep inclines. Volt’s official figure for range is 50 miles and that seems like a perfect distance for most needs. Charging is standard fare, too, with a supplied cable and transformer allowing the bike to be plugged into a three-pin outlet overnight.
Verdict
I’ve been very impressed by the Volt Lite, even though there are cheaper options out there that might be worth considering if you only plan to do short hops on a folder.
This bike, though, is a much beefier proposition, and I can see it appealing to folks who like to go away for weekend breaks and want to get out and away from the car during their leisure time. For that purpose, the Volt Lite is ideal and it’ll certainly go into the boot or back seat of most cars.
I’d be a little worried if I was going to be using this in a typical town centre, though, as the looks are eye-catching and it’s a valuable thing. If you’re a bike owner, that could leave you with a reasonable level of nervousness when it’s out of site for a while. Aside from that, however, there's lots to like about the Volt Lite.
Also consider
If you’re looking for a folding bike and want something that can go off road better than the Volt Lite then the Vello Gravel is worth a try. Not only does it fold up, but it has been designed for gravel trails. You can, of course, just ride it on the road, but anyone who loves to hit trails or has a particularly challenging commute might find it a handy alternative.
Meanwhile, if you want a bike that's super cool then I still thing the Gocycle G4 fits the bill with ease. There's also the Gocycle G4i, which is an improved edition of the two-wheeler and, interestingly, the company has also released a cargo version of this bike too. Handy if you've got more stuff to carry.
