VELLO, the company behind the award winning, ultralight, folding e-bike VELLO Bike+ has today announced its latest innovation, the VELLO SUB Smart Utility Bike. The SUB is one of the lightest cargo e-bikes ever built and is the culmination of years of knowledge and engineering expertise developed building the world’s best folding bikes as well as VELLO’s previous pioneering Cargo bike concept, the ‘Biquattro’.
The SUB will initially be built in two configurations, a flagship titanium model weighing just 24kg and a chromoly steel version at 28kg. The incredibly low weight has been achieved by utilising VELLO’s minimalist, pure approach to design, stripping all unnecessary weight from the frame, then matching it with some of the best components available on the market.
Ultrawide 20” Schwalbe tyres keep the centre of gravity low and provide a stable, safe and easy to manoeuvre bike regardless of whether it’s loaded with cargo or passengers. The SUB is just as capable as much larger, heavier cargo bikes, with space for two passengers as well as a front cargo rack. With a total system load of 210kg the SUB can act as a viable car replacement for trips to the supermarket and performing the morning school run.
Its standard bike length (180cm) means it can still be taken on a train or fitted to a bike rack for weekends away. A collapsible handlebar and folding pedals allow the SUB to be reduced in width to just 29cm, perfect for safe storage inside your home or apartment where storing a typical cargo bike would not be possible.
The SUB uses premium components including the latest 600W (250W Rated) Bosch Cargo Performance Line motor with 85 NM of torque that will make short work of getting multiple passengers and heavy cargo around town. The motor is powered by two 500Wh Bosch batteries enabling a potential range of up to 250Km. A Gates Carbon belt drive is matched with an Enviolo internal gearing system to offer a practically maintenance-free drivetrain with a 380% gearing range. While the four piston Magura MT-4 hydraulic disc brakes offer unmatched stopping power to ensure safe operation when carrying heavy loads.
A key part of the design process was to make the bike as versatile as possible. To address this VELLO has developed a tool-free, quick release accessory system that enables you to change the configuration of your SUB quickly and easily. Furthermore, child seats and cargo baskets can be quickly fitted and removed tool-free thanks to the MIK HD safety system that saves you fiddling with complicated brackets or mounting systems.
VELLO SUB is available to pre order on Indiegogo from the 18th October with an expected delivery date of autumn 2023. Indiegogo backers will receive exclusive pre order prices starting at £2999 for the single speed configuration and £3499 with gears. The VELLO SUB Titanium will be available for preorder at £3749 in single speed configuration and £4249 with gears.
VELLO has a history of successful Indiegogo campaigns, with the original bike and VELLO Bike+ being supported by nearly 500 backers to the tune of over £800,000.