Augustin Charlot has been passionate about cycling since his early childhood. It was on his return from a 6,000 km bicycle trip across the United States that he decided to launch his company with two other partners. V'lec was founded in 2013 and markets electrically assisted bicycles. Born in the Jura, his concept is to make technological electric bicycles, both foldable and non-foldable, accessible to the greatest number of people. " The company was founded in 2013, but we've been marketing the Pocket model and improving the range for about 3 years."
The V'lec Pocket +, a foldable and transportable electric bicycle
The Pocket + is the folding electric bicycle the lightest on the market today. It is the evolutionary version of the Pocket" All models evolve but all customers who own old models can adapt the new parts on their bike. Everything fits, everything is standard. These are bikes that go with the times."
This functional bike can be used for leisure as well as for business trips using intermodal vehicles. Equipped with a remote motor, which is activated by pedalling, it reaches an average speed of 25 km/h with a range of 35 km for a 120-watt motor. " Above 25 km/h, the engine will shut down, as required by EM1594." Another significant feature is that the Pocket can be folded very easily, in a few seconds, without any tools. In order to prevent punctures, the Pocket is equipped with Schwalbe Marathon Racer puncture-proof tyres. The bike is also very comfortable - profiled handles, height-adjustable padded room, 16-inch wheels, integrable tires, removable battery..
The V'lec Pocket + received the innovation award because it is the lightest electric bicycle on the market with only 9 kg. So it can be taken everywhere, in the subway, on a boat, in a taxi, in the trunk of the car... Its avant-garde look earned it another award, the "IF Product Design Award" from the German firm IF.
The Pocket can be sold with a specialized cover, the V'Bag, which allows you to carry your bike easily thanks to a handle. It is sold in a distributor network but also directly by V'lec. From now on, the company is working on a new project that will be the same model as the Pocket but without battery or motor. " This non-electric model will be built in France."
100% French production in the viewfinder
At the moment, the Pocket is imported from abroad. " We assemble in a factory on the outskirts of Shanghai, but eventually the goal is to make a French manufacture since we are a French company." What gets stuck is the manufacture of certain parts that are not made in France. " We're playing fair with our customers, the day we're going to make our frames in France, our frames will be made in France."
Now that V'lec Pocket is starting to work well in France, the objective is to target foreign countries" We're going to start exporting to Germany, Norway, Portugal..."
Technical data
| Total weight | 9,8 kg |
| Power | 120 watts |
| Autonomy | 30 to 40 km |
| Speed | 23 km/h (with assistance) |
| Congestion | 125x40x100 cm unfolded |
| 76x16x60 cm folded | |
| Technology | Lithium-ion |
| Power | 16,8 V |
| Load | 3 to 5 hours (220 V) |
| Location | Frame beam |
| Framework | aluminium |
| Tyres | 16 inches (x 1.5) |
The Pocket + is available in two colours, white and black, at a price of 1248 euros including tax.
