Vivi PONY01 Electric Bike Review: Is This 14-Inch Foldable E-Bike Worth It for Commuting?

The Vivi PONY01 is an ultra-budget electric bike that makes big sacrifices to hit its eye-popping $190 price tag. This is basically the cheapest way to get into electric biking, with UL safety certification that's impressive for the price. The 500W motor gets you to 20 mph, which is the legal limit for e-bikes anyway, and the 48V battery delivers a respectable 40 miles when you pedal along. The standout feature is how small it folds down - those tiny 14-inch wheels and folding everything makes it perfect for cramming into a car trunk or squeezing into a closet.

This bike is made for city folks who need to save money and space. If you live in a small apartment, take the bus part-way to work, or need something you can stash under your desk, the PONY01 solves those problems. It's great for short trips around town, running errands within a few miles, or bridging the gap between public transit stops. Students, urban commuters, and anyone who wants to try e-biking without spending a thousand dollars will find this appealing. The cruise control is a nice touch for steady riding, and having throttle plus pedal-assist gives you options.

However, those tiny wheels are a real problem - they make the ride feel unstable and every crack in the sidewalk rattles your bones. You only get one gear, so hills will be tough, and there's no front suspension to smooth things out. The battery is pretty small at 374Wh, meaning only 20 miles on throttle-only mode. You're missing practical stuff like lights for night riding, a rack for groceries, and a screen to check your battery. If you're taller than average, want to ride more than 10 miles at a time, or need something comfortable, spend more on a regular-sized e-bike. This is strictly a budget urban runabout, not a real bike replacement.