SoFlow So One Pro: this e-scooter fulfils four of my five wishes
10/11/2023
Translation: Patrik Stainbrook
Stylish design, lots of power yet not ultra-heavy. The SoFlow So One Pro gets my e-scooter fanatic heart racing. This Swiss two-wheeler scores full points in all but one of my categories.
If there were a genie in a bottle for e-scooters, he’d have to grant me five wishes: a stylish design, endless engine power, clever features, low weight and a good suspension.
Source: Midjourney
Can the e-jinn make my wish come true with the new top model from eastern Swiss manufacturer SoFlow? Or is that too much to ask of the So One Pro?
Wish 1: a chic design
A simple style can be oh so beautiful. I tested the So One Pro in black – it’s also available in green and grey. The colours are matt, the design straightforward and without frills, interrupted only by discreet lettering. The white-striped tyres are eye-catching.
Source: Lorenz Keller
Whitewall tyres is what they’re called, often used as a design element for premium cars in the 1950s, for example. This also gives the e-scooter a retro look. A clever bonus: the stripes are reflective so that you can be seen at night!
They’re also exactly what I want, stable and relatively low-maintenance tubeless tyres. In other words, pneumatic tyres without inner tubes. You can read about different types of tyres available for e-scooters and why I prefer tubeless ones in this article.
Another good solution: the bright LED light is built directly into the handlebars. Same goes for the rear light that also functions as a brake light. The whole scooter looks as if it’s been cast from a single mould.
Source: Lorenz Keller
Wish 2: lots of power – for a long time
The maximum output of the electric motor in the rear wheel is 1,200 watts. That’s more than the 500 watts other manufacturers specify for their top models. Of course, such values are difficult to compare. Most of the time, you’ll notice differences mainly in acceleration and on inclines, not in speed per se. After all, scooters aren’t allowed to travel at more than 20 km/h in Switzerland anyway.
I definitely noticed that the So One Pro has more power than others. Not when rushing to 20 km/h, but when going uphill. No matter which route, no matter how steep, I was always able to ride at full speed. For most other scooters, the speed reduces on inclines.
SoFlow has installed a planetary gearbox producing 50 newton metres of torque. That’s a lot of power. But there’s also a drawback: the engine is significantly louder than usual. It howls a little when you accelerate. The noise is constantly audible on long inclines. I was really startled on my first ride and thought something was broken. But I quickly got used to it. This is even an advantage in city traffic, as others can hear you coming.
Source: Lorenz Keller
Good brakes are important with so much power. The So One Pro has only one brake lever, with the braking force being split automatically between the front and rear. This works well: the brakes are very powerful, but you can also regulate them finely enough.
The nominal range of 65 kilometres is great. Over many short trips and temperatures around 10 degrees, 50 kilometres were quite realistic during my test and I only had to charge the scooter every two weeks.
Wish 3: clever little things for everyday life
Many details on the test vehicle aren’t only beautifully designed, but also practical. The handlebar has an integrated foldout hook. It isn’t visible when driving and doesn’t get in the way. If you fold up the SoFlow, it latches itself by the rear mudguard, allowing you to easily lift it.
I like the large 2.8-inch screen that’s built seamlessly into the handlebars and displays lots of information. It could be just a little brighter, though. You can use the scooter without an app, but for extras such as the anti-theft lock, it’s worth booting up the smartphone application, which requires an account.
Source: Lorenz Keller
Another feature should be added in the next few days that will allow you to launch the navigation system on your mobile phone and see where you need to go on the display. Sadly, I couldn’t test this feature yet.
If you use an iPhone, you can integrate the scooter into the «Find my» network. This automatically saves your last location. If you lose the SoFlow, you can have a message displayed to whoever finds it.
Wish 4: low weight
At 15.5 kilogrammes, the So One Pro is relatively light. The competition can easily weigh two or three kilos more with similar specifications. I appreciate that, as I take the scooter with me in my car from time to time.
Of course, there are e-scooters that weigh even less – at the expense of motor power and range. For me, the SoFlow provides the ideal mix.
Source: Lorenz Keller
Wish 5: a good suspension on long journeys
The 10-inch tubeless tyres absorb a lot of bumps, but you can clearly feel cobblestones or gravel paths all over your body. The So One Pro is no worse than other scooters without a suspension. But there are models that have a suspension on both axles for just under 1,000 francs.
A clear improvement in comfort, as I noticed in my Xiaomi 4 Ultra test. The Xiaomi 4 Ultra irons out bumps so well that you feel like you’re being carried in a litter, even on unpaved roads. The SoFlow can’t compete here.
Verdict: happy despite an unfulfilled wish?
With the SoFlow So One Pro, the genie in a bottle of e-scooters has granted four out of five of my wishes. Only my dream of a suspension has gone unheeded. The e-scooter never let me down in the test. The fact that I can get up steep inclines quickly and am not slowed down by gravity is a real pleasure.
The top model from SoFlow only has weaknesses in the details. Engine noise is part of this. But also the stand, which doesn’t seem particularly stable. If you park the scooter incorrectly on uneven ground, it may even fall over.
Overall, the value for money is very good. The So One Pro offers a lot of power, a strong battery, a snazzy design and plenty of features for around 1,000 francs. SoFlow is also a Swiss company from which I can obtain spare parts and support directly.
Header image: Lorenz Keller
Lorenz Keller
Senior Editor
Lorenz.Keller@digitecgalaxus.chGadgets are my passion - whether you need them for the home office, for the household, for sport and pleasure or for the smart home. Or, of course, for the big hobby next to the family, namely fishing.
