Velotric Nomad 2 review: A feature-packed fat-tire e-bike with crazy comfort

Fats-tire electrical bikes are all the craze lately, designed to triumph on the paths however simply as typically seen conquering the pavement. Now the newly-released Velotric Nomad 2 is right here to take a slice of that adventure-ready market. Designed for riders who need a mixture of commuting practicality and off-road functionality, this e-bike brings a strong motor, wonderful consolation, and a stunning quantity of premium options at a comparatively inexpensive value. However how effectively does it truly carry out? I put it to the take a look at to seek out out.

Velotric Nomad 2 Video Evaluation

Velotric Nomad 2 Tech Specs

• Motor: 750W rear hub motor with 90Nm of torque
• Prime velocity: 28 mph (50 km/h) when unlocked to Class 3 mode
• Vary: Claimed as much as 65 miles (as much as 105 km)
• Battery: 48V 14.7Ah 705Wh
• Weight: 75 lb (34 kg)
• Load capability: 505 lb (230 kg)
• Body: Aluminum alloy
• Tires: 26×4.0″ puncture-resistant fats tires
• Brakes: Twin-piston Tektro hydraulic disc brakes on 203/180mm rotors (entrance/rear)
• Worth: US $1,999
• Extras: Coloration LCD show with USB-C cellphone charging port, 15 pedal help ranges, entrance and rear LED mild with brake mild and rear flip alerts, 100mm journey hydraulic suspension fork, kickstand, internally routed cables, detachable battery, cadence sensor and torque sensor (consumer selectable to change backwards and forwards between the 2), UL-compliant battery and e-bike system, adjustable stem, and suspension seat submit

Huge on energy, huge on tires!

On the coronary heart of the Nomad 2 is a 750-watt rear hub motor cranking out 90 newton-meters of torque. With all the brand new rules hitting e-bikes, Velotric appears to be a bit cagier about publishing peak energy specs, however the motor feels prefer it’s a type of 1,300-ish peak watt motors, and the 90 Nm torque spec reveals there’s some critical oomph in that hub motor! That’ll make it robust sufficient to tackle steep hills and energy via unfastened terrain like sand or gravel with out breaking a sweat.

I’m glad to see a torque sensor included on the bike for smoother and extra responsive pedal help, however curiously, riders can toggle between cadence and torque sensing within the settings, which is a singular contact for a motorbike at this value. The torque sensor affords a extra pure pedal really feel, responding to how arduous you push, whereas the cadence mode is best suited for many who simply need a simple trip with minimal effort. In impact, the cadence sensor mainly works like a foot-activated throttle. In case your toes are transferring, the motor is working.

In follow, each work effectively, although torque sensing is the place you’ll get the perfect mixture of effectivity and responsiveness that makes it really feel extra like a pedal bike… only a pedal bike being ridden by somebody with knowledgeable bike owner’s tree trunk leg muscle mass.

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Talking of getting the ability to deal with unfastened terrain like sand and soil, the Nomad 2 rides on 26-inch fats tires, that means you get loads of grip and rollover functionality for uneven terrain. It additionally comes with a 100mm journey entrance suspension fork, serving to to easy out the bumps. And so as to add much more consolation, a parallel linkage suspension seat submit provides you a nicer trip by yourself caboose than the cheaper telescoping suspension seat posts we regularly see. Velotric spent the additional change essential to improve that element, and it’s one you may actually really feel when the using will get bumpy. A high quality suspension seat submit like this makes an enormous distinction. It’s not the identical as true rear suspension, nevertheless it goes numerous the best way there for informal riders desirous to take the jolts out of their using. Mixed with that hydraulic suspension fork, the bike rides fairly properly on uneven terrain.

The Nomad 2 ships in 20 mph (32 km/h) high velocity mode, however you may go into the settings and unlock a high. velocity of 28 mph (45 km/h) on pedal help. You’re nonetheless restricted to twenty mph on throttle, however pedaling will get you the upper velocity for lengthy straightaways which are extra enjoyable at greater speeds.

You’ll be able to even restrict the velocity decrease in case you’d like, all the way down to 12 mph (20 km/h). Principally, you’ve bought numerous room to mess around with limits on the bikes.

The 705 Wh battery is UL-certified and claims a variety of as much as 65 miles (105 km), although that’s in supreme circumstances with pedal help. In the true world, they declare a throttle vary of 45 miles (72 km) on throttle when using on flat floor. In the event you’re a heavier rider or have less-than-ideal circumstances, you’ll get a bit much less. However with an enormous 700+ Wh battery, there’s nonetheless loads of power in there for lengthy rides, particularly since few of us spend greater than 40 miles in a row within the saddle on any single trip.

Charging is comparatively quick, taking about 5 hours from empty because of the 3A charger. The battery is detachable, so you may deliver it inside to cost as a substitute of hauling the entire bike to an outlet. At 75 lb (34 kg), hauling the complete bike round is a little bit of a chore, so detachable batteries are a should for many individuals who don’t have quick access to an outlet, reminiscent of in a storage. Residence dwellers with bike rooms on the bottom flooring, I see you as a result of I’m one among you.

With hydraulic disc brakes on 203mm entrance and 180mm rear rotors, the Nomad 2 has loads of stopping energy. The brake levers really feel strong, and there’s no mushy response when grabbing a handful of brake at velocity.

High quality brakes are a should for a strong, quick, and heavy electrical bike. Velotric undoubtedly delivered there.

Dealing with is predictable and secure, thanks partially to Velotric’s body geometry, which helps the bike really feel planted at greater speeds. Even with the majority of a fat-tire bike, it by no means felt too unwieldy.

There are even two sizes out there so riders can select a body nearer to their supreme measurement. That additionally helps out shorter and taller riders who have a tendency to seek out themselves on the excessive ends of the scale spectrum on one-size-fits-all electrical bikes. With a number of sizes, plus choices for step-over and step-thru frames, riders have numerous fitment selections.

Velotric packed in a stunning quantity of tech for a motorbike on this value vary. The two.4-inch coloration show is vibrant and simple to learn, providing all of the trip stats you’d count on. The bike can also be Apple Discover My appropriate, that means if somebody swipes it, you’ll have a shot at monitoring it down, so long as you’ve gotten an iPhone. I LOVE when firms incorporate this expertise as a result of it provides me added peace of thoughts figuring out there’s some hope of discovering my bike if it ever walks off.

Different notable options embrace an AirLock system for keyless unlocking through the Velotric app, a 360-degree lighting setup, together with an automated headlight that adjusts brightness based mostly on environment, and built-in rear flip alerts. I typically ridicule e-bike makers for together with flip alerts which are unclear and a waste of house. On this case, Velotric’s are literally first rate, although nonetheless not thought. They’re fairly near the centerline of the bike making it a bit arduous to inform that they’re directional alerts, however the amber coloration as a substitute of pink does assist considerably distinguish them. These have a prayer of being understood to be directional indicators, although I undoubtedly nonetheless sign with my arms once I need to be extra assured that drivers perceive what I’m about to do. I do know a few of them will nonetheless be oblivious, however I need to give myself the perfect odds attainable.

Total, I’d say the lighting options are a welcome improve within the commuter-friendly class. Including within the included rear rack and fender set, which each come normal, makes this fats tire journey bike equally learn for on-road commuting adventures.

Closing ideas

I feel it’s honest to say that the Velotric Nomad 2 isn’t a hardcore path bike, nevertheless it’s additionally not only a informal cruiser. It hits a pleasant center floor for riders who need an all-terrain e-bike that’s simply as comfy on pavement as it’s on filth trails.

At $1,999, it’s not the most cost effective fat-tire e-bike on the market, however for the construct high quality and options, it places up struggle. You’ll be able to undoubtedly get your off-roading rocks off for much less cash elsewhere, however the added options like strong lighting, UL certification, submersible battery, location monitoring, cadence/torque sensor choice, and extra all mix so as to add some actual worth right here that you just don’t discover from many different manufacturers. It’s additionally backed by a strong firm with a few years of strong fame constructing, which is changing into extra essential in an business flooded with questionable manufacturers nonetheless popping up in every single place.

I’d say that the Nomad 2 delivers loads for the cash, particularly while you think about its energy, vary, hydraulic brakes, and premium tech options. It’s easy, quick, and versatile sufficient to deal with commuting, off-road using, and the whole lot in between.

Velotric clearly put effort into refining the trip expertise, and it exhibits. Whereas it doesn’t reinvent the fat-tire e-bike, it does numerous issues proper—and that’s precisely what most riders want.