I received a call from Velotric asking if I would be interested in testing out its new Nomad 1 fat-tire e-bike as I was getting ready to go down to the Denver area to spend a few weeks with my oldest daughter. I’ve been enjoying the fall splendor of Colorado on the Nomad 1 because the trails and bike routes all throughout this region of Colorado are ideal for testing a fat-tire e-bike.
Even though Velotric is a young firm, their Discover 1 model, which debuted in 2021, has been quite successful and well received. Adam Zhang, one of the co-founders of Lime scooters, is the company’s CEO. Based on this, Velotric is growing its product line and aims to provide a dependable, high-quality ebike that can handle your upcoming off-road excursion.
The 48-volt, 691.2Wh battery powering the Nomad 1’s 750-watt rear hub motor charges in 6 hours and has a range of up to 55 miles. The Step-Thru and High Step variants of the Nomad 1 are currently on sale for $1,399.
| Frame | Aluminum alloy |
| Motor Hub | 750W |
| Battery | 692Wh |
| Charger | 48V, 3.0A |
| Display | 3.5” Backlit LCD display |
| Pedal Assist Range | 55miles |
| Throttle Range | 52miles |
| Chainrings | 46T |
| Crankset | Aluminum alloy, 170mm |
| Cassette | 8-Speed, 13-34T |
| Rims | Aluminum alloy, 36H |
| Tire | 26x4.0”, puncture-resistant liner |
| Brake | Hydraulic disc brakes |
| Rotors | 180mm front and rear |
Video Review of Velotric Nomad 1
Velotric Nomad 1: Design and Build quality
The bike was delivered in a sizable cardboard box that was imprinted on the side with the phrase “Ride Today.” Within 30 minutes, you can be riding if you attach the front wheel, fasten the handlebars, and attach the pedals.
Furthermore, delivery for the bike is free within the US, which is a really amazing deal.
An owner’s manual, a quick-start guide, pedals, a rear light, front and back reflectors, a bell, and all the equipment you need to put your bike together and maintain it are all included in the package.
Remember to turn off the tail light after you are through riding because it is battery-operated and separate from the bike’s electrical system.
I had to remove three screws from the front fork and rotate it before attaching the handlebars because it was put backward for some reason. It was a simple change to make, and if you don’t feel comfortable assembling a bike yourself, you can use the Velo Tooler on the Velotric website to request assembly service.
The battery and metal frame are the same color and feature a high-quality matte surface. On the junction sections, the welding is flawless and robust, and the bike feels strong with no flex or movement.
With only very small gaps where the battery is inserted, the aluminum frame and battery appear to be one solid component. Cheaper bikes frequently have subpar finishes, especially on its welded components. The craftsmanship seems to be of very high quality. There are a few little decals on the bike, all of which are flawlessly printed and adhered. The bike feels quite well put together once it has been fully installed. With the exception of where they emerge near the front of the handlebars, the wires are disguised, giving it a quality appearance that is comparable to much more expensive ebikes. You should have no problems riding the Nomad 1 through all types of weather because it is IPX6 waterproof.
The Nomad 1 includes a tool kit, charger, front and back fenders, front and rear lights, a bell, and reflectors as complimentary extras. The provided fenders perfectly fit the 4″ tires and do a great job of protecting you and the bike from the elements, even if the reflectors, bell, and rear light are probably just off-the-shelf components.
The bike powers and controls the front light, while a button on the rear light allows it to be turned on or off and includes a built-in battery.
Only the wires that are visible exit from the handlebars and feed into the frame tube midway up the front, above the forks. The cables are then run back to the hub motor, gears, and rear brakes through the frame. It gives the bike a very polished appearance and harmonizes with much more expensive bikes.
Velotric Nomad 1: Motor and Driving
With the assist set to Level 5, the 750W rear hub motor in the Velotric Nomad 1 can produce 1,200W of peak power, so hold on and enjoy the ride. On the Nomad 1, there are five levels and a walk mode, with the assist level matching the fastest speed available with throttle-only movement. I reached speeds of 9.5 mph at Level 1, 11.5 mph at Level 2, 14.5 mph at Level 3, 16-17 mph at Level 4, and 20 mph at Level 5 while cycling on a gravel road. The bike is a Class 2 cycle with a throttle mode speed cap of 20 mph.
The Nomad 1 is enjoyable and powerful. On the first ride, I was grinning broadly. The bike is a delight to ride once you accept that the throttle has a slight latency. As you swiftly increase your speed to 20 mph, it can easily knock you back. I felt secure crossing streets and merging into tinier side roads with vehicles.
The bike’s handlebars are simple to grasp and hold onto, and the seating posture is rather upright. With two springs underneath and a 220mm width, the seat is extremely comfy. I like to keep my seat a little lower when riding in a more relaxed manner. I had no trouble hopping on and off thanks to its step-through frame.
Even when I was pedaling hard, it was uncommon for me to stay on an electric bike and reach the summit of hills similar to the one entering my neighborhood. When it comes to climbing difficult hills, the Nomad 1 outperforms the Discover 1. I used the walk mode more frequently than with any other e-bike I have tested because it is useful with this big, heavy bike.
To complement the tires, wide fenders are offered and already mounted. You will value the fenders for keeping sand, gravel, mud, and rain off of you and your face if you ride the bike on trails or in other bad weather situations.
On the left side of the handlebar, the Nomad 1 has a controller with a power button and an up/down button to adjust the pedal assist. There is a thumb throttle on the left. With this, you can activate the device’s walk mode in addition to its full-throttle and five degrees of pedal assistance. The front light can be turned on or off by pressing and holding the up or down button for a brief period of time.
The bike’s speed, battery level, journey distance, and power assist level are all displayed on the 3.5″ display. Black lettering is displayed on a white LED background on a monochrome screen. Even in bright sunlight, it is sufficiently bright and easy to see.
It takes some getting used to the throttle response. In my experience, I discovered that there was a slight lag. The power doesn’t come on for about a second, and when it does, it’s hard to adjust. The throttle feels more like a go button that is either activated or not because of the lack of responsiveness. The power can be slightly better controlled with some careful feathering, but this bike’s main drawback—and one of the reasons it’s so inexpensive—is that it can’t handle much more power.
Velotric Nomad 1: Battery and Range
You can travel up to 55 miles on a single charge with the Nomad 1 thanks to its “Tesla-grade” 48V 14.4Ah (690Wh) detachable battery with 21700 cells certified by LG/Samsung, which Velotric says “offers a 50% greater range compared to similar bikes in the market”. The Nomad’s maximum range is reduced to 45 to 50 miles while in full throttle mode, though specific results will vary depending on the terrain and weather.
The top-loaded battery is flush with the frame and rests there. Further obscuring the fact that this is an electric bike is the paint, finish, and thickness of the battery, which precisely match the rest of the bike. The battery is detachable with the use of its key, just as other ebikes. To unlock the battery, insert the key and turn it once. This causes the battery to emerge slightly from the frame and become accessible for grasping. When squeezed, a little indicator light on top of the battery lets you easily determine whether you need to recharge.
Velotric Nomad 1: Conclusions
The Nomad 1’s greatest asset is that it can pretty much go anywhere. This bike really shines for its potential to explore off the main path and find new areas, even while its larger and heavier design may not make it as comfortable for commuting on paved roads.
After enthusiastically appreciating every aspect of the Velotric Discover 1, I was thrilled to learn that the firm will soon be introducing its successor. After learning that it was a fat-tire bike, I wasn’t sure what to expect because I hadn’t thought about using this kind of bike for commuting. To travel around town and to enjoy the hundreds of miles of gravel, dirt, and concrete trails and roads in the Denver area, however, the Velotric Nomad 1 is ideal.
Large tires give enough traction, and the ride is incredibly pleasant and smooth. One day while I was testing the bike, there was a minor snowfall, and I was able to ride through some light frozen snow, crunchy dry grass fields, and fallen dry leaves. The robust 750W motor and front shocks helped me feel confident that I could navigate any terrain as I crossed fields with hills and ditches.
Another inexpensive, high-quality e-bike from Velotric has been produced with a few upgrades over the Discover 1. It’s fun to ride, and it might encourage you to venture off the beaten road with the assurance and force necessary to traverse any terrain and endure inclement weather.
