Fats-tire electrical bikes are all the fad 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 robust motor, wonderful consolation, and a stunning quantity of premium options at a comparatively reasonably priced value. However how nicely does it truly carry out? I put it to the check to search out out.
Velotric Nomad 2 Video Assessment
Velotric Nomad 2 Tech Specs
- Motor: 750W rear hub motor with 90Nm of torque
- High 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 indicators, 100mm journey hydraulic suspension fork, kickstand, internally routed cables, detachable battery, cadence sensor and torque sensor (consumer selectable to change forwards and backwards between the 2), UL-compliant battery and e-bike system, adjustable stem, and suspension seat put up
Huge on energy, massive 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 sturdy 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 novel contact for a motorcycle at this value. The torque sensor presents a extra pure pedal really feel, responding to how onerous you push, whereas the cadence mode is best suited for individuals who simply need a straightforward trip with minimal effort. In impact, the cadence sensor mainly works like a foot-activated throttle. In case your ft are transferring, the motor is working.
In follow, each work nicely, although torque sensing is the place you’ll get the most effective 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 muscular tissues.
Talking of getting the ability to deal with unfastened terrain like sand and soil, the Nomad 2 rides on 26-inch fats tires, which 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 clean out the bumps. And so as to add much more consolation, a parallel linkage suspension seat put up provides you a nicer trip by yourself caboose than the cheaper telescoping suspension seat posts we frequently see. Velotric spent the additional change essential to improve that element, and it’s one you possibly can actually really feel when the using will get bumpy. A top quality suspension seat put up like this makes a giant distinction. It’s not the identical as true rear suspension, but it surely goes a number of the way in which 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 possibly can 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 increased speeds.
You’ll be able to even restrict the velocity decrease in case you’d like, right down to 12 mph (20 km/h). Mainly, you’ve acquired a number of room to mess around with limits on the bikes.
The 705 Wh battery is UL-certified and claims a spread of as much as 65 miles (105 km), although that’s in supreme situations with pedal help. In the true world, they declare a throttle vary of 45 miles (72 km) on throttle when using on flat floor. When you’re a heavier rider or have less-than-ideal situations, you’ll get a bit much less. However with a giant 700+ Wh battery, there’s nonetheless loads of vitality 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 due to the 3A charger. The battery is detachable, so you possibly can carry it inside to cost as an alternative of hauling the entire bike to an outlet. At 75 lb (34 kg), hauling your entire bike round is a little bit of a chore, so detachable batteries are a should for many individuals who don’t have easy accessibility to an outlet, akin to in a storage. Condo dwellers with bike rooms on the bottom ground, I see you as a result of I’m one in all 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 stable, and there’s no mushy response when grabbing a handful of brake at velocity.
High quality brakes are a should for a robust, 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 increased speeds. Even with the majority of a fat-tire bike, it by no means felt too unwieldy.
There are even two sizes obtainable so riders can select a body nearer to their supreme measurement. That additionally helps out shorter and taller riders who have a tendency to search 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 a number of fitment selections.
Velotric packed in a stunning quantity of tech for a motorcycle on this value vary. The two.4-inch coloration show is vivid and straightforward to learn, providing all of the trip stats you’d count on. The bike can also be Apple Discover My suitable, which 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 corporations incorporate this know-how 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 embody an AirLock system for keyless unlocking through the Velotric app, a 360-degree lighting setup, together with an automated headlight that adjusts brightness primarily based on environment, and built-in rear flip indicators. I typically ridicule e-bike makers for together with flip indicators which are unclear and a waste of house. On this case, Velotric’s are literally respectable, although nonetheless not concept. They’re fairly near the centerline of the bike making it a bit onerous to inform that they’re directional indicators, however the amber coloration as an alternative 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 wish 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 wish to give myself the most effective odds doable.
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 truthful to say that the Velotric Nomad 2 isn’t a hardcore path bike, but it surely’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 snug 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 an excellent struggle. You’ll be able to undoubtedly get your off-roading rocks off for much less cash elsewhere, however the added options like stable 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 stable firm with a few years of stable fame constructing, which is turning into extra necessary in an business flooded with questionable manufacturers nonetheless popping up in every single place.
I’d say that the Nomad 2 delivers rather a lot for the cash, particularly if you consider its energy, vary, hydraulic brakes, and premium tech options. It’s clean, quick, and versatile sufficient to deal with commuting, off-road using, and all the things 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 a number of issues proper—and that’s precisely what most riders want.
