I’ve been on the hunt for an electrical mountain bike that will give me a lot of the efficiency of the fancier, high-priced fashions, but with out their main draw back: that increased value. The Velotric Summit 1 rolled in on the good time, and whereas the bike itself isn’t good, it’s darn close to precisely what I’d need from an eMTB that focuses on protecting costs down.
The brilliant orange e-bike is much more enjoyable to trip than it’s to take a look at. However you’ll wish to watch too, so be sure to take a gander at my using video under to return together with me. Then preserve studying for much more, under!
Velotric Summit 1 Video Assessment
Velotric Summit 1 tech specs
- Motor: 750W (1,300W peak-rated) rear hub motor with 90Nm of torque
- Prime pace: 28 mph (50 km/h)
- Vary: Claimed as much as 70 miles (as much as 112 km)
- Battery: 48V 14.7Ah (705.6 Wh)
- Weight: 62 lb (28 kg)
- Load capability: 440 lb (200 kg)
- Body: Triple-butted aluminum alloy
- Tires: Kenda 27.5×2.6″ fats tires
- Brakes: Twin-piston Shimano hydraulic disc brakes
- Extras: Colour show, 15 pedal help ranges, entrance and rear LED mild with brake mild, entrance suspension, kickstand, internally routed cables, detachable battery, Apple FindMy, torque sensor, UL-compliant battery and e-bike system
What does this e-bike provide
To start with, since Velotric is understood extra as a street-focused model, the Summit 1 retains loads of what makes the model’s different fashions nice for cruising the roads. Which means you continue to get options like built-in LED lighting, Apple FindMy location monitoring, and the flexibility so as to add fenders/racks for metropolis and utility using.
However after all, the principle function of Summit 1 is path using, and that’s the place the bike feels most at residence.
The 750W rear motor places out a peak energy determine of nearer to 1,300 watts, which together with the 90 Nm of torque is the place your true hill-climbing potential comes from. For these of you with flat terrain like me, that additionally interprets into highly effective off-the-line begins, so it’s not wasted on us coastal sea levelers.
The battery is quite average-sized at 700 Wh, however is definitely detachable for charging both on or off the bike. Because the bike weighs 68 lb, you additionally may wish to take that battery out if you carry the bike, resembling into the again of a truck.
And one other observe on the battery: it’s UL-compliant. The truth is, all the e-bike is UL-compliant additionally, giving riders added peace of thoughts.
On the subject of vary, Velotric says you’ll get 60 miles (100 km) on throttle or 70 miles (112 km) on pedal help.
That pedal help vary sounds about proper, contemplating the 15 ranges of pedal help can present both highly effective or mushy help, and that decrease energy finish of the spectrum is the place your finest vary will come from.
However the 60-mile throttle vary appears fairly lofty except you’re cruising round at leisurely speeds of 10-12 mph. And when you’re using off-road nature trails, there’s an opportunity you may be. However suffice it to say that with 700Wh of capability, the bike has roughly common battery capability and can cling with or surpass nearly every other eMTB in its class in relation to vary.
Torque sensor for the win!
On bikes which can be designed to be pedaled continuously, resembling electrical mountain bikes, a torque sensor is an exquisite piece of kit to have. As we’ve talked about earlier than, the torque sensor mainly makes the facility supply much more pure and intuitive by providing you with kind of energy primarily based on how laborious you pedal as an alternative of how briskly you pedal.
On a motorcycle designed for cruising within the bike lane, the dearth of a very good torque sensor is much less noticeable. However if you’re attempting to climb up a steep mountain bike path, having instantaneous energy on faucet is a superb benefit to have.
I’m additionally glad to see the bike is well-made, together with utilizing a robust through-axle for the entrance wheel and body welds that look stable.
The bike is examined to exceed commonplace ISO assessments used for electrical mountain bikes, which is how the corporate can declare that increased weight capability for a sort of motorcycle that’s anticipated to dwell a tough life dealing with robust trails and bumpy rides.
The battery is even IPX7-rated, which suggests it may be submerged in water. I examined that very declare by tossing a Velotric battery in a bathtub of water, and lo and behold, it labored simply superb once I took it out. So if the storm clouds transfer in throughout your trip, you’ll have to fret about traction, however you gained’t have to fret concerning the security of your battery.
And if I’m being a bit superficial, I’m additionally glad to see the good, vibrant coloration choices there are. Clearly that’s not a key efficiency differentiator, however since many individuals like to decide on a motorcycle coloration that matches their character, having brilliant oranges and blues along with the extra muted grayscale is sweet to see.
What are the downsides?
Look, the bike rides nice. The 120mm hydraulic suspension fork does an amazing job on the bumps and the bike is snug to flick round a path. However no bike is ideal, and it’s truthful to say that Velotric needed to reduce some corners in comparison with the fancier “true eMTBs” you’ll see within the bike outlets.
For one, there’s no mid-drive motor, which the extra lycra-minded riders typically tout as the head of eMTB drives. Sure, mid-drives give nice stability and often imply a elaborate German motor, however additionally they include fancy German costs. So that you’re giving up that mid-drive in favor of a rear-heavy hub motor, however saving loads of inexperienced!
Subsequent, the 8-speed derailleur is an easy Shimano Altus. It’s not dangerous, but it surely’s not an amazing piece of package, both. It’s superb for leisure riders, but it surely gained’t take the identical beating or have the identical decrease upkeep as higher-end derailleurs.
And people tires? They’re Kendas, not one thing fancier like Maxxis. However right here once more, it feels superb for normies like me. I used to be hitting sandy singletrack with none traction points, and I haven’t gotten a single flat… but.
So certain, there are some modest components blended in right here to assist preserve the worth down to simply $1,999, in comparison with the upper greenback eMTBs on the market. However I feel the appropriate compromises had been made in the appropriate locations, saving areas like security and construct high quality as the details the place Velotric invested extra closely.
Sum it up for me!
The Velotric Summit 1 is a superb using e-bike that may deal with mountain bike trails the best way they’re meant to be ridden, however doesn’t carry the identical $4-6k price ticket of many extra pro-level electrical mountain bikes. At simply $1,999, it’s quite a bit simpler for an informal rider to justify.
I’ve had a blast using trails on it the best way I’d use a fancier hard-tail electrical mountain bike. Certain, a mid-drive motor and higher-end transmission would improve the bike, however I’m glad to make these sacrifices in favor of extra recreational-focused parts that get the identical job performed at a fraction of the worth.
With the construct high quality and security that’s been engineered into the bike, I’m giving this one a stable advice for newer riders and fans alike. Simply don’t assume you’ll catch massive air on the huge jumps you see $8,000 full suspension eMTBs dealing with.
