Velotric Nomad 1 Review – 2024

In-Depth Velotric Nomad 1 Review

Velotric Nomad 1 Review: Comfort, Handling, and Ride Qualities

One of our favorite features of the Velotric Nomad 1 are its wide tires. Fat tires, that is, those tires that are 4-5 in. in width, ride with the cushy feel of an air suspension. So long as they aren’t pumped up to 40 psi (or more), they have a magic carpet quality to them that makes riding on unpaved roads and paths a much less jarring experience than it can be.

The Velotric Nomad 1 comes with 4-in.-wide tires and when pumped up to 10-15 psi (less for lighter riders) they make moderately rough roads feel like they are paved. The fat tires combined with the 80mm-travel fork do more to give the rider a comfortable ride than any saddle can do. Not only will this tire and fork combination make unpaved roads feel smooth, it will make bad pavement feel like glass.

The big tires and wheels add a fair bit of heft to the Nomad 1, which slows its acceleration a bit, but gives the ride a very secure and stable feel—more SUV than sedan. The backswept bar allows the rider to sit a bit more upright than on a typical mountain bike, allowing the rider a better view of the world around them.

We consider the Velotric Nomad 1 an all-terrain bike. A true mountain bike would be equipped with a suspension fork with more travel and a drivetrain with more gears covering a wider range, for starters. Anyone wanting to ride singletrack trails and truly rough terrain would do well to consider a different e-bike. But for the person looking to simply get away from it all, to ride unpaved roads or possibly even jeep trails, the Velotric Nomad 1 is worth considering.

Velotric Nomad 1 Review: Motor, Battery, and Drivetrain Performance

A common issue we encounter with e-bikes in the sub-$2000 price tier is that the hub motor will perform well on flat terrain but falter on hills. The Velotric Nomad 1 is unlikely to display any such weakness. Its 750W motor peaks at a massive 1200W and produces 75Nm of torque. This is one e-bike that should climb hills without stalling. Lighter riders may be shocked with just how aggressively this bike climbs and big riders should be pleased when it doesn’t stall the moment the road goes uphill.

The 48V, 15Ah (720Wh) LG/Samsung battery carries quite the charge; Velotric estimates that riders can cover as many as 55 mi. per charge. If that seems like a lot, it’s important to bear in mind that unpaved and uneven terrain will draw down a battery more quickly than if a rider is pedaling on pavement. This battery can power a PAS 5 adventure on backroads without fear of being stranded 15 miles in.

With the battery fully integrated into the Nomad 1’s down tube the low-slung weight contributes to the e-bike’s stable handling.

It’s not often that we see an 8-speed drivetrain on a sub-$2000 e-bike. The Shimano drivetrain spec’d on the Nomad 1 will last under hard use and offers a somewhat wider gear range than its 7-speed counterparts, though not as wide as an eMTB. We also like the trigger shifter selected; it’s easy to learn what the two different triggers do and muscle memory after a few rides will make shifting seamless and quick.

Velotric Nomad 1 Review: Braking, Safety, Customer Service & Warranty

Seeing an upgrade in the drivetrain compared to other similarly priced bikes usually means that something was sacrificed elsewhere, like in the brakes. We’re pleased that Velotric chose hydraulic disc brakes matched with 180mm rotors for excellent speed modulation and prompt stopping.

Riders planning to explore the backcountry need a level of confidence that if a road turns steep—either up or down—that their e-bike will have the power in both the motor and the brakes to go up and come down safely. The Velotric Nomad 1 is an e-bike that will offer riders the security they need to explore new places.

Riding into the backcountry can be a problem for e-bikes that don’t have sufficiently watertight seals for the electronics. The Velotric Nomad’s electronics feature IPX6-grade seals, meaning this is an e-bike that can go splashing through a creekbed or stream crossing and won’t end up shorting out.

The Velotric Nomad 1 is new enough that it hasn’t been reviewed on their site. Looking at the reviews for the Discover 1, the company appears to be fairly responsive to customer issues. One reviewer noted that they don’t answer the phone but are very responsive by email. Most of the issues relayed have to do with assembly, it seems.

The warranty covers all parts and labor for one year from date of purchase, much like what we see with other D2C brands.

Velotric Nomad 1 Review: Recommendation/Final Verdict

We don’t often see an all-terrain e-bike so well-equipped in this price range. Hydraulic disc brakes? Yes. Fat tires? Sure. Powerful batteries? Absolutely. However, 8-speed drivetrains are rare in this price range, as are 750W brushless hub motors, which make the Velotric Nomad 1 an e-bike of above average value.

Anyone planning to explore backcountry roads, jeep trails and the like may find the fenders and kickstand to be problematic. On bumpy terrain they can rattle and if conditions turn muddy the fenders can pack up and stop the wheels from turning.

With sub-$2000 e-bikes, once a shopper has selected the type of e-bike that suits their needs, the next goal is to find the best value and stretch each dollar like saran wrap. The Velotric Nomad 1 presents a pleasant surprise where value is concerned.

As is typical with e-bikes that come in two frame designs, we are encouraged that the Velotric Nomad 1 will fit more people than a one-size-fits-all design, but we encourage riders closer to the edges of their fit guidelines to look closely at the bike measurements before committing to a bike.

The LCD display is large and easy to read, something that is important when riding on uneven terrain. Small displays, even if they are color, can be difficult to read if the road is bumpy.

One place where Velotric doesn’t compare as favorably as with other brands is in the accessories they offer. They offer a front rack, but not a rear one, nor do they offer any baskets. Anyone who wants to commute to work with the Velotric Nomad 1 may find themselves wearing a backpack.

Velotric is a relatively new brand and we are encouraged by the creativity they bring to the world of e-bikes. This is a brand working hard to provide more for less. Their choices make this apparent in an unmistakable way.

Thank you for reading through our review of the Velotric Nomad 1. Still have further questions? Wondering how it compares to a similar bike? Leave us a question in the comments below and the team at BestElectricBikes.com will answer!