The Nomad 1 is Velotric’s first fat-tire electric bicycle and I am impressed with what this new ebike company was able to accomplish.
While most ebikes, especially fat tire ebikes, may feel clunky and unnatural without pedal assist running, the geometry of the Nomad 1 is perfectly designed and I surprisingly found that I enjoy riding this ebike even without pedal assist.
If you have not heard about Velotric, the makers of the Nomad 1, you are not alone. Velotric may be a new company, but they have plenty of experience.
Engineers and designers from several high-end bike brands came together to form new ebike company Velotric and it shows in their design and product. Velotric has the bloodline of premium bike manufacturers like Lime, Specialized, Decathlon, and Giant.
Velotric manufactures most of their own components so they are able to offer quality parts at a lower cost.
The Nomad 1 rides well, is feature-packed, and comes at a budget-friendly price. In this review, I will tell you what I love and hate about the Velotric Nomad 1.
Click here for the current pricing of the Velotric Nomad 1.
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Battery matches frame on all colors except Indigo Grey
UL certified LG/Samsung battery
Aesthetically pleasing
What type of suspension is on the Velotric Nomad 1?
The Nomad 1 has hydraulic suspension in the fork with 80mm of travel. You can adjust the preload and lock it out.
I love the suspension on the Nomad 1. It doesn’t bottom out under my 200lb frame and is the best suspension I have felt on a fat tire ebike at this price point.
The Nomad 1 is $400+ cheaper than the similar Aventon Aventure, and I hate the coil suspension on the Aventure.
The suspension on the Nomad 1 is nice and plush, making off-road trails feel like smooth pavement. Whether you are dropping curbs or riding terrain, you’ll be pleased with the quality hydraulic suspension on the Nomad 1.
What type of tires is on the Velotric Nomad 1?
The Nomad 1 features 26-inch by 4-inch CST BFT knobby fat tires.
The tires are large and roll over bumps, logs, curbs, and rocks with ease. The fat tires paired with the great suspension make the Nomad 1 a versatile bike that can be used in off-road, dry, wet, and snowy conditions.
Line up the stem and handlebar with precision!
I wonder why other companies don’t use a stem and handlebar design like Velotric bikes which makes setup a breeze.
The stem and handlebar have a cross-hair design to help you line up the handlebars with precision. It is much easier than doing it by eye.
What type of brakes are on the Velotric Nomad 1?
The Nomad 1 features two-piston hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm brake discs.
The brakes are unbranded but feel great and offer plenty of stopping power. The brakes use mineral oil and remind me of Tektro hydraulic brakes.
If you notice they are a little squeaky, try putting rubbing alcohol on a paper towel and cleaning the brake discs.
What is the water resistance rating on the Velotric Nomad 1?
The Nomad 1 has an IPX6 water resistance rating. That means the bike can take high-pressure sprays from any direction. Velotric markets the Nomad 1 as an all-weather ebike so you can confidently ride the bike in rainy conditions.
We seldomly see ebikes with an IPX6 water resistance raiting.
What type of batteries is on the Velotric Nomad 1?
The Nomad 1 has a 48V 14.4 Ah battery that is comprised of LG or Samsung cells.
The battery and bike are also UL certified so you can confidently store the battery without having to worry about lithium fires.
Choose your favorite color!
With 7 color choices, you should be able to find a color you love with the Nomad 1. Stand out with the Mango or Cyan, or stealthily ride around in the Sand or Indigo Gray color. I love that most of the batteries match the frame to create a seamless look.
The only battery that doesn’t match the frame is the Indigo Gray color.
Click here for the current pricing of the Velotric Nomad 1.
Use coupon code FRESHLYCHARGED60 to save $60
What I hate about the Velotric Nomad 1
Rear light is not integrated
Pedal assist level dictates throttle level
Front light is not that bright
Plastic fenders
Capped out at 20mph
Only one size per frame design
Grayscale display
Takes a little more assembly
Axel bolt on rear motor sticks out with no cover
What is the top speed on the Velotric Nomad 1?
The Nomad 1 is a class 2 ebike with a top speed of 20mph in pedal assist and throttle.
The bike can be unlocked to reach a 25mph top speed, but I have learned that Velotric is no longer providing those instructions. I think it is a smart move to keep it at a class 2 ebike due to regulations and to limit wear and tear on the motor/controller.
One odd thing is the maximum throttle levels are controlled by the pedal assist level. In pedal assist level 1, the max throttle speed is 8 mph. In pedal assist level 2, the max throttle speed is 11 mph.
You have to be in pedal assist level 5 to reach the top throttle speed of 20 mph. I am not a big fan of this because sometimes I only want it to be in PAS 1 and use the throttle to reach 20mph.
However, Jimmy’s wife loves this feature because she enjoys pushing down on the throttle fully while cruising at slower speeds depending on the set pedal assist level.
This is the first time we have ever seen pedal assist levels impact the top speed of the throttle on an ebike.
Does the Velotric Nomad 1 come with fenders?
The Nomad 1 is shipped with the rear fender attached and you will have to attach the front fender after installing the front tire. The fenders are large and offer great coverage.
I would have preferred metal fenders over plastic, but understand this helps keep the bike budget-friendly.
What type of display is on the Velotric Nomad 1?
The Nomad 1 comes with a large grayscale display that reminds me of a Casio Watch from the 90s. The display works well in direct sunlight but I would have liked to see a color display.
We do see that most budget ebikes have a grayscale display which helps to keep costs down.
A few improvements coming in the future
Jimmy and I really hate the powered rear light which has its own separate battery. The light isn’t that bright and if you forget to turn it off, the battery for that small light will die.
It’s not rechargeable and it doesn’t have a quick release.
Velotric did let us know that in 2023 they will be integrating a tail light into the rear fender as they have on the Discover 1 models. We like that light because it is always on, gets brighter when you brake, and is integrated to the ebike’s electrical system.
We also noticed the axel bolt on the rear motor hub sticks out 3/4s of an inch. It’s really long and looks like it can easily get damaged. Velotric let us know that an axle nut cover was forgotten on the first batch of bikes sent out, but in the future, the bikes should come with a cover to put over the bolt.
Click here for the current pricing of the Velotric Nomad 1.
Use coupon code FRESHLYCHARGED60 to save $60
Final Thoughts
I am very impressed with the Nomad 1. For being a new company, you can tell Velotric has experience designing quality bikes. The ride quality is excellent and it is rare we find an ebike that rides great without pedal assist levels on.
The bike is aesthetically pleasing and comes in colors we have never seen on an ebike. The hydraulic suspension is higher quality than bikes in this class.
Velotric is all about safety so they limit you to 20mph and they have UL certifications on the battery and bike. The bike is versatile with its water resistance rating and fat tires that you can ride in all seasons. They pack all these features at a budget-friendly price.
Overall, you can’t find a much better fat tire ebike that you can use year-round rain or shine at this price point.
Velotric Nomad 1 Discount Codes, Coupon Codes, and Pricing
Click here for the current pricing of the Velotric Nomad 1.
Use coupon code FRESHLYCHARGED60 to save $60
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We are Andrew and Jimmy, two guys who love personal electric vehicles, and we hope to share our experiences and reviews to help you find the best next PEV for your needs.
