ALL Electric 
In the full review (10 sections)
Should you buy one?
Buy the Nomad 1 if you want a fat-tire bike that rides well on any surface and looks better than its price. The 750W motor gives plenty of power on snow, dirt and gravel (2:16 to 2:31). The fat tires make it the more cushioned of the two Velotric bikes I tested side by side (9:02 to 9:13, 10:10 to 10:18). The battery is built in and painted to match the frame (1:59 to 2:11).
Skip it if you need a rack or a tail light. Mine had a fender but no rear rack and no rear tail light (1:16 to 1:28). Also skip it if you want full throttle in every assist level. The throttle is limited in the low levels (7:00 to 7:56).
The deciding factor: comfort versus price. It cost about $400 more than the Discover 1, at $1,499 (9:57 to 10:10). For that you get the bigger motor and the fat tires.
I reviewed the Nomad 1 and the Velotric Discover 1 in one video, so some of what I say covers both bikes.
Check the Nomad at Velotric (the Nomad 1 page now shows the Nomad 1 Plus at $1,899, sold out, on velotricbike.com as of Oct 23, 2026)
Quick specs
| Spec | Velotric Nomad 1 |
|---|---|
| Type | Fat tire, step-thru or high-step (Velotric) |
| Motor | 750W rear hub (2:16 to 2:23); 1,200W peak, 75 Nm (Velotric) |
| Battery | 48V 14.4Ah (691Wh) Samsung, removable, color-matched (1:59 to 2:11; Velotric) |
| Rated range | 55 mi pedal assist, 52 mi throttle (Velotric) |
| Class | Class 2, 20 mph (Velotric) |
| Sensor | Cadence (8:04 to 8:54) |
| Throttle | Thumb, on the left side (1:01 to 1:10) |
| Brakes | Hydraulic disc, 180mm rotors (Velotric) |
| Suspension | Front fork (10:10 to 10:18); 80mm hydraulic with lockout (Velotric) |
| Tires | 26 x 4.0 in, puncture-resistant (Velotric) |
| Gears | Shimano 8-speed, thumb shifter (1:28 to 1:42; Velotric) |
| Display | Grayscale (1:10 to 1:12); 3.5 in backlit LCD (Velotric) |
| Lights | Headlight only; no tail light (1:14 to 1:28) |
| Weight | 73 lb high-step, 72 lb step-thru (Velotric) |
| Max load | 440 lb total (Velotric) |
| Charger | 48V 3A, 5 to 6 hours (Velotric) |
Source note: times in parentheses are from my review video of the Nomad 1 and Discover 1. Everything marked (Velotric) is from Velotric’s Nomad 1 product and spec page and its owner’s manual. The 63 lb weight I mention in the video is the Discover 1, not the Nomad.
What I didn’t test
I didn’t run a range test, a top-speed test, or a braking test, and I didn’t weigh the Nomad. The 55 mile range, the 73 lb weight and the 440 lb load are Velotric’s numbers. My hill test in this video was on the Discover 1 (2:50 to 3:02), not the Nomad.
Who it’s for
- Riders on mixed surfaces, including snow, dirt and gravel (2:16 to 2:31).
- Riders who want a softer ride from fat tires (9:02 to 9:13).
- Riders who care about looks. I think the styling is second to none at this budget (2:31 to 2:48).
- Riders who like all the controls on one side. The throttle sits on the left with the brake (1:01 to 1:10).
Who should look elsewhere
- Commuters who want a rack and a tail light out of the box (1:16 to 1:28).
- Experienced riders who want full throttle in PAS 1. It’s capped at about 8 mph there (7:06 to 7:16).
- Riders who want a torque sensor (8:42 to 8:54).
How it compares
| Velotric Nomad 1 | Velotric Nomad 2 | Velotric Discover 1 | Bee Cool Pathfinder | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,499 at review; Nomad 1 Plus $1,899, sold out (Oct 23, 2026) | $1,999 | About $1,300 at review | $1,399, sold out (Oct 22, 2026) |
| Motor | 750W, 75 Nm | 750W, 90 Nm | 500W, 65 Nm | 750W, 92 Nm |
| Battery | 691Wh | 705.6Wh | 692Wh | 48V 20Ah |
| Tires | 26 x 4.0 in | 26 x 4.0 in | 26 x 2.5 in | 26 x 4 in |
| Fork | 80mm | 100mm | 80mm | Front fork |
| Weight | 73 lb | 75 lb | About 63.5 lb | not listed |
Rival specs are from the brands, as listed on my review pages for those bikes.
The Nomad 2 is the successor, with more torque and a longer fork. The Discover 1 is the lighter commuter I tested alongside it.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Plenty of power on loose surfaces (2:16 to 2:31)
- Cushioned ride from the fat tires (9:02 to 9:13)
- Smooth thumb-and-index shifter (1:28 to 1:42)
- Battery color-matched to the frame (1:59 to 2:11)
- Paint protection film where the chain slaps (2:14 to 2:16)
Cons
- No rear rack or tail light (1:16 to 1:28)
- Throttle limited in low assist levels (7:00 to 7:56)
- Cadence sensor, not torque (8:42 to 8:54)
- Heavier than the Discover 1 (1:45 to 1:51)
FAQ
Does the throttle work from a stop?
Yes, but not at full power in the low levels. In PAS 1 it only reaches about 8 mph. You go up to PAS 5 for full throttle (7:06 to 7:16).
Is the Nomad 1 better than the Discover 1?
It’s more comfortable, thanks to the 750W motor and fat tires (9:02 to 9:13). It costs about $400 more (9:57 to 10:10).
Does it have a rear rack?
Not on mine. It had a fender but no rack and no tail light (1:16 to 1:28).
Can I still buy it new?
Velotric’s Nomad 1 page now shows the Nomad 1 Plus at $1,899, sold out (Oct 23, 2026). The Nomad 2 is $1,999.
Price
I tested it at $1,499 (9:57 to 10:10). As of Oct 23, 2026, the same product page on velotricbike.com lists the Nomad 1 Plus at $1,899, and every version shows as sold out.
Related reviews and guides
“fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)
