GoKawiilThe Nomad 2's bulkiness lends a nice sturdiness to its frame. The handlebars are easy to adjust to a comfortable height, and achieving a good fit is a cinch. Maneuvering and steering took some getting used to as I learned to control the weight. When I first got on the bike, I did some practice loops around my subdivision before taking it on busy roads and trail connectors. I immediately felt confident in both the mechanical and electronic components of the bike.
Photograph: Maggie Slepian
The Tektro hydraulic disc brakes were responsive, even after I pinned the throttle, but I’d still exercise caution in traffic. It’s a heavy bike, and you don’t want to risk delayed stopping. The Velotric has a left-thumb throttle, similar to the one I did not love on the Centris 2 folding ebike. But here, the mechanisms are easier to control. I still prefer a right-hand twist throttle, like on the Rad Radster and HeyBike Ranger, but I was able to dial in throttle speed and easily hold it in place on this ebike. There’s enough resistance to stop me from accidentally zooming forward, but it’s not fatiguing to hold down.
Life in the Fast (Sturdy, Convenient) Lane
The electronics on the Nomad 2 are intuitive and easy to use. Even in direct sunlight, the 3.5-inch, full-color display screen was easy to read. I found it simple to toggle through various settings for power engagement, speed limiters, and ride settings. Unlike with some other electronics (like my automatic cat feeder), I didn’t have any issues learning the commands and buttons on the bike’s touchscreen.
The front light is a whopping 500 lumens, and the brake light and turn signals are all bright and easy to see while riding in traffic—a requirement for me whenever I commute on an ebike.
The 750-watt motor revs up immediately and gets to the desired speed in just a few seconds. The bike comes set as a Class 2 ebike out of the box with a default maximum speed of 20 mph. But once you unlock it via the display screen’s settings, the Nomad 2 can reach up to Class 3 speeds (28 mph with pedal assist). It’s important to note that Class 3 bikes typically aren’t allowed on trails or in parks, so you’ll have to stay in Class 2 settings in those areas. Always make sure to follow Class 3 bike restrictions for your state, including specifications around helmets and age. During my testing, I maxed out at 28 mph on regular traffic streets and stayed within the Class 2 setting for off-road riding.