Commuter vs. Fat Tire Bike Decision (Velotric Discover 2 vs Velotric Nomad 2)

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popintx

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I'm new to this forum and am wanting to purchase my first E Bike. I have pretty much narrowed it down between the Velotric Discover 2 and Velotric Nomad 2. I test rode the Discover 2 and really liked it but haven't test rode the Nomad. I am 71 and in reasonably good shape. I will be riding almost exclusively for recreation around town on paved roads but want the ability to occasionally ride on light dirt trails or smooth packed gravel trails or grassy areas. I would never do any serious mountain biking or riding on rutted or rocky trails.

I think the Discover 2 will meet all of my needs and I particularly like the lighter weight and how easy it rides. I'd like any advice or thoughts on if this bike will handle how I intend to use the bike, or should I consider something more "substantial" such as the Nomad. Thanks!
 
For what you are Describing, 2.5 -2.8 inch tires would be great.

I think we have some Discover2 owners :unsure:
 
You "might" want to check out the Radster Trail by Rad Power bikes , plenty of power and has 3In(3) Mid fat tires vs the standard 4in . PLus depending on where you live their might be a local bike shop or even a RAD center close by that sells and services.
 
popintx said:
I'm new to this forum and am wanting to purchase my first E Bike. I have pretty much narrowed it down between the Velotric Discover 2 and Velotric Nomad 2. I test rode the Discover 2 and really liked it but haven't test rode the Nomad. I am 71 and in reasonably good shape. I will be riding almost exclusively for recreation around town on paved roads but want the ability to occasionally ride on light dirt trails or smooth packed gravel trails or grassy areas. I would never do any serious mountain biking or riding on rutted or rocky trails.

I think the Discover 2 will meet all of my needs and I particularly like the lighter weight and how easy it rides. I'd like any advice or thoughts on if this bike will handle how I intend to use the bike, or should I consider something more "substantial" such as the Nomad. Thanks!
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I ride dirt roads in Vermont with the D2 and it does really well- even on the 18% grade leading to my house. Very occasional patches of 4" thick gravel (the road crew can over-compensate for mud) render the bike unstable and i walk it thru. Bur 99% of the time it conquers dirt roads and potholes easily.
 
popintx said:
I'm new to this forum and am wanting to purchase my first E Bike. I have pretty much narrowed it down between the Velotric Discover 2 and Velotric Nomad 2. I test rode the Discover 2 and really liked it but haven't test rode the Nomad. I am 71 and in reasonably good shape. I will be riding almost exclusively for recreation around town on paved roads but want the ability to occasionally ride on light dirt trails or smooth packed gravel trails or grassy areas. I would never do any serious mountain biking or riding on rutted or rocky trails.

I think the Discover 2 will meet all of my needs and I particularly like the lighter weight and how easy it rides. I'd like any advice or thoughts on if this bike will handle how I intend to use the bike, or should I consider something more "substantial" such as the Nomad. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Should be easy, Don't ride a comuter off-road. they're really not built for it. I tore mine up in no time:giggle:
 
I'd seriously consider the Amie Santa Monica, similar weight more power, really nice ride. Both have some availability in local bike shops & obviously best to test ride both if you can.
 
I feel I have to say, I've been looking at a couple of used Aimas. I like their look and quality of build, but I am very worried about the availability of replacement parts, not to mention the price of those parts. A new controller for the Santa Monica is hard to find and costs $400.00, which is about a 400 percent mark up and since they have a torque sensor it would be hard to source elsewhere. Things do break and if they do, you will be very quickly upside down on the cost of the bike. They need to do better.
 
Of those two, Discover 2 is the better option for you. You don't need to be hauling all that extra weight around in the form of fat tires and wheels just for the occasional/maybe scenario.

I have 2.4" wide tires on my commuter and it handles gravel and dirt trails no problem. Very good even, when deflated a bit.

Would you be buying from a local Velotric dealer who can provide you with support? ...because I've read here from a few owners that the company itself will leave the owners out to dry, but obviously not their dealers.

I can recommend Aventon; the Pace series would seem to suit your needs.
 
I have a VD2 and like it. I don't have any bike with fat tires on it to compare it with, but from all the riding I have done this summer, about 700 Mi so far, it handles the road excellent, and also gravel trails very well. I purchased mine from a local bike shop, and they will process all the warranty work on my behalf if something were to go wrong, and am happy with my purchase. I see a fellow buzzing around the streets almost daily with fat tires, and I wonder if he ever makes it to gravel or grass trails? I can hear him coming a block away from the tires over pavement sound, and wonder if he wouldn't be happier with a lesser-sized road tire? Probably the best option would be to have two e-bikes, one for road/commuting, and the other durable enough to go off road. What the heck, It's only money!
 
Thumb throttle is a deal breaker for me. Its tolerable for a short test ride, try a long ride. I replaced my left thumb throttle (on my first and only bike with a thumb throttle) with a right half twist within a month. Try to test something with a twist throttle for comparison. It seems all the new bikes are all thumbs
 
Ebiker549 said:
Thumb throttle is a deal breaker for me. Its tolerable for a short test ride, try a long ride. I replaced my left thumb throttle (on my first and only bike with a thumb throttle) with a right half twist within a month. Try to test something with a twist throttle for comparison. It seems all the new bikes are all thumbs
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I never thought about changing out my thumb throttle with a grip twist throttle. Maybe because I've never had a problem with it or have never been dissatisfied with it?
 
Smaug said:
Thumb throttle is considered safer, because a novice rider is less likely to actuate it by accident than a twist grip throttle.
Click to expand...
Yup, I've seen it happen and it wasn't pretty. My wife's first ebike had a twist throttle, and during one ride we were slowing and coming to a stop. She lost her balance and twisted the throttle by accident, both her and the bike hit the ground, she wasn't hurt but her pride took a good hit. That was the last twist throttle ever on any of my bikes, sure it was an accident and user error, but way too easy to accidentally twist under stress.
 
If you go off road much and need to pop over a rock or a stump, your natural instinct is to stand off the seat and help lift the front wheel, while grabbing the grips. If the obstacle forces you backwards, you are going to sit down while holding the grips, which of course twists them and you have now just become a rocket launcher. Sadly, you are the rocket. I don't much like twist grips.
 

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