#A Stealthy & Comfy Ride – Review Geek

Yes, you’ll need to do some assembly, but that’s only one bolt for the front tire, screwing on the pedals, dropping the seat in, and adjusting the handlebars. Compared to other electric bikes on the market, this is hands-down one of the easiest to “assemble,” and I’d barely call it that. It’s easy enough that anyone can do it.

As you can see above, there’s a smaller box inside the package with all the tools you’ll need, some instructions and the charger. This bike doesn’t have an LCD screen, which is a bit of a bummer, but that’s also one less thing to plug in and install. The entire process shouldn’t take you more than 15-20 minutes. Make sure the battery is charged and hit the pavement.

Riding the Thunder 1 ST

Many cheaper ebikes have a cadence sensor that’s basically a magnet to sense when you pedal. As you do, it engages the motor and only stops sending power when you stop pedaling. This often delivers a jerky experience as the electric motor kicks on and off.

The Velotric Thunder 1 ST’s torque sensor is incredibly smooth to the point that you almost don’t feel it at all. It’s gentle, easy, and the more you pedal, the faster the bike goes. It’s pretty impressive.

Anyone with an iPhone should be familiar with Find My. For those who aren’t, it’s a crowdsourced network that uses every iPhone, iPad, iPod, AirPods, and millions of devices to create a tracking network (anonymously) over Bluetooth.

If any nearby Apple device spots another, it’ll be in the Find My network. You can easily search for and find your Thunder 1 ST, add it to Find My, and track its location 24/7. This is amazingly helpful if someone steals your bike, and it’ll even alert your phone if you accidentally leave it behind.

The Apple Find My network is end-to-end encrypted for privacy, all while being extremely accurate with locating devices. I could easily see where my Fiance was on her bike ride, and it would be equally simple for law enforcement to track down a stolen ebike.

Battery life and range will vary depending on multiple factors, including rider weight, pedal assist levels, wind, and road conditions. Thankfully, the bike seems more than capable enough to go 50 miles on a single charge.

Last weekend I went on two 10-mile rides throughout town. For most of it, I used the two highest pedal-assist levels and enjoyed high speeds, and I still had 3/4 bars remaining. I expected a bit less, so that was a welcomed surprise. However, there’s no screen showing an exact percentage, only the four white LEDs on the top tube.

Charging back to 100% took under three hours, and I was ready for my next adventure, a 13-mile loop at night with some friends. Again, battery life was never a concern. Unlocking the faster 25mph mode (which may not be legal in your state or region) didn’t seem to change the battery life, and my results were nothing less than stellar.

Being able to ride for days without worrying about battery life makes the Velotric Thunder 1 ST an excellent bike for those who want to worry about where to ride—not whether or not they remembered to charge their bike.

And yes, for those curious, there’s an opening on the bottom to access the user-replaceable battery pack if needed.

With a $1,499 retail price and no display, I still think the Velotric Thunder 1 ST is a solid value, especially for someone looking for a safe and comfortable road ebike. Find My support is valuable, too, as it gives you less to worry about in the case of loss or theft. But again, this is a road bike, so make sure that’s what you want.

I’d argue it’s also an excellent choice for beginners, as you don’t have to worry about a lengthy assembly, screens full of menus, or other nonsense. Just hop on, pedal, and enjoy the wind in your face. I took it through the Red Rock Canyon outside Las Vegas for a scenic 13-mile loop and loved every minute. The motor helps enough to keep on pace without making it feel like I’m simply riding a moped.

If you’re looking for a solid ebike that’ll deliver a workout on the road without breaking the bank, this is for you. Look elsewhere if you want to squeeze a throttle and reach top speeds without any work.

Honestly, it’s a great middle-ground that delivers an awesome electric bike experience in a package that looks, feels, and rides closer to a regular bike. The Velotric Thunder 1 ST doesn’t aim for top speeds, the best styling, or pile on a slew of fancy features. Instead, it’s a well-rounded and competent modern ebike that’s an absolute blast to ride.