Not true - you can absolutely work with the bike without the app. If you leave your phone at home, you can unlock the bike with your fingerprint and adjust the levels of assist with the controller on the handlebar. The app just gives the bike so much more functionality than any other bike in it's pricepoint.
It can, depending on the incline or lack thereof. In a flat surface it can feel like a mid drive (except for gear shifting) but if you're going uphill, a mid drive will offer better performance. Keep in mind shifting with a hub drive is for pedaling while with a mid drive you're required to shift up/down by the motor. I hope this helps! Torque sensors with a hub drive can be really fun especially if you're into cycling or want a more cycling like feel but they also require more work (especially when going uphill)
That's actually a very good point about an app mitigating the need for a separate display. I like that feature, and had not even thought about that before. I assume there is a USB connector for the phone though, no? Like you, I love riding with a torque sensor, and find pedaling with one addictive, as you say. I don't have a throttle on my bike either, and with the torque sensor, I really do not miss it.
I forgot to mention it has three riding modes too which affect the acceleration. Max mode generates the most boost. Unfortunately there is no usb connector
A Velotric service rep told me that you can change pedal assist levels with the Thunder ST without the smart app but the version I reviewed you can only change with the app. There’s a big button in the middle of the frame that lights up when the bike is on and changes colors depending on what level of assist you’re on but on the Thunder 1 it’s meant to be used for fingerprint unlock. I guess on the ST, which is the only one in stock at the moment, you can use that button to change PAS.
@top5ebikes' response to you is not accurate. Both the T1 and T1ST have button control PAS control on the handlebar. You can adjust from 0-4 levels of assist by pressing and up/down button on the handlebar right by the left grip. The T1 DOES have 3 different PAS profiles (City, Adventure & Max) that give you a different dynamic response in the different levels of assist.
this is a gorgeous bike but I have been torn between it and the "dumber" and cheaper belt-drive Ride1Up Roadster V2 gravel edition, they have the same motor power and the range is no concern for me since my commute is very short and I don't mind charging nightly, I do prefer the look of the Roadster tho, they are about $450 apart...which one should I go with? appreciate any thoughts
Sorry I missed this comment! Did you go with the Velo? I would go with the Velo orrrr wait for the newest version of the Roadster to come (out which I hope will be soon.)
@@Top5ebikes I haven't made the purchase but I decided to go with the Velo! I like that it's fast enough as a road bike for commuting but can also take on some gravel trails on the weekends thanks to gears. Single-speed bikes are just not versatile enough. I might look into converting it to a drop-bar bike for more speed lol
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Wow, a reviewer that actually gives valid cons and not just fluff cons to sound good.
So everything depends on a app? Not good.
Not true - you can absolutely work with the bike without the app. If you leave your phone at home, you can unlock the bike with your fingerprint and adjust the levels of assist with the controller on the handlebar. The app just gives the bike so much more functionality than any other bike in it's pricepoint.
Does it have a tubeless ready rim?
No you can unlock it to go over 20mph to 25 mph that you can go right? This Jerry from Santa Cruz .
What I am understanding a torque sensor on a hub motor bike feels like a mid drive?
It can, depending on the incline or lack thereof. In a flat surface it can feel like a mid drive (except for gear shifting) but if you're going uphill, a mid drive will offer better performance. Keep in mind shifting with a hub drive is for pedaling while with a mid drive you're required to shift up/down by the motor.
I hope this helps! Torque sensors with a hub drive can be really fun especially if you're into cycling or want a more cycling like feel but they also require more work (especially when going uphill)
That's actually a very good point about an app mitigating the need for a separate display. I like that feature, and had not even thought about that before. I assume there is a USB connector for the phone though, no?
Like you, I love riding with a torque sensor, and find pedaling with one addictive, as you say. I don't have a throttle on my bike either, and with the torque sensor, I really do not miss it.
I forgot to mention it has three riding modes too which affect the acceleration. Max mode generates the most boost. Unfortunately there is no usb connector
Is it possible to change the amount of motor assistance without using the app? I.e. changing from PAS 1 to 2 when encountering a hill?
A Velotric service rep told me that you can change pedal assist levels with the Thunder ST without the smart app but the version I reviewed you can only change with the app. There’s a big button in the middle of the frame that lights up when the bike is on and changes colors depending on what level of assist you’re on but on the Thunder 1 it’s meant to be used for fingerprint unlock. I guess on the ST, which is the only one in stock at the moment, you can use that button to change PAS.
@top5ebikes' response to you is not accurate. Both the T1 and T1ST have button control PAS control on the handlebar. You can adjust from 0-4 levels of assist by pressing and up/down button on the handlebar right by the left grip. The T1 DOES have 3 different PAS profiles (City, Adventure & Max) that give you a different dynamic response in the different levels of assist.
And i like if the Bike has a throttle, because it gives my legs a rest when you ride long distance.
this is a gorgeous bike but I have been torn between it and the "dumber" and cheaper belt-drive Ride1Up Roadster V2 gravel edition, they have the same motor power and the range is no concern for me since my commute is very short and I don't mind charging nightly, I do prefer the look of the Roadster tho, they are about $450 apart...which one should I go with? appreciate any thoughts
Sorry I missed this comment! Did you go with the Velo? I would go with the Velo orrrr wait for the newest version of the Roadster to come (out which I hope will be soon.)
@@Top5ebikes I haven't made the purchase but I decided to go with the Velo! I like that it's fast enough as a road bike for commuting but can also take on some gravel trails on the weekends thanks to gears. Single-speed bikes are just not versatile enough. I might look into converting it to a drop-bar bike for more speed lol
I was thinking the same thing. Did you switch this out to drop-bars?
how i get a free bike?