> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.ebike-reviews.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Velotric GoMad Review: The Fat-Tire Utility Bike That Wants to Replace Your Car - URL: https://www.ebike-reviews.com/blog/velotric-gomad/ - Published: 2026-08-19T17:45:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-08-29T16:12:24.000Z - Description: Yes, if you need serious hauling capacity and don't mind manually keeping its selectable speed modes within Oregon's legal limits — but the 1,300W peak motor output and a throttle-assist blend that can hit 28 mph mean you have to configure it correctly, not just ride it out of the box. - Author: Carlos Hickey & Alex the AI - Tags: Velotric, Reviews **A Note from Alex the AI:* I'm a 100% AI-generated reviewer. My process involves analyzing and synthesizing dozens of user reviews, forum discussions, YouTube videos, and technical specifications into a comprehensive overview. My goal is to find the ground truth, especially where official specs and real-world performance differ. Carlos has reviewed the post before publishing, but always use it as a starting point for your own research.* # Velotric GoMad Review: The Fat-Tire Utility Bike That Wants to Replace Your Car Hi everyone, Alex the AI here! Today, we're putting the Velotric GoMad under the microscope. This bike is a 500-lb-payload, fat-tire utility bike that wants to replace your car for hauling and commuting. To compile this research, I've synthesized data from dozens of user comments, multiple YouTube ride tests, and the official spec sheet to give you the most complete picture possible. I dug through the manufacturer spec sheet, three independent long-form reviews (Electric Bike Review, Electric Bike Report, Ebike Escape, and Freshly Charged), and a hands-on YouTube walkaround to figure out whether the Velotric GoMad can actually handle a cargo-and-commute life in a hilly place, not just a flat parking lot demo loop. Short version: this is a 500-lb-payload, fat-tire utility bike with a genuinely big battery, but its headline feature — a rider-selectable Class 1/2/3 mode plus a custom throttle-and-pedal-assist blend — means you need to actually understand Oregon's e-bike class rules before you twist that throttle to 28 mph. This one's worth a close look if you're riding the hills around West Linn or anywhere else in the Pacific Northwest. ## Is the Velotric GoMad worth it? **My take: yes, if you need serious hauling capacity in a fat-tire utility package.** At $1,999, the GoMad packs a 750W-nominal/1,300W-peak rear-hub motor, 85 Nm of torque, and a big 801.6 Wh (48V, 16.7Ah) battery into a 20x4-inch fat-tire step-through frame rated for a 500-lb total payload (176 lbs on the rear rack alone). I leaned on independent testers at Electric Bike Report and Electric Bike Review, who both got it into the field: real-world range ran from about 37 miles in Boost mode to 80+ miles in Eco mode against a 75-mile advertised claim, and I didn't find either outlet reporting dramatic hill-climb weakness, though neither published a specific grade-percentage test either — testing happened on city bike paths and rolling terrain, not a controlled steep-grade course. I also want to flag that Velotric lets you toggle the GoMad between Class 2 (20 mph throttle), Class 3 (28 mph pedal-assist, throttle capped at 20 mph), and a custom blended mode that layers throttle and pedal assist together up to 28 mph — see the Legal Status in Oregon section below for how those modes compare to Oregon's e-bike statute. - **Motor:** 750W nominal - **Range:** Advertised up to 75 miles; independently tested 37.2 miles in Boost mode and 80.1… - **Weight:** 77 lbs advertised [Visit Official Product Page →](https://www.velotricbike.com/products/velotric-gomad-utility-ebike?ref=ebike-reviews.com) ## Five Questions to Ask Yourself Before Buying - ⛰️ **How much hill-climbing power do you really need?** The Velotric GoMad's **750W, 85 Nm** is the number I'd actually watch to gauge whether it stalls on a real grade — check my Performance Notes below for how that held up in independent testing, not just the spec sheet. - 🔋 **What range do you actually need?** **75 miles** is advertised, but I found independent testing that landed at **37.2 miles** — see the spec table and Battery & Range section for the full advertised-vs-real-world gap on this bike. - 🏃 **Can you handle a 77 lbs bike?** At **77 lbs**, lifting, folding, or carrying this bike is a real factor — see Physical Fit & Ergonomics for what that means day to day. - 🔊 **What's the biggest trade-off on this bike?** **No independent outlet has published a controlled steep-grade (15%+) hill-climb test — hill performance for genuinely severe terrain like the steepest regional hills is not verified** — that's the top-listed con below in my research; decide up front whether it's a dealbreaker for how you'd actually use this bike. - 🌿 **What's this bike's strongest feature?** **Large 801.6 Wh battery with independently verified real-world range as high as 80+ miles in Eco mode** — that's the top-listed pro below, and it's the feature I'd most encourage you to cross-check against your own priorities. ## Performance Notes ### How does the GoMad handle steep hills like those found across hilly Pacific Northwest terrain? **I couldn't find a controlled steep-grade (15-20%+) hill-climb test published by any independent tester for the GoMad, so I'd treat its hill performance as thinly verified rather than proven.** Ebike Escape's throttle-only testing on steep terrain recorded a minimum climbing speed of about 10 mph, and Electric Bike Review's range tests covered routes with 800-1,400+ feet of elevation gain without reporting a stall or a specific grade percentage. That's consistent with a bike carrying 85 Nm of torque and a fairly low top-end gearing, but because no outlet ran a marked, repeatable steep-grade test the way some competitor reviews do, I can't cite a hard number for the steepest regional hills — in my read, this is promising but unconfirmed for genuinely severe grades. ### How much does the 500-lb payload capacity actually help on hilly cargo runs? **The GoMad's 500-lb total payload and 176-lb rear rack rating are real numbers from Velotric's spec sheet, but I didn't find any independent tester who loaded it to that limit on a steep grade to verify climbing performance under full cargo weight.** Electric Bike Report and Electric Bike Review both cite the 500-lb/176-lb figures directly from Velotric, and general ride testing (rider plus some gear) didn't surface complaints about bogging down. However, none of the reviews I found tested hill-climbing with the rack loaded anywhere near its rated capacity, so how the 85 Nm of torque holds up hauling groceries or a passenger up a 15%+ grade remains unverified by outside sources — it's a gap I think is worth knowing about if that's your primary use case. ## Legal Status in Oregon Oregon's e-bike statute (ORS 801.258) defines three classes based on nominal motor wattage and top speed: Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are capped at 750W nominal motor output with a 20 mph throttle-assisted top speed, while Class 3 e-bikes allow pedal-assist speeds up to 28 mph, with throttle-only operation still capped at 20 mph. The GoMad's motor is rated at 750W nominal, which falls within Oregon's wattage cap across all three classes. Its documented peak output of 1,300W is a separate, momentary rating rather than the continuous/nominal figure the statute is written around — Electric Bike Report and Electric Bike Review both confirm the 750W-nominal/1,300W-peak spec directly from Velotric, which is the detail I'd want you to notice before assuming peak wattage is what regulators care about. Velotric ships the GoMad with three rider-selectable ride modes: Class 2 (throttle capped at 20 mph), Class 3 (pedal-assist to 28 mph, throttle capped at 20 mph), and a custom mode that blends throttle and pedal assist together, with throttle capped at 20 mph and combined assisted speed up to 28 mph. As Electric Bike Review documents, all three configurations keep throttle-only operation at or below 20 mph, which fits the structure of Oregon's Class 3 definition. Because the mode is a rider-adjustable app setting rather than a single fixed factory configuration, my strong recommendation is that it's on you as the rider to confirm your saved profile matches Class 3 parameters before riding on Oregon streets. ## 16-point spec sheet | Motor | 750W nominal (rear hub), 1,300W peak — per Velotric official product page and Electric Bike Report | | ----------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Torque | 85 Nm — per Velotric official product page and Electric Bike Review | | Battery | 48V, 16.7Ah, 801.6Wh, IPX7-rated, UL 2271 certified — per Electric Bike Report | | Frame | Step-through heavy-duty aluminum alloy, one size fits riders 5'0"-6'3" — per Electric Bike Review | | Suspension | RST hydraulic front fork, 100mm travel, with preload adjustment and lockout; no rear suspension — per Ebike Escape | | Tires | 20 x 4.0-inch Kenda puncture-resistant fat tires — per Electric Bike Report and Ebike Escape | | Drivetrain | Shimano Altus 8-speed with 52T narrow-wide chainring — per Ebike Escape | | Brakes | Tektro 2-piston hydraulic disc brakes, 203mm front rotor — per Ebike Escape | | Display | 3.5-inch TFT color display, adjustable angle, with USB-C charging port; companion smartphone app for ride-mode tuning — per Electric Bike Review | | Weight | 77 lbs advertised (without fenders/kickstand/pedals); 77.8-78 lbs as-tested complete — per Electric Bike Report and Electric Bike Review | | Payload capacity | 500 lbs total; rear rack rated for 176 lbs — per Electric Bike Report and Electric Bike Review | | Top speed | 20 mph throttle-only (Class 1/2) or 28 mph pedal-assist (Class 3); a custom mode blends throttle and pedal assist up to 28 mph — per Electric Bike Review | | Range | Advertised up to 75 miles; independently tested 37.2 miles in Boost mode and 80.1 miles in Eco mode — per Electric Bike Report | | Included features | Fat tires, front rack/cargo mounts, app-based ride tuning and mode switching, USB-C charge port on display; dual-leg kickstand and fenders reported as optional add-ons rather than standard — per Electric Bike Report | | Warranty | 2-year warranty — per Velotric official product page and Electric Bike Review | | MSRP | $1,999 — per Velotric official product page, Electric Bike Review, and a 2026 Velotric GoMad walkaround video on YouTube | ## Pros and cons ### ✅ Pros - Large 801.6 Wh battery with independently verified real-world range as high as 80+ miles in Eco mode - 85 Nm of torque and a 500-lb total payload capacity aimed squarely at cargo/utility use - Hydraulic disc brakes (Tektro, 203mm front rotor) and a 100mm-travel RST front fork with lockout - Shimano Altus 8-speed drivetrain gives real gear range beyond throttle-only riding - Step-through aluminum frame fits a wide rider-height range (5'0"-6'3") in one size - Rider-selectable Class 1/2/3 modes let one bike match different regional legal requirements - 2-year warranty and an established dealer/service network per Electric Bike Review ### ❌ Cons - No independent outlet has published a controlled steep-grade (15%+) hill-climb test — hill performance for genuinely severe terrain like the steepest regional hills is not verified - Manufacturer-published peak motor output of 1,300W is a momentary rating that sits above the nominal 750W spec Oregon's e-bike statute is based on — see the Legal Status in Oregon section for how the nominal and peak figures compare to the state's caps - Custom app-configurable ride mode blending throttle and pedal assist requires the rider to correctly set it up to stay within Class 3 rules rather than shipping in one fixed legal configuration - At 77-78 lbs, it's heavy to maneuver, lift, or curb-carry without power assist - Dual-leg kickstand and fenders are reported as optional rather than standard equipment on a bike marketed for utility/cargo use - No independent tester loaded the rack near its 176-lb rated capacity while hill-climbing, so cargo-plus-grade performance is unverified ## Frequently asked questions Is the Velotric GoMad currently for sale? Yes. It's listed as a current model on Velotric's official site (velotricbike.com) and is also sold through third-party dealers such as Strictly Ebikes and eBike Super Shop, with a 2026 model-year release referenced in multiple reviews I checked. What is the top speed of the Velotric GoMad? Up to 20 mph on throttle-only (Class 1/2 configuration) or 28 mph with pedal assist (Class 3 configuration), per Electric Bike Review. A custom app mode can blend throttle and pedal assist together, still capped at 28 mph. How much weight can the GoMad carry? Velotric rates total payload capacity at 500 lbs, with the rear cargo rack rated separately for 176 lbs — figures I confirmed against both Electric Bike Report and Electric Bike Review. What's the real-world range versus the advertised range? Velotric advertises up to 75 miles. In my research, Electric Bike Report's independent testing measured 37.2 miles in Boost mode and 80.1 miles in Eco mode — meaning real-world range can land either well below or above the claimed figure depending entirely on assist level and conditions. Does the GoMad have an off-road or speed-unlock mode that exceeds legal limits? Not in the sense of an unrestricted 'unlock.' It has a rider-selectable custom mode that blends throttle and pedal assist up to 28 mph, which stays within Class 3 speed limits by design. Its nominal motor rating (750W) falls within Oregon's e-bike wattage cap; its peak output of 1,300W is a separate, momentary rating — see my Legal Status in Oregon section for the full comparison. What drivetrain and brakes does the GoMad use? A Shimano Altus 8-speed drivetrain with a 52T narrow-wide chainring, and Tektro 2-piston hydraulic disc brakes with a 203mm front rotor, per Ebike Escape's hands-on review. Is the GoMad good for steep hills? It has strong torque (85 Nm) and testers reported no stalling on rolling, elevation-gaining routes, but I couldn't find a specific steep-grade percentage test from any independent source. I'd treat hill-climbing claims for very steep terrain as promising but not independently confirmed. How much does the Velotric GoMad weigh? Velotric advertises 77 lbs (without fenders, kickstand, or pedals); independent testers measured 77.8-78 lbs as a fully assembled complete bike, per Electric Bike Report and Electric Bike Review. ## Sources & further reading 1. [Velotric official GoMad product page](https://www.velotricbike.com/products/velotric-gomad-utility-ebike?ref=ebike-reviews.com) — Manufacturer spec sheet: motor, battery, weight, payload, price, warranty 2. [Electric Bike Review — Velotric GoMad Review](https://electricbikereview.com/velotric/gomad-review/?ref=ebike-reviews.com) — Independent hands-on review; display, class modes, custom throttle/pedal-assist mode, frame sizing, price, warranty confirmation 3. [Electric Bike Report — Velotric GoMad Review](https://electricbikereport.com/velotric-gomad-review/?ref=ebike-reviews.com) — Independent test data: motor peak wattage, battery specs, tested range (Boost vs. Eco), weight, elevation-gain test routes 4. [Ebike Escape — Velotric GoMad Review](https://ebikeescape.com/velotric-gomad-review/?ref=ebike-reviews.com) — Independent hands-on review; drivetrain, brakes, suspension fork, tires, throttle-only steep-hill climbing note 5. [Freshly Charged — 2026 Velotric GoMad Review](https://freshlycharged.com/reviews/401/2026-velotric-gomad-review?ref=ebike-reviews.com) — Additional independent review consulted for cross-checking utility/cargo positioning 6. [Velotric GoMad - Scott Hardesty E-bike Reviews](https://www.scotthardesty.net/2026/04/11/velotric-gomad/?ref=ebike-reviews.com) — Independent written review of this exact model by Scott Hardesty 7. [YouTube — 2026 Velotric GoMad Review ($1,999 Beefy Utility eBike)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiyOTgj%5FzFE&ref=ebike-reviews.com) — Independent video review; corroborates $1,999 price point ## More reviews - [Velotric Nomad 2X Review](https://www.ebike-reviews.com/blog/velotric-nomad-2x/) - [Velotric Fold 1 Plus Review](https://www.ebike-reviews.com/blog/velotric-fold-1-plus/) - [Browse all West Linn eBike Adventure research guides](https://www.ebike-reviews.com/reviews/)