Key Takeaways

• The Velotric Go 1 is a compact and lightweight cargo ebike with excellent power delivery and a smooth riding experience.
• The Go 1 has one of the best and most well-thought-out unboxing experiences of any ebike.
• While the Go 1 has expensive accessories you'll likely want to purchase, it is still a practical and versatile cargo ebike under $2000.

If you want a compact full-throttle cargo ebike that can haul your lighter groceries, everything you need for that picnic at the park, maybe even suitable for a smaller adult or child, and also has excellent power delivery and comfort, then the Velotric Go 1 is one of the smaller yet still capable choices in 2023.

According to Velotric, the Go 1 is a "compact utility ebike made to spark joy in your everyday errands." While I can't remember the last time I felt joy running errands, the Go 1 is certainly a great companion to have and arguably one of the more practical and versatile cargo ebikes for under $2000, especially when paired with its optional accessories.

Assembly

Things were off to a good start for the Go 1 as Velotric took the hassle out of unboxing and assembly with clever packaging design. The box opens downward like a regular product box, eliminating the need to cut, rip, or struggle with cardboard staples as you attempt to open the box up. I lifted a few latches which then allowed me to open the front of the box and start assembling the bike.

The box even transformed into a flat work area during assembly, protecting my carpet as I put the bike together in my living room. After experiencing this, I want every other ebike brand to do this.

Going for extra brownie points, Velotric scores high marks not only for the user-friendly shipping box, but the accessories, tools, and battery are neatly organized and labeled, demonstrating a well-thought-out unboxing experience. The Go 1 simplifies the assembly process further with an uncommon dual-leg, spring-loaded, center-mounted kickstand.

This unique design lifts the front of the bike off the ground, allowing for easy front wheel installation without requiring an extra set of hands or the need to flip the bike over.

But these center stands can be a nuisance when parking the bike in tighter or more awkward spaces (such as inside an apartment), and can be very difficult to engage when the bike is fully loaded up.

The entire unboxing and installation took around 45 minutes. With the handlebars in place, wires connected, and tires pumped up, I was all set for that exciting first ride.

Small, but Capable

Unlike many of Velotric's other ebikes like the Thunder 1 ST or Nomad 1, you're limited to just two choices of color: Forest or Indigo Gray. Indigo Gray is a good neutral color, though I couldn't help but be drawn to the deep, dark green of the Forest option.

The bike is best suited for riders between 5’0” to 6’6”. At 5'9", I was very comfortable with the seat post raised about halfway. Even someone as petite as my partner, who measures 5’0”, found the Go 1 to be one of the easier ebikes to hop on and off (even compared to others that claim to accommodate 5’0” riders), comfortably touching her toes to the ground without any issues.

For its saddle, we find the relatively wide and plush "Velotric urban comfort ergonomic seat." Both my partner and I found it to be more comfortable than average. The stem uses a quick-release clamp for height adjustments.

The bike's step-through frame is constructed from aluminum alloy. There are some noticeable welding marks, especially on its main downtube, though for the most part, the build quality seems solid.

Just as with the Velotric Nomad 1, the Go 1 doesn't hide its ebike identity. The removable battery is installed on the top of the frame, with a noticeable gap that draws attention to its power source.

All of its cables are routed internally, where they exit from the bottom of the front end of the downtube to connect with display, front light, and brakes. Keeping things tidy, Velotric includes plastic cable wraps. Similar to their other recent bikes, the Go 1 also works with Apple Find My to help you track where your bike is. While it won't replace a dedicated lock, you can get iPhone notifications if you've left it behind or keep tabs on its most recent location ping.

The Velotric Go 1 ebike is equipped with puncture-resistant 20 x 3.0” CST tires. These semi-fat tires are larger compared to the standard 20" x 2.4" tires found on rivals like the Aventon Abound. This slight increase in size does come with trade-offs like potential decreases in efficiency and added weight.

However, it's a trade-off that pays off when absorbing bumps and handling obstacles. If you're looking to venture off the beaten path occasionally (probably without much, if any, cargo), these tires offer a level of semi-capability to your rides. Riding on dirt paths, loose gravel, and some fields, the bike felt stable, and did a decent job at providing a relatively smooth ride. Tree roots, mounds of dirt, and sand, not so much, but still far more off-road worthy than your average cargo bike.

Weighing just 65 lbs (30kg), the Velotric Go 1 boasts a more compact and traditional frame size and shape and is notably lighter compared to the heftier cargo ebikes that often range between 75-90 lbs. This reduction in weight can be attributed to its shorter rear end, setting it apart from its longer counterparts, including the Velotric Packer 1 (we'll have a review of that soon, too).

Another huge advantage here is that the Go 1 is compatible with most hitch-mount bike racks.

While this shorter design choice does impact its rear cargo carrying capacity, it's worth considering how much extra space you genuinely require. The Go 1's seemingly modest frame is still highly versatile when combined with its optional accessories.

Hauling

With a maximum payload capacity of 440 lbs, the Go 1 is on the higher end of the cargo ebike category, likely thanks to its weight savings. The rear cargo area is welded on, rather than bolted, adding additional strength to handle up to 120 lbs. You can distribute that to its basket or third-party side saddles or by adding a rear seat for smaller adults and children.

To fully unlock the potential of the Go 1, you might find yourself considering its array of optional accessories. The most popular choices include the Front Basket ($90), Rear Basket ($90), Seat Pad ($67), Passenger Handrail ($57), and Rear Pegs ($30).

While the accessories undoubtedly match the bike's build and design, their price tags might raise a few eyebrows—the seat pad in particular. Velotric incentivizes you to purchase one of its combo accessory packs at the same time by saving you a bit with a bundle instead of buying them individually later on.

Our testing involved the front basket, rear seat, passenger handrails, and rear pegs, with the combined total reaching an additional $244.

Considering that we've reviewed super budget folding fat tire 750W ebikes like the Cycrown Cycknight that go for $600 when on deep sale, it may bring some pause before hitting the checkout button.

That said, all the accessories are impeccably molded to match the bike's frame and design.

The rear pegs fold up when not in use, while the rear seat is plush and makes me wish I was 50 pounds lighter and a foot shorter so I could ride on the back while someone else did all the pedaling.

While perhaps the least exciting, the front basket doesn't skimp on quality, featuring a premium wood-finish bottom. It's not overly deep, but it accommodates smaller bags for day trips or the inevitable "to-go" Chipotle bag.

At the time of this review, first-party saddlebags were not offered through Velotric, though I imagine it wouldn't be difficult to find a good third-party solution in a color and size that matched the Go 1.

Although the Go 1 currently retails for $1,600.00 when on sale, you can expect to spend closer to $1700-$1800 after decking it out with your needed accessories.

Riding Experience

At the heart of the Go 1 is the Velopower H50 drive system, composed of a cadence sensor and 500W motor that can peak at 900W and deliver 65Nm of torque. Out of the box, it's categorized as a class 2 ebike, granting a maximum speed of 20 mph, though it does offer a tweakable setting that unlocks a top speed of 25 mph.

This bike won't win you over for any ludicrous acceleration. Rather, you'll appreciate its comfortable and predictable power output, which is surprisingly smooth on and off despite not using a torque sensor.

There are five levels of pedal assistance: Eco, Tour, Normal, Sport, and Turbo, each providing assistance up to speeds of 10, 12, 15, 18, and 20 mph, respectively. Additionally, a "walk mode" nudges the bike at a gentle 2.9 mph, which can be handy when navigating crowded areas.

The Go 1 uses a UL 2271 Recognized (a fire safety standard) LG Lithium-ion 48V, 14.4Ah, 691.2Wh battery. According to the manufacturer's figures, it can achieve up to 48 miles in throttle mode and up to 55 miles in pedal-assist mode.

In practical riding conditions involving a mix of hills and flat roads at speeds averaging between 15-20 mph with pedal assistance, I personally managed a range closer to 45 miles. Recharging is relatively average with a 48V, 3A charger, taking about 4 hours to reach 80% capacity and 6 hours for a full charge.

The bike features a 3.5" backlit monochrome LCD showing essential information such as speed, trip details, battery level, and power assist level. It also allows you to unlock the bike's extended 25mph speed capabilities. My only complaint here is that the battery levels are shown as five bars, rather than an actual percentage which can make estimating your remaining range difficult. Importantly, however, the display is very easy to read, even in direct sunlight.

For its drivetrain, we find a Shimano 7-speed setup with a 13-34T configuration. In stark contrast to several other 500W and 750W ebikes we've recently reviewed, where their seemingly always overpowered motor assistance often necessitates remaining in the top gear to provide any noticeable pedal input, the Go 1 takes a more relaxed approach. From our experience, the bike feels well-balanced with its motor assistance and its gearing.

For starters, while cruising along flat roads, I can comfortably ride in lower gears and still maintain a steady pace of 9-12 mph even without any pedal assistance. Switching to its Eco or Tour power modes, this is great for maintaining lower speeds or for tackling steeper inclines with just enough assistance to make the experience comfortable.

As you ramp up through the power modes, you're treated to a gradual increase in assistance that aligns with your pedaling input and desired speed. I shifted gears regularly based on elevation changes or the power mode I was in.

To test its torque, we wanted to see how well the Go 1 could climb hills using just its throttle. For reference, I'm about 160lbs (72kg) and was doing this without cargo.

Starting from a dead stop in its Turbo mode, the Go 1 was able to accelerate to about 12.5mph before maxing out its output. While we have seen other 500W options hit 14-16mph on a similar obstacle, this isn't bad. Adding some pedal assistance here goes a long way, especially if you don't want to take a big hit to your range.

Is The Velotric Go 1 The Cargo Bike for You?

The Go 1 stands out as a versatile, yet very compact cargo ebike with excellent adaptability, making it suitable whether you're running errands or taking the family on a leisurely ride, while still fitting nicely on your SUV's bike rack.

While it may not offer an adrenaline rush, it offers a reliable and smooth ride that extends beyond city limits to the occasional off-road escapade. Even with factoring another $200 to invest in its accessories to make the most of your new ride, for under $2000, the Go 1 is in a category of its own.