Velotric GoMad E-Bike Review

The GoMad is a short-tail cargo e-Bike with a step-thru aluminum frame and 20x4-inch fat tires, positioned as a smaller alternative to Velotric’s Nomad 2 without losing much capability. It comes in one size, fitting riders from about 5 feet to 6 feet 3 inches with an adjustable telescoping stem.

What sets it apart from typical commuter e-Bikes is the total load-carrying capacity. The GoMad can take up to 500 lbs combined, with its rear rack alone rated for 176 lbs, enough for a child or adult passenger. That puts it near the top of its category for payload, ahead of most bikes built in a similarly compact form factor.

The rear rack is MIK-HD compatible, meaning it accepts a wide range of mounting accessories without you having to buy extra hardware. Velotric sells passenger kits built specifically for the GoMad, including a kit for carrying a child safely, plus a hidden storage bag tucked underneath the rack itself for smaller items that don’t need to be strapped down.

You can also get a front rack, which is useful for splitting weight between the front and rear ends instead of piling everything onto the back of the bike.

For anyone using the GoMad to replace short car trips, that rear rack capacity is its biggest selling point. It’s rated well above what most compact utility e-Bikes in this price range can handle.

The GoMad’s biggest party trick is SensorSwap, Velotric’s system for switching between a torque sensor and a cadence sensor on the fly by holding the display’s M button. Torque sensor mode ties the motor’s output to how hard you’re pedaling, giving a ride feel closer to a non-assisted bike. Cadence sensor mode reacts to your pedaling, delivering power more readily and getting you up to speed with less physical effort.

The reason for this is that load changes everything. When you’re riding solo and empty, the torque sensor mode feels more natural and efficient. But when you add a passenger or a loaded rear rack, cadence mode makes it easier to get moving from a stop without veins popping out of your head.

Despite its size and payload rating, the GoMad rides nimble and planted, not bulky. It stays stable at speed while still feeling responsive and quick off the line when the motor kicks in.

The bike also switches between Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 riding modes on demand. Class 2 unlocks throttle use up to 20 mph. Class 3 raises pedal-assistance speed to 28 mph but disables the throttle entirely, in line with how most states define the category. A custom mode combines throttle up to 20 mph with pedal assist up to 28 mph at the same time, which isn’t legal everywhere, so it’s worth reading up on e-Bike street legality in your area before relying on it regularly.

Front suspension and hydraulic disc brakes round out the spec nicely, with a larger front rotor to handle the extra braking force a loaded utility bike puts through the front wheel. If you ever need to service or adjust them yourself, tightening the brakes on an electric bike is a reasonable DIY job once you know the basics.

Power comes from a 750W rear hub motor with 1,300W of peak output and 85Nm of torque, enough to move a loaded bike up a real hill without stalling.

The 801.6Wh battery is UL 2271 certified, IPX7-rated for water resistance, and built into the downtube. It is also removable by key for charging or storage. Velotric claims up to 75 miles of range in pedal-assist mode and 50 miles on throttle alone, though real-world numbers vary widely depending on riding style, cargo load, and the Class mode in use. Riding hard in Class 3 with a passenger or heavy cargo will use up the battery noticeably faster than a light solo commute in Eco mode.

For riders who need more range than a single charge can provide, the GoMad supports an optional second battery that roughly doubles total range.

Weight is substantial. At close to 78 lbs, the GoMad isn’t something you’ll want to carry up a flight of stairs regularly. Budget for ground-floor storage or a garage.

No suspension seatpost as standard. Unlike some other Velotric models, the GoMad ships with a standard seatpost. But it has fat tires that do a great job of absorbing bumps and vibrations from the road.

Custom Class mode isn’t legal everywhere. When you combine the throttle at 20 mph with pedal assist at 28 mph, it falls outside the standard three-class framework most states use, so check local rules before you start playing with the settings.

Passenger and cargo accessories cost extra. The base bike doesn’t include the passenger kits or front rack, so budget for those separately if hauling people or gear is the main reason you’re buying it.

• Riders looking to replace short car trips for errands, school pickups, or grocery runs without committing to a full-size cargo bike.
• Anyone who wants to carry a passenger occasionally but doesn’t want a bike built exclusively for it.
• Riders who care most about lightweight commuting should look elsewhere. The GoMad’s weight and size are designed for utility, not efficiency.

The Velotric Nomad 2 is the larger, longer sibling that the GoMad borrows its name from. This bike is worth a look if you want to prioritize cargo space over compactness.

The Aventon Abound SR is a similarly styled compact utility e-Bike from a different brand, worth cross-shopping if payload capacity and passenger-carrying are what you’re mainly comparing.

A utility e-Bike built to replace car trips only makes sense long-term if the upfront cost pencils out, and buying pre-owned is one of the easiest ways to bring that number down. Every e-Bike on Upway goes through a 50-point mechanical inspection before it’s listed, and any battery with a capacity below 80% is replaced first. You get a one-year warranty on the frame, motor, and electrical system, plus a 14-day return window, and the bike arrives mostly assembled.

Browse the current sale collection on Upway, or check out the wider range of electric bikes and all our bikes to compare your options.