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Caroline Ellison, former chief executive officer of Alameda Research LLC, center, arrives at court in New York, US, on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. 

Yuki Iwamura | Bloomberg | Getty Images

In sentencing FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried to a 25-year prison sentence on Thursday, Judge Lewis Kaplan cited testimony from Caroline Ellison, an ex-girlfriend of the defendant and early recruit into his crypto enterprise.

“I keep coming back to Ms. Ellison’s testimony that he knew it was wrong,” Kaplan said at the sentencing hearing in downtown Manhattan. “He knew it was criminal.”

Ellison was the star witness for the Department of Justice in its prosecution of Bankman-Fried. She agreed to a plea deal in December 2022, a month after FTX spiraled into bankruptcy.

As part of her testimony at the criminal trial late last year, Ellison supplied the government and the jury with text messages, documents and secret recordings that ultimately helped lead to Bankman-Fried’s conviction on all seven charges against him.

Sam Bankman-Fried's family on sentencing: We are heartbroken and will continue to fight for our son

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement after the sentencing on Thursday that Bankman-Fried’s “deliberate and ongoing lies demonstrated a brazen disregard for his customers’ expectations and disrespect for the rule of law, all so that he could secretly use his customers’ money to expand his own power and influence.”

Ellison, who ran FTX’s sister hedge fund Alameda Research, pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud, two counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit commodities fraud, conspiracy to commit securities fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Though Ellison faces similar sentencing guidelines to Bankman-Fried, she’s expected to receive a far more lenient sentence due to her role as a cooperating witness.

Caroline Ellison is questioned as Sam Bankman-Fried watches during his fraud trial before U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan over the collapse of FTX, the bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange, at Federal Court in New York City, October 11, 2023 in this courtroom sketch.

Jane Rosenberg | Reuters

Ellison’s complicated ties to SBF

Ellison jumped into Bankman-Fried’s crypto orbit in 2017.

She’d been working as a trader at Jane Street, where Bankman-Fried got his start in finance. Bankman-Fried had reportedly convinced the Stanford graduate to ditch her Wall Street gig and join Alameda, when the hedge fund was still in its original Bay Area office.

Ellison spent years as Bankman-Fried’s on-again, off-again girlfriend and, at times, his roommate. She followed Bankman-Fried from California to Hong Kong and ultimately to the Bahamas, as Bankman-Fried repeatedly shifted headquarters for his crypto companies.

Michael Lewis wrote about Ellison in his book, “Going Infinite,” which covered Bankman-Fried’s rise and fall. In 2021, Ellison was promoted to CEO of Alameda, a job for which, according to Lewis’s reporting, neither Ellison nor Bankman-Fried found her particularly well suited.

“Caroline sensed that, even as Sam promoted her to CEO of Alameda Research, he disapproved of her job performance — and she shared his opinion,” Lewis wrote.

Lewis shared an excerpt from one of the memos that Ellison had sent Bankman-Fried. “It feels like I’m doing a much worse job managing Alameda than you would if you were working on it full-time,” she wrote.

In April 2021, Ellison tweeted about “regular amphetamine use” in a thread that also talked about the “herculean” effort it took for her to get off of her couch and go for a hike.  

Court filings show that Ellison’s compensation paled in comparison to other top executives. Of the $3.2 billion in payouts to the exchange’s founders and other senior employees, FTX’s head of engineering, Nishad Singh, received $587 million, co-founder Gary Wang got $246 million and $2.2 billion went to Bankman-Fried. Ellison received $6 million.

Sam Bankman-Fried faces up to 50 years in prison at sentencing hearing

Some of Ellison’s private diary entries were leaked by Bankman-Fried to The New York Times, which published a report about them last July, months before the trial. The act ultimately landed Bankman-Fried back in jail after Kaplan revoked his bail for alleged witness tampering.

In a Google document from February 2022 shared with the Times, Ellison wrote, “I have been feeling pretty unhappy and overwhelmed with my job. … At the end of the day I can’t wait to go home and turn off my phone and have a drink and get away from it all.”

She added, “It doesn’t really feel like there’s an end in sight.”

‘Trying to fix problems’

But it was in the courtroom that jurors got to hear Ellison for the first time.

U.S. Attorney Thane Rehn said during the trial that Bankman-Fried “was using her as a front” when “in reality, he was still calling the shots at Alameda.” Over the course of her multi-day testimony, Ellison helped prosecutors build a narrative that she was acting at the direction of Bankman-Fried in helping him steal customer money from FTX and using it to help prop up Alameda, which was suffering in the wake of the crypto winter.

Ellison said Bankman-Fried was still CEO of Alameda when the funneling of money began. She said she was under the impression that it was FTX customer money because the sums exceeded the exchange’s profits and the amount of capital it had raised.

In mid-2021, when FTX bought equity in the company back from rival exchange and early investor Binance, FTX used $1 billion in customer funds for the transaction, Ellison testified.

Ellison said she considered resigning from Alameda at various points from 2019 to November 2022.

On one of her Google Docs, Ellison had a section entitled “limiting factors in scaling,” which she said referred to things that were holding back Alameda. The first thing she listed was management, including a comment on her former co-CEO Sam Trabucco.

“I feel like neither Trabucco nor I has been doing a great job of pushing on stuff,” she wrote. “We’re in the mode of maintaining status quo and trying to fix problems.”

In terms of the commingling of operations between FTX and Alameda, Ellison admitted on the witness stand that the two firms didn’t have a proper “Chinese wall” separating the businesses.

During her testimony, Ellison mostly avoided eye contact with Bankman-Fried, staring down at her hands between questions and frequently flipping her hair over her left shoulder. Bankman-Fried also often looked away, with hands clenched.

Ellison told the jury that her breakup with Bankman-Fried in the spring of 2022 affected communications between the two of them. They would talk mostly over Signal despite living in the same apartment, and they largely avoided each other outside of work.

Danielle Sassoon, the assistant U.S. attorney representing the government, told Kaplan several times “the defendant has laughed, visibly shaken his head, and scoffed,” which she said could be having an effect on Ellison “given the history of this relationship, the prior attempts to intimidate her, the power dynamic, their romantic relationship.”

Caroline Ellison, former chief executive officer of Alameda Research LLC, arrives to court in New York, US, on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023.

Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Secret recordings and texts

Of the hundreds of items entered into evidence during the trial, a bank of messages on encrypted app Signal was among the most calamitous for Bankman-Fried.

The government presented a series of Signal exchanges involving Bankman-Fried, Ellison, Wang and other top execs. In one such exchange, from Nov. 8, 2022, Ellison appealed to Bankman-Fried and other members of the inner circle, asking for help on optics and public messaging.

Prosecutors relied heavily on text messages sent among FTX and Alameda Research executives in the case against Sam Bankman-Fried.

Source: SDNY

She wrote, “multiple people internally asking me whether they should continue to make statements to external parties like ‘Alameda is solvent.’ should i suggest they stall instead? just stall on responding to their messages? or what?”

That day, FTX issued a pause on all customer withdrawals.

The following day, Ellison again looked to the group for guidance about how to handle an all-hands meeting for Alameda’s roughly 30 employees.

Ellison’s proposal was to tell them, “Alameda is probably going to wind down” and that there was “no pressure” to stay but help with “stuff like making sure our lenders get paid” would be “super appreciated.”

Bankman-Fried suggested she say something about there “being a future of some sort for those who are excited.”

Prosecutors relied heavily on text messages sent among FTX and Alameda Research executives in the case against Sam Bankman-Fried.

Source: SDNY

Ellison ended up divulging a lot more than that in the staff meeting, a secret recording of which was played for the jury.

“Alameda borrowed a bunch of money,” which it used to make investments, Ellison said at the meeting. But as crypto prices fell, “FTX had a shortfall of user funds” and then “users started withdrawing their funds” and they “realized they would not be able to continue.”

When she was asked by a staffer whose idea it was to plug Alameda’s loan losses with FTX customer money, she said, “Um, Sam, I guess,” and giggled.

“FTX basically always allowed Alameda to, like, borrow user funds, as far as I know,” Ellison said.

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FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried sentenced to 25 years in prison for massive crypto fraud

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GoTrax Everest electric dirt bike $2,021 off at new low and F2 20-inch e-bike for $674, EGO tools from $199, EcoFlow flash sale, more

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March 12, 2025

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GoTrax Everest electric dirt bike ,021 off at new low and F2 20-inch e-bike for 4, EGO tools from 9, EcoFlow flash sale, more

Today’s Green Deals are being led by new and returning low prices on a pair of GoTrax e-bikes, starting with the brand’s Everest Electric Dirt Bike that is currently $2,021 off at a new $3,979 low. Right behind it is GoTrax’s F2 20-inch Folding e-bike that provides some solid commuting power while retaining a budget-friendly rate at its $674 low. Next, we’re seeing a small selection of new EGO Power+ deals, with the brand’s 56V 16-inch Cordless Electric Chainsaw that includes a 5.0Ah battery hitting the best price in years for $249. Lastly, EcoFlow’s Spring Sale has launched the final one-day-only flash sale with three different offerings, the best of them being a DELTA 2 Portable Power Station bundled with a smart extra battery for double the capacity, as well as coming with a protective bag – all for $799, while the other two are on add-on gear. Plus, all the other hangover Green Deals are in the links at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s ALLPOWERS Spring Sale offers, Lectric’s St. Paddy’s Day e-bike deals, and more.

Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

GoTrax’s Everest electric dirt bike hits 53 MPH for up to 50 miles of adventure at new $3,979 low

Best Buy is now offering the GoTrax Everest Electric Dirt Bike for $3,979 shipped. Normally, you’d have to shell out $6,000 for this model at full price these days since it fell from its original $6,500 rate back in 2024. Discounts are fairly rare, with the previous ones we’ve seen over the last year almost entirely keeping to limited one-day-only timeframes, the lowest of which dropped costs to $4,000. That rate is getting beaten out here today with a 34% markdown, cutting $2,021 off the tag to go right back into your pocket, dropping the price to the lowest we have seen. It’s also beating out the pricing we’re seeing direct from GoTrax’s website, where it’s down at $4,500.

An ideal option for motocross fans and riders looking to electrify their fun and toss out the need for noisy fume-belching gas-guzzlers, GoTrax’s Everest electric dirt bike races along with a 4,000W rear-drive motor (peaking at 8,000W). It reaches top speeds of 53 MPH while the removable 72V 32Ah battery gives you up to 50 miles of riding before needing a 4-hour charge.

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GoTrax’s Everest dirt bike weighs in much lighter than you’d expect at just 172 pounds, with a bunch of features that only make your riding experience better. You’ll find multiple riding modes, dual-shock suspension, hydraulic disc brakes, and the off-road tires smoothing out rides and offering more control. There’s also the dual headlights, the taillight with brake lighting and turn signals, as well as mudguards and an LED digital display.

GoTrax F2 20-inch Folding e-bike

GoTrax’s 40-mile trekking F2 20-inch folding e-bike returns to the $674 low (Save $226+)

Amazon is now offering a great opportunity to score a budget-friendly commuting solution in the form of GoTrax’s F2 20-inch Folding Electric Bike at $674 shipped. This model already starts at a fairly reasonable $900 full price at Amazon, with higher $1,199 MSRPs from GoTrax. Discounts have been few and far between over the year, mostly coming directly from GoTrax’s website, and only going as low as $674. You’re looking at a solid 25% markdown here today, giving you $226 off Amazon’s rate ($525 off its original MSRP) at the lowest price we have tracked. You’ll also find it matching directly from GoTrax’s site right now too.

GoTrax’s F2 20-inch e-bike makes a great commuting option for newbies and experienced riders, especially if you’re trying to get around without making a serious dent in your savings like higher-end models will. The Folding body here helps you to conserve space when it’s not in use, while the combination of its 500W brushless motor and 10.4Ah battery provides you with 20 MPH top speeds for up to 40 miles when supported by the PAS system and 22 miles cruising on pure electricity – all on a 5.5-hour charge.

It’s been given more urban-focused tires that can still handle going off road, with front shock absorbers and a transmission system that can handle beach and mountain terrain. You’ll also have a 7-speed derailleur for folks who like getting some cardio in, dual disc brakes, an LED headlight, and a full color display for setting adjustments and performance data.

EGO Power+ 56V 16-inch cordless electric chainsaw

EGO’s 56V 16-inch cordless electric chainsaw returns to best price in years at $249

Amazon is now offering the EGO POWER+ 56V 16-inch Cordless Electric Chainsaw with 5.0Ah battery for $249 shipped. Usually keeping around $299 most days, this model sees far less discounts than its counterparts with smaller batteries and has been holding strong at $299 since early November, being skipped over for Black Friday sales entirely. Aside from a lone Lightning Deal back in July 2023, this is the lowest price we have tracked thanks to the $50 markdown hitting it today.

Whether you’re dealing with the cleanup after the winter season, setting yourself up with plenty of firewood, or more, it’s always handy to have a reliable means to cut through it all – plus, there’s no more dealing with the fumes and noise from gas-guzzlers. With the included 5.0Ah battery, this 16-inch chainsaw will make quick work of wood with up to 250 cuts per every full charge at up to 6,800 RPMs, delivering the equivalent performance of a 35CC gas model. Fitting right in with the brand’s ecosystem, you can even interchange batteries you may already have for extended runtimes while also ensuring that sudden weather changes won’t ruin its functioning, thanks to the IPX4 weather-resistant construction.

Other notable EGO lawncare deals:

There’s still a ton of hangover deals on EGO brand equipment right now that are worth considering. If you tend to have plenty of batteries lying around and want to get some extra usage out of them, check out the $249 low on EGO’s Nexus Escape 400W 3-Port Inverter Kit. We’re also still seeing the 56V 21-inch Cordless Self-Propelled mower that comes with two 6.0Ah batteries for a 100-minute runtime keeping to its new $700 low, as well as the new $3,999 low hitting the larger Z6 42-inch Zero-Turn Electric Riding Lawn Mower with four 10Ah batteries.

EcoFlow DELTA 2 Portable Power Station with smart extra battery

It’s the penultimate day of EcoFlow’s Spring Sale which means its the final one-day flash sale of the event, and the brand is offering three different deals – two direct from its site and one coming from its official Amazon storefront. The most notable of the bunch delivers a DELTA 2 Portable Power Station bundled with a smart extra battery and a protective carrying bag for $799 shipped. Normally, just the power station and battery combo would run you $1,798 at full price, with discounts often taking things as low as $899 in past sales, especially when offered as a limited flash option. Today’s deal not only beats out all the former rates for those two devices, but you’ll also be getting the protective bag at no extra charge, landing things down at the lowest price we have tracked.

EcoFlow’s DELTA 2 power station starts with a 1,024Wh capacity that bumps up to 2,048Wh with the bundled extra battery and can go even further to 3kWh with another added on. Through its 15 port options it delivers up to 1,800W of power output, surging up to 2,700W when needed by larger devices/appliances. It sports a 500W max solar input, so pairing this setup with a 400W or two 220W panels will provide a full charge in six to twelve hours. Plugging the power station into a wall outlet would normally yield an 80% battery in 50 minutes and a 100% battery in 80 minutes, so it will take about twice that time with the extra battery hooked up too.

The other two deals during this flash sale are on add-on gear for your existing power station setup, with the first giving you two 160W Portable Solar Panels for $549 shipped, which would usually cost $898 paired together. The last of them comes from Amazon, offering a DELTA 2 Max Smart Extra Battery for $949 shipped, down from $1,399. With this added onto your DELTA 2 Max power station, you’ll expand its 2,048Wh capacity to 4,096Wh.

Be sure to check out the full lineup of EcoFlow’s Spring Sale while the savings last through tomorrow (March 13) with up to 59% being taken off units until then – plus there’s bonus savings, and a free gift option.

Best New Year EV deals!

Best new Green Deals landing this week

The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.

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Toyota’s new FT-Me is much more than a micro EV, it even has a solar roof

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March 12, 2025

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Toyota's new FT-Me is much more than a micro EV, it even has a solar roof

Toyota-FT-Me-EV

What exactly is the FT-Me, and why do we need one? Toyota unveiled a new micro EV on Thursday, dubbed the FT-Me. It’s small, but Toyota is hyping it up as an affordable alternative. It even has a solar roof to boost range.

Meet the Toyota FT-Me, a mini EV with a solar roof

Toyota just went on the EV offensive. After unveiling its new electric SUV, the C-HR+, on Thursday, the auto giant introduced its first mini EV.

The FT-Me is a fully electric 2-seater “that combines premium design with affordability.” At just 2.5 meters (98″) long, the micro EV is about the size of an average golf cart.

Despite its small size, Toyota says the micro EV comfortably fits two. Inspired by a jet helmet, its design makes it easier to maneuver, making it perfect for city travel, getting around campus, and other quick trips.

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Toyota says the FT-Me’s propulsion system uses 3X less energy per km than current high-capacity electric vehicles. With recycled materials, the company aims to cut its carbon footprint by 90% compared to the city vehicles we see today.

To maximize range and efficiency, Toyota added a solar roof, which can charge the battery, adding 20 to 30 km (12 to 19 miles) range per day. The driving range is expected to be around 100 km (62 miles). In cities, this is more than enough to cover daily travel.

The mini EV is designed for all ages, including those as young as 14 with an entry-level driver’s license. With its latest connectivity, software, and other advanced tech, Toyota says the FT-Me is a customizable option for teenagers and business professionals alike.

With a unique steering wheel, it can also be driven entirely by hand commands, making it a perfect solution for wheelchair users.

As city travel continues evolving, Toyota said the FT-Me EV “provides a versatile, sustainable, and stylish solution.”

Toyota-FT-Me-EV
Toyota FT-Me micro EV (Source: Toyota)

Will Toyota’s new micro EV compete with the Citroen Ami? It’s about the same size and the Ami, which starts at around $7,000 (€6,090). Powered by a 5.5 kWh battery, the Ami has a WLTP range of 46 miles.

Would you buy Toyota’s micro EV in the US for around $10,000? Don’t get too excited yet. With little demand for mini cars in the US, the FT-Me is not expected to arrive in the states. Hopefully, Toyota surprises us.

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Velotric Nomad 2 review: A feature-packed fat-tire e-bike with crazy comfort

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2 hours ago

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March 12, 2025

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Velotric Nomad 2 review: A feature-packed fat-tire e-bike with crazy comfort

Fat-tire electric bikes are all the rage these days, designed to triumph on the trails but just as often seen conquering the pavement. Now the newly-released Velotric Nomad 2 is here to take a slice of that adventure-ready market. Designed for riders who want a mix of commuting practicality and off-road capability, this e-bike brings a powerful motor, excellent comfort, and a surprising amount of premium features at a relatively affordable price. But how well does it actually perform? I put it to the test to find out.

Velotric Nomad 2 Video Review

Velotric Nomad 2 Tech Specs

  • Motor: 750W rear hub motor with 90Nm of torque
  • Top speed: 28 mph (50 km/h) when unlocked to Class 3 mode
  • Range: Claimed up to 65 miles (up to 105 km)
  • Battery: 48V 14.7Ah 705Wh
  • Weight: 75 lb (34 kg)
  • Load capacity: 505 lb (230 kg)
  • Frame: Aluminum alloy
  • Tires: 26×4.0″ puncture-resistant fat tires
  • Brakes: Dual-piston Tektro hydraulic disc brakes on 203/180mm rotors (front/rear)
  • Price: US $1,999
  • Extras: Color LCD display with USB-C phone charging port, 15 pedal assist levels, front and rear LED light with brake light and rear turn signals, 100mm travel hydraulic suspension fork, kickstand, internally routed cables, removable battery, cadence sensor and torque sensor (user selectable to switch back and forth between the two), UL-compliant battery and e-bike system, adjustable stem, and suspension seat post

Big on power, big on tires!

At the heart of the Nomad 2 is a 750-watt rear hub motor cranking out 90 newton-meters of torque. With all the new regulations hitting e-bikes, Velotric seems to be a bit cagier about publishing peak power specs, but the motor feels like it’s one of those 1,300-ish peak watt motors, and the 90 Nm torque spec reveals there’s some serious oomph in that hub motor! That’ll make it strong enough to take on steep hills and power through loose terrain like sand or gravel without breaking a sweat.

I’m glad to see a torque sensor included on the bike for smoother and more responsive pedal assist, but interestingly, riders can toggle between cadence and torque sensing in the settings, which is a unique touch for a bike at this price. The torque sensor offers a more natural pedal feel, responding to how hard you push, while the cadence mode is better suited for those who just want an easy ride with minimal effort. In effect, the cadence sensor basically works like a foot-activated throttle. If your feet are moving, the motor is working.

In practice, both work well, though torque sensing is where you’ll get the best mix of efficiency and responsiveness that makes it feel more like a pedal bike… just a pedal bike being ridden by someone with a professional cyclist’s tree trunk leg muscles.

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Speaking of having the power to handle loose terrain like sand and soil, the Nomad 2 rides on 26-inch fat tires, meaning you get plenty of grip and rollover capability for uneven terrain. It also comes with a 100mm travel front suspension fork, helping to smooth out the bumps. And to add even more comfort, a parallel linkage suspension seat post gives you a nicer ride on your own caboose than the cheaper telescoping suspension seat posts we often see. Velotric spent the extra change necessary to upgrade that component, and it’s one you can really feel when the riding gets bumpy. A quality suspension seat post like this makes a big difference. It’s not the same as true rear suspension, but it goes a lot of the way there for casual riders wanting to take the jolts out of their riding. Combined with that hydraulic suspension fork, the bike rides quite nicely on uneven terrain.

The Nomad 2 ships in 20 mph (32 km/h) top speed mode, but you can go into the settings and unlock a top. speed of 28 mph (45 km/h) on pedal assist. You’re still limited to 20 mph on throttle, but pedaling gets you the higher speed for long straightaways that are more fun at higher speeds.

You can even limit the speed lower if you’d like, down to 12 mph (20 km/h). Basically, you’ve got a lot of room to play around with limits on the bikes.

The 705 Wh battery is UL-certified and claims a range of up to 65 miles (105 km), though that’s in ideal conditions with pedal assist. In the real world, they claim a throttle range of 45 miles (72 km) on throttle when riding on flat ground. If you’re a heavier rider or have less-than-ideal conditions, you’ll get a bit less. But with a big 700+ Wh battery, there’s still plenty of energy in there for long rides, especially since few of us spend more than 40 miles in a row in the saddle on any single ride.

Charging is relatively fast, taking about five hours from empty thanks to the 3A charger. The battery is removable, so you can bring it inside to charge instead of hauling the whole bike to an outlet. At 75 lb (34 kg), hauling the entire bike around is a bit of a chore, so removable batteries are a must for many people who don’t have easy access to an outlet, such as in a garage. Apartment dwellers with bike rooms on the ground floor, I see you because I am one of you.

With hydraulic disc brakes on 203mm front and 180mm rear rotors, the Nomad 2 has plenty of stopping power. The brake levers feel solid, and there’s no mushy response when grabbing a handful of brake at speed.

Quality brakes are a must for a powerful, fast, and heavy electric bike. Velotric definitely delivered there.

Handling is predictable and stable, thanks in part to Velotric’s frame geometry, which helps the bike feel planted at higher speeds. Even with the bulk of a fat-tire bike, it never felt too unwieldy.

There are even two sizes available so riders can choose a frame closer to their ideal size. That also helps out shorter and taller riders who tend to find themselves at the extreme ends of the size spectrum on one-size-fits-all electric bikes. With multiple sizes, plus options for step-over and step-thru frames, riders have a lot of fitment choices.

Velotric packed in a surprising amount of tech for a bike in this price range. The 2.4-inch color display is bright and easy to read, offering all the ride stats you’d expect. The bike is also Apple Find My compatible, meaning if someone swipes it, you’ll have a shot at tracking it down, as long as you have an iPhone. I LOVE when companies incorporate this technology because it gives me added peace of mind knowing there’s some hope of finding my bike if it ever walks off.

Other notable features include an AirLock system for keyless unlocking via the Velotric app, a 360-degree lighting setup, including an automatic headlight that adjusts brightness based on surroundings, and integrated rear turn signals. I often ridicule e-bike makers for including turn signals that are unclear and a waste of space. In this case, Velotric’s are actually decent, though still not idea. They’re pretty close to the centerline of the bike making it a bit hard to tell that they are directional signals, but the amber color instead of red does help somewhat distinguish them. These have a prayer of being understood to be directional indicators, though I definitely still signal with my arms when I want to be more confident that drivers understand what I’m about to do. I know some of them will still be oblivious, but I want to give myself the best odds possible.

Overall, I’d say the lighting features are a welcome upgrade in the commuter-friendly category. Adding in the included rear rack and fender set, which both come standard, makes this fat tire adventure bike equally read for on-road commuting adventures.

Closing thoughts

I think it is fair to say that the Velotric Nomad 2 isn’t a hardcore trail bike, but it’s also not just a casual cruiser. It hits a nice middle ground for riders who want an all-terrain e-bike that’s just as comfortable on pavement as it is on dirt trails.

At $1,999, it’s not the cheapest fat-tire e-bike out there, but for the build quality and features, it puts up a good fight. You can definitely get your off-roading rocks off for less money elsewhere, but the added features like solid lighting, UL certification, submersible battery, location tracking, cadence/torque sensor selection, and more all combine to add some real value here that you don’t find from many other brands. It’s also backed by a solid company with many years of solid reputation building, which is becoming more important in an industry flooded with questionable brands still popping up all over the place.

I’d say that the Nomad 2 delivers a lot for the money, especially when you factor in its power, range, hydraulic brakes, and premium tech features. It’s smooth, fast, and versatile enough to handle commuting, off-road riding, and everything in between.

Velotric clearly put effort into refining the ride experience, and it shows. While it doesn’t reinvent the fat-tire e-bike, it does a lot of things right—and that’s exactly what most riders need.

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