The Velotric T1 ST Plus is a sleek, fitness-focused electric bike designed to give you the most bang for the buck for exercise or commuting. I really like this style of bike because it’s a practical alternative to regular biking. You’re not fully replacing your exercise with a hub motor that pulls you along.
Don’t get me wrong, if you’re buying an e-bike strictly for the fun of it, there are plenty of great models out there. But the T1 ST Plus is intended to replace a regular bike as something you ride for exercise. This bike’s budget-price, high-end features, and impressive specs make it a very compelling buy.
In our review below, I put the T1 ST Plus to the test to see how it performs on the road.
Velotric T1 ST Plus Specs
| Max Range | 70 miles |
| Top Speed | 28 mph pedal assist Throttle assist: N/A |
| PAS | Torque Sensor |
| Battery | 36V, 352.8Wh, IPX7, UL2271 Certified |
| Motor | 350W hub motor, Peak 600W, 40Nm |
| Modes | 3 modes x 5 PAS levels |
| Display | 1.8″ full color, Bluetooth, adjustable angle |
| Lighting | Front high output 60Lux LED + Rear LED |
| Brakes | 160mm Tektro hydraulic disc |
| Shifting | Shimano 8 speed drivetrain |
| Bike Weight | 39 lbs |
| Weight Limit | 330 lbs |
| Suspens. | None |
| Add. Feat. | App control, IPX6 frame rating, UL Certified |
Why Get a Velotric Ebike?
I have to say, it’s incredible what you get for the price of this bike. For under $1200, you get an ebike with ridiculous amounts of range, a torque sensor, and a full range of high-quality components and features.
Spending this kind of money with most big brands at most local bike shops will get you a decent standard bike with similar appointments, but you’ll be hard pressed to find an electric road bike with this level of quality and value.
Fit for Taller Riders
I’m six foot one for reference, and I’m on the upper end of the size limit for the Velotric T1 ST Plus. I had my seat post up almost as far up as it goes during my ride.
I think if you were maybe one or two inches taller than me, you could get away with it, but if you’re taller than that, you might want to consider going with either something with a longer seat post or an ebike with larger wheels and a larger frame.
On the lower end of the limit, Velotric claims that the smaller size frame will fit riders 4’11” and up. We have not tested this, but the handlebars are fully adjustable on this bike, and it should be fairly easy for anyone within the size limits to find a comfortable position.
You can also swap out components like the handlebars, for a wider grip, or the seat post, for more height adjustment or weight reduction,
Ride Quality
The T1ST+ is by design a fairly simple, straightforward bike. Its incredibly low weight of 40 pounds makes it easy to move around and control.
The 27.5-inch wheels are that perfect balance of size, weight, and ride cushioning, and narrow, 1.5-inch wide tires keep the bike looking sleek and minimize resistance and drag to maximize your range.
The bike puts you in an aggressive riding stance that feels like riding a gravel bike or a standard road bike. Without suspension, you do feel every bump in the road.
The range on the stock tires is 50 to 80 PSI. I aired my down to 50, which is about 15 PSI higher than most e-bikes with wide tires.
The grips feel good. They’re comfortable enough and can always switch them out for your favorite grips. The width of the handlebars feels really good. You know, it’s not a particularly wide set of handlebars, but it’s not narrow. Very comfortable position. It definitely feels like it was thought out.
Motor + Drivetrain
The Velotric T1 ST Plus has no throttle and doesn’t want one. Velotric has committed to providing as close of an experience to riding a regular bike as possible here, while throwing in a bit of mild electric assistance.
You get a low-profile 350W motor with a max of 600W, You get 5 riding modes. It comes set to trail mode, the middle riding mode. And then you have boost and eco. You can also set your speed limit. It comes set to 20 mph out of the box.
Even with this kind of customization, the bike is clearly designed for fitness and a natural riding experience over providing tons of power. The difference between the individual levels is hardly noticeable at times, and you never fully engage the motor to take over.
I think the biggest benefit of the higher modes is a larger margin for error on the gear you’re in, but you’re still getting a workout. The trail modes feel like the best balance of range to power.
The T1 ST Plus has a standard 8-speed Shimano Altus drivetrain, which offers a good range of gearing and consistently smooth shifting with minimal clunkiness.
Battery + Range
The design of the T1 ST Plus is impressively sleek. You can barely tell that it’s electric since the battery is so well integrated into the frame.
Despite its low profile, the 36V 9.8Ah battery gets a claimed range of 70 miles in the lowest riding mode, since the rider does most of the work.
That said, this should be a great commuter bike as well. Shift into the higher pedal assist modes and you’re still getting some exercise without breaking too much of a sweat.
The T1 ST Plus has one of the best-tuned torque sensors I’ve tested in a long time. It really responds to your pedaling force and doesn’t have any weird cliffs or unexpected ramp-ups.
Braking
Tektro hydraulic disc brakes with 160mm rotors are definitely overkill for this bike, and I love to see it. It isn’t just a little extra safety, but a much better braking feel overall for more confidence on your ride.
The disc brakes will need to bed in a little at first, but after that hydraulic brakes are self-adjusting.
Again, if you were to buy a non-electric bike from one the major makers with similar components, you’ll likely pay around the same amount.
Velotric T1 ST Plus: Worth It? Our Verdict
If you’re wondering if this is a good option for fitness riding, the answer is yes. I’m not in the greatest shape, I got a great workout, and never felt over-stressed.
And say you’re in a position where you’re feeling fatigued and you want a little more assistance. You can stop, put it into boost mode, and get a little extra help home.
So, is this a recommendation from me? Yes, absolutely. This is a bike I would ride in my regular rotation. It’s a fantastic option for going out, getting some exercise, but never over-straining yourself while climbing hills or hitting your limit.
Having the option to finely dial in your riding mode gets you the workout you want while also getting out outside in the fresh air instead of sitting inside on a stationary bike.
