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The Velotric GoMad Photo: Evan Quarnstrom//The Inertia
Electric bikes are quietly having a moment. No, it’s not the massive boom we saw during Covid, when ebikes (and regular bikes) were flying off the shelves in record numbers; instead, it’s an inflection point around the bikes themselves and the technology that is finally allowing them to become what they’ve always promised to be – a true car replacement.
Sturdy cargo racks. More powerful motors. Tracking tech and security features that make an ebike much harder to steal. All this and more come together in the new Velotric GoMad ($1,999), a fat-tire compact utility ebike (essentially a short tail cargo ebike) that’s insanely versatile and has quickly become one of my favorite ebikes to ride here in San Francisco.
It even has a couple of aces up its sleeve (like an under-rack storage bag) that significantly elevate this offering over the competition.
Bottom Line: With a sturdy, passenger-ready rear rack, powerful internals capable of a 500 lb payload, smart security features, fat tires, an adjustable frame, and a list price of $1,999, the Velotric GoMad is one of the best all-around electric bikes on the market today, and easily the best fat-tire utility ebike that I’ve tested so far.
Related: Best Fat Tire Electric Bikes | Best Cargo Ebikes | More Ebike Reviews
Alamo Square in San Francisco is known for its steep hills, but they’re no match for the GoMad. Photo: Will Sileo//The Inertia
Testing the Velotric GoMad
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – San Francisco is the perfect place to test an electric bike. With plenty of steep hills, easily-accessed trails, and a pretty unforgiving urban environment (security features are a big plus), it’s pretty easy to tell if a bike makes the cut or not.
I’ve spent the past couple of months testing the GoMad here in San Francisco. I’ve taken it on busy roads, off-road, on trails, and had another of The Inertia’s editors test it out on the soft sand of Ocean Beach as well. The bike has exceeded all expectations and is a joy to ride — powerful but smooth to accelerate, and genuinely fun whether you’re hauling groceries or just trying to cover ground fast.
What’s impressed me most is how do-it-all it really is. It handles cargo duty without breaking a sweat, and when you’re riding unloaded, it doesn’t feel like a workhorse pretending to be a regular bike. I haven’t tested the passenger rack yet, but given how capable everything else has been, I have no reason to doubt it. The low step-through and mid-size frame also make it surprisingly accommodating — it doesn’t feel too small for bigger riders or too big for smaller ones, which is a harder balance to strike than it sounds.
A rear rack bag is the GoMad’s hidden superpower. Photo: Evan Quarnstrom//The Inertia
Notable Features of the Velotric GoMad
Rear Rack Bag
This one is going to get its own section because I love it so much. The GoMad has a semi-hidden rack bag/compartment underneath the rear rack, which I’ve found to be ridiculously useful, most of all because of how inconspicuous it is. It’s not a secured compartment – closing with a two-way zipper – but because of how it’s tucked away underneath the rear rack, it’s hard to notice unless you’re looking for it.
Living in San Francisco, that’s a big deal, as I feel relatively safe leaving small items in there when I lock the bike up to shop, go to a show, etc. I have zero plans to leave my wallet in there, but something like a light jacket or other small items feels a lot safer waiting for me in there than strapped on top of the rack in plain sight.
This bike defines do-it-all utility, from the city to off-road adventures. Photo: Evan Quarnstrom//The Inertia
Overall Frame/Design
The GoMad has a low-slung, step-through frame, with 20″x4″ fat tires. Adjustable handlebars (as well as the seat, of course) make the bike adjustable to a variety of rider heights, and the frame is a great size for small and large riders alike.
Payload and Power
The GoMad offers one of the best payload capacities on an ebike that I’ve tested, capable of supporting up to 500 lbs, including 175 on the rear rack itself. The 750-Watt (1300W peak) motor is powerful, and even when the bike is fully loaded, it doesn’t have trouble climbing hills or accelerating.
Fat tires and burly front suspension make for a smooth ride. Photo: Evan Quarnstrom//The Inertia
Security
The Gomad might be Velotric’s most secure ebike yet. The bike has FindMy integration so you can keep an eye on it when you’re not nearby, and track it down if it gets stolen. It also has an NFC tap-card lock that can be enabled, so the bike needs to be activated with a key card before it can be used.
Extra Features
The GoMad is absolutely stacked with extras, so I’ll just run through some of my favorites here. There’s a USB-C charging cable located under the screen, which is awesome to give your devices a boost on the go. Sensorswap lets you choose between a torque or cadence-sensor ride feel depending on your preference. The headlight is automatic, and there are turn signals integrated into the brake light.
The user interface is intuitive and powerful, backed by an app that lets you fine-tune settings and keep the bike firmware up-to-date. A one-touch class switch is a convenient extra, letting you cycle through Class 1, 2, or 3 without having to navigate through a slew of different menu screens. I’m sure I’m missing a feature or two here, but those are the ones that stood out to me.
Accessories
The GoMad is compatible with three Velotric accessories so far. Two different passenger packages, one for adults, one for kids, and a front cargo rack. I plan on testing the adult passenger kit as soon as I can, and will report back once I do so.
The full-size screen is as easy to read in bright sunshine as it is to navigate. Photo: Evan Quarnstrom//The Inertia
Drawbacks
I honestly don’t have much to complain about with this bike. One small extra I’ve loved on other ebikes is a rear rack strap – while any bungee will do, it’s nice to have one that’s optimized for the bike and its specific mounting points.
I’d also love to see a center-kickstand option, along with the classic side-leaning kickstand that ships with the bike. For loading the bike with cargo, it’s useful to have it fully vertical, rather than leaning to one side with all the payload weight supported by the little kickstand. I’ve had an ebike (not this one) fully loaded with groceries fall over like that before, and it wasn’t fun.
Also worth noting, when you’re pushing the motor hard – either running at top speed or carrying a full load – you won’t get close to the stated battery range. That’s hardly surprising for an ebike, but with the GoMad being a bike made to carry heavy loads, it’s worth keeping in mind.
Riding the Lectric XP4 750. Photo: Skyler Fitzmaurice//The Inertia
The Competition
Aventon’s Abound SR is an awesome short-tail cargo offering, coming fully integrated into the high-tech Aventon system. With its own 4G connection, the bike is more reliably trackable than the more common Apple FindMy integration, and also has features like a locking kickstand to keep the bike from being rolled away. Worth noting, after the first year, it requires a yearly subscription ($19) to keep the full tracking and security features. The Abound does not have fat tires like the GoMad, and has a slightly lower top speed and payload capacity. Otherwise, it’s probably the most direct comparison to the GoMad.
The Specialized Haul ST is another popular utility-ebike choice, the little sister of the Haul LT, Specialized’s full-size cargo ebike. However, it’s a bit more dated at this point, having no security features or front fork suspension, which are both features I prioritize for car-replacement ebikes nowadays. It’s also a bit more expensive, but the Specialized brand name packs a punch for top-quality manufacturing and a longstanding legacy of overall bicycling excellence that few other brands can compete with.
Lectric XP4 750 is another interesting contender in this space. The upgraded version of the Lectric XP4, the larger battery and more powerful motor are better suited to hauling larger loads like a passenger or groceries. The bonus here is the folding frame, which might be a savvy choice if you’re short on space. That said, it’s a folding ebike first, and a utility-bike second, and doesn’t have quite the load capacity of the above bicycles. It’s also a good bit cheaper at $1,299.
There’s a lot to love about the GoMad, and very little to complain about. Photo: Evan Quarnstrom//The Inertia
Final Thoughts
Overall, the GoMad is the rare ebike that actually delivers on its promises. Velotric has packed a serious amount of utility into this thing — fat tires, a 500 lb payload, smart security features, and that sneaky little under-rack bag — without making it feel bloated or over-complicated to ride.
For anyone looking to use an ebike as a real car replacement – or just a seriously capable do-everything machine – this is one of the most compelling options on the market right now at this price point. The competition is solid, but none of them check every box the way the GoMad does. It’s hard to find a reason not to buy this bike.
Related: Best Fat Tire Electric Bikes | Best Cargo Ebikes | More Ebike Reviews
A bright tail light lets cars know when you brake, and has integrated turn signals. Photo: Evan Quarnstrom//The Inertia
