In the full review (15 sections)
Should you buy one?
If most of your riding is on paved paths and you want an e-bike that feels like a regular bike, the Velotric T1 ST is worth it. It’s only 36 pounds, the motor is almost silent even in turbo, and I rode over 100 miles without recharging it. The battery only dropped two bars. It felt so light that I only turned on pedal assist when I was going uphill.
It’s not for rough trails. There are no shocks at all, the battery isn’t removable, and the seat has no quick release.
Buying note: as of Oct 22, 2026, Velotric’s original T1 ST page now shows the newer T1 ST Plus at $1,399 (compare-at $1,649). I tested the original T1 ST, not the Plus. My Velotric link below goes to Velotric’s store.
Check the T1 ST on Velotric (affiliate link)
Quick specs
These come from Velotric’s own T1 ST product listing and user manual. The test rows are from my July 2023 video.
| Spec | Velotric T1 ST |
|---|---|
| Motor, rated (W) | 350 |
| Motor, peak (W) | 600 |
| Torque (Nm) | 45 |
| Battery (V) | 36 |
| Battery (Ah) | 9.8 |
| Battery (Wh) | 352.8 |
| Rated range (mi) | 52 |
| Top speed, default (mph) | 20 |
| Pedal assist levels | 5 |
| Rear gears | 8 |
| Brake rotors (mm) | 160 |
| Tires (mm) | 700 x 40 |
| Weight (lbs) | 36 |
| Max load (lbs) | 330 |
| Charge to 80% (hours) | 4 |
| Charge to 100% (hours) | 6 |
| Miles I rode without recharging (mi) | 100+ |
| Battery bars used in my test (of 4) | 2 |
| Price when I filmed, Jul 2023 (USD) | 1,299 |
| T1 ST Plus price as of Oct 22, 2026 (USD) | 1,399 |
Where the numbers don’t line up:
- Weight. Velotric markets the T1 ST at 36 lbs, and that’s what I said in the video. Velotric’s user manual lists 37 lbs for the small frame and 39 lbs for the medium.
- Price. It was $1,299 when I filmed. The original T1 ST product link now lands on the T1 ST Plus at $1,399.
- Class. Velotric lists it as Class 1 at 20 mph by default. See my e-bike classes guide for what that means.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Only 36 pounds; it feels as light as a normal bike
- Almost silent motor, even in the highest pedal assist mode
- Over 100 miles without recharging, and only two battery bars used
- Apple Find My support, so you can locate the bike
- Headlight with a light sensor that turns on automatically in the dark
- Comfortable hand grips and a comfortable seat
- Easy thumb and index finger shifter
- Brakes worked fantastically
- Kickstand tucked back, out of the rider’s way
- Frame protection film for chain slap
Cons
- No shocks, so it’s not for rugged off-road trails
- Battery isn’t removable; it’s housed inside the frame
- No quick release on the seat
- No display, just a color-coded indicator
- A sticky phone attachment instead of a real phone mount
- The model I tested has been replaced by the T1 ST Plus
Styling and weight
The styling on this T1 ST is second to none. I love the bright orange color and everything about the bike. And at only 36 pounds, it’s insane how light it is.
Most e-bikes are 50, 60 or 75 pounds. This one is very light and very easy to use. It doesn’t feel like a traditional e-bike, and I found myself wanting to ride it every day.
Controls
The hand grips are beautiful and make the bike way more comfortable to ride. On the left grip you have a bell and the light and up and down buttons.
There’s no display in the center. Instead there’s a little sticky attachment for your phone. I didn’t use it, and I wish Velotric had included a phone mount instead.
The control panel
Hold the button to turn the bike on, and you get a battery indicator with four bars. Press it once and you go to eco mode, then you cycle through the colors. Blue is the lowest mode, and purple is the top. The minus and plus buttons move you up and down that color scale. It’s really nice and very easy to use.
Find My and auto lights
One of the coolest features is Apple Find My support. You can put the bike in the Find My app and find it whenever you want. The headlight has a button, but it also has a light sensor, so it turns on automatically when it’s dark.
How it rides
I rode over 100 miles on the T1 ST, and it was very effortless. The shifter is really easy to use, and I love the thumb and index finger setup because it feels natural.
Because the frame is so light, I only turned on pedal assist when I was going uphill. The rest of the time it felt as light as a normal bike. Velotric calls it a fitness bike, and I get that. When I did turn assist on for a hill, I got up it easily.
Almost silent
The motor tricked my kids into thinking this isn’t an electric bike. Even on the highest level, the purple turbo mode, it’s almost silent. If you’re riding with a group, nobody else will hear the motor humming or whining.
Chain slap guard
An often overlooked part of this bike is the chain slap guard. Velotric put protective film on the frame. You can barely see it in the video, but you can feel it. There was definitely some chain slapping over the 100-plus miles I rode, so it does its job protecting the frame.
Motor and battery
The T1 ST uses a 350W rear hub motor with Samsung battery cells. Over 100 miles I never recharged it, and the battery dropped two of four bars. To be fair, I didn’t use the motor much, so expect less if you ride in assist all the time.
The charging port is right on the frame. You can’t get to the battery itself, though. It’s housed inside the frame, so it’s not removable. If you need to bring your battery inside to charge it, that matters.
Brakes, kickstand and seat
The brakes worked fantastically. The kickstand sits toward the back, so when it’s up it’s way out of the way, instead of near the crankset.
The seat was really comfortable for the whole 100-plus miles. My only pain point is there’s no quick release for the seat. Adjusting it from my wife’s height to my height takes more work without one. What you see under the seat is a bike lock holder, not a quick release.
What the specs mean on the road
36 lbs. Most e-bikes I test are 50 to 75 pounds. At 36, you can lift it onto a car rack or carry it up a few steps.
Torque sensor. Velotric lists one. The motor adds help in proportion to how hard you push.
350W, 45 Nm. That’s modest power, but it got me up hills easily.
352.8Wh battery. That’s a small battery, about half of what the Discover 1 carries. My 100-plus miles on two bars came from riding mostly without assist. If you use assist all the time, expect much closer to Velotric’s 52 miles or less.
Tektro hydraulic discs, 160mm rotors. They worked fantastically for me.
700 x 40C tires. These are road-bike sized tires, a bit wider than skinny road tires. With no shocks, they’re another reason it’s a paved-path bike.
Class 1, 20 mph. No throttle, and assist stops at 20 mph.
IPX6. Velotric lists IPX6 water resistance, so rain is fine, but don’t pressure-wash it.
How it compares
| T1 ST | Velotric Discover 1 | Aventon Soltera 2.5 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motor (W, rated) | 350 | 500 | 350 |
| Torque (Nm) | 45 | 65 | 45 |
| Battery (Wh) | 352.8 | 692 | 345.6 |
| Rated range (mi) | 52 | 65 (pedal assist) | Not listed |
| Rear gears | 8 | 7 | Not listed |
| Suspension fork | No | Yes, 80mm | Not listed |
| Weight (lbs) | 36 | 63 | 46 |
| Price, USD (Oct 22, 2026) | 1,399 (T1 ST Plus) | 1,599 (MSRP on Velotric’s page) | 1,199 |
Rival figures come from my Velotric Discover 1 review and Aventon Soltera 2 review.
- Velotric Discover 1: a bigger battery and a front fork, but nearly twice the weight.
- Aventon Soltera 2: another light, simple city e-bike, now sold as the Soltera 2.5.
- Aventon Level 3: if you want suspension, a rack and fenders for commuting.
Who it’s for
- Riders on paved paths in urban areas, like me.
- Fitness riders who want to pedal most of the time and use the motor for hills.
- Anyone who lifts their bike onto a rack or up stairs; 36 pounds is easy.
- Riders who want a quiet bike that doesn’t sound or look like an e-bike.
Who should look elsewhere
- Off-road riders. There are no shocks, so rugged trails aren’t a good fit.
- Anyone who needs a removable battery to charge it indoors.
- Couples sharing one bike who want a quick-release seat.
- Riders who want a display with speed and stats on the handlebars.
FAQ
How much does the Velotric T1 ST weigh?
Velotric markets it at 36 pounds. Velotric’s manual lists 37 lbs for the small frame and 39 lbs for the medium.
How far did it go on one charge?
I rode over 100 miles without recharging, and the battery dropped two of four bars. I mostly used pedal assist only on hills, so heavy assist use will cut that.
Is the battery removable?
No. The battery is housed inside the frame. You charge it through a port on the frame.
Does it have a throttle?
Velotric lists it as Class 1, which by definition means pedal assist with no throttle.
Is it loud?
No. Even in the purple turbo mode it’s almost silent. My kids thought it wasn’t electric.
Can I ride it off road?
I wouldn’t. It has no shocks, so it’s best on paved paths.
Price
The T1 ST was $1,299 when I filmed in July 2023, and I thought it was worth it for paved riding. As of Oct 22, 2026, Velotric’s original T1 ST link shows the newer T1 ST Plus at $1,399 (compare-at $1,649). I haven’t tested the Plus. See my list of the best e-bikes under $2,000 for more options.
Check the T1 ST on Velotric (affiliate link)





