Velowave Electric Bike Review: Is Velowave Ebike A Good Brand? Pros, Cons?

Is a Velowave E-bike a Good Investment? An In-Depth Guide

It can be an exciting journey to search for the perfect electric bike, full of questions around power, range, reliability, and last but not least, value. One such big name in the battle for domination of this increasingly crowded marketplace is Velowave, who have been turning heads with the promise of powerful motors, off-road performance and an entryway to the world of high-powered e-bikes. But underneath the spec sheets and marketing photos is the fundamental question every would-be buyer has: is a Velowave e-bike actually a good investment? This complete guide is going to filter out the bullshit and give you a no-nonsense, in-depth exploration of the Velowave brand, their most popular models, and crucially what you, the consumer, should be taking into account. To get the low-down on what it’s really like to ride, look at the pros and cons, and provide you with all the meaty information you need to determine if a Velowave is the right electric bike to fuel your adventure.

Velowave has developed a collection of e-bikes which are designed with a purpose and a style of riding which they are best suited for. Knowing their product hierarchy will give you insight on which model is made for your requirement. Its quality options are easily distinguishable, and can be generally divided by frame style and primary purpose. Here's a full list of each of those product families and the specific models that currently belong to them:

• Velowave Ranger Series (Budget Fat Tire All-Terrain E-bike)
• Velowave Ranger Step-Thru (Fat Tire All-Terrain E-bike with Low Step Frame)
• Velowave Prado S (Cruiser Style Fat Tire Step-Thru frame E-bike)
• Velowave Ghost 500W (Mountain Bike Look E-bike)
• Velowave Liberty (Moped/Cargo Style E-bike – step-thru frame)

Getting to Know Velowave's Best-Sellers: The Ranger and Prado S

If you really want to know a brand, you’ve got to get hands-on with its best-selling products. Two of Velowave’s top-sellers took our time: the bulk-tough Ranger and the slick Prado S.

Velowave Ranger

The Velowave Ranger strikes a powerful silhouette right from the start. You can feel the punch of its 750-watt Bafang motor from the moment you swing a leg over. It's not the feeling of a gentle nudge, but the sensation of a surge of power. A twist of the throttle or the pedal assist can surge you up to speed from a standstill on a paved city street with an authority that leaves you feeling completely in control of your commute. But the true magic takes place when the pavement comes to an end. The 20x4.0 inch fat tires (which may feel a tad heavy on hairpin turns) are — on gravel paths and hard-packed dirt — your best friend. They also absorb small road imperfections and, combined with the front suspension fork, the ride is surprisingly smooth for such a monstrous ride. The ride position is great, providing an ideal line of sight in traffic from the saddle and the Shimano 7-speed shifter shifted snappily with smooth, quick transitions when riding rolling hills. The general sensation is one of capability and freedom; it’s an electric bike that doesn’t so much hint at adventure as demand it.

Velowave Prado S

Jump on the Velowave Prado S and it’s entirely different but just as fun. The available step-thru frame is the obvious standout. For city riding, making mounting and dismounting easy is a plus if you have to stop at intersections and can’t be bothered to balance on one scuffed shoe, or if you’re a person who doesn’t feel comfortable swinging a leg high over a traditional frame. The Prado S is all about low-key comfort. The swept-back handlebars and tall and easy riding position inspires a lazy pace that encourages you to take in the view, rather than everything rushing by in a race. It’s got the same strong 750W motor found in the Ranger, but power input feels more like it was set up for soft cruising. It gets you up to speed pretty quickly, and keeps you there without breaking a sweat, and headwinds and climbs were nothing to fear. Cruising along the coast, between sandy paths, the Prado S was blissfully relaxing. The wide, low-pressure fat tires offered a smooth, well-cushioned ride, and the oversized, soft saddle was downright pleasurable over long distances. It rides more like a modern powerful beach cruiser than a utility vehicle. Its looks are a given; the clean lines and traditional cruiser visual will attract positive attention.

Practical Factors and Key Competitors

Before they devote themselves to a Velowave, potential buyers have an arsenal of practical factors to consider that are not just about motor wattage and battery size.

Assembly

For any direct-to-consumer e-bike, assembly is a major consideration. The Velowave bicycles come mostly pre-assembled, but expect to install the front wheel, handlebars, pedals and saddle. The included toolkit does help, but it's easier if you have your own metric Allen wrenches and pedal wrench. If you are not a wrench, you might want to budget to have your local bike shop do the final assembly to ensure your peace of mind and safety.

Construction Quality

Construction quality is another big factor. There’s a solid feel to the frames of the Velowave models, with neat welds indicating that it’s made to a good standard. The employment of highly-regarded parts from established brands such as Bafang (motor) and Shimano (drivetrain) helps to inspire trust that the bike is going to hold up in the long run. These are generic parts, so down the road, servicing and finding replacements should be much easier. And with practical accessories—front and rear fenders, a robust rear rack—already installed, this bike offers serious bang for your buck. These are often costly add-ons for other brands and Velowave’s inclusion means that the bike is ready to be used for commuting and utility purposes from day one and truly enhances Velowave's value proposition.

Alternative to Consider: ENGWE

Although Velowave does present some interesting possibilities, cyclists hoping for an ideal mix of contemporary technology and user-friendly features should not rule out other options that innovate on the experiential side of riding. So what does ENGWE deliver in this regard with something like the EP-2 Boost Fat Tire Foldable Electric E-Bike? The Global Positioning System (GPS) will be disabled for the ENGWE EP-2 Boost. Compared with a typical cadence sensor, which simply gives you power with each turn of the pedal, a torque sensor tracks how hard you are pedaling and delivers a proportional level of motor assistance. This leads to a very smooth, intuitive, and natural feel, allowing that extra add to your effort to be literally transparent. Ideal for riders who ride on diverse terrains, the EP-2 Boost has a “Boost” button that delivers instant bursts of 55Nm of torque from a high-powered 250W motor, which is great for tackling hills. It is a good blend of performance meeting practicality in its design philosophy. The bike can be folded up and stowed away when it is not in use, which should make it easy enough to carry around. It comes with rugged one-piece wheels which are stronger than conventional spoked wheels and are virtually maintenance-free, while 180mm dual-disc brakes provide powerful stopping power. Boasting a whopping range of up to 120km on a single charge from the easily removable 48V 13Ah battery, the EP-2 Boost is designed to end range anxiety. To a rider who seeks subtle design, enhanced technological performance, smooth power transmission and optimal versatility, the ENGWE EP-2 Boost is very attractive.

Velowave Model Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions About Velowave E-bikes

Here, we have answers to five of those questions potential buyers ask about Velowave e-bikes.

How many miles per hour can you get out of a Velowave e-bike anyway?

Many of our Velowave e-bikes, such as the 750W classics range, this includes the Ranger and Prado S, are shipped as Class 2 electric bikes. This makes it capable of speeds up to 20 mph with ease in both throttle and pedal assist modes. However, numerous models have the feature hidden within the display menu to “unlock” the speed, for 20 to 28 mph on pedal assist, essentially becoming a Class 3 electric bike. It is up to the owners to know their local laws regarding e-bike speed and classification and to use the unlocked speed setting only on private property.

What is the actual range in miles for a battery run on a Velowave?

The stated range (for example “up to 40+ miles”) is an estimate and reproducing these numbers varies depending upon weight and terrain. A lighter rider on a flat road, using low pedal assist, will have a longer range than a heavier rider with the throttle engaged on hilly terrain. You’ll get a range that can vary dramatically in the real world, depending on things like your weight, the number of hills on your route, wind resistance, tire pressure and how much you use the throttle versus pedal assist. For a 750W model with a 15Ah battery, a realistic benchmark for mixed-use riding, with various assist levels and some throttle, is between 25 and 35 miles. If you ride conservatively over flat ground, you can definitely stretch that out closer to the advertised maximum.

Are Velowave e-bikes waterproof? Can I ride them in the rain?

Velowave e-bikes are water resistant, not waterproof. That makes them resistant to light rain, splashes from puddles and damp conditions. There are several other caveats to rain riding, though: You’ll want to steer clear of very heavy rain as well as deep puddles and never use a pressure washer to clean the bike. The electronic devices such as the motor, battery, and controller are not waterproof. After riding in the rain, it’s a good practice to wipe the bike down with a dry cloth and focus on the battery contacts and electronic connections to prevent corrosion.

What’s the customer support like since it’s a direct-to-consumer brand?

That’s a serious consideration when it comes to buying an e-bike on the internet. Velowave's main customer support method is by e-mail and through their site. In general, they are good at answering warranty claims and sending out replacement parts under warranty. But you will be missing the hands-on diagnosis and repair of a local bike shop. One of the things that's been good about getting into the community on sites like the official Velowave Facebook group is that there are a ton of owners sharing good tips and tricks, information about what to do when things go wrong and addressing issues that come up; it's a good support network.

The Verdict: Is a Velowave E-bike Worth It?

Is a Velowave e-bike worth it for the price?

Indeed, for a certain type of user, Velowave is a great deal. What you’re getting is a strong motor (commonly a 750W Bafang), a high-capacity battery, and a robust all-terrain profile (think fat tires, suspension, etc.) for a much lower cost than many other brands at this level of quality. The trade-off for this value is the direct-to-consumer model (you must have some mechanical aptitude to assemble your bike) and more self-service or support from a local bike shop. If you’re happy with this and it’s power and features for cash you want most, Velowave is definitely a very strong player.

In conclusion, if there’s one thing to be said about it, it’s that Velowave’s electric bicycles pack a lot of punch, going up against stiff competition in the current e-bike climate.