Video Summary

Introduction

• Scott is attempting a second cold weather battery test with the Velotric Nomad e-bike.
• The previous test was a failure.

“Welcome to my second attempt to do this cold battery test. If you saw the last video, the last video was a huge fail.”

Testing the gloves and trail

• Scott is using a different pair of gloves to see if they keep his hands warmer.
• He is riding on the Cattlemut trail in Indiana, which is a 9.2-mile straight trail.
• The tire pressure is at 10.
• Scott will not need to recharge the battery as he is not even a mile into the test.

“This Trail is a straight Trail, it’s not on the road. It’s 9.2 miles, it’s the Cattlemut trail here in Indiana somewhere. It’s 9.2 miles out, 9.2 miles back, that should be almost 20 miles, that should be a good test for the batteries.”

Unlocking the bike

• Scott mentions that the bike is unlocked, allowing for higher pedal assist levels.
• To unlock the bike, you need to send an email to help at Dollar Tree.
• The bike’s maximum speed when unlocked is 26 mph.

“I do have this bike unlocked, because of that the pedal assist levels are going to be higher than what they are when it’s a Class 2 bike.”

Bike performance and trail conditions

• Scott comments on the bike’s performance and design in extreme weather conditions.
• The bike is not designed for riding in 28-degree weather with ice and snow.
• He mentions that the bike has a governor that kicks in at 26 mph to start holding you back.
• Scott is able to cruise at speeds between 18 and 23 mph.

“I don’t think these bikes are really designed to be riding out here in 28-degree weather on ice and snow. I mean, normally cruise around between 18 and 23 miles an hour anyway.”

Testing the gloves again

• Scott comments that the gloves he is wearing are performing better than the previous pair.
• However, his fingers are still getting very cold.

“These gloves are already doing better. You know what sucks? My fingers are getting cold again, like super cold.”

Riding through puddles

• Scott decides to ride through puddles to clean off the bike and have some fun.
• He mentions that his boots are getting wet.

“Let’s just ride through this stuff. How deep can this stuff get? Oh yeah, there we go. I mean, it’s Sandy, it’s got snow on it, it’s got Road Grime from getting here, so flushing stuff. Little puddles are going to clean it off some, I don’t know, but yeah, let’s do it.”

Bike performance in water and dirt

• Scott comments on the bike’s performance in water and dirt.
• He mentions that the bike is handling well in these conditions.

“Watch, I’m probably just gonna disappear in one of these puddles. The bike is just powering through. This bike’s a beast.”

Challenges with gear and brakes

• Scott mentions that his derailleur is bouncing between gears and his hydraulic brakes are starting to freeze up.
• He attributes this to the extreme cold weather conditions.

“I think my derailleur is messed up. Yeah, because it just keeps bouncing between gears right now. These hydraulic brakes are not…I think they’re starting to freeze up, which I don’t blame them. I mean, it totally makes sense.”

Conclusion

• Scott decides to take the bike back to the cabin to let it thaw out and evaluate if any maintenance is required.
• He praises the overall solid performance of the bike.

“But that’s what’s great about electric bikes, you know, if the pedaling’s not working right now, well hang on, am I…nope, uh, we’re bouncing around. Yeah, we’re just going to have to take put this thing back in the cabin, let it thaw out, and then we’ll see where we stand with this bike.”

Riding in extreme cold weather

• The pedals aren’t working, but the throttle is functioning. As long as the motor and controller are working, they can get home.
• The wind chill is making the hands and feet colder.
• The wind is strong, and the narrator mentions checking the wind chill.
• The brakes feel frozen.
• Riding with frozen hands makes it challenging to keep the hand on the throttle.

“I’m gonna take a look and see what the freaking wind chill is.”

The struggle to ride in the cold

• The narrator tries to pedal but is unable to do so.
• The freezing wind and low temperature have made the narrator’s hands frozen.
• Despite the difficulties, the narrator spots a car and knows they are going to make it.

“My hands are frozen; it’s official.”

Challenges and the desire for cruise control

• The narrator reflects on testing a different bike that had cruise control, which would have been helpful in these freezing conditions.
• Controlling the throttle with a frozen hand is not easy.

“With a frozen hand, keeping your hand on the throttle, not the easiest thing.”

Arrival and the struggle with frozen brakes

• The narrator manages to make it to their destination.
• The frozen brakes and hands make it difficult to come to a stop.

“Between the frozen brakes and my frozen hands…”

Considering bar mitts for future rides

• The narrator acknowledges that using bar mitts to cover the handlebars would have prevented their hands from freezing.
• After experiencing the extreme cold, the narrator is open to getting bar mitts for future rides in Chicago.

“I get it, I know that I am [considering bar mitts].”

The aftermath and future plans

• The narrator needs to thaw out the bike and address any potential issues with the derailleur once it thaws out.
• The hydraulics started to freeze, and the narrator’s hands and feet got wet.
• Reflecting on the extreme cold weather test, the narrator concludes that riding in such temperatures is not advisable.

“Once it thaws out, I’ll figure out what’s up going on with the derailleur.” “This was an extreme bike cold weather test, and I think the bike did better than I did.” “I just don’t think anybody should be riding bikes in this kind of temperature, to include me.” “If you’re not riding in this kind of weather, enjoy the ride.”