The bike is offered in two frame sizes: a Regular that fits riders from 4’11” to 5’9” and a Large for riders between 5’6” and 6’4”. We tested the Large frame, which I expected to fit perfectly considering that, at 5’11”, I fall perfectly in the middle of its height range.
To be clear, the T1 ST Plus is not a true step-thru e-bike; its top tube curves down to a relatively high standover height between 27-27.5”, depending on frame size. Personally, I had no trouble with this, but most riders should still expect to swing a leg over the saddle when getting on and off.
I found the bike to be comfortable; I set the adjustable stem relatively vertically for a relaxed riding position. I had great leg extension with room to spare in the seatpost’s 8” of saddle height range. The reach felt somewhat on the longer side, so I was relatively stretched out, but again, the fit was comfortable.
City e-bikes are generally not known for comfort; their spartan style typically prioritizes functionality over cushioning. The T1 ST Plus, however, was an exception to the rule. Its saddle was wider and thicker than I expected, its stem offered customization over the fit, and its handlebars and ergonomic grips were both comfortable to use and hold on to.
As expected for this style of bike, the T1 ST felt nimble with responsive steering. Its large 700c wheels rolled comfortably over bumps, and its relatively light frame was quick to maneuver and get up to speed.
The user interface was a departure from the original version of the bike. The T1 ST featured a single-button interface with a color-coded light ring set into the top tube in place of a screen. In contrast, the Plus model uses Velotric’s color LCD/control panel combo mounted on the left handlebar. This display connects to the Velotric app through Bluetooth.
This change likely made the T1 ST more user-friendly, but I couldn’t help but feel the bike lost some of its personality. The original interface, while somewhat esoteric, was reminiscent of the interface paired with the Mahle X35 drive system sometimes found on comparatively expensive performance-oriented e-bikes.
I believe most new riders will appreciate the change, as well as the functionality of both the display and the Velotric App. The bike’s top speed and riding mode can be changed through either, but the app allows users to track ride data, sync with Apple Health, and see the precise percentage of battery charge.
Personally, I did not find myself using the app much except to check my charge level; I’d have preferred this to be visible on the bike’s display. Additionally, while the app could be useful, I think full turn-by-turn navigation would make it even better. Hopefully this is added in the future.
One appreciated feature that the T1 ST Plus retained is compatibility with Apple’s Find My™ technology. While this does nothing to prevent theft (an old-fashioned bike lock is still the best policy), it can help owners locate their property in the unfortunate event that their bike is stolen. It’s a nice bonus that we rarely see on bikes in the T1 ST Plus’s price range.
Another aspect of the bike I appreciated was its straightforwardness and simplicity. As with many city e-bikes, the T1 ST Plus is relatively feature-light (excluding things like the the Find My™ tech). It focuses simply on being a good bike by including simple accessories like lights, but it doesn’t go overboard with too many bells and whistles.
