Best Electric Bike 2021 Under $2000: Thunder T1/Nebula N1 Fat Tire

Looking for an all-terrain e-bike with fat tires that you can take with you on every adventure? Here's why the Thunder T1 deserves to be on your radar.

The Rise of e-bikes

Due to the pandemic, walking and cycling have become even more popular in 2020.

Whether for transport or exercise, governments encouraged people to either walk or ride a bicycle instead of taking the usual crowded public transport.

While manufacturers have reported a significant increase in bike sales during the pandemic, there are still many people who may opt for a more convenient option.

For these people, the better option would be e-bikes, which work like a pedal-powered motorcycle. Requiring less effort to operate, e-bikes combine the health benefits of cycling with the convenience of a motorcycle, making it the best of both worlds.

So if you're one of those who have recently decided to make the switch to a more active lifestyle and believe that e-bikes will help you achieve that, here's one of the best right now: the TurboAnt Thunder T1.

Thunder T1: Best Electric Bike of 2021?

If you've been looking up e-bikes online, then there's a big chance that you've already encountered the Thunder T1.

Fast becoming one of 2021's best sellers in its category, the TurboAnt Thunder T1 is a more streamlined take on the modern e-bike. It offers a wide variety of features designed for convenience, versatility and ease of use while maintaining a fair price point.

One of TurboAnt's first e-bike releases, the Thunder T1 is a hefty, high-powered fat tire e-bike. While still relatively new, TurboAnt is positioning itself as a prime electric personal mobility manufacturing company.

Priced affordably at $1,699, you'd be surprised at the features it has to offer.

Read on to learn about what makes it a must-have as one of the best electric bikes under $2,000.

What's in the Box?

• 90% assembled T1
• Front-wheel
• Headlight
• Fender
• Quick-Release Lever
• Toolkit
• Battery charger
• Pedals

Technical Specs

• Battery: External 48 V x 14 Ah Samsung/LG
• Range: 35-60 miles on a single charge
• Motor: 750 W brushless gear motor
• Max. Payload Capacity: 330 lb
• Rider height: 5'3" – 6'4"
• Controller: 48 V/20 A
• Display: LCD
• Bike weight: 72.8 lb
• Pedal assistance: 0-5 levels

Thunder T1 Bike Overview and Design

The Thunder T1 is an excellent option for in-town commuting and work transportation as a multi-terrain, fat-tired electric bike with long-lasting battery life. It's also the perfect companion for weekend excursions even on uneven terrain like the woods.

When it comes to design, it's fair to say that the Thunder T1 is an absolute stunner. At first glance, it's hard not to immediately notice the 26x4-inch Kenda fat tires, which are puncture-resistant and durable.

The fat tires mean more grip on any surface. Compared to slimmer tires, fat tires provide more friction, giving you more grip, traction and control on any terrain. The extra grip also gives you more confidence when making sharp turns, giving you an extra layer of safety.

The fat tires also engulf and roll over spaces more efficiently, helping mitigate shock, resulting in a smoother ride. This makes them perfect for off-road use where the path isn't just flat concrete. Of course, both tires are protected by hard front and rear fenders.

For easier access, the front tire features a quick-release lever, making it easy to remove for either storage or travel.

Sleek but aggressive, the overall design of the Thunder T1 offers a plush and comfy saddle for longer rides, leather-wrapped handles and a satin black paint job on its aluminum alloy build. Between the fat tires and ride positioning, the Thunder T1 is a joy to ride.

Integrated Technology

Take a closer look at the handlebars and you'll see that the Thunder T1 makes use of a Shimano drivetrain with seven gears accessible by an easy thumb shifter. This makes it easier to navigate uphill and/or rougher trails on the bike.

The derailleur is by world-renowned cycling component manufacturer Shimano, so you are ensured that it's well made and provides lots of adjustments to perfectly suit your needs.

When it comes to suspension, the Thunder T1 has an adjustable shock-absorbing hydraulic front fork. Engineered to last, the fork comes with two knobs that allow you to adjust the level of shock absorption. The fork has zero play when locked, making it easier to bike in flat terrain. Unlock it and you have a wide range of adjustability to make it more comfortable to ride during off-road adventures.

LCD Display and Extra Features

The e-bike also comes with an LCD screen. While it has a simple design, it provides you with essential ride information like your current speed, trip distance and time at a glance. Going deeper into the menu to adjust other settings like the backlight is also possible and cycling through different screens while riding is easy and fluid.

You can also monitor other things, like your maximum speed and average speed. An essential feature of this LCD centers around the Pedal Assist level. Through this, you can adjust your pedal assist from 0 to 5 (maximum), which influences how much power your Thunder T1 will give off once you turn it on.

The waterproof LCD makes for an excellent add-on without taking up too much space in your handlebar.

How the Thunder T1 Works

First, let's talk about comfort and ergonomics. Thanks to its custom frame, riding the Thunder T1 is comfortable and should not cause any back strain even after hours of riding. There's also the VELO Plush saddle, which is sleek and comfortable and features two adjustment levels via a quick-release lever.

Second, the pedal-assist, which uses the hub-integrated 750-watt brushless motor, which will provide you with extra power while you pedal. With these included modes, you can pedal once and take off quickly. As you increase the power from 0 to 5, you get more and more power, resulting in longer distances traveled on a single pedal stroke.

Between the five assist levels and the 7-speed Shimano drivetrain, you'll enjoy plenty of combinations in human and motor power. The throttle also has a button that lets you quickly activate and deactivate it as an additional safety feature. You can also increase or decrease the power manually through this throttle, letting you operate the T1 more like an electric scooter if you wish to.

The 750-watt battery is enough to maintain current speeds at full power even when gravity is working against you uphill. This makes it significantly easier to ride uphill or to rest your legs when you're already exhausted.

If you think you're going too fast, then the Tektro Aries mechanical disc brakes have your back. With 180mm rotors in both the front and rear, these brakes provide excellent stopping power for casual and faster riding. Even at a weight of 70 lbs., the brakes are still strong enough to slow the bike down to a complete stop, even when going at over 20mph.

When it comes to nighttime visibility, the Thunder T1 boasts of a front reflector, pedal reflectors, reflective strips and front/rear lights that provide a lot of illumination to guarantee your safety.

Anyone with experience in biking will find the Thunder T1 easy to use and only need a couple of rides to fully understand its capabilities and speed as an electric bicycle.

Speed and Usage

Speaking of speed, the Thunder T1 can go pretty fast.

Thanks to its battery and 750-watt motor, the TurboAnt Thunder T1 lets you go up to 20mph and maintain it for a considerable amount of time. That speed could also increase thanks to the pedal-assist, letting you reach a top speed that isn't common with e-bikes at this price point.

The Thunder T1's speed rivals e-bikes that are more expensive. One example is the Juiced Bike RipCurrent series, which reaches 28 miles per hour on a 40+ mile range. Then there's the RadRover Electric Bike, which maxes out at 20 miles per hour with 45+ miles of battery.

As the TurboAnt Thunder T1 has a significantly lower price point, motorized top speed of 20mph (more with pedal assist) and a max range of up to 65+ miles, it's safe to say that the Thunder T1 is comparable to high-end models.

The Thunder T1 provides incredible value in distance and speed, considering that it comes at an affordable price of $1,699. It also has a one-year warranty and you'll surely get more value for money with its performance.

Battery

For safety, the 48V 14Ah locking removable battery can be easily removed from the frame with a key.

Aside from taking it inside for easier charging, the removable battery makes the bike less appealing to thieves. The battery has a nice heft, can fit in most backpacks and features a 4-bar display that lets you know how much charge is left. The charging time is at 7 hours, making it perfect for overnight charging.

Is it Worth the Money?

Features and price-point aside, performance is equally important and seeing that the Thunder T1 has a max range of 65 miles on top of a speed of 20mph, you get incredible value for its modest price point.

While it's not the model for an ultimate off-road experience, it does provide an excellent balance between performance and affordability. Like any good mountain bike, it can tackle rough terrain and can also provide you with all the assistance and power you need on long rides out on the concrete.

The battery is top-notch, the pedal assist is excellent, comfortability is on-point and the included features all work together for a better and safer riding experience.

If you're looking for your first e-bike, then the TurboAnt Thunder T1 is one of the best electric bikes under $2,000 you can buy today.

For more information on this bike, you may click here.