The Nakto Camel City women’s electric bike is a tough contender for the entry-level city cruiser category.
Nakto sure has cut costs in many areas, as you might expect from an eBike just over $700. However, it has equipped the Camel City with a lot of features… and plenty of looks. The main highlights include a stylish step-through frame, a Shimano drivetrain, a front suspension fork, a twist throttle, and a rear rack.
Specs
- Motor: 36V 350W brushless rear hub
- Top speed: 25mph (40km/h)
- Battery: 36V 10.4Ah Lithium-ion
- Range: 25 miles (40km) max
- Charge time: 6 hours
- Tires: 26×1.75”
- Frame: Steel
- Weight: 75lbs (34kg)
- Max load: 250lbs (113kg)
- Gears: Shimano 6-speed
- Brakes: Front V brake, rear expansion brake
- Suspension: Front steel fork, saddle suspension
- Extras: Front/ rear lights, fenders, horn, twist throttle, front basket, rear rack, spoke reflector plates, chainguard, and kickstand (Amazon deal includes a free lock, too)
- Best deal:
Nakto Camel City Women’s Electric Bike in White
Review
Stylish build is probably the strongest point of this bike
The Nakto Camel City women’s electric bike has a sleek and stylish cruiser frame available in white or black paint with a step-through design.
The frame is made of steel and is quite heavy… but it has attractive looks and comes with a glossy finish. From the looks of it, no one can tell that you’re riding an entry-level bike and this is what I like the most about the Camel City.
To top off the charming exterior, you also have a rear rack and an adorable front vinyl basket.
Ride is surprisingly comfortable for the price point
After the stylish looks, comfort is the second area this eBike excels in – especially when you consider the price tag.
Thanks to the step-through design, getting on and off is easy. The sweptback handlebars ensure a relaxed geometry with upright riding position to reduce stress on shoulders, back, and hip. The seat is height adjustable and comes with a decent padding.
The most surprising thing, however, is the presence of a steel suspension fork. Though not the best, it does provide a bit of cushioning to smoothen out city bumps and potholes. You even get a saddle suspension!
The 1.75” tires have street tread but it’s their sheer size of 26” that makes them perfect to roll over most obstacles and ensure a decent experience.
Powertrain is measly, but works on flat roads
The Nakto Camel City women’s electric bike is available in two powertrain options: 250W and 350W. Both motors are brushless rear hub units fueled by a 36V 10.4Ah Lithium battery placed behind the seat post. There’s a difference of just $11 in the cost of the two models and honestly I can’t understand why that’s so. The performance of both motors has little to no difference.
While this electric bike (understandably) lacks hill climbing ability, its performance on flat city roads isn’t bad. You can easily hit speeds up to 20mph – but you don’t have a speedometer in either of the two units to monitor how fast you’re going. Fortunately, you can get an LCD display in the 350W unit by throwing in another $51.
Pedal assist system sucks, but twist throttle is good
The pedal assist system uses cadence sensors and has very limited functionality. It’s probably the most basic on the market and works like an ‘on/off’ switch. It means you’ll either have full motor power to boost help with the pedaling or no power at all. Yeah, it sounds terrible… but you get what you pay for!
Luckily, the twist throttle makes up for the useless pedal assist. The throttle can accelerate you pretty quickly, so the handling may take a little getting used to. You also have the option to ride on manpower to flaunt all those stylish looks.
The Lithium battery falls behind the challenge
The 36V 10.4Ah Lithium battery is removable and comes with a key lock so that you can park your bike anywhere you want.
The placement isn’t bad either… but when it comes to mileage, the battery falls behind the challenge. You can extract a maximum of 25 miles (45km) from the 374Wh battery – and that’s under ideal conditions. In normal conditions, expect a mileage of 10-15 miles per charge.
Though this mileage is too less even for the price point as other entry-level bikes such as the ones from Fiido offer an excellent range in comparable price points, don’t forget that they’re tiny moped-styled eBikes and not full-fledged Dutch-styled bicycles with 26” wheels.
Shimano 6-speed transmission is a good addition
Luckily, you can compensate for the measly powertrain by taking the mechanical advantage of the gears.
If you think Nakto should have provided a 7-speed system here, I’d disagree. It’s one of the cost-saving areas that I agree with Nakto on. I mean 6 gears are enough for the kind of powertrain this bike has. And since these are from Shimano, they’re reliable as well.
Cutting cost on brakes, however, is what I dislike the most about this bike. Nakto ditches disc brakes to go for an outdated V brake on the front and a puny expansion brake on the rear.
It comes complete with every thing (except one)
As I mentioned before, Nakto Camel City women’s electric bike includes LCD as an add-on… as the base units feature just a bunch of LEDs to monitor the battery level. However, it comes with a lot of cool accessories to make up for that.
The bike has both front and rear lamps (with the latter integrated on the rear rack) for night-time safety. It also has front and rear fenders as well as reflective spoke plates in each wheel. It also includes a full chain guide and a side kickstand. Another nice little accessory is the electric horn, which I’d prefer on a bell any day.
However, the things I like the most are the rear rack and front basket. The basket is made of plastic and has little to no practicality. But still, it looks adorable and is just nice to have. The rack, thankfully, is sturdy and practical!
Overall, it’s a good option for those tight on budget
Summing up, the only notable trade-off, I would say, is the measly battery and outdated brakes. The motor isn’t the best but does the job!
The things that make it stand out are a stylish frame, comfortable ride, and lots of accessories. Overall, it’s a strong contender for entry-level city cruiser category and can be a great option for those looking for their first ride.
Summary
Things I don’t like:
- The 36V 10.4Ah battery gives a short range, even in the entry-level category.
- Due to the steel construction, it’s not lightweight, so carrying it around won’t be easy.
- Brakes are outdated, so you might want to stay a bit more careful with your speed.
- There’s just one level of pedal assist, which can be inconvenient for some riders.
Things I like:
- The cruiser styling looks great. The finishing is decent and the bike doesn’t look entry-level at all.
- The rear rack and front basket are a great addition. The vinyl basket stays straight when you turn.
- The front fork and saddle suspension aren’t top-of-the-shelf, but they do make your ride more comfortable.
- Shimano drivetrain is great to have as the mechanical advantage of the gears can compensate for the powertrain.
- The step-through frame ensures easy mounting and sweptback bars help maintain an upright and relaxed posture.
- The bike comes complete with front/ rear lights, fenders, horn, twist throttle, spoke reflector plates, chainguard, and kickstand (and a free lock too if you buy from Amazon).
Best deals right now:
If you want to explore more electric bikes with a budget tag, check out these best options under $1000! You can also electrify your regular bicycle with electric bike conversion kits at an affordable cost, provided that it’s in good shape!
