Magnum Nomad Review 2023 | Stable For Urban Cruising!

One of the most common questions I hear about e-bikes is, “how far will this thing go before you gotta recharge the battery?” On the long range test, using the minimum usable PAS level, which was the Tour mode for this bike, I was able to go almost 60 miles (59,92 miles to be exact. That was a great feeling because bikes like this normally go a shorter distance.

The battery management system (BMS) on the Nomad played a key role in making this happen. The BMS manages power output between the battery and the motor. Normally, bikes with torque sensors do a better job of managing power output. But the Nomad, with its cadence sensor, did a good job. While riding the long range test, there were times when I could feel the motor engaging when I really needed the extra oomph, and disengaging when I sped up or was coasting. In the end, it got me the range I was hoping for.

Here at EBR we get a lot of questions about an e-bike’s hill climbing ability. You need to know beforehand what kind of hill climbing strength your e-bike has, before you face that uphill challenge. We push all of the test bikes to the limits when we do the hill climb test. We use one of the highest local hills around Southwest Utah – the Hell Hole Trail. This trail is ⅓ of a mile long and has a grade averaging 12%. This hill climb is probably longer and steeper than any hill that’s regularly faced by the average commuter. But this test really helps answer the question about an e-bike’s climbing ability.

We did this test in two parts, with the first test using the Throttle only, and no pedaling. The Nomad made it to the top in 1:45, with an average speed of 10.3 mph. We know that most people are never going to try climbing a hill without pedaling. But this test shows us how much raw power the Bafang motor can muster to help a rider up. And in this test the motor performed as expected.

The second test involves basic pedaling while using the highest PAS level, the Boost mode. With pedal power helping this time, the Nomad reached the top in 1:20, at an average speed of 13.6 mph. Sometimes, with similar bikes and similar motors, we’ve seen bikes struggle in this test, but the Nomad had not problem reaching the top. The important takeaway is that this bike passed the hill test, and will likely carry you up just about any hill you need to conquer.

Throughout all of our test rides we found the brakes to work consistently, so we were a little surprised by the longer stopping distance in our tests. Additionally, this bike is 6 – 10 lbs heavier than most of the cruisers we’ve tested, and heavier weight can make a bike’s braking distance longer, too.

The steering and handling on this bike definitely feels different from all of the other cruiser e-bikes I have test ridden. The unique tread on the road 26” x 4” street tires have a lot to do with this difference. I found some improvement when I dropped the tire a few PSI pounds, and made the stem vertical beneath the handlebar.

The grips are comfortable for the hands, the seat is welcoming for long term sitting, and the pedals and crank are designed and sized to mesh well with your body size, so you can feel right at home on this bike. The levers have an easy reach for engaging the brakes, and the display screen is easy to touch for making ride control adjustments.

The display screen is very easy to see in broad daylight, which is a welcome difference compared to some of the other mono-color units we’ve seen on other e-bikes. Something we’d like to see is Magnum display the battery level using percentage numbers instead of the 5-block display. The block display doesn’t give us a very clear indication of the remaining battery power, and that can be frustrating when you’re looking at 3 of 5 blocks, only to find soon that you’re down to your last 20 percent.

The Magnum Nomad is sure to satisfy e-bike enthusiasts who want a bike that looks rugged and rides like a comfortable cruiser. With its fat tires, rear rack and front suspension, Nomaders are sure to want to utilize their bike carrying capabilities, using this bike for shopping, picnicking, and even camping!

The Magnum Nomad is sold online from the button above, or through their dealerships they have dotted across the country. it’s great to see companies offering riders a chance to visit their shop, and see and test ride their e-bike before taking it home. The Magnum Nomad’s power, range and durability makes this e-bike worthy of your short list of cruiser e-bikes to consider. To learn more about this e-bike, please click our “Check Best Price” link above.

Happy Riding! Leave a comment for the Electric Bike Report team in the comments below or ask a question if you think we left anything out in this review of the Magnum Nomad.