To run the forums, host the website, and travel, I charge a universal service fee for my reviews. This review was sponsored by Nakto. My goal is to be transparent and unbiased, this video and written review are not meant to be an endorsement of Nakto products.
Nakto is a new company to me and it looks like they are going for value ebikes at the entry level. When I say value bike, I really mean it. The Camel here has a rear rack, fenders, suspension, headlight, front basket, throttle, pedal assist, and even a Shimano drivetrain all for just $649. Sometimes, I don’t know how these companies are able to do it and make any profit. However some of the more basic parts like the brakes, battery, and motor defiantly shed some light on that. So in a nutshell, the Camel is a step through cruiser going for a relaxed feel with these dutch style handlebars with a little bit of back-sweep to it, basic front suspension fork, and comfort saddle. There is some vibration dampening going on too with the steel fork and steel stem, that helps a bit just like that suspension fork. While you do get some 26” x 1.75” tires with a street tread to them, the crank arms are actually smaller at 152mm (the standard size is 170mm). The bike was originally set for the Chinese market where the average height is much shorter than here in the States. By keeping it unchanged, they save some money and pass that savings down to you. Another unique feature for the Chinese market is the electric horn. Most bikes in the US use a bell, but in China where streets are more crowded, the electric horn does a better job of getting peoples attention. As I mentioned before, there is a lot of utility like the rear rack. This rack is frame mounted with a height adjustment and uses smaller tubing which can fit a lot of different sized panniers. Meanwhile, the front basket is bolted above and below the head tube so it stays straight when you turn. It is made of plastic so it is probably not meant to carry a ton of weight around, but it did just fine with the battery charger inside during my ride. Other features include a full chain guide, battery integrated headlight, and a kickstand mounted in the rear to eliminate annoying pedal lock when reversing.
Driving the bike is a 250 watt hub motor located in the rear. The 250 watt motor isn’t bad, but it may not be a major hill climber. It doesn’t offer immediate power like some other ebikes, but that can be a good thing if the rider is new or intimidated by the jolt of a stronger ebike. It is powered either via the twist throttle or through cadence based pedal assist. Mechanically, the bike has a 6 speed Shimano Tourney derailleur with a 14-28 tooth cassette and a 44 tooth chain ring in the front. The brakes are definitely one of the areas you can tell they went with cost savings. In the front you have a basic rim brake instead of disc brakes, and in the rear you have even more basic with a drum brake. It should also be noted that the brake levers are switched from the US market, so the front brake lever and back brake lever are on opposite sides of the handlebar.
Powering the bike is a 36v 10.4ah battery. Not a bad size given the motor, and I have defiantly seen smaller batteries on more expensive bikes. However, I am not sure who makes the cells on these, I doubt it is Panasonic, LG, or Samsung. The battery mounts behind the seat and is accessed by flipping a latch underneath the saddle which tilts the saddle forward. Charging is done with 2amp portable charger which is appropriate for the size of the battery. To really care for this and other lithium-ion packs, I have heard that storing in a cool dry location vs. extreme heat or cold will extend the life and try to keep it about 50% full when not using for long periods so you won’t stress the cells. Try not to let it run down to zero, because that’s really hard on the cell chemistry.
Operating the bike is easy. There is no real display to speak of, just a rocker switch and button on the left for the light and horn. On the right is a tiny little readout with a red toggle switch underneath. When the switch is out, the electric system is not active. When it is in, you have the one single mode of pedal assist. There is not speedometer, but I am told that 20mph is the top speed. The LED dots indicate battery level, but it is highly variable since it reads battery level off of current moment of use. Meaning, when you twist the throttle, the battery indicator will go all the way down to show the lowest level and then back up again to its current charge level. This is an occurrence called ‘voltage sag’ that many newer ebike systems have successfully eliminated so you have more accurate readouts.
So wrapping up the bike, I will recap the tradeoffs real quick. Some things will stand out as odd since it was primarily made for the Chinese market, like the reversal of the brake levers, electric horn, or smaller 152mm crank arms. However, these could just be preferences, and likely won’t bother most people. The real tradeoffs would be the generic battery and motor followed by the very basic brakes. These are areas where even bikes below $1,500 try not to skimp, so I would be interested to see how this bike does over time. But as I mentioned, that $649 price is really going for the competitors jugular. I would be interested to see how this performs against the Ancheer bike we reviewed. I am excited to see the other Nakto bikes and I want to thank them for inviting me out to review them.
As always, I welcome questions and feedback in the comment section below. Whether you own the bike, have taken a test ride, or are brand new to the space, my goal is to provide an objective and honest resource. You can also join the Other Brands ebike forums and share your own photos, videos, and review updates to help others! Have fun out there, and ride safe :)
Pros:
- A new step through ebike from a company looking to take over the entry level market with bikes such as this, extremely competitive price of just $649
- The Camel has comfort via fenders, suspension fork, full chain guide, swept back handlebars, and even a vibration dampening steel fork and steel stem
- Has a good amount of utility too, like this rear rack with thinner tubing to handle most panniers, front basket that stays straight when you turn, battery integrated headlight, and even an electric horn
- The 20mph top speed is gradual, perfect for those one their first ebike or even people intimidated by the jolt of high torque motors we often see
Cons:
- Some things will stand out as odd since it was primarily made for the Chinese market, like the reversal of the brake levers, electric horn, or smaller 152mm crank arms
- This style battery means the keys have to stay in to operate the bike, not a big deal, but they can jingle around or scratch the paint if you have them on a loose key chain, or you could forget to take it out entirely
- The Camel has a generic battery and motor followed by the very basic brakes I would be interested to see how this bike does over time
Resources:
- Official Site: https://www.e-bikes.com/
Mark B says
Purchased one of these from UPZY and the price was great when you considered the 5% bonus coupon and FREE shipping. This is a basic steel frame cruiser bike with a battery and motor, but it does include fenders, headlight, rack, and front basket (I choose the rectangular wire basket). Everything works pretty good but the cheap brakes are a sure sign of a budget model. You will most likely use the twist grip throttle 90% of the time. The peddle assist is pretty much useless on flat terrain unless you are in a race! If it is engaged, the motor will go to full speed when you are peddling and you will leave most of your companions behind (there are no levels, it is either ON or OFF). I’m kinda surprised that the review did not mention this. If you’re climbing a hill, then this will hold your speed back because the motor is not real powerful, but on flat pavement it’s “all ahead full” if using peddle assist. The seat was not real comfortable, so I replaced it with a “Schwin” from Walmart. Still a decent value for an Ebike considering many are a LOT more money.
Court says
Thanks for adding your thoughts here, Mark! Glad you’re enjoying the bike and I hope it holds up well for you! Please chime in with any more thoughts and updates as you continue riding :)
Alex M says
People who bought it, mentioned another surprise – there is no tail-light. It’s a red reflector, not a light :)
Court says
Hmm, thanks for the feedback on this Alex :D
Alan G says
I bought mine from Nakto website. Metal basket wouldn’t fit mounts so didn’t try to install it. The swing out kickstand uses the axle nuts to mount it and would interfere with wheel coming loose all the time so I bought an after market one and wheel doesn’t loosen up anymore. Pedal assist took about 3 to 4 revolutions to kick in, but I found out that giving it twist throttle for 1/2 second before pedaling and assist kick in right away. In pedal assist you pretty much have a cadence of 60 to 65. I ride it 15 to 20 miles every other day for exercise and have had no serious issues for 6 months now. I have ridden it up an 8% grade in first gear and 3 miles up highway grade of 6% in 3rd gear. I have ridden it a max of 25 miles before charge showed a steady half charge. I am 67 years old and it has bought my BP to a healthy reading and I lost 5 pounds in 6 months (not that I was overweight and needed to lose, but 160 feels better than 165). All in all, for myself , it’s been a good value and great help for an older rider like myself to still ride and get exercise.
Court says
Hi Alan, thanks for the feedback! I’m glad to hear that the bike has been an overall good value for you. Thanks for paying it forward and sharing your tips ;)
Ann Turner says
Interested in customer support phone number or the website address for the seller of these ebikes in California. Thank you
mike dorsch says
I bought the Nakto camel for my wife and I got their Speed Green bike for me. Both bikes have performed great so far. The camel has 276 miles on it and the Speed Green model has 476 miles on it.. We are both in our 60’s and ride them alot. My first bike arrived damaged in shipping and Matt at Nakto set a new one to me the same day and a return label. Not only am pleased by their bikes but they have great customer service too. I hope you do a review on their SpeedGreen bike soon.
Court says
Sweet! Thanks for the feedback, Mike. So glad to hear that you and your wife are enjoying the ride, and that their customer support team has been there for you. Very cool… Feel free to post updates anytime, and we will keep an eye out for the Speed Green to review at some point too ;)
Mike Dorsch says
Here’s an update for my Nakto Speed Green bike. I purchased it last summer and today my ride took it over 1000 miles! Still on original tires! So far the bike has performed flawlessly. Highly recommended for a low cost bike. I also have the bike featured here in this review and it has 312 miles on it with no issues at all.
Court says
Awesome! Thanks Mike! Sounds like you’re enjoying it, thanks for the feedback :)
mike dorsch says
I forgot to mention Nakto discontinued the “Speed Green” model . They do have a model called the “Ranger” which uses the same frame . Thanks for this site Court !
Adele says
I live in a large, dense city and amid the pandemic, wanted an alternative mode of transportation besides bus/train. With asthma, I needed a bike that worked with me instead of me working against it, plus I didn’t want to spend a fortune. I just needed reliable transportation, and this met the criteria. It’s incredibly affordable, and came with all the accessories I wanted on a bike. This is my first electric bike, and it was easy to learn to ride. I’m a 5’2″ female and this bike fits well, so I’m happy that it was designed for a Chinese market! Riding this bike is a delight. Even when I loaded it with cargo in the front and back, it still performed well and the motor was still powerful. The bike is heavy, and I have to be more sensitive to balance that usual, but regardless, so happy with this purchase!
Court says
Hi Adele! I love your name. Than you so much for posting this testimonial! It’s wonderful to hear that you’re satisfied with it and enjoying the bike. It sounds like a great fit in terms of features, sizing, and cost. That’s wonderful :) chime in again anytime as you continue to ride. Hope it goes well!
Susan Krot says
I bought this wonderful bike because the gyms all closed due to virus concerns, As a diabetic daily exercise is a must, but I was afraid to go far on my old beach cruiser for fear of being too out of shape. I bought the Natko electric bike because I knew the battery assist would always get me home. I did not expect the ebike to be so much fun. I pedal down to the beach bike path and then ZOOM! I can go 4 miles down to the park and back another 4 miles or more without fear of running out of energy (mine or the bikes). I love my Nakto bike, but I should have bought a smaller one. I must step off the saddle to touch the pavement.
Court says
Hi Susan! What a wonderful comment to read, you made my day. It sounds like this ebike has brought you some much needed fun and adventure during the pandemic. Good for you!! Thanks for the tip about sizing. Would you mind sharing your height so others know how to size the bike relative to their height? Thanks again!
Susan Krot says
I bought the 26” bike, but I forgot that I am only 5’3” now and I probably needed the 24” bike. I love the bike anyway!
Court says
Awesome, thanks Susan!!
Cher says
So disappointed missing part, can’t put the front fender and light on no screw, can’t get the chain back on as it was off when I unpacked it, sending it back.
Court says
Wow, that’s a bummer! I’ve had similar experiences when buying online… a single missing bolt can really throw a wrench in the build and enjoyment of a bike. I’m sorry that this has not been a great experience for you. I’ve actually slowed down on reviewing the most basic online-only ebikes because of issues like this. They usually cost less, but the lost time and frustration is unpredictable. I hope you can find an ebike that works well for you, Cher.
Donna says
I knew nothing about E bikes and just recently bought the Nakto Classic, which is a lot of fun to ride, but I am very disappointed that the pedal assist only works at full speed. I would like to be able to pedal without the motor at times but I want to be able to quickly turn the electric system on. On the Classic, If you want to pedal without assistance, you have to turn the system off with the key and the only way to turn the bike back on is to stop and get off to turn the key. If I am understanding your review correctly, the Nakto Camel has a toggle switch, on the display, that turns the electric system on and off, which allows you to switch easily from manual pedaling to pedal assist. Is this correct? Also, I am not really sure what the Classic has over the Camel that would make it cost $100 more, am I missing something?
Court says
Hi Donna! A friend of mine actually produced this review, so I’m not able to clarify exactly how the toggle switch works or the differences. I’m sorry about that! I hope the video and details of the writeup help, but I’m just not sure and don’t want to guess. Also, this review is a bit outdated now and may not reflect the latest updates from Nakto :)
Erna Gilbertson says
Bought the bike thru IncredEbike who charged double the amount. Had a hassle putting it together myself. It arrived in September’s, couldn’t ride it much till next spring summer. Was happy with it mostly… until by the next June the battery failed me and it was disastrous trying to get a battery. It was almost September by the time the ‘new’? battery arrived from Nakto. Couldn’t rode it much because of the weather and cold. As the bike doesn’t come with speedometer I finally figured out how to check on miles… by the time I rode 5 miles the light went off, glad I made it back going 7 or 8 miles. It’s extremely hard work to ride when the battery quits like the old one did.
It cost me almost $250 to replace the 1st battery that lasted about 1 1/2 yrs. Max speed only 15 mph slows down on hills loosing power so you have to work hard even on slight grade.
Court says
Hi Erna, that’s a rough experience. I’m sorry to hear that you were unable to ride as much (or as reliably) as you had hoped. Extreme cold can be hard on Lithium-ion batteries. Always keep the pack 50%+ charged when not using it, and try to store in a cool dry location vs. extreme heat or cold. Consider this company FTH Power to re-pack your battery next time with better cells and for less money if you are able to keep the bike going. The Nakto seems to be a cheaper product, so it just might not have the lifespan of something a bit more expensive. Sorry to hear that it also cost you extra :/
kodi says
Hi! looking into these bikes, what would you say the downfalls are?
Court says
Hi Kodi! The Nakto products are very affordable, but they use cheaper parts that tend to weigh more and go out of tune faster. You may also be required to do a bit more assembly work vs. buying from a local bike shop. Perhaps the biggest risk here is that the battery could be using cheaper cells that aren’t rated at the same quality level and if you have to replace the pack, they may not sell the same design or even be in business. Those factors make the bike a bit more “disposable” which is kind of sad. There are some companies that repack batteries (FTH Power in California), but the price of that may be as much as the bike new. Consider something like Rad Power Bikes, Magnum, or Aventon as an affordable but higher quality option :)
Lesli says
Basic build of the bike pretty much what is expected from a budget bike. Bought this bike to get some light exercise peddling leisurely around the neighborhood. Seems ok with two exceptions. First the brakes are marginal at best. Back brake will just produce a little drag no matter how it is adjusted. Front brake wouldn’t stop quickly enough until the shoes were replaced with something of higher quality. Even then I wouldn’t expect them to provide adequate emergency stop at much over 12ish mph. Brakes solid D. The lack of different levels of pas renders this bike basically useless for my intended use. In my 60s just wanted a little help with the ride. The only speed the peddle assist allows is 18 to 20 mph too fast for leisurely exercise even with out the pot holes and rough spots in the neighborhood. Unless you want to go fast it is basically a scooter that can also be peddled. Too heavyweight for a bike and ebike capabilities limited. I believe this bike would work for someone who wants to quickly ride 5 or 10 miles to work on smooth road with no challenging grades. Just be careful brakes are marginal. Put a little better brakes on it and add variable pas and it would be a bargain even for a little more money.
Court says
Great feedback Lesli! Thanks for chiming in about the bike, I agree that nicer brakes would be a good thing. Ebikes tend to weigh more and go faster on average, so brakes are an important part of the hardware to get right.
Joni says
I’m interested in this bike, but we live in an area with hills. It’s not like San Francisco, but I want to make sure it won’t blow a fuse every time I go up a hill. I don’t plan on riding long distances, and our hills are spaced out. Can you give me any advice?
Court says
Hi Joni! This is a cheaper ebike that likely uses cheaper (lower grade) battery cells. It may not go as far or last through as many full cycles before your range starts to dip based on what I’ve heard and experienced from similar products. Some of the hardware will likely be heavier and the drivetrain may require more maintenance. If you keep these things in mind and avoid situations that could cause rust or strain, I think it could still be a great ebike! Someone from my team who is less critical and detailed created this review, and they didn’t list as many considerations “cons” as I would have. This is the type of ebike I purchased for my first ride… and I was disappointed because I loved riding so much and realized that the bike wasn’t going to last (or was going to require more money in terms of repairs and replacement parts). One downside to a brand that hasn’t been around as long or has limited support and is sold through a big box or online outlet is that they may not even offer replacement displays or batteries. I wished that I had spent just a bit extra for a slightly more dedicated company. For me, companies like Rad Power Bikes, Magnum, Surface 604, RIZE, VoltBike, and Aventon all fit that description. Rad is the best, in my opinion, because they have great customer support and share the same battery across all models, they even have a delivery van for people in big cities and their cheapest model is just over $1k USD. After my first ebike, I tripled my budget and got a much nicer model, this one here, and was very very happy with it because I was riding my bike to work daily :) here’s a review that I conducted on an Amazon bike that reflects more of the trade-offs you might face from an Amazon, eBay, Sams Club, Costco, or Walmart electric bicycle.
Deb says
Can you please tell me what the axle diameter is, axle length, and thread pitch? I need to find a different adapter so I can use my dog trailer.
Court says
Hi Deb! I no longer have access to this ebike and the person who reviewed it (Mikey) no longer works with us. I suspect that the rear axle is a 12mm slotted axle (9mm flats to fit into the dropout) with 18mm nuts. I do not know the thread pitch. I hope this helps!! Good luck with your trailer project, and perhaps someone in the ebike forums can be of more assistance!
Diana Quesada says
My husband bought me this bike for Christmas in 2019. I am 5’10”. The bike was definitely small for me so we changed the handle bars and that made a world of difference. I also got a bigger and more comfortable seat. I like the bike a lot… I just do not love it.
Court says
Hi Diana, thanks for sharing your experience with this bike. It sounds like you made the best of things by upgrading the handlebar, that’s a fairly easy and cheap way to improve fit. It sounds like you’re still enjoying it, so that’s good, hope it continues to be decent… if not lovely ;)