Nakto Camel 250 Review 2024

The Nakto Camel 250 stands out as a reasonably priced Class 2 electric bike, making it a solid option for commuting or running errands. While it may lack a sophisticated pedal-assist system or an advanced user interface, the 250W motor can reach speeds of up to 20 mph using either the throttle or pedal assist. The 360Wh battery offers an impressive distance range, enhancing its practicality.

This cruiser-style bike features a low step-through frame and a comfortable, upright seated pedaling position. Its handling is generally steady and predictable. The Nakto Camel 250 comes loaded with useful features such as fenders, a headlight, an electric horn, a bell, a sturdy rear rack, and a covered basket. For those seeking one of the best budget electric bikes with comprehensive features, the Nakto Camel 250 is a great option to consider.

Comprehensive Evaluation and Performance Insights

Nakto, a smaller brand in the electric bike market, produces reasonably priced options, with the Class 2 Camel 250 at $749.00 standing out due to its positive user reviews and extensive features. Testing the Nakto against similarly priced competitors revealed several strengths and some areas for improvement.

Key Highlights:

• Motor and Speed: The 250W motor delivers a top speed of 20 mph using both throttle and pedal assist, providing ample power for city commutes and errands.
• Battery and Range: The 360Wh battery offers a surprisingly good distance range, making it suitable for longer rides without frequent recharges.
• Comfort and Handling: With a low step-through frame and upright seating position, the Nakto Camel 250 ensures a comfortable ride. Its handling is steady and predictable, enhancing rider confidence.
• Included Features: The bike comes with practical accessories such as fenders, a headlight, an electric horn, a bell, a rear rack, and a covered basket, adding convenience and functionality for daily use.

Areas for Improvement:

• Pedal-Assist System: The pedal-assist system is relatively simple and could benefit from more sophistication to enhance the riding experience.
• User Interface: An improved user interface could make the bike more user-friendly and offer better control over its features.

Riding Experience: Smooth and Predictable

Comfort and Ride Quality

The Nakto Camel 250 is a cruiser-style bike that features a low step-through frame and a comfortable, upright seated position. Equipped with numerous useful features, it enhances versatility and user-friendliness.

Handling is generally good, feeling predictable and steady across various speeds and turn types. However, it can feel a bit twitchy during very sharp turns at lower speeds, likely due to the compact frame geometry and steep head tube angle. Otherwise, it handles smoothly and remains stable at higher speeds. The brakes perform well, with the rear drum brake needing a short break-in period to reach full effectiveness. The shifting also works well once the cable tension is adjusted.

The Nakto Camel 250 offers comfort, even with the low step-through frame typically associated with “women’s” bikes. Even 6-foot-tall male tester would find it quite agreeable, with plenty of adjustability. The low step-through frame makes it easy to mount and dismount. It provides a cruiser bike feel with an upright body position. The seat post offers about 10 inches of height adjustability, fitting riders between 5’4″ and 6’5″. The stem and handlebar can also be adjusted for a customized fit. The wide, cushioned comfort seat proved comfortable during range and handling tests.

Feature-Rich Design

One standout feature is the extensive list of accessories. While assembly may take longer due to these features, it is well worth the effort. Front and rear fenders keep riders dry, making the bike suitable for wet climates. An electric horn and standard bell offer ways to notify others of your presence. The battery-powered headlight, though not the brightest, provides a wide beam for night riding. The covered basket is perfect for carrying items to work or while running errands. Additionally, a sturdy rear cargo rack enhances the bike’s carrying capacity, ideal for those needing extra cargo space.

Impressive Distance Range

Battery Performance

The Nakto Camel 250 excels in distance range, thanks to its 360Wh battery capacity. It is among the top performers in this metric. The company claims a 20-25 mile range with pedal assist. In full electric/throttle mode, it can achieve nearly 20 miles. During throttle-only range testing, with no pedaling input, 19.6 miles were traveled with 1,032 feet of elevation gain/loss. The average speed was 15.4 mph, with the test taking an hour and 17 minutes to complete. On less hilly terrain, one could likely travel further. Pedaling effort from the rider could also significantly increase the bike’s range.

Power Play: Modest but Reliable

Performance and Speed

The Nakto Camel 250 displays an adequate performance for power output. Its straightforward pedal-assist system and average acceleration don’t make it a standout in terms of power, but it gets the job done. The 250W rear hub motor allows the bike to reach up to 20 mph using either the throttle or pedal-assist, although with only one pedal-assist support level, it feels basic compared to models with multiple levels.

Acceleration with the 250W motor feels average when using the throttle. While not particularly quick off the line, it has no trouble reaching its top speed of 20 mph on flat ground. During range testing, the Nakto maintained an average speed of 15.4 mph. The motor doesn’t have an abrupt power cutoff at top speed, providing a smooth riding experience.

The bike’s pedal-assist system is simple, offering only one level of assist that can be turned on or off. It uses a cadence sensor to regulate power output, taking about 2-3 rotations of the cranks before assistance kicks in. Once activated, the assistance ramps up smoothly and feels strong, likely providing around 80-90% support. Reaching 20 mph while pedaling is relatively easy, though the bike’s weight makes it challenging to go faster.

User Interface: Simple and Functional

Controls and Features

The user interface of Nakto Camel 250 may not be considered particularly impressive, still it is functional and straightforward. The seat-mounted battery is easily removable for charging or security.

To turn on the bike, the key is inserted into the battery and turned to the “on” position, and the key must remain in the battery while in use. The display, located by the right grip, uses three colored LEDs to indicate battery charge levels: full, half, or empty. A twist throttle on the right grip controls the bike in full electric/throttle mode. Below the battery indicator is a red button to toggle the pedal-assist on or off, while a switch on the left handlebar controls the headlight. A green button operates the electric horn, and a bell is also included for rider alerts.

The battery slides into a slot behind the seat tube and locks securely in place. It has a handle for easy removal, and the seat folds up for access. The charging port is under the handle, with a charging time of 4-6 hours.

Assembly: More Steps, More Time

Setup and Installation

Assembly of the Nakto Camel 250 took about an hour, earning it a 6 out of 10 for this metric. While not particularly difficult, it involved a few extra steps. The bike arrived well-packaged in a standard bike box, with no signs of damage. The included instructions and tools were sufficient, though an adjustable wrench was also needed.

The bike comes 80% assembled, with remaining steps including attaching the front wheel, handlebar, seat post, and pedals. Additional steps of installing the front fender, headlight, and basket added about 20 minutes to the process. Though these steps aren’t difficult, they do add time to the assembly.