What’s up, guys! Today we are hitting the streets for some Uber Eats deliveries, and we’re trying out a brand-new setup on the Velotric GoMAD. If you aren’t familiar with the GoMAD, it’s a $20 \times 4$ fat-tire, step-through e-bike.
Normally, I throw a massive, boxy delivery bag on the back of my bikes. This time, I’ve kitted out the GoMAD completely differently to maximize storage and versatility. Here is a breakdown of the custom setup:
- The Cargo Setup: Instead of the standard box, I’m running dual roll-up panniers sent out by Velotrix, which can each fit a full Target bag. I’ve also got a bike case basket mounted in the middle.
- The Drink Cooler: Up front, I attached a small cooler bag to the front rack that can hold four or more drinks.
- Comfort & Safety Additions: The stock seat is pretty harsh, so I swapped it for a new seat paired with a $30 Zoom suspension seat post from Amazon. I also added rearview mirrors mounted on the handlebar sweep, a bell, and my trusty (but unfortunately discontinued) Hafny phone mount.
- Buy Gomad: https://velotricebike.pxf.io/jRVPgM
Our goal for today’s quick 1.5-hour Thursday shift is a $25 minimum. Let’s see how the bike—and the market—holds up.
The Battery Reality Check
Before rolling out, I booted up the bike to check the stats. On these Velotric bikes, riding in cadence mode burns through the battery incredibly fast.
Range Estimate: With a full battery and pedaling assistance, the bike estimated a 32-mile range. However, in previous delivery runs where I pushed the bike hard in sport/boost mode and relied heavily on the throttle, I’ve nearly emptied the battery in just 20 miles. If you plan to use this bike for serious gig work, buying a second battery from Velotric to store in the frame pouch is highly recommended.
Ride Along: Order Breakdown
Order #1: Buffalo Chicken Wrap & Muffins
- The Details: $6.21 for a 0.3-mile trip to the restaurant and a 0.4-mile drop-off.
- The Experience: The food took about 5–6 minutes to be ready. I tested out the bike’s “Boost” mode to conquer a nearby hill. It was an incredibly short distance with a solid $4 tip ratio.
- The Verdict: A great start, though the rear brakes started squeaking out of nowhere—likely due to cheap metallic pads rather than quieter organic ones.
Orders #2 & #3: A Dominican Food & McDonald’s Double Header
- The Details: $5.70 for a Dominican restaurant pickup, plus a $2.50 McDonald’s add-on right next door.
- The Experience: After sitting dead in a parking lot for 5 minutes, I started moving the bike—which strangely always seems to trigger the Uber Eats algorithm to give you orders. The McDonald’s order threw a wrench in the system by requiring two separate bags.
- The Cargo Test: This is where the GoMAD shined. I managed to stuff both McDonald’s bags into the side panniers and saved the basket for the Dominican food. Unfortunately, the drop-off for Alexander was a 2.3-mile haul that dragged me way out of my usual zone.
A Ghost Town Afternoon
After completing the third delivery an hour into the shift, things completely fell apart. The shift became a masterclass in inefficiency:
- I accidently accepted a $7.37 Taco Bell order, only to realize it was for a location 3 miles away, forcing me to cancel it.
- The app tried matching me to a McDonald’s order that was 5 miles away—the longest e-bike offer I’ve ever seen.
- I had to turn on “pause orders” just to safely navigate back to my main zone near the mall.
By 1:09 PM, the lunch rush was completely dead. With the Fourth of July right around the corner, the only action at the mall was a pop-up fireworks tent setting up.
Final Review: A Crappy Day, But a Great Bike
I decided to shut the app down and call it a day. Final stats: 1.5 hours, 3 orders, and only about $14–$15 earned. Definitely one of my worst financial days in a long time.
However, the Velotric GoMAD was the silver lining. The “triple bag day” proved that the pannier and basket layout is incredibly efficient for delivery drivers. The bike is comfortable, easily hits and throttles up to 28 mph, and offers tons of modular storage. Just remember to grab that second battery if you want to stay out past 20 miles!
What do you guys think of the GoMAD setup? Let me know in the comments, and I’ll see you in the next one!
