NAKTO Santa Monica

79/100
BikeRide Score
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Facts

Gender
Release Year
Brand
Charge Time
5 Hours
Maximum Range
60 Miles
Top Speed
28 mph
Watts
500 W
Torque
65 Nm
Volts and Amp Hours
48V 10Ah
Class
Drive
Wheel Size
Number of Gears
Gearing Type
Weight
72 lb
Suspension
Brake Type
Frame Material

Summary of Reviews

We have read all expert and user reviews on the NAKTO Santa Monica. In summary, this is what cyclists think.

10 reasons to buy

  • Testers praise the hill-climbing ability of the 500W hub motor.
  • The Santa Monica earns praise for its looks.
  • Reviewers say the suspension fork smooths out bumpy pavement and light off-road terrains.
  • Experts appreciate the enhanced grip of the knobbly 3" tires.
  • Users enjoy the "comfy" upright riding posture created by the swept-back bars.
  • The wide saddle with elastomer springs is comfortable and absorbs shocks, according to testers.
  • Reviewers highlight the "top-notch" cable management and internally routed wires.
  • Testers describe the Santa Monica as "comfortable" and "easy to ride."
  • Users and experts report a straightforward assembly process.
  • Many reviewers say the Santa Monica offers good value.

15 reasons not to buy

  • In tests, the Santa Monica's riding range falls well short of NAKTO's 60-mile claim.
  • Reviewers express concern about the stopping power of the mechanical disc brakes.
  • The Santa Monica lacks basic safety features like a rear light and reflectors.
  • Some experts criticize the "low-end" 6-speed drivetrain.
  • Reviewers note a disproportionate speed difference between pedal assist levels four and five.
  • Some users mention that the handlebars can come loose and wiggle after riding over bumpy terrain.
  • NAKTO markets the bike as having a full twist throttle, but some models are sold with thumb throttles.
  • The 'full twist' throttle is critiqued for its "awkwardness." The always-on design is also a potential safety concern.
  • Experts disagree with NAKTO's claims that this bike is suitable for all-terrain riding.
  • Reviewers complain about the small display and its awkward "hard to see" placement.
  • Battery level fluctuations from the "inconsistent" indicator are likely to cause confusion about remaining range.
  • The Santa Monica doesn't have fenders or a rack.
  • Reviewers say the included headlight is "pretty dim."
  • Multiple testers experience a display error requiring a new controller or wiring to fix.
  • Some users express dissatisfaction with NAKTO's customer service. Others report difficulties obtaining replacement parts.

Bottom line

The NAKTO Santa Monica is a cruiser-style electric bike with a "powerful" 500W hub motor. Its 3" tires, "responsive" suspension fork, and wide sprung saddle deliver a "smooth" and "comfortable" ride. While the bike earns praise for its aesthetics and price, it has a considerable list of drawbacks. Testers criticize the range, stopping power, thumb shifter, and drivetrain quality. In addition, poor customer service, a lack of safety features, and the exclusion of a rear rack and fenders disappoint. Overall, the Santa Monica offers style and comfort at a budget-friendly price, but the negatives seem to outweigh the reasons to buy.

Expert Reviews

78/100 based on 3 rated expert reviews
60
Motored Life

66/80CC Screaming Demon Motorized Gas Bike Full-Throttle Ride and Review + 500W NAKTO Santa Monica

… this thing is actually awesome for the price range. I do love the style.

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81
?
This review has been given a score. Read more here
We Tried It

NAKTO Santa Monica Review: An E-Bike Where Comfort Meets Affordability

It’s a great all-rounder, reliable, and won’t shoot your budget.

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80
?
This review has been given a score. Read more here
Electrified Reviews

2021 NAKTO Santa Monica Review

… the Nakto Santa Monica is an affordable entry-level cruiser-style electric bike… a great choice for those with less than 20-mile round-trip journeys in mind.

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Albert Kim

NAKTO Santa Monica E-Bike Review 🚲

… this is a very relaxing type of bike to ride.

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Antonio Sanson

NAKTO Santa Monica E-Bike Review | Affordable Cruiser All-Terrain E-Bike

… it comes in at a really affordable price, and therefore you get a lot of affordable features as well, like mechanical brakes… or the battery life isn’t quite as long as some of the other e-bikes.

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True North Due South

NAKTO Santa Monica E-Bike First Ride & Impressions

We could not believe how smooth everything felt. This e-bike has some power and is really fun to ride.

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Trent In The Sipp

NAKTO Santa Monica E-Bike First Ride & Impressions Review

… in general, very, very cool ride for sure; my first impression [is] super high…

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RV Enthusiast

NAKTO Santa Monica Review

So, this is an entry-level bike… other than the handlebars, it’s okay…

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First Time Riding NAKTO Santa Monica Cruiser Electric Bike

It feels like you’re sitting on a chair, actually, and holding [it] like a motorcycle. It’s a cruising bicycle, mostly for the beach, most likely [to] go to the store. The only thing, this bike didn’t come with a rack or a fenders…

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Larry Lynch

NAKTO Santa Monica 500W E-Bike Test Drive and Review | Everything You Need to Know

… wish it had more power, but again, for the price and what you’re getting, it’s fine… I think it’s a fun bike. It’s not very practical for anything other than just cruising around.

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Hobby Pursuit

NAKTO Santa Monica E-Bike: My Official Review of This Sexy E-Bike

… whether it be mud or dirt, it definitely has the traction… I felt really safe and confident because of the nice fat tires…

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Monkey Wrench Mike

Best Beach Bike? The NAKTO Santa Monica Review Is Here

… a very stylish e-bike with 26″ x 3″ beach tires… I really like the curved handlebar, and [I] think the Santa Monica is a beautiful bike.

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Santa Monica 500W E-Bike Build. Quality Control Concerns 😟

I’m documenting all these flaws that this bike had so far. Other than that, the bike rides pretty good. It’s more relaxing, it’s not really sporty…

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User Ratings

76/100 based on 7 ratings
  • 5 star
    71%
  • 4 star
    14%
  • 3 star
    0%
  • 2 star
    0%
  • 1 star
    14%

Rankings

Compared to other bikes
#287 Best Electric
Bottom 20%
#44 Best Beach Cruiser
Bottom 30%
#6 Best NAKTO Bike
Bottom 20%
#591 Best of All Bikes
Bottom 20%

Bike Comparison

NAKTO Santa Monica in comparison to averages

Forum Discussions

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