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Reviews · Commuter · Video published 2023-03-25 · Page last updated
Velotric Discover 1 Step-Through review
Quick verdict
A good-looking step-through commuter my wife and I both fit on, and it easily pulled our kid's tandem trailer bike.
- Price—
- Motor500 W
- Battery691 Wh
- Rated range65 mi
Price: About $1,300 when I reviewed it (2023); Velotric now sells the Discover 1 Plus, so check Velotric for current pricing
My verdict
Even though the Discover 1 is a budget e-bike because of its price, I think Velotric spent the money where it matters. It's my wife's favorite e-bike I've tested, both for the styling and the ride, and at about $1,300 when I reviewed it you'd be hard-pressed to find an e-bike with these specs for the money. It's not an off-road bike, but it handles paved paths, curbs and light dirt trails.
What I liked
- Comfortable for both me (6'1") and my wife (5'6") with only a seat adjustment
- Pedal assist and throttle are both very responsive, with lots of power instantly
- Bright integrated headlight, plus a brake light on the back
- Battery is integrated in the frame and matches the frame color
- Cables routed through the frame, and a clear paint-protection film on the chainstay
- Step-through frame makes getting on and off easy
- Fit our tandem trailer bike over the rear wheel, which other e-bikes we tested didn't
- Front fork handled curbs and bumps on paved paths
What I didn't
- I had to install the rear kickstand myself, a small extra step
- Plastic pedals
- The charger plug only goes in one way
- Rear rack is an extra-cost option
- The gum-wall tires on my bike aren't what Velotric's website photos show
From my test ride
Specs
| Motor | 500W rear hub (900W peak), 65 Nm (Velotric) |
|---|---|
| Battery | 48V 14.4Ah (691Wh), removable, locks into the down tube |
| Rated range | Up to 65 mi on pedal assist, 58 mi on throttle (Velotric) |
| Class | Class 2, 20 mph by default; thumb throttle |
| Pedal assist | 5 levels |
| Gears | Shimano 7-speed, thumb shifter |
| Brakes | Hydraulic disc, 180 mm rotors |
| Suspension | Front fork, 80 mm, with lockout |
| Tires | 26 x 2.5 in, puncture-resistant liner |
| Weight | About 63.5 lb step-through (Velotric catalog) |
| Max load | 440 lb (Velotric) |
| Lights | Integrated LED headlight, tail light with brake light |
| Extras | Front and rear fenders; rear rack is optional |
Specs are summarized from the manufacturer's listing and my own testing. Check the brand site for current numbers.
- I reviewed the original Discover 1 step-through. Velotric's current listing is the Discover 1 Plus, so check the brand site for what's in stock.
Watch more of my e-bike reviews at YouTube.com/allelectricchannel.
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