Electric bikes (e-bikes) are becoming increasingly popular for commuting, recreation, and general transportation. As the e-bike market grows, new companies are entering the scene trying to carve out a niche.
One of those companies is Velotric, which recently launched its first model – the Discover One eBike. I had the opportunity to test out the Discover One and wanted to share my impressions in this review.
Overview of Velotric
First, some background on Velotric. The company was founded in 2020 by a group of individuals with experience in engineering, design, and logistics from brands like Specialized, Giant, and Lime.
The goal of Velotric was to design high quality and affordable e-bikes. They utilized an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign to raise initial funding to get their first bike – the Discover One – into production.
The campaign was fully funded, raising over $470,000 from 300+ backers. This allowed Velotric to start manufacturing and delivering the Discover One.
While new e-bike companies can sometimes struggle with execution, Velotric seems to have things figured out. They delivered the first Discover One bikes quickly, which gave me confidence in the company.
I’m excited to watch Velotric over the coming years. The Discover One is a great first entry, and I expect more cool e-bike models to come.
Overview of the Velotric Discover One
The Velotric Discover One is a class 2 electric bike with a 500W rear hub motor. It’s available in both throttle and pedal assist versions.
Here are the basic specs:
- Motor: 500W rear hub motor, peak power of 800W
- Battery: 48V 14.4Ah (720Wh) integrated downtube battery
- Range: Up to 55 miles throttle only, up to 75 miles pedal assist
- Top speed: 20 mph throttle, 20 mph pedal assist
- Frame: Aluminum alloy, step-through
- Wheels: 26″ x 2.5″ fat tires
- Brakes: Mechanical disc brakes 180mm rotors
- Drivetrain: Shimano 7-speed derailleur
- Extras: Integrated lights, fenders, rear rack. LCD display.
The Discover One has an eye-catching design with nice touches like integrated cables, aggressive tread tires, and a bright display. The step-through frame along with swept back handlebars make it a very comfortable and accessible e-bike.
It comes in 5 color options – Jet Black, Indigo, Cyan, Mango, and Silver. I tested the silver model.
The $1,499 Indiegogo early bird pricing was a steal. The regular retail price is $1,899. Let’s take a closer look at how it performs.
Unboxing and Assembly
Unboxing and assembly of the Discover One was straightforward. All I had to do was install the front wheel, handlebars, pedals, and charge the battery. No special tools required.
The bike showed up 95% assembled. Total time to get it ready to ride was under 30 minutes.
The box included the bike (obviously), charger, tools, pedals, and a manual. Quality of the packaging was good – everything arrived safely.
One nice touch is that Velotric includes a bell in the box. Most e-bikes don’t come with bells pre-installed.
Walkaround and Initial Impressions
Let’s run through a walkaround of the Discover One eBike:
Wheels:
Up front, the Discover One has 26” x 2.5” tires with tan sidewalls. The wider 2.5” width provides extra stability compared to standard e-bike tires.
The rims are aluminum alloy with a sturdy build quality. The front wheel uses a quick release skewer making it easy to remove.
Brakes:
Braking on the Discover One comes from mechanical disc brakes on 160mm rotors. While the brakes are unbranded, performance during testing was fine. Moderate braking power but enough for street use.
Fork:
The front suspension fork is a basic steel coil fork with preload adjustment but no lockout. There’s 65mm of travel for absorbing bumps. It’s lower-end but does the job for casual riding.
Handlebars:
One of my favorite parts of the Discover One is the handlebar area. The bars have a slight backsweep and the stem is angled providing an upright and comfortable riding position.
The ergonomic grips are nice too. A bell comes pre-installed within easy reach.
Display:
The color display is bright and easy to read even in sunlight. It provides all the essential info – speed, pedal assist level, battery level, trip distance, etc. Simple and functional.
Drivetrain:
Shifting duties are handled by a 7-speed Shimano Tourney derailleur and revo-shift grip shifter. Very standard components but time tested and reliable.
Battery:
The downtube battery is cleanly integrated into the frame. It locks into place and is removed via a key on the left side.
Capacity is a respectable 48V 14.4Ah (720Wh). The casing seems durable and water resistant.
Motor:
A 500W rear geared hub motor provides propulsion. It felt adequate from my initial test rides. Very quiet operation.
Extras:
Nice extras like fenders, rear rack, and integrated lights all come standard on the Discover One. These add lots of practical value to the bike.
First Impressions:
My first impressions riding the Discover One were very positive. The bike looks great with nice design touches and feels solidly built.
Comfort is excellent thanks to the step through frame, suspension fork, wide tires, and swept back handlebars. It’s just a nice bike to ride around town.
Now let’s take a deeper look at how it performs in the real world.
Riding Experience and Performance
To fully test out the Discover One, I took it on a variety of rides over a few weeks. Here are my thoughts on the riding experience and real world performance.
Throttle Only:
First I tested throttle only mode (no pedaling) to get a feel for the 500W motor’s power. Throttle response is smooth and acceleration brisk. The bike reaches 20mph pretty quickly on flat ground.
Uphills sap some speed but the Discover One made it up a 10% grade test hill at over 10mph thanks to the 800W peak output. Impressive for a hub motor this size.
Pedal Assist:
Next I tried out the pedal assist modes. There are 3 levels of assist with the third being the most powerful. The pedal assist felt natural and speeds were accurate to the display readout.
Pedaling took some effort on assist level 1. I got a decent workout. Level 2 provides a nice compromise of exercise and motor power. Level 3 makes quick work of any hill.
The more powerful assistance comes at the cost of quicker battery drainage. For optimal range it’s best to use lower assist levels whenever possible.
Gearing:
The 7 speed Shimano Tourney drivetrain provided smooth shifting during testing. While basic, it gives an adequate gear range for most conditions.
I typically left it in the highest gears to get a workout. But shifting down helps get up steep hills.
Braking:
Stopping power from the mechanical disc brakes was adequate for urban riding but not outstanding. You have to squeeze the levers pretty hard.
I’d prefer more powerful brakes, but these are sufficient for commuting and slower riding. Brake modulation felt okay.
Comfort:
Comfort is fantastic on the Discover One thanks to the wide tire profile, front suspension, cushy saddle, and upright geometry.
It absorbs bumps well and the riding position keeps your back happy even over long distances. The swept back handlebars are great.
Battery Range:
Velotric estimates the range between 55-75 miles depending on use. For me the real world range was 40-60 miles. Still respectable for a 500W hub motor e-bike.
Using more power (fast speeds, hills, heavier riders) will reduce range. I weigh 155 lbs for reference. Lighter riders could probably exceed the estimates.
Street Handling:
The Discover One feels stable and easy to maneuver at city speeds thanks to the low center of gravity and wide tire footprint. The semi-fat tires have lots of grip.
It handles well for an e-bike this affordable. For serious shredding look elsewhere, but it’s great for everyday use.
Off-Road:
Don’t expect to shred singletrack, but the Discover One can handle smooth dirt paths and grass reasonably well. The suspension fork and grippy tires help smooth out the ride.
Overall the Discover One provides a fun, comfortable, and practical riding experience around town. The 500W motor delivers solid power that effortlessly glides you up to 20mph.
Pros and Cons
Here are the things I liked and disliked about the Discover One after testing:
Pros
- Excellent value and specs for the price
- Relaxed geometry for a comfortable ride
- Clean aesthetic and design
- Simple but functional LCD display
- Powerful enough 500W motor
- Integrated rack, fenders, lights included
- Quick front wheel and battery removal
- Durable build quality and components
Cons
- Braking could be stronger
- Thumb throttle can feel awkward to engage
- Pedal assist has only 3 levels
- Max range is decent but not outstanding
- Cheap plastic pedals prone to breakage
Minor gripes aside, the Discover One delivers fantastic bang for your buck. Let’s talk about who this e-bike is for.
Who Is the Discover One For?
The Discover One hits a nice sweet spot that will appeal to many urban commuters, college students, recreational riders, and anyone looking for an affordable e-bike with solid quality.
Here are the rider profiles I think will like this e-bike the most:
- New Riders – Approachable step-through frame, stable handling, and unintimidating 20mph top speed make the Discover One great for beginners.
- Urban Commuters – Practical utility features like the rack and fenders combined with comfortable geometry make city riding a joy.
- College Students – Big savings compared to buying a car plus the ability to easily store in a dorm or apartment.
- Recreational Riders – Plushy tires, front suspension, upright position provide a comfy ride for casual adventures.
While powerful enough for daily transportation duties, this isn’t the bike if you need to conquer massive hills or demand speed and range.
But for the average rider, it’s a very appealing all-around e-bike.
Accessories Upgrades
The Discover One comes well equipped for most needs, but there are some worthwhile accessories you may want to upgrade down the line:
- Pedals – I’d swap out the cheap plastic pedals for metal platform pedals or clipless if desired. This improves grip and durability.
- Phone mount – Add a phone mount to the handlebars for turn-by-turn GPS navigation.
- Mirrors – Retrofit mirrors help you see traffic behind for increased safety.
- Seat suspension – A Thudbuster or Suntour NCX seatpost can add rear suspension for a smoother ride.
- Panniers – Pannier bags that strap to the rear rack provide convenient cargo hauling.
- Helmet – Don’t forget to pick up a helmet to protect your head while riding.
- Lights – Extra lights bolster visibility if riding at night.
- Phone charger – A USB charging port lets you top up your devices from the e-bike battery.
With some choice upgrades, you can customize the Discover One to truly make it your own.
Competitors
How does the Discover One stack up against the competition? Here are some of the most popular e-bikes in the same price range:
- Ride1Up Roadster V2 – Very similar specs and performance. Step-through version is pricier at $1,695.
- Rad Power Bikes RadMission – Single speed is less versatile but very affordable at $1,099.
- Aventon Level – Has thumb throttle and more sporty geometry but costs a bit more at $1,799.
- Nakto 250W City Cruiser – More basic but can find for under $1,000 on sale.
- Swagtron SwagCycle EB12 – Folding bike offers portability but has a weaker motor and battery.
The Discover One holds its own against the competition by offering excellent quality, power, and utility for an affordable price. It manages to pack in premium features like the integrated rack and fenders that others leave out.
Who is Velotric?
Velotric is an exciting new player in the e-bike industry that launched in 2020 from a group of executives with previous experience at major bike brands.
Some key details about the company:
- Based in Ontario, Canada 🇨🇦
- Founded by team from Giant, Specialized, and Lime
- Focus on quality but affordable urban e-bikes
- Debut product is Discover One model
- Raised over $470k on Indiegogo crowdfunding
Velotric partnered with manufacturing facilities in Taiwan and Malaysia to produce the Discover One. This allowed them to deliver the first units quickly to backers.
The company communicates regularly with customers and backers via email newsletters and social media. This level of engagement is impressive for such a new business.
My interactions with their small team have been great. They are clearly passionate about building next generation e-bikes.
While the road ahead is long, Velotric is off to a strong start. I’ll be excited to see the e-bikes they create in the future as they establish themselves.
Should You Buy The Velotric Discover One?
So should you buy the Discover One e-bike? In my opinion, yes – IF it matches your needs and you get it at a good price.
For the Indiegogo backer price of $1,499, this is a steal of a deal. Tons of value packed in for the money.
Even at MSRP of $1,899, the Discover One offers impressive quality and utility for an entry-level e-bike. The thoughtful design and refined styling help it punch above its weight.
Just keep realistic performance expectations. This is a 500W e-bike optimized for urban use, not extreme speeds or off-roading.
But if you want a comfortable, versatile e-bike for neighborhood riding at a reasonable price – the Discover One is tough to beat.
You can check it out here on Indiegogo while the early bird pricing is still available.
Verdict
Let’s wrap up this review of the new Velotric Discover One e-bike.
What I liked
- Great value and impressive quality for the price
- Relaxed geometry provides a comfortable ride
- Clean aesthetic with nice design touches
- Plenty of utility for urban transportation
- Powerful enough 500W motor to hit 20mph
- Responsive pedal assist and throttle
What could be improved
- Braking power is just adequate
- Limited to 3 levels of pedal assist
- Cheap plastic pedals
- Range is decent but not outstanding
To sum it up – the Discover One is a fantastic quality e-bike for the money. For a brand new company, Velotric hits it out of the park on the first try.
The Discover One blends comfort, quality components, utility features, and simple but modern styling into a package that appeals to a wide range of riders.
While not without some shortcomings, overall it accomplishes what Velotric set out to do – build an affordable yet thoughtfully designed urban e-bike.
I commend them on executing their vision so well in this first product. It shows promise for what’s to come from Velotric down the road.
I’m excited to see the e-bikes they develop as the company matures. But for now, the Discover One is one of the best options out there if you want great value in an entry-level e-bike.
Don’t forget you can grab the Discover One at the special $1,499 early bird pricing for a limited time.
