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Velotric Discover 1 Step-Through vs Velotric Discover 2
I've reviewed both of these on my channel. The numbers below are from each brand's listing and my own testing; the takes are from my reviews. "Not listed" means I don't have a verified number for it yet.
Key differences
- The Velotric Discover 2 has the bigger battery: 706 Wh vs 692 Wh.
- Motor: 750 W on the Velotric Discover 2 vs 500 W on the Velotric Discover 1 Step-Through.
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Velotric Discover 1 Step-Through
6.6 AEB Scorehow it worksA good-looking step-through commuter my wife and I both fit on, and it easily pulled our kid's tandem trailer bike.
Velotric Discover 2
6.5 AEB Scorehow it worksA comfortable, well-built Class 1/2/3 commuter with a switchable torque/cadence sensor and real safety features.
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Side by side
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Not listed | $1,499 |
| Type | Commuter | Commuter |
| Motor | 500 W | 750 W |
| Battery | 692 Wh | 706 Wh |
| Rated range | 65 mi | 75 mi |
| What I measured on camera | 39 miles on one charge, throttle only, on a hilly track at about 200 lb | just under 30 miles of rough terrain |
| Tires | 26 x 2.5 in | Not listed |
| Weight | About 63.5 lb step-through (Velotric catalog) | 63 lb (Velotric) |
| Brakes | Hydraulic disc, 180 mm rotors | Tektro hydraulic, 180 mm |
| Max load | 440 lb | Not listed |
| AEB Score | 6.6 | 6.5 |
| Buy | Check Velotric | See the Discover 2 at Velotric |
What I said about the Velotric Discover 1 Step-Through
A good-looking step-through commuter my wife and I both fit on, and it easily pulled our kid's tandem trailer bike.
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.
My video review, published
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
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
What I said about the Velotric Discover 2
A comfortable, well-built Class 1/2/3 commuter with a switchable torque/cadence sensor and real safety features.
Buy the Discover 2 if you want a comfortable, well-built commuter with real safety features: hydraulic brakes, turn signals, a brake light, and a rack and fenders in the box. You can also switch the pedal assist between torque and cadence in the app. I tested it for several weeks. Then I rode just under 30 miles of rough gravel and paved paths as a torture test. My conclusion was that it really is a very high-quality e-bike (0:40 to 1:03, part 2). Skip it if you need a lighter bike, or if you want to change your seat height often without tools. The seat post slipped on me until I clamped it so tight that it took two hands to move (4:11 to 4:30, part 2).
My video review, published
Liked
- Switchable torque/cadence
- Hydraulic brakes
- Turn signals + brake light
- Rack and fenders included
- Horizontal color display
- Solid after 30 rough miles
Didn't
- Seat post slips unless clamped hard
- 63 lb
- Basket and bag extra
Who should skip each one
- Velotric Discover 1 Step-Through: skip it if this is a dealbreaker: I had to install the rear kickstand myself, a small extra step
- Velotric Discover 2: skip it if this is a dealbreaker: Seat post slips unless clamped hard
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