Pros
- Built for on and off-road routes
- Powerful entrance and hind lights
- Throttle for increase and cruise
- Handles heavy masses
- Attractive shade choices
- Solid construct high quality
- Affordable
Cons
- Heavy at 64 lbs
- Mechanical disk brakes
We simply wrapped up a bike-to-work month within the workplace, and whereas nearly all of individuals rode normal bikes, the variety of individuals using electric bikes elevated as soon as once more. Seattle and the encompassing areas have numerous hills to navigate, and persons are not all the time using bikes only for train functions. Given the present excessive fuel costs, e-bikes make much more sense for commuting and working errands with out having to put on fitness center gear after which hit the showers.
My common commute contains a mixture of a seven-mile bike trip, a 1.6-mile stroll, and a 1.5-hour prepare trip. The e-bike is a vital part of this commute, and it has actually change into extra valued with the huge enhance within the worth of gas. In addition to being economical, using an digital bike can also be a kick within the pants.
For the previous month, I’ve included the Velotric Discover 1 into my commute, and it has shortly change into considered one of my favorites because of its inexpensive worth, glorious construct high quality, step-through design, stable efficiency, and plenty of small issues that make a big effect on total worth. This is certainly a bike to think about for these in search of one thing priced lower than $2,000.
Table of Contents
Specifications
Frame | 6061 aluminum alloy |
---|---|
Motor measurement | 500W with 65N-m, rear hub |
Pedal Assist | Three ranges |
Range | Pedal-assist: 60 miles. Throttle:45 miles |
Top velocity | 20 mph |
Battery capability | 48V 692Wh |
Display | 3.5″ backlit LCD |
Lights | 12V front and 6V rear standard |
Payload capacity | 440 lbs |
Seat | Urban comfort ergonomic with lifting handle |
Rear rack capacity | 55 lbs |
Brakes | Mechanical disc |
Fenders | Front and rear provided |
Drivetrain | 7-speed Shimano |
Tires | 26″x2.5″ puncture-resistant |
Bike weight | 64 lbs |
Assembly
- Mostly assembled
- Pay attention to the Quick Start Guide
- It can be done at home
The Velotric Discover 1 arrived in a very large cardboard box with the words Embrace Your City emblazoned on the side. Slide out a few plugs, lift off the top of the box, and you will find the bike carefully secured inside cardboard with straps holding parts together. By the way, shipping in the US is free for the bike, which is also an incredible value.
The package includes an owner’s manual, quick start guide, pedals, front light, front and rear reflectors, a bell, and all of the tools you need to assemble and maintain your bike. The bike is mostly assembled with only the front wheel, front fender, pedals, front light, battery, and handlebars requiring some basic assembly.
The quick start guide is easy to read and provides excellent instructions for assembling the bike to its full operating condition. One step I didn’t pay attention to was installing the handlebars, and I inadvertently let the front forks slide down out of the frame a bit, so when I went on my first test ride, the front forks were loose in the frame. I watched a video and saw my error, so I was able to easily loosen three bolts, set things right, and then tighten three bolts to be on my merry way.
Electric bikes at the lower end of the price spectrum, $1,500 or less, tend to have less aesthetic appeal with visible bulky wires, lower quality tires, and other cost-cutting features. Mid-range e-bikes can be found in the $2,000 to $4,000 range with a focus on additional features and better aesthetics. High-end models often don’t even look like e-bikes with hidden batteries and advanced materials.
Velotric offers five colors of the Discover 1, including Mango, Indigo Gray, Cyan, Jet Black, and Pearl. I had the opportunity to test out the Mango bike, and it looks awesome in the yellow shade with black highlights. The battery is colored to match the bike frame too.
Also: Juiced Bikes CrossCurrent X electric bike review: The complete commuter experience
Hardware
- Lots of gear on the handlebars
- Two fenders and two lights
- Large battery and powerful rear hub motor
- Love that Mango color
When I was asked if I wanted to review the bike and was told the price, I was expecting something similar to my first Rad Power Bike with loose cables everywhere and a decent but basic bike. I was surprised to open up the box top and find that the Velotric Discover 1 is very well built of aluminum with high-quality welds and an attractive matte finish. The large battery snaps securely onto the frame and has a key to lock it in place and prevent theft. The battery charging port is well protected with a rubber cover that stays securely in place too.
The bike power and display controller is located just inboard of the left ergonomic handlebar grip with the front brake handle in front of the grip. There are three display controller buttons for power/lights and increase and decrease pedal assist. I also mounted the bell and my Garmin bike computer to the left side of the handlebars.
The brake handle and gear shifter/indicator are on the handlebar’s right side. There are seven speeds available that have proven useful for climbing hills. A Shimano indicator with an orange line indicates your current gear. Adjacent to the gear shifter is a throttle button that is easy to activate with your right thumb simply by pressing downward.
Wires for the brakes and motor lead forward and then down into the frame of the bike so minimal wires are visible. These wires are also bundled together and secured to make for a cleaner aesthetic. This is one area where you see a huge difference between expensive and less expensive bikes, as intelligent wire control gives you a cleaner look to the bike.
A front fender is included to help keep down the flow of water and debris as you ride the bike on your commute or off-road adventure. It was very simple to secure the fender using the included screws and Allen Wrench. The headlight is positioned on the assembly with the front fender and also includes a front white reflector below the light. I have been extremely disappointed with some past headlights, so I was very pleased with Velotric’s attention to detail here with its high-quality light that connects securely to the cable and shines brightly as I travel down the road at high speeds. Rather substantial tires, puncture-resistant, with good grip, are provided with spoked wheels and reflectors.
The seat is wide and comfortable, as well as adjustable for your preferred angle. The seat post also is easily adjustable and fits my height well. The bike is advertised as being designed to fit people who are 5 feet, 1 inch to 6 feet, 4 inches tall, and it fit my 6 feet, 1 inch, frame perfectly. The bike is also rated for a total capacity of 440 lbs, so my 250 lbs is acceptable. I do see some performance degradation from the specifications due to my size, but that is expected.
Behind the seat, we find a rear fender that is attached in the box. There are four securing bolts so that you can check them for tightness too. The rear rack is rated to carry up to 55 lbs, so it is perfect for securing groceries and other gear you may be hauling around the city with your bike.
The back tire matches the front tire with the rear hub motor positioned at the center of the wheel. A fender is also attached out of the box with a rear red taillight that is also connected to the battery. This light works well to make you visible on the road and also serves as a brake light.
Also: The best electric bikes: Top e-bikes for commuting
Price and availability
The Velotric Discover 1 has an MSRP of $1,899, but I have seen regular $500 sales that make the effective standard price $1,399. This is a fantastic price for a very capable bike, and it makes this an easy bike to recommend to family and friends who ask me which bikes to consider. It offers a lot, and with rising gas prices, I would seriously consider the Velotric Discover 1 if you have commuting needs that can be satisfied with a bike.
If you purchase additional bikes, then you can save more too. $200 off when you buy two bikes, $300 off when you buy three, and $600 off if you purchase four bikes. Velotric also provides free shipping in the 48 contiguous states within two business days of your purchase. The bike includes a one-year warranty too.
Experiences and conclusions
- Easy assembly
- Full-featured for a low price
- Solid performance and perfect for all riders
Three years ago, I purchased a Juiced Bikes CrossCurrent X as my daily commuter primarily due to its ability to get up to 28 mph in pedal-assist mode and keep me moving with local traffic. It serves as my primary e-bike but also had a price of $2,500. It has a terrible rear taillight that requires its own batteries, but overall it is a solid heavy electric bike.
The bike was easy to assemble with clear directions. The manual even has maintenance directions to help you adjust the brakes and perform other functions to keep the bike up and running. I will be very interested in seeing how it holds up over time, but looking at the detailed construction and attention to detail, I believe it will do just fine.
The mechanical disc brakes, the older technology Shimano shifter, no connectivity to a smartphone, and the fundamental seat are the one facets the place I can see is a little bit of a compromise from dearer bikes. However, there’s nonetheless rather a lot supplied for the worth, and none of these items considerably influence the bike’s enjoyment.
The Velotric Discover 1 is now my second favourite bike that I’ve examined over the previous 5 years, and it was truthfully tough to provide you with any cons at this $1,399 worth level. It could be very properly constructed, has fenders for protected commuting, offers glorious lights for security, incorporates a step-through design so everybody can trip it, and offers a throttle possibility that’s helpful for ranging from a stopped place. Most importantly, it is numerous enjoyable to trip.