Velotric refers to its Discover 2 as a commuter e-bike, thanks to its upright seating position, step-through design, and rear-mounted cargo rack that can hold up to 66 pounds.
The 750-watt rear-hub-mounted motor is powered by a 705 watt-hour (14.4 amp-hours, 48 volt) battery that is sleekly integrated into the downtube and removable. With a top assist speed of 20 mph, the Discover 2 has the power to climb hills with ease as well as motor along flat surfaces using just the throttle control. We found a range of 20 miles with a combination of hills and flats with full assistance at the highest level. For riders who want to put in some pedaling effort, the eight-speed drivetrain features a single front 46-tooth chainring.
Riders can choose to pedal without assistance, or choose from one of the three pedal-assist modes: Eco, Trail, or Boost, each of which has five levels of speed boost. For example, while Eco mode is designed to conserve battery life, riders can still choose a strong boost (level four or five) if they need to maintain speed up a hill.
Given the bike's 69-pound weight, it can be challenging for even a fit rider to pedal up a hill in Eco mode in levels one to three and using the highest (easiest) gear in the back. Trail and Boost modes make the Discover 2 quite quick, easily overcoming the bike’s weight and zipping up moderately steep hills.
The gears are selected using a trigger shifter mounted on the right-hand side of the handlebars, with a thumb control for choosing harder gears and an index-finger trigger to choose easier gears.
Like many other heavier e-bikes, the Discover 2’s fork incorporates a hydraulic shock absorber with 80mm of travel. Riders can adjust the absorption levels depending on the surface conditions, or lock the shock out for use on hard, smooth surfaces to prevent bouncing (and conserve energy).
The bike features 27.5-inch tall, 2.4-inch wide tires that help soften the ride somewhat and provide secure footing on sand or gravel trails. The maximum load capacity of rider, cargo, and any accessories is 440 pounds, according to the manufacturer.
Tektro hydraulic disc brakes with 180 mm rotors front and rear are used to slow the bike. The brakes feature an electric cutoff function, so all assistance is stopped when the brakes are used.
The 3.5-inch display screen is clear, very detailed, and easy to read. It shows the turn signal selection, speed, boost level, power, and an odometer. The controls for boost adjustment, the rear turn signals, the front light, and activating walk mode—which uses a small amount of assist power to help move the heavy bike such as when storing it—all sit in a pod on the left side of the handlebars.
Standard features include cruise control, a headlight, a taillight, front and rear fenders, and a bell. The bike also incorporates Apple’s Find My technology to make it easy to locate the bike if it’s lost or stolen.
The Discover 2 uses a more comfort-oriented seat that is soft, wide, and somewhat stubby. Depending on the rider’s anatomy and clothing choices, it could chafe the inner legs. The pedals aren’t particularly grippy, so it could be easy to slip off when pedaling vigorously.
