Velotric Discover 3 Review | Raising the Bar Again?

The Discover 3’s range will vary depending on how you set it up. We tested the bike in Class 2 mode per our standard protocol, and because you can choose between torque and cadence sensing, you can expect slightly different numbers in real-world riding. The torque sensor typically yields better range with a bit more human input, while the cadence option usually brings the numbers down. For our tests, we went with the more range-friendly torque setting.

The 730Wh battery is a small bump from the Discover 2’s 706Wh pack. On paper we expected to see a little more mileage, and that’s exactly what happened. In Eco mode (set to the balanced speed profile), the Discover 3 covered 86.7 miles. Running it again in Turbo returned 37.4 miles. Those totals come in one and three miles higher than the previous model.

That’s tremendous performance and places the Discover 3 above average for both commuter and cruiser categories. There isn’t much need to over-explain it: this bike has plenty of range and will last most riders several days between charges.

If you want to extend things even further, you can experiment with the Experience settings and dial back the power output. Still, even with stock tuning, the Discover 3 delivers excellent range for a bike that offers a clear and noticeable boost across its PAS levels.

The 3-amp charger gets the battery topped up fairly quickly, and the display even shows an estimated time-to-full while charging. The battery can also be removed easily if you prefer to charge it off the bike.

We took the Discover 3 to our standard test hill to gauge it’s mettle. The bike did well at Devil’s Backbone, wilding its 1100W peak and 75Nm of torque nicely.

The bike made it to the top on it’s throttle effort in 2:08 for a 14.2 mph average. With some leg power thrown in that improved to 1:53 and 16 mph. That was done in the torque sensing mode, and with the Experience option set to Turbo for max hill performance.

Throttle performance was close to average, with the pedal effort a bit better than most. Currently at Devil’s Backbone hill, we’re averaging 2:02 on throttle and 2:06 pedaling across all bikes we’ve tested.

14 mph or better up a hill as nasty as this one is terrific. Many non-electric bikes are pushed rather than ridden up this hill. But what’s just as impressive is the typical performance you experience on even moderate hills.

I liked the torque sensor’s responsiveness. It isn’t overly sensitive, nor is it slow. Many e-bikes need gear changes and PAS level adjustments on hills to maintain a comfortable speed without slowing the rider down. This one dished out power nicely, keeping me relying on just gearing and not rushing for the PAS controls – I could just stay in mid-levels where I like to operate most of the time and still manage hills.

Braking duties on the Discover 3 are handled by Tektro 2-piston hydraulic brakes paired with 180mm rotors. It’s a common setup across the industry, and Velotric is right in line with what we expect to see on a bike in this category.

The results were solid. The Discover 3 came to a stop in 22 feet, 7 inches, which is about half a foot beyond our current all-bike average, but still well within the zone we consider strong and safe.

Hydraulic brakes are easy to live with, and the Discover 3 is no exception. You don’t need a ton of grip strength to get effective stopping power, and there’s plenty of modulation—light pressure for gentle slowing, firmer pressure for quick stops.

Safety gets an additional boost from the integrated taillight built into the rear rack. I like this placement since panniers won’t block it the way they can with seatstay-mounted lights.

I don’t think anything urgently needs improvement, though thicker rotors would be a nice wishlist upgrade. Some brands are moving from 1.8mm to 2.3mm for added durability and heat management. Still, the current setup performs exactly as it should, and the Discover 3 brakes with confidence.

When I’m sussing out a bike’s ride quality, I start by asking who it’s meant for. Some bikes are niche, some are built for the masses. The Discover 3 clearly falls into the latter camp, especially for riders who prioritize comfort.

Velotric already has a strong reputation for making bikes that feel accessible and easy to settle into. Whether you’re young or old, tall or short, there’s something here that immediately feels welcoming. The frame is triple-butted aluminum, comes in two sizes, and uses a step-through layout that keeps the standover height at just 15.5 inches.

Despite the lack of a top tube it still feels solid and confident. The R size gets a 680mm handlebar, the L gets a 700mm bar, and with the swept-back cruiser bend and adjustable stem, it’s easy to ride upright and take the pressure off your back.

You can find commuters with sharper, quicker handling, but they’re rarely as comfortable as this one. The Discover 3 hits a nice middle ground: responsive enough to feel capable, relaxed enough that you don’t feel on edge.

The touchpoints help with that. The grips are soft, the Comfort Max saddle is plush, and it sits on a linkage-style suspension seatpost. I much prefer this style over the springy pogo-stick versions—it smooths impacts by moving you slightly back and down instead of bouncing you upward. Velotric also chose an air fork, which offers smoother travel than most coil setups and can be pressure-adjusted to match your weight. It elevates an already comfortable ride into something genuinely luxurious.

The Discover 3 rolls on 27.5 x 2.4” Kenda hybrid tires. They have a bit of tread without straying into full off-road territory. Honestly, I expected slicks, but the hybrid tread makes sense when you consider the goal of broad appeal. You get better-than-expected traction on mixed paths without much added noise, and the width strikes a great balance between stability and efficiency.

The commuter features round things out nicely. There’s a bright 500-lumen headlight, integrated rear lighting with turn signals, full fenders, and a standout rear rack. It’s MIK-compatible and rated for 66 lbs—higher than the typical 50 lbs we see—and the quick-attach system opens up a huge range of accessories. Velotric’s designs have always been sharp, and that continues here. Our Emerald Green test bike looks fantastic, and there are several other eye-catching color options. At 65 lbs, it’s manageable by e-bike standards and still feels easy to control.

The display is classic Velotric: a bright, full-color 3.5″ screen with a USB-C charging port and easy-to-read data. There’s quite a bit you can interact with, from turn signals to cruise control, and even NFC card support if you want an added security layer that requires the card to unlock the bike. For even more protection, it also works with Apple or Android Find My.

The customization suite is extensive. You can adjust almost everything: power profiles, sensor mode (via SensorSwap), rear light behavior, throttle characteristics, headlight timing, turn-signal click settings, and more. You can sync to Apple Health for heart-rate-based metrics or even try Smart Riding mode, where you input your body measurements and riding goals and let the system suggest ideal tuning. It’s an impressive amount of control.

If that sounds overwhelming, the good news is you can ignore it entirely. The Discover 3 rides very well right out of the box, and the deeper settings are there only if you want them.

Lastly, Velotric backs all of this with solid peace of mind. The bike carries IPX6 water resistance (and IPX7 for the battery) and is fully certified to UL 2849 and UL 2271 standards.

Realistically, I’m not sure you can ask for much more from a bike at the $2k mark that blends commuter and cruiser traits this well. The Discover 3 is fun, approachable, capable, and flexible enough that I could recommend it just as easily to a grandparent as I could to someone in their twenties. It’s a comfortable ride that can also deliver genuinely strong performance when you want it.

The testing data backs that up. Range was superb, and the hill and brake results were right where they should be. The motor performance stood out the most. The ride feels smooth, confident, and responsive. It’s the kind of setup that handles hills with ease and gives you speed when you want it, or a mellow cruise when you don’t.

The suspension package was another highlight. Getting an air fork and a rocker-style suspension seatpost as standard equipment is a big win at this price. It creates the kind of plush, long-ride comfort you usually expect from pricier builds.

I also appreciated the depth of customization. It won’t appeal to everyone, but for riders who enjoy fine-tuning their bike, there’s a ton to explore.

There’s no real downside here outside of personal preference. Some riders may want a top tube or a flatter bar for a more traditional commuter feel, but if you’re open to a hybrid-style approach, this is about as good as you’ll find in this price range.

You can find Velotric through a number of dealers, or have one shipped straight to your door through the link above.

Happy Riding! Make sure to let us know if you have any questions or if you think we left anything out in this review of the Velotric Discover 3 down in our comments section.