Velotric Discover 1 Plus Review | Refreshed, but Relevant?

Ride quality encompasses a number of elements comprising what a bike feels to ride. We found the Discover 1 Plus’s overall ride quality to be great, but there was one small area we felt could be improved.

The bike is offered in a single step-thru frame sized for a wide range of riders between 5’1” and 6’4”. At 5’11”, I found the bike extremely comfortable and well-sized, but I also felt it important to verify the extremes.

I asked two of my fellow reviewers—Matthew at 5’5” and Sydney at 5’1”—to take a test ride since they fit the extreme ends of the Discover’s advertised height range. Both expressed that the bike felt great; Matthew specifically is often cramped, but enjoyed good leg extension and comfortable handlebar positioning thanks to the bike’s adjustable stem.

Personally, I found the bike’s upright riding position to be a highlight. In addition to its thick saddle, ergonomic handlebars, and rubber grips, this felt natural and relaxed with no sources of strain or pressure. The high vantage point also gave me a wide view of my surroundings while also making me visible to other cyclists and pedestrians.

The Discover handled predictably thanks to its curved handlebars and 26” wheels. Its suspension fork felt appropriately forgiving (its 80mm of travel is an upgrade from the original model’s 60mm).

We received two other “Plus” models for testing along with the Discover 1: the T1 ST city bike and the fat tire Nomad 1. The T1 ST Plus included a color display with multiple riding modes and power levels, while the other models did not.

The Discover 1 Plus’s standard black and white display worked well, but it is relatively basic in its function and appearance. I feel that the newer color display would have suited the refreshed model well, and it would have been a more obvious upgrade when compared to the appreciated but simple spec improvements from the original model.

Otherwise, I enjoyed the bike’s power, feel, and overall user-friendliness. I was also pleased to see that it included a brighter headlight, a tail/brake light, and, at least at the time of writing, a package of useful accessories. These include a cargo rack, a basket, a side mirror, and a phone mount.

Another feature of the Discover 1 Plus I haven’t mentioned is the fact that the bike includes a cadence sensor. This can be a drawback in terms of range but a benefit in hill climbing and ride quality. In the Discover’s case, it didn’t seem to have a great effect on the bike’s performance, but it made the ride experience easy and low-effort.