Velotric Discover M VeloCore Mid-Drive Step-Thru Electric Bike

Velotric Discover M — The First Federally PAB-Eligible Velotric With a Real Mid-Drive

This is Velotric’s first mid-drive eBike. Every other Velotric in the Canadian lineup — the Discover 3, the Summit 2, the GoMad, the Fold 1 Plus, the Tempo — runs a rear hub motor. The Discover M moves the motor to the bottom bracket and drives power through the chain and the Shimano 9-speed cassette, multiplying torque through gear selection the way every premium mountain and commuter mid-drive in the world does. 500W nominal. 960W peak. 100 Nm standard torque (130 Nm boost). The most capable Canadian-PAB-eligible Velotric Velotric has ever shipped.

The second story is the law. At 500W nominal and the 32 km/h default top speed, the Discover M satisfies Canada’s federal Power-Assisted Bicycle (PAB) thresholds — the same way the Velotric Tempo does. Until the Tempo and the Discover M arrived, every Velotric we sold came with the same conversation: “Is it PAB-legal?” — and the honest answer was always no, because 750W exceeds the federal 500W nominal limit. The Discover M is the second Velotric in the Canadian catalogue that says yes in its as-shipped configuration. The Tempo says yes with a 350W hub and 45 Nm of torque. The Discover M says yes with a 500W mid-drive and 100 Nm of torque — more than double the climbing force of the Tempo, in a bike that still fits federal PAB law.

The rest of the spec sheet backs it up. 48V 16.7Ah / 801.6 Wh Samsung/LG 21700 battery (UL 2271 + UL 2580 certified). SensorSwap — toggle cadence or torque sensing on the fly from the display or the Velotric app. 6-axis IMU Auto Mode — the bike detects climbs and descents in real time and adjusts assist automatically. NFC card unlock. Apple Find My + Android Find Hub built in — Velotric calls the Discover M “the industry’s first eBike brand with Apple & Android support”. 500-lumen integrated headlight + brake-light taillight with turn signals built into the rear rack. Tektro hydraulic disc brakes with 180 mm rotors front and rear. Shimano CUES 9-speed drivetrain with an 11–46T cassette — wide gear range that lets the mid-drive’s torque multiply on climbs. 80 mm air suspension fork with lock-out plus a suspension seatpost. 440 lb total payload. Low step-thru triple-butted aluminium frame in Regular and Large. Rack, fenders, kickstand, suspension seatpost, NFC card, bell, charger, and pedals all in the box — no aftermarket spend to make it ride-ready.

Free Canada-wide shipping. Ships from Canada within 5–10 business days. Real humans answer at 1-866-938-7580. Financing options explained →

Why a 500W Mid-Drive Changes the Canadian Math

For two years, the cleanest answer for “which is the best mid-drive step-thru eBike for a federally PAB-compliant Canadian commute” was the Himiway A7 Pro — 500W ANANDA M100 mid-drive, 130 Nm of torque, full-suspension step-thru, $2,999. It is still one of the most capable PAB-eligible mid-drive eBikes in the Canadian market. The Discover M arrives as the second serious option in that category — with a different set of trade-offs and a different ride philosophy.

The Discover M’s case rests on three things the A7 Pro does not deliver:

• 2x the battery — 801.6 Wh on the Discover M vs. 720 Wh on the A7 Pro. The difference is roughly 15–25 km of extra real-world range at the same PAS level.
• Apple Find My + Android Find Hub built in — cross-ecosystem location tracking with no subscription, on a bike that costs less to operate than a $50–$150 third-party GPS tracker.
• Full commute kit in the box — rear rack with brake-light + turn-signal taillight integrated, front and rear fenders, kickstand, suspension seatpost, NFC unlock card, bell, reflectors. The A7 Pro is a commute-capable bike but the Discover M arrives as one.

The A7 Pro keeps two things the Discover M does not have: 30 Nm more torque (130 Nm vs 100 Nm standard / 130 Nm boost) and full rear suspension (120 mm fork + 38 mm rear shock + dropper post). If your commute is hilly enough that the extra torque matters, or rough enough that you want full suspension, the A7 Pro is the right choice and we will tell you so. If your commute is flatter, smoother, longer, and more about smart features and full kit than about brute torque, the Discover M is the right choice. We have written full breakdowns of both bikes — the trade is real and clean. Mid-drive vs hub motor explained →

Key Features

• VeloCore Mid-Drive Motor — 500W Nominal / 960W Peak / 100 Nm Standard / 130 Nm Boost — The first mid-drive in the Velotric lineup. The 500W nominal output matches Canada’s federal PAB limit exactly. 100 Nm of standard torque at that wattage is among the highest torque-per-watt figures available in any consumer mid-drive eBike — Bosch Performance Line CX delivers 85 Nm, Shimano EP801 delivers 85 Nm, and most US-market mid-drives at 500W deliver 70–90 Nm. The 130 Nm boost number is the peak torque the motor produces under brief load (acceleration from a stop, the first rotation up a steep grade). Velotric does not publicly disclose the motor manufacturer on the Canadian product page — we will not guess. The Shimano CUES 9-speed drivetrain with the 11–46T cassette is what makes the mid-drive’s torque count: motor torque multiplies through gear selection, and the 46T low gear keeps a 200-lb rider climbing a sustained 6–8% urban grade without the motor straining or the chain skipping.
• 48V 16.7Ah / 801.6 Wh Samsung/LG 21700 Battery — The 801 Wh figure is meaningfully larger than the 374 Wh on the Velotric Tempo and the 720 Wh on the Himiway A7 Pro. The 21700 cell format is the same architecture used in premium EVs — higher energy density per gram, longer cycle life, and better cold-weather performance than the older 18650 cells most budget eBikes still use. UL 2271 + UL 2580 certified. IPX7 waterproof (submersion-rated). Removable with key lock. Velotric’s claim is up to 153 km (95 mi) PAS and 113 km (70 mi) throttle under ideal conditions. In Canadian winter conditions below –5 °C, plan on 25–35% less — call it 100–115 km Eco / 75–85 km throttle for real January riding.
• SensorSwap — Cadence + Torque, Switchable — Velotric’s signature feature: toggle between a cadence sensor and a torque sensor from the display or the Velotric app, no mechanic visit. Cadence mode kicks in when you spin the pedals — effortless cruising for flat commutes and tired Mondays. Torque mode responds to how hard you push — natural ride feel, real exercise, and roughly 20–30% better battery efficiency on the same route. On a mid-drive with 100 Nm of torque, the torque-sensor mode is the one most riders will live in: the motor matches your effort proportionally and the result is the natural “bionic legs” feel that defines a well-tuned mid-drive ride. How pedal assist and throttle work →
• 6-Axis IMU Auto Mode — New on the Discover M. A 6-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (the same kind of motion sensor inside a modern smartphone) detects climbs and descents in real time and adjusts motor assist automatically — more power as you start a hill, less as the grade levels off, none on a descent. Practically, this means a hilly Canadian commute does not require constantly bumping the PAS level up and down: the bike adapts to the road. Combined with Smart Tuning (the bike learns your rider profile over time) and Ride Tuning (manual control of motor delivery curves in the app), the Discover M is the most software-aware Velotric ever shipped.
• Shimano CUES 9-Speed Drivetrain — 11–46T Cassette / 46T Narrow-Wide Chainring — CUES is Shimano’s newer mid-tier groupset, designed to replace and consolidate the Acera, Alivio, and Altus lines into a unified 9-, 10-, and 11-speed platform with better cross-compatibility and a wider gear range. The 11–46T cassette gives this mid-drive its real climbing authority — on a 500W motor, the gear range matters as much as the motor wattage. The 46T narrow-wide chainring (chain-retaining tooth profile) reduces dropped chains on rough surfaces. 170 mm aluminium crank.
• 80 mm Air Suspension Fork With Lock-Out + Suspension Seatpost — The fork is a real air-spring design with adjustable preload (tunable to rider weight) and a lock-out switch on the crown (firm it up for gravel road sprints). 80 mm of travel is the right amount for a commute/light-trail bike — enough to soak up potholes, frost heaves, and gravel washboards without adding the weight or service overhead of a 120 mm trail fork. The included suspension seatpost adds another layer of vertical compliance under the saddle — the part of the bike where most fatigue accumulates on a long commute. The combination delivers a noticeably more comfortable ride than the Velotric Tempo’s rigid fork without surrendering the Discover M’s commute focus.
• Tektro Hydraulic Disc Brakes / 180 mm Rotors Front + Rear — Hydraulic brakes self-adjust as pads wear, maintain stopping power when wet, and require less hand force than mechanical disc brakes. The 180 mm rotors on both wheels give consistent stopping power loaded or unloaded — important on a step-thru that is regularly hauling a loaded rear rack. Honest note: these are Tektro, not Shimano. Functional, reliable, and serviceable at any Canadian bike shop, but a half-tier below the Shimano hydraulics on the Himiway A7 Pro. For ordinary urban commute use, the trade is a non-issue.
• Default 32 km/h — PAB-Compliant Out of the Box — The Discover M ships with its top speed set to 20 mph (32 km/h), which is exactly Canada’s federal PAB limit. Combined with the 500W nominal motor (matching the 500W PAB limit) and the pedal-equipped frame, the Discover M qualifies as a federal Power-Assisted Bicycle in its as-shipped configuration. Custom Mode in the Velotric app unlocks speeds up to 45 km/h (28 mph) for off-road or private property use, but those settings exceed the federal PAB speed limit. Velotric’s Class 1/2/3 designations on the display are the US classification system — not Canadian regulatory categories. Full Canadian eBike laws by province →
• NFC Card Unlock — Tap and Ride — An NFC key card ships in the box (credit-card sized). Tap the card to the display area and the bike powers on. No phone required. No app login. No Bluetooth handshake delay. On a Canadian January morning with thick gloves on, this is meaningfully faster than fumbling with a phone — and it is the feature that turns the Discover M into a bike you actually use every day in winter. The NFC layer also means a thief without the card cannot power the bike on at all.
• Apple Find My + Android Find Hub — Both Ecosystems, No Subscription — Velotric describes the Discover M as “the industry’s first eBike brand with Apple & Android support.” The bike reports its location through both Apple’s Find My and Google’s Find Hub global Bluetooth networks. Works whether the bike is powered on or off. No monthly fee. No SIM card. Combined with the NFC unlock, this is genuine anti-theft technology — the kind of feature that normally costs $200 in aftermarket hardware plus a recurring subscription. eBike theft protection in Canada →
• 500-Lumen Integrated Headlight + Turn Signals + Brake Light Integrated With the Rear Rack — A real lighting system, integrated into the bike, powered from the main battery. The 500-lumen headlight is bright enough for unlit Canadian roads in November dark-by-4 PM conditions. The handlebar-mounted turn-signal controls click audibly and show on the display. The taillight is built into the rear rack itself — illuminating harder when you grab the brake levers and flashing left or right when you signal a turn. Cars behind you see your stop signal the same way they see a brake light on a car. No aftermarket lights to buy. No handlebar clutter. No racks with stuck-on aftermarket lights wobbling loose on potholes.
• 3.5″ Full-Colour Display + USB-C Charge Port + Velotric App — A 3.5-inch full-colour display with Bluetooth, NFC, and angle-adjustable mounting. USB Type-C port for charging a phone on the go — useful in a Canadian winter when phone batteries die in the cold faster than they would in summer. The Velotric app (iOS + Android) handles ride tuning, OTA firmware updates, GPS logging, Find Hub configuration, and the Custom Mode speed unlock. OTA updates mean the bike’s software gets better over time — the Auto Mode tuning, the Smart Tuning learning curve, and the SensorSwap behaviour are all open to firmware refinement after purchase.
• Native Thumb Throttle — Designed Into the Mid-Drive — Most mid-drive eBikes either omit the throttle entirely (Bosch, Shimano EP) or bolt a generic hub-bike throttle onto a mid-drive frame as an afterthought. Velotric describes the Discover M throttle as “a native thumb throttle, designed into the mid-drive system, delivers instant and predictable control.” The throttle is removable for jurisdictions that require pedal-assist-only operation. Throttle range is up to 113 km on the 801 Wh battery per Velotric’s claim — useful for hunters or riders managing a sore knee on the way home.
• Kenda 27.5″ × 2.4″ eBike Puncture-Resistant Tires — Standard Velotric tire choice — the same tires used on the Summit 2 and the Discover 3. 27.5-inch wheels roll over urban obstacles that stop smaller 20-inch wheels dead, and the 2.4-inch width provides commuting comfort without the rolling resistance of fat tires. Kenda’s eBike-specific puncture-resistant casing handles glass, debris, and the realities of Canadian bike-lane infrastructure better than non-eBike-rated rubber.
• Triple-Butted Aluminium Low Step-Thru Frame — Two Sizes — Lower step-over than the Tempo’s mid-step frame — the Discover M is a true low step-thru, the easiest mount in the Velotric lineup. Available in Regular and Large. Rider heights per Velotric’s official sizing: Regular 5’2″–5’11″ (with suspension seatpost) and Large 5’9″–6’7″ — one of the widest rider-height ranges in any Velotric. Ideal for work-clothes commuting, riders with hip mobility limits, riders in long winter coats, or anyone who simply finds high-step bikes inconvenient. Best step-thru eBikes Canada →
• 440 lb (200 kg) Total Payload — Matches the Velotric Summit 2 and the Velotric Discover 3 — the highest payload tier in the Velotric lineup. Enough headroom for a heavier rider plus a loaded pannier, a child seat, or a serious commute kit. The 66 lb rated rear rack capacity is the right size for a couple of grocery loads or a full pannier setup. For riders consistently above 250 lbs, see our heavy rider eBike guide.
• UL 2849 + UL 2271 + UL 2580 + ISO 4210 — The full safety stack. UL 2849 certifies the complete eBike electrical system. UL 2271 certifies the battery pack. UL 2580 certifies the battery cells themselves. ISO 4210 is the international bicycle frame and component safety standard. In a Canadian market where budget eBike batteries have caused enough fires to warrant CPSC warnings, this triple UL stack plus the 21700 cell format is the clearest signal Velotric is not cutting corners on the most expensive and most dangerous component on the bike.

Everything Included — Ride-Ready Out of the Box

The Discover M arrives as a complete commuter. Box contents:

• Velotric Discover M eBike (Platinum Silver or Olivine Green, Regular or Large frame)
• 48V 16.7Ah / 801.6 Wh Samsung/LG 21700 battery — removable, key lock, UL 2271 + UL 2580 certified
• 48V 3A charger
• 80 mm air suspension fork with lock-out (pre-installed)
• Tektro hydraulic disc brakes (180 mm rotors front + rear, pre-installed)
• Shimano CUES 9-speed shifter + derailleur (11–46T cassette, 46T narrow-wide chainring)
• Kenda 27.5″ × 2.4″ puncture-resistant eBike tires
• Front and rear fenders
• Rear rack with integrated brake-light + turn-signal taillight (66 lb capacity)
• Kickstand
• Suspension seatpost
• 500-lumen integrated LED headlight, angle-adjustable
• Handlebar turn-signal control buttons
• 3.5″ full-colour Bluetooth + NFC display with USB-C charge port
• NFC key card (for unlock)
• Bell
• Front and rear reflectors
• Removable trigger-style thumb throttle
• Pedals + left and right cranks (170 mm)
• Toolkit for final assembly
• Cable binder
• Owner’s manual and app guide

Final assembly is straightforward (front wheel, handlebars, pedals, seat post). Virtual assembly sessions are available on request — call 1-866-938-7580 to book one before you start.

What You Should Know (Honest Take)

• Velotric does not publicly disclose who manufactures the VeloCore mid-drive motor. The Canadian product page calls it “VeloCore” without naming a supplier (Bafang, Yamaha, Bosch, ANANDA, etc.). The motor’s published specs — 500W nominal, 960W peak, 100 Nm standard, 130 Nm boost — are competitive with named mid-drives in the same wattage class. If knowing the motor source is decision-critical for you (some Canadian bike shops stock parts by motor brand), call us at 1-866-938-7580 and we will request the current supplier disclosure from Velotric Canada before you order.
• The published 60-lb weight is the frame assembly only. Velotric’s official spec sheet states the 60 lb figure “does not include fenders, kickstands, or pedals.” The Discover M ships with all of those parts in the box, so the real-world ride-ready weight is higher — we estimate roughly 63–67 lbs once fenders, rack, kickstand, suspension seatpost, and pedals are installed. Still lighter than most full-kit mid-drive commuters, but if total weight matters for car-rack loading or stair carrying, plan for the higher number.
• Tektro hydraulic brakes, not Shimano. Tektro is a competent, widely-used brake brand and the calipers here are dual-piston with 180 mm rotors — appropriate for the bike’s weight and use case. They are not the equal of Shimano hydraulics for outright lever feel or modulation under hard descents. For pure urban commute use, this is a non-issue. For riders who push the bike off-road or down sustained descents, a Shimano upgrade is the obvious aftermarket path.
• 130 Nm is the boost peak, not sustained torque. 100 Nm is the standard rated figure. 130 Nm is what the motor produces under brief load (acceleration from stop, the first crank-rotation up a steep grade). Be honest about which number applies to your riding: 100 Nm is what you live with on a sustained climb. 100 Nm at 500W nominal is still among the highest torque-per-watt figures available in any consumer mid-drive, but compare it like-for-like against other manufacturer-rated “standard” torque numbers, not against their “peak” numbers.
• The 80 mm fork is a commuter fork, not a trail fork. Tunable and lockout-equipped, but 80 mm of travel is the right amount for potholes, frost heaves, and gravel washboards — not for technical singletrack or rock gardens. For trail riding, the Velotric Summit 2 with its 120 mm RST Vibe air fork is the better Velotric. The Discover M is a commuter and light-gravel bike.
• The Discover M is a recent release in this exact spec. As Velotric’s first mid-drive, this is a first-generation product. We have not yet seen Electric Bike Report or Ebike Escape publish an independent range test or long-term reliability assessment on this specific SKU. The numbers we quote here are Velotric’s manufacturer figures plus our standard winter-derating estimate. We will update this page when an independent tested number is available.
• Auto Mode is new firmware territory. The 6-axis IMU and the Auto Mode logic are software-defined behaviours. They will almost certainly improve over time via OTA firmware updates — that is the upside of a software-aware bike. The downside: first-generation Auto Mode tuning may need refinement, and your experience in month one may be different from your experience in month twelve. The Velotric app supports manual Ride Tuning if Auto Mode does not match your preference.

None of these trade-offs touch the core sell: the first Velotric mid-drive, the second Velotric (after the Tempo) that fits Canada’s federal PAB law as-shipped, the full Velotric tech stack (SensorSwap, NFC, Find My + Find Hub, OTA, Auto Mode), and the most complete commute kit in the Velotric lineup — rack, fenders, kickstand, suspension seatpost, lighting and turn signals all in the box. For the right commute — PAB-compliant, mid-drive, low step-thru, full kit — this is the only Velotric that answers yes.

Full Specifications