Velotric Discover 2 vs Aventon Level.2 Ebike Comparison

When you're shopping for the ultimate commuter e-bike, what do you look for? Certainly it should be class 3 (28 mph) capable, and be able to carry you and everything you need for work. It needs to have good power and range to get you to-and-from work, and ideally can also help you explore the world on weekends. And an e-bike priced reasonably and also built solidly.

There are some solid choices on the market, so how do you decide? You need to have the features and options that best suit you, and a bike that's powerful enough to get you where you need to go. The new Velotric Discover 2 has the best power in class, the lowest step-through height at 15 inches, the most comfort and the most safety of anything in this class.

Two bikes that go directly head-to head are our Velotric Discover 2 and Aventon's Level.2 e-bikes. Both come in at the same price point, $1699. Both can be a class 3 e-bike, providing pedal-assist at up to 28 mph and throttle up to 20 mph. But there are a number of differences that separate the two bikes.

The Aventon Level.2 has a 500W rear hub motor that has a peak output of 750W and 60Nm of torque. It has five levels of assistance and a torque sensor, and that is important. Why?

Most e-bikes in this price range have a cadence sensor. That is, it can tell when you're pedaling, even if you're just rotating the cranks with no real effort. It will take up to a full rotation of the cranks before the motor kicks in, but when it does, it will take you immediately and abruptly to the full speed of whatever power mode you are in.

With a torque sensor, the motor knows when you're putting in effort, and will match that effort. The harder you pedal, the more power it gives you. It feels very natural, more like you had superhuman leg power. It also starts immediately when you start pedaling.

The Discover 2 is our first bike with a torque sensor. It also has a 750W rear hub motor that peaks at 1100W and offers a powerful 75Nm of torque. Talk about flattening hills! That's plenty of power to get you moving and keep you moving. You'll also have 15 more miles of range than with the Level.2.

Both have a full-color display, but the Level.2 has a 2.8" display and our Discover 2 has a big 3.5" display to see your speed, mode level, battery percentage and more.

The Level.2 has five different power-assist modes, where the Discover 2 has 3 modes, Eco, Trail and Boost, but five levels within each offering the rider three times the number of choices for the perfect amount of assistance in any situation.

• Discover 2 has 50% more power and 25% more range.
• With 25% more torque you can conquer steeper hills with ease.
• A bigger display is easier to see.

There are a number of differences between the two bikes when it comes to comfort. The Discover 2 has a more upright riding position, with an adjustable stem so you can maximize your comfort. It has a nice sweep to the handlebar and ergonomic grips, along with a generously padded seat. The fork has hydraulic suspension with 80mm of travel to tame the bumps in the road, and voluminous 27.5x2.4" tires that also smooth the ride. The bike itself can hold up to 440 lbs of rider plus cargo.

The Level.2 has a fixed stem and a more forward riding position. The handlebar is flatter, with simple round grips, and a less-padded saddle. The fork uses a coil spring and only offers 65mm of travel. It comes with less-voluminous 27.5x2.1" tires. Total capacity of rider plus cargo is 300 lbs.

• An upright seating position with an adjustable stem assures maximum comfort, even on long rides.
• Discover 2's payload capacity of 440 lbs is perfect for riders of all sizes and shapes, and whatever they wan to fit onto their carrying racks and is 46% more than Level.2
• Handlebar has a nice sweep back, grips have wide palm support and elastic cusions, allowing otherwise typically high-tension areas from cycling such as your arms, shoulders, neck, back and waist to fully relax.
• It's equipped with a superior suspension system with 80mm of travel that keeps the ride smooth and your tush cushioned even in less-than-ideal road conditions. In case you want to feel the road more, you can also use the lockout to adjust the experience.
• 27.5x2.4" tires have enough volume to make for a smoother experience over bumps.
• A thru-axle on the front keeps the wheel sturdily in place but still allows for simple removal to make the Discover 2 easier to fit into your vehicle.

Because safety is paramount, we go out of our way to ensure you have the safest ride possible.

Discover 2 has the lowest step-through frame in its class, at a mere 15", making it incredibly easy to mount. This is convenient for everyone, but especially people who carry kids on the back (the included rack can have a child seat attached) or those with hip or leg issues.

The battery on the Level.2 is certified by TUV, whereas the Discover 2 has a UL 2849 and UL 2271 certification. The difference is that UL certifications focus not only on safety and reliability, but also sustainability, both in manufacturing and in efficiency.

Discover 2 ships as a class 2 e-bike, meaning pedal assist or throttle can take you up to 20 mph. Depending on your preferences and/or local laws, you can set up the bike as class 1, 2 or 3 through the menus or the connected app. Class 1 allows pedal assistance up to 20 mph. Class 2 allows pedal or throttle assistance up to 20 mph. Class 3 allows pedal assistance up to 28 mph and throttle assistance up to 20 mph.

Level.2 is only available as a class 2 or 3 e-bike (rider-selectable).

Both have Tektro hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm rotors for fast stopping and great modulation.

Discover 2 has the brightest headlight, at 130 lux, both for seeing at night and being seen during the day. The rear light at the back also serves as a brake light, and you can program it to be steady or to flash. There are also turn signals.

Apple Find My technology is baked into the bike, so you'll always know where your bike is, and you can find it if it is ever stolen. There's no AirTag to remove, so thieves won't be able to disable it.

• 15" step-through height, the lowest in the class
• UL 2849and UL 2271 certifications through UL Solutions
• The Discover 2 comes as a Class 2 ebike, and can be adjusted to a Class 3 via the bike display menu or the app.
• Tektro dual-piston hydraulic brakes with 180mm rotors
• Brighter headlight
• Apple Find My technology built-in

The Discover 2 is a bike made for you and your needs.You can truly make it your own, with your choice of four stunning colors and a great array of accessories. There's a front basket, a rear basket to sit atop the included rear rack, a dog/kid trailer, a mirror and more! We also sell you an ABUS lock, a Lumos helmet, a HOTO Electric air pump and more, right here .