The e-bike industry feels like the Wild West these days, a new frontier with few rules and even fewer enforcers. As manufacturers produce increasingly powerful electric bikes, it’s tough for state and federal policymakers to keep up with what’s happening on the ground, in terms of where these vehicles can and should be ridden.

Velotric’s new Discover 2 is following a new trend. While the company designates it a Class 2 bike, technically it can fall under Class 1, 2, or 3. It’s a Class I because it can be pedaled to its default speed limit of 20 mph; Class 2 because it has a throttle that maxes out at a speed limit of 20 mph; and Class 3 because, with the simple toggle of a handlebar button, the max speed limit can be adjusted to 28 mph. In most states, a 28-mph ebike is off-limits to ride on multiple-use paths.

The direct-to-consumer bike even comes with Class 1, 2, and 3 state compliance stickers to throw on the frame to comply—visually, anyway—with local ordinances.

All these choices—pedal or throttle? Pedal at 20 mph or at 28 mph?—put the onus on the bike owner to ride at appropriate speeds and in the appropriate places, which can get a little sticky on an afternoon joyride. How does one hold back when it’s so much fun to go fast?

As long as e-cyclists understand the rules in their city and abide by them, along with the risks that higher speeds bring (which are generally much gnarlier accidents), this commuter is one of the more versatile and powerful we’ve tested, making it an ideal ride in cities with variable terrain, including steep hills and rugged streets.

Under the Hood

Photograph: Stephanie Pearson

The bike’s leisurely appearance—a deep step-through frame, an oversize saddle with two coil shocks underneath, and an upright cockpit—is a surprising foil for how powerful the Discover 2 is. At 750 watts—the highest allowable wattage for an ebike in the United States—the motor has 75 newton-meters of torque. For comparison, most city commuters range from 40 to 80 Nm. Most e-mountain bikes hover around 100 Nm.

You can toggle between either torque or cadence sensors with the push of a button. The torque sensor measures the movement of the pedals, as well as the amount of force the rider is using to push them. Because it immediately responds to the cyclist’s effort without delay, this sensor provides the most natural-feeling ride, especially on gravel, dirt, or uneven terrain, where wheels experience more drag and resistance.

A cadence sensor, on the other hand, signals the motor to kick in whenever the rider starts pedaling. When the rider stops pedaling, the motor stops. Simple and cost-efficient, cadence sensors provide consistent power, no matter how much force the rider is exerting. You just go as fast as whatever power level you’re on. Here, you can pick between five power-assist modes, which makes it easy to fine-tune the cadence.

The Discover 2’s 48-volt battery stores 705.6 watt-hours of energy. That translates to up to 60 miles in throttle mode and 75 miles while pedaling. On its website, Velotric claims to be the first ebike company to test and certify all of its batteries at UL’s laboratories. When I popped out the removable battery that lives on the downtube, it was stamped with Velotric’s specific UL certification file number, an independent way to verify the veracity of a company’s UL certification claims.

As ebikes evolve, so do their accessories. The Discover 2 has an impressive list that includes an amply sized 3.5-inch display screen; left and right turn signals for enhanced safety; and even cruise control—the first time I’ve ever seen this feature on a bike.

Photograph: Stephanie Pearson

On the display, riders can access trip distance and time; average and max speeds; calories used; carbon dioxide saved (also, what?); temperatures of the motor and controller; and total odometer. Via control buttons on the left handlebar, riders can toggle between the five power-assist levels and walk mode, which plods along at 2.9 mph whenever the rider needs to maneuver around a crowded space. Below the buttons is a USB-C port to keep your phone charged throughout the ride.

Over the rear wheel there’s a sturdy rack for strapping on a pannier, pack, or groceries. Front and rear fenders keep the crud off clothing, and the headlight and taillight are powerful enough for riding home at dusk. On the app, riders can opt into Apple’s Find My app, extra insurance against theft. It also offers over-the-air firmware support for the inevitable system upgrades throughout the life of the bike.

I’m like most humans, in that I have a need for speed. I was not disappointed with this bike. On my first foray, 8 miles across the city on after-hours streets to a distant hardware store, I had to go fast because it was getting cold and dark. My partner, Brian, was on a more powerful electric mountain bike, but the Discover 2 kept right up, holding a steady 20-mph pace. If I did lag, I used the throttle to power back on up right behind Brian’s wheel.

Photograph: Stephanie Pearson

The difference in feel between torque and sensor modes was subtle at first, but the more I rode, the more I settled into torque mode because it provided a more natural pedaling experience and, hence, felt like more exercise.

Ride after ride on city streets, I was impressed with how stable and comfortable the bike felt, especially for a step-through, which I’m not accustomed to riding. The bike felt so solid, in fact, that I was almost tempted to kit it out with studded tires so I could ride year-round.

Despite the sturdy craftsmanship and all the bling, I did find one glitch: On an errand that took me out after dark on a starless night, the adjustable headlight threw out only enough lumens to brighten a square patch roughly 10 to 15 feet in front of the bike. Everything else around me was dark. It might have been plenty of light had I been taking it slow in Class 1 mode, but my nature got the best of me. I had unlocked the bike’s 28-mph Class 3 mode and was speeding away into the night.