Velotric Summit 1 Review Canada (2026): 90Nm of Real Mountain Torque

Published: February 2026  |  By: Zeus eBikes Canada

Ninety newton-metres of torque. That is the number that separates the Velotric Summit 1 from every other electric mountain bike under $3,000 in Canada. Most competitors in this range deliver 60–80Nm. The Summit 1 delivers 90 — and it does not stop there.

At $2,799 CAD, you also get a 705.6Wh Samsung/LG battery, UL triple certification (the electrical system has actually been tested, not just stickered), Apple Find My built into the frame, and Velotric's SensorSwap system that lets you toggle between torque and cadence modes mid-ride. Shimano brakes. Shimano drivetrain. 120mm hydraulic fork with lockout. These are not afterthoughts — they are what a $2,799 eMTB should include, and what most competitors in this range quietly skip.

Zeus eBikes carries the Summit 1 in our mountain electric bike collection because we tested the Canadian market for a hardtail eMTB that got every fundamental right at this price — and this is the one that passed. Here is everything you need to know before you buy.

Velotric Summit 1: What You Need to Know

The Summit 1 is a hardtail electric mountain bike built on 27.5-inch wheels with 2.6-inch Kenda puncture-resistant tires. A 750W hub motor produces 90Nm of torque — enough to haul 440 pounds up steep grades without the motor fading under load.

The battery is a 48V, 705.6Wh pack using Samsung/LG 21700 cells. Velotric rates it at 113 km on pedal assist and 97 km on throttle under test conditions. In Canadian winter, expect roughly 60–90 km on pedal assist — still enough for a full day of trail riding in most conditions.

Two frame sizes are available: Regular (5'1"–5'10") and Large (5'8"–6'6"). At 62 lb, the Summit 1 is not ultralight, but its 440 lb payload capacity signals that Velotric built this bike for real riders hauling real weight on real terrain — not for spec-sheet chasers optimising grams.

Default top speed is 32 km/h (Class 2), which matches Canada's federal legal limit for power-assisted bicycles. The speed is adjustable up to 45 km/h for off-road or private property use. For more on how Canadian wattage regulations work, read our guide to 500W vs 750W vs 1000W eBike motors in Canada.

Full Specifications

Every number that matters for a Canadian buyer, in one table.

→ View full product details on Zeus eBikes

5 Features That Make the Summit 1 Stand Out

1. 90Nm Torque — Hills Become Optional

Most electric mountain bikes under $3,000 produce 60–80Nm of torque. The Summit 1's 90Nm puts it in a different category. Steep fire roads, loaded climbs with gear, and technical inclines that stall weaker motors — the Summit 1 handles them without the motor straining or the battery draining from running at full power for extended climbs.

For Canadian riders dealing with the Rockies, the Canadian Shield, or even the Gatineau Hills, this is the spec that matters most. You cannot fake torque. Either the motor has it or it does not.

2. UL Triple Certification (2849, 2271, 2580)

The Summit 1 carries three UL certifications: UL 2849 (complete eBike system), UL 2271 (battery), and UL 2580 (battery pack). This is not cosmetic. Each certification means the electrical system has been independently tested for fire safety, overcharge protection, and short-circuit resistance by Underwriters Laboratories.

In a market where budget eBike batteries have made headlines for the wrong reasons, UL certification is the clearest signal that a manufacturer is not cutting corners on the component that sits between your legs.

3. Apple Find My — Built-In Theft Tracking

The Summit 1 has Apple Find My integrated directly into the bike. No third-party tracker to buy. No monthly subscription. If someone walks off with your $2,799 bike, your iPhone shows you exactly where it is — and every other iPhone in the Apple network silently helps locate it.

For Canadian riders who park their eBike at trailheads, coffee shops, or on university campuses, this is not a gimmick. It is insurance.

4. SensorSwap — Torque and Cadence in One Bike

Most eBikes force you to choose: torque sensor (responsive, natural feel, better for trails) or cadence sensor (simpler, more relaxed, better for casual commuting). The Summit 1's SensorSwap system includes both. Switch to torque mode for trail rides where you want the motor to respond to how hard you push. Switch to cadence mode for flat commutes where you want consistent, battery-efficient power.

Two riding personalities in one bike. Most competitors pick one and leave you stuck with it.

5. 440 lb Payload — Built for Real Weight

The industry standard payload capacity is 120–140 kg (265–308 lb). The Summit 1 handles 440 lb (200 kg) — rider, gear, panniers, and anything strapped to the frame. For heavier Canadian riders who have been told they are "too heavy" for most eBikes, or for anyone who hauls fishing gear, hunting equipment, or loaded panniers to a campsite, this is a genuine differentiator.

Real-World Performance in Canada

Specifications tell you what a bike can do. Canadian conditions tell you what it will do. Here is what to expect from the Summit 1 in the real world.

Range in Canadian Weather

Velotric's rated range — 113 km (PAS) and 97 km (throttle) — is tested under ideal conditions: flat terrain, moderate temperature, lighter rider. In Canada, expect these adjustments:

• Spring/summer/fall (5°C to 25°C): 80–110 km on pedal assist, 70–95 km on throttle
• Winter (-10°C to -20°C): 60–90 km on pedal assist, 50–75 km on throttle
• Extreme cold (-25°C and below): 40–60 km on pedal assist — store the battery indoors before riding

The 705.6Wh battery is larger than most competitors in this price range (many ship with 500–624Wh), which gives the Summit 1 a meaningful winter buffer. Even in worst-case Canadian cold, you are still looking at enough range for a full morning of trail riding.

Hill Climbing

The 90Nm of torque paired with the Shimano 8-speed drivetrain handles steep grades confidently. Drop to a low gear, let the torque sensor read your pedal input, and the motor delivers proportional power without the jarring surge that cadence-only sensors produce. For riders in British Columbia, Alberta, or Quebec — where flat terrain is the exception — this combination is what separates a usable eMTB from a frustrating one.

Trail and Gravel Handling

The 27.5" × 2.6" Kenda tires are wide enough for light trail work and gravel roads but not fat tires — they will not plough through deep snow or soft sand the way a 4-inch fat tire would. The 120mm hydraulic fork absorbs roots, rocks, and trail chatter well, and the lockout lets you firm it up for paved commutes where suspension bob wastes energy.

This is a do-it-all hardtail. Trails, gravel, fire roads, paved paths — the Summit 1 handles all of them competently. Aggressive downhill or deep-winter bush trails require a different bike.

Braking

Shimano hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm rotors provide consistent, confident stopping power. Hydraulic brakes self-adjust as pads wear, maintain performance in wet conditions, and require less hand force than mechanical discs. For a 62 lb eBike descending mountain grades with a 200+ lb rider, Shimano hydraulics are the right call.

Who Should Buy the Velotric Summit 1

The Summit 1 is not for everyone. It is for a specific type of Canadian rider. Here is who will get the most from this bike.

• Trail riders who also commute — SensorSwap lets you ride aggressively on trails (torque mode) and efficiently on roads (cadence mode) with the same bike
• Heavier riders (200+ lb) — the 440 lb payload is among the highest available; most competitors cap at 300 lb
• Riders who tackle real hills — 90Nm of torque handles mountain grades that choke 60Nm motors. Read more in our guide to the best electric bikes for hills in Canada
• Safety-conscious buyers — UL triple certification is the gold standard; Apple Find My adds theft recovery without monthly fees
• Canadian riders who want one bike for every season — the 705.6Wh battery has enough capacity to handle winter range loss without leaving you stranded mid-ride
• Tech-forward riders — Bluetooth display, USB charging, Apple Find My, and SensorSwap make this one of the most connected eBikes under $3,000

Who Should Look Elsewhere

No bike is perfect for every rider. The Summit 1 is not the right choice if you:

• Need full suspension — the Summit 1 is a hardtail with front suspension only. If you ride aggressive downhill trails with big drops and rock gardens, you need a full suspension eMTB
• Ride deep snow regularly — the 2.6-inch tires handle light snow and slush but cannot match the flotation of 4-inch fat tires. If you need maximum winter traction, the Velotric Nomad 2 ($2,899 CAD) is the fat tire alternative from the same manufacturer — 505 lb payload, step-thru and high-step frames, purpose-built for terrain the Summit 1 was not designed for
• Want an ultralight bike — at 62 lb, the Summit 1 is standard for its class but heavy compared to non-electric mountain bikes. If weight is the priority, a mid-drive with a smaller battery may suit you better (see our mid-drive vs hub motor comparison)
• Are on a tight budget — at $2,799, the Summit 1 is mid-range. If you need a capable eBike under $2,000, other options exist — but you will sacrifice torque, battery, and certifications

How the Summit 1 Compares

The Summit 1 sits in a competitive zone. Here is how it positions against the two most common alternatives Canadian riders consider.

Complete Your Summit 1 Setup

The Summit 1 ships ready to ride, but two accessories turn it from a capable trail bike into a true all-season, all-terrain machine.

Velotric Summit 1 Fender Set — $79 CAD

Aluminum front and rear mud guards, custom-designed for the Summit 1 frame. Bolt directly onto the Summit 1's fender braze-ons with included hardware — no zip ties, no improvising. Lightweight enough that you will not notice them on the trail, effective enough that you will notice the difference on a wet commute.

If you plan to ride the Summit 1 through Canadian spring (mud season) or as a daily commuter in rain, the fender set is not optional — it is the cheapest upgrade that makes the biggest quality-of-life difference.

→ View the Summit 1 Fender Set on Zeus eBikes — $79 CAD

Need Fat Tires? Meet the Velotric Nomad 2

If you are reading this review and thinking "I need more tire for where I ride" — Velotric built the Nomad 2 for exactly that. The Nomad 2 is a fat tire eBike with a 505 lb payload capacity, available in both step-thru and high-step frames, with four colour options. At ~$2,899 CAD, it slots right beside the Summit 1 in price but trades the 27.5-inch trail wheels for wide fat tires built to plough through snow, sand, and soft ground.

Think of the Summit 1 as the trail-and-commute bike. Think of the Nomad 2 as the deep-snow-and-hunting bike. Same manufacturer, same build quality, different mission.

→ View the Velotric Nomad 2 on Zeus eBikes — ~$2,899 CAD

Frequently Asked Questions

The Bottom Line

This review was written by the Zeus eBikes Canada editorial team. Zeus is a Canadian direct-to-consumer electric bike retailer offering mountain eBikes, commuter eBikes, folding eBikes, and electric trikes with free Canada-wide shipping.

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