
The Velowave Forest SM is a full suspension electric mountain bike with the motor at the cranks: a mid drive rated 500W, 760W at peak, with 130 N.m of torque, read by a torque sensor. A removable 48V 15Ah battery of LG cells, 720Wh, sits inside the down tube, and Velowave quotes an average of 60 miles on pedal assist, up to 70 in level 1.
A 140mm air fork with a lockout and a 185 x 45 rear air shock give the 6061 aluminium frame 121mm of frame travel. Kenda 27.5 x 2.8 inch tires, Tektro hydraulic discs on 180mm rotors and a Shimano Deore 10 speed with an 11 to 42 tooth cassette carry it up and down the trail. It reaches 28 MPH on pedal assist and 20 MPH on the throttle, and Velowave lists it as Class 3.
It comes in 17 and 19 inch frames for riders from about 5'5" to 6'5", weighs 64 lb and carries 385 lb. Want more power and a bigger battery on the same idea? That is the Forest XM, with 1000W, 160 N.m and 960Wh.
Built to be lived with
A 6061 aluminium frame with the battery inside and 121mm of frame travel, an air suspension fork with 140mm of travel and a lockout, a 185 x 45 rear air shock with external rebound adjustment, Tektro hydraulic discs on 180mm rotors with motor cut off, a Shimano Deore RD-M4120 10 speed derailleur over an 11 to 42 tooth cassette, 170mm cranks with a 38 tooth chainring, and Kenda 27.5 x 2.8 inch tires on 36 hole aluminium rims.
An 80 lux LED headlight, a rear blinking light, a colour TFT display, alloy platform pedals and a rear mount kickstand all come on the bike. Velowave covers the frame and electronics for two years, the battery for two years or 300 charge cycles, and mechanical parts for one.
The Forest SM carries its motor at the cranks, not in the wheel. It is rated 500W, peaks at 760W and makes 130 N.m of torque. A torque sensor reads how hard you press on the pedals and adds power in proportion, so a soft spin gets a soft lift and a hard push on a steep pitch gets the full shove.
Because the motor drives through the chain, it climbs in the same low gear you do: shift to the 42 tooth cog and the motor gets the leverage too. Six assist levels are set on the colour display, and a throttle on demand pulls from a complete stop to 20 MPH when you want a break.

An air suspension fork with 140mm of travel works up front, and a 185 x 45 air shock with 42mm of stroke works the rear, for 121mm of travel at the frame. Both run on air, so you can set them to your weight, and the fork locks out for smooth climbs and pavement. The rear shock has an external rebound adjuster.
Kenda 27.5 x 2.8 inch tires give a wide, grippy footprint on loose dirt. The 48V 15Ah LG battery comes out of the frame to charge indoors on the 48V 3A charger in about 5 hours. Velowave quotes an average of 60 miles on pedal assist and up to 70 in level 1, measured with a 165 lb load on level road at 86 degrees.


An aluminium frame with the battery inside the down tube and 121mm of frame travel.

An air suspension fork with 140mm of travel and a lockout.

A Shimano Deore RD-M4120 derailleur over an 11 to 42 tooth cassette.

A backlit colour screen, easy to read in bright sun, with six assist levels.
Fit
The two frames cover nearly the same heights, so pick by inseam: 31 to 35 inches suits the 17 inch frame, 33 to 36 inches the 19 inch. Both roll on 27.5 x 2.8 inch tires; the 19 inch has a taller seat tube, more standover and a longer wheelbase.
| Motor | Mid drive, rated 500W, 760W peak, 130 N.m |
|---|---|
| Sensor | Torque sensor |
| Throttle | Throttle on demand, from a complete stop |
| Pedal assist | 6 levels |
| Top speed | 28 MPH on pedal assist; 20 MPH on throttle |
| Class | Class 3, by Velowave |
| Battery | Removable internal lithium ion, 48V 15Ah, 720Wh, LG cells |
| Battery weight | 8.7 lb |
| Range | Average 60 miles on pedal assist, up to 70 in level 1, 40 on throttle, Velowave test |
| Charger | 48V 3A, about 5 hours |
| Display | Colour TFT with backlight |
| Lights | Front 48V LED light, 80 lux; rear blinking light |
| Frame | 6061 aluminium with internal battery, front and rear suspension, 121mm frame travel |
| Fork | Air suspension, 140mm travel, lockout |
| Rear shock | 185 x 45 air shock, 42mm travel, external rebound adjustment |
| Rider height | 17" 5'5" to 6'4"; 19" 5'6" to 6'5" |
| Brakes | Tektro hydraulic disc, 180mm rotors, motor cut off |
| Shifter | Shimano 10 speed thumb shifter |
| Rear derailleur | Shimano Deore RD-M4120, 10 speed |
| Cassette | Shimano 11 to 42 tooth, 10 speed |
| Crank | 170mm, 38 tooth chainring |
| Chain | KMC 10 speed, 122 links |
| Tires | Kenda 27.5 x 2.8 in |
| Rims | Aluminium 27.5 in, 36 hole, front and rear |
| Spokes | Black stainless, 13G |
| Axles | Nutted, front and rear |
| Pedals | Alloy platform |
| Saddle | Comfort saddle |
| Seatpost | Forged alloy, 31.6 x 300mm, 35mm quick release clamp |
| Stem | 60mm tall, 6 degree rise, 31.8mm bar clamp |
| Handlebar | Aluminium, 31.8mm, 740mm wide |
| Headset | Sealed bearing |
| Grips | Ergonomic comfort |
| Kickstand | Rear mount |
| Fenders and rack | Not fitted |
| Weight | 64 lb net, by Velowave |
| Payload | 385 lb, including cargo |
| Bike size | 2035 x 1110 x 745mm |
| Colours | Metalic Brown, Dark Blue |
| Warranty | 2 years frame and electronics; battery 2 years or 300 cycles; 1 year mechanical parts, by Velowave |
| — Frame geometry — | 17" / 19" |
| Total length | 2000mm / 2035mm |
| Head tube length | 150mm / 150mm |
| Seat tube | 432mm / 470mm |
| Handlebar height | 1110mm / 1110mm |
| Wheelbase | 1272mm / 1305mm |
| Standover height | 750mm / 786mm |
| Reach | 469mm / 479mm |
| Seat height min/max | 855mm/1033mm / 885mm/1063mm |
| — Rider height — | 5'5" - 6'4" / 5'6" - 6'5" |
Velowave quotes an average of 60 miles on pedal assist, up to 70 miles in level 1 and 40 miles on the throttle alone, measured with a 165 lb load on level road at 86 degrees. Hills, headwind, cold, a heavier load and the higher assist levels all bring it down.
Yes. The throttle works on demand, from a complete stop, up to 20 MPH. On pedal assist it reaches 28 MPH, and Velowave lists the Forest SM as Class 3. Trails and paths set their own rules, so check where you ride.
Mid drive. The Forest SM's motor sits at the cranks and drives through the chain, so it uses the Shimano Deore 10 speed gears and climbs well with 130 N.m. A hub motor pushes the wheel directly. With the torque sensor, it rides more like a normal mountain bike.
Velowave sizes the 17 inch frame for riders 5'5" to 6'4" with a 31 to 35 inch inseam, and the 19 inch for 5'6" to 6'5" with a 33 to 36 inch inseam. The heights overlap, so inseam is the better guide. The 19 inch has a taller seat tube, 36mm more standover and a 33mm longer wheelbase.
About 5 hours on the 48V 3A charger that comes with the bike. The 48V 15Ah LG battery comes out of the frame, so you can charge it indoors.
Velowave covers the frame and the electronics (motor, controller, display, charger and throttle) for two years, the battery for two years or 300 charge cycles, whichever comes first, and mechanical parts for one year, against manufacturing defects. We are an authorized dealer, so it applies.
Six quick questions so the Garage knows how you ride. Then spin the wheel for your code.