Velowave Forest SM vs Velowave Forest XM

Where each one wins

• Velowave Forest SM is 4.1 kg lighter.
• Velowave Forest XM is 10 Nm more torque.
• Velowave Forest XM is 60 Wh more battery.

The Velowave Forest SM leads on 1 of these, the Velowave Forest XM on 2. Neither sweeps it, so the choice comes down to which of those you actually use.

What each one costs to own

Over 5 years the Velowave Forest SM costs about 211 EUR less to own, once purchase, charging, servicing, a battery replacement where one is due, and resale are all counted.

That figure moves mostly on the battery. The Velowave Forest SM covers about 38,400 km before its pack is due for replacement; the Velowave Forest XM, about 41,600 km. Ride less than that and the replacement never enters the sum.

Run these numbers on your own mileage

Which one to buy

• Pick the Velowave Forest XM if you would rather charge less often than carry less weight.
• Pick the Velowave Forest SM if you carry the bike up steps, onto a train, or into a flat.
• Pick the Velowave Forest XM if your route has real hills, or you carry cargo or a passenger.
• Pick the Velowave Forest SM if the five-year total is what you are optimising.

Verdict

On the measured axes the Velowave Forest SM is the better buy, and the Velowave Forest XM needs a reason of its own: a colour, a frame, a shop you trust, a price that moves. None of those are in our numbers, and all of them are legitimate.

Range here is an estimate under one reference ride, not a measurement. Yours will differ with terrain, weight, tyres and weather, which is what the range calculator is for.