Is the Aventon Ramblas a Good Commuter E-bike?

[@scotthardesty]

Aventon Ramblas: tinyurl.com/4bx7wrdn

[@michaelkellar1]

I just bought one of these last Saturday! I’ve put over 40 miles in since then! I love it! How do you clean your’s?

[@scotthardesty]

@@michaelkellar1 I normally power wash mine but basically any technique will work. The bike can handle it.

[@michaelkellar1]

@@scotthardesty sick! Thanks for the tip! I don’t have a power washer, but I have a hose and some soap! Thanks again! Looking forward to more of your content!

[@AventonBikesVideos]

Scott, you did it again 🙌🏻 we love your reviews!

[@scotthardesty]

Well thats perfect! Because I love your bikes!

[@tehutiboi]

Agree, Scott's reviews are solid all the way around. I bought the Aventure 2 based on his reviews and this Ramblas is very tempting!

[@imds123]

Love your reviews. Looking forward to purchasing an Aventon bike this summer after my move. Keep it up Scott!

[@scotthardesty]

Thanks! Will do!

[@matthewanderson6423]

Holy crowded day Batman! Great review of the Ramblas and great tour of Chicago

[@scotthardesty]

When you have a town filled with almost 3 million people and 3 weeks of sub zero temps, everyone comes out when the weather is nice.

[@buzzfretwear2906]

Nice content Scott, thanks for doing this test. I have an Aventure but I think I'm going to grab a Ramblas. I plan to use it for single track riding but also for gravel paths when I ride with my wife. Your video gave me some great perspective.

[@scotthardesty]

Glad I could help! I am really enjoying this bike.

[@osint6372]

@@scotthardesty Is there a con in your opinion due to the lack of a throttle??? Thanks in advance

[@blackphilipalvarez1305]

Love how accurate and detailed your reviews are, I love my Level.2 but been thinking getting a second Aventon bike and I’m leaning towards getting the Ramblas now over the Aventure.2 and if it works as a great commuter bike, it’s the better option.

[@scotthardesty]

The only thing left to do is an Aventure.2 vs Ramblas video. I had to get this testing done first. Maybe that will help you make your decision.

[@blackphilipalvarez1305]

@@scotthardesty awesome can’t wait to see that video

[@RicLevine]

Another great and enjoyable review, Scott! Fun tour of Chicago, too!!! Loved the trails and views!!

[@scotthardesty]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@johnfreed4651]

Another banger, Scott! Love this bike.

[@scotthardesty]

Thanks John! You and me both!

[@cccycling5835]

I'm very interested in this question because my current commute is 30 miles total, which is doable on my road bike @ 15mph average speed commute, but anything else is a slog. I'm looking for something that can do long touring gravel, the occasional single track, but mostly road commuting miles. At $2700 this bike is incredibly priced. Pretty wild that Aventon started out with fixed gear single speed bikes because that's where I started 16 years ago.

[@scotthardesty]

They have really come a long way. I love my Ramblas. I plan on purchasing another one this month.

[@AdamasOldblade]

Fantastic review as always. I loyally ride the Aventon Level.2 (just passed 2,300 miles in 11 months) and it is my daily commuter except in the extreme Arizona summers. When I heard Aventon was gonna have a new bike I got really excited, but when I saw the Ramblas I knew it was great, but it wasn't for me. I am continually looking for a commuter bike above the Level.2 and I've seen a few that may fit for me, but I'm holding onto either a Level.3 model or something else because Aventon has totally won me over with their quality.

[@scotthardesty]

I do like my Level.2 and I hope they come out with a Level.3 this year as well! Thanks for watching!

[@ts3871]

Hopefully the Level-3 has a mid-drive and a big battery.

[@brett3017]

Nice review Scott , had my step over Level 2 for months now. It's the perfect bike for my weekend ride on bike paths here in Oz... Will continue too look at your reviews on any new models with the specs ... Cheers ...B.

[@scotthardesty]

Right on! The Level 2 is a GREAT commuter! Thanks for watching!

[@southernebiking]

Impressive. That’s all I can say.

[@scotthardesty]

The more I test it, the more it delivers.

[@dgreensotr]

What about fenders? I live in SoCal where we don't see much rain, but Chicago is a different story.

[@scotthardesty]

I don't think fenders is going to be an option.

[@Emtbtoday]

Just got the magic shine 1700 it's something else! Comes with a remote love it! Just a small cube like box under your bar's with some crazy output lumis! Love the price's aswell!

[@scotthardesty]

Those MagicShines are my favorite lights. Mine also has a remote but I don't use it.

[@NRP1991]

Man your reviews are good and super consistent too I can’t decide what bike still

[@scotthardesty]

I appreciate that! Sorry that I am making this a hard decision!

[@stackingdimes6939]

How many times can you recharge the battery before it’s no good , and do they make replacement batteries, and the cost of new battery . Thanks this video was very helpful.

[@scotthardesty]

I don't have the answers to these questions. Please reach out to Aventon directly.

[@vtalen]

You can add a suspension top or to your seat coast and you can definitely change the seat my buddy has that bike and he has a gigantic seat and see pair still goes up and down just fine

[@scotthardesty]

Yeah, you can chose those things but since this is a mountain bike, I ride it more on the tracks than in the city so the dropper is a must for me.

[@vtalen]

@@scotthardesty I'm saying you can have the dropper as well as seat and suspension post pretty sure. Definitely the seat

[@scotthardesty]

@@vtalen I've heard about those. I did change the seats on both of my Ramblas's.

[@ts3871]

Is there enough extra length in the cables and wires to raise the handlebars 5 or 6 inches? That would make for a much more comfortable position, without turning it into a hybrid/comfort bike.

[@scotthardesty]

I don't think it has that much room. There is a Facebook Group just for the Ramblas. People have switch out bars and risers, you should check that out as they may have the answer.

[@awertj1]

Great review! I love it!! ❤😃👍 How do you compare this Aventon with the ENGWE EP-2 Pro? Which one would you say is better?

[@scotthardesty]

I have not reviewed the EP-2 Pro, I did review the ENGWE Engine Pro 2 but these are totally different bikes and it would depend on what you plan to do with it.

[@DavidCharles-wi4qr]

They had the opportunity to create a new market with a real emtb/ecommuter, but ignored that need. Could have worked with the motor manufacturer to add a quick connect throttle plug to the motor and a modular lever attacked to a handle bar base mount. Allows easy removal of the throttle assy for trial riding where ebikes with no throttles are allowed, but have a throttle for urban when a quick burst is needed. Someone will do this soon. A hybrid for work days and play days. Aventon could have been the leader. It would have been near perfect ebike

[@scotthardesty]

Great idea! Maybe on the version 2 model.

[@Tinman710]

Hows this thing on jumps? Ive found bunny hopping mid drives to be easier to do instead of hubs because of the weight distribution. Great review as always. If I get this bike I will 100% use your link.

[@scotthardesty]

I did a full review where I hit the trails with this bike. I have a full suspension emtb and can’t jump it. This one I can. Thanks for the support!

[@mikebosdet1990]

Great video! How does the Ramblas compare to the Aventure 2?

[@scotthardesty]

That video will be coming soon.

[@mikebosdet1990]

@@scotthardestyGreat!

[@jermboat44]

@@scotthardestyI'd love to see this vidro

[@scotthardesty]

@@jermboat44 working on it.

[@joegack]

Bring it!

[@jackshoffstall7677]

Another excellent review @scotthardesty, I may be adding one of these to the stable along with my Aventure 2. I noticed another reviewer stated the front forks were soft and may not do well with riders over 240lbs? Your thoughts on the front fork?

[@scotthardesty]

I'm 225, then clothes and my backpack. That puts me around 240. I was comfy but don't have an opinion on anything over that.

[@EbikeTrek]

Wow 3 hours and sum change to run that battery down?! Wow!! That bike is so nice!!! We just looked at one at our local bike shop! I wanted to try it out but it’s a size large. Great video as usual!

[@scotthardesty]

That was 3hrs of constant riding with a lot of head wind. I am more impressed with the distance. If I had that on ECO mode I would probably have gotten twice the distance.

[@EbikeTrek]

@@scotthardesty oh wow!!

[@Johabelen]

Love this review and channel overall!! Great info being shared consistently!! Quick question for you Scott…. I noticed you also have the Velotric T1ST, pricing aside, if you had to choose 1 bike for mainly commuting with occasional gravel /light style riding, which one would you choose? I get that they are 2 different bike altogether…. But curious on your thoughts.

[@scotthardesty]

Thanks John, great question. I think this Ramblas has beat out my T1ST in favorite overal bike. That mid drive makes all the difference. Although, I do like the riding the position of the T1ST, something about that is just perfect. But I can basically do anything I want with the Ramblas as I would never take my T1ST on a single track trails. So I would have to give it to the Ramblas.

[@nickstevens6398]

Hi Scott, looking forward to ur review on the rear rack! Would you be able to install fenders and what you recommend? Thanks, nick

[@scotthardesty]

You would probably have to find after market fenders as well. I have not done any research on those. Maybe someone will find some one day. I have little fender I put on the front and could do the same for the back but nothing that provides full coverage. You don't see the little front fender in the video but its on the bike in the thumbnail photo.

[@Memoreno94]

you should do a comparison video on the Ramblas vs. Adventure .2 . Overall, great content!

[@scotthardesty]

It's on the list. I have soooooo many videos to do. hahahaha

[@Joerides7]

Attention Aventon, make a 28 mph version of this bike! I'm looking for a high-speed mid-drive mountain bike to ride on gravel roads/trails and fire roads. I waited months for this bike to come out, I just knew since it was Aventon it would be a 28mph motor. I'll have to keep looking. My Bosch mid-drive e-bikes also run with good power right up to battery shutdown. I have run my battery out of juice several times, not intentionally, but I bite off more than I should all the time and have to finish rides under my own power.

[@scotthardesty]

If someone is truly using this as a commuter, a higher speed would be nice.

[@chrisphillips5636]

Agreed 20mph max is too slow to commute If it was 28 id buy it now But my search continues

[@scotthardesty]

@@chrisphillips5636 I might have something for you on April 15. Stay tuned

[@nickgraziano7933]

@@scotthardesty "I might have something for you on April 15. Stay tuned" Was there an update on this? Looking into the Ramblas, but the class 1 limitation may prevent me from moving forward.

[@hasher10001]

Scott looks a great bike!.. I’m here in Chicago and wanting to demo the Ramblas.. Would you know where/how?

[@scotthardesty]

You can come ride mine. Hit me up on IG.

[@victorkan7288]

Would like to see some sustained 1+ mile climbs 5%+ grade.

[@scotthardesty]

I don't have anything around me that will provide that info.

[@Yellowsierra02]

I really like this bike. If the ramblas didnt have the 20 mph speed limiter i would defiantly buy it and use it for commuting and trail riding along the way. Hopefully they will atleast up the speed limiter to 28mph

[@scotthardesty]

Their main focus with this bike is for mtb trails. I do not see them changing the speed on this one.

[@tonygiancoli9626]

Scott, any ideas on how one could, reasonably, make the Ramblas and/ or the Summit full suspension (or full suspension-lite for us older, heavier folks who feel the bumps more than we used to)?

[@scotthardesty]

Only thing you can do is replace the seat post on the summit with a suspension seat post. For the Ramblas, you would have to remove the dropper seat post and do the same.

[@nickkline2584]

How does this compare to the adventure 2 for commuting?

[@scotthardesty]

The Aventure 2 has a throttle and can also go up to 28-30mph. The Ramblas top speed is 20mph. The ramblas is much lighter and more nimble but I guess if you want to go fast or use a throttle, you will want the Aventure 2.

[@browntoothpaste]

If its class 2. Will the bike actually limit you to 20 mph even if you pedal hard?

[@scotthardesty]

Yes, it will.

[@browntoothpaste]

@scotthardesty dang if only someone made a mid drive class 3. Thanks for your response Scott!

[@chucktelschow]

You can’t replace the seat on this bike if you want to?

[@scotthardesty]

Sure you can. I have already replaced the seat on this bike.

[@stephenstetler3324]

What a fantastic review, great work Scott!

[@scotthardesty]

Thank you kindly!

[@j.garcia7832]

Great review, absolutely love mine. Keep up the great content.🤙

[@scotthardesty]

Thanks, will do!

[@orson347]

Quick question: Can you remove the dropper post and put in a suspension seatpost, especially if you are going to use the bike more for commuting?

[@scotthardesty]

Yes you can.

[@adventures_of_topher]

You are a beast my friend. Another great review 🤙

[@scotthardesty]

hahahaha... Thanks!

[@jpap1]

If I’m 5’9 would you recommend the medium or large?

[@scotthardesty]

I'm also 5'9" and the medium fits me perfectly.

[@mcharr45]

Been looking for this exact video - subscribed

[@scotthardesty]

Glad you found me!

[@MrBill1j]

Hi! I just bought a Ramblas and when I look at how much km I can do with 100% batterie at eco mode it tells me only 67km… why is it not 120 ish km as it’s supposed to do?

[@scotthardesty]

Unfortunately, I don't know. I would send an email to Aventon to ask that question.

[@MrBill1j]

@@scotthardesty no problem, Thank you anyway!

[@jermboat44]

I understand no suspension seatpost but why couldn’t you change the seat? I wanted to put an Ergon seat on it!

[@scotthardesty]

When I do these reviews, I like to do it with the bike as it came. I have already ordered a different seat, dropper seat post lever and different tires.

[@jermboat44]

@@scotthardesty sorry Scott in the review I thought you mentioned you couldn't change the seat. Just verifying you can! What dropper lever did you get? I was looking at the Loam

[@scotthardesty]

@@jermboat44 Ah, yeah man, its a normal seat, but after 40 miles I bet any seat I would start to feel it. I did get the Loam lever, got it in the matching green. It works way better than the stock one but since I upgraded to Fox 34 forks, I might do the same to the dropper itself.

[@jermboat44]

@@scotthardesty ah that's awesome! Cant wait to see what you do to it!

[@miket4685]

What a great review- I’m sold!

[@scotthardesty]

Glad it was helpful!

[@tannerjack9520]

wonder if they will make a full suspension

[@scotthardesty]

I hope so.

[@GuyBraget]

A-100 Harbor Freight motor? Torque today, rattle can tomorrow?

[@scotthardesty]

I'm guessing you are not a fan. Aventon developed their own, hahahaha, definitely not from Harbor Freight.

[@GuyBraget]

@@scotthardesty I could be a fan, if a reliable source convinced me to be one !

[@JasonTaylor-po5xc]

I think fenders would be helpful for controlling spray - no one wants to arrive at the office and need to change - sorta defeats the point. I suppose in dry climates, this is less of an issue. I did see one review where they managed to get nearly 100 miles on eco mode - which is more than the stated range from Aventon. Geez - an electric vehicle that gets _more_ than the stated range, go figure.

[@scotthardesty]

I believe this bike would have gotten more than the 60 miles claimed for trail mode if I wouldn't have done a good 10-12 miles in Turbo.

[@gipperize28]

Awesome review

[@scotthardesty]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@devinthayer4954]

@scotthardesty Debating between Ramblas, Prodigy V2 and the Specialized turbo vado 4.0. since they all 3 have the same price right now its making this very difficult. Aventon for the 20% of the time i may want to ride a flow trail, Prodigy for torque and CVT, and Specialized bc of the name premium stuff and discount. WHAT DO I do??????

[@scotthardesty]

I am glad I am not in your shoes. I don't know about the other 2 bikes but I can tell it's a dilemma on your end. All I can say is that I love my green Ramblas so much that I purchased the purple one as well.

[@devinthayer4954]

@@scotthardesty I went with the Ramblas, local shop had 1 and sold me their 4 day old floor model!!! super happy with it. I thought I read that you upgraded the front fork , what did you go with? Also trying to see if they make a kit to make the current wheels tubeless, but that my require a new wheel entirely. Thanks Scott!

[@scotthardesty]

@@devinthayer4954 Today my Ramblas goes into the shop to get a few upgrades done. We will be seeing if I am able to go tubeless with the rims that are on it. I will be doing a video next week showing the upgrades and answering those questions. I went with a 34 Float 29 FIT4 Factory Boost Fork.

[@devinthayer4954]

@@scotthardesty ill be on the lookout for your review with those upgrades!!

[@billmantelis4670]

Does it come with a bell?

[@scotthardesty]

It does not.

[@EricJaakkola]

Shouldn't you be letting those pedestrians know you're approaching them from the rear? Especially that fast

[@scotthardesty]

These tires are loud, they hear me coming.

[@Steviewonderwhy]

What’s the top speed 28mph if unlock?

[@scotthardesty]

21 is the fastest I can get it to go. You cannot unlock this bike.

[@ztune3945]

You can't unlock this bike cuz it's a Class 1, PAS only no throttle

[@Tughill1699]

where is the motor noise when you are riding

[@scotthardesty]

In the motor. I did a video just featuring the noise.

[@black79montecarlo123]

How durable are these?

[@scotthardesty]

I need you to be more specific. Are you talking about the entire bike or one of the parts I upgraded?

[@black79montecarlo123]

@@scotthardesty do you think it would hold up to extreme use? Any idea the life expectancy of the battery? Really interested in this thing but have seen other people have issues with a lot of the other Ebikes available.

[@scotthardesty]

@@black79montecarlo123 Ah. This bike was just awarded best new emtb (I can't remember by whom) but I can tell you that I beat this thing up (and so do many of us in the Aventon Ramblas FB Group) and we are all loving it. I have produced a couple more videos with this bike as well. If you change out the front fork it can handle all kinds of abuse. I say that even though the stock fork on my 2nd ramblas has no issue handling rough terrain as well. Aventon uses good cells so I expect the battery to last longer than I will own the bike (and I have no plans of selling mine). Their mid drive motor rattles (I have posted a video about that) but it doesn't affect the performance. I have so much faith in the Ramblas that I purchased a 2nd one.

[@black79montecarlo123]

@@scotthardesty great to hear. I really like this bike. If I get one I am leaning towards this one. I'm stuck in the mindset of trying to justify getting an ebike. Part of me views it as cheating. I'm 41 this year and I love traditional road and trail riding. Mainly do it for the health benefits.

[@scotthardesty]

@@black79montecarlo123 I have shared my e-bikes with friends who have the same thought process. Then they realize we ride much farther and more often, this in turn helps with our fitness. I have dropped 15lbs since I started riding e-bikes and now I ride them 95% of the time instead of taking a car. You can always lower the PAS level to ECO which basically just takes the weight away from the bike making it perform like an acoustic MTB. Then kick in a higher level when tired but still wanting to ride.

[@jamescox4823]

what are the keys for?

[@scotthardesty]

To unlock the battery from the frame.

[@Tughill1699]

thanks

[@scotthardesty]

You're welcome!

[@bobemmerich8595]

Another great review Scott. I have the Pace 500.3. Hope Aventon comes out with a middrive with similar geometry. I would definitely be onboard for that. Upright Dutch style cockpit along with a top loading battery would be sweet!

[@scotthardesty]

I totally understand what you are saying. Let's hope!

[@abshassan]

the rear light is too low, its getting block by your rear tyre.

[@scotthardesty]

It has lights on both sides. You can see them clearly. Maybe not so much in my video, but they are not blocked at all.

[@Ukiah.Spirit]

The tires don't have "really good" rolling resistance they have very low rolling resistance. There is a difference.

[@scotthardesty]

I said it wrong, luckily, most people know what I meant.

[@HullioGQ]

This is the ultimate commuter for the price but why no fenders and cargo racks baffles me.

[@scotthardesty]

Most true emtb's don't have fenders or a rear rack. I did make a video showing a 3rd party rack that Aventon is selling for the Ramblas.

[@TOGGGAA1]

As a 32 year old man I should be looking at a car but here I am lol…. SRAM components and a Rockshox silver fork, it’s almost like they built this bike for me

[@scotthardesty]

I am really enjoying this bike. I have 2 cars and ride a bike 99% of the time so I get it.

[@Bobhurley-cf5xd]

I bought a Velotric Summit 1 and I regret it. Velotric has terrible customer support.

[@scotthardesty]

Sorry to hear about that.

[@10tenman10]

Bikes with a throttle are really motorcycles

[@scotthardesty]

Some think that. Some of us don't. The cool thing is, there are plenty of bikes with and without throttles so people can choose.

[@jwillwork3683]

Scott’s been cloned! 😂

[@scotthardesty]

Oh no! How have I been cloned?

[@jwillwork3683]

@@scotthardesty just teasing, Seen the haircut. I probably watch you too much 😂

[@scotthardesty]

@@jwillwork3683 hahaha.. I'm always bald. Thanks for watching!

[@LebronPhoto1]

That looks more like a mountain bike than a commuter bike.

[@scotthardesty]

That is because it is. In the video, I wanted to see if could also be a commuter bike and how it would perform.

[@borismue]

No fenders, no lights but a Front suspension that needs a lot of expensive service. That is not a commuter bike.

[@scotthardesty]

It has 2 trail lights on the back and a front headlight. I went thru all the specs in the first ride video that I did but I should have mentioned them in this video.

[@MrThejunkman]

Lights are cheap. Service kit is $25. Taking it to a shop probably wouldn’t even run you that much unless your LBS rips you off. Fenders also aren’t that expensive. They aren’t saying it IS a commuter bike, they’re saying it can easily double as one. Which it can.

[@scotthardesty]

@@MrThejunkman The only decent lights I have seen built into a bike are with the new Velotric bikes. Even those are not bright as a battery powered one can be. What is a service kit? You would have to find fenders that don't need holes to screw into for this bike.Yes, you are correct in your thoughts that they don't advertise it as a commuter, but it can double as one.

[@MrThejunkman]

@@scotthardesty A service kit for the suspension! Rockshox sells them so people that are handy with a tool or two can service their forks themselves. I’d agree with him that for some people it’s not worth the hassle but people commute with hybrid bikes all the time and even basic suspension forks require service. Saying it needs a lot of expensive services is pretty misleading though, so I wouldn’t agree with him on that

[@Trackbandit]

I'd say this is Moreso a mountain town commuter. Downtown Chicago yes and no. Just put a headlight and a tail light on it your good to go

[@jwillwork3683]

Love your channel Scott, Your one of the best in this category. 🫡

[@scotthardesty]

Wow, thanks!