Unsponsored 75 mile Review: Aventon Level.2 eBike

[@DAVIDKENDALL-f6z]

How effective and adjustable are the front shocks. Can you turn off or ideally disconnect the throttle so I can use the bike on Wisconsin Rails to Trails. Can the front and rear lights be turned off while riding. I plan on buying 2 of these next Spring, so I appreciate your reviews. Thanks

[@davidhill3939]

Nice review. I’m checking out that saddle and seat post.

[@billphelps7136]

Did you change out the handle bar grips? Did the handle bar end mount mirror fit on the original equipment grips. Looking at your video. I can't tell if they orignal equipment. Thanks

[@Smaug1]

Yes, the original round grips had almost no cushion, but were very grippy. That, combined with the pretty aggressive forward lean put my hands to sleep. In one of the videos, I put a link to the grips in the video description. The bar-end mirror (MirrCycle) fits the handlebar. Depending on the grip you have, it'll have a removable plug or you just cut the end off and the mirror's hardware clamps on the INSIDE of the bar itself; nothing to do with the grip except that the bar end has to be open. The included instructions are very clear and they even include a little allen wrench. I think I talked about the mirrors a bit more in some of the other videos.

[@ismaryalvarez1530]

Does the rear light works as a brake light ? and does it side LED lights works as turning lights indicators ?

[@Smaug1]

Yes, all three rears get brighter when you brake. No, the side ones are just extra rears. Good idea though!

[@llk3763]

bottle cage should be on side of seat post pole or battery post - too short of distance between seat post and handle bars for comfort; weight of bike? is the battery easy to remove, insert? How much distance does the extra battery add? How about recommendations for 80-105 mile range?

[@Smaug1]

-The bottle cage bosses are on the downtube. (what you refer to as battery post) -Stock weight of the bike was 65 lbs. -Battery is easy to remove and insert, but it does require turning the handlebar out of the way and holding it, since it comes out the front/bottom instead of back/top. -An extra battery of the same type would double the range, but there's no good way to mount it; you'd be carrying it in some kind of bag. That would get your 80-105 mile range. Alternately, if you used the battery very sparingly and only for hill climbing and into stiff headwinds, you could stretch it to 80 on the one battery. The bike rolls smoothly enough to comfortably maintain 12-13 mph without any power on flat ground.

[@badandy880]

Thanks for the review - I just ordered one, but now am questioning if perhaps an Aventure would have been a better choice. Did you also consider the Aventure before purchasing?

[@Smaug1]

No, as I didn't want the fat tires this time around. They REALLY are draggy if you want to go more than 10 mph. Also, this has torque-sensing, which I wanted to try. Probably the one I should've gotten is the Pace 500, and then just add the rack and fenders later. I would have preferred the more upright seating position on it, and I don't really see a benefit in torque sensing that justifies the $500 higher price.

[@ahenders81]

@@Smaug1 Are you still feeling this way about the seating position and torque sensing a year later. Really like the look of this bike, but the mountain bike style handle bars are what's making me hesitate.

[@Jeroeniboy]

What makes you say you don't see value in a torque sensor paired with a rear hub motor?

[@Smaug1]

Good question. I should qualify it to add that insightful people will figure out if they want some exercise, they can set the PAS to just below the speed they would normally pedal at. This way, power only comes in when faced with a hill or headwind. For example, if I want to be frugal with the battery power, I can set the PAS for around 11 mph. Then when I'm pedaling on the flat or downhille at 13 mph, the motor's not on. When something slows me down below 11, it kicks in to keep up that minimum pace. With a this torque sensor set to PAS1, that's not really an option. As soon as I apply any torque of my own, I'm going 16+ mph, except up hills.a I will add here that now that I've ridden this bike almost 800 miles, I start to enjoy the torque sensor more and more. I like how it gives assistance IMMEDIATELY when I start pedaling from a stop; not waiting for a full turn of the crank.

[@jaystackz3425]

How long does the battery last entirely with max speed at 30 mph ?

[@Smaug1]

Max assisted speed is 28 mph. The battery would last probably 15 miles at that speed. It's hard to tell, because a person has to be pedaling HARD to get to that speed, even with maximum assistance. 23-25 mph is more common. Remember that the amount of torque the motor puts out depends on how much torque the rider is putting in, and that it's a 500 W motor, not ≤ 750W.

[@honestnewsnet]

I thought the bike came with a torque sensor?

[@Smaug1]

It does. Did I mis-speak somewhere?

[@MeMe-cd1wy]

Pas 1 is suppose to give you 60 miles on a charge as long as you are on flat ground and have average weight. Not 200 lbs.

[@Smaug1]

I have news for you, but in the USA, 200 lbs. is average weight for a man. Sad but true. If I were in the moderate weight range for my height, I would be 140-160 lbs. Even then 60 miles would only be attainable if I went some miles without electric on.

[@allywilkeforsenate]

I think all ebike companies lie about speed,range and power.

[@ismaryalvarez1530]

can the bike takes off from OMPH to using only with throttle ?

[@marcmaz21]

Yes. My wife has this bike. She always takes off with only throttle before she starts pedaling. Hopefully this helps.

[@Smaug1]

Yes. Some people use it to get going so they don't have to downshift every time they stop.

[@paulstevens2839]

can you leave a link to your mirror?

[@Smaug1]

Sure → mirrycle.com/product/mirrycle-mirror/

[@plumber802]

@@Smaug1 Thanks bud for that link. I just ordered 2.

[@johntighe931]

How slow can you ride in pas 1?

[@Smaug1]

Woo, that's a good question. As soon as I start pedaling from a low speed, it seems to take off. I'd say 13 mph.

[@billphelps7136]

Another question. I'm getting a level 2 and I'm considering getting a bike rack for my car. Did you get our already have one? If yes, what brand/ type. Thanks again

[@Smaug1]

I do have one, but it is just one of those that hang on with straps and hooks. This bike can be carried that way, but it's not ideal, since the bike is quite tail-heavy. It doesn't want to balance and the rack is always trying to twist. I considered adding a trailer hitch (you'll need a 2" square) and a quality rack that would support the bike under the tires, but 1) that was a lot of money and 2) the hitch would drag on my steep driveway. In the end, this bike doesn't get brought along with me if I can't ride it where I'm going. I have a couple of folders for that, which I can just fold up and put in my SUV. (Lectric XP Lite and Ride1Up Portola)

[@scott1294]

I have 34 miles on mine, winter has hindered putting more miles on. Is my 1st ebike so I haven't ridden a cadence bike but love this bike so far. I agree about pas 1 applies enough power that to get any a lot of human effort you have to be going faster than 15 but at pas 0 going 12mph is pretty easy. I ride the flats in pas 0 and use 1-5 on hills. I use the throttle more than I thought I would, so I am glad I choose this bike. They all should have throttle. I would have bought a mid-drive if one had throttle. One heavy bike but also very stout bike, everything is more heavy duty so more like moped and going 20-30mph is very easy to do.

[@Smaug1]

Yes, I find myself riding on PAS 0 pretty often, when I want exercise. Lately though, I leave it on PAS 1 and just go 18-28 mph working as hard as I usually would to go 13 mph on PAS 0. Battery life is great on this, because it rolls pretty efficiently.

[@scott1294]

@@Smaug1 I now have over 100 miles on the bike and I experience when I use pas 0, it feels like the pedaling is going through the gear reduction hub at times. Feels like something is holding it back at speeds above 10-12mph. Other times it feels freewheeling like juice going to motor and easy to pedal up to 18. Are you experiencing any of this? Maybe it is just the weight and slight up hills. I know on my pedal bike that would take a lot of effort. I agree pas 0 at 13mph, is close to same near workout as 18+ in pas1. I wear a polar beat arm heart rate monitor (syncs to phone) which allows me to get some good comparisons between different pas levels. I have used the monitor for years so I don't overtax the heart. Joys of getting older. I love the bike. I put on a suntour ncx post and male gel seat, rides very smooth. Road to work 3 times last week, 7 mile each way trip. Lights worked perfectly. Like you, I pretty much now just use pas 1 but Pas 4-5 on way to work. Once I start riding with friends w/o e-bike, I will be in pas 0 more often, maybe will, but will use assist for hills or long distances which was my plan from onset. Furthest trip is 20 miles but my weather is back to being cold so will do a 30 mile ride soon. Stinking upper Midwest weather.

[@MeMe-cd1wy]

This bike has a torque sensor not cadence. You got used to it because it is torque. Unless this is level one, no cadence sensor to get used to.

[@Smaug1]

Aventon says it is a combination torque/cadence sensor. If one applies torque but the chainring isn't turning, it won't apply power. (as we would have from a dead stop)

[@Douger318]

Get a suron

[@Smaug1]

I just looked into them; very nice. (sur-ronusa.com/sur-ron-light-bee/) If I had trails around here to ride I'd think hard about it. I'm thinking about getting an Ariel Rider X-Class next year. They'll go 30 mph for about 30 miles.