I’ve always enjoyed going for long walks. When I briefly held a desk job, I’d go for a stroll every day during my lunch break. On my motorcycle travels across the United States and around the world, some of my fondest memories are of exploring destinations on foot, even when exhausted after spending hundreds of miles in the saddle. When not traveling, I’ll explore local parks and forest preserves. A ten-minute drive to the library or post office? It’s a beautiful day, let’s turn that into an hour plus walk!
But modern life being what it is, time constraints left me somewhat limited to the nearest local trails and suburban sidewalks, and I wanted to explore further. We have plenty of preserves and trails in the Chicago area, but the idea of “driving somewhere to go for a walk,” emitting exhaust fumes and mentally absorbing the stress of traffic on either side of my trek through nature always felt hypocritical and somewhat counterproductive.
I could’ve taken a pedal bike, but I was never comfortable being associated with the established bicycle tribes. Between the Lycra-clad wannabe road racers, Critical Mass activists, and extreme mountain bike bros, there seems to be some real gatekeeping issues in the bicycling community, and I wanted no part of it. Additionally, while I’m in pretty good shape, I am by no means an athlete and some of the inclines on our local trails can be a bit daunting. I was looking for a mobility solution that existed adjacent to the realm of cycling. Something that could take advantage of cycling infrastructure, offering the benefits of biking without all the baggage.
Enter the Aventon Aventure.2.
The handsome styling is welcoming and unaggressive. Its rugged good looks are both tempered and accentuated by the pleasing curves of the frame and fenders, the satin green paint, and utilitarian luggage rack. Despite the almost cartoonishly fat tires, the proportions somehow work, and the Aventure.2 successfully exists comfortably in its own skin without pretense and carries none of the cycle-bro baggage. I ride in cargo pants and hiking boots so that at any moment, I can pull over, park the bike trail-side out of the way, and wander into the woods snapping wildlife and nature photos.
The hardcore bikers would say e-bikes aren’t real bikes, and I’m not a real cyclist, and to that I say “perfect.” In a world of five-figure pedal bikes, could this $2,000 e-bike be the egalitarian solution to two-wheeled (sub)urban mobility?
Sporting a 750w motor, 15Ah battery, and torque-sensing electric assist system with 4 levels: Eco, Tour, Sport, and Turbo, there is a genuine accessibility to “casual cycling” on offer here, presenting a solid and viable alternative to automotive transportation for those previously uninterested or unable to pilot a motorcycle or scooter, or to pedal a traditional bicycle.
About accessibility, the Aventure.2 is offered in two frame sizes: regular and large. We chose to experiment with our frame size selection. Despite my 6’2” height and 34-inch inseam placing me near the top end of the “Large” frame on Aventon’s size chart, we opted for the “Regular,” which my partner is near the bottom of on their size chart with her 5’3” height and 27-inch inseam.
There is actually enough adjustability with the seat post that both of us are happy astride the “Regular” sized frame. The saddle offers a good compromise that’s both supportive and comfortable enough for my skinny, thinly padded ass while never interfering with a smooth pedal stroke.
The bars are damn near perfect. Not too high and wide, nor overly low and aggressive, and offering plenty of leverage and front-end feel. The reach is just right, giving me a bit of forward lean with a slight bend in the elbows, mimicking my preference for Naked and Sport-Touring motorcycle ergos. The left thumb-operated throttle is intuitive and makes way more sense to me than a twist grip on an E-Bike. Just gotta remember – we’re on a bicycle, so the front brake is on the left!
Regarding range, I was never able to achieve Aventon’s claimed “up to 60 miles.” Fully-charged batteries reliably returned 37 miles before hitting 0%. This has been consistent over nearly 1,000 miles and a wide range of temperatures, using either ECO or Touring mode. Surfaces were mixed, split evenly between hard (concrete and asphalt) and soft (gravel and grass), and mostly level with some inclines ranging from gradual to steep.
Even in an attempt to extract maximum range—sticking exclusively to ECO mode and turning E-assist off on level ground, with the fat tires aired up to decrease rolling resistance, and always contributing pedal power—I would consistently deplete the battery at 37 miles. Turns out that Aventon’s claimed range is determined over flat terrain using a rider weight of 160 pounds. I’m a few pounds heavier than that, usually packing water, snacks, and camera equipment, and ascending some hilly terrain, so there you go.
Also, the battery gauge is not linear, giving a false sense of range when first setting off on a full charge. Below 20%, power delivery seems to be limited. At 10% and below, you’re practically in “limp-home mode.” With a nearly depleted battery, even the slightest incline becomes a real chore for the electric motor. Moderate or steep grades become simply impossible for the E-assist system, and you’ll be lugging all 77 pounds of the Aventure.2 up that hill exclusively on pedal power.
Once you understand these limitations, it just takes a bit of route planning to avoid leaving yourself on a super steep incline at the end of your ride. Fortunately, the 48-tooth crank and 8-speed rear derailleur with cogs ranging from 12-32 teeth offer plenty of ratios to make unassisted pedaling manageable in most conditions.
And that’s the great thing about e-bicycles. Unlike offerings from Cake or Ubco, which leave you helpless once the battery runs flat, an e-bike like the Aventure.2 gives you options. You can dial in as much electric assistance as you want, or none at all.
You want a strenuous workout? No problem. You want to take it easy? You got it. Just pin the throttle wide open and give your legs a rest. Oops, you miscalculated your route and ran the battery flat? Just pedal home using the traditional 8-speed rear derailleur to select the appropriate gear ratios along the way.
Assist settings can be adjusted on the fly using the d-pad-like control cluster on the left handlebar. Power mode, speed, mileage and other trip data are easily read on the backlit LCD full color display, which is bright enough for the sunniest days, and suffers no problems with glare.
Not interested in trail riding, and you want to use the Aventure.2 for a quick run to the shop? I’ve done that, too. The included standard rear rack appears to be compatible with the Ortlieb QL2.1 mounting hook system, giving you a wide selection of panniers to choose from. The E-assist helps me feel much less vulnerable sharing the road with cars versus riding a traditional pedal bike. The reduced speed differential and agility to quickly accelerate out of a dangerous situation is reassuring and confidence-inspiring.
Regarding speed, the Aventure.2 ships from the factory as a Class 2 e-bike, which limits electric assist to 20 mph. Aventon’s app (iOS or Android) allows you to quickly pair your device via a QR code on the bike’s LCD display. This app gives you the ability to enable Class 3 operation of the Aventure.2, so electric assist can be dialed up to a maximum of 28 mph.
A pop-up in the app warns users that doing so may violate local laws, so be sure to check the regulations pertaining to e-bikes within the jurisdiction you’ll be operating one.
Regardless of the assist level, there is no “speed limiter.” The calipers won’t automatically clamp down on the disc brakes. You can go as fast as you’re capable of on pedal power; you just won’t get any more thrust from the motor beyond the maximum setting. So far, I’ve gotten the Aventure.2 over 29 mph on a moderate downhill.
The Aventure.2’s battery also powers an LED lighting package comprised of rear running lights, brake lights, and indicators integrated into the frame just above the rear axle. There is a front headlight, but no front indicators. The headlight and turn signals are operated through the same d-pad control used to adjust e-assist levels and cycle through the trip computer.
The placement of the rear lights looks attractive and seems clever at first glance, but perhaps too clever for their own good. Their low placement can make them difficult for drivers to see and can be further obscured with panniers fitted to the rear rack.
E-bikes really seem to be where two-wheeled electrification makes sense. The overall practicality of this package makes for a legitimate contender as a car/motorcycle alternative for commuting, leisure, and light shopping runs.
The removable and quickly field-swappable battery pack opens a world of options for long-distance rides, as well as simplifying life for those who don’t have easy access to power where the bike is parked. Just pop the battery out, bring it in, and charge it at any regular household outlet. Makes a good theft deterrent too. Who would want to steal an e-bike without its proprietary $500 battery?
The Aventure.2 has given me the ability to go further and explore more of our local trails than I ever could have on foot. Like when I first got my motorcycle, I’ve found myself excited to ride, looking for reasons to take the e-bike out, scouring maps for new trails and different ways to get there.
Riding has given me a new appreciation for the little patch of the Earth I call home. The trails through our local forest and prairie preserves often feel magical, whether a disused old rail line tunneling through a lush green canopy of trees, or a gravel trail snaking its way through a sun-drenched expanse of tall prairie grass and native wildflowers.
Through riding, I’ve discovered an oasis of calm seclusion hidden right in the midst of our frenzied, chronically connected modern world. I’ve encountered wildlife I never would have otherwise met, watched vibrant hilltop sunrises overlooking mirror-like reservoirs, and snapped pictures that have reignited my interest in photography. I’ve started looking at my surroundings differently, and with a youthful fascination and excitement that this jaded Gen-Xer hasn’t felt in a long time.
The Aventure.2 is a fascinating dichotomy within itself, striking a charming balance between polar attributes. It accelerates your ability to explore your surroundings while slowing things down enough for you to appreciate them. It’s both cute and capable, welcoming yet rugged, confidently stylish while unpretentiously understated. I find myself grinning while riding it, and queried by smiling strangers curious to learn about it.
The Aventure.2 is the Suzuki Jimny of e-bikes, and I’m grateful at least one of them is available for purchase in my market.
