Aventon Aventure 2 Review

The world of e-bikes has progressed so much over the last couple of decades. Whereas in the beginning there was only a relatively small handful of very expensive models to choose from; nowadays, there is a rich and diverse range of different types of e-bikes at different price points to suit all kinds of riders.

One of the types of e-bikes that has seen a steady increase in popularity is undoubtedly the fat tire e-bikes. These are a whole lot of fun as they are designed to handle all kinds of terrain with relative ease. While some are designed with commuting in mind, most fat tire bikes are manufactured to be a commuter bike that you can also have a lot of fun on.

A popular entry into the fat tire category of the e-bike market is the Aventon Aventure. I had the pleasure of riding that bad boy and I fully agree with all of its praises that it is a fine bike. So, when I heard that Aventon were making changes and releasing an updates model in the form of the Aventure 2, I was very excited and had high hopes. It won’t be a spoiler, but as you will see from my review below, Aventon did not just meet my expectations but greatly exceeded them.

Aventon Aventure 2 Overview

Before we dive into it, though, I wanted to take a few moments to discuss some of the changes and some of the things that have stayed more or less the same between Aventure and Aventure 2. One great addition, falling in line with the Level 2 released recently by Aventon, is the torque sensor. A torque sensor is a great addition because it helps to harmonize the bike and rider together more.

As the motor is the same that was used for the Aventure, the Aventure 2 benefits from the torque sense and offers you the chance to have greater say over the pace you want the bike to go at.

Obviously, you can still increase and decrease the pedal assist settings, but it always feels like you are contributing to the overall experience, no matter what the setting is on.

Interestingly, there are not a lot of options at the moment for e-bikes that have both torque sensors and rear hub motors. So, Aventon are the leading charge for the industry again.

The Frame

One of the things that has stayed the same between Aventure and Aventure 2, save for the new colors, is the frame. It is still sleek as anything and made from a hydroformed aluminum alloy. The chunkiest thing about the frame is Downtube and that is only because it hides the battery.

While some may be put off by the simplistic design of Aventure 2, I appreciate it. For one thing, the simpler anything is, the less chance there is of things going wrong. Even when they do, you can often pinpoint exactly what the problem is and fix it quickly.

If I had to offer one aspect of the frame that might not be to everyone’s taste or suit their circumstances, it’s that it weighs a mighty 77lbs. Therefore, fi you do not have access to a secure locker for your e-bile or live in a single-floor apartment or home, it might be that this is not the right bike for you. Even moving it a little proved quite a tough job for me and I am not weak and feeble, haha!

Its Battery and Motor

Perhaps the biggest problem with the previous incarnation, the Aventure, was the fact that it came with a battery that was not really powerful enough. While 45 miles is not a terrible range for an e-bike to have per charge, for one that is close to $2,000, it felt like it should be a bit bigger.

Aventon obviously took these complaints on board when it came to designing and building the Aventure 2, as it now comes with a 15 Ah, 48-volt battery that provides a much better range of approximately 60 miles.

This range is only possible if you strictly ride the bike on pedal assist level 1. Be aware though, that although the range drops somewhat as you move up pedal assist levels, it does not change too much.

You have the option of charging the battery when it’s on the bike or taking it out and charging it elsewhere. It takes an unsurprising 5 hours to charge. My advice would be, if you are intending on using this bike for your daily commute, you really need to invest in an additional battery.

Similarly, to the original Aventure e-bike, Aventon have included the same 750-watt motor. This was already a great motor and didn’t need to be upgraded or replaced. It’s worth noting that the 750-watts is just the nominal power it can produce, when necessary, it can also deliver an impressive 380-watts of extra power. That is not what makes this bike and the use of this motor so special though, as it also is capable of delivering 80Nm of torque.

The basic thing you need to understand about torque, if you are completely new, is that the more torque a motor has, the more power it can give to the wheels in quicker time. The 80NM, therefore, means you can get the bike up to the top speed in seconds.

An upgrade that they made to the bike that helps you to get the best out of that powerful motor is torque sensor department. The original torque sensor took a while to work out when the motor can be engaged.

I’m pleased to report the torque sensor on the Aventure 2 is perhaps one of the most responsive on the market that I have ever tested. With Aventure 2, the moment any amount of pressure is pressed on the pedal, the motor will start.

Tektro HD-E350 Hydraulic Disc Brakes and 180mm Rotors

To keep prices low, many manufacturers are frugal when it comes to providing brakes for their bikes. That is something that the Aventure from Aventon doesn’t have, as it has Tektro HD-E350 hydraulic brakes and 180mm rotors. Although it is not quite the same standard as professional brakes, they are still remarkably effective.

It doesn’t really matter what conditions you are riding in, whether its dirty and wet, cold, and dry…these brakes will help bring you to a complete stop in no time at all.

The only word of caution I would give is to take care when braking if you’re racing along at top speed. This is because the Aventure 2’s fat tires make it a lot harder to control properly and then if you start skidding, you can find yourself in a world of trouble.

The Color LCD Display

It is worth drawing attention to the LCD display that comes with the Aventure 2, because compared to many available in the same price range, this is an excellent unit. It is colorful, for a start, bright and very easy to read. You can scan the most important information relevant to your rides while you are on the bike, like battery life, speed, and PAS level.

If you are looking to open up the settings available and more detailed information, there is the Aventon app that you can download to your smartphone and sync with your Aventure 2. As well as giving you access to additional running totals like approximate CO2 reduction by riding your e-bike instead of taking the car, max speed, calories burned and ride times; you can also track rides, community features that link you with app users and adjust the bike’s speed settings.

Ride Comfort

In terms of comfort, the Aventon Aventure 2 is as comfortable as any e-bike I have ever ridden. The combination of the cushioning fat tires and front suspension helps to absorb the majority of shock from the road giving a very smooth experience. If I had to pinpoint one way that Aventon could improve the overall experience of riding the Aventure 2, it would be to add rear suspension. However, I understand that this would mean the price would rise significantly.

As I am slightly taller than the average rider, I was worried I wouldn’t fit comfortably. My worries were unfounded, though, as I was able to adjust the handlebars and seat.

Summary

So, while I can’t tell you to rush out and buy this bike – that is for you to decide for yourself, what I can do is tell you what I personally liked about it. As a far tire bike, it was a whole lot of fun to ride, over many different terrains. Although I used it just for commutes and urban riding, I can imagine it would handle itself elsewhere too. I learned quite quickly that you need to take care, though, because it can be very fast and hard to control at top speeds.

All in all, it is one of the best fat tire bikes I have ever ridden.