Aventon Aventure 2 vs Aima Santa Monica Electric Bike Commuter

[EVDan]

Looking for fairly heavy duty, (but not heavy weight) class 3 city ebike with wide tires, fenders, signals 750W, watts under $2K US that has a LBS dealer within 25 miles of Seattle.
I've narrowed it down to either the Aveton Adventure 2 (77 lbs )or AIMA Santa Monica (67 lbs). For the most part their specs are quite similar and I think either one would work for my purposes.
Aveton has established a decent reputation, but I can't find much info about the Aima bike https://www.aimatech.us/products/sa...RUse2qaI-2_VBaoUd6ekenYXSMFjvZCv92R957imUaMWK

Anyone here have experience with the Aima bikes or strong feelings of one vs the other?

 

[Annieolnie]

There is a silly thing I do when looking at new ebikes. I always worry about parts availability, so I go to Google and search for a derailleur hanger for that particular model. It is a sure sign of whether a company plans to stand behind its product, both these bikes pass the derailleur hanger test. If you search "Aima Santa Monica reddit" a number of people have done comparison rides, especially with the Velotric Discover 2. If you end up with the Aima, please give us a review. The motor in particular sounds interesting.

 

[Smaug]

Never heard of Aima. They are probably a Chinese mushroom brand. I'd avoid them, as you'll be left in the dark if you need support after the sale. Or at best, you'll be your own technician.

Never heard of Aveton either. Did you meant Aventon? Aventon works with ~1800 bike shops around the USA to help with service. I bought mine from an Indian motorcycle shop, who said selling eBikes kept them in business during COVID.

If so, Aventon doesn't make an Adventure model, did you mean Aventure?

I would recommend either the Aventon Level.2 or Pace. For city duty, you don't need those huge, heavy, fat knobbies that the Aventure has; they are designed for loose, deep offroad surfaces like sand, snow, loose gravel or grass. Without those huge, inefficient tires to drag around, you also don't need a 750 W motor; 500 W is plenty. Ditty for the battery: if it only needs to supply 500 W instead of 750, the battery can be smaller and lighter with no range penalty. These things reduce your bike weight by 20 lbs. or so.

The Level.2 includes a rear rack and fender set with integrated tail/brake light, but its riding position has kind of an aggressive forward lean.

The Pace 500.3 has the same drivetrain and is more upright in posture, but no rack or fenders are included. You would buy and install them separately.

Both the Pace 500.3 and the Level.2 have another set of tail/brake lights integrated into the seatstays, and the Pace 500.3 also has turn signals below the brake lights! This model has a free 2nd battery promotion going on right now too!

The Level.2 and Pace 500.3 both have 27.5 x 2.5" tires. Still plenty ride for any kind of road that isn't mud or deep gravel.

I have the Level.2; you can see my extended review here: https://ebikesforum.com/threads/aventon-level-2-review-thread.3764/

If I were buying now, I would probably get the Pace 500.3 with the extra battery, and add the rack & fenders. I replaced the aggressive stem with an adjustable one to bring it back and up.

 

[Annieolnie]

Looking for fairly heavy duty, (but not heavy weight) class 3 city ebike with wide tires, fenders, signals 750W, watts under $2K US that has a LBS dealer within 25 miles of Seattle.
I've narrowed it down to either the Aveton Adventure 2 (77 lbs )or AIMA Santa Monica (67 lbs). For the most part their specs are quite similar and I think either one would work for my purposes.
Aveton has established a decent reputation, but I can't find much info about the Aima bike https://www.aimatech.us/products/sa...RUse2qaI-2_VBaoUd6ekenYXSMFjvZCv92R957imUaMWK

Anyone here have experience with the Aima bikes or strong feelings of one vs the other?

I guess if I spend 20 min. using a word on Google, YouTube will just start sending me stuff. "Ride Reviews" has a well done video called, "The Best Affordable Ebikes of 2024". The Aima Santa Monica did very, very well. Bumsteads Bicycles also has an overview video out. For a bike I've never heard of, the Santa Monica is impressive. Let us know what you think.

 

[runway1]

Any thoughts on the Mokwheel Asphalt? Only $1400. Smaller motor than I would like (500w). I like the Euphree, but the Mokwheel gives a lot for $700 less! Also a shop near me for service.

 

[Annieolnie]

Electric Bike Report has a 2024 written review.Their reviews are thorough. They had a problem with ghost pedaling, which for having a torque sensor is odd. I think it does not have the best gear set. If you are heading towards the everyday commuter style there may be better places to go. Discount season is starting, you have time to pick the bike you like, then wait for it to be on sale. Then again, to head back where you started, this just turned up on Upway. You would just need some 3 inch tires. It's a brand new Adventure 2.

 

[runway1]

Yeah, ghost pedaling would really annoy me. Were you referring to the Mokwheel or Euphree? I'll check EBR.

Very inclined toward that Adventure.2 at that price. Swapping tires is a concern (fender width, etc.), but usually not an issue if the wheel takes it. There's a shop by me. I expect to check these out soon. Thank you!

 

[runway1]

Wow, love that Upway store. Options for pre-owned too. Any experience with them? Are they a credible and upright business if issues arise?

 

[Annieolnie]

They have a good rating and some business sites have reviewed them well, as a company. Their prices can be all over the place but I think it depends on how much they paid for the bike. At one point Aventon was giving their full warranty to their own bikes on Upway if they had never been previously sold, but you would have to ask both companies about that. This time of year, they get in new listings every week as companies need to move their stock before the end of the year. I admit to being a bit obsessed with their new arrivals page.

 

[Annieolnie]

Yeah, ghost pedaling would really annoy me. Were you referring to the Mokwheel or Euphree? I'll check EBR.

Very inclined toward that Adventure.2 at that price. Swapping tires is a concern (fender width, etc.), but usually not an issue if the wheel takes it. There's a shop by me. I expect to check these out soon. Thank you!

It was the Mokwheel asphalt that EBR reviewed. I don't think it has the right gear set, even with a torque sensor.

 

[Smaug]

Yeah, ghost pedaling would really annoy me. Were you referring to the Mokwheel or Euphree? I'll check EBR.

Very inclined toward that Adventure.2 at that price. Swapping tires is a concern (fender width, etc.), but usually not an issue if the wheel takes it. There's a shop by me. I expect to check these out soon. Thank you!

Ghost pedaling can be a pro or a con.

For example, if you really need to get somewhere in a hurry, but can't pedal hard or fast enough to hit 28 mph on the torque sensing system, the ability to max out the assistance and just pedal to go 28 mph can be handy. On my Aventon Level.2, I only hit 28 mph on a slight downhill or with a tailwind, even with max. assistance (PAS) in top gear. If I had something with a cadence sensor and maxed out power limit, it would only be a question of setting PAS to the max. (knowing that battery drain would be hefty)

When it can be annoying is when you're riding with someone else who is content going say 16 mph. But your PAS settings on your cadence sensored bike only allow 14 or 18. Then, you need to set it to the lower one and try to match speed with manual throttle modulation.

My fleet of eBikes (see my signature below) are ridden together fairly often, and my daughter on the XP Lite has to use throttle to match speed with Cari and I on our torque sensored eBikes. Meanwhile, I'm shouting back to her: "Don't be lazy; PEDAL!" and she feels henpecked, as she's doing the best she can.

On the other hand, riding alone, she could just set the lower PAS and pedal a bit to chip in with what she's comfortable with.

 

[Annieolnie]

Ghost pedaling can be a pro or a con.

For example, if you really need to get somewhere in a hurry, but can't pedal hard or fast enough to hit 28 mph on the torque sensing system, the ability to max out the assistance and just pedal to go 28 mph can be handy. On my Aventon Level.2, I only hit 28 mph on a slight downhill or with a tailwind, even with max. assistance (PAS) in top gear. If I had something with a cadence sensor and maxed out power limit, it would only be a question of setting PAS to the max. (knowing that battery drain would be hefty)

When it can be annoying is when you're riding with someone else who is content going say 16 mph. But your PAS settings on your cadence sensored bike only allow 14 or 18. Then, you need to set it to the lower one and try to match speed with manual throttle modulation.

My fleet of eBikes (see my signature below) are ridden together fairly often, and my daughter on the XP Lite has to use throttle to match speed with Cari and I on our torque sensored eBikes. Meanwhile, I'm shouting back to her: "Don't be lazy; PEDAL!" and she feels henpecked, as she's doing the best she can.

On the other hand, riding alone, she could just set the lower PAS and pedal a bit to chip in with what she's comfortable with.

I love that you are calling it a fleet now.

 

[EVDan]

There is a silly thing I do when looking at new ebikes. I always worry about parts availability, so I go to Google and search for a derailleur hanger for that particular model. It is a sure sign of whether a company plans to stand behind its product, both these bikes pass the derailleur hanger test. If you search "Aima Santa Monica reddit" a number of people have done comparison rides, especially with the Velotric Discover 2. If you end up with the Aima, please give us a review. The motor in particular sounds interesting.

Yes, I found reviews with the help of Google. Here is an fun, multi bike review that put the Santa Monica on top (unfortunately didn't include Adventure 2).
I'm actually previewing some bikes for a friend. Another friend and I did rode both bikes for 15 mins, then swapped them for another 15 mins. It was a good back to back compro. Here are my findings...

I found both bikes had plenty of power, were easy to ride, stable and that torque sensors worked well on both.

The Aventon Pros: self cancelling rear signals. As a bike rider that is a big deal as we bikers are not used to having to turn off signals That is a big deal to me as I found myself failing again & again to switch them off on the S Monica. The throttle provided max power regardless of what PAS I was in. I prefer its the sleeker, more modern look to the retro look of the Santa Monica.

The Aventon Cons: Its torque sensor kicks in a bit too strong starting out. Over large bumps, the rear kicks hard & tends to really buck the rider off the seat (bigger tires? Perhaps lower PSI would help?). The stem is fixed. Noisy tires (to be expected giving the size & tread pattern, not really designed for street us although I see a lot of bikes with similar tires on the streets of Seattle (I think the tuff guy look is popular).

Santa Monica Pros: Smoother power & ride, less bucking off the rear (function of tires???). LIghter weight by 11 lbs (congrats on keeping it relatively light, that's very helpful when it comes to loading the bike!), adjustable stem. More powerful (in 300 yard an uphill drag race with both bikes in PAS 5, the SM was significantly faster that the A2.) wider beam headlight. Bigger disc brakes; a nice touch but not really needed for most riders.

Santa Monica cons: Throttle power was limited in lower PAS levels - but outstanding in PAS 5. Turn signals don't self cancel :-( . Seat was NOT comfortable - nose is turned up too much and back tends to push rider forward. It might just need some adjustment but several other reviews also said not comfy. If I bought this bike I'd probably replace the seat .

Given similar prices & components its a hard choice but I'd opt for the smoother power delivery and ride of the Santa Monica . .

 

[txcanes]

Never heard of Aima. They are probably a Chinese mushroom brand. I'd avoid them, as you'll be left in the dark if you need support after the sale. Or at best, you'll be your own technician.

Never heard of Aveton either. Did you meant Aventon? Aventon works with ~1800 bike shops around the USA to help with service. I bought mine from an Indian motorcycle shop, who said selling eBikes kept them in business during COVID.

If so, Aventon doesn't make an Adventure model, did you mean Aventure?

I would recommend either the Aventon Level.2 or Pace. For city duty, you don't need those huge, heavy, fat knobbies that the Aventure has; they are designed for loose, deep offroad surfaces like sand, snow, loose gravel or grass. Without those huge, inefficient tires to drag around, you also don't need a 750 W motor; 500 W is plenty. Ditty for the battery: if it only needs to supply 500 W instead of 750, the battery can be smaller and lighter with no range penalty. These things reduce your bike weight by 20 lbs. or so.

The Level.2 includes a rear rack and fender set with integrated tail/brake light, but its riding position has kind of an aggressive forward lean.

The Pace 500.3 has the same drivetrain and is more upright in posture, but no rack or fenders are included. You would buy and install them separately.

Both the Pace 500.3 and the Level.2 have another set of tail/brake lights integrated into the seatstays, and the Pace 500.3 also has turn signals below the brake lights! This model has a free 2nd battery promotion going on right now too!

The Level.2 and Pace 500.3 both have 27.5 x 2.5" tires. Still plenty ride for any kind of road that isn't mud or deep gravel.

I have the Level.2; you can see my extended review here: https://ebikesforum.com/threads/aventon-level-2-review-thread.3764/

If I were buying now, I would probably get the Pace 500.3 with the extra battery, and add the rack & fenders. I replaced the aggressive stem with an adjustable one to bring it back and up.

Do some research, much better bike than Aventon!! Check them out at cec 2025

 

[EVDan]

Yes, I found reviews with the help of Google. Here is an fun, multi bike review that put the Santa Monica on top (unfortunately didn't include Adventure 2).
I'm actually previewing some bikes for a friend. Another friend and I did rode both bikes for 15 mins, then swapped them for another 15 mins. It was a good back to back compro. Here are my findings...

I found both bikes had plenty of power, were easy to ride, stable and that torque sensors worked well on both.

The Aventon Pros: self cancelling rear signals. As a bike rider that is a big deal as we bikers are not used to having to turn off signals That is a big deal to me as I found myself failing again & again to switch them off on the S Monica. The throttle provided max power regardless of what PAS I was in. I prefer its the sleeker, more modern look to the retro look of the Santa Monica.

The Aventon Cons: Its torque sensor kicks in a bit too strong starting out. Over large bumps, the rear kicks hard & tends to really buck the rider off the seat (bigger tires? Perhaps lower PSI would help?). The stem is fixed. Noisy tires (to be expected giving the size & tread pattern, not really designed for street us although I see a lot of bikes with similar tires on the streets of Seattle (I think the tuff guy look is popular).

Santa Monica Pros: Smoother power & ride, less bucking off the rear (function of tires???). LIghter weight by 11 lbs (congrats on keeping it relatively light, that's very helpful when it comes to loading the bike!), adjustable stem. More powerful (in 300 yard an uphill drag race with both bikes in PAS 5, the SM was significantly faster that the A2.) wider beam headlight. Bigger disc brakes; a nice touch but not really needed for most riders.

Santa Monica cons: Throttle power was limited in lower PAS levels - but outstanding in PAS 5. Turn signals don't self cancel :-( . Seat was NOT comfortable - nose is turned up too much and back tends to push rider forward. It might just need some adjustment but several other reviews also said not comfy. If I bought this bike I'd probably replace the seat .

Given similar prices & components its a hard choice but I'd opt for the smoother power delivery and ride of the Santa Monica . .

Do some research, much better bike than Aventon!! Check them out at cec 2025

Did our research, both bikes have good reviews and reputations. My friend opted for the Aventon Adventure 2 for its more macho look. After 3 months of regular riding, it has been a trouble free, excellent choice for him.
The LBS owner said he has had good luck with both the Amie & Aventon bike. After the sale, our LBS owner said his main mechanic also recently bought the Aventon 2 which is a good sign!

 

[Dominator7]

It's too bad this person didn't see the new Velotric Nomad 2 which was released on March 1. It's probably the most complete package of a fat tire ebike right now.