Aventon Level 2 Review Thread

Fn took me 5years to save up enough money to buy my 1st ebike. Let alone have like 10 of them like Smaug has got.
Hahaha, I only have three. (one's the wife's) Kind of screwed myself financially for a bit there last year when I was really et up with it.

Now, I've sold my hybrid bike (Trek Verve 3) and am considering selling that beautiful Schwinn, but not just yet, I think; haven't yet gotten the vintage thing out of my system.

I'll probably sell the little Trek road bike I bought my daughter. She's got zero interest in it. I think I'll drag her out a few times first though, just to make sure. I paid $250 for it and it's great.

Going to add a gravel acoustic bike soon for myself, and maybe a Ride1Up Portola. Garage capacity is always going to be the determining factor, I think.

On the other hand, DieselTech has the skills to build his own stuff, which I haven't got. (I don't have the time either, trying to raise kids and the wife wants a lot of attention too)
 
Hahaha, I only have three. (one's the wife's) Kind of screwed myself financially for a bit there last year when I was really et up with it.

Now, I've sold my hybrid bike (Trek Verve 3) and am considering selling that beautiful Schwinn, but not just yet, I think; haven't yet gotten the vintage thing out of my system.

I'll probably sell the little Trek road bike I bought my daughter. She's got zero interest in it. I think I'll drag her out a few times first though, just to make sure. I paid $250 for it and it's great.

Going to add a gravel acoustic bike soon for myself, and maybe a Ride1Up Portola. Garage capacity is always going to be the determining factor, I think.

On the other hand, DieselTech has the skills to build his own stuff, which I haven't got. (I don't have the time either, trying to raise kids and the wife wants a lot of attention too)

I only have 3 i kept for myself out of 16 builds.

Ride Safe ya'll :cool:
 
Thanks for the reviews and valuable info, Smaug! I just got my Level 2 and took it for my first ride yesterday. Had a blast! Loved it!

But...

I noticed a couple things that I'm not sure if they're to be normal or abnormal.
1. The Level 2 has torque assist. It was my understanding the torque assist kicks in immediately when needed. I noticed it didn't kick in until a half to three-quarter of a turn of the pedals. Is that to be expected?
2. The Level 2 is a hub drive. It seems there's a decent amount of drag from the motor when coasting or not using any power assist. To be expected?
3. While certainly not loud, the motor does make a noticeable hum/electronic whine when it kicks in. To be expected?

Off topic: How does a person create a new thread in the Aventon-only forum. Each time I hit "Post Thread," I get a window with various sub-topics, none of which are for specific brands of e-bikes.

Thanks for any insights!
 
Thanks for the reviews and valuable info, Smaug! I just got my Level 2 and took it for my first ride yesterday. Had a blast! Loved it!

But...

I noticed a couple things that I'm not sure if they're to be normal or abnormal.
1. The Level 2 has torque assist. It was my understanding the torque assist kicks in immediately when needed. I noticed it didn't kick in until a half to three-quarter of a turn of the pedals. Is that to be expected?
Mine kicks in almost immediately, but they may have intentionally delayed it in later production so they don't get blamed for bike shooting out into cross traffic when someone pushes down slightly on the pedals.

2. The Level 2 is a hub drive. It seems there's a decent amount of drag from the motor when coasting or not using any power assist. To be expected?
Yes, and it will get less as it breaks in. Gear faces polishing each other in the oil or grease bath.

3. While certainly not loud, the motor does make a noticeable hum/electronic whine when it kicks in. To be expected?
Yes.

Off topic: How does a person create a new thread in the Aventon-only forum. Each time I hit "Post Thread," I get a window with various sub-topics, none of which are for specific brands of e-bikes.

Thanks for any insights!
Those threads in that sub are automatically put there when Aventon is mentioned in other fora. You can't put threads there on purpose. I think the reason is to raise the search ratings to direct here when someone Googles Aventon eBikes. @Anton might be able to clarify.
 
Off topic: How does a person create a new thread in the Aventon-only forum. Each time I hit "Post Thread," I get a window with various sub-topics, none of which are for specific brands of e-bikes.
Those threads in that sub are automatically put there when Aventon is mentioned in other fora. You can't put threads there on purpose. I think the reason is to raise the search ratings to direct here when someone Googles Aventon eBikes. @Anton might be able to clarify.

Yep that's correct all you have to do is add "Aventon" in the title of your post and it will show up in the "Aventon" forum after about 10mins or so. They're virtual forums designed to group all the same brand posts together to make it easier to find similar posts.
 
It's weird. Sometimes you need to log off...then log back on to see the results....
Other times the member must log off the clear content cache and cookies the log back in to see the results.

@Anton mate we need to make this easier maybe mate?
 
This thread will be to document my experiences and feelings of this eBike for others' possible future reference.

This first post will just be my first impressions.

I bought an Aventon Level 2 Saturday at a local Indian motorcycle shop in Racine, WI. They started carrying eBikes when they couldn't get motorcycles to sell during the pandemic and eBikes have kept them in business.

At the time of purchase, I owned the heybike Ranger (20" fat tire Class 3 folder) and the Lectric XP Lite. (20" BMX tire Class 2 folder) The Ranger, with its full fenders and sturdy rack has gotten most of my commuting duty lately.

The reason for the new eBike was that I wanted something more efficient; something easier to use as a regular bike. That meant no more knobbies and no more fat tires. With the Ranger, I struggled to maintain more than 10 mph on level ground. It's easier with the XP Lite, but that bike eats into the battery heavily on hills, as it just has the one rather tall gear.

1st Ride: Just around the large parking lot in the bike shop. I was amazed at how much power assist is given out in PAS 1.

2nd Ride: The second ride was at nighttime. It was just around the block a couple times in my neighborhood. I found out the headlight is adequate. It's an LED unit with a lens to focus it. It's not a spot pattern, but a wedge pattern.

3rd Ride: The bike included one of those nice folding bicycle multi-tools. The 4 and 5 mm allen keys are needed to adjust things, so I popped that in my pocket along with a conventional multitool. (Gerber MP400) I adjusted the brake levers and mechanical shifter position and rode for 10 miles. My 1st ride impression was borne out; I feel like PAS 1 is a bit strong, as it only takes a medium effort to get to 20 mph. (the factory-set top assisted speed )

The handle bar is a bit low for my taste; I don't like much of a forward lean. By the end of the ride, my palms were getting numb. I'm going to have to figure out which parts to get to raise it up and bring it back a bit. (never had to do this before)

The rear lights are well-integrated. There's a tail light in the rear fender as well as one in each seatstay. The ones in the seatstays are angled out bit, so they give some side visibility when riding in traffic. Note that these would be covered if using panniers, but the rear one is still visible.

The saddle has a flat area and was OK. I'm trying my trusty old Brooks B67 on it now. (sprung leather)

The general impression of the bike is that it is a heavy, higher-end mechanical bicycle. It weighs 61 lbs. My Trek hybrid mechanical bike is maybe about 25 - 30 lbs. However, it was no problem to leave PAS turned off and ride unassisted. (except uphill, which has me reaching for the PAS pretty quickly)

It was pouring almost all day today, so I didn't get to commute on it. More later.
PISS POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE!!!!!!! STILL WAITING ON THE FREE BATTERY!
I ordered my wife's level 2 step-through in Himilayan (rose gold) this past Mother's Day 2024. They told me it would be two weeks. It took three months to receive the bike. We missed a trip where the bike would have been needed. In addition, they discontinued the Himalayan and told us to pick another color. No apology or incentive! During that time, there was a price drop. The LBS, not Aventon, offered free assembly and a $70 credit, which was fine. We eventually decided on the glacier level 2. There is a noticeable squeak that just developed in the rear wheel. I will be taking it back to the store for service. The bike has been ridden twice and has under 10 miles on it. The bike came with a second free battery. However, the bike's free battery has not arrived, and the customer service is piss poor. They have yet to provide a tracking number, and it has been a month. I received an email saying the battery was on the way, and I had no idea of an estimated delivery time. They do not answer emails; instead, they issue a ticket number! The look is fantastic, and the rack with integrated lights is top-notch. The handling is good, and I haven't seen a better-looking e-bike. My Sis in Law just bought one, a pearl white. It was purchased from the LBS, and it was in stock. I would not order online from them again!!! I have very little faith in this company! The customer service is terrible. Overall, the migraine-inducing frustrations over the customer service vs. the value, look, and performance will be determined based on the product's reliability, and I can't provide that information. I am considering purchasing an e-bike for my daughter (who is off to college) and myself. I doubt I will choose Aventon, given the worries over poor customer service! We shall see! I hope this helps others and that Aventon gets their act together. Their product seems to deserve better management.
 
Reading through your post Hobbyman, it seems like:
  1. You came here JUST to bash Aventon (this is your only post here, as of now)
  2. You are over-reacting a bit
I agree that it's frustrating and not good customer service to not return emails, but they DID take care of you to the best of their ability through the LBS.

How about the battery? Did you get it yet?

I'm guessing they saw the tone of your emails and decided that path would not be productive with you.
 
A quick update on the Level.2:
  • I'm at just over 1300 miles now. The miles are coming slow, as I have a lot of bikes! I'm trying to push myself to use a purely mechanical bike for commuting, when it is not going to lead to my getting too sweaty. I'm doing more of the local shopping on the scooter, as my road options aren't as limited.
  • The rubber on the right side of the rear tire is starting to come away from the cords. I think I may have caused this with dripping from chain cleaner while spraying the chain and cassette clean.
  • No problems otherwise; great bike.
The new tech is coming so quickly, I almost WISH I could wear it out so I could go to a belt drive / Pinion gearbox commuter eBike. My belt drive gravel bike is just wonderful, even if its internal geared hub is not as mechanically efficient as chain/derailleur arrangement.
 
PISS POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE!!!!!!! STILL WAITING ON THE FREE BATTERY!
I ordered my wife's level 2 step-through in Himilayan (rose gold) this past Mother's Day 2024. They told me it would be two weeks. It took three months to receive the bike. We missed a trip where the bike would have been needed. In addition, they discontinued the Himalayan and told us to pick another color. No apology or incentive! During that time, there was a price drop. The LBS, not Aventon, offered free assembly and a $70 credit, which was fine. We eventually decided on the glacier level 2. There is a noticeable squeak that just developed in the rear wheel. I will be taking it back to the store for service. The bike has been ridden twice and has under 10 miles on it. The bike came with a second free battery. However, the bike's free battery has not arrived, and the customer service is piss poor. They have yet to provide a tracking number, and it has been a month. I received an email saying the battery was on the way, and I had no idea of an estimated delivery time. They do not answer emails; instead, they issue a ticket number! The look is fantastic, and the rack with integrated lights is top-notch. The handling is good, and I haven't seen a better-looking e-bike. My Sis in Law just bought one, a pearl white. It was purchased from the LBS, and it was in stock. I would not order online from them again!!! I have very little faith in this company! The customer service is terrible. Overall, the migraine-inducing frustrations over the customer service vs. the value, look, and performance will be determined based on the product's reliability, and I can't provide that information. I am considering purchasing an e-bike for my daughter (who is off to college) and myself. I doubt I will choose Aventon, given the worries over poor customer service! We shall see! I hope this helps others and that Aventon gets their act together. Their product seems to deserve better management.
I agree thei customer service is lacking and had some of the same experiences as you. I finally got the free battery so that was my main concern. Really enjoy the bike. I 3 weeks I’m goi going in 300 miles. Had to grease the seat post as it was squeaking.
 
370 miles and now the left pedal or bottom bracket is clicking, can’t tell which. Will replace pedals and upgrade them, wanted to anyway.
 
370 miles and now the left pedal or bottom bracket is clicking, can’t tell which. Will replace pedals and upgrade them, wanted to anyway.
I replaced mine almost immediately with some that rotated more freely. They're orange* plastic, but are a name brand and work great.

* they were on close-out pricing in odd colors; I couldn't resist.



My Level.2 is now at about 1400 miles. The shifting is getting a bit stiff; time to take it in for lubrication. Other than that, it has been an awesome bike.

The weather is getting cooler in Wisconsin now, and I've got a gravel bike equipped with fenders, so I may switch to it for commuting duties to stay fit for winter.
 
While searching for something else, I came across this helpful article (written by Aventon) comparing some of their bikes vs. Lectric's. They are clearly feeling threatened by the fact that Lectric beats their price just about every time:

I don't own a Lectric XPress commuter bike, but I do own their XP Lite. I do own the Level.2.

Let's go through their comparative analysis of these two bikes and I'll put my unbiased comments in-line:

Key Differentiators (general)



Aventon​

Lectric​

Service Dealers & Test Rides​

Knowing you have the support you need close by when you need it can cut costs on shipping and wait times on returns. Test rides also can ensure you have the right ebike for you from the start without having to send back a dud.
1,800+ nationwide with test rides available [This does appear to be an Aventon advantage, however bike shops WILL work on the mechanical parts of Lectric bikes, IME]100s nationwide

Warranty​

Get more protection for the long road ahead. Servicing your ebike could get real expensive, real fast. Faulty components could reach up to $200 in repair costs.
Two-year [Advantage Aventon]One-year

Removable Battery​

Having a functioning locking mechanism on a removable battery promotes and protects the security of a bike’s battery without leaving the rider worried it could get stolen if they walk away.
Yes, with a removable key systemYes, but the key has to stay in the mechanism [This is stupid]

Display​

No smartphone necessary. Get real-time riding metrics right from your handlebars without the added costs of extra accessories. Connect to the Aventon app to track routes, connect with friends, and unlock rewards points for more savings. The Halo Ring only lights up for battery life and current speed.
Full-color display with app sync capabilities [I don't care about this, but I can see how some would]Backlit LCD

Built-In Turn Signals​

Invest in safety tech that’ll enhance your confidence on the road by communicating clearly from the bike lane and beyond, any time of day.
  • 5 of 7 models have built-in turn signals:
  • Abound.2
  • Aventure.2
  • Pace 500.3
  • Sinch.2
  • Soltera.2 [This is n/a, as the Level.2 doesn't have them]
0 of 7 models have built-in turn signals

Customer Service​

Depending on third-party brands can be frustrating, especially during recalls. Choose a reputable brand that answers your calls and emails and responds quickly by owning production processes.
Aventon owns its factory, allowing us to inspect products and streamline the process. Customer Service is easily reachable by email and phone.After Lectric's recall of XP 3.0 ebikes for brake problems, users found Lectric's communication confusing, making it uncertain if their issues were resolved. [Not sure about this, but Lectric was good when I called them]
 
Now, onto their comparison about the specific models in question:

1. Aventon Level.2 vs Lectric Xpress 750​

The Level.2 is a commuter ebike that comes with fenders and a rear rack to make your travels more convenient. Four lights boost visibility and safety as you ride through traffic and a front suspension fork absorbs bumps like potholes. In comparison, the Lectric Xpress 750 doesn’t have fenders or a rear rack and has minimal lighting. Plus, some riders say the components aren’t as durable.

Smaug: Aventon's lighting is certainly higher quality, and the integration of the brake lights makes them more durable. See how the Lectric's is out on a stalk? It will immediately need to be relocated when a luggage rack is fitted. To be fair, Lectric probably supplies the extension cable with plugs and zip ties for routing. The enormous headlight of the Lectric; I wonder if it is more effective than that of the Aventon? They both seem to have focusing optics. I don't like how on a commuter bike, Lectric didn't make the rack & fenders standard equipment. They're going to be wanted immediately.
If we do apples:apples comparison with price by choosing the smaller motored Xpress but outfitting it with rack and fenders, we get:
Lectric: $1127
Aventon: $1699 (they've come down about $500 since I bought mine!)


Aventon Level vs. Xpress 750



The Level.2 gives you:
A 500-watt motor that offers plenty of power to charge up hills without being too intense. In comparison, the Xpress 750 has a 750-watt motor that delivers up to 1,310 peak watts. That makes the Xpress 750 illegal in 38 states, which limit ebikes to class 3s that have a maximum output of 750 watts.

Smaug: This is interesting how they phrase this. They home in on Lectric's (advertised) peak power, but they don't advertise a peak power on their bike (it's certainly more than 500 W). I guess this puts them in more of a green zone, legally. It may matter one day, as eBike laws are enforced more. (and the trend seems to be going this direction

I will add that I have never wanted more power on my Level.2. I usually run it in PAS1, which already makes it hard to go < 15 mph. It puts me in the 15-20 mph zone most of the time. PAS2 or -3 lets me keep speed up while climbing small hills. Above 20 mph, I usually want PAS3-5, but I rarely go there, as battery drain is significantly higher here.




Bright front headlight and integrated rear lights that make you comfortable riding on busy streets and late at night. Reflectors on the pedals improve visibility, making your journey safer.
Smaug: I don't know why they pointed this out, except to again point out that Aventon's rear lights are integrated, where Lectric's aren't. They both have bright (enough) lights and reflectors supplied. They should've pointed out that Aventon's rear lights are also brake lights, whereas Lectric's are just running lights. This is actually a nice feature.


Reliable components that ensure your bike stands up to the test of time and repeated use.
Smaug: They're pretty vague here, so I'll fill in some details: The brakes on my Level.2 are Tektro and are quite a bit nicer than the unbranded ones on my XP Lite. The shifter on each bike here is Shimano, but Aventon's is a higher-end trigger shifter with 8 speeds vs. Lectric's entry-level 7 speed system. I've had that entry level system on my heybike Ranger. It is not as "nice", but it works just as well and it is easier to bang down through a bunch of gears at once as a fellow rolls to a stop. The 8-speed unit on the Level.2 can only go down 2 speeds at a time, or 3 if you have really long thumbs. This is an Aventon advantage, one that justifies some of the cost difference between the two bikes. If you don't care about "nice" but just want something functional, the Lectric's system works fine.


There’s nothing worse than getting a bike that breaks down due to faulty components. Some riders of the Xpress 750 say the unbranded components aren’t as durable as the ones on the Level.2.
Smaug: I haven't had any components fail on my Lectric XP Lite yet, but I only have 1/3 the mileage on it as I do on my Level.2 too... This might be trumped-up a bit by Aventon.

A nationwide network of more than 1,800 bike shops makes it easy to schedule regular bike maintenance or take a new model like the Level.2 out for a spin. Lectric only has a few hundred bike shops nationwide.
A built-in rear rack and fenders for easy commuting. If you want a rear rack and fenders on the Xpress 750, you‘ll have to pay an additional $128.
Smaug: Both fair points.
 
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