Aventon Level 2 Review Thread

DieselTech said:
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.
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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)
 
Smaug said:
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)
Click to expand...

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!
 
Floyd said:
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?
Click to expand...
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.

Floyd said:
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?
Click to expand...
Yes, and it will get less as it breaks in. Gear faces polishing each other in the oil or grease bath.

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

Floyd said:
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!
Click to expand...
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.
 
Floyd said:
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.
Click to expand...
Smaug said:
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.
Click to expand...

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?
 
Smaug said:
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.
Click to expand...
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.
 
Hobbyman said:
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.
Click to expand...
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.
 

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