Aventon is updating their Level commuter from 2 to 3. {LINK}
Changes:
+ Built in rear wheel lock (electronically-controlled)
+ User-programmable assist settings
+ Menus are now intuitive instead of coded
+ Turn signals added to the seat stay lights, so that now there's a set of running lights and turn signals, which Pace 500.3 has had for awhile now.
+ Adjustable stem
+ Bell included (a junky one, it looks like)
+ Included charger is 4 A (old one was 3 A)
+ Battery now has a built-in, fold-out carrying handle
+ Suspension seatpost is now included (A cheap telescoping type, however, it is preload-adjustable)
+ Through-axles are provided now, instead of QR skewers
+ Magura brakes (allegedly an upgrade from Tektro, except the lack of a switch for brake lights & throttle interlock cutoff)
+ Blinky rear lights built-in now. (though at the expense of brake lights. I feel like they could've done both)
+ They've got a couple of unique & cool colors. (matte lavender, copper)
- Derailleur has been downgraded to Shimano Altus (from Shimano Acera)
- Battery is now 36 V, 20 Ah (720 Wh) instead of 48 V, 14 Ah (672 Wh) Can't imagine why they went down in voltage, but the battery has a bit more capacity now anyway.
- Kenda tires are stock now, instead of Continental. (Kenda aren't bad, but Continentals are outstanding)
- $200 price hike, compared to the outgoing Level.2, which was at $1700. Now, the outgoing Level.2 is $1600.
- Battery lock is electronic now, buried in a menu. This will be less reliable over time.
- Brake/throttle cutoff interlock is gone, along with the brake lights
+/- Fenders are plastic now. (plastic is lighter, but doesn't hold up as well over time as metal)
+/- Aventon owns their factories, so they can 100% control their quality (as before)
+/- Aventon has deals in place with 1800+ dealers (as before)
+/- Great new security features, but will be on a subscription plan after Year 1.
+/- Battery charge port is now ONLY on the battery, no more duplicate one on the frame
+/- Motor is still 500 W. This keeps it smaller & lighter, but it's harder to get to 28 mph. I think they made the right call here; this is not The Bike for You, if you just want an easy motorized top speed, and that's now who they're marketing to.
They're putting some advanced features in an IoT (Internet of Things) sub menu, which they'll let you use for free for a year, then they want $2/month. That feels like a dirty cash grab to me. They are good features, but I don't know that I want Aventon's fingers in my paycheck:
Changes:
+ Built in rear wheel lock (electronically-controlled)
+ User-programmable assist settings
+ Menus are now intuitive instead of coded
+ Turn signals added to the seat stay lights, so that now there's a set of running lights and turn signals, which Pace 500.3 has had for awhile now.
+ Adjustable stem
+ Bell included (a junky one, it looks like)
+ Included charger is 4 A (old one was 3 A)
+ Battery now has a built-in, fold-out carrying handle
+ Suspension seatpost is now included (A cheap telescoping type, however, it is preload-adjustable)
+ Through-axles are provided now, instead of QR skewers
+ Magura brakes (allegedly an upgrade from Tektro, except the lack of a switch for brake lights & throttle interlock cutoff)
+ Blinky rear lights built-in now. (though at the expense of brake lights. I feel like they could've done both)
+ They've got a couple of unique & cool colors. (matte lavender, copper)
- Derailleur has been downgraded to Shimano Altus (from Shimano Acera)
- Battery is now 36 V, 20 Ah (720 Wh) instead of 48 V, 14 Ah (672 Wh) Can't imagine why they went down in voltage, but the battery has a bit more capacity now anyway.
- Kenda tires are stock now, instead of Continental. (Kenda aren't bad, but Continentals are outstanding)
- $200 price hike, compared to the outgoing Level.2, which was at $1700. Now, the outgoing Level.2 is $1600.
- Battery lock is electronic now, buried in a menu. This will be less reliable over time.
- Brake/throttle cutoff interlock is gone, along with the brake lights
+/- Fenders are plastic now. (plastic is lighter, but doesn't hold up as well over time as metal)
+/- Aventon owns their factories, so they can 100% control their quality (as before)
+/- Aventon has deals in place with 1800+ dealers (as before)
+/- Great new security features, but will be on a subscription plan after Year 1.
+/- Battery charge port is now ONLY on the battery, no more duplicate one on the frame
+/- Motor is still 500 W. This keeps it smaller & lighter, but it's harder to get to 28 mph. I think they made the right call here; this is not The Bike for You, if you just want an easy motorized top speed, and that's now who they're marketing to.
They're putting some advanced features in an IoT (Internet of Things) sub menu, which they'll let you use for free for a year, then they want $2/month. That feels like a dirty cash grab to me. They are good features, but I don't know that I want Aventon's fingers in my paycheck:
- Lock and unlock bike remotely
- Disable motor remotely
- Real-time bike location tracking
- App receives regular updates on bike's "health". (battery capacity, probably; I can't think what else it could track that would be worth a damn)
