Current Thoughts – A Closer Look at the Aventon Aventure.2

Commuting during the winter months can be both a hassle and hazardous. Icy roads, snowy commuter paths and cold temperatures are all factors that might deter someone from using their electric bike during the depths of winter. As a seasoned winter commuter, I understand how much easier it is to get in the car and drive to the store instead of getting all bundled up for a winter ride to the grocery store.

However, one of the best ways to combat the lure of simplicity when it comes to commuting with your vehicle is by having an electric bike that inspires you to ride it, both with its environmental impact and the relative joy you get from riding an electric bike that is stable, fun, and easy to ride. As I quickly found out on my first ride on the Aventon Aventure.2, this bike has all those attributes and much more.

Fat Bike Fury

Back then, fat-tired bikes earned their stripes as the go-to choice for those craving unparalleled traction and stability, particularly when tackling the unforgiving sands or icy expanses. The secret sauce? Their wide tires boast a substantial surface area ranging from 3.4 to 4 inches.

This ample footprint provides a firm grip and allows riders to deflate their tires to jaw-dropping pressures, hovering between 5 to 15 PSI. Picture yourself glued to the ground, experiencing an unrivalled sense of stability.

However, every rose has its thorn, and fat-tire biking is no exception. Despite their prowess, these bikes can sometimes feel as sprightly as a tortoise in molasses, thanks to the hefty rolling resistance and a somewhat subdued agility. The sheer bulk and squishy tires may leave riders feeling like they're pushing against a resistant force, dampening the efficiency of each pedal stroke.

Balancing terrain demands, trail conditions, and personal riding style might initially feel like threading a needle in a haystack. But fret not, for with time and experience atop a fat-tired stallion, you'll unlock the perfect configuration to conquer any terrain easily.

Aventon Aventure.2 – Quick Specs

Designed with an adventurous spirit in mind, Aventon created a stable yet energetic bike that is comfortable as a city commuter but equally at home on various off-road surfaces. With wide tires that offer comfort and steadiness when rolling over rough conditions and a simple step-through design that makes it easy to saddle up and ride, Aventon seems to have found an exceptionally balanced approach to the off-road fat-tire electric bike.

• Motor: 750 Rear Hub

• Battery: 720 Wh

• Range: Up to 60 miles

• Weight: 77 lbs

• Class 3: Up to 28 mph (with throttle-assist)

• Torque Sensor

• Easy Step-Thru frame design

Initial Impression

I had a great impression of this bike before even laying eyes on it. After sifting through many other reviews about this bike, I couldn't find anyone who had a negative impression of the Aventure.2. Positive review after positive review had me wondering if a fat bike such as this one could be any different from all the others that I have tried over the years.

When I finally got the bike in my hands, I couldn't help but notice the build quality and overall well-designed unit. Aventon is a well-respected brand in the electric bike industry, and one look at the Aventure.2 shows exactly why that respect is well-earned.

The frame design is simple yet effective, especially for those with trouble throwing a leg over the classic diamond-frame design. The cockpit is set up well for various shapes and sizes, catering to those from 4'11 to 6'1. However, I could see those slightly taller than 6'1 still utilizing this bike or getting themselves a diamond frame instead (an option with the Aventure.2).

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The quality of the accessories included with the Aventure.2 also showed the importance of having reliable components for longevity and safety. This includes front suspension, hydraulic brakes, integrated lights, turn signals, and a torque sensor, which I prefer to cadence sensors.

One of the only negatives I noticed immediately was moving the bike from the shop into my car to take home. Fat-tired bikes can be challenging to fit onto a standard bike rack, which forced me to put the Aventure.a into the back of my Honda Element. While there is lots of room in the car for bikes, I often need to take off the front tire to fit in specific bikes.

The problem in this instance was that the Aventure.2 does not come with a quick-release skewer for the front tire, making removing the tire a bit more hassle. I've noticed this on specific electric bikes, which has gone the way of the dodo in the mountain bike scene. I'm hoping that most electric bike companies will move away from the bolt-on skewers and get on board with the more simple (and convenient) thru-axle.

Motor and Battery

When reviewing any electric bike, one of the main questions that first come up concerns the motor and battery combination. A symbiotic relationship between these two components lays the foundation for a useful and efficient electric bike.

Aventon does not skimp on either of these options, outfitting the Aventure with a powerful 750W rear hub motor and a 720Wh UL-certified LG cell battery, which boasts a range of up to 60 miles per charge. However, these range specifications can often be largely inflated, especially in harsh or cold conditions.

However, in my experience with the Aventure.2. I always felt that the range, probably not 60 miles in winter, was more efficient than expected. I would commute many days without charging the battery as long as I removed it and brought it inside overnight.

Taking care of your batteries and treating them correctly, especially in extreme temperatures, is the best way to get the most out of the potential range of an electric bike.

The rear hub motor and torque sensor gave the Aventure.2 a smooth acceleration that never felt jerky or awkward. There was plenty of power and torque when I needed it for a steep hill or snowy conditions, yet I never felt overwhelmed when the motor would kick in or when changing PAS modes. A fluid power transfer is sometimes tricky for electric bikes, but Aventon has delivered nicely.

Removing the battery from the frame was easy, especially with the battery inserted and removed from the side frame instead of directly under the frame. One thing that I did notice and would suggest to Aventon is implementing a handle for the battery for transportation. These batteries are bulky, heavy, and awkward to carry. A simple battery handle would be a small yet impactful improvement.

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Bike Fit

I often feel that people look at step-thru-designed frames and initially think of older women's specific frames meant to allow women with dresses to ride bikes more easily. But this isn't 1924; it's 2024. Bikes are designed for ease of use, and a step-thru design is about as easy and comfortable as it gets for any rider.

I thoroughly enjoyed the low step-over of the Aventure.2. It was simple to stand over and made for getting onto the comfortable stock seat. While many, more streamlined electric bikes are shedding pounds with every new model, there is no denying that most e-bikes are still fairly heavy. So, anything that removes the awkwardness of dealing with the weight of an electric bike is a welcomed feature.

Sitting atop the Aventure.2, the cockpit felt instantly familiar and straightforward. Nothing was too confusing or overbuilt, just a simple aesthetic that made me feel very at home. The slight ride and sweep on the handlebars can be easily adjusted to fit your body type. It is made for a very upright and stable position with easy-to-access features on the handlebars.

When it came time to stop or dismount the bike at home or at a stop sign, the step-thru frame again showed how well-designed it was. The ease of dismounting and getting your feet to the ground was very welcomed, even for someone who is fairly young and has no problem dismounting a diamond-frame electric bike.

The peace of mind stood out, knowing that any rider would feel comfortable on this type of bike. Appealing to a greater audience can be lost to designers, especially in a world of more specialized and rider-specific designs. The accessibility and inclusiveness of a step-through design cannot be understated.

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The Ride

Testing conditions were ideal (or not perfect, depending on your outlook) during the month of riding the Aventure.2. There was a mix of dry pavement, snowy pathways, deep untracked snow, icy streets, and groomed trails. The various conditions allowed me to test the bike to the limits while simultaneously throwing almost every ground surface imaginable at it.

Only one word comes to mind when I think about riding the Aventure.2: stable. From the first ride, this bike felt as though it was stuck firmly to the ground and would track straight wherever I pointed the front wheel. It is hard to describe how grounded it felt, rarely wavering other than in the harshest conditions. Only on the iciest roads did I have the inkling of losing traction, which could be solved by employing the power of spiked tires.

The torque sensors' power transfer was never jumpy or inconsistent when pedalling through snow or on groomed trails. They consistently delivered steady and even power throughout the pedal strokes, giving me the confidence that the bike would never let me down. Having the reassurance that your bike will get you to your destination no matter the conditions is all you can ask from your commuter bike during the harsh winter.

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Regarding safety during winter commuting, visibility and confidence in your braking power are two significant factors to consider. The Aventure.2 comes equipped with Tektro hydraulic brakes, one of the standard options on many electric bikes on the market. They do their job slowing down or stopping the heavier electric bikes, especially at the higher speeds they can accelerate to.

Visibility, especially in the darker winter months, is paramount when riding an electric bike. Aventon has nailed the safety features on the Aventure.2, with a bright LED headlight and integrated rear brake lights, including turn signals for hands-free signalling.

While I enjoy having turn signals on any electric bike, one of my minor quips was that the signal continued to flash for quite a while after making a turn, which might confuse other drivers on the road. While this can be stopped by pushing the turn signal a second time, I prefer to focus on the road and not have to spend a lot of time pushing buttons on the handlebars, which takes away from my focus on traffic. It's not a deal-breaker, but it could be remedied in the future.

Overall Impression – 9.5/10

As someone who admittedly loves a more classic commuter bike, I can't say that having an electric fat bike would be my first choice for commuting. They can feel slow and not very playful, and their overall aesthetics can sometimes leave something to the imagination. However, their utilitarian usage, especially winter commuting, cannot be understated. There aren't many other choices when travelling through snow and ice.

However, suppose I were somehow transported to a place with an eternal winter riding season. In that case, I'm not sure if I would choose any other bike than the Aventon Aventure.2. With its stable ride and comfortable riding position, as well as its great range despite harsh temperatures, you'd be hard-pressed to find me a better winter commuter, especially at the competitive price point that Aventon is known for.

Coming in at $1799 (including a secondary battery for free for a limited time), there is some real value in getting a reliable commuter that can be used in a variety of conditions while also not breaking the bank. I could easily see myself using a bike like this in the summer for off-roading or gravel trails, transporting myself and loads of gear in pannier bags and a front rack to my favorite swimming hole or picnic spot.

If you are looking for a stable commuter that can take you off-road while doubling as your daily driver commuter, consider taking a hard look at the Aventon Aventure.2. A stable ride like the Aventure.2 that offers safety features and peace of mind don't come around often, especially at prices well below $2000.