Electric bikes have no sooner dominated the space of easy commuter transportation, setting the stage for companies like Hiboy, Aventon, and more to deliver some remarkable products and software that make them all stand out over trains and cars.
Specifically for Aventon, its Level 1 has stayed the test of time. The firm is adamant about keeping its products at a reasonable price point while still delivering some of the most advanced and well-built designs on the market. This level of authenticity and love for the joys of bike riding, stemming from years dating all the way back to 2012, now has become ever-obvious in the company's newest delight: the Level 2 ebike.
Assembly and Build Quality
Out of the box, the Aventon Level 2 comes with already inflated tires, two boxes, one with accessories and one with the charging cable, as well as the bike itself, seat cushion, and front wheel. To build the ebike, it took me maybe three hours tops. One thing I will note is that the instructions required a wrench for specific tightening of screws about the front wheel, but the included box didn't come with one. Luckily, I already had a wrench on hand, so it wasn't too much of a hassle, just a bit confusing, given that the instructions seemed to think the box came with a wrench.
Other than that, I really had no issues at all in assembling the Level 2 ebike. The battery already came preinstalled, and most of the heavy lifting came in the form of the pedals, front tire, and seat cushion.
I noticed almost immediately that the quality of the frame was immaculate. Additionally, the brakes and suspension all worked beautifully right out of the box. Aventon even sent wheel grease for the pedals for a bit of extra lubrication on them as you are assembling the two-wheeler. The fact that the bike's tires came pre-inflated was astounding to me, something I genuinely was a bit worried about at first.
The first few test runs on the bike proved rewarding. I had to readjust the clamps, make sure the seat was in an adequate position, and also turn the handlebar just a bit closer to me for the perfect ride. Right out of the box, it was off to the races in no time.
Features and Battery Longevity
Aventon's Level 2 features a 48v brushless hub motor with 500 sustained watts and 750 peak watts in tandem with a 48v 14Ah removable battery, which is tucked discreetly into the downtube of the bike. The bike comes equipped with a set of keys for the removal of the battery, in case you are to leave the bike unattended for some time or simply need to exchange it for a new one - a nice touch that really rounds out the experience for those who might be concerned about taking this to shops and such.
I never once had an issue with the battery, in terms of getting to the office (which would normally take me an hour, now slashed by 30 minutes) or when on extra long journeys across town. There's a Japanese grocery store and food market nearly six miles away from my apartment, all the way down River Road in Edgewater. On a full charge, without really pedaling all that much, I was able to make it there and back again with still 39% battery remaining in the bike.
To and fro work is an absolute breeze for the Level 2. If anything, I've charged the bike (within the span of nearly two weeks) all but a mere two times. Even out of the box, it came readily prepared with over 80% of juice, so riders can build it and get going without breaking a sweat.
The bike also has an upgraded color LCD screen, the brightness of which can be adjusted on the fly with ease. The screen shows everything from speed and calories burned to the amounts of CO2 reduced and trees saved per trip, which is kind of insane when you think about it. The screen can even be paired with your smartphone via the Aventon app, streamlining various processes while riding.
The Level 2 also comes equipped with a front light on its handlebars, allowing riders to easily brighten up the area directly in front of them as they are riding, even at night. I would have hoped to have this light adjusted to the rider's feel, but I'm just being a bit nitpicky. There are rear seat brake lights and a third rear light on the fender, giving it the all-around bare necessities one would expect on such a ride.
A rear luggage rack with a maximum capacity of 55lbs is a wonderful addition to round out the entirety of the build. In all, there really isn't much else you could ask for, and for the things you may want extra, like a bottle cage, phone holder, etc., you can simply get all of that on your own anyway. Why pay any more than the already quite sound $1,950?
Ride Feel and Durability
Over the past two weeks, I've been lucky enough to ride the Level 2 Commuter bike, utilizing it for getting to and from work when necessary, as well as random weekend trips about my neighborhood. On the first weekend, about a week ago, my dad was in town and had to give it a go for himself, stating in his own words that Aventon's Level 2 ebike is "Cool as crap."
My own experience was identical, expressed best in nighttime trips just cruising around Hoboken and Union City, going between 10 to 15MPH with little to no care in the world. That's the quality ride gifted to this bike due in large part to its torque sensor, a replacement over the cadence sensor that allows the Level 2 a more natural feel while pedaling.
The newly included torque sensor, as seen on more expensive ebikes, like the CrossCurrentX, Rize Blade, and XPremium, allows the Level 2 a much smoother riding experience. The more energy and force you put into the pedals as you ride, the more energy and torque are outputted via the motor. It keeps one's ride as fluid as ever, maintaining ample control and stability as you add energy to the bike by pedaling. It feels natural, in a way, almost like the bike has a mind of its own and is aiding you on your journey.
There are five levels to its assisted pedaling, with the fifth level allowing for up to 28 MPH while pedaling, a feat that many may not even really need for a mere bike, but it's nice to have where necessary. My top speed was 20.8 MPH, a drop in the bucket in terms of how fast this thing can really go on a normal day, but that more so speaks to my own riding comfortability.
Thus, for me personally, I found myself having the most fun cruising, as mentioned previously. The neat thing about the Level 2 is you don't need to pedal at all if you don't want to. In fact, that's what makes this bike so superior, proving to dole out a swift and easy 9 out of 10 in my book in terms of performance, controllability, and durability.
The past few days have been quite rainy in the aftermath of hurricane Ian. While I certainly wouldn't advise riding a bike in conditions with ample rain or amid soggy roads, Level 2 still worked wonders. My neighborhood also features a ton of speed bumps, so I had to give them a shot (even in wet conditions), finding that Level 2 simply ate those small jumps with ease.
Conclusion
Overall, there isn't much of a negative that can be said of Level 2. It rides exceptionally well, and the battery longevity proves you won't have to worry too much about its consumption long-term, especially if you're pedaling along with the two-wheeler when out on rides. And, although the asking price of $1,950 is quite steep, it's still a bargain for something that features a torque sensor, among the plethora of other add-ons it had baked in.
It's 9 spokes out 10 for me on this Aventon Level 2 Tech Times review. I find this ebike is actually perfect for newbies, whether it be for teenagers or even adults who have yet to learn how to ride a bike. The assisted driving capabilities and varied levels all make it stand out as a prime two-wheeler for the cycling enthusiast and first-timer alike.
