E-Bike Revelation: Rediscovering My Home
With two pedals and an electric motor driving me forward, I was able to discover new locations that had always been right there.
I've always found joy in taking long walks. During the time I had a sedentary position at a desk, I would take a leisurely walk each day during my lunch break. While riding my motorcycle through various parts of the U.S. and abroad, many cherished moments involved wandering on foot, despite being tired from covering hundreds of miles astride my bike. When I'm not out traveling, you can find me discovering nearby parks and nature reserves. Even a short trip like driving ten minutes to get to the library or post office becomes an opportunity—a beautiful day calls for turning that journey into an extended hike lasting over an hour!
However, contemporary life being as it is, time limitations led me to stick primarily with nearby local paths and urban pavements, even though I craved more extensive exploration. Although we have numerous reserves and hiking routes around Chicago, the notion of "travelling to reach a walking spot," burning fuel and mentally dealing with the strain of road traffic during my natural outings always seemed contradictory and rather self-defeating.
I had the option to use a regular bicycle, yet I always felt out of place among the various cycling groups. The Lycra-wearing aspiring road cyclists, the Critical Mass advocates, and the intense mountain bikers seemed to have their own cliques, each with strict boundaries. This exclusivity within the cycling world made me want nothing to do with it. Although my fitness level isn’t bad, I wouldn’t call myself an athlete, and some of the hills around here can be quite challenging. What I really needed was something outside traditional cycling—a mode of transport that utilized cycle paths but didn’t come with all the accompanying drama.
Enter the Aventon Aventure.2.
The appealing design is inviting and not overpowering. The tough yet attractive appearance is enhanced by the smooth contours of the frame and fenders, along with the matte green finish and functional luggage rack. Even though the tires appear comically wide, they blend well together in terms of proportion. This balance allows the Aventure.2 to feel confident and genuine without unnecessary showiness or excess weight from being overly styled like some motorcycles do. Riding this bike often has me wearing cargo pants and hiking shoes, which lets me easily stop alongside trails when needed to photograph animals and scenery off-road.
The die-hard cyclists might argue that e-bikes don't qualify as true bicycles, and they may claim I'm not a genuine rider. To them, my response is "just right." Amidst high-end racing bikes priced at over six figures, can this $2,000 electric bicycle serve as an inclusive answer for urban transportation on two wheels?
With a 750W motor, a 15Ah battery, and a torque-sensing electric assistance system offering four modes—Eco, Tour, Sport, and Turbo—a true ease of "leisurely riding" is provided. This setup offers a robust and practical substitute to car travel for individuals who were either not interested in or physically incapable of driving motorcycles/scooters, as well as those reluctant to ride conventional bicycles.
Regarding accessibility, the Aventure.2 comes in two frame sizes: regular and large. We decided to test out this range of options. Although I stand at 6'2" tall with a 34-inch inseam, putting me towards the upper limit of the "Large" category according to Aventon’s sizing guide, we selected the "Regular." This same size fits my partner well since she measures only 5'3" tall with an inseam of just 27 inches, placing her close to the lower end of the scale.
The "Regular" size frame provides sufficient adjustability with the seatpost, making it suitable for both of us. The saddle strikes a balance between supportiveness and comfort, which works well for my slender build without compromising a fluid pedaling motion.
The handlebars are almost flawless. They strike a great balance—neither too tall and narrow nor excessively short and assertive—and provide ample leverage and front-wheel feedback. The reach is spot-on, allowing me to lean slightly forward with a gentle elbow bend, similar to what I prefer in Naked and Sport-Touring motorcycles. Operating the left-thumb throttle feels natural and much more logical to me compared to using a twist-grip control on an e-bike. It’s important to keep reminding myself—we're riding a bicycle here, which means the front brake lever is located on the left side!
Concerning the range, I could not attain Aventon’s stated "up to 60 miles." The fully charged battery consistently provided only about 37 miles before depleting. This result remained constant across almost 1,000 miles tested under various conditions including different weather temperatures, both ECO and Touring modes, as well as varied terrains—split equally between smooth surfaces like concrete and asphalt, and softer ones such as gravel and grass—with terrain gradients varying from gentle slopes to steeper climbs.
Despite trying to achieve optimal distance—by solely utilizing ECO mode and disabling electric assist on flat surfaces, inflating the wide tires to reduce friction, and constantly pedaling myself—the battery still drained after 37 miles. It seems that Aventon's stated range is based on riding over even ground with a cyclist weighing around 160 pounds. Since I typically weigh more due to carrying additional items like water, snacks, and photography gear, along with tackling hills, this explains the discrepancy.
Additionally, the battery indicator isn’t straightforward; it provides an inaccurate impression of how far you can travel right after starting with a fully charged battery. When the gauge drops under 20%, the bike starts limiting its power output. Once the percentage falls to 10% or less, you're essentially forced into what feels like "limp-home" mode. On near-empty batteries, slight uphill gradients pose significant challenges to the electric motor’s capabilities. Steeper climbs prove entirely beyond the scope of the E-assist feature, leaving you to manage these ascents using only your own pedaling strength, carrying along the entire 77-pound weight of the Aventure.2.
After grasping these constraints, all you need is some strategic route planning to prevent finding yourself on an extremely steep slope towards the end of your journey. Luckily, the combination of a 48-tooth crank and an 8-speed rear derailleur featuring cogs between 12 and 32 teeth provides ample gear options for making manual pedaling feasible under typical circumstances.
And that's what makes electric bicycles so wonderful. They stand out compared to traditional alternatives. Cake or Ubco , leaving you stranded when the battery dies, an e-bike such as the Aventure.2 offers flexibility. You have the choice to adjust the level of electric assist according to your preference, from minimal help to none whatsoever.
Looking for an intense exercise session? It’s all good. Prefer something more relaxed? That works too. Simply adjust the settings to go full speed or ease off and let your legs recover. Oh no, you took a wrong turn and drained the battery? Don’t worry; just switch to pedaling manually with the 8-speed rear derailleur to choose suitable gears as you make your way back home.
Auxiliary settings can be modified instantly through the directional-control panel located on the left grip. The power mode, velocity, distance traveled, and additional journey information are clearly visible on the illuminated full-color screen, ensuring readability even under the brightest sunlight without being affected by reflections.
If you're not into trail riding and prefer using the Aventure.2 for short trips to the store, I've tried that as well. The built-in rear rack seems compatible with the Ortlieb QL2.1 attachment hooks, offering plenty of options for selecting panniers. The electric assist makes me feel far safer when cycling among vehicles compared to a regular bicycle. It reduces the speed difference and allows quicker acceleration in potentially hazardous situations, which feels both comforting and empowering.
Concerning speed, when they come out of the factory, the Aventure.2 models are classified as Class 2 e-bikes, restricting electric assistance to 20 mph. The Aventon application (available for iOS or Android) enables you to easily connect your device through a QR code displayed on the bicycle’s LCD screen. Using this app, you have the option to switch the Aventure.2 into Class 3 mode, thereby increasing the top assisted speed limit to 28 mph.
A notification in the app alerts users that proceeding might contravene local statutes; hence, verify the rules concerning electric bicycles in the area where you intend to use one.
No matter the assistance level, there isn't a "speed limiter." The calipers won't automatically apply pressure to the disc brakes. You can reach speeds based on your pedaling capabilities; however, the motor won't provide additional propulsion past its highest setting. Up until now, I've managed to push the Aventure.2 up to 29 mph during a slight descent.
Aventon Aventure.2 - Turn on the Headlights
Aventon Aventure.2 - Rear Lights Featuring Left Indicator
Aventon Aventure.2 - LCD Display
The Adventure 2’s battery supplies power to an LED lighting system that includes taillights, brake lights, and indicators incorporated into the frame near the top of the rear wheel. It features a frontal headlamp; however, there are no front indicators. Both the headlights and directional signals can be controlled using the same multi-function dpad which adjusts electric assist modes and navigates the instrument cluster functionalities.
Initially, the positioning of the rear lights appears stylish and innovative, yet possibly overly so. The fact that they are mounted quite low might render them hard for motorists to spot, particularly when luggage is attached to the back rack.
Electric bikes truly appear to be the ideal solution when it comes to electrifying transportation with two wheels. This comprehensive approach offers a viable option that can compete with cars or motorcycles for daily commutes, recreational rides, and small errands.
The easily detachable and swiftly replaceable battery pack provides numerous possibilities for extended trips, and also makes daily use more convenient for individuals lacking ready access to electricity near their parked bicycle. Simply remove the battery, take it inside, and recharge it using any standard home electrical socket. This feature can serve as an effective deterrence against theft as well; why risk stealing an electric bike when its specialized $500 battery is missing?
Aventon Aventure.2 - Dawn at the Summit
Aventon Aventure.2 - Sharp Decline
Aventon Aventure.2 - Sandhill Crane
The Adventure 2 has provided me with the capability to venture farther and discover more of our nearby trails than was possible on foot. Similar to how I felt when I initially acquired a motorcycle, I find myself eager to ride now, always seeking excuses to use my electric bike. I spend time poring over maps, searching for new routes and alternative paths to explore.
Cycling has instilled in me a fresh sense of admiration for the small corner of our planet I consider my own. Each time I ride along the paths winding through our nearby woodland and prairie conservation areas, they frequently seem enchanting—be it an abandoned railway tunneling beneath a dense, verdant tree cover or a dusty path weaving across a bright, open area filled with towering prairie grasses and indigenous blossoms.
By cycling, I've found a secluded sanctuary tucked away within our fast-paced, perpetually connected contemporary society. It has allowed me to encounter animals I might not have seen otherwise, observe vivid sunrises over tranquil reservoirs from hilltop vantage points, and take photos that have sparked new enthusiasm for photography in me. Cycling has made me view my environment through fresh eyes, evoking a childlike wonder and exhilaration that this cynical Generation X member hadn't experienced in years.
The Adventure 2 stands as an intriguing contrast, perfectly balancing contrasting qualities. It enhances your capacity to navigate through environments quickly while also allowing ample time to savor each moment. This model is endearingly versatile—adorably appealing yet robustly functional, effortlessly chic without being overly showy. Riding it brings me joy, often prompting smiles from passersby who inquire about this delightful machine.
The Adventure.2 is akin to the Suzuki Jimny in the world of electric bikes, and I'm thankful that at least this model is accessible for purchase in my region.
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