Aventon Aventure.2 review: A 28 mph go-anywhere fat-tire electric bike gets better
Aventon significantly expanded its market reach when the company rolled out its first Aventure e-bike in 2021. Now the brand has updated the hot-selling e-bike with key upgrades. And of course we made sure to get an early look at the bike to tell you exactly how it looks, feels, and rides. Check out my complete review of the Aventon Aventure.2 below.
Aventon Aventure.2 launched
The Aventon Aventure.2 electric bike was just launched today with orders now open on Aventon’s site.
The e-bike includes a number of upgrades, but perhaps the most important is the inclusion of a new torque sensor.
For those that have had the pleasure of riding an e-bike with a well-designed torque sensor, you’ll know that it seriously improves the riding experience. When you press on the pedals, you get near-instantaneous pedal assist response. It’s fast, it’s intuitive, and it just feels better.
But that’s not the only upgrade. The Aventon Aventure.2 comes with several new pieces of kit including a rear rack as standard equipment, upgraded taillights with built-in turn signals, and a new pedal-assist layout with four power levels.
You can check it all out in my review video below, but you’ll want to keep reading afterward for even more detail.
Aventon Aventure.2 video review
Aventon Aventure.2 tech specs
- Motor: 750 W continuous-rated rear geared hub motor (1,130W peak-rated)
- Top speed: 20 mph (32 km/h) on throttle, 28 mph (45 km/h) on pedal assist
- Throttle range: 27 mi (43 km)
- Pedal assist range: 20-60 miles (32-96 km)
- Battery: 48V 15Ah (720Wh) frame-integrated, removable
- Charge time: 5 hours
- Max load: 250 lb. (113 kg) rider + 55 lb. (25 kg) cargo
- Frame: 6061 single-butted aluminum
- Weight: 77 lb. (35 kg)
- Brakes: Hydraulic disc brakes, 180 mm rotors
- Extras: Color LCD display with speedometer, wattmeter, battery gauge, PAS level indicator, odometer, tripmeter, left side thumb throttle, included front and rear fenders, included rear rack, integrated headlight and tail lights with turn signals, torque sensor, kickstand
- Price: $1,899
Sustainable e-bike packaging
Real quick, I want to start with the packaging. I know this is an e-bike review, not a box review. But Aventon deserves credit for replacing nearly every single piece of plastic and foam packaging normally included in e-bike packaging with more sustainable alternatives from recyclable material.
Plastic sleeves are replaced with cardboard. Foam is replaced with expanded fiberboard blocks. Even the plastic cable ties are replaced with kraft paper rope. It’s frankly incredible. Bravo.
Okay, now back to your regularly scheduled e-bike review.
How well does this adventure e-bike ride?
The Aventure.2 is a big bike, there’s no tip-toeing around that. But it doesn’t feel quite as big as it looks. Somehow the e-bike retains a level of grace that doesn’t seem to fit its big and brawny appearance.
That translates into a fat-tire e-bike that actually works quite well on the road too, even if it was designed to handle the trails as well.
But off-roading is where this e-bike shines, and it’s also where that new torque sensor makes the biggest difference. Getting rolling on a big, heavy e-bike like these fat-tire e-bikes can be tricky, especially if you’ve forgotten to downshift (or just didn’t downshift far enough before stopping).
A torque sensor gives you near-instant motor response when you step on the pedal, instead of the laggy response of a cadence sensor that can take a pedal revolution or two to kick in. That’s a game-changer off-road where tricky terrain can compound a rough start.
The top speed of 28 mph (45 km/h) likely won’t have too much of an impact on most off-roaders since you rarely ever get the chance to go that fast on trails. But back on the road, rolling away from a stop sign or a green light is easier than ever with the new sensor setup and the higher speed makes this a serious commuter contender for anyone who regularly shares the road with cars.
If you do most of your commuting in the bike lane though, go easy with the Class 3 speeds. This is a big and heavy e-bike to come barreling down on other riders.
There are also four new levels of pedal assist selectable on the color LCD screen, and a color-coded label makes it easier to see which level you’re in at a quick glance.
For on-road riders that enjoy fat-tire e-bikes for their ability to nearly erase potholes, you’ll be happy to see two other inclusion: a rear rack and turn signals.
The rear rack is no longer behind a paywall but instead comes as standard equipment. And don’t get me started on how awesome these turn signals are. In the past I’ve ribbed e-bikes with turn signals when those signals were so close together that they failed to serve their indicator purpose. But with Aventon’s signature taillights mounted on either side of the rear wheel as integrated frame lighting, the turn signals are actually far apart and quite apparent in their role as directional indicators.
I still think riders shouldn’t completely rely on e-bike turn signals since most drivers are not expecting to see a blinking indicator on a bike. So I generally still use hand signals, but it’s nice to have a turn signal setup that gives you the best chance of drivers correctly interpreting your intentions.
I also really like how Aventon gives you plenty of options for frames. Not only is there a step-through AND a step-over option, but both are available in two frame sizes.
Not everything here is rosy though. I was a bit bummed to see Aventon stick with the same 48V 14Ah battery size. That 672 Wh battery is fine, don’t get me wrong. But it’s not as big as I would have liked. It will give you plenty of range if you’re sticking to lower pedal assist levels, such as Aventon’s real-world range rating on Level 1 at 60 miles (96 km).
The 30-mile (48 km) range rating on throttle-only riding isn’t bad either, but riders who generally go faster off-road will likely burn through that battery even quicker. If they could have found a way to stuff one more row of cells into that battery for a 17.5Ah setup and an 840Wh capacity, I’d be over the moon. But as it stands, the Aventure.2 still gets great range on pedal assist on the road and respectable range off-road or on throttle. Though that doesn’t mean I can’t still beg for more.
The only other downside for me is just that the bike is kind of huge. It’s big and heavy. But that’s what you get with an adventure e-bike. You’re not going to traverse the same terrain on a 20″ folding e-bike, so you’ve got to pack more in to go explore rougher and tougher places.
All told, you’re getting one hell of a bike here for a more than reasonable price of $1,899. Punchy hydraulic brakes, a good suspension setup with comfort-enhancing fat tires, awesome LED lighting in the front and rear, and a torque-sensor to boot! There’s just so much to be happy about with the Aventon Aventure.2 that I almost feel bad complaining about the average-size battery or heavy weight. Almost, but not quite. I’ll still complain. But I’ll do it while wearing a huge smile on my face as I sling sand and rocks around my local trails on this fun and adventurous e-bike.
Oh and by the way, if you want a deal on Aventon’s original cadence sensor-based Aventure, that model is now on sale for $1,499. That’s a freakin’ steal!
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Rove, a company founded to improve the EV charging experience by building “full service” EV charging centers with access to amenities you can use while charging, has just broken ground on its 2nd charging center, to be open in October/November of this year.
Rove’s first charging center opened last October, and features 40 DC charging stalls, with 28 V4 NACS/Tesla Superchargers and 12 CCS (2 of the CCS chargers also include a CHAdeMO cable, for the few cars out there that still need one of those). 2 of the CCS chargers are 350kW, with the rest capable of 184kW.
The concept doesn’t end there though – in addition to being able to charge every type of EV out there (well, except this writer’s Tesla Roadster, which has no DC charging capability), it also includes a lot of amenities that EV drivers don’t often get at their charging stops.
While lots of charging stations are located in areas like malls with nearby shops to go to, the actual charging area itself is usually just the chargers and nothing else, without the convenience items that you often find at a gas station.
So, Rove includes all of those and more. It’s got air for your tires, a car vacuum, windshield cleaner stations, a canopy to keep you and your car shaded (and to generate electricity for the site with solar panels), and… get this… trash cans!
In addition, there’s also a 24/7 lounge on site, with security, clean bathrooms, indoor and outdoor seating (and standing tables, so you can stretch your legs after a drive), and wifi.
And, finally, Rove has partnered with upscale SoCal grocery chain Gelson’s to provide a grocery store experience – somewhere between the gas station convenience store and a full, fancy Gelson’s.
The chain calls these smaller stores “ReCharge by Gelson’s,” and they include an area for hot food (pizza and sandwiches), frozen food (like single-serving ice cream treats, an absolute necessity on the road, at least according to me), and even fresh sushi. The store also includes several convenience items, such that visitors can conceivably combine a charging stop with a small grocery shopping trip at the same time. Or, for those who live in the nearby apartments, it’s another walkable grocery stop.
The Santa Ana site has been operating for the better part of a year now, and has hosted several community events as well – which has been a great place to go EV spotting, as each time I’ve been there, I’ve seen an incredible variety of cars (including some of the newest EVs – that’s Southern California for you).
Now, Rove is making moves to open its second station in nearby Costa Mesa, with much the same setup of its first station.
The new site is at 2666 Harbor Blvd in Costa Mesa, about a mile South of the 405, between Adams and Merrimac. It’s a bit further from the freeway than the Santa Ana site, which is only a couple hundred yards away, but Harbor Blvd is a large street with a lot of traffic, and nearby several freeways (the 405, 55 and 73).
The building is shared with a Goodwill, so you might perhaps be able to even go clothes shopping at this one, if you’re all full up on groceries.
Costa Mesa will include mostly the same setup of chargers and amenities as the Santa Ana site, except it won’t have the car wash and small turf-covered dog area that they have in Santa Ana. It will also have solar and battery storage on site, just like Santa Ana.
While the last charger took about a year to open after its groundbreaking, Rove thinks it can get this site ready much more quickly. It expects to have it open somewhere around October/November, a pretty quick timeline given groundbreaking just happened today in June.
The groundbreaking was attended by Rove CEO Bill Reid and representatives from Gelson’s and the city of Costa Mesa, who posed for the ceremonial “shovel photo.”
We also got a short tour of the site showing us… well, nothing yet except some holes where cables will go and the inside of a building. But hey, at least the building is already up, and doesn’t need to be built like the last one did.
Rove is planning several other sites around Southern California, with locations identified in Corona, Torrance and Long Beach so far. Each will have slightly different amenities (like larger parking spots in Corona, to accommodate up to class 6 vehicles), and will open gradually over the coming years (the company is still a fairly small team, so give them time).
Electrek’s Take
I love what Rove is doing, and I think there’s a lot of room for locations like this in the EV charging space, and I think Rove is doing it as right as anyone else is. That’s why I like to cover them whenever they come up.
There’s a lot of talk about EV charging being difficult, but for those of us who have taken EVs on roadtrips, it’s often a pleasant experience anyway. As long as there are clean chargers with something to do nearby, you really don’t feel restricted by the time you spend charging.
For example, I went on a 2,200 mile roadtrip with no prep, and never felt like I had to wait on my car to charge. This is because I stopped at some excellent charging stops (shoutout to my favorite charging stop at the Supercharger in Harrisburg, Oregon, run by Olsen Run Winery) which really improved the process.
The thing is, EV charging could be such an opportunity for businesses to offer services to captive customers who are happy to have something to do, and often won’t mind spending a few bucks anyway. There are some businesses who have already learned to take advantage of this, but it’s been a bit of a patchwork so far.
Rove shows how a business could provide all of these services under one roof. And we think this concept would work in a wide variety of areas. Gas stations already have something similar, with Buc-ee’s style travel stops, and people enjoy stopping at those even though they’re not waiting for their car to fill up. So why not offer something similar for EVs, and kill off all the complaints about EV charging being somehow inferior or weird or different?
When you’re not out on the road, charge your electric vehicle at home using rooftop solar panels. Find a reliable and competitively priced solar installer near you on EnergySage, for free. They have pre-vetted installers competing for your business, ensuring high-quality solutions and 20-30% savings. It’s free, with no sales calls until you choose an installer. Compare personalized solar quotes online and receive guidance from unbiased Energy Advisers. Get started here. – ad*
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Environment
Nissan confirms its first EV with ‘game-changer’ solid-state batteries is still on track
Nissan is betting big on solid-state batteries to help power up a comeback. The automaker says the next-gen battery tech will be a “game-changer for EVs,” promising more range, faster charging, and lower costs. Nissan just confirmed its first EV with solid-state batteries is on track, but it may trail Toyota and Volkswagen to market.
When will Nissan launch its first solid-state battery EV?
After showcasing its all-solid-state battery pilot line at its Yokohama plant last year, Nissan is moving forward with the new tech.
In 2021, Nissan announced plans to launch its first EV with solid-state batteries by early 2029. The company said at the time that it was involved in “wide-ranging research and development,” including at the molecular level.
According to the latest update, it could be here slightly ahead of schedule. Nissan’s director of product planning in Europe, Christop Ambland, confirmed with Auto Express, saying, “Yes, we will be ready for SSB (solid-state batteries) in 2028.”
Ambland added that Nissan “can’t rush the process” and wants to ensure the new battery tech is “reliable, and ready to meet our customers’ expectations.”
Nissan believes, like many, that solid-state EV batteries can increase energy density by up to 30% compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries, at a much lower cost.
It also said they offer the potential to cut charging times by one-third. In October, Nissan unveiled the Hyper Force EV concept, an electric supercar (that looks a bit like the GT-R meshed with a Tesla Cybertruck), boasting over 1,300 hp (1,000 kW).
Nissan hinted the new battery tech could be used to power its upcoming electric sports cars, like an electric GT-R. Although it’s blurred the Hyper Force concept wore a GT-R logo up front.
It will initially be used for EVs, but Nissan could also utilize the new tech for its plug-in hybrids. Amberland hinted, “We are not sure where the technology could lead, but we are actively exploring all potential applications.”
Toyota, Volkswagen, and Stellantis are aiming to release their first solid-state battery-powered electric vehicles around 2027.
BYD and CATL, which are already dominating global EV battery sales, plan to launch their first EVs with solid-state batteries around 2027. It looks like Nissan could be late to the party once again.
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SolarEdge just became a qualified home battery storage maker for Pacific Power’s new Wattsmart Battery Program, which offers incentives for solar battery installations in Washington and Oregon.
The utility now offers cash incentives to residential and commercial customers who install qualifying solar batteries and let Pacific Power use that stored energy to support the grid during peak demand. SolarEdge is now on the approved list, and its high-efficiency, DC-coupled batteries are eligible for serious perks.
Here’s how the deal works: If you’re a homeowner in Oregon or Washington and install a SolarEdge battery, you can earn $600 per kilowatt – up to $3,000 per battery – for joining the program. Commercial customers can qualify for the same $600 per kilowatt, with a cap at 30 kW. That upfront payment goes a long way toward cutting battery costs, which can be a barrier for many people.
In return, Pacific Power gets to tap into the batteries to balance the grid in real time, manage peak energy loads, relieve congestion on local circuits, and, on the home front, the batteries still provide backup power during outages.
It’s not a new idea for Pacific Power – the utility already runs similar virtual power plant programs in Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming, with thousands of SolarEdge batteries already in the mix. Now, it’s expanding that model to the Pacific Northwest.
“SolarEdge’s batteries and established installer network have shown they can effectively integrate with our Wattsmart Battery Program,” said Shawn Grant at PacifiCorp, which operates Pacific Power. “Their technology supports our goal of building a more resilient and flexible grid.”
Marty Rogers, general manager of SolarEdge North America, says, “Participants can earn up to $3,000 per battery while taking advantage of our DC-coupled architecture, which avoids triple energy conversions to deliver higher efficiency and more usable solar energy. It’s a smarter, cleaner, and more cost-effective way to maximize backup power and savings.”
The Wattsmart Battery Program is now live for customers in Oregon and Washington.
Read more: The US’s largest virtual power plant now runs on 75,000 home batteries
If you live in an area that has frequent natural disaster events, and are interested in making your home more resilient to power outages, consider going solar and adding a battery storage system. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. They have hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisers to help you every step of the way. Get started here. –trusted affiliate link*
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