ALL Electric 
Should you buy one?
Buy the original Aventure if you find a fairly priced used one and you want a fat tire bike that handles dirt trails and pavement equally well. When I filmed this review, it was the best e-bike I had tested. On the highest pedal assist level, over a hilly route with plenty of dirt, it went 41 miles.
Skip it if you need to lift your bike often, or if you want to buy new. It weighs 73 lbs. Aventon doesn’t sell it anymore: as of Oct 22, 2026, the old product link redirects to the Aventure 3.
The deciding factors: the used asking price, and whether you need a warranty. If you do, buy the Aventure 3.
Who it’s for
- Riders who split their time between dirt and street. I rode several dirt trails and never missed having a rear shock. On the way home it was just as comfortable on pavement.
- Commuters who need to charge at work. The battery is removable, so you can carry it inside and plug it in at your desk.
- People who don’t want to buy extras. Mine came with front and rear fenders, a rear rack, a headlight and a tail light, so there was nothing to add.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone who has to carry the bike. It rides lighter than it is. You still have to lift 73 lbs onto a hitch rack or up a flight of stairs.
- Very short riders. Aventon’s smallest size started at 5’1”. A viewer asked about fitting someone 4’11”, and that’s under the published range.
- Buyers who want new, under warranty. Look at the Aventure 3 instead.
Aventure vs Aventure 3
The question I get most is how the original compares with the bike that replaced it. Here’s the comparison using Aventon’s own numbers, plus my range result for the original.
| Aventure (1st gen) | Aventure 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Motor | 48V, 750W sustained / 1130W peak rear hub | 36V 750W rear hub, 80 Nm, 1440W in Boost Mode |
| Throttle | Yes, from a stop | Yes, from zero |
| Battery | 48V 15Ah (720Wh), removable | 36V 20Ah (733Wh), removable |
| Rated range | 45 mi average | Up to 65 mi |
| My range result | 41 mi on PAS 5, hills and dirt | Not range tested |
| Front suspension | 80mm fork with lockout | 80mm fork with lockout |
| Rear comfort | Fat tires only | Fat tires plus a 50mm suspension seatpost |
| Tires | 26 x 4” | 26 x 4.0” |
| Weight | 73 lbs | 76 lbs |
| Payload | 300 lbs | 400 lbs total |
| Water rating | IPX4 | IPX5 |
| Price (as of Oct 22, 2026) | Discontinued | $1,999 |
The newer bike adds a torque sensor, a suspension seatpost and a higher weight limit. The original runs a 48V system and weighs 3 lbs less. If you’re choosing between them, weigh the used price against the Aventure 3’s $1,999.
What 41 miles on PAS 5 tells you
Every e-bike I review gets a range test. For this one, I stayed on pedal assist level 5, the highest setting, and chose a route with climbs and a lot of dirt. Both of those add friction and drain the battery faster. I got 41 miles. Aventon’s website lists a 45 mile average, so I came in 4 miles short while working the bike about as hard as you can.
So the rated number is believable. A gentler ride should come in above my result, though I haven’t tested that. One viewer said they got only 24 miles on PAS 5. I can’t diagnose another person’s bike from a comment, so take my 41 as one data point from one route and one rider. I also didn’t record elevation or average speed for this test, so I can’t give you those.
The battery is 48V and 15Ah, which works out to 720Wh. It sits inside the frame, a design I like. Press the button on the battery, hold the power button, and the full color display comes on. Aventon lists a 48V 3A charger and a 4 to 5 hour charge time.
Off road: why a front fork was enough
I took the Aventure onto several dirt trails. It rode like a dream, and I didn’t miss a rear shock.
The parts explain why. The 80mm front fork has a lockout, so you can leave it open or close it. On dirt it felt very stable left open. The 26 x 4 inch tires did the rest. Over rocks they gave me a lot of support, and the ride never felt too bumpy. That much air in the tires works like extra suspension. On pavement, lock out the fork so the front doesn’t bob, and the tires still smooth out cracks.
If your trails are rocky enough that the tires and fork aren’t enough, the Aventure 3’s suspension seatpost is the upgrade. It’s still not a full-suspension bike.
Motor, assist and speed
Aventon rates the rear hub at 750W sustained and 1130W peak on a 48V system. On the right-hand control you choose pedal assist from 0, which is off, up to 5. The throttle works from a complete stop, which several of you asked about.
The feature I liked most is that you can change the speed limit right from the center display. You don’t need the app for it, so you aren’t capped at a speed you don’t want. Aventon sold the bike as a Class 2 and said it could be configured as a Class 3. A viewer asked whether that unlocks the throttle to 28 mph. Aventon’s page only describes the Class 3 change in terms of pedal assist, so don’t count on a faster throttle. Check your local e-bike laws before you change any setting.
The display also lets you adjust its brightness, and there’s an optional connected app.
The parts and details
The shifters, grips and display all feel high quality, as on every Aventon I’ve tested. Aventon lists these parts:
- Hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm rotors
- 8-speed drivetrain with a 12-32T cassette and a 46T chainring
- 300 lb payload
- Three frame sizes covering riders from 5’1” to 6’4”
The tail light gets brighter when you squeeze the brakes, so drivers behind you can tell when you’re slowing down. It’s small, but it made the bike feel safer. The headlight and tail light share one switch.
Mine came with front and rear fenders and a heavy-duty rear cargo rack. A couple of commenters said their bikes shipped without racks. I can only tell you what came with mine, so check the listing for the bike you’re actually buying.
Water: Aventon describes the bike as fine in rain and puddles but not safe to submerge. If you’re in a wet climate, like the viewer who asked about riding on Vancouver Island, rain rides are fine. Dry it off afterward and don’t pressure wash it.
The green paint is my favorite color I’ve had on an e-bike.
Assembly
I didn’t check Aventon’s site before I started, and assembly was hard. Afterward I found a complete assembly tutorial on their website. Watch it first.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Comfortable on dirt trails without a rear shock, and comfortable on the street
- 41 miles on PAS 5 with hills and off-road riding, close to Aventon’s 45 mile average
- Fenders, rack and lights came on my bike
- Brake-activated tail light
- Speed limit adjustable on the display
- Removable battery for charging at work
Cons
- The price was the one thing I didn’t love. It was about $1,900 when I reviewed it, though that’s reasonable next to bikes with the same battery and motor size
- 73 lbs
- Assembly is hard if you skip the tutorial
FAQ
How far does the Aventon Aventure go on a charge? I got 41 miles on PAS 5 on hills and dirt. Aventon listed a 45 mile average.
Does the throttle work from zero? Yes. You can start from a stop on the throttle alone.
What sizes did it come in? Three frame sizes, which Aventon says fit riders from 5’1” to 6’4”. If you’re between sizes, check Aventon’s size chart before you buy a used one.
Can I unlock it to 28 mph? Aventon says it can be set up as a Class 3, which raises the pedal assist speed limit. Their page doesn’t say the throttle goes faster.
Do the racks come with it? My bike came with fenders and a rear rack. Some viewers said theirs didn’t, so confirm with the seller.
Is it waterproof? It’s rated IPX4. Rain and puddles are fine. Don’t submerge it.
Is the original Aventure still sold new? No. As of Oct 22, 2026, Aventon’s link for it redirects to the Aventure 3.
Price
When I reviewed it, the Aventure cost about $1,900. Aventon’s archived 2021 listing shows $1,999. As of Oct 22, 2026, it’s discontinued, and the replacement Aventure 3 is $1,999 on Aventon’s site. A used original only makes sense at a clear discount from that price.
