As a former Ironman triathlete and current cycling enthusiast, I was hesitant to jump on the ebike train. As some models are becoming more affordable, I started to consider it a little more, and the Aventon Aventure.2 fat tire ebike got my attention. So let me tell you a little story…
My decision to go with an ebike was two-fold. On one hand, I wanted to try one for myself. I was curious how they work, and whether a cycling purist like me could push past his pride and enjoy the ride.
More importantly, I wanted to see if my wife would enjoy riding one. We both have bikes, but I’m either riding slow so she can keep up, or she’s riding harder to try and get to an enjoyable pace for me while having a miserable time. Could an ebike make cycling adventures enjoyable for her while I still enjoy the effort of my road or mountain bike?
Riding the Aventon Aventure.2 Fat Tire Ebike
Basics
Enter the Aventon Aventure.2 ebike. It’s a fat tire model with a mountain bike foundation that comes in two sizes and two styles (step-over or step-through top tube). One of the reasons to go with a fat tire bike is that the combination of wide surface engagement and lower running pressure ensures the tires absorb a lot of vibration.
The Aventure.2’s front shocks absorb even more, and it comes with a wide, cushy saddle, giving the bike a comfortable ride on and offroad. Like most mountain bikes, you can lock out the front fork and adjust the level of shock absorption to deal with different terrain types or even riding on pavement.
That said, this is a 77-pound bike with the battery installed. It’s a full aluminum construction with an 8-speed rear cassette and single front chainring that can support up to 400 pounds (rider and gear).
If you’re looking for an ebike that’s going to let you jump mountain trails in Moab, this isn’t it. It’s not that it doesn’t have the power, though. With a 750W rear hub motor and four modes, it can crank out nearly as many watts as I do on a road sprint at the end of the Saturday morning group ride.
Instead, the Aventon Aventure.2 is best on trails that aren’t full of mountain bike obstacles. It can handle elevation changes just fine, and even cross bike path bridges and graded turns. Just think about more cross country and bikepacking type trails rather than jumps and downhills.
Battery-Powered Speed
If you’re like my wife and the idea of riding a bike that’s more than half your body weight sounds intimidating, don’t panic. It took Rebecca about 15 minutes of riding to get used to the weight (77 lbs), handling, and controls. The smile on her face as she sped past me at 20 MPH said it all. At the end of our first ride (14 miles and a little over an hour), she said the weight and larger tires made her feel even more stable compared to her mountain bike.
Speaking of flying past me, the Aventon Aventure.2 comes out of the box as a Class 2 ebike with a pedal assist and throttle that tops out at 20 MPH. You can also unlock a Class 3 setting that gives you a pedal assist up to 28 MPH. As with any electric-assisted vehicle, check your local laws to know where you can legally ride.
The battery is a 48V, 15Ah pack with a total of 720Wh of capacity. That’s going to get you up to 60 miles of range based on a 160-pound rider. You can charge the battery on or off the bike, and you need a key to remove the battery. For a fully depleted battery, the 3A charger needs about 5 hours to get back up to full.
Aventon Aventure.2 Accessories
The bike comes with a nice array of accessories. There are front and rear fenders, plus a rear rack that can hold up to 55 pounds—perfect for bikepacking.
Electrically, you have a front LED headlight, rear brakes, and even turn signals. An adjustable front display keeps you apprised of your current mode, speed, and battery levels at a glance.
The platform pedals come with it, and you can switch those out for clipless or rat cages if you prefer. Aventon even includes a tool set with everything you need to assemble and adjust the bike. Without having to buy any additional accessories, you’re ready to ride, night or day.
Additional Highlights
- Sealed square taper torque senor bottom bracket
- 170mm 48T crankset
- 12 – 32T rear cassette
- 8-speed rear shifter
- Hydraulic brakes
- 122-link 8-speed chain
- 26 x 4-inch tires
Aventon Aventure.2 Fat Tire Ebike Price
The regular price is $1999, but a price drop has this model at $1799 at the time we’re writing. Considering the build and features, that’s very attractive. You can buy it direct from Aventon or at Best Buy. The bike has a 2-year warranty, and Aventon offers free shipping and a 14-day return window.
Aventon also has a nice range of accessories you can add so your ebike best suits the way you’re going to use it. Here are some of our favorites:
- Spare battery – $499.99
- Twin pannier – $59.99
- Backpack pannier – $73.99
- Front rack – $34.99
- Double seat child trailer – $469.99
- Suspension seatpost – $120.99
- Fanttik portable air pump – $139.99
- Carbo net – $9.99
- Large phone holder – $13.99
- Kryptonite KryptoLok U-Lock 4×9, with cable and bracket – $70.95
The Bottom Line
The Aventon Aventure.2 has made cycling an activity my wife and I can fully enjoy together, and that’s a huge win. It’s great for on and offroad trail riding, though it’s not a good fit for the aggressive jumps and downhills that some mountain bikers prefer. It doesn’t require a lot of time to get used to, the controls are intuitive, and yeah, even this cycling purist thinks it’s a heck of a lot of fun to ride. If you’re thinking about making the investment in an ebike, take a close look at what the Aventure.2 has to offer. Even if it’s not your style, Aventon has a nice range of models you consider, so go check them out!
