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| Aventon Level 2 with Brooks saddle |
Prior to buying the Level 2, I was considering buying a Gazelle 2024 Ultimate C380 HMB, a $5,000 bicycle manufactured in the Netherlands. I even test-rode the Ultimate, and it was a beautiful ride. I kept researching, though, and when I found out there was an Aventon dealership about three blocks from the Gazelle dealership, I decided to try out the Level. What I discovered was that the Level was an e-bike that handled well, had excellent online reviews, and was a third the price of the Gazelle. The Level also provided as a part of the $1,800 package a second battery, including free shipping. My final costs provided me a very ride-worthy e-bike and an excellent bicycle carrier strong enough for two e-bikes at half the cost of the Gazelle. However, it wasn't just the price that was my e-bike choice determiner. The Level 2 comes with a throttle (which I use rarely but is great to have when I need it), and it also can be programmed through the phone app so it will generate power up to twenty-eight miles per hour rather than twenty.
How the Level 2 Rides
The Level 2 is my first e-bike, and one concern I considered when buying was weight. At a little over fifty pounds, the Level is much lighter than the Aventon Adventure, and about the same weight as the Gazelle Ultimate. I found the extra weight of the bike does make handling different. I can't just throw the e-bike around like I can a conventional bicycle. This is my first bike with front shocks, and I must say that the shocks cause less strain to my arms. This is especially true for me because I have two pins in my left elbow, which causes the elbow to tire more quickly. I most recently have changed out the saddle to a Terry Cite Gel and have also added a seat shock absorber; with the seat cut-out and the shock, the ride is much smoother.
About seventy-five percent of my riding is on lime-chip trails. When the Level's tires eventually wear out, I will replace them with a more gravel-worthy tread, probably replacing the Kendas with Schwalbe treads. I find the current tires not as secure on gravel as I'd like. I've also found the kickstand sticks out a bit more than I like, and I have to adjust my foot position occasionally so my shoe doesn't tick the stand.
The eight-speed shifting is adequate for the e-boost levels. I rarely move below gear 4; however, when I turn off electric support and just pedal by my own power, I'm in the bottom four gears and have to stand on the pedals for any hill beyond a mild incline. The bike can be ridden without the electric support, but it's a slog. It's pretty easy to bottom out those eight gears when riding downhill, but I don't have much desire to ride more than thirty miles per hour. Using the higher electric-assist levels, I can keep a good pace when on pavement, which is great when I'm just jumping on the bike for a trip to the store.
The battery holds up well. I ride most of the time in the lowest power assist level. (There are five.) At 150 pounds, I'm not real heavy, and I believe I could easily hit fifty miles on a battery charge and not drain the 500w battery. The farthest I've traveled in a single ride so far is a little over thirty miles, and I had a little less than half the battery charge remaining. If I were to take the second battery with me, I believe my rear end would give up long before the batteries would!
All in all, I'm pleased with my purchase of the Aventon Level 2. The bike doesn't come with a Gates belt drive like the Gazelle Ultimate, nor does it have the infinite gear range of the Gazelle transmission. However, for the price, I'm putting many miles on a bike that has other options that I'm glad to have, namely, the throttle and the second battery. The bike doesn't weigh too much and comes with all the extras a commuter bicycle needs: rack, fenders, and lights. I added a mirror, which I think is essential, and also a nice brass bell, which provides a happy sound so I can alert trail walkers who aren't paying attention. I might one day still buy myself a Gazelle, but for now I'm perfectly content with my Aventon.
Hello Tom:
ReplyDeleteNice description of the Loop Trail. I've spent a fair bit of time on the trail in the past, as my sister lived in Fairfield for twenty years or more.
I'm interested in your response to the eBike, though I'd never ride one myself. Here in Our fair County, we're having problems with irresponsible eBike riders, and thieves. Unfortunately, a women was killed recently, hit by an eBiker on a heavy Level 3 eBike. We have the best bike facilities here, but some still insist on riding on sidewalks and disobeying traffic laws that apply to all vehicles.
Yes, a great time of year for bicycling!
I've experienced interactions with irresponsible bike riders, both on e-bikes and conventional bikes. It is true that e-bikes are heavier. Mine is about 18 pounds heavier than my conventional bike, and that weight does increase the danger. However, if I weighed fifty pounds more and was riding a conventional bike, which "me" would cause more damage in a collision?
DeleteI'm careful about following traffic laws when on any bicycle. Some people aren't. There's no way we can legislate consciousness or self-awareness. The number of e-bikes will increase. I've found mine an easy and economical way to commute and do chores in town. As the number of e-bikes increases, the number of e-bike accidents will increase. I'm very careful when riding the trails on any bike because I'm constantly surprised at how unaware many hikers are; the term "defensive driver" is well known as a driving strategy, but the idea of "defensive hiking" as a strategy of being safe somehow seems offensive to people.
I suppose my final thoughts are that no matter what human activity we look at, there will always be individual abuses or thoughtless, careless incidents within that activity. We have to endeavor to educate regarding best practices, but eliminating activities because of abuse is not a solution. If it were, then we'd outlaw automobiles, and we certainly haven't done that.