Aventon Aventure 3 E-Bike Review: Believe the Hype
There is a good reason why this brand has gotten so popular.
Image Caption: Photo Credit: Kraig Becker
If you’ve been paying attention to the surge in popularity of e-bikes over the past few years, you’ve probably seen one brand in particular grow in prominence. Aventon has become one of the market leaders, offering models that appeal to a wide audience at prices that are affordable and approachable. But even though we’ve admired those bikes from afar, we hadn’t gotten the chance to try one for ourselves. That changed recently when we finally got our hands on a review model, and after putting the Aventon Aventure 3 through its paces, we now totally understand the hype.
If you’ve been shopping for an e-bike recently, and have had Aventon on your list of possible models, we can save you some time and tell you just go for it. Chances are, you won’t be disappointed. If this brand hasn’t been on your radar, then it probably should be. If you want to know why exactly, read on.
Photo Credit: Kraig Becker
Specs, Assembly, and Charging
The Aventon Aventure 3 comes in two models, one with a more traditional geometry with a top tube and a step-through model that makes it easier to get on and off. Our test unit was the latter of those options, making it very accessible to a wide range of riders. The bike comes with a 750W motor paired with a 733Wh battery, giving it a range of up to 65 miles on a single charge. A front suspension fork with 80mm of travel and 4” tires provide a smooth ride on and off pavement, while integrated front and rear lights enhance visibility and enable riding in low-light conditions.
As with most direct-to-consumer e-bikes, the Aventure 3 ships to your door with some assembly required. But, Aventon has this system down to a science, requiring just a minimal set-up to get new owners ready for their first ride. Out of the box, we only had to attach the front tire, lock the handlebars in place, connect the front fender, and add the pedals. All told, it took less than 20 minutes to put everything together, making it one of the smoothest and fastest assembly processes of any e-bike we’ve tested. To make thins even easier, all of the required tools come with the bike and the instructions are very easy to follow.
With the assembly process out of the way, we were ready to take the Aventure 3 for our first ride. But before setting out, we decided to fully charge the bike’s battery first, ensuring we had maximum range for initial testing. Aventon says it takes about five hours to fully recharge the power cell, and we found that estimate to be pretty accurate. The Aventure 3 does ship with a partial charge, however, so we were ready to roll in no time at all. The included 36V AC charger is quick and efficient, ensuring minimal downtime for riders.
Photo Credit: Kraig Becker
Going for a Ride
On the road, the Aventure 3 is incredibly smooth and fun to ride. That is due in part to its responsive motor, which provides excellent pedal assist when and where you need it. The electric drive system offers three levels of assistance, including eco, sport, and turbo, plus a special boost mode that provides a little extra torque for a short period of time. Riders who don’t want to pedal at all can choose to use the thumb throttle, which cruises along at up to 28 mph depending on your settings. The throttle also comes in handy when climbing up a hill or when you need a bit of extra acceleration after stopping for a traffic light or stop sign.
Naturally, the more assistance you use, the faster the Aventure 3’s battery drains, limiting the overall range of the bike. That said, we managed to achieve Aventon’s estimated 65 mile range, even riding on mixed terrain and testing the different ride modes. Depending on where and how you ride, you might even be able to eke out more range than expected, limiting the number of times you have to charge.
A big reason why we were able to get such good range from the Aventure 3 is due to the Shimano components used on the bike. Typically, the traditional bike components are an afterthought for e-bike manufacturers, as riders tend to rely on the electric motor to move them around, preferring to switch between assist modes rather than use the mechanical gearing. But Shimano has made nice strides in offering better parts, while still managing to keep costs down. The result is a more traditional bike feel, that when combined with a good electrical motor provides a much better all-around ride.
That’s exactly what Aventon offers with the Aventure 3. We were very impressed with how well the bike’s traditional components and motor worked in conjunction with one another, giving riders more options on how they choose to ride. In fact, it worked so well on our test outings that we rarely had to take the bike out of “eco” mode, preferring instead to shift gears up and down to tackle the rolling terrain. This made it much easier to actually achieve the advertised range of the bike, which isn’t always possible with other models we’ve tested.
The quality components extend to other areas of the Aventon Aventure 3, as well. For instance, the Shimano disc brakes provide excellent stopping power, giving the rider added confidence and control. The front suspension fork also absorbs most of the bumps in the road, and the seat—which also has a built-in suspension—is both supportive and comfortable. The large, knobby tires are a nice touch, too, giving the bike light off-road capabilities while maintaining traction on dirt, sand, mud, and snow.
Photo Credit: Kraig Becker
Tech Features Abound
In case you couldn’t tell already, Aventon has delivered an excellent e-bike that definitely focuses on rider comfort and convince. But, the Aventure 3 has a few additional features that are worth talking about, even if not everyone will take advantage of them. For instance, riders can connect to the bike using the Aventon app, giving them the ability to further tune performance to meet their specific needs. The app also provides access to an integrated rear wheel lock that serves as an antitheft device, making it extremely difficult for anyone to make off with the bike.
That isn’t the only high-tech feature the Aventure 3 has to offer. It also comes with built-in 4G connectivity that allows for over-the-air firmware updates and GPS tracking, something that could come in handy when tracking the location of the bike. Software updates can correct errors in the existing programming that can potentially lead to improved performance and efficiency, too. The 4G cellular service is free for the first year, but requires an annual subscription after that.
As with most e-bike models, the Aventure 3 has an integrated display that shows current speed, battery life, range, pedal assist mode, an odometer, and more. Aventon’s screen is bright, clear, and easy to read, even in direct sunlight and when wearing polarized sunglasses. A controller attached to the handlebars allows riders to navigate additional functionality unlocked from the screen, like setting cruise control or even releasing the battery from its housing. Unlike most e-bikes, which require a key to remove or attach the power cell, this model does it electronically. This again serves as a great theft deterrent when out and about, and Aventon’s approach means you don’t have to remember to bring a key along with you. It also makes it easy to pop out at home when you’re storing the bike in the garage but charging the battery inside.
Not so high-tech—but still nice—features include front and rear fenders to protect riders from mud and moisture, and a rear cargo rack. Adding a bag or basket to the rack turns the bike into the perfect option for running errands. And since the Aventure 3 has a payload capacity of 400 lbs, hauling around some groceries won’t have a major impact on performance.
Photo Credit: Aventon
The Aventon Hype is Real—and Deserved
By this point, it probably goes without saying that we’re very impressed with the Aventon Aventure 3. In fact, the only knock we have on the bike is that at 77 pounds, it is a bit on the heavy side. It’s certainly not the heaviest e-bike we’ve seen in recent months, but it is bulky nonetheless. Still, with its well-tuned motor and responsive gearing, it doesn’t feel like a 77-pound bike. While riding, it handles much more nimbly than that weight would imply, and pedaling up and down hills isn’t especially arduous either. So much so that if I had been asked to guess the weight based on ride characteristics, I probably would have pegged it at 15-20 pounds lighter.
It has been a while since we rode an e-bike that was this much fun to ride. The Aventure 3 is so well built and tuned that it is incredibly easy to recommend to anyone who is either looking to upgrade their current bike or jump into the e-bike space for the first time. This model blends comfort, range, utility, and performance into one great—and great-looking—package. And yes, the hype surrounding Aventon is definitely real, as the brand is delivering high-quality products at good prices.
Speaking of pricing, the Aventure 3 retails for $1999 (currently on sale for $200 off as of publication). Considering everything that it delivers, that seems like a great price for a bike of this quality. Add in the more than 1,800 bike shops across the country that Aventon has partnered with, and you get a level of service that almost no other brand can match either. That means you can purchase this e-bike with the confidence of having support and customer service for years to come.
To learn more about the Aventon Adventure 3 e-bike, visit the company’s website.
Kraig Becker is a writer in the RV, outdoors, and adventure travel space. Over the course of his career he has contributed to such outlets as Popular Mechanics, Outside Online, Business Insider, TripSavvy, Digital Trends, GearJunkie, The Adventure Blog, and countless others. An avid runner and cyclist, he enjoys camping, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, and just about any other outdoor activity. His travels have taken him to seven continents and on many amazing adventures.
