The Aventura X30 is a commuter style electric bike that’s built for “adventure” and long range riding. For touring this bike would be excellent because it includes just about every accessory and add on you could want (aside from a bar-end mirror) and has a near-silent motor. The battery pack uses high density Lithium-ion cells that provide excellent range when paired with five pedal-assist only drive modes. The tires are Kevlar lined for protection against flats, there’s an included mini-pump attached to the rear rack and the rear wheel has built in quick release in case you damage the wheel somehow. with a removable backlit TFT display panel, removable battery pack and dynamo powered lights this bike feels invincible. It’s very solid, comes with a two year warranty and is available in two low-step sizes and three high step for the perfect fit. The only downsides I see are a higher price tag, limited US availability and a more complex computer display than some bikes that gives you lots of options for optimizing how you ride (enabling regen at different speeds) but can feel a bit daunting as a result.
The motor driving this bike sounds small at first, offering just 250 nominal watts of output, but it’s actually quite satisfying. Just like the Specialized Turbo, this bike uses a gearless direct-drive rear hub motor. And just like the Turbo, this thing puts out a lot of torque which means zippy starts and easier hill climbing. Unlike the Turbo however, there’s no low speed throttle (just a walk mode) and you can’t ride over 20mph. The downside of any hub motor system is increased unsprung weight but this is a hardtail so that doesn’t really apply. the bike is a bit trickier to service but a quick disconnect and quick release at the rear minimizes the challenge of servicing wheels and changing flats. It’s also a bit more rear heavy but the mid-mounted battery pack does a lot to offset this.
The battery pack on the Focus Aventura X30 is near perfect in my mind. It mounts to the downtube keeping weight low and center, it’s removable for convenient storage and charging and it uses energy dense Lithium-ion cells. the only downside to this thing (and most mid-mounted battery ebikes) is that there’s nowhere to put a water bottle cage. Consider getting a seat post accessory or storing them in a bag or panniers at the rear. The pack offers 36 volts of power and 15.5 amp hours of capacity which is enormous. I’ve estimated the bike will get between 55 and 85 miles per charge (given it is pedal assist only) but some have estimated 100+ and that wouldn’t surprise me at all, especially with the efficient tires and large 700c wheelset.
Operating this electric bike is a bit trickier than I’d like but I also appreciate the advanced features offered. This isn’t an entry level ebike and very few let you choose what speed you’d like regen to kick in (called brake assist here), let alone offer two regen modes along with regenerative braking. It’s the versatility and sophistication that sets this bike apart from the rest. Front and center is a backlit TFT display panel that is removable (just twist it off) and can be operated remotely with the rubberized button pad near the left grip. Once you turn the bike on, just choose from one of five assist levels and begin pedaling. I love that the display not only shows you speed, battery capacity and distance traveled but also estimates your achievable range in each level of assist. This type of feedback makes planning rides and charge pit-stops much easier. You can also see how much energy you’re contributing to the system for those truly data driven cyclists.
I don’t actually tour with my bicycle so I’m not sure what the culture is like out there and I’m unsure how an electric bike would be received by fellow riders. That said, this thing is quiet, well engineered, packed with useful accessories, gears and features that command respect. I’ve never taken a huge ride across the country or attempted to commute over 10 miles one way to work but the Aventura X30 makes it seem more possible. I wouldn’t have to worry about running out of battery (even if I had to go further than expected) and I wouldn’t fear rain, darkness or steep hills given the enormous torque offered here. It’s a beautiful bike and I love that it’s available in multiple sizes. While availability was limited at the time of this review I believe Focus will be introducing more ebikes to the US in coming years.
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