At the launch event for the Aventon Abound SR, the Aventon team focused heavily on the technology side of the bike – and for good reason.
At under $2,500, the Abound SR is one of the most technologically advanced electric bikes we have reviewed. With many integrated security features, Aventon has set the bar on what an e-bike company can offer technology-wise. We’ll discuss these features in-depth below, but keep that in mind as your reading through our Aventon Abound SR Review.
It’s not just an electric bike that rides well, but it is also a fantastic car-replacement option for people of any age.
My Experience Riding The Aventon Abound SR E-Bike
I know that looks don’t technically affect the ride quality of an e-bike, but the looks do affect the perception of how the bike rides. It’s similar to how your car seems to ride better after you take it through the car wash. Looks matter, and we think that Aventon knocked it out of the park with how sleek the Abound SR looks.
In fact, at first glance, I thought that Aventon had decided to make the Abound SR with a full carbon frame. And while that would be cool, it would also be a bit overkill and raise the price by at least $1,000.
Instead, Aventon used a gravity casting technique for the frame that both reduced the welds needed while also increasing the structural integrity and rigidity of the frame.
And that’s where looks literally improve the ride quality on the Abound SR.
We get so many step-thru bikes with flexi frames that don’t have the same confidence-inspiring handling that a stiff frame provides. The Aventon Abound SR is one of the most stiff frames we’ve tested in the utility / short-tail cargo bike category and you feel that while riding the bike, even with cargo.
The fact that Aventon achieves that stiffness while still having a full step-thru frame, a removable battery, front suspension fork, and even a suspension seat post is impressive. On the trails, that translated to a very controlled, sporty feel to the bike while still being very comfortable even over the bumps in the road/path.
I also appreciated how adjustable the handlebars are, thanks to the adjustable quill stem that allows you to adjust both the height of the handlebars (you can adjust the angle by breaking out a set of allen key wrenches). You have a lot of variability in the height of the handle bars, which is very nice for taller riders who always get stuck on bikes that feel too small reach-wise.
The only place we have found where Aventon could improve the ride quality is with the seat post length. The stock seat post is a bit short for riders over 6’1 who want full leg extension. I’ve reached out to Aventon to see if they will offer a longer seat post, and for now it looks like taller riders will need to purchase a 3rd-party seat post if they want something longer. That’s not a dealbreaker for me, but is somewhat disappointing.
Range (Battery)
Unfortunately, we have not been able to complete our normal real-world range test on the Aventon Abound SR yet. While we’ve had the bike for 2 weeks, we ended up working closely with Aventon to adjust and improve the motor output and sensitivity. Each time we made adjustments, however, it changed the motor outputs and would have thrown off range tests.
However, with a 708Wh battery (20Ah), torque sensor, and 36V, 750W motor, we expect good results. Range should (in theory) be something that increases as you move from a 48V to a 36V system.
Either way, we will update the results once we are able to finish up our range tests. Aventon is expecting around 60 miles in ECO mode, and we think that will likely be a fairly accurate estimate.
One of the coolest features about the battery has nothing to do with its capacity and range. You can see from the image above that the battery is integrated into the downtube. If you look closely, you may notice that there is no lever to remove the battery. This is because Aventon added the security feature of making the battery removable only through the Aventon phone app.
While some may complain that it’s one more thing you need to use your phone for, we really appreciate this feature as it greatly reduces the ability for someone to steal your battery. And we think it’s cool from a technology standpoint either way.
Power (Motor)
As mentioned above, the Aventon Abound SR comes with a 750W, 36V motor that produces 80Nm of torque.
As I mentioned above, we’ve spent a lot of time adjusting and tuning the motor. At first, we were a bit nervous seeing “just” a 36V system. So much so that we reached out to Aventon to ask why they chose that over a more traditional 48 volt system. There answer is below:
“We have been experimenting with the 36V system starting with our performance eMTB-Ramblas. We’ve upgraded the controller on our 36V system to match the peak power of the 48V system, while also incorporating a higher capacity battery for enhanced performance. To stage our efforts for corporate sustainability and looking towards global expansion, we strive to use less raw materials while delivering the same great experience for our customers.”
I’m happy to see brands trying to use less raw materials, and even happier when they are still able to produce good results while using less. Our first run on the Abound SR wasn’t so great. It was somewhat sluggish up hills, and our heavier testers had challenges getting up to 25 mph.
Of course, our model was sent to us pre-launch. Since Aventon can fully update how the controller and motor function OTA (over-the-air), we were able to work with the team to completely change the feel and output of the motor.
Now, the motor feels great, climbs hills well, and is more than powerful enough to make you not have to worry about the technical differences between 36 and 48 volts.
Our team took away two key points from this experience:
- The Aventon Abound has solid power as a utility / cargo bike.
- It’s incredibly helpful to have OTA updates on the Abound SR. We think all e-bikes should have this capability, as brands can continue to improve the feel and performance of the motor and push that update to past purchasers.
Overall, we are happy with the motor performance on the Abound SR and are excited to see what Aventon can do in the future with the approach of less raw materials being better.
Components
The Abound SR comes with some pretty solid components for this price level. These include:
8 speed Shimano Altus drivetrain
While still what we consider entry-level, we are happy that they went with Altus vs Tourney components. With Altus, you get better shifting performance, less chain slaps, and rapid thumb shifters.
Tektro 2 piston hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm x 1.8mm rotors (HD-E3520)
We’ve always had good experience and luck with Tektro brakes, and these are no exceptions. We do wish that Aventon had gone with a 4 piston brake caliper and 2.3mm rotors, as that extra stopping power would come in handy when carrying extra-heavy loads.
50mm travel front suspension fork with lockout and preload adjustment
While 40mm doesn’t sound like a lot, we actually prefer shorter travel forks on cargo bikes. In fact, we typically don’t love suspension forks on cargo bikes, as it can be very hard to get the suspension correct given the wide range of weights being carried. A rider can ride the bike by themselves at 180 lbs, and then quickly have a child who weighs 90 lbs jump on the bike and end up over compressing the fork.
By specking the bike with a more stiff, shorter travel front suspension fork, Aventon solves that problem and gives you a good, stiff ride while still taking the edge off the bumps in the road.
In addition, the Abound SR comes standard with:
- 50mm suspension seat post
- Telescoping adjustable quill stem
- BMX style handlebars
- Ergonomic rubber grips
- Thumb throttle
On a bike where you will pedal more than you will throttle, we prefer a thumb-style throttle over a twist throttle.
Screen / User Interface
As you can see in the photo above, the display for the Aventon Abound SR is pretty basic. It’s also very functional and intuitive to use because they based the button design on the original iPOD.
I think Aventon did a great job with the display. It’s simplistic, easy to use, easy to read, and displays everything I need to see while riding: MPH, Battery levels (using % not just something basic like 5 bars), and it even gives you the current time of day.
The controller is also compact and easy to use. In one small unit, you have the power button, turn signals, PAS up and down button, lights button, and walk assist button – all with just 5 buttons.
Aventon Control Unit (ACU) and Aventon App
The Aventon Control Unit, or ACU, is the companies entry into the IOT (Internet of Things, for those who are not super tech geeky like us. With the ACU, the Abound SR has the following functions:
Password Protection
You set up a password, and then no-one can access the bike without it.
Lockable Kickstand
You can set up the Abound SR so that every time you turn off the bike, the kickstand locks in place. This can deter theft, as the bike won’t technically function when locked down.
Locking Battery
In order to remove the battery, you must eject it from the app. I have no idea if a hacker would be able to hack this somehow, but at least for you non-hacking thief, there is not a way to remove the battery unless you are paired to the bike through the Aventon App.
Note: you can only have one person paired to the app at the same time, so if you are sharing the bike with a spouse or friend, you will either have to alternate pairing and removing the bike from your app, or one of you won’t be able to make updates and changes to the bike.
Integrated 4G wireless chip
With the integrated 4G bluetooth chip, you can set up a geofenced location where the bike is allowed to operate. If someone takes the bike outside of that fence, then the bike shuts down.
In addition, this enables you to track the bike’s location and even set up alerts if someone moves your bike even a few feet (or less).
All of that helps not only deter theft, but also makes it easier to recover your bike in the unfortunate scenario of your bike being stolen.
Furthermore, Aventon strongly indicated that more was coming in the future. My personal wish would be to tie the bike’s speed/PAS settings to the bike’s location. That would allow Aventon to make the Abound SR capable of 28 mph speeds and, at the same time, ensure that riders are following the local laws. If a rider is located in New York, then the Aventon App could automatically adjust the bike down from a max of 28 mph to the legal 25 mph limit as allowed by the state of New York.
Note: the 4G connectivity is free for the first year, but you will have to pay $20/year or $2/month afterwards.
Aventon Abound SR Model Options
There is only one size option available for the Abound SR. However, it does come in three different color options:
- Cobalt Blue
- Stealth Black
- Have Purple
My favorite is the purple Haze color, and I think my biggest complaint about the Aventon Abound SR is simply that they didn’t send me that one as I requested 🙂. However, I also do really like the black and the blue options as well.
Is The Aventon Abound SR Worth Buying?
Short answers are sometimes the best, and the short answer here is: yes.
We think the Abound SR is a great option for someone looking for a short-tail cargo bike and wants something that is sporty and pedals naturally but is not overpowering.
It’s a great option for a single person, or a parent with a single child who is looking to replace their car. If you have 2 kids, then you probably want a long-tail cargo bike like the original Abound but you will sacrifice some of the fun, sportiness that you get on short-tail cargo e-bikes.
Pros
- Motor feels strong and punchy. It’s somewhat similar to what a mid-drive feels like, where if you pedal harder you will get more out of the motor
- Good overall handling thanks to the stiff frame and well-functioning suspension fork
- Beautiful, gravity cast frame. You can barely see any welding marks
- Aventon Control Unit adds several security features to the bike (locking battery and kickstand, geofencing, and more)
- Aventon has become a top-notch brand that stands out from a lot of the other e-bike brands
- Very functional as a cargo bike, but still feels sporty and fun while riding
Cons
- Seat post could be longer. If you’re 6 ‘2 or taller, you will likely prefer a longer seat post. The nice thing is that you have room in the seat post tube for a longer post
- I’d like Aventon to add a bell
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