Focus Aventura Impulse 2.0 Review

The Aventura Impulse 2.0 is a remarkable ebike to me because it offers so much utility and has so many great features for what I would consider a low price. Many of the other European made mid-drive electric bikes start at $4,000 and while this one is only ~$200 less, it delivers an extra large 612 watt hour battery for 100+ mile range, full length fenders, a great carry rack with attached mini-pump, dynamo powered LED lights, a suspension fork with lockout, premium Selle Royal saddle and Ergon grips and it’s available in multiple frame sizes and styles (Trapez step-thru and Diamant high-step). With a top speed of 20 mph and responsive pedal assist that measures your speed, pedal cadence and torque it’s more of a bicycle than a scooter and would shine as a commuter or trekking platform. It’s sporty looking, well balanced with the battery and motor low and center on the frame and the control system is easy to use and fairly stealthy. It’s one of my favorite electric bikes from Focus for 2015 and is a new model for the US market.

Driving this electric bike is a modest but very capable 250 watt geared mid-drive Impulse 2.0 motor. It’s one of the top three drive systems available today in my opinion because it’s relatively quiet, durable and very responsive. As you pedal, the control system measures rear wheel speed, pedal cadence and pedal torque to deliver rapid output. You get one 38 tooth sprocket at the front (which is mostly concealed by the plastic chain guard) and a nine speed cassette in the rear. Depending on which gear you choose, the motor will benefit from mechanical advantages and this creates efficiency. The Shimano Deore derailleur used here is at the upper end in terms of quality and should perform well for thousands of miles thanks to an integrated shift-detection system on the Aventura which measures the physical movement of internally routed cables. Basically, when you shift gears the motor pauses for a second and this reduces wear on the derailleur, sprockets and chain. It’s one of the best shift sensing systems I’ve tried and you can see it in action in the video review above.

Powering the Focus Aventura Impulse Two is an impressive 612 watt hour Lithium-ion battery pack. Not only is this thing 35% larger than most competing packs, including the Bosch Powerpack 400, it’s really well positioned and protected on the frame. Instead of taking up the downtube, it resides just behind the seat tube and this frees up space for bottle cage bosses! You get two sets on the high-step frame and just one on the step-thru and these can be used for mounting locks or all kind of other extras which is great. The battery itself offers 36 volts of power and 17 amp hours of capacity which is way above average and the cell chemistry is energy dense which means the pack is relatively light at ~6.5 pounds. You can charge the pack on or off the bicycle frame and I love the integrated handle because it reduces the likelihood of drops. The battery also has an integrated five LED readout that can be read at any time to help you assess charge level. I like that the rear fender on this bike extends all the way down to the bottom bracket because this helps to keep water from even reaching the battery and I think the chain guard also helps to keep it clean.

Powering up and operating the display panel on the Aventura is pretty easy. Once the pack is charged, connected to the frame and locked into place you simply press the power button at the top of the button pad located near the left grip. This button pad is sleek looking, rubberized for protection against water and backlit for easy use at dusk or dawn. The LCD display unit comes to life with a “Hello” greeting and then shows your speed, battery level (with 10 increments for precise tracking) and an odometer and trip distance readout. I like that the display is made with thick, sturdy materials and is mounted directly to the custom stem. If you plan to replace the stem however, this could become an issue because I think it’s custom designed to work with the Impulse 2.0 system. I like the Bosch Intuvia display panel because it’s easily removable and I feel that this feature lets you store it away from the elements. As far as “permanent” displays go however, the Impulse 2.0 is pretty good. So once you’ve turned it on using the button pad then you can arrow up from no assist (where the display acts as a cycle computer) to Eco, Sport or Power mode. Eco is pretty gentle but helps you reach that impressive 100+ range. In addition to the nice Ergon grips with lockers and the soft Selle Royal gel saddle I like the unique oversized bell that Focus has chosen here. The cockpit is clean and my body felt comfortable but there was no shortage of features.

I realize that some people could take issue with me calling this nearly $4k electric bike “affordable” but for what you’re getting, I think it’s a bargain. This would make for an excellent commuter or touring bike. I could see myself bikepacking all across America with cargo loaded up on the rack or possibly even towed behind in a trailer. I love the balance and versatility of the mid-drive system and just how light weight this thing is at ~52 lbs even with all of the extras and suspension fork! The color choice is sporty and cool for girls or guys and the two year warranty is hard to beat. I feel that this bike offers more than two times the value of most less expensive ~$2k electric bikes I’ve tested but that’s mostly true if you actually ride it purposely. This thing is much more than a fun neighborhood cruiser, it’s basically a car replacer and depending on your need Focus offers several other models including the Thron Impulse Speed which can reach 28 mph and delivers a comfortable full-suspension design.

Pros:

• This is the most affordable model from Focus electric bikes but it still comes with a great set of accessories and high end components
• Dynamo hub in front wheel generates electricity to power the headlight and tail light at all times, they don’t rely on the battery pack for power like some other ebikes and that makes them safer if you run out of juice or are riding without a battery
• Excellent range thanks to the efficient Impulse 2.0 mid-drive, nine speed cassette and large 612 watt hour battery pack, can top 100 miles per charge
• The front and rear wheels both offer quick release which makes transporting the bike or doing trail maintenance much more convenient, also since most of the sensors are integrated into the drive unit itself the rear wheel tightness and alignment properties aren’t as finicky like some ebikes
• Excellent utility thanks to the full length fenders, chain guard, rear carry rack (with extra tubing for strength and bag protection) and included mini air pump
• Display panel feels sturdy, is easy to see day or night and offers an adjustable angle for reducing glare, the 10-incriment battery readout is more accurate for improved ride planning and the button pad on the left is also backlit and clicks when you press down so you don’t have to look to know it has changed
• Great shift detection system, it actually measures the movement of internally routed cables to signal motor cutoff, feels smoother than some others I’ve tried
• Active geometry is more aerodynamic, you tend to lean forward on this bikebut the suspension fork keeps it comfortable, it has lockout for smooth sections to reduce bob
• The battery pack is mounted behind the seat tube and this opens up the main triangle of the frame for adding water bottle cages or other accessories like locks
• The battery casing is designed with an integrated handle which makes it easy to take off and carry around reducing drops
• Light weight charger only weighs 1.5 lbs and runs cool and quiet, will easily fit into a bag for extending trips – charging at the office etc.
• Stealthy aesthetic, the motor and battery blend in with the chain guard and fenders, it all operates fairly quietly so most people might not even know it’s electric, especially if you add panniers and other gear
• Shift interruption can be personalized from 50 ms to 300 ms in 50 ms intervals with the help of certified Focus bike shops (you can do this yourself with other Focus ebikes that use the larger display panel)
• Hydraulic disc brakes are easy to actuate and will not tire your wrists out as mechanical disc or rim brakes might, the larger 180 mm front rotor offers a more precise and consistent stop
• Available in three frame sizes and two styles (low step and high step) for improved ergonomics and comfort over long rides

Cons:

• While the hydraulic disc brakes do stop the bike efficiently, they do not cut power to the motor and you may find that the torque sensor can activate while pushing down on the pedals at rest even though you’re holding the brakes
• The display panel is more permanently fixed to the stem which means it will take more sun, rain and other elements when parked outside, it does swivel to reduce glare which is nice
• The smaller 250 watt motor is capable and efficient but requires more rider input than some other electric bikes with larger motors, I noticed that I got a better workout with this bike

Resources:

• Official Site: http://www.focus-bikes.com/us/en/bikes/2015/e-bike-1/e-trekking-aventura-impulse/aventura-impulse-20.html
• More Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/c6ENyKpMQ145FA5YA