Aventon Current ADV e-MTB review

We were surrounded by rocks that felt like another world. As we rode down the sandy and decomposed-granite singletrack, I looked up and saw a rock fallen. I swung the bars and paddled up the steep, undulating rock, riddled with long spikes, cracks and fissures.

as soon as i pedal aventon current advI noticed how quiet the motor was, allowing me to absorb the sounds of the surrounding nature and immerse myself in the place. Despite being quiet, the power delivery was strong, smooth and punchy. Auto mode didn’t interfere with the motor’s clean execution, which I liked so much that I set it and forget it.

Now, in this Moab-esque terrain, it was time to see what this e-MTB is capable of, with a fun freeride-style riding experience.

Rolling into the blind drop, I focused on keeping my alignment solid – paying extra attention to the sharp, coarse, firm rock. I took off and on landing I remembered how solid the rock was; The bike handled it well and I went clean.

In short: new, progressive aventon current adv ($3,999) The electric mountain bike offers solid performance at a very competitive price. The brand’s first full-suspension build offers the 29er, featuring 140/150mm suspension and a proprietary, powerful motor on a stable, responsive and playful platform. Additionally, the current ADV uniquely boasts 4G technology – which enables anti-theft features like geofencing and remote battery disabling – and automatically records ride statistics in the app. I especially like the auto power mode and jump stats. The flush touchscreen display is built neatly into the top tube, keeping the cockpit extremely clean.

Check out our other favorite electric bikes in our Best Electric Bikes Buyer’s Guide.

Field testing Aventon’s first full-suspension electric mountain bike

I rode the Aventon Current ADV on several trips in Colorado. The terrain was a mix of flowing trails, chunky singletrack in the mountains, and technical rock riding in the high-alpine desert.

I’ve been riding e-MTBs for 8 years and started mountain biking 29 years ago. I tested a larger frame (which felt right for size to me). I am 5’11”, 165 pounds.

The Aventon is a better bike in its class dollar for dollar. While there’s no legacy motor (and I’ll have to see how the durability and performance of the in-house motor holds up long term), for a budget bike, it’s specced with reasonable components and is still below comparable models like the Norco Sight VLT A3 ($4,799).

how does it work

My first impressions are that I feel absolutely at home on the current ADV. The ergonomics of the bike immediately felt comfortable for my riding style. My focus is on the downhill, the dynamic, the fast, and the flowing, the rowdy and the loose – depending on the day and the route. The way the weight is distributed makes the bike feel closer to 52 pounds (instead of the brand-quoted 56 pounds).

The suspension felt well balanced with the stock recommended air pressure. The rebound and compression damping made the bike crisp and playful.

The bike handled a variety of terrain well. I rode winding, rolling singletrack, occasionally encountering rough rock gardens that the bike absorbed with ease. Along the way, I saw a few choose-your-own-adventure rock rides that I was able to power up (pun intended) and rally down.

Even though this is the baseline model, I was happy to see the bike with a Maxxis Minion combo – a Maxxis Minion DHF 29″ x 2.5″ in the front and a Maxxis Minion DHR II 29″ x 2.4″ in the rear, although I would have preferred stiffer sidewalls than the EXO casing. Preferred DoubleDown, for those who know what I’m talking about.

The cockpit was nice, and the handlebar had a comfortable turn. Plus, the 800Wh battery is huge. This is definitely a big battery that will give you plenty of range.

Proprietary Aventon Altro X mid-drive motor

Many e-MTBs use third-party motors from the likes of Bosch or SHIMANO – but Aventon has developed its own proprietary mid-drive motor.

It produces 110Nm of torque and boosts it to 120Nm. Most high-end eMTBs top out at 85Nm-90Nm – like the Specialized Turbo Full Power 2.2 at 90Nm and the Shimo EP801 at 85Nm – which makes the bike easier to climb steep climbs. (I’m honestly surprised that the torque is higher than that of the Santa Cruz Bullitt, which maxes out at 85 Nm.)

The motor is so quiet at delivery, it’s almost silent – it’s the quietest I’ve ever ridden. However I did feel a slight rattling over the rough terrain. This is much less noticeable than the older Bosch Performance Line CX Gen4 and Shimano EP8 motors.

auto power mode

Instead of needing to switch between power modes, Auto Mode does this work for you. An internal sensor (an IMU) reads pedal torque, cadence and slope/inclination. It automatically increases motor power when the hill gets steeper or pedal speed increases, and dials it back down on the flats.

I spent most of my time riding in auto power mode. The bike handles power well, depending on how much effort I apply to the pedals. I would say it has livelier power delivery as it is more dynamic than the linear modes (Eco, Trail, Turbo, Boost).

Innovative 4G communications: easy to tune and track

Built-in 4G means the bike has its own dedicated cellular chip installed inside the frame (powered by the Aventon Control Unit, or ACU). It’s basically your own independent Internet connection, wherever there is cell service.

That 4G lets the bike upload its current battery percentage, location and diagnostic health to the server, so you can view it remotely on the Aventon: MyRide app. Do you want to know if your battery is fully charged while you’re sitting in a coffee shop or at work? Even if you’re miles away from your bike, you can check.

With 4G (and even if you have your phone open), the bike automatically tracks your ride stats – trail route, speed and mileage – and uploads them to your app profile, even if your phone is dead or sitting in the truck.

Additionally, the Aventon can send wireless software updates directly to the bike’s computer via a 4G network. This allows them to improve motor efficiency or improve battery management. They can also unlock new digital features and screen layouts, without requiring you to plug the bike into a computer or visit a bike shop.

Overrun adjustment and anti-wheelie assistance

Built-in sensors monitor the bike’s pitch and weight distribution. If the software detects the front is getting light, it instantly, subtly micro-adjusts the motor’s power delivery to help keep the front tire firmly planted. This prevents the rider from tipping over backwards.

I didn’t really notice this feature during my ride and yet I could still ride the bike with ease. If you want, you can turn off this feature completely in the app settings. In the app, you can increase the overrun time for highly technical, rocky routes, or decrease it if you want a more traditional, immediate motor cutoff.

Top-tube touchscreen: air time, jump tracking

While catching air, the bike’s internal sensors detect that the wheels have left the ground, which is a gamification element. You can read metrics on the top-tube touchscreen and more detailed descriptions in the app. The log includes the total number of jumps and air time earned.

A track shows where the jump occurred on the GPS route. Aventon also has digital achievements called “Jump” medals which are awarded to high achievers.

Lead Security: GPS, Anti-Theft Security

You can use the app to draw a digital fence (called a geofence) around your bike. The bike’s internal sensors detect vibration or motion and use the 4G network to send instant push notification alerts to your phone, warning you if someone is tampering with it. You can see in real time where your bike is.

With the app, you can trigger the “Report Lost” command remotely from your phone. It instantly completely disables the motor via a 4G network – and yes, that will send the thief running away.

criticisms

On drops, I noticed that the shock felt a little less on heavy hits. That being said, a rider can certainly change the shock to a higher level. It is still a budget-oriented bike.

The premium version of this bike, the EXP ($5,999), features a carbon frame (versus alloy) with a RockShox Lyric Select fork, Super Deluxe Select+ shock, and SRAM Maven base brake. Those shock and fork models offer greater tunability, while the brakes are more powerful.

In contrast, the ADV has a more entry-level RockShox Silo Gold fork, Deluxe Select+ shock, and SRAM DB8 Stealth brakes – which still get the job done. I found that the bike performed well with these components.

At the very least, such a heavy bike would be better off with EXO+ casing tyres. Or, for pure performance, the DoubleDown, which is designed to handle high-speed enduro racing and heavy, high-torque e-bikes. If you stand holding the DHF parallel to the ground, an EXO cover will tip over. The DoubleDown cover retains its rigid shape due to its tough sidewalls. Although I didn’t crack any sidewalls or flatten a pinch while testing the ADV, working hard on the basic EXO casing means it was only a matter of time.

what’s that for

This Aventon Current ADV electric mountain bike packs a solid punch, even though it comes with lower-end components.

This is perfect for your budding kid who is tough on his gear and wants to build a new e-bike! And for any rider looking for a solid e-mountain bike at an affordable price. In addition to bike builds, the app offers a ton of features and adjustment options.

If you’re concerned about range or you just like to ride really big, this 800Wh battery is right for you.

This bike doesn’t come with the highest-end suspension or lightest frame, but it’s an all-mountain crusher with strong downhill capabilities – it’s ready for any riding.