Real Riders Explain Everything There Is to Love About Their E-Bikes
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E-bikes—bicycles with a battery-powered “assist” activated by pedaling—continue to grow in popularity, and it’s no secret why. For most riders, e-bikes bring back feelings from when they were kids: Freedom. Adventure. Fun. Aventon had all those in mind and more when they designed and built their line of electric-assist bicycles.
No, there aren’t baseball cards in the spokes or streamers on the handlebars, but Aventon e-bikes still offer an extra bit of style and panache that remind riders of the feeling of having the coolest bike on the block. Perhaps best of all, you won’t have to empty your piggy bank to buy one. We asked real riders to explain why what they love most about the Aventon experience.
The promise of adventure
The first time Bridget Fry rode her Aventon Sinch, she knew she was never going back to a regular bicycle.
The Sinch’s stable frame geometry, Tektro mechanical disc brakes, and wide, 4-inch Kenda Krusade tires give her control and confidence, while pedal-assist still lets her turn up the speed when she wants to.
“It brought back the little kid in me who couldn’t wait to go on the next adventure after school,” Fry said. Fry is all grown up now, but for a home health nurse in the midst of a pandemic, she still looks forward to her next bike ride as a stress release after a long day's work. And because the Sinch is foldable, she can pack in her car and go find a less-trafficked route to ride.
“I know this will sound cliche, but the Sinch was one of the best investments I ever made for my mind, body, and soul,” says Fry.
Style that leads to substance
When Jeff Olsen decided to get back into shape, he wanted a bicycle that looked as good as it rode. That’s what led him to his eight-speed Level commuter e-bike, equipped with Shimano Acera components. It was the perfect mix between an upright seated cruiser, a mountain bike, and a road bike he could ride almost anywhere.
“As soon as I engaged the pedal assist, a huge smile beamed across my face that didn’t stop until I got home,” Olsen continued. “My trip took the same amount of time as if I would have driven, and it was so fun to ride I didn’t even notice I was sweating and breathing hard the entire time.”
Inspired by his new purchase, Olsen now looks as good as his Level. In the first three months after he bought his bike, he rode more than 650 miles and dropped 20 pounds. It’s sparked other changes as well.
“I’ve started cooking for myself and eating more healthy, as well as lifting weights and working out at home,” Olsen said. “I feel so much better about myself. I’m happy, I have more energy, and I’m thinking much more clearly than I ever have in my entire life. This bike lifted me out of depression and a downward spiral of poor health.”
Effortless fun
After spending years roaring across the open road on her Harley-Davidson motorcycle, Mary Hattie decided to straddle a different kind of bike. Intrigued by a friend’s description of her e-bike, Hattie decided she needed to give one a try, so she got herself a Pace 350, which she chose for its upright riding position and beach cruiser looks.
“It seemed to pedal and move much smoother than my old bike,” Hattie said. “When I hopped on the bike trail and started to pick up the pace, I felt like I was five years old again. Feeling the bike move effortlessly was exciting.”
That initial eight-mile ride soon became a 15-mile ride, then 40. Hattie began seeking out and riding new and longer trails, not wanting the fun to end. The Pace 350 has been more than up to the task. It averages 40 miles per charge, and on its lowest pedal-assist mode, the 500W (sustained) motor has a 67-mile range. The 36-volt battery can fully recharge in fewer than four hours.
“With this bike, I’ve been able to enjoy the beauty that surrounds the trails without the distractions of feeling tired and wondering how much farther I have to go,” Hattie said. “These e-bikes have us 40 and 60 year olds hootin’ and hollerin’ and laughin’ with excitement like little kids.”
Freedom (to ride and to save)
Part-time empty nesters Dale and Julie Houghlten were looking for ways to enjoy their new freedom when Dale stumbled across the Aventon Sinch.
“When I first showed it to Julie, she said, ‘It looks like a kids bike,’” Dale said. “And it is! It’s just one for big kids! These new bikes were about more than just cycling—they're about adventure and freedom. We can ride these anywhere! They've already seen dirt, grass, trails, tree roots, and more.”
With a daughter in college, value is key. That the bikes folds up and stores easily in the back of their SUV is an added bonus.
“We can fold both bikes and put them in the back with room for a suitcase, backpacks, a cooler, and more,” Dale said. “For the price point, Aventon is in a league of their own.”
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