Aventon Level 4 ADV

Aventon just launched two new versions of its commuter e-bike. I’ve already tested the Level 2 and Level 3, so I’m excited to see how the latest versions compare.

In this review, we’re testing the Level 4 ADV, the higher-end of the two. It has a mid-drive motor and an electronic drivetrain, and it’s priced at just $2,799.

We’ve also received the Level 4 REC for testing, which is the more affordable hub-drive version priced at $1,999. In an upcoming review, we’ll put it through our standardized tests and compare it to the Level 4 ADV.

Unboxing

The Level 4 ADV arrived at my door almost ready to ride. Aventon provides everything needed to make setup as easy as possible, including an instruction manual and the required tools. All I had to do was attach the bars, install the pedals, and charge the battery.

Bike Specifications

Aventon offers the Level 4 with a step-over or step-through frame. The step-over comes in three sizes: Medium, Large, and XL. The step-through comes in Regular or Large sizes. I tested the Large step-over, and at 6′ tall, it fit me well.

Aventon lists the weight at 61lb, but I weighed it at 65lb. Up front, there’s a 100mm coil suspension fork with preload adjustment and lockout. The 50mm suspension seatpost in the rear helps take the edge off rough pavement.

This is Aventon’s first mid-drive commuter, and it uses the Aventon-branded Ultro S 250W motor with a peak output of 750W and 100Nm of torque.

A dual-sided torque sensor manages pedal assist, and power comes from a large 800Wh battery integrated into the down tube. On the step-over frame, the battery is removed through the bottom. The electronics are rounded out by a bright and easy-to-read display mounted in the middle of the bars.

The drivetrain is where things get interesting. It’s a Shimano CUES 10-speed, but it has a wireless shifter and automatic shifting. The brakes are Tektro hydraulic discs with 180mm rotors.

Accessories are an important part of any e-commuter, and Aventon provides full-coverage fenders, a rear rack rated to carry 59lb, and integrated lights with turn signals.

This bike also has Aventon’s ACU smart features, which include GPS tracking, geofencing, a display-activated rear wheel lock, and a remote phone lock. These extras are free for the first year, and $20 per year after that.

As always with Aventon, the battery and electronics are UL-certified and the water-resistance ratings are more than sufficient.

Riding the Bike

The first thing I noticed when I started riding the Level 4 ADV was how responsive and natural the power delivery feels. The power output feels perfectly matched to input. With the wide gearing range of the 10-speed CUES drivetrain, I was able to maintain a consistent cadence, which helped me get the most out of the mid-drive motor. The bike also provided plenty of power on climbs without ever feeling overly aggressive.

When I received the Level 4, I was skeptical about the automatic shifting and auto pedal assist modes, but in the end, they both worked well. The two settings are designed to be used together, and that’s how I rode during the entire range test.

Auto pedal assist monitors pedal input and selects the appropriate pedal assist level from the three available: Eco, Sport, and Turbo. At the same time, AutoShift monitors cadence, speed, and the motor’s output and selects the most appropriate gear. This combination really works. During the 58-mile range test, I rarely felt the need to switch back to manual shifting. In Auto PAS mode, the bike averages speeds a touch above Sport. For those who commute every day and just want a simple ride, this mode offers real benefits.

In my experience, AutoShift chose the right gear on flats and rolling terrain almost every time, with quick and clean shifting, but on steeper climbs, I found it slightly slower to shift than I’d like, and sometimes it chose a gear above or below my preferred cadence. The cadence settings can be tuned in the app, but on climbs, I still preferred to shift myself. Everywhere else, I happily left AutoShift on.

The display and app are both excellent. The display is easy to read in direct sunlight, clear, and quick to pair with Aventon’s app. In the app, the Ride Tune section gives full control over each assist level, speed limits, and the Auto mode and AutoShift settings. The Level 4 ADV is also compatible with a throttle (sold separately). During the range test, the display’s estimate was slightly optimistic, with around 62 miles projected for most of the ride, but the battery lasted 58 miles.

I rode for a few miles in Class 3 mode with top speed set to 28mph, and the bike handled these speeds well. In this mode, acceleration was quick, and I could cruise effortlessly at around 25mph. I completed the range test in Class 2 mode, and with an impressive 58 miles, I’m confident the Level 4 ADV would provide plenty of range if ridden exclusively in Class 3.

I found the Level 4 comfortable through almost four hours of range testing. The slightly forward-leaning but straight-backed riding position was comfortable, and the suspension seatpost takes the sting out of rough pavement. The fork does its job, but it’s a basic component that’s stiff and slow to respond, and at this price, I was hoping for better.

Everything else is quiet, solid, and well put together, with no rattles, creaks, or speed wobbles, and adequate braking that brought me to a stop from 20mph in just over 20 feet. My only gripe with the design is the charging port, which sits low on the battery in an exposed position. This isn’t ideal for a commuter bike designed to be ridden year-round.

Conclusion

So, how does Aventon’s first mid-drive commuter stack up?

The Aventon Level 4 ADV feels well-built and well-thought-out. My only gripes during testing were the stiff suspension fork and the charging port’s position, and while neither is a dealbreaker, I was hoping for a better fork at $2,799.

The Level 4 ADV’s mid-drive motor gives a natural ride quality that a hub motor can’t match, and the automatic shifting and pedal assist actually deliver real-world value. With its huge range, practical accessories, and high-quality display and app, this is a seriously well-rounded commuter e-bike with a price tag that’s hard to ignore.

In an upcoming review of the hub-drive Level 4 REC, we will provide a more detailed comparison of the two Level 4 models. For now, it’s safe to say the Level 4 ADV offers a more natural, rider-driven, premium ride feel.

Score Breakdown

• Build quality: 90
• Performance/Innovation: 90
• Design: 95
• Ride quality: 95
• Price/Value: 90

Overall: 92

Detailed Specs

Electric Bike Class: 1, 2, or 3
Warranty: 2-year components, lifetime frame
UL Certification: UL2849 – UL 2271
IP Rating: Bike – IPX6 | Motor – IP67
Total Weight: Claimed: 61lb – Actual: 65lb
Payload Capacity: 330lb
Motor Brand: Aventon Ultro S
Motor Type: Mid-drive
Motor Nominal Output: 250W
Motor Peak Output: 750W
Max Torque: 100Nm
Top Speed: 28mph
Throttle: Not included, compatible
Pedal Assist: 5 levels
Sensor: Torque
Battery: 36V 20Ah (800Wh)
Charger: 42V 4A
Charge Time: 5 hours
Range Claimed: 110 miles
Range Tested (PAS Auto): 58.01 mi – 1,581 ft. – 14.8mph avg.
Display: A280
Frame: 6061 Aluminum
Fork: 100mm coil suspension, preload adjustment, lockout
Brake Levers: Tektro hydraulic
Brake Calipers: Tektro HD-M3120
Brake Rotors: 180mm
Chainring: 48t
Derailleur: Shimano CUES 10-speed
Shifter: Wireless shifter
Cassette: 11-39t Shimano CUES 10-speed
Rims: 27.5” Double-wall aluminum 36h
Tires: 2.2″ Kenda K1052
Fenders: Included, full coverage
Lights: Front light, rear light, turn signals
Grips: Aventon lock-on grips
Saddle: Aventon saddle
Pedals:Plastic platform
Handlebar: 31.8mm, 680mm wide, 30mm rise
Kickstand: Included

Geometry Details

Frame Size: L
Seat Tube: 17.71” (450mm)
Reach: 17.51” (445mm)
Stack: 25.66” (652mm)
Stand Over Height: 29.21” (742mm)
Virtual Top Tube Length: 24.88” (632mm)
Seat height minimum 35” (889mm)
Seat height max 42” (1067mm)
Wheelbase: 47.04” (1195mm)

As we’ve come to expect from Aventon, the Level 4 ADV offers an impressive array of features, a comfortable ride, and plenty of capability for daily use. It has a couple of potential areas for improvement, but its overall ride quality is excellent.

This bike is purpose-built for the commuter who wants to stop thinking about the bike and start enjoying the ride… For riders cross-shopping tech-forward commuters and willing to invest in a machine that earns its price tag across years of daily use, this could be the one.

Overall, if money is no object and you’re looking for a general-purpose, powerful, and refined e-bike, then the Level 4 ADV might just be for you.

At [this price] with this spec sheet, this range capability, and this level of security and connectivity built in, the Level 4 ADV is a serious commuter that doesn’t require much convincing from me.

This bike by far is the best commuter-style e-bike I have ever reviewed on this channel. And I’ve got to say, Aventon knocked it out of the park with this model.

… while similarly equipped models from other brands often cost upwards of [this higher price], the ADV comes in at [this price]. And that’s a very reasonable price for a bike with the impressive list of features and performance of the Level 4 ADV.