Aventon Level 4 REC Review

In Turbo mode we measured 6 seconds to 20 mph on maximum pedal assist and 7 seconds on the throttle alone, and Boost mode knocked a second off both. The pedal-assist time is tied for fastest in the comparison group, and the throttle time is the quickest outright. The 750W hub-motor e-bikes we have tested average 8.1 s on assist and 9.6 s on the throttle.

On the gradual hill (0.99 miles at up to a 6% grade) the REC finished in 3:02 at an average of 18.9 mph with the 20 mph limit. That is the fastest time in this comparison group, one second ahead of the Velotric Summit 1. The 750W hub-motor e-bikes we have tested average 3:09 on capped runs.

On the steep climb, 0.65 miles with 226 feet of gain and a 12% maximum grade, the REC reached the top in 2:13 at an average of 17.6 mph. That is the fastest time in the group, one second ahead of the Summit 1 and 19 seconds ahead of the Level 4 ADV. The 750W hub-motor e-bikes we have tested average 2:28.

The REC ships as a Class 2 e-bike and can be programmed to Class 3 through the speed limit in the app, with pedal assist to 28 mph. The 750W motor pushed us to that limit quickly, with easy cruising in the mid 20s. Boost mode raises the motor to 96 Nm and 1,440W for 30 seconds at a time. Ride Tune in the app lets you customize the three pedal assist levels.

Class 3 e-bikes are limited to 28 mph on pedal assist and 20 mph on the throttle. Many trails and multi-use paths restrict Class 3 access, so check local rules before riding there.

The REC has both a torque sensor and a cadence sensor, and you choose between them in the app. From a standstill in torque mode the assist arrived with no measurable delay (0 crank revolutions). The e-bikes we have measured average 0.2 crank revolutions before assist arrives.

Measured indoors with the rear wheel spinning unloaded at 20 mph, the hub registered 70.4 dB(A), slightly above the 66.6 dB(A) average of the 17 e-bikes we have measured this way. Under heavy load on steep grades the hub whines and vibrates, where the Level 4 ADV's mid-drive stays quiet.

On our standard loop at maximum assist (Turbo, PAS 3 of 3) with the 20 mph limit, the REC lasted 44.20 miles with 1,473 feet of elevation gain, at a 17.7 mph average. That is the longest max-assist result in this comparison group (the Level 4 ADV ran only in Auto mode) and 49% above the 29.7-mile average of the commuter e-bikes we have tested. We believe the regenerative modes contributed to the result.

Aventon claims up to 75 miles. We ran only the maximum-assist test on the REC, so its 44.20 miles is 59% of the claim, inside our tolerance, even without the medium-assist run where a bike does better.

Dividing battery capacity by measured range shows how far a bike stretches every watt-hour. At 16.6 Wh per mile at max assist, the REC is the most efficient in this comparison group and well under the 21.7 Wh/mi average of the commuter e-bikes we have tested.

The 36V 20Ah pack charges on the included 4A charger. By our calculation a full charge takes at least 5 hours (20Ah ÷ 4A), matching Aventon's 5-hour claim and quicker than the 6.3-hour average across our database. The charge port sits low on the frame behind a rubber cover.

The 36V 20Ah pack (733 Wh, LG cells) sits inside the down tube, and the label on ours reads 19.88Ah. It weighed 8.6 lb on our scale, against Aventon's 8.7 lb. There is no key: the pack unlocks from the app or the display's advanced menu. The battery is certified to UL 2271 and the electrical system to UL 2849. The bike is rated IPX5 and the components IPX6.

The REC is the first e-bike we have tested with regenerative braking, and it comes in two forms. Regen braking recovers battery charge when you pull the levers at speeds over 6 mph, and regen coasting recovers energy when you roll off the power above 6 mph. Both features are controlled in the app's advanced settings. Aventon claims they add up to 10 extra miles.

The Tektro HD-E3520 two-piston hydraulic discs with 180 mm rotors stopped the REC from 20 mph in 22 feet, the longest distance in this comparison group and 2.1 feet above the 19.9-foot average of the commuter e-bikes we have tested. Of the tests all six bikes ran, it was the only one where the REC finished last. The brakes are fine for everyday riding, but we'd swap to a larger front rotor when the stock one wears out.

The REC comes with an integrated headlight and a taillight with a brake light and turn signals. On our center-beam measurement the headlight put out 380 lux at 15 feet, below the 579 lux average of the 17 e-bikes we have measured.

Riding the Level 4 REC

Rolling the REC around before riding, you feel the weight. At 69.3 lb it is heavy for a commuter e-bike, and you notice it whenever the motor isn't helping. Once riding, we found the relaxed geometry comfortable, and under power this thing moves: 20 mph in 6 seconds and easy cruising in the mid 20s in Class 3 mode.

On our stability run we ride straight at top speed, shift our weight, and shake the bike to see whether a wobble starts. The no-hands check is done separately, at lower speed on level ground, to see that it tracks straight.

Suspension comes from an 80 mm coil fork with preload adjustment and a lockout, plus a 50 mm suspension seatpost under the Aventon saddle.

Where the REC sits on the spectrum from fully upright to fully aggressive. The 680 mm bar on its angle-adjustable stem gave us a relaxed position, a little forward of upright:

Aventon makes the REC in two sizes, and the size L step-over we tested is listed for riders from 5'10" to 6'4", a 6-inch span served by 4.75 inches of saddle-height adjustment (37" to 41.75" from the ground, measured on our test bike). By our rule of thumb that span is plausible. At 6'0" with a 33" inseam we found the relaxed position comfortable.

The 680 mm aluminum bar sits on a 90-degree angle-adjustable stem. With the saddle set for a 33" inseam, Scott found a relaxed, comfortable position.

Aventon lists the REC at 68.5 lb. Our scale read 69.3 lb as shipped, 1.2% over the claim. That is third-heaviest in this comparison group and 3.4 lb above the 65.9 lb average of the commuter e-bikes we have weighed. Aventon rates the payload at 300 lb.

The 6061 aluminum frame comes as a step-over or a step-through, each in two sizes, with the battery inside the down tube and the cables routed internally. We tested the size L step-over. The fenders, rack, and lights are fitted at the factory.

Shifting is handled by an 8-speed Shimano Altus derailleur and trigger shifter, with a 48t chainring and a 12–32t cassette. It is the lower-end drivetrain of the two Level 4s: the ADV gets a 10-speed CUES with automatic shifting. Stopping comes from Tektro HD-E3520 two-piston hydraulic discs with 180 mm rotors.

The 27.5×2.2" Kenda Kwick Seven-5 Sport tires sit on double-wall aluminum rims. Included are full-coverage fenders, a rear rack, a kickstand, and the integrated lights with turn signals and a brake light. Everything a commuter needs is in the box.

The Aventon A280 display is mounted centrally, and it is bright and easy to read in direct sunlight. Its advanced menu unlocks the battery, and the rear-wheel lock is activated from the display. The control pad and the thumb throttle sit together on the left grip, with the trigger shifter on the right.

The Aventon app paired quickly. Ride Tune gives full control of each assist level, the speed limit, and the choice of torque or cadence sensing, and the advanced settings hold the regen modes and the keyless battery unlock. The smart features, 4G and GPS tracking, geofencing, unusual-activity detection, and a remote phone lock, are free for the first year and need a subscription after that.

The REC arrived almost ready to ride: we attached the bars, fitted the front wheel, installed the pedals, and charged the battery. Aventon includes the instruction manual and the tools. Our factory audit found no issues: the wheels were true and everything was set up correctly.

Every brand we review gets the same test. We send one short, everyday support question through the brand's public support channel, from a regular customer account with no BikeRide affiliation, so the test is equal for everyone. We then time how long the first useful reply takes, counting weekday hours only. For Aventon the first useful answer arrived after half an hour, far quicker than the 18.1-hour average across the brands we have tested.

The mechanical side is standard: a Shimano Altus 8-speed drivetrain, Tektro hydraulic brakes, and 27.5" tires in a common size. The motor, battery, display, and the regen electronics are Aventon's own. Aventon covers the bike with a two-year limited warranty and a lifetime frame warranty.

A 750W hub, a 733 Wh UL-certified battery with keyless removal, regenerative braking, hydraulic discs, an 8-speed Altus, an easy-to-read display with 4G and GPS, and a full set of commuter accessories: for this price, the REC packs a lot in.

Weighing everything we measured against the price at the time of publication: the fastest climbs and the quickest throttle run in our comparison group, 44.20 miles of range at max assist, regenerative braking, and every commuter accessory in the box. Against that, a 22-foot stop and 69.3 lb to lift. The Level 4 REC made a strong case for its value.