Aventon Ramblas ADV

The Aventon Ramblas ADV is the second generation of the brand’s hardtail e-MTB. They claim it can handle real trails and serious climbs, and still double as a daily commuter.

Those are big claims for a hardtail e-bike that costs less than $3,000, and in this review, we’ll put them to the test.

Unboxing

The bike arrived well-packaged, and Aventon’s clever box design makes unpacking simple. Assembly is also straightforward, with only the handlebars, front wheel, pedals, and the optional headlight and kickstand left to install. The shifting came pre-indexed, and the brakes ran true out of the box.

Bike Description

The Ramblas ADV comes in three sizes: M, L, and XL, covering riders from 5’5″ to 6’5″. Our test bike is size L. I weighed the full bike at 55lb, which is a pretty standard for an e-MTB at this price point, especially one with a large 20Ah battery.

The Ramblas ADV is driven by Aventon’s A100 mid-drive motor, which has a nominal power output of 250W and a peak output of 750W and 100Nm of torque.

The Ramblas has four PAS modes: Eco, Trail, Turbo, and Auto, all of which can be customized in the app. The bike ships as Class 1, with a top speed of 20mph, but it can be switched to Class 3 in the app, unlocking a top speed of 28mph. Those familiar with Aventon’s e-bikes should be aware that this model, like most mid-drive e-MTBs, doesn’t have a throttle.

The 36V, 19.2Ah (691Wh) battery is integrated into the frame behind a removable plastic cover and locked with a keyed lock. The keyhole is under the cover, and the charge port sits behind a rubber cap on the seat tube. The battery cover sits flush with the frame, seals well, and is easy to open and close. Something worth watching out for is if moving the bike while charging, the cranks could hit the cable and knock it out or damage it.

Beyond the electronics, the rest of the component list reads well on paper. It includes a RockShox Psylo Silver R coil fork with 130mm of travel and rebound adjustment and a mix of SRAM’s NX and SX Eagle drivetrain components, including a 10-50t 12-speed cassette and a 34t chainring.

The brakes are SRAM’s DB6 four-piston hydraulic discs with 200mm rotors, and the dropper is an X-Fusion Manic LC with 150mm of travel across all sizes. All of these components are admittedly budget-level, but since they’re from recognized brands, servicing and upgrades should be simple.

A notable upgrade to the Ramblas ADV from the original is the swap to the tubeless-ready version of the Maxxis Rekon 2.4” tire. The pre-taped rims mean converting the e-bike to tubeless is easier, with only sealant and valves left to purchase.

For those who plan to use the Ramblas ADV as a commuter, Aventon includes a kickstand and a removable front light.

Riding the Bike

The Ramblas looks great and feels well-made. At 6’ tall on the size Large, I found a comfortable position almost immediately.

I began by testing the three PAS levels and Auto mode, and I found Trail mode (PAS 2/3) to be the sweet spot for most situations. In this setting, steep climbs felt half as hard, but my legs were still working, and my breathing was increased. I ended up doing multiple laps of trails that I’d usually only tackle once on my regular mountain bike.

The stock Eco mode provides some assistance, but it still feels like a proper workout. I found Turbo mode to be too powerful and fast-accelerating for most trails, but it is enjoyable on steep but non-technical off-road climbs and paved hills.

Auto mode adjusts between the three levels, and it does a decent job, but I found it provides more power than necessary a lot of the time, and it’s not very range-efficient.

Climbing is where the Ramblas ADV really shines. Aventon’s mid-drive motor pairs perfectly with the 12-speed MTB gearing, making it easy to maintain a steady cadence and benefit from the smooth power delivery pedal on steep grades. In our steep hill test, the Ramblas ADV averaged 15.8mph, faster than all the mid-drives in our comparison group. This test is done on a paved climb.

Pointed downhill, I felt the bike’s 55lb weight. The Ramblas handles flowy green and blue trails well, feeling stable and planted, but when I pushed into more technical, tighter terrain with drops and jumps, I quickly found its limits. Aventon positions the Ramblas ADV as an entry-level electric mountain bike or commuter, so riders who want a true e-MTB should look at the full-suspension Current.

Overall, the brakes and tires were a good match for the bike’s entry-level character, performing well on flowy green and blue trails. On steep or loose terrain, I had to pick my lines carefully due to the bike’s high weight and the modest grip offered by the XC tires. Converting the tires to tubeless and running lower tire pressures helped, but I feel a slightly more aggressive tire would be a smart upgrade for this heavy e-MTB.

On flow trails and moderate singletrack, the coil-sprung suspension fork surprised me, performing better than I expected. It doesn’t have preload or compression adjustments or lockout, so lighter riders may find it stiff and heavier riders may find that it bottoms out easily. At 200lb, it worked well for me, and I didn’t bottom out nearly as often as I thought I would. That said, aside from more aggressive tires, this fork is probably the component most worthy of an upgrade. The only other complaint I had from the test period was the persistent cable rattle from inside the frame.

Again, this bike isn’t aimed only at trail users. Aventon includes a front light and kickstand, and sells a rear rack and fender kit to make it a proper commuter.

In range testing, the battery lasted 46 miles with over 2,200 feet of elevation gain over a mix of pavement, gravel, dirt paths, and trail laps. This was the most elevation of any bike in the comparison group. The range estimator was also accurate, which eliminates range anxiety.

Conclusion

The Ramblas ADV is a capable entry-level hardtail that delivers real value. It brings meaningful improvements over the first version, including a quieter, more responsive motor, tubeless-ready wheels and tires, and a higher-quality dropper.

In testing, this bike topped the group of comparison mid-drive e-bikes on the steep climb, and it covered the most elevation of any bike in the range test. The motor delivers refined power, and the drivetrain works well with plenty of gearing range.
The 55lb Ramblas feels planted on flowy trails, but if the trail gets tight or technical, its limits quickly become apparent, particularly the tires and entry-level suspension fork.

For a new e-MTB rider with a limited budget looking to explore some singletrack, the Ramblas ADV is worth adding to the shortlist. It’s more than enough for beginner trails, and it’ll handle some intermediate terrain, with some scope for upgrades down the line, too.

Score Breakdown

• Build quality: 90
• Performance/Innovation: 85
• Design: 90
• Ride quality: 85
• Price/Value: 90

Overall: 88

Detailed Specs

Electric Bike Class: 1 or 3
Warranty: 2 years
UL Certification: UL 2849, UL 2271
IP Rating: IPX6 bike, IP67 motor
Total Weight: Claimed: 54lb – Actual: 55lb
Motor Brand: Aventon
Motor Type: A100 Mid-drive
Motor Nominal Output: 36V, 250W (750W peak)
Max Torque: 100Nm
Battery: 36V, 691Wh, LG 21700 cells
Range Claimed: 90 miles
Range Tested (PAS 2/3): 46.38 mi – 2,239 ft. – 11.3mph avg.
Top Speed: 28mph
Pedal Assist: 3 levels + Auto mode
Sensor: Torque sensor
Charger: 42V 4A
Charge Time: 5 hours
Display: Full-color LCD
Frame: 6061 aluminum alloy, SRAM UDH compatible, 12x148mm Boost dropouts
Fork: RockShox Psylo Silver R, 130mm, coil, adjustable rebound
Brake Levers: SRAM DB6
Brake Calipers: SRAM DB6, 4-piston hydraulic
Brake Rotors: 200mm
Chainring: 34t
Derailleur: SRAM NX Eagle
Shifter: SRAM NX Eagle, 12-speed
Freewheel: SRAM SX 10-50t
Rims: 29″, Tubeless-ready
Tires: Maxxis Rekon 29″ x 2.4″ TR
Fenders: Available but not included
Lights: Integrated seatstay rear lights, removable front light
Grips: Aventon lock-on grips
Saddle: Aventon saddle
Pedals: Aluminum platform
Handlebar: 760mm wide, 35mm clamp diameter, 33mm rise, 3-degree upsweep, 9-degree backsweep.
Kickstand: Included
Payload Capacity: 300lb

Geometry Details

Frame Size: L
Seat Tube: 17.7″ (450mm)
Reach: 17.9″ (455mm)
Stack: 26.2″ (665mm)
Stand Over Height: 28.0″ (712mm)
Virtual Top Tube Length: 25.3″ (642mm)
Wheelbase: 48.4″ (1230mm)

As a complete package, the value proposition is still very strong. You’re getting a high-power ride with excellent range, a good feel on trail, and a spec sheet that doesn’t skimp on recognizable components.

The Aventon Ramblas ADV performed as expected, admirably. While Aventon only made a few updates to the bike, those updates matter and give the bike an even better, more natural feel than the first version had.

The Aventon Ramblas ADV delivers solid components, ride quality, and a dealer network that is excellent in terms of number of locations and service.

The Ramblas ADV is a blast on the trails, but isn’t so aggressive that it feels clunky on bike paths or around the neighborhood. While most electric mountain bikes come with scary price tags, this feels like a great value…

Surprisingly, I had a very easy time getting used to this hardtail, and that speaks volumes to the bike’s geometry.

I think this makes a good trail bike and also a bike that feels comfortable out on the road.