Aventon Level.3
02-25-25 | 09:29 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Commuter, roadie
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 2,308
From: SE Wisconsin, USA
Bikes: Trek: Domane AL3, Checkpoint SL7; Priority Apollo 11, ZiZZO Forte + eBikes
Aventon Level.3
Aventon is updating their Level commuter from 2 to 3. {LINK}
Changes:
+ Built in rear wheel lock (electronically-controlled)
+ User-programmable assist settings (this was a suggestion I made to them a year or so ago; 'glad they took it to heart!)
+ Menus are now intuitive instead of coded
+ Turn signals added to the seat stay lights, so that now there's a set of running lights, flashing lights and turn signals (brake light functionality is lost)
+ Adjustable stem
+ Bell included (a junky one, it looks like)
+ Battery now has a built-in, fold-out carrying handle
+ Suspension seatpost is now included (A cheap telescoping type, however, it is preload-adjustable)
+ Through-axles are provided now, instead of QR skewers
+ Magura brakes (allegedly an upgrade from Tektro, except the lack of a switch for brake lights & throttle interlock cutoff)
+ They've got a couple of unique & cool colors. (matte lavender, copper)
- Derailleur has been downgraded to Shimano Altus (from Shimano Acera)
- Battery is now 36 V, 20 Ah (720 Wh) instead of 48 V, 14 Ah (672 Wh) Can't imagine why they went down in voltage, but the battery has a bit more capacity now anyway.
- Kenda tires are stock now, instead of Continental. (Kenda aren't bad, but Continentals are outstanding)
- $200 price hike, compared to the outgoing Level.2, which was at $1700. Now, the outgoing Level.2 is $1600.
- Battery lock is electronic now, buried in a menu. This will be less reliable over time.
- Brake/throttle cutoff interlock is gone, along with the brake lights
+/- Included charger is 4 A. The old one was 3 A, but with a higher capacity @ lower voltage, this is a wash, in terms of charge time.
+/- Fenders are plastic now. (plastic is lighter and won't rust, but it will get brittle with age and UV exposure)
+/- Aventon owns their factories, so they can 100% control their quality (as before)
+/- Aventon has deals in place with 1800+ dealers (as before)
+/- Great new security features, but will be on a subscription plan after Year 1.
+/- Battery charge port is now ONLY on the battery, no more duplicate one on the frame
+/- Motor is still 500 W. This keeps it smaller & lighter, but it's harder to get to 28 mph. I think they made the right call here; this is not The Bike for You, if you just want an easy motorized top speed, and that's not who they're marketing to.
They're putting some advanced features in an IoT (Internet of Things) sub menu, which they'll let you use for free for a year, then they want $2/month. That feels like a dirty cash grab to me. They are good features, but I don't know that I want Aventon's fingers in my paycheck:
Changes:
+ Built in rear wheel lock (electronically-controlled)
+ User-programmable assist settings (this was a suggestion I made to them a year or so ago; 'glad they took it to heart!)
+ Menus are now intuitive instead of coded
+ Turn signals added to the seat stay lights, so that now there's a set of running lights, flashing lights and turn signals (brake light functionality is lost)
+ Adjustable stem
+ Bell included (a junky one, it looks like)
+ Battery now has a built-in, fold-out carrying handle
+ Suspension seatpost is now included (A cheap telescoping type, however, it is preload-adjustable)
+ Through-axles are provided now, instead of QR skewers
+ Magura brakes (allegedly an upgrade from Tektro, except the lack of a switch for brake lights & throttle interlock cutoff)
+ They've got a couple of unique & cool colors. (matte lavender, copper)
- Derailleur has been downgraded to Shimano Altus (from Shimano Acera)
- Battery is now 36 V, 20 Ah (720 Wh) instead of 48 V, 14 Ah (672 Wh) Can't imagine why they went down in voltage, but the battery has a bit more capacity now anyway.
- Kenda tires are stock now, instead of Continental. (Kenda aren't bad, but Continentals are outstanding)
- $200 price hike, compared to the outgoing Level.2, which was at $1700. Now, the outgoing Level.2 is $1600.
- Battery lock is electronic now, buried in a menu. This will be less reliable over time.
- Brake/throttle cutoff interlock is gone, along with the brake lights
+/- Included charger is 4 A. The old one was 3 A, but with a higher capacity @ lower voltage, this is a wash, in terms of charge time.
+/- Fenders are plastic now. (plastic is lighter and won't rust, but it will get brittle with age and UV exposure)
+/- Aventon owns their factories, so they can 100% control their quality (as before)
+/- Aventon has deals in place with 1800+ dealers (as before)
+/- Great new security features, but will be on a subscription plan after Year 1.
+/- Battery charge port is now ONLY on the battery, no more duplicate one on the frame
+/- Motor is still 500 W. This keeps it smaller & lighter, but it's harder to get to 28 mph. I think they made the right call here; this is not The Bike for You, if you just want an easy motorized top speed, and that's not who they're marketing to.
They're putting some advanced features in an IoT (Internet of Things) sub menu, which they'll let you use for free for a year, then they want $2/month. That feels like a dirty cash grab to me. They are good features, but I don't know that I want Aventon's fingers in my paycheck:
- Lock and unlock bike remotely
- Disable motor remotely
- Real-time bike location tracking
- App receives regular updates on bike's "health". (battery capacity, probably; I can't think what else it could track that would be worth a damn)
__________________
-Jeremy
-Jeremy
Last edited by Smaug1; 03-05-25 at 01:55 PM.
02-25-25 | 09:47 PM
#2
Thread Starter
Commuter, roadie
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 2,308
From: SE Wisconsin, USA
Bikes: Trek: Domane AL3, Checkpoint SL7; Priority Apollo 11, ZiZZO Forte + eBikes
I commuted today on my Level.2 and went for a lunch picnic and I always marvel at what a nice bike it is. I have almost 1900 miles on it now, which is a lot, considering I only ever ride it less than 10 miles at a time.
__________________
-Jeremy
-Jeremy
