Aventon Aventure M Review | Testing Numbers Don’t Lie!

We’ve encountered the A100 motor one other time and that was on the Aventon Ramblas review. It had set an all-time range test result, so expectations were high for this test, even if the Aventure M would have to bear a few penalties of added weight and less efficient tires.

It seems the Aventure M didn’t get the notice that it wasn’t supposed to perform as well. The bike squeezed every ounce of juice out of its 733Wh battery, logging a 110-mile Eco performance and a fantastic 37-mile Turbo result as well.

The Eco mode wasn’t done at blazing speeds of course, but the assistance was noticeable and beyond offsetting the weight of the bike, so it’s a fair result if you like things low, slow and mellow, though most riders are likely to ues trail or better for a bit more momentum on the ride, which will lower the total outcome.

Still, a win is a win, it is currently the 5th-best MIN power test we’ve recorded, and that’s from a database of more than 300 e-bikes.

The MAX power result remains strong in its own right, ranking as the sixth most efficient result we’ve achieved among fat tires in terms of watts per mile.

We recently launched version 2.0 of this test at our new location: The Devil’s Backbone. It’s a half-mile climb with an average 8% grade and over 200 feet of elevation gain.

The Aventure M handled the climb really well. Justin, our dedicated tester for hill climbs, reached the top in 1 minute and 56 seconds, averaging 15.6 mph. That puts it in a virtual tie with the Aventon Ramblas—not a huge surprise, since both use the same A100 mid-drive motor. But again, with the fat tires I thought would slow it down, but here we are.

Now, our Devil’s Backbone database is still growing—we’ve tested around 30 bikes there so far, including only six with mid-drives—but the Ramblas was already one of the fastest climbers on our previous hill test course at Hell Hole, and they scored the same just now on the new hill. So if you compare across both locations, that makes the Aventure M one of the fastest mid-drive e-bikes we’ve seen, period.

And honestly, the data backs up how it feels on the trail. With the A100 motor paired to fat tires, the Aventure M isn’t just a comfortable fat tire cruiser—it has enough muscle for more aggressive off-roading and light technical climbs. Whether you’re exploring the backwoods or tackling serious hills in the city, this bike has the power to handle it.

The Aventure M comes with a pair of SRAM DB4 brakes, the entry-level model in their predominantly MTB-focused series.

While the brakes have good modulation and stopping force, they also recorded a solid measured stopping distance at 21’9”. That’s about on par with the average for the fat bike category, and a solid, safe result overall, and just a bit longer than the Aventure 3 with its Shimano brake set.

The brakes do not integrate with the taillights, but those do have turn signal capabilities in addition to working as running lights. It would have been nice to see brake lights, but some visibility on board is better than none.

There are a lot of positives with the Aventure M in terms of its feel, value, and included extras. There are also a few wishlist items that we’d include in some future 2.0 model.

Let’s start with the good. The bike is comfortable. It’s currently only offered in a high-step model with two sizes to pick from. The frame geo is relaxed, while still qualifying as sporty. This makes on-road riding comfortable for the rider.

Comfort is further enhanced with the suspension fork and suspension seatpost. Both are solid options for entry-level additions, but the 80mm up front and 50mm under the saddle smooth out rougher roads. Additionally, if you run the tires at a lower pressure, you can further make the ride more comfortable.

The bike is decently maneuverable for something with fat tires that’s on the heavy side at 77 lbs. It’s nice to have the mid-drive as opposed to the hub motor – it’s a little lighter and better placed for weight purposes.

I thought the bike performed exceptionally well off-road. It has a dialed amount of control, feels appropriately responsive with motor input when navigating over uneven terrain, and effectively controls the bike when you need to slow down.

Honestly, if I can squeeze a dropper post on here (Aventon says it might be possible, but made no promises) it could make for a pretty cool XC fat tire explorer. Nothing overly intense, but it would take the off-roading to new heights. I’ll tinker with that later and see how it goes.

Of course, like most fat tires, this isn’t just about hitting the backwoods. The bike has all you need for commuting, like fenders, lights, a rack, and a kickstand. But it goes the extra mile (maybe two) with the ACU.

The Aventon Control Unit can provide significant benefits for the security of your bike. Motion alarms, geofencing, battery ejection, and more are all something you can control from within the Aventon app. You can use passcodes on the bike and perform other functions, such as ejecting the battery from the menu display. The advanced level of control from the app is great.

The ACU is free for the first year, then available for $2/month subscription thereafter. Not bad at all, considering all that you get and a whole lot cheaper than insurance.

The app’s usefulness doesn’t stop there. You can also adjust the Ride Tune feature, which will let you dictate motor functions like overall power and sensitivity of the torque sensor. Great for making it more natural riding, or to put things on easy street.

The Aventure M was a bike that I, and several others out there, had hoped to see for a long time—and it feels like it was worth the wait.

It delivered fantastic results in our range and hill tests, and it was genuinely a blast to ride. It opens up even more off-road potential for fat tire fans, while still being versatile and practical enough for everyday use. With comfort-focused features and the always-helpful ACU system for added security, it really covers a lot of ground—literally and figuratively.

I really like how it handles. The motor feels smooth and powerful, and the shifting is clean and easy. The combination of automatic motor output and automatic shifting creates what feels like an e-bike “automatic transmission,” and it works great. But if you prefer full control, you’ve still got the option to customize motor behavior and shift manually.

If you’re looking for an even more active Aventure experience, a more premium ride, or something with legit overlanding potential, the Aventure M is well worth checking out.

Happy Riding! Make sure to let us know if you have any questions or if you think we left anything out in this review of the Aventon Aventure M down in our comments section.