Aventon Abound Review 2024

Our two Range Tests, which are explained above, allowed us to evaluate the amount of power provided by the Aventon Abound’s 48V, 720 Wh battery. Like with all of our tests, we measured the Abound’s performance with no added weight on the bike. Considering that this cargo-hauler is likely to be used under at least some load, the results we measured are likely to be a bit different than you might expect under everyday use conditions.

That said, Aventon has performed their own range tests in each of the Abound’s PAS settings, and in throttle-only mode. For our purposes, we will just compare our results in Eco mode and Turbo mode.

In both cases, the Abound lived up to our expectations! Our result of roughly 51 miles in Eco mode lines up nicely with Aventon’s claim of 50 miles. We managed to squeeze some extra mileage out of the Abound in Turbo mode, though; our range test concluded with roughly 40 miles traveled with maximum motor assistance, compared to the 30 that Aventon saw. This is absolutely solid for a bike that weighs 81 lbs on its own. Adding additional weight will, of course, reduce the bike’s range, with fewer miles as more weight is added.

During our range tests, we get a bit of time to get to know the full scope of features on a bike, and I want to mention a few things that stood out to me about the Abound:

First, the bike comes standard with a two-section, quick-adjusting hydraulic seat post. This allows you to set a “base” height for the saddle, which can be tailored and changed on the fly with the press of a lever. I really liked that this allowed me to drop the saddle when coming to a stop, so I could put my feet flat on the ground for extra stability. It did need a little lubrication for a smoother return to a higher position once I got moving again, but that was an easy fix. The seatpost also has 20mm of suspension travel, so it made going over bumps surprisingly cushy and comfortable. This is helped also by the bike’s front suspension fork with 50 mm of travel.

Next, while I really like that the Abound includes running boards and wheel guards for carrying little ones, I do wish that the foot boards were adjustable. I wear US size 12 men’s shoes, which are average-to-large, and I found that I had to be pretty conscious about my foot placement on the pedals to avoid scraping my heels on the front of the running boards.

Third, I like the length of the rear rack. It’s nearly 28” long, which allows for quite a bit of junk in the proverbial trunk. Depending on the cargo you’re hauling, you may lose a bit of space due to the fact that the rack tucks in under the saddle, so the lower the saddle is set, the less space there is. Overall, though – such a substantial amount of space really makes the Abound well-suited for its purpose.

Finally, while it’s a small thing, I’m really happy to see a chain guard included, too. It’s great to be able to hop on a bike and not have to worry about getting your pant legs greasy. Not only that, but the frame design of the bike seemed to necessitate an idler-wheel (sometimes called a ‘chain tensioner’) to get the chain out of the way. It eliminated the floppy chain that often accompanies long wheelbase cargo bikes.

Our Hill Test results for the Aventon Abound, which you can see above, once again require some interpretation due to the fact that we measured the bike’s performance without cargo.

In short, despite the extreme and challenging nature of our test hill, the Abound blasted up the path without breaking a sweat, both in Turbo mode and when using only throttle power. I’m sure that would have changed somewhat with the addition of some weight on the rack, but the results speak for themselves; this e-bike has the muscle to move some significant mass wherever it needs to go.

Outside of the official Hill Test, I pedaled the Abound over a variety of more average hills both with and without cargo. With no weight, Tour mode was nice for a light workout, and both of the top-end PAS settings made small and moderate hills feel like I was still on flat ground. The Abound had no trouble climbing those inclines while loaded up in Sport and Tour modes either, which I really appreciated.

When it comes to safety, the Aventon Abound is loaded with practical features, though there is at least one area that stands to improve.

Let’s talk about the good:

Like the other new / updated versions of e-bikes in the Aventon lineup, the Abound features a headlight and a taillight with turn signals. This model’s extended frame design doesn’t allow for the rear light(s) to be integrated into the seat stays as with the Aventure 2 or the Level 2, so instead there is a single unit mounted on the very back of the rear rack. I love the inclusion of turn signals, and I hope that other e-bike manufacturers take note and include them more frequently; they just add a fantastic extra level of communication and visibility when sharing the road with motor vehicles. I can’t say enough about them!

The Abound uses a motorcycle-style center stand instead of a traditional kickstand that can fully lift the rear wheel off the ground when stationary. This gives the bike three points of contact with the ground, which creates a super solid and stable platform for loading up kids or cargo. This is an absolute must on a dedicated hauler, so I was really happy to see it here! There’s also a handle built into the saddle to make lifting the back end of the bike easier.

Those planning to use the Abound for frequent family trips will appreciate the inclusion of floor boards and wheel guards to keep little riders’ feet from ending up where they shouldn’t. The rear rack can be used as a seat as-is, but I definitely recommend adding one of Aventon’s more appropriate accessories on the top of the rack for comfort and added safety.

Now for the bad:

Aventon claims that the Abound can handle a maximum payload of 440 lbs including its rider. I honestly have no doubt about the frame, rack, or motor’s abilities to match this rating, but I encountered one concern with the bike’s stem that would make me hesitant, or at least very careful, about trying to load it up to the max.

The Abound’s extended and telescoping stem is collapsible, for the purpose of making the bike easier to store and transport. Considering the frame’s length, I’m honestly not sure how practical it would be to bring the bike along in an RV or minivan, but that’s a topic for another discussion. The long, plastic stem can feel a bit wobbly when the Abound is loaded up with a large amount of weight. Ultimately, I don’t think it makes the bike inherently unsafe – the Abound will tell you by feel if something is off with a short test ride – but it is definitely something to be aware of, and personally, I’d prefer to see a more stable design here just to eliminate any potential for undesirable situations.

And finally, the ugly:

Just kidding! This is not safety or brake related, but for the sake of a good film reference, I want to point out how much the Abound stands out visually from many other cargo e-bikes we’ve seen. Even some on the costly end of the spectrum end up looking much more utilitarian than the Abound. The bike’s stocky, curved down tube has Aventon’s trademark style, and while the rear section of the frame is built solidly, its design has been made much more pleasing to look at than just a blocky grid of support members.

Back on topic, we performed a Brake Test to evaluate the Abound’s Tektro hydraulic disc brakes with 180 mm rotors. For this test – and again, without cargo – we pedaled the bike up to 20 miles per hour, then hit the brakes to come to a complete stop as quickly as possible while maintaining control. We measured the distance the Abound took to stop, then repeated the process multiple times. With three sets of data, we calculated an average braking distance.

The Abound performed very well, with an average stopping distance of 19’ 5”. It also maintained a solid, stable feel while braking. When compared with other similar e-bikes we have tested, this distance is firmly in the middle, which is about what we expected with the bike’s specced Tektro brakes. One thing to note with any e-bike is that this distance WILL be extended with the addition of extra weight (our tester weighs in at 230 lbs.). As with the range that we discussed a few sections previously, the more weight a bike has, the less well it will perform.

I have to say that the Aventon Abound doesn’t feel like it has such a long frame when you’re riding it. The bike’s 20” wheels and 2.4” Innova City tires give it a relatively high degree of maneuverability that I can’t say I expected from a dedicated cargo carrier. The aforementioned stem wobble aside, I noted during my test rides that the Abound handled well both under load and when riding weight-free thanks to its solid frame and low center of gravity. Even with cargo shifted all the way to the back of the rack, which I expected would cause some fishtailing, the Abound felt pretty stable.

In my experience, the Abound was also very comfortable to ride and operate. I’ve been a fan of the standard Aventon saddle even on longer rides, and that adjustable suspension seatpost really just added an extra layer of smoothness. The ergonomic rubber grips and overall handlebar design were a good pairing, and the pedals offered a sizable amount of surface area for reliable grip.

All-in-all, I think Aventon should be proud to add the Abound to their already massively popular and successful line of e-bikes. There’s a reason (or five) that we tend to recommend Aventon models; the company makes quality products with good components that perform well. On top of that, they look great and provide excellent value. With everything we have covered in this review of the Abound, the bike clearly holds true to Aventon’s philosophy.

The Abound is a powerful, capable, and handsome cargo- and kid-carrier that is breaking new ground for the brand. The bike has a huge weight capacity, and includes a bit more than we’re used to seeing to make it appropriately functional right out of the box. And with its stout frame, small wheels, and torque sensor, it handles and responds quickly even with a substantial payload.

Any first attempt at a product is going to have a flaw or two, so we have to give the Abound some leniency with the ones we noted. We do think it would be a bit more practical for the next iteration of the bike to ditch the collapsible stem for a longer head tube, both for the sake of stability and for better cable management. Additionally, adjustable running boards would help out riders (like me) with relatively large feet and prevent accidental heel contact.

Any first attempt at a product is going to have a flaw or two, so we have to give the Abound some leniency with the ones we noted. With the Abound’s collapsible stem, it’s clear that Aventon was going for flexibility with the bike. With the stem folded down and the seatpost removed, the Abound certainly takes up much less space, and (in theory) is easier to bring along on family adventures in a larger vehicle.

In practice, we’re not sure that’s a feature many folks will take advantage of. We can’t speak for everyone, but in our opinion, the Abound might be more practical with a static, rigid setup that would allow for tidier cable management and a more solid ride feel. Additionally, adjustable running boards would help out riders (like me) with relatively large feet to prevent accidental heel contact.

From our point of view, the goal of any cargo-capable e-bike is to rival the effectiveness of a gas-powered automobile. In order to do that, such a bike must have enough space, power, and range to be practical, and our testing shows that the Abound succeeds here with high marks. With recent trends, we expect to see many more models with capabilities similar to the Abound hitting the market soon, so Aventon’s helpful hauler will have some stiff competition – but for now, it sets the bar pretty high for an affordable, practical cargo option.

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