Aventon Abound SR Review | Utility & Security at its Finest

The Abound SR’s results in our Range Test are shown in the graphic above, along with an explanation of our testing process.

Our Turbo mode result of 34.6 miles closely matches the average of 33.8 miles when compared with all other utility e-bikes we have tested. The SR’s Eco mode result of 87.1 miles, however, was remarkable! We exceeded the utility e-bike category average of 57.9 miles—and Aventon’s advertised 60-mile range—by roughly 50%!

A few factors likely played into the Abound SR’s results. First, its torque sensor naturally makes it more energy efficient than similar bikes with cadence sensors since its motor output is able to fluctuate instead of being a constant flow of continuous output.

Second, the bike’s 720-Wh battery capacity is somewhat below average in comparison with other utility bikes we’ve tested—on average, those bikes carried 770 Wh batteries. This suggests that the SR’s 36V electrical system helps it conserve power and get more miles out of its battery.

This is supported further when considering one bike in particular: the Troxus Lynx Plus. The Lynx achieved similar results in our Range Test—86 miles in its lowest assist setting—with a 48V electrical system and a gigantic 960-Wh battery. It also used a torque sensor, so the potential advantage gained by the SR’s sensor is negated.

Additionally, when considering our Turbo mode test, we can divide the Abound SR’s battery capacity by its motor’s wattage to get an estimated ride time. With a 720-Wh battery and a 750W motor, we can estimate that the test would last 58 minutes and give us about 17 miles of range (based on the SR’s Speed Test results). Our Range Test results were over double those numbers, proving the Abound SR to be a seriously efficient ride.

It is important to remember that the bike’s range will decrease when riding at higher speeds and/or when carrying cargo/passengers. Otherwise, we consider its range extremely practical for daily use cases such as running errands, commuting to work, or getting some fresh air.

As a bonus, the bike comes with a 4-amp fast charger (most standard chargers are 2-3 amps), which can recharge the battery in about five hours!

As with the Range Test section above, the Abound SR’s Hill Test results and our testing methods are explained in the graphic above. We were surprised to note that both portions of the test shared the same time and average speed results—this simply does not happen often!

At the time of writing, the utility e-bike category averages 1:23 in the throttle portion and 1:14 when pedaling. The Abound SR performed better than average by 8 seconds in the throttle portion of the test and landed neck-and-neck with the average in the pedal portion of the test.

A handful of factors affect Hill Test performance, including the motor’s peak wattage and torque, the bike’s overall weight and tire size, and the type of sensor used to engage the motor. I will give a brief explanation of these factors in relation to the utility e-bike category averages below:

• In terms of weight, the Abound SR’s 80 lbs is about 5 pounds heavier than average (75.5 lbs) for this category.
• Its 80 Newton meters of torque is slightly below the category average of 84 Nm. With a 25A controller, we would expect that its motor peaks at 900 watts, which is relatively conservative for a 750W rear hub.
• Utility bikes commonly have 20×4” fat tires, so the Abound SR’s 20×3” tires are a bit narrower than average, so they are lighter, but they also have less grip.
• Finally, the SR’s torque sensor naturally makes it less effective when climbing hills than similar models with cadence sensors due to its variable motor output.

With these factors in mind, we wouldn’t have expected it to do so well—at least on paper. However, the recipe works; I can attest from personal experience that the SR’s throttle feels peppy and more than capable. Pedaling has an extremely natural feel that requires some legwork, but the motor is also powerful enough to make short work of hills.

I personally tested the bike at our secondary test location, called Pilot Hill; this hill is similar in length and difficulty to Hell Hole. I tested the SR with and without a 57-pound sandbag and a cargo basket on the rear rack to ensure that the motor could handle the added weight of a young child or a heavy load of groceries.

Without the sandbag, I finished my throttle test in 1:04 and my pedal test in 1:15. The sandbag slowed my throttle time by 11 seconds (17%) to 1:15, while my pedal time slowed by 12 seconds (16%) to 1:27. The extra weight was apparent, as I had to pedal noticeably harder to reach the top of the hill, but the motor was effective in making the job easier.

My takeaway is that the Abound SR has the power to help riders pedal up and over steep hills while making it feel as though they are on an analog bike—even when it’s loaded down. The pedaling experience is active and involves some effort, but the throttle is powerful enough to do the heavy lifting when you need a break.

Using the method above, we determined the Abound SR’s average stopping distance to be 20’5”, which is identical to our utility e-bike category average (at the time of writing).

Once again, there are a handful of factors contributing to braking performance, including geometry, weight, tire size, and brake specs. Compared to similar utility e-bikes, the Abound SR is relatively standard in its geometry. As mentioned above, it is slightly heavier than average, and its tires are on the narrower side, so it should be harder to slow down.

These factors seemed to be offset by the bike’s Tektro E-3520 hydraulic disc brake system. It was interesting to see a 203-millimeter rotor in the rear; most similar bikes we’ve tested had 180-mm rotors on both wheels. In most cases where two different-sized rotors are used, the larger is usually on the front since that wheel takes the brunt of the braking force.

Regardless, I can attest that the Abound SR’s brakes felt and performed extremely well. They stopped the bike quickly, modulated speed well, and did not feel significantly affected when carrying the aforementioned sandbag and cargo basket on the rear rack.

With good performance and a very solid feel, we give the Abound SR two thumbs up in this test!

Ride quality is an umbrella term that refers to the many factors that influence how a bike feels to ride. In the Abound SR’s case, strap in for a lengthy read, as we have many points to discuss! This section will cover the bike’s sizing/fit, comfort, handling, user interface, and motor engagement, in addition to details about its security features and the Aventon app.

The Abound SR is advertised to fit a wide range of riders from 4’11” to 6’3”. It features a threaded or “quill” stem with 5.5” of vertical adjustment in handlebar height, as well as 6” of adjustment in saddle height with its suspension seatpost. Additionally, riders can rotate the 680-mm handlebars to adjust reach.

At 5’11”, I found the bike generally comfortable with an upright and relaxed riding position. However, I found the range of saddle height adjustment limiting and was not able to achieve full leg extension to maximize the efficiency of my pedaling—which is important on an e-bike that encourages an active and engaged experience.

I measured the bike’s reinforced seat tube and found that it could accommodate a seatpost up to 350mm in length (the standard seatpost is 250mm). I understand that engineering concerns are a factor in seatpost length, so if the seat tube is capable of handling the load, we encourage Aventon to include a longer and more accommodating seatpost in the future.

Leg extension aside, I found the bulbous custom Selle Royal saddle and the bike’s ergonomic rubber grips to be comfortable. I also appreciated the ride cushioning from the coil suspension fork and suspension seatpost; both offer 50 mm of travel to absorb the impact from dips and bumps.

As mentioned in the intro to this review, the Abound SR’s handling is akin to that of a “regular” bike due to its wheelbase (45.3”) and agile 20” wheels. I liked the bike’s predictable steering and nimble feel; it reminded me of the BMX I rode in my teenage years.

The bike’s 3”-wide tires added some additional cushion to the ride as well as an appreciated degree of stability. As I mentioned previously, many similar bikes employ wider 4” tires, but I personally find 3” to be a better balance between weight, stability, and maneuverability.

Aventon equipped the bike well with included fenders, lights, a chain guard, and mesh wheel guards. As one of the first brands to include rear turn signals as standard practice, Aventon clearly prioritizes safety; I was pleased to once again see indicator lights integrated into the SR’s tail/brake light.

The cockpit and user interface are appreciably simple and straightforward; the handlebar is uncluttered, as it hosts only the bike’s grips, brake levers, shifter, and a small but appealing color display. I found the battery charge percentage somewhat difficult to read, though otherwise, the display presents information in a clear and organized manner.

I must also give praise for including only three pedal assist settings at a time when five are still more common. Personally, I find three settings to be optimal when paired with a torque sensor; as discussed in the Speed Test, the Abound SR offers options for energy conservation, general riding, and carrying cargo or a passenger.

Speaking of riding with extra weight, I want to highlight the SR’s sturdy ride, which relates to the construction process used to create much of its frame. The bike’s head tube, down tube, and bottom bracket are cast in a single piece instead of being multiple pieces welded together.

This method allowed Aventon to engineer internal structural reinforcements into the frame to help maintain stiffness under load. Frame flex under load was a primary element of our critique when we reviewed the original Abound, but Aventon largely solved this problem with the SR. All step-thru frames have some flex, but the SR felt stiffer than average.

The Abound SR is compatible with a myriad of optional accessories for carrying a child passenger or cargo. These include simple seat cushions, a more supportive “captain’s chair,” pannier bags, a cargo basket, etc. Owners of the full-size Abound should be aware that only the optional front cargo rack is able to be swapped between the two models.

Now for the fun stuff: a deeper exploration of the Abound’s security features and the Aventon app.
I stated in the intro that the ACU module can lock the bike’s kickstand in place; this can be done manually through the app or the bike’s display, but it can also be set up to happen automatically when the bike is turned off.

An Unusual Activity Detection feature will send alerts through the Aventon app if the bike is moved or jostled. When active, an alarm can also be triggered. In the event of theft, users can remotely activate Lost Mode, which locates the bike, turns off pedal assist, locks the kickstand, and deactivates further location tracking until the bike is recovered.

When using the geofencing features, owners can set up allowed or restricted zones on a GPS map. If the bike crosses out of allowed zones or into restricted areas, the alarm will engage, and the SR’s pedal assist system will deactivate.

These features are dependent on the included 4G chip; a free subscription is included for a period of one year upon purchase. After this period, users will need to pay $2 monthly or $20 annually to maintain their subscription.

I also referenced the app’s ability to tune the bike’s motor output using the Ride Tune feature. This allows the user to alter torque output, change the amount of pedal assist (watts), and adjust the pedal response to alter the torque sensor’s sensitivity. We found the default settings to be a great starting point.

Additional app features include ride data tracking and the ability to sync with Apple Health and Strava. The app also opens up access to the Aventon community, where owners can share their rides and interact with others in a social-media-like environment.

Clearly, the Abound SR offers a rich user experience that we feel is well worth its learning curve. Many of its features are rare on e-bikes that cost double or triple its price! This makes the bike a standout in terms of its functionality; while it may never be able to replace a car completely, it is decidedly an excellent substitute for one in many instances.

The Abound SR is a unique step forward for Aventon. The full-size model we reviewed previously felt somewhat like a first attempt, while this new, shortened, and improved version had a much more intentional and carefully crafted feel.

With its streamlined design, adjustable quill stem, and highly responsive torque sensor, the Abound SR was rather clearly inspired by the Specialized Globe Haul ST. Considering that bike’s success, this was no surprise, but we were extremely pleased to note that Aventon did not simply copy the Haul ST—they added their own spin to create something new.

Elements like the SR’s gravity-cast frame, ACU smart module, locking kickstand, and ejecting battery showcase the lengths the brand is willing to go to stand out. We’re frankly floored at all of the useful high-tech features Aventon included. The Aventon app is an essential component of owning the bike, making it feel contemporary and, well, just cool!

The Abound SR performed well across the board in our testing, with excellent range potential, intuitive and customizable programming, great climbing power, and solid braking. We recommend that Aventon include a longer seatpost to improve pedal efficiency, but otherwise, there’s a lot to love about this bike and its performance.

We recommend the SR for those seeking a true multipurpose e-bike with the ability to transport cargo and child passengers and simultaneously provide a good workout. It’s also a great option for those who prioritize security, whether in a dense urban environment or more rural surroundings.

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