Aventon Level.2 Step Thru (ST) Review | Level Up Your Ride

“How far will the battery take me?” That’s a common question we get from readers here at EBR. Comparing the Level 1 ST to the Level 2 ST in terms of battery range was our main question when doing the range tests. How much better, if at all, would the Level 2 ST do over the earlier version? The short answer is that the Level 2 ST range increased significantly.

Determining the battery’s range involves two tests. In the first, we ride the bike in the lowest PAS setting for pedaling, and see how many miles the bike will go before the battery runs out of juice. In the second test, we use the highest PAS setting, for maximum power output, and ride the Level until the battery uses up all its power. That gives us a maximum ranger using maximum power, and a minimum range using minimum power.

In the Min PAS test, riding in PAS 1 the whole time, this bike went 51.21miles, in 3:57, and an average speed of 12.96 mph. When we did the same test on the Level 1 bike it only went 42.33 miles, meaning the new Level 2 increased its range by almost 10 miles. Getting an extra 10 miles out of each charge is a free gift we’d all love to have.

On the Max PAS test, riding in PAS 5 the whole time, this battery had enough juice to take me 38.14 miles, time of 2:11, avg speed 17.4 mph. On the old bike we only went 23.31 miles, at the same average speed of 17.4 mph. Here again we see a notable range increase of almost 15 miles with the new Level. Keep in mind that both bikes use the same 14 Ah battery, so this improvement has everything to do with replacing the cadence sensor with a torque sensor and re-calibrating the pedal assist system. These differences are pretty significant and highlight how the torque sensor really improves this bike’s ride.

Our hillclimb test is rigorous and is meant to help us identify the e-bike motor’s raw power and how it distributes that to the rear wheel. This is not a pass/fail test. Some great e-bikes have struggled on this test. For the hill test, we use one of the steepest hills around: Southwest Utah’s Hell Hole Trail.

In the first part of the test, using the throttle only without pedaling, you can evaluate the raw power of the e-bike. The Level 2 ST did not make it all the way to the top on the throttle-only test. We weren’t surprised by this. Seeing as how the Level 2 high step we tested a few months back just made it up the hill this wasn’t a total shock with me riding it this time and the few extra pounds I have on our main hill tester, Justin likely making the difference.

The second part of the test involves basic pedaling while utilizing the highest Pedal Assist System (PAS) level, specifically PAS 5. This test examines how effectively the e-bike’s motor assists the rider during pedaling. It demonstrates the bike’s climbing ability when the rider combines their own pedaling power with the motor’s assistance. PAS 5 is the highest level, suggesting it provides maximum motor support, which is particularly important for conquering steep inclines.

When we did the 2nd hill climb test, using PAS 5 and doing basic pedaling, the Level 2 reached the top of the hill with a time of 1:24, at an average speed of 12.9 mph. So, you see, this bike can climb monster hills, like Hell Hole, as long as you’re contributing pedal power. After all, this is still a bicycle, not a motorcycle.

Safety starts with having good working brakes, and the Level 2 showed us it had decent stopping power. This bike’s average stopping distance was 23’4”. This is a tad bit longer than most commuters, which average in the 20-22 foot range. But this result is still okay. We noticed after the test that the brake lever felt a bit squishy, and it was nearly a 3 feet longer result than the Level 2 high step we did just a few months ago, so we’ll bleed the brakes and update the written review with the new findings on our next batch of brake tests to see if it made a difference at all.

I found this bike braked well when I did an assortment of test rides, including stopping at the bottom of some steep downhill trails, where my speed was 25 mph or more. Rather than having to feather the brakes to help me slow the bike while riding downhill, I was able to coast at top speed on the Level, and use the brakes at the bottom of the hill to safely stop. I was happy to see these brakes handle my somewhat aggressive riding style.

Overall, theTektro HD-E350 hydraulic disc brakes on this bike stopped well for me consistently. Using 180mm rotors, and dual piston calipers, these brakes performed well repeatedly. And speaking of reliability, Tektro is known as a reliable bike brake brand and you can find Tektro brake parts almost anywhere, making it easier for you (or your bike mechanic) to find parts, come service time.

Commuter e-bikes handle and ride better when they have decent suspension, lighter weight and a frame size that pairs well with the rider’s height and weight.

The handlebar, grips, levers and display controls are pretty important to consider when looking to buy an e-bike. Being in control doesn’t always mean feeling in control on an e-bike. Certain nuances like slippery grips or difficult to operate display units can make riders feel like they’re not in control, diminishing their confidence and spoiling their ride.

Fortunately, Aventon did their homework when designing the Level 2 ST. The 680mm aluminum handlebar fits that happy medium of being narrow enough to twist and turn the bike around pedestrians, bikes and other obstacles on the path or road, while also being wide enough to help the rider control the bike better. The ergonomic rubber grips enhance that experience because it’s easier to keep a hold on rubber grips than on faux leather grips – especially when wet. And the simple 4-button PAS panel means you won’t have to deal with too many intricacies changing settings in the middle of your ride.

The EBR team all agree that Aventon succeeded in improving the Level 2 ST e-bike, and we liked the subtle – yet practical – changes they made. We’re especially happy to see they are now putting torque sensors on all of their e-bikes. We are big proponents of torque sensors and believe that this could spark a trend with other commuter e-bikes because they improve the quality of the ride for active pedalers.

Having so much to like, such as a motor with quick engagement, a range beyond 50 miles, a smooth ride, and a sturdy rack to carry up to 55 lbs of cargo, then it’s easy to see why the Level 2 ST has been the bike of choice for many commuters, and will continue to be.

DIY mechanics should appreciate the phone and online support Aventon offers. I used them to help me take care of a software update on my Aventon e-bike (not revealing who I was), and they were wonderful to work with.

Adding icing to that cake is the fact that Aventon offers a limited 2-year warranty. Shipping is free to all 48 contiguous US states, and there’s a conditional 14-day return policy in case you decide not to keep the bike.

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 Level 2 ST.