Aventon Sinch Step-Through Review 2023

Compared to the battery life of other Aventons we’ve reviewed and similar e-bikes, the Sinch’s battery range is fairly solid.

We did two range tests on the Sinch Step-Through — the first in PAS 3 and the second in PAS 5 — in order to get an idea of how the bike’s 48V, 14Ah (672Wh) frame-integrated battery performs in the real world.

Those tests yielded the following results:

• PAS 3: 38.93 miles, 14.2 mph average
• PAS 5: 27.84 miles, 18.1 mph average

The figure that stands out most to me here are the PAS 5 results which, compared to other Aventon e-bikes we’ve reviewed, is one of the best of the bunch. In fact the only bikes that registered further PAS 5 range tests were the all-new Aventon Pace 500 Step-Through and the Aventon Level.

For a folding e-bike with a 500W rear hub motor, the Sinch Step-Through performed shockingly well uphill.

On our test hill Hell Hole, a one-third of a mile long section of bike path that pitches to an average of 12 percent, the Sinch was one of the best performing Aventons we’ve reviewed. We did two tests on Hell Hole, the first using just the throttle and the second in PAS 5 with the help of my legs.

The results were as follows:

• Throttle: 1:35.00, 11.4 mph average
• PAS 5: 1:14.00, 14.7 mph average

Compared to the other Aventon’s we’ve reviewed, both of those times are among the best we’ve seen on Hell Hole. The throttle-only result in particular is notable because it’s the second-quickest time we’ve seen among the Aventons.

These results are particularly impressive when you consider the Sinch Step-Through, at 68 lbs, is not particularly light. It’s also powered by a 500W rear hub motor, a motor size that can sometimes yield a mixed bag of results on the steeper pitches of Hell Hole, with many 500W e-bikes (including several Aventons) actually not able to make it to the top without help from the rider.

The Sinch Step-Through comes stock with a set of mechanical disk brakes with 180mm rotors front and rear which, on our review model of the bike, was a Tektro outfit.

In the e-bike world, mechanical disk brakes have gotten a bad wrap as cheap options that aren’t powerful enough to handle the high weights and high speeds of modern e-bikes. In some cases of off-brand mechanical brakes, this sentiment is true.

But when it comes to name-brand models such as those from Tektro, mechanical disk brakes can prove just as powerful (or even more powerful) than their hydraulic counterparts. Most often, it comes down to how well the brakes are set up.

The Tektro mechanical disk brakes that came on our review model of the Sinch help prove the above rule. Despite not being hydraulic and despite the Sinch’s fairly hefty 68lb weight, the Tektro’s performed better than most in our braking test.

Our braking test results consist of the average stopping distance of five full-power stops from 20 mph. According to our results, the Sinch Step-Through is, as of publication of this review, the fifth-best stopping e-bike we’ve tested thus far.

Like many e-bikes at the top of our leaderboard, we didn’t expect the Sinch to perform so well.

To many people, this test is likely going to seem the least important in this review. But in reality, it might be the most important thing in here. E-bikes are heavy, fast and oftentimes ridden by newer or less experienced riders. Braking matters, especially when things go wrong. So far that result, we give the Sinch Step-Through a big round of applause.

The fit and handling of the Sinch Step-Through is fairly standard among affordable folding bikes.

It’s got narrow handlebars and a very upright riding position, and the overall size of the bike is a little geared towards smaller riders as opposed to lanky folk like me. I’m 6’1” and with the seatpost maxed out I still had quite a lot of bend in my knee. According to Aventon, the new Sinch Step-Through is designed to comfortably fit riders from 4’11” to 6’3”, though if you’re on the upper end of that spectrum I’d expect to feel a little cramped — especially while pedaling.

That’s OK considering the Sinch’s geometry leans more towards compact cruising over high-intensity riding, but taller riders looking to use the Sinch for fitness purposes should take note — it’s not going to be the best fitting or feeling e-bike for high-intensity pedaling.

But when it comes to cruising bike paths, the Sinch is killer fun. Its small 20-inch wheels and fat tires make the bike very nimble while the near normal size wheelbase keeps the bike stable. It’s a quick handling bike, like all in this category are, but not so quick it delivers surprises.

At the cockpit Aventon gave the Sinch its relatively freshly designed full color LCD display, which is my personal favorite among all the displays in the affordable e-bike category. It’s a feature-rich display that’ll do much more than simply record ride metrics, but doesn’t require a manual to navigate. It’s paired with an easy-to-use touchpad that helps navigate the different screens, operate the lights, cycle through the PAS levels and turn the bike on or off.

Among the new additions to the Sinch Step-Through are a new make, model and style of tires. The 4-inch wide Chao Yang Arisun tires are more than a trendy aesthetic facelift, they actually sport a different tread pattern that slightly changes how the bike rides.

The high-step version of the Sinch comes stock with a set of mid-fat knobby tires from Kenda, which offer a little additional off-road performance the Sinch doesn’t really need. The semi-slick tread pattern of the Chao Yang tires better suits the Sinch, giving it less rolling resistance on pavement and a quieter ride.

From the new looks to updated componentry, there’s quite a lot I like about the new Sinch Step-Through. But I’ve yet to mention the one thing about this bike I like the most.

I absolutely love how silent and sturdy this bike is; something I cannot say about every electric folding bike I’ve reviewed.

Folding bikes, in theory, offer a good storage and transportation solution for a product that oftentimes requires ample storage space and special tools (like burly hitch racks) for transport. But, by effectively sawing a bike in half then reattaching it with a hinge, they also pose a huge engineering issue that some brands solve better than others.

Oftentimes, folding e-bikes I review rattle in concerning ways or flex while riding in directions I’d really prefer they not. The Sinch has none of these issues. In fact, this is one of the few folding e-bikes I’ve reviewed where I actually forgot it folded when riding. Aside from the funky looks and small wheels, it handles and feels much like a normal bicycle.

That reason alone is why I’d recommend the Aventon Sinch Step-Through if you’re considering an affordable electric folding bike. Factor in its looks, componentry and motor performance, and this is probably the top bike on my personal list of best electric folding bikes.

Like all of Aventon’s e-bikes, the Sinch Step-Through can be bought online and shipped directly to your door from the button above.

‘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 Sinch Step-Through.