Pedego Avenue E-Bike Review – 2024

For the Pedigo Avenue’s range test, I used the larger, optional 7.8 lb. 14-amp hour battery Pedego provided on the high step and step-through models I tested. On our high power range test (PAS 5 on the Pedego display unit), the battery gave us 32.6 miles before dropping off. The lighter-than-average 44.6 lb. frame on the Classic I tested (52.2 lb. total with battery) helped reduce the demands placed on the battery.

My riding weight is 195 lbs. (me and my gear), and I rode a course that was mostly flat bike paths, with six short inclines that had gradients between 5% to 12% – pretty standard riding in most of the U.S. (except for the Great Plains states). Therefore, range results will be a little longer for riders who weigh less, and for riders who are riding only on flat bike paths and roads.

On the steeper inclines, the Pedego Avenue’s 500-watt motor was not able to maintain a speed of 20 mph getting our 195 lb. rider up and over. But as soon as the road leveled the motor resumed the 20 mph goal quickly when the battery was at least 50%. Once the battery dropped below 50%, the motor did not accelerate as swiftly, and it took longer to return to the 20 mph setting. It was as if the controller was telling the battery, “hey, don’t speed up so quickly, or else we will use up the battery power sooner.”

Throughout the range test, it appeared the power system was set up to avoid getting the rider stuck with no battery life left. As the Avenue dropped further in battery life, the motor became more conservative in the power demands it placed on the battery. Giving me conservative readings on the battery’s remaining charge, the Pedego Avenue was destined to get me home, not leave me stranded. The battery life display reinforces this because even when it seemed like I was almost on empty, the Avenue kept providing power to move me forward.

On the two long distance tests I performed, the display readings were consistent in listing the estimated battery life. Rather than displaying percentages, the Pedego Avenue’s display features a bar with five dots, indicating remaining battery life. Five dots on the bar indicates a full charge. As the battery power drains, the display screen removes one block at a time. The five dots on the battery indicator bar imply battery drainage is displayed in 20-percent increments, but the reading is not that precise.

In our test, the first dot disappeared at the 5th mile (87.5% battery life left). The second dot disappeared at the ninth mile (71.8% battery life). The third dot at the 17th mile (46.88%), the fourth dot disappeared at the 24th mile (25%) and the fifth dot began flashing in the final two miles before the motor became ineffective. So, if you can get within a mile or two of your destination before the warning light flashes, you should be okay.

The standard version Pedego Avenue comes with the 10.4-amp hour battery that weighs 6.4 lbs, and sells for around $2000 (the 14-amp hour battery is $250 more). Based on the information Pedego provided, riders can expect to average 18-20 miles using PAS 5 on the Avenue.

Regardless of which battery you get, if you’re leaving work on a Friday with a fully charged battery and a 20-mile commute, and you want to hurry home to start your weekend, the Avenue should get you there quickly using PAS 5. The system display is pretty user friendly in making sure you don’t get surprised and find yourself peddling unassisted for those last few miles.

Overall, I was satisfied with the Pedego Avenue’s battery’s performance. My test rides involved normal streets, terrain and hills the average commuter is likely to face. I rode responsibly, followed local traffic laws, avoided excessive use of the throttle, and pedaled consistently. The battery provided power to the motor at consistent levels, didn’t seem to run low quickly, and I felt like this bike would not leave me pedaling unassisted when I reached the last click on the display gauge, with less than three miles of my destination. The Pedego Avenue battery gets a thumb’s up from me.

The hill test was conducted at Washington, Utah’s infamous Hell Hole Trailhead by Justin, one of our team members. Hell Hole Trailhead is our standard test we put all e-bikes through for the hillclimbing test. The course is 0.3 miles long, has an average grade of 12 percent, and great for testing e-bikes on their climbing ability.

This bike wasn’t great on the hill test. Compared to other 500-watt commuter bikes we tested, it was one of our slower results on throttle, BUT it did cross the finish line which is an achievement. Several bikes have failed this test.

The first hillclimbing test involved using just the throttle to reach the top – a situation a rider might encounter when he or she wants to avoid exhaustion and sweat. The Avenue made it to the top in 121 seconds, averaging 9.0 mph.

The second hillclimbing test involves using the maximum pedal assist (PAS 5) and a minimal commitment to pedaling to reach the top. Using PAS 5 and pedaling, the Avenue made it to the top in 72 seconds, and averaged 15.1 mph. The Avenue was slightly quicker than the Ride1Up 500 (by one second), and ahead of the Euphree City Robin (by 10 seconds), Aventon Pace 500 (by 15 seconds), and the Blix Aveny Skyline (by 22 seconds). This attests to the necessity for riders to contribute their pedaling on an e-bike when facing steep hills.

Unlike the hillclimbing test, the braking test is crucial for determining the level of safety the e-bike provides to its rider. Compared to its competitors, the Avenue could have performed a little better in this area if it came stock with a hydraulic system, rather than a mechanical system. You can have the dealer add that for around $200, but we didn’t have the hydraulic system on our test bike. The results would have been better if we had the hydraulic brakes on our test bike.

Our braking test involves a series of three full-power stops from 20 mph. The Avenue came to a stop at an average distance of 22-feet, 4-inches, which was in the middle of the pack of the other commuter e-bikes we brake tested. The brakes did an alright job stopping the bike, slap a set of hydraulic brakes on this bike and it will definitely stop better.

Aside from the previous note, this e-bike comes with quality brake parts and is easy to adjust, repair and replace. The rest of the bike is designed to be easy to operate and maintain, making this a relatively well-designed bike. It also comes stock with a headlight, taillight (both run off the main battery), bell, fenders, kickstand and tool kit. So Pedego has you covered on those parts.

Throughout my test ride I was impressed at how light the bike felt, and how easy it was for me to get around obstacles, like people stopped in the middle of the bike path, and when maneuvering the bike in traffic on regular city streets. A few times I had to make some tight turns and each time I felt like I was in full control of the bike, which was a clear departure from some of the heavy fat-tire bikes I’ve ridden in the same kind of traffic.

I found it easy to adjust the handlebar stem and saddle to get fitted comfortably on the Avenue. This bike is designed for a variety of different size riders, which means it can be comfortably ridden by most riders. The Twist-and-Go throttle, MicroShift shifter, brake levers and hand grips provided ergonomic comfort and control. The 3-piece crank (5×130 mm, 45T 3/32” steel chainring, 170 mm forged aluminum crank arms) made the peddling experience agreeable with my legs, torso and extended arms. There were a few times when I pedaled and leaned into sharp turns at 20 mph, and the bottom bracket-to-ground clearance was high enough to prevent my pedals hitting the ground. Maintaining my safety, the Pedego Avenue enabled me to continue riding with confidence.

The Pedego engineering tema did a great job integrating the battery into the underside of the frame’s down tube. I could not really feel the battery’s additional weight, which made the overall riding experience that much easier.

As mentioned in the “cons” section, the sport saddle that comes stock with the Avenue is not very comfortable for extended rides. The saddle on this bike feels like the one on my downhill mountain bike, which isn’t so bad for riding since I spend a lot of my downhill riding with my butt raised over the seat.

Commuter riding does involve some points where you will need to stand on your pegs for maneuvering and speeding up, but features a lot more sitting time than mountain biking. The solution to this would be buying the optional memory foam seat Pedego offers ($47). I have the same saddle on another Pedego e-bike and it’s very comfortable on long-seated rides.

The cockpit is built around PedelSense display unit. This is a fairly simple unit to master. After you click the “M” button to turn it on, you can dive deeper into the unit’s functions by pressing the “M” button twice, which can be useful for tracking trips, changing the units of measure, and even temporarily disabling the throttle if you’re trying the limit the activities of young, curious riders. Check out the Pedego manual for more information.

Additional cockpit features include the semi-internal cable routing inside the frame – great for preventing cable damage. If and when you need to partially dismantle this bike for shipping or putting on a jetliner to your vacation destination, Pedego features its unique disconnect cable system, with waterproof connections, to make disassembly and reassembly much quicker and easier.

Considering I am 6’ and 190 lbs., the Pedego Avenue may look like it’s not made for someone my size, but this e-bike gave me a great ride, offering decent bursts of speed when I needed it most, was light and agile to handle, and it didn’t make me feel like I had ridden almost 70 miles by the time I was done testing this bike. Simply said, this bike is made for almost anyone.

An important note about the battery: Pedego designed the battery and has simplified the process of removing and reinstalling the battery by making it a two-step process that doesn’t leave you dropping the battery on the ground. Be sure to have a Pedego associate show you and let you practice a few times before you take the bike home.

I know there are less expensive commuter e-bikes out there, but when considering price there are other meaningful factors to consider when shopping for an e-bike. I mentioned earlier the solid warranty Pedego offers, which you really can’t find anywhere else. And there’s the fact that you can find a Pedego dealership in over 200 cities across the country.

The Pedego Avenue will really appeal to you if you’re not accustomed to wrenching on bikes and you don’t already have a bike shop you love that services e-bikes.If you’re serious about riding your e-bike then you will be logging enough miles on it to require annual maintenance (or sooner if you’re really avid). Pedego makes that easy by providing a shop that likely already has the parts you need, and mechanics who have worked on the Avenue numerous times before. Having a bike shop to service your e-bike is extremely important if you’re not a DIY e-bike owner.

I like to think of the Avenue as one of the e-bikes that is helping to get more butts in more bike seats. This lightweight e-bike simplifies cyclists lives in how it can be easily ridden around town for 30 – 50 miles between charges, it is easier to load onto bike racks, buses, elevators and up stairways. As traffic and crowding worsen, and more people look for solutions in transportation (as well as for exercise) more people are going to hop on e-bikes like the Pedego Avenue. Given Pedego’s powerful role in the e-bike industry, I think we will see a lot more of these Avenue’s on the roads and trails across the country. If you feel the same way, then please click the link below to find out where you can get your Avenue, and get your two wheels on the road.

‘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 Pedego Avenue.