Aventon Level 4 REC or Ramblas ADV. Help!

[Elias]

Can the Aventon Level 4 Rec handle gravel and dirts roads without issue? I would mostly be on pavement, but I love to go on adventures as well.

I'm torn between getting the Level 4 REC and the Ramblas ADV. I prefer the more upright positioning possible on the REC, but I was thinking the Ramblas ADV may be fine with some risers put in.

If there were any Level 4 ADVs available, that would be my choice, but they've been out of stock and will probably continue to be out until late august.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

It really depends on the terrain type you intend to ride. The Ramblas is very good for climbing and descending. However, it is a mountain bike, so it is a climber but by no means a speed demon. The Level 4 is a commuter bike. It is heavy, which is disadvantageous if the terrain becomes really tough. The gearing is for the speed but it is not really designed for any steep climbs. Also, the brakes on the Level 4 REC are not made for serious hills.

The component specs of ADV are rather weak, and are even weaker for the REC. Which explains rather a low price of both e-bikes.

Ramblas for adventure, Level 4 for asphalt with a little bit of easy terrain.

I was thinking the Ramblas ADV may be fine with some risers put in.

It would defeat the purpose of that fine e-MTB.

 

[Elias]

It really depends on the terrain type you intend to ride. The Ramblas is very good for climbing and descending. However, it is a mountain bike, so it is a climber but by no means a speed demon. The Level 4 is a commuter bike. It is heavy, which is disadvantageous if the terrain becomes really tough. The gearing is for the speed but it is not really designed for any steep climbs. Also, the brakes on the Level 4 REC are not made for serious hills.

The component specs of ADV are rather weak, and are even weaker for the REC. Which explains rather a low price of both e-bikes.

Ramblas for adventure, Level 4 for asphalt with a little bit of easy terrain.


It would defeat the purpose of that fine e-MTB.

Thanks for your input! I was thinking about the risers because I have a right elbow issue and the less strain I put on it the better.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Thanks for your input! I was thinking about the risers because I have a right elbow issue and the less strain I put on it the better.

I used to own a classy e-MTB until I realised it was a wrong choice for me. Worse. Being a noob, I used a stem riser. While the ride became more comfortable, I was shifted onto my butt, which ruined my ass. Ramblas, being an e-MTB has a very wide 760 mm handlebar, which makes you ride in an unpleasant forward position. Installing a narrower bar such as 660-680 mm (or, trimming the bars if absolutely necessary) would improve your riding position without compromising your health or safety. Still, it is a slow e-bike because of its design purpose: climbs and descents in a rough terrain.

I cannot fail noticing the Level models are equipped rather poorly re drivetrain or brakes.

 

[gromike]

If you're not doing the hard stuff, any bike will do. We were trail ridding our ten speeds before the invention of the mountain bike, so I'm rather casual in that regard.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Welcome aboard! With that elbow restriction, pretty risky to buy a bike you've never ridden. Bike fit is a very subjective thing. No one here can tell you which bike will actually be better for your elbow on longer rides.

True, the more upright you are, the more weight on your butt, and the less on your arms. But ride roughness and handlebar configuration might also play important roles.

Gravel isn't all the same, and success in riding on it depends a lot on the tires — which you can always change to suit your needs. My wife rides this blue cruiser with 2.4" commuter tires on hardpack and "easy" gravel (smaller rock fragments, not too deep or loose) all the time.

My old Level.2-like commuter with these aftermarket 2.3" hybrid tires (low center lugs, higher side lugs) does well on most gravel. But not on steep offroad descents, where it's really up to the front center lugs to carry most of the braking load.

 

[PedalUma]

My former boss owns the local Specialized shop that also carries other curated brands and models. His name is Aaron of Petaluma Motor Wheel. You can look him up and contact him by email. He can ride whatever he wants. His go to bike currently is an Aventon Level 4 ADV. He says it is a Vado but so much more. The motor does make a clunk sometimes on a bump. I find that odd. But he says some other top brands do that too. I really like Shimano Cues drivetrains for gravel and road. I test rode it up a five-story parking garage by his downtown shop and loved it. 28 mph and 100Nm is about just right. August is a month away and Aventon has plenty of local dealers where you can test ride the owner's go to ride. I think that a bit narrower, riser, backswept bar is in order. That is what I installed on my Vado. $28. I used a Harbor Freight small pipe cutter, $12, on the mustache bar to remove 40mm per side. And upgraded the saddle, grips, and pedals. That Vado was a great bike for around town. It was free to me, but I would not buy one. Not a thing is wrong with it; Far better options are available to all. I best like right-to-repair open source lightweight bikes that do not look electric and have external batteries that look much like a water bottle. These outrun and outlast anything from dealers with better feel when programmed.