Aventon Pace 350 Electric Bike Review Part 1 – Pictures Specs
4 Комментарии и мнения владельцев
The all new Aventon Pace 350 just launched and this is a well equipped eBike for around a thousand dollars!
Like the Pace 500 the 350 has the cruiser style design with its swept back handlebars, comfortable seating position, and balloon style tires.
The Pace 350 provides pedal assist or throttle up to 20mph with a 350 watt hub motor and 36V 11.6ah frame integrated lithium battery.
Some of the component highlights are a Shimano 7 speed drivetrain, Tektro mechanical disc brakes, and Kenda tires.
There is also the option for a step-thru frame that makes getting on and off the bike easier.
In this first part of the testing review you will get a detailed look at this bike with a BUNCH of pictures and the specifications.
Part 2 of the Aventon Pace 350 testing review will give you info on the ride characteristics, results from the range test, pros, cons, and overall thoughts on this eBike.
Alright, let’s take a closer look at the Aventon Pace 350!
The Aventon Pace 350 is ready for the open road!
In addition to the Cast Blue color in this review the Aventon Pace 350 is also available in the Chalk White color shown above.
Aventon offers 3 sizes of the Pace 350 that are:
Small for riders in height 5′-1″ to 5′-7″
Medium for riders in height 5′-7″ to 5′-11″
Large for riders in height 5′-11″ to 6′-2″
The bike is this testing review is the Medium frame size.
There is also the step-thru frame option that comes in 2 different sizes:
Small for riders in height 4′-11″ to 5′-4″
Medium for riders in height 5′-4″ to 5′-10″
The step-thru model comes in Amethyst (shown above) or Chalk White color options.
6061 aluminum tubing with some hydroformed shaping makes up the Pace 350 frame and fork.
The hydroformed tubing provides additional material where it is needed for extra strength in addition to creating shapes for the integration of components like the battery housed in the downtube.
Smoothed welds are a nice frame detail that provides a clean look with the tubing blending together. This is a view of the top and down tubes connecting to the head tube.
Here is a closer look at the smoothed welds at the top tube and seat stay connections at the seat tube.
Also visible is the seat post quick release for quick seat height adjustments and there are rear rack attachment points on the seat stays.
The 6061 aluminum fork has a clean look with an aerodynamic style and smoothed welds. There are attachment points for fenders.
One of the big design highlights is the downtube mounted battery because it is a clean look and it is a good location for the weight distribution.
The low and centered weight distribution is good for the balance of the bike when picking it up and it is also very beneficial for the overall bike handling.
The battery is a 36V 11.6ah (417.6 Wh) lithium battery with Samsung cell.
At the top of the battery there is a charge level indicator in addition to the one on the display.
Here is a view of the left side of the battery with the lock at the top and the charge port at the bottom.
Removing the battery is accomplished by unlocking it with the key (2 supplied) and rotating it to the left side of the bike and lifting it out of the downtube.
Here is a look at the downtube with the battery removed.
When the battery has been removed the bike weighs 40.7 pounds (Medium size in this test) which makes it a little easier to pick up and load onto a car rack.
The bike with the battery weighs 46.7 pounds (Medium size in this test).
This is a closer look at the lock and electrical connection at the top of the battery mount area.
And the battery attachment point near the bottom of the downtube.
The battery can be charged on or off the bike. Charging time is about 4 hours for a full charge. The battery weighs 6.0 pounds.
Here is a look at the charger plugged into the battery while its on the bike.
Providing the assist is a 350 watt geared rear hub motor that assists up to 20 mph.
The Pace 350 has 5 different pedal assist levels that is based on a cadence sensor system.
There is also a thumb throttle that will provide assist up to 20mph and you don’t need to be pedaling while using the throttle.
A walk mode is available that moves the bike at about 3.5 mph and helps when walking the bike up hill/stairs.
The Aventon Pace 350 is a Class 2 electric bike.
Also in this view is the Shimano 7 speed 14t to 28t cogset.
On the other side of the 350 watt geared hub motor is the 180mm disc brake rotor for the Tektro MD-280 mechanical disc brakes.
Now let’s take a look at the control center of the Pace 350.
The handlebar has a swept back cruiser style that provides a comfortable and relaxed ride feel.
On the left side of the handlebar is an ergonomic grip, front Tektro mechanical disc brake lever, thumb throttle, and control pad.
The ergonomic grips have a “wing” area to provide some wrist support and they have a lock on collar to keep them from rotating.
In this view is the thumb throttle and control pad.
The thumb throttle has a wide spectrum of assist that smoothly transitions from just a little to full power. The throttle provides assist up to 20mph and don’t need to be pedaling.
The control pad (to the right of the thumb throttle) adjusts the pedal assist levels with the up and down arrows. The on/off button (below the arrow buttons) cycles through information on the display.
Here is a closer look at the Tektro MD-M280 mechanical disc brake lever.
There are sensors in each brake lever that will stop the assist when either brake lever is engaged.
The large LCD Smart Display is mounted in the center of the handlebar and it provides information on the battery level, speed, pedal assist mode, odometer, trip distance, max speed, average speed, battery voltage, and ride time.
The display has a backlight for easily seeing it day or night.
The right side of the handlebar features an ergonomic grip, Tektro rear mechanical disc brake lever, and Shimano 7 speed shifter.
Here is closer look at the Shimano 7 speed shifter.
The front 44t chaining has double chainring guards to keep the chain on the chainring and to help with keeping your pant legs clean.
A Shimano Tourney rear derailleur shifts through the 7 speed 14t to 28t Shimano cogset.
This is a closer look at the rear Tektro MD-M280 mechanical disc brake caliper with 180mm rotor attached to the 350 watt geared rear hub motor.
And this is the Tektro HD-T285 hydraulic disc brake with 180mm rotor on the front.
Kenda Kwick Seven Sport 27.5″ x 2.2″ eBike rated tires are used front and rear. They have a smooth profile for an efficient ride and channeling to dissipate water.
The balloon cruiser style adds to the casual look of the Aventon Pace 350.
The aluminum pedals have a large platform with a grippy surface and reflectors on the front and back.
The Velo Comfort saddle has a wider profile and double springs for a comfortable ride.
The Aventon Pace 350 comes with a water bottle cage and versatile attachment system that makes it easy to mount the water bottle in various locations on the bike.
The kickstand has an adjustable height so you set the angle of the bike when it is parked.
Aventon Pace 350 Electric Bike Specifications
Frame: 6061 Double-Butted Aluminum Alloy
Fork: 6061 Aluminum Alloy, Tapered
Motor: 350W geared rear hub motor
Battery: Semi-Integrated 36V 11.6Ah (417.6 Wh) with Samsung Cells. The battery weighs 6.0 pounds.
Assist Options: 5 pedal assist levels, thumb throttle, and walk mode.
Speed: Pedal assist and/or throttle to 20 mph which makes this a Class 2 eBike.
Display: LCD Smart Display that provides information on the battery level, speed, pedal assist mode, odometer, trip distance, max speed, average speed, battery voltage, ride time.
Drivetrain: Shimano Tourney 7 speed rear derailleur. 44t chainring with 14t to 28t cogset.
Brakeset: Tektro MD-M280 mechanical disc brakes with 180mm rotors
Tires: 27.5″ x 2.2″ Kenda Kwick Seven Sport, E-bike Rated
Seat: Velo Comfort
Sizes: Small (5′-1″ to 5′-7″) Medium (5′-7″ to 5′-11″) Large (5′-11″ to 6′-2″). Step-thru frame available in Small (4′-11″ to 5′-4″) Medium (5′-4″ to 5′-10″) size.
Colors: Cast Blue or Chalk White in the step-over frame. Amethyst or Chalk White in the step-thru frame.
Weight: 46.7 pounds for the Medium frame size in this test. 40.7 pounds with the battery removed.
Stay tuned for part 2 of the Aventon Pace 350.-
Reader Interactions
Комментарии и мнения владельцев
I’m continuously impressed by what is becoming available for affordable ebikes. A couple things jumped out for me on this one though. The gearing is too low. At max assisted speed you would have to pedal at over 90 rev/min to keep a bit of force on the pedals. A 48t or 52t chainring and 11-32 cogset would be better, but it looks like the chainring is riveted to the crankarm, so is not easy to swap out. Also, I’ll never understand why so many manufacturers put the charge port down low by the pedals. For something you’ll use every day, it should be up near the head tube, where it’s easier to reach and align, and less vulnerable to road grime.
Am I right to assume that all the electrical components, esp. the battery are completely waterproof? Product info only says the info display is water “resistant.”
In my previous message about whether or not the bike is waterproof, my question was regarding the Aventon Pace bikes specifically. Sorry.
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Aventon Pace 350 Review
To run the forums, host the website, and travel, I charge a universal service fee for my reviews. This review was sponsored by Aventon. My goal is to be transparent and unbiased, this video and written review are not meant to be an endorsement of Aventon products.
The Aventon Pace 350 is an affordable yet capable and versatile ebike which aims to give more bang for your buck versus other value priced offerings. The Pace 350 is a scaled down version of the Pace 500, so if you saw my review on that you will see a lot of parallel information. For example, like the Pace 500, it comes in both a step-through and a high-step, each with their own sizes and colors. You can find the step-through in small and medium sizes, while the high-step is available in a small, medium, and large frame. For 999 there is surprisingly a lot to look over, so let’s get in a little deeper. The Pace 350 is a comfortable and upright bike with a relaxed position for leisure riding or commuting. That comfort comes from a seat tube that is further back, swept back handlebars, and locking ergonomic grips. You also get this Velo comfort saddle with rubber bumpers underneath and some nice fairly thick high volume tires (27.5”x2.2”) which make for wider attack angle. Unfortunately, there is no suspension fork or seat post, but I am sure most wouldn’t be surprised given the cost of the bike. However, they do have a 30.4mm seat post on the step-through and 31.6mm seat post on the high-step if you want to swap those out with a cushier option. Also, the head tube itself is tapered, which is nice because that will open up some fork options for those looking for an upgrade. The bike itself is fairly lightweight with an aluminum alloy frame and fork, coming in at 46lbs total on the small frame. It’s a handsome bike with wrapped wires, some internally routed cables, and extra gussets adding a lot of attention to detail. Other features include rear rack bosses, fender bosses, kickstand (although it is centrally mounted which could produce pedal lock when reversing), reflective sidewall stripped tires, plastic chain guide, and a semi-integrated downtube battery. The real big wins on this bike though is in the price. Although you don’t get the 500 watt motor or the hydraulic disc brakes, so many of the other features are still here including the trigger throttle complete with motor inhibitors. At 999, I would say this is definitely in the affordable category, without succumbing to generic or no-name brakes or derailleur.
Driving the Pace 350 is a Shengyi 350 watt planetary gear hub motor. Since its planetary geared, it will freewheel a little more efficiently and not cause the drag you get from gearless motors. However, since it is a sealed 12 magnet cadence sensor, you will get a little more of that “on-off-on-off” feeling as you ride it. Since it has a sealed sensor, that means no gunk or debris getting lodged inside which is a nice feature. It may not be as zippy as the 500 watt version, but it does have a smoother ramp up and is pretty quiet. On the mechanical drivetrain of the bike, you will find an 7 speed Shimano Tourney sprocket versus the 8 speed Shimano Altus on the 500. Along with that is a 14-28 Shimano freewheel so the climbing may not be as good. Controlling everything is a set of trigger shifters (one way high, three-shift low) with a windowed gear display. For stopping, you have a nice set of Tektro mechanical disc brakes with 180mm rotors and three-finger levers with motor inhibitors.
Powering this ebike is a 36v 11.6ah lithium-ion battery with Samsung cells. The battery is a little more limited than the one found on the Pace 500, but the motor should be a power sipper, so it should even out well. This battery weighs a total of 6lbs. There is a USB port on the side, but it is not for charging, but rather for service diagnostics which serves a great purpose, but looking at it does serve as a constant reminder that a USB charging port may have been a missed opportunity. The charger is 1.3lbs and puts out 3amps of charging power, a bit faster than the standard 2amp chargers we are used to seeing. The battery is secured with lock and key and can be charged on or off the bike, but I do recommend charging indoors. To really care for this and other lithium-ion packs, I have heard that storing in a cool dry location vs. extreme heat or cold will extend the life, and try to keep it about 50% full when not using for long periods so you won’t stress the cells. Try not to let it run down to zero, because that’s really hard on the cell chemistry.
The cockpit controls are great, its nice to see levers for shifting instead of the usual thumb shifter. Most of this is possible since the throttle is on the left along with the display controls. On the right is your shifting levers as well as a gear display window. Right in the middle of the handlebars is the large and easy to read display. The display does have an adjustable angle, but is not removable which can sometimes leave you feeling insecure when parking it or leaving it to the elements. The display is grayscale and features a backlight for nighttime riding. To start the bike, press power on the battery, hold the M button to turn on display. The large display offers a wealth of information starting at the battery levels. The battery infographic is shown in 10 separate 10% intervals which does a better job of leaving guess work out compared to other bikes with 33% or even 20% steps. You can scroll through several modes of pedal assist (1-5) and can use the throttle on any as long as you get that pedal rotation in. Other display options include odometer, trip A, trip B, battery voltage, and a timer. Also, if you hold down the down arrow, you can engage a walk mode. There is a deep dive menu if you want to play with other various settings. Hold up and down arrows for a couple of seconds to initiate this menu of settings. Once inside, you will have access to backlight settings, unit readout, wheel size configuration, and top speed. To exit this menu, hold M to leave.
It’s hard to knock a bike with throttle, pedal assist, and a comfortable riding position that only cost 999. So much attention to detail is given but you can’t make a bike to please everybody so there are some tradeoffs to take into consideration. Little things here and there would be issues with the derailleur and some of the wires in the rear being a little exposed. This could be problematic if the bike is damaged in shipping or even dropped. There is no slap guard in the rear, so the chain could really do some damage to that paint, something that could annoy you especially if you got a color like Wine Red to stand out. I recommend covering it with some box tape or getting an aftermarket neoprene slap guard on Amazon. Its nice to have fender bosses, but unfortunately no bottle cage bosses this time. Also, for a commuting bike, I gotta say its a little disappointing they didn’t add battery intergraded lights for either the front or back. The biggest tradeoff however, would have to be the assembly. The bike is made to order through dealers or online, but if you have it delivered to your home, do be prepared. It can take an hour or more to assemble, so make sure you have some tools handy (although they do include some) and some free time. To help remedy this, Aventon does have a YouTube video that details assembly instructions for those looking for some extra help. Of course, you can also have your local dealer do it, or pay a local bike shop as well. To be honest however, when you look at the big wins like the comfortable ride, and then look at all the little touches like the thicker reflective tires, locking grips, and brand name components, its amazing that this bike comes in at such a great price. Tradeoffs considered, this bike would probably pleasantly surprise anyone looking at the more affordable options. A big thank you to Aventon for inviting me out and letting me see their bikes and their factory.
As always, I welcome questions and feedback in the comment section below. Whether you own a previous version of the bike, have taken a test ride, or are brand new to the space, my goal is to provide an objective and honest resource. You can also join the Aventon Ebike forums and share your own photos, videos, and review updates to help others! Have fun out there, and ride safe 🙂
Pros:
- An affordable (999) yet capable and versatile ebike which aims to give more bang for your buck versus other value priced offerings
- Comes in both a step-through and a high-step, each with their own sizes and colors, you can find the step-through in Small and Medium sizes, while the high-step is available in a Small, Medium and Large frame
- A comfortable and upright bike with a relaxed position for leisure riding or commuting, seat tube is further back, bike has an adjustable angle stem, swept back handlebars, and locking ergonomic grips, also has Velo comfort saddle with rubber bumpers underneath and some nice fairly thick high volume tires (27.5”x2.2”) which make for wider attack angle
- The Pace 350 is a handsome bike with wrapped wires, some internally routed cables, and extra gussets adding a lot of attention to detail
- A lot of bonuses like rear rack bosses, fender bosses, kickstand, reflective sidewall stripped tires, plastic chain guide, and a semi-intergraded downtube battery
- It is equipped with a 350 watt motor for cadence based pedal assist and also a throttle rated for 20mph for leisure riding
- Great size for stopping with the 180mm Tektro mechanical disc brakes, also with motor inhibitors
- 36v 11.6ah battery with a 3amp charger, a little faster than the standard 2amp charger you usually see with value priced ebieks
- Large and easy to read display offers a lot of information as well as a deeper settings menu to really do some tweaks and adjustments
- A lot of value priced bikes have generic components however, many of the Pace 350 components are Shimano or Tektro, great to see a sub 1,500 bike without no-name parts
- The bike is sold online or through a dealer network and offers a 1 year warranty
Cons:
- No suspension in either the front fork or the seat, however they can be swapped out for cushier options if you want to compliment the relaxed riding geometry
- Although the battery in theory is capable of charging peripherals via USB, there is no such option, it would be nice to see some device charging in the future
- Additionally, batteries such as this are known for powering intergraded lights, another missed opportunity on this bike as it does not come with any in either the front or the rear
- Display is not removable so be careful when parking in the elements or in high crime areas
- Bottle cage bosses and slap guards are becoming common place in a lot of value priced bikes and this bike is without them, but I suppose you could add a aftermarket neoprene guard from Amazon and even get a handlebar mounted bottle holder if needed
- A minor grip but some of the derailleur and wires in the rear are a little exposed, this could be problematic if the bike is damaged in shipping or even dropped, make sure to take good care of it
- A decent amount of assembly is required, Aventon was nice enough to let me in their warehouse to take a look at the products being shipped out so make sure to check out the video if you want to get a good look at what is required, it does come with some tools and they have an instructional video on YouTube, or you could have a bike shop or mobile repair service assemble it if you are not comfortable
Aventon Pace 350 vs 500: Which One to Choose?
Aventon is a fast-growing e-bike brand that manufactures comfortable, dependable bikes that provide a good riding experience.
Aventon’s first bike was the Pace 500. However, they constantly release upgraded versions of the same bike. While writing this article, the Pace 500.3 is just released.
The Pace 350 is quite similar to Pace 500, and you can best describe the former as the latter’s smaller brother.
Let’s dive in and explore more about the two e-bikes and what sets them apart.
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- Aventon Pace 500 Versus Pace 350: Head-to-Head Comparison
- Aventon Pace 500 vs 350: Performance
- Motor Power and Speed
- Battery and Range
- Braking
- Gearing System
- Aventon Pace 350 vs 500: Other Features
- Frame and Geometry
- Wheels and Tires
- Price
- Aventon Pace 500 vs Pace 350: Which One to Get?
Aventon Pace 500 vs 350: Performance
Motor Power and Speed
The Pace 500 has a 500W 48V brushless hub motor, while the Pace 350 has a 350W 36V hub motor (that’s where the names come from).
Additionally, the Pace 500 has a torque sensor that converts mechanical torque to create an electrical signal. The torque sensor measures how much force you apply to the pedals to determine how much power the motor should provide. The torque sensor provides an experience that’s close to conventional bikes.
The Pace 350 has a cadence sensor that detects when the rider is pedaling. The sensor then conveys this information to the controller allowing it to supply power to the motor up to the limit set up in the display. Cadence sensors provide riders with consistent power, are easy to use, and provide flexibility when cruising, allowing riders to go faster.
Also, the Pace 500 has a 28mph top speed, while the Pace 350 has a 20mph top speed. Both e-bikes have pedal assist and throttle, allowing riders to enjoy relaxed rides using the throttle. The e-bikes are designed to provide riders with as much or as little help as required allowing them to have an engaging or relaxing experience.
Battery and Range
The Pace 350 has an internal removable 36V 11.6Ah Lithium-ion battery that powers the bike for up to 40 miles. Alternatively, the Pace 500 has a similar removable battery but with a more energy capacity of 48V 12.8Ah. The Pace 500 has a range of up to 60 miles.
So Aventon Pace 500 bigger battery than Pace 350 and therefore Pace 500 provides a longer range.
Additionally, the 350 has four pedal-assist levels that riders can choose from. The Pace 500 has five riding modes: eco, tour, sport, and turbo.
Riders can choose the eco pedal assist mode to travel further because it consumes less power. They can also choose the turbo mode if they want to travel faster. However, this mode consumes more power meaning the maximum range they can travel will reduce.
Braking
The Pace 500 has a hydraulic braking system, while the Pace 350 has mechanical disc brakes. These two braking systems are quite similar, except hydraulic brakes are much more sophisticated, more expensive, and more efficient.
Hydraulic disc brakes provide better braking power than mechanical disc brakes and have other perks like increased effectiveness and stability. These brakes are perfect for the Pace 500 since it is more powerful and has a higher top speed, requiring a more efficient braking system.
Hydraulic disc brakes use hydraulic fluid that provides quick and more efficient stopping power. The brakes offer better braking power and are perfect for riders who want an e-bike they can use for daily commutes in moderate to heavy traffic.
They could also be better for individuals who live in regions that experience consistently poor weather. They are more sensitive, providing riders with better control during operation.
Mechanical disc brakes work through a cable that pulls on the calipers when the rider pulls the brake lever. These brakes are more affordable, require low maintenance, and are cheaper to replace than hydraulic disc brakes. However, they are less effective and require riders to pull harder on the brake levers for more effectiveness.
Gearing System
Aventon’s Pace 350 has a 7-speed rear derailleur, while the Pace 500 has an 8-speed variant. The seven and 8-speed derailleurs are sufficient for most riders. The gearing system has fewer gears, making the bike’s build less complicated.
Overall, both gearing systems provide similar performance. However, it’s worth mentioning that Pace 350 has a Shimano Tourney derailleur, which is the most low-end component Shimano offers. On the other hand, Pace 500 is equipped with Shimano Altus, which is a bit higher quality alternative.
Aventon Pace 350 vs 500: Other Features
Frame and Geometry
The Pace 350 and 500 have the same 6061 Single-Butted Aluminum Alloy frame styled in an upright position with cruiser-style handlebars.
Both e-bikes can withstand riders who weigh 300 lbs, and their geometry allows riders to look forward with minimal strain on their neck effortlessly. This allows them to FOCUS on having a fun ride than struggling to get comfortable.
The two bikes fit riders between 5’3” and 6’4”, providing a better riding experience for riders at or slightly below the median height. Both bikes have plush and comfortable saddles that are much wider and more cushioned than standard saddles.
The bikes have slightly swept-back handlebars that help maintain comfortable positions when riding. Their design allows riders to relax their elbows, keep them down, and minimize any strain they may experience when riding regular bikes.
Both bikes have a display system in the center of the handlebar. It shows your speed, distance covered, battery level, etc., helping you get more confident about riding your bike during the day or at night.
Additionally, the e-bike has soft and ergonomic grips that provide a good riding experience. The grips lock in place to minimize unwanted movements and prevent them from sliding off.
Finally, both bikes have a kickstand (which isn’t exactly a comfort feature) that’s reliable and easy to use. You can balance the bike on the kickstand, so you don’t have to worry about bending and picking it up whenever you want to resume your ride.
Wheels and Tires
Both bikes have 27.5-inch wheels. Also, both have double wall aluminum 36h front rear rims, and puncture-resistant tires that increase durability and safety.
You could ride the bike in different terrains. However, we wouldn’t advise using it on extremely rugged surfaces since it could damage the tires. Also, the tires have reflective walls that improve your visibility when riding in traffic, especially at night.
Price
Aventon’s Pace 350 is priced at 1199, while the Pace 500 is priced at 1600, which is reasonable for an e-bike with these features.
The e-bikes have good-quality builds, provide outstanding performance, and are worth their price tags. You only need to assess your needs and determine which of the two bikes will suit you best.
Aventon Pace 500 vs Pace 350: Which One to Get?
Both bikes are phenomenal cruiser bikes that are comfortable to ride. They provide their riders with fun and stylish riding experiences without breaking the bank. Riders can use either bike to cruise around the neighborhood and discover new paved bike trails. These bikes allow riders to go the extra mile effortlessly.
However, if you live in hilly terrain, opt for the Aventon Pace 500 because of its more powerful motor. The Pace 500 is more powerful and capable of handling a few more degrees of inclines than the Pace 350. Also, the Pace 500 provides a longer range and is equipped with higher-quality components.
That being said, if you are on a limited budget, you can’t go wrong with a Pace 350 either. It’s also a quality e-bike from a trusted brand.
Whichever model you choose, we are sure you would love it.
We Bought a Real Electric Bike: Aventon Pace 350
We bought a real electric bike for my wife. It is already here. I just finished assembling it and taking it for a test drive down the street. I have no idea if this Pace Aventon 350 will meet our expectations, but I’d like to tell you about the motivation behind our purchase, and how we zeroed in on this particular model.
Where this journey began
Two years ago, I bought a folding electric scooter. You ride the Hover-1 XLS like a bike, but it completely lacks manual pedal power. We live just a few houses away from the awesome paved bike trails that connect many of our parks here in Plano, TX. I bought the bike so I can carry my backpack to the park and fly FPV freestyle quadcopters.
That’s what my Hover-1 XLS has been limited to. It does fold up, and it is possible to put it in the back of our tiny SUV, but it is a pain in the butt. It weighs about 50 pounds, and that doesn’t sound heavy on paper, but it folds up into what amounts to a 4’ tube. It is difficult to hoist that thing up and into the car, so it has been confined to the bike paths near our house.
We bought Chris a simple pedal bike
My wife owns a nice spin bike. She used to participate in and teach spin classes here in town. She hadn’t done that in years, though, and she said she wanted to get back in shape, so we bought her a basic pedal bike. It was the cheapest one we could find on Amazon.
It is a terrible bike, but it served its real purpose. We wanted to figure out what she’d really want out of a bike. How big does the bike need to be? Does it need street tires or off-road tires? Something in between?
As it turns out, the biggest problem is the power train. When she heads home from the park, the end of the ride involves climbing a bit of a hill. How far can Chris ride before she gets tired? Will she be able to make it up that hill if she pushes farther into the park?
She has definitely been suffering from range anxiety, much like folks with fully electric vehicles. This has kept her from riding the bike. She prefers to ride the spin bike in the house.
Everyone should have an e-thing
I addressed all my complaints about my Hover-1 scooter by upgrading to a [self-balancing electric unicycle (EUC)][]. My little InMotion V5F has 14 miles of range, goes 15 mph, and only weighs 25 pounds. It is fantastic, and a ton of fun.
Brian has an electric long board. Alex has a OneWheel XR. I have my unicycle. What should Chris be riding?
Today @patsheadcom was showing off his brand-new #electric #unicycle while we flew #quadcopters. I took this chance to record some cinematic footage that he could use his blog (See: https://t.co/nePTRq59rq) and then #disaster struck! #wasted piccom/amR7cs1yaJ
— Brian Moses (@briancmoses) May 10, 2020
We tried to teach her to ride the unicycle, but she’s having difficulty, and she’s getting frustrated. We’ve been going out riding quite a few times every week during the COVID-19 pandemic. She wanted an upgrade, and she decided that upgrade should be an electric bicycle.
Why an electric bicycle?!
She wants to be able to exercise. Her plan is to pedal until she gets tired, then use the electric motor. These electric bikes also offer pedal assist, so you can let the machine do a portion of the work for you.
The Pace Aventon 350 vs the Ride1Up 500
I didn’t have to research long before I narrowed our choice down to either the Pace 350 or the Ride1Up 500. I was very much leaning towards the Ride1Up.
They’re both quality bikes, but the Ride1Up 500 has a more powerful motor, and it uses a 48-volt battery instead of the Pace’s 36-volt battery. Everything else on the spec sheet is similar enough. If you’re shopping, you should definitely check out the Ride1Up 500. The Ride1Up 500 is more directly comparable to the Pace Aventon 500, but with a price much closer to the Aventon 350.
Chris is barely 5’ tall. She needs a small bike. I read somewhere that if you’re under 5’4”, you’re not going to be happy with the bike from Ride1Up.
The Pace Aventon 350 is available in three different sizes. We chose the small frame in the step-through configuration. This is working out well, because we wound up having to set the seat higher than its minimum setting!
The important specs of the Pace Aventon 350
This is all based on Pace’s claims. We’ve had the bike out for a single 5-mile ride so far. We haven’t had a chance to really put it through its paces!
- 20 mph top speed (throttle only)
- 30 miles range (throttle only)
- 7 speeds (for the pedaling!)
- 46 pounds
- 420 Wh battery
- 350 watt motor
This should be an interesting upgrade from the Hover-1 XLS. The Pace bike weighs 5 pounds less, has 40% more battery capacity, a higher top speed, and more than twice as much range. Getting the bike into the car will probably be more of a hassle, though!
Pedal assist
When I started shopping for e-bikes, I was worried that all the e-bikes I’ve looked at only have one set of gears. They have 7 gears in the back, just like Chris’s cheap 21-speed bike, but they only have a single gear on the pedal sprocket.
On Chris’s old bike, 7th gear is too high for someone like me to make it up a hill, but it is also too low for me to use on flat ground. How is that going to work out on the electric bike?
I didn’t understand until I rode the bike, and I’m proud to announce that I understood before even getting to the end of my street! The magic of pedal assist easily makes up for the lack of available gear settings.
The Pace 350 has 5 levels of pedal assist. When the sensors detect that you are pedaling, the electric motor will spin up to help you out. The higher you set the assist level, the more power the system will apply.
I figured Chris would be using the throttle lever most of the time and the pedal assist would just be a bonus feature, but I think I’ve predicted this incorrectly. I followed her on my unicycle for five miles today, and she was pedaling almost the entire time.
We’ll see if that’s the case when I write the follow-up to this post!
The Pace Aventon 350 is just a bike!
My weird Hover-1 XLS scooter is extremely proprietary. Other than the brakes, just about everything on there is custom hardware. If something fails, just about the only way to fix it is to acquire spare parts from the manufacturer.
The Aventon 350 isn’t much different than a regular bicycle. If you bend a wheel, need a new seat, or goober up the gears or chain, you can buy generic replacement parts. Other than the built-in bracket for the battery, even the frame is just a bike frame.
That makes this a little more reliable in the long run, and even quite upgradable in the future!
What’s next?
First of all, she needs to put some miles on this sucker. We won’t really know if it is any good or worth 1,100 until we let her ride it for a few hundred miles, right?
I’m more worried about what’s going to happen to me and the 14 miles of range on my electric unicycle. I used to have the edge on range, but now she can out-distance me by at least 15 miles, and that’s before adding any human power. Am I going to get left behind? Am I going to have to upgrade to a bigger wheel?!
Are you riding an electric bike? How about some other sort of personal electric vehicle? Did I make a good choice, or will we be disappointed in a few months? Let me know in the Комментарии и мнения владельцев, or stop by the Butter, What?! Discord server to chat with me about it!