Who is the Aventon Level 3 for?
The Aventon Level 3 is built for commuters who still love the feel of a “real” bicycle, but want a little extra help from modern electric power. It’s ideal for riders who appreciate responsive pedaling, value clean design, and want their ebike to do more than just get them from point A to B. If you love the idea of tech-forward features like app tuning, GPS tracking, and an on-bike locking mechanism, but don’t want to lose touch with the cycling experience, this bike was made for you. It’s not built to rip trails or haul a week’s worth of groceries, but it is a refined, polished, do-it-all commuter that blends practicality with polish.
UPDATE: Aventon just launched an OTA update for their new ACU-powered Ebikes that gives the riders access to BOOST mode, and the option to switch between torque or cadence. The option to customize how your bike rides (whether torque or cadence) has only been available from some brands like Velotric or Troxus, but now we see Aventon joining the party with this update. The fact that the ACU technology facilitates these types of updates is pretty exciting! If you own a camera, you’ll know some of the software updates can make the unit feel like a brand new piece of tech, and it’s really cool to see that here with the Aventon bikes in real-time.
Level 3 Quick Specs (In Plain English)
Motor: 500W (864W peak), rear hub
➤ Strong enough to flatten hills, but not overkill. Quiet, steady power delivery.
Battery: 36V, 20Ah (733Wh) with LG 21700 cells
➤ Impressive range (realistically 40–60 miles depending on how you ride).
Torque Sensor: Yes (Double-Sided Bottom Bracket)
➤ Smooth, responsive power. You’ll feel like a stronger version of yourself. Comes on quick, with no run-off (if you’ve ridden an Ebike where you stop pedalling, and the motor continues to go for 1-3 seconds, you’ll know what that “run-off” feels like.
Weight: 67 lbs
➤ Lighter than many feature-rich commuters. Not a featherweight, but manageable.
Brakes: Magura or Tektro hydraulic disc brakes, 180mm rotors
➤ Strong stopping power with minimal hand effort. Big plus for safety.
Tires: 27.5” x 2.2” Kenda Kwick Seven-5
➤ Street-optimized for grip and comfort, not for dirt trails. It could handle some tight-packed off-roading, but anything that gets loose or loamy, you’ll start to lose some traction.
(If you plan on doing a lot of off-roading, or a solid mix of the two, you’ll want to start looking at some different tires that are built more for all-terrain.)
Suspension: 80mm front fork + suspension seatpost
➤ Takes the edge off potholes and curb drops. City streets feel a lot smoother.
Top Speed: 20 mph with throttle, 28 mph with pedal assist (Class 3 unlockable)
➤ Gets you where you’re going without feeling like a moped.
Throttle: Thumb-style, left-mounted
➤ Easy to reach. Good for starts or when you’re tired of pedaling.
Fit Range: 5’3″ to 6’4″
➤ Very adjustable. One of the widest size ranges we’ve tested. The shorter riders will probably want to go with the step-through model, and may need to trade the seatpost suspension for a traditional seatpost to feel comfortable.
Will the Aventon Level 3 fit a shorter rider?
From the moment you hop on the Level 3, it’s clear Aventon designed this bike for real-world comfort. The step-through frame is easy to mount, and the adjustable stem and suspension seatpost make dialing in your fit simple. The saddle is ergonomic and encourages pedaling (not just coasting). At 680mm wide, the handlebars feel stable without being overly aggressive. The upright geometry leans slightly forward, just enough to feel sporty, without wrecking your back. The addition of the adjustable stem means those riders who want a more aggressive riding posture can get that, but those who want a more upright position can have their ride feel as well.
This is the kind of bike you’ll want to ride daily: to work, to the gym, or to your favorite coffee spot. Whether you’re 5’3″ or 6’4″, there’s room to make this bike feel like it was custom-built for you. There are also two different frame sizes, so make sure you’re ordering the right one for your height.
How does the Level 3 perform?
The torque sensor is the star here. It gives you smooth, responsive power based on how hard you pedal, not just how fast your legs are spinning. That makes it feel like an amplified version of a normal bike, which is exactly what many riders want. You still feel in control, connected to the ride, and engaged in the experience.
Acceleration is steady rather than punchy. If you’re used to zippy 750W bikes, this one may feel more like a luxury sedan than a sports car, but that’s the point. You’re getting a consistent, predictable assist that’s great for stop-and-go traffic and longer commutes.
Braking is excellent across the board. Whether your Level 3 comes with Magura or Tektro brakes, both deliver powerful, confident stopping with minimal pressure, especially important for riders with wrist or hand issues.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The Magura brakes are awesome, and the brake levers are some of my personal favorites (I’m also a fan of the SRAM DB4 and DB8 brakes we’ve seen on other Aventon bikes). However, the reason for the switch back to Tektro, is the fact that they have motor cut-off cables, which kill power to the motor, so you’re never fighting against it when braking.
As for the suspension? It’s not trail-ready, but the 80mm fork and suspension seatpost soak up cracked sidewalks, manhole covers, and speed bumps beautifully. You’ll appreciate the comfort on longer rides. As we mentioned in the Quick Specs section, if you do plan on doing some off-road riding, you can achieve this with a more all-terrain tire. Think Schwalbe Marathon Mondial Pro, or Continental Double Fighter III.
Should you buy a Level 3?
Aventon clearly spent time thinking about how people actually use their bikes. Assembly out of the box is simple. The battery is UL certified, slides out easily, and fits across multiple Aventon models, which is great for households with more than one Aventon. The bike itself is also UL 2849 certified, which is something that’s going to become a bigger deal as this market matures. Buying things not UL-certified may lead to long-term issues with some manufacturers not being able to sell their products in the US, and may lead to local bike shops not being able to work on these types of non-UL-certified bikes.
The Aventon app is one of the best we’ve used. It lets you track your rides, adjust power levels, and even lock or unlock your bike’s rear brake disc. That lock function, paired with GPS tracking through the built-in ACU (Aventon Control Unit), offers real peace of mind. There’s even a backup battery in the ACU, so tracking still works if your main battery dies.
However, keep in mind: remote lock/unlock only works when you’re near the bike, and GPS tracking does require a subscription after the first year ($20/year, or $2/month). For this feature on something you’ve spent some hard-earned cash on, the price is well worth it in my opinion.
Integrated lights, fenders, and a 60 lb-capacity rear rack are all included, and the rear light is brake-activated (with the Tektro version) with built-in turn signals. The paint finish (Matte Aurora, in our case) is stunning in person, metallic with just the right amount of shimmer. Welds are smoothed, cables are neatly tucked, and the overall build feels premium.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Aventon has been one of the big 3 in the consumer-level Ebike space for a long time. I think this latest batch of bikes (I’ve personally ridden and seen them all) shows that Aventon doesn’t want to be considered a budget brand, and is really looking to become one of the top dogs in this industry.
Aventon Level 3 Specs (With Straight Talk)
Motor & Power:
The 500W rear hub motor offers 60Nm of torque and peaks at 864W. That’s solid for urban use and moderate hills. If you’re chasing thrills or riding steep terrain, you may want something stronger, but for most commuters, this is more than enough.
Battery:
A 36V 20Ah (733Wh) removable battery with LG cells delivers a real-world range of 40–60 miles. It’s UL 2271 certified for safety, and recharges in about 5 hours using the 4A fast charger. Now, anyone who has been looking at Ebikes in the last few years may think a 36V system is a cheaper option, and until I rode them for myself, I assumed the same thing. Eric, one of the guys I work with, has been testing one of these ACU-powered Ebikes for the past few months (an Aventure 3), and he’s getting more range on his 36V system than his other 48V system, even though they have the same watt-hours. So, maybe we were all sleeping on the benefits of a lower voltage system.
Drivetrain:
The Shimano Altus 8-speed setup with a 48T chainring and 12-32T cassette gives you a solid gear range for both hills and cruising. Breaking it down scientifically, the bike is geared to pedal 100 RPMs to hit a speed of 28 MPH. So, if you want to hit 28MPH, you’ll be pedaling along with “Staying Alive” by the Bee Gees. If you’ve taken a CPR class, you’ll know this song by heart, no pun intended. Shifting is smooth and intuitive, and for most cruising speeds of 20-25MPH, you’ll find the gearing is pretty much on point.
Frame & Geometry:
6061 aluminum with a gravity-cast front triangle gives this bike a stiff, responsive feel. The welds are smoothed out for a polished look, and the geometry strikes a great balance between comfort and performance. The thru-axle front fork adds stability you’ll notice at higher speeds, and also ease-of-use if you need to constantly remove the front wheel for transport.
Display & Controls:
The color display is crisp and fairly easy to read in sunlight. It connects to Aventon’s app via Bluetooth, and offers ride stats, PAS control, lock access, and OTA updates.
Safety & Lights:
IPX6-rated for water resistance (think: heavy rain, not submersion), with integrated front and rear lights, brake lights (with the Tektro braking system), and turn signals. The electronics feel smart and well-integrated, not like an afterthought.
Tires:
The 27.5”x2.2” Kenda Kwick Seven-5s are a pretty great option for street-only use. They’ve got plenty of grip and low rolling resistance. As we’ve mentioned a few times, if you’re looking to do some off-roading, you may want to upgrade to a more “all-terrain” tire.
Is the Aventon Level 3 worth it?
At $1,899, the Level 3 lands in a competitive commuter space, with many brands offering similar motors and batteries for less. But here’s the difference: Aventon brings polish. You’re getting premium build quality, tech-forward features (like Bluetooth app control, torque sensor, and GPS tracking), UL-certified components, and a robust dealer network for service. For anyone who’s bought something off of Amazon and had a terrible experience, you’ll know the benefit of having local shops that can work on any issues you have with your bike.
If you’re a rider who appreciates design, smooth power delivery, and smart tech, not just raw wattage or the lowest price, the Level 3 earns its price tag.
If you’re interested in how this compares with its predecessor, you can check out our previous review of the Aventon Level 2.
Final Verdict
Buy This If:
✅ You want a stylish, polished commuter with app control and theft protection
✅ You care about comfort, safety, and great geometry
✅ You prefer smooth torque-sensor power over aggressive acceleration
✅ You want reliable support and UL-certified components
✅ You’re looking for a long-range, low-maintenance urban ebike
Skip This If:
❌ You want a speed demon or off-road ebike
❌ You need to carry heavy cargo or passengers regularly
❌ You dislike tech features or app-based controls
❌ You want something ultra-light or ultra-cheap
Bottom line: The Aventon Level 3 is a smart, stylish commuter for riders who value the journey and the tech under the hood. It’s not a budget ebike, but it is a smart buy for those who want more than just “good enough.”
How to Buy the Aventon Level 3?
If you’re interested in picking up an Aventon Level 3 for yourself, you can check the latest price HERE.