Aventon Ramblas eMTB Review: Killer Performance, Affordable Price
Jordan Grimez
2024-04-09Aventon’s first real entry into the eMTB market, the Ramblas, is a unique and impressive offering. Though it’s designed primarily for trail riding, with its comfortable geometry, the Ramblas is equally at home when cruising on trails or city streets.
Burly 2.6” tires, wide handlebars, a dropper seat post, and the smooth, high-torque mid-drive motor each help make the Ramblas a capable machine on or off-road, especially when the trail gets steep.
This Aventon Ramblas review will examine the spec, highlight some pros and cons, and go in-depth on what you can expect from this exciting electric mountain bike.
Aventon Ramblas Specs:
- MSRP: $2,699
- Class: 1
- Motor: Aventon A100 mid-drive, 100Nm torque
- Battery: Aventon 708 Wh, 36V
- Charge Time: 6 hours
- Range: 80 miles
- Tires: 27.5″ x 2.4″
- Drivetrain: 1 x 12-speed
- Brakes: SRAM Hydraulic disc brakes
- Weight: 54 lb
- Suspension: RockShox 35 Silver R Coil, 130 mm travel
Aventon Ramblas E-Bike: An Affordable Cross-Country E-MTB
Straight out of the gate, Aventon impressed with the components it has managed to include for under $3,000.
Budget bike brands have, until recent months, largely avoided the performance e-bike categories (road and mountain). However, in quick succession, Ride1UP and Aventon have released e-road/e-gravel (CF Racer1) and e-MTB options.
Many competing brands offer off-road e-bikes with fat tires capable of handling light off-road terrain, but the Ramblas has a trail-specific design and significantly better components, making it suitable for actual mountain biking.
The wide 2.6” Maxxis Rekon tires deliver excellent grip in mixed conditions while still rolling fast, making for an efficient ride, and the 130 mm RockShox 35 Silver TK takes the sting out of big hits on the trail.
Additionally, the mid-drive motor, SRAM 12-speed gearing, and SRAM 4-piston brakes add value that is hard to find in this price range.
Aventon Ramblas E-Bike Pros and Cons
Pros
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Cons
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Multiple Frame Sizes, Size-Specific Kit, and Versatile Geometry
The Aventon Ramblas comes in four sizes catering to a wide height range of 5’1” to 6” 5’. Most entry-level brands avoid using multiple frame sizes, as it increases the base price because more frame sizes have to be manufactured and stocked. However, performance bikes need to come in multiple frame options because precise fit is key to comfort and control, so we’re glad to see it with the Ramblas.
The components on the small frame are tailored to suit that size so that it has the same characteristics as the larger sizes. This includes 27.5” wheels, a 125 mm dropper seat post, and 720 mm handlebars vs. the 29” wheels, 150 mm dropper, and 760 mm bars on the other frame sizes.
Another unusual attribute of this bike is its paint. Each Ramblas has the same colorway, but the finish is unique, so your Ramblas will never blend in with the rest of the crowd.
A High-Torque Mid-Drive Motor and All-Day Riding Range
The 100 Nm mid-drive motor is a standout feature of the Ramblas. Having this heavy unit centrally mounted (instead of in the wheel hub) creates better handling characteristics for trail riding and helps avoid the loss of rear wheel traction when riding on steep or loose terrain.
When combined with the 12-speed SRAM NX gearing, this high-torque motor will make light work of any hills you encounter. The large 20 Ah battery means you can do multiple downhill runs and still have enough juice to get home from the trail.
The three pedal assist levels can assist up to a maximum speed of 20 mph, which is more than enough for an e-MTB. The assistance can also be customized via the Aventon app. As mentioned, this is Aventon’s first mid-drive motor, so it’s yet to be seen how well it performs over time and if it proves durable.
Impressive Spec for the Price
The Ramblas stands apart from almost all e-bikes in the sub-$3,500 price range. Many entry-level hardtail eMTBs come with basic tires, limited drivetrains, small batteries, and measly motors, but the Aventon Ramblas doesn’t settle for “good enough.”
This bike features excellent Maxxis Rekon tires, which roll well on gravel and singletrack trails, offer good grip, and have low drag.
The battery capacity is above average at 20 Ah, the motor torque is higher than most brand-name mid-drive motors, which top out at 85 Nm, and the 12-speed drivetrain offers more range than the nine and 10-speeds often seen at this price. The clutch on the SRAM NX rear derailleur also greatly reduces the chance of a dropped chain and the greasy fingers that come along with it.
Finally, four-piston hydraulic disc brakes with a 200 mm front rotor are more than enough to stop a heavy, powerful e-bike like this. Their strength may even take some getting used to for those who are used to lower-end e-bike brakes.
More Aventon E-Bike Reviews:
- Aventon Sinch.2 Review
- Aventon Soltera.2 Review
- Aventon Level.2 Review
- Aventon Aventure.2 Review
- Aventon Abound Review
- Aventon Pace 500.3 Review
Our Verdict: Ride or Pass?
Overall, the Aventon Ramblas eMTB does more than enough to earn a ‘Ride’ verdict.
Not only does the Ramblas have an attractive look and tidy, integrated design, but it comes with the components to back it up. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better e-MTB at this price.
Aventon is also a company that is well established in the e-bike market, with a huge dealer network for owners’ peace of mind.
The inclusion of components like a dropper post, a RockShox 130 mm suspension fork, SRAM gearing and brakes, and mid-drive technology sets the Ramblas apart from the competition.
So, whether you need a bike for trail and cross-country mountain biking, multi-day bikepacking trips, or mixed-terrain rides from the city to the mountains and back, the Ramblas has got you covered.
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