I’ve always known electric transportation to be the future of urban mobility. I didn’t expect it to take off as fast as it did. Everywhere you go, people are riding electric scooters. But what about electric bikes? Most people already know how to ride a bike. It’s something you can’t forget. But I don’t think many people have experienced a pedal assist electric bike. If that’s you, this review should help.
I’m reviewing the Aventon Pace 350 V2 electric city bike and the Aventon Pace 350 V2 step through electric city bike. These are essentially the same bike but with one fundamental difference. The step through version has a lower frame. Let’s begin by looking at some notable specs.
Specs: Aventon Pace 350
- 350-watt rear-hub motor, speeds of up to 32km/h
- Removable battery, up to 65km on a single charge
- Built-in throttle and five pedal-assist levels
- Backlit colour LCD display for speed, battery level, distance etc.
- Integrated tail lights illuminate with brake lever activation
- 40-lux headlight for riding in low-light conditions
Design of the Aventon Pace 350
At first glance, you would be hard pressed to know the Aventon Pace 350 was an electric bike. That’s because of the stellar job they did integrating the removable battery into the frame. A key lock located on the top of the battery dislodges it from the frame. This enables the ability to charge the battery in a different location. More on that later.
The Aventon Pace 350 V2 features an upright cruiser frame with swept-back handlebars. A LCD display is in the centre with a USB port underneath. Riders can use it to charge their smartphone during rides. Unfortunately, there is no smartphone dock on the handlebars. On the left handlebar is pedal assist and throttle. Riders can switch between four levels of pedal assist: eco, tour, sport, and turbo.
Another interesting design element is the torque sensor. The Pace 350 recognizes your pedaling effort and matches them to amplify your natural momentum. Not only does this conserve battery life, it extends the riding range.
Step through version
Aventon decided to design two versions of the Pace 350. The step through model lacks the top bar where bikers step-over to mount onto the bike. This makes it incredibly easy to mount and dismount on and off a bike. Furthermore, the step through Pace 350 provides a more upright riding position. This allows for a more comfortable ride for daily commuting or leisure activities.
Riding the Aventon Pace 350 electric city bike
I’ve never rode a step through bike before, so I was eager to compare the riding experience between the two Aventon Pace 350 bikes. I started with the traditional design. After adjusting the seat level, it was easy for me to get on and off the bike. To activate the pedal assist, I first pressed the power button on the battery. Then I pressed the power button on the pedal assist. By default, it starts at zero pedal assist. I pressed the + and – buttons to toggle through the various pedal assists levels. You can definitely feel the difference between the various levels. At level five, turbo mode, I was only peddling to keep the motor going. It was doing virtually all the work.
It took some time to get used to the throttle button. I’m used to riding electric scooters which have the throttle on the right. With pedal assist, I found that you really don’t need to use the throttle anyways. If you want more assistance, simply turn the pedal assist up higher and pedal occasionally.
Riding the Aventon Pace 350 step through
Next, I rode the step through Pace 350 model. The first thing I noticed was how easy it is to mount onto the bike. It takes little to no effort to get onto the bike. The second thing I noticed was the upright riding position. It felt very comfortable. This is what leisure riding should feel like. Easy mounting on and off a bike, and pedal assist with an upright riding position holding swept-back handlebars. My posture on the bike felt really good. With the pedal assist, I could focus more on the riding experience rather than effort. Pedal Assist level 2, tour mode, was all I needed for leisurely biking.
Charging the Aventon Pace 350 electric bikes
There are two ways to charge the Aventon Pace 350. One way is connecting the included charger directly to the bike. This is a good option for people with garages and sheds that have a power source. Store and charge your bike at the same time. Another option is using the included key to dislodge the battery from the bike. Then, charge the battery in a different location. This option appeals to people who live in small spaces like apartments and condos. Leave your bike in your assigned storage space and charge the battery in your suite.
Who are the Aventon Pace 350 eBikes for?
I like the fact that there are eBikes that don’t look like electric bikes. The Aventon Pace is one such example. You can’t tell it’s an eBike. After all, it still functions exactly as a standalone bike. So if you’re in the market for a bike, why not get an eBike. Use the pedal assist at your own discretion—or don’t use it at all.
At the other end of the spectrum are people who may not be able to ride a traditional bike. This could be due to mobility issues, injuries, or just old age. In that case, a pedal assist bike like the Aventon Pace 350 provides people the freedom to still enjoy riding a bike. Furthermore, the step through version makes mounting on and off a bike effortless. It’s perfect for people who want leisure weekend bike rides. Hills no longer become an issue. Simply activate the throttle and climb with ease.
Final thoughts on the Aventon Pace 350 eBikes
In Europe, everyone rides bikes. For some reason, commuting with a bicycle never took off in North America. However, with the big shift towards electric transportation, I think electric bikes will soon go mainstream. Once you ride an ebike with pedal assist, you realize how easy it is to get around without breaking a sweat. You don’t have to be in tip top shape to ride a bike. Hills are also no longer obstacles. If you take it a step further and ride a step through electric bike, you’ll learn how quickly one can mount on and off a bike. This is perfect for anyone with mobility issues. You can still enjoy biking with little to no effort. With pedal assist, resistance is a personal choice.
If you’re ready to embrace electric mobility, I highly recommend you try the Aventon Pace 350 and the Aventon Pace 350 step through.
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