Aventon has come a long way from its fixed-gear beginnings.
The California-based brand first made its name in 2012 building fixie bikes and backing it up with race wins. By 2018 Aventon embraced the e-bike.
The brand expanded its lineup with commuter and recreational e-bikes.
Enter the Current
The new Class 1 Aventon Current ADV marks the brand’s first full-suspension electric mountain bikes.
On paper, it looks a lot like a modern full-powered trail bike: 140 mm of rear travel, a 150 mm fork, 29-inch wheels and geometry that mirrors current trends. A 64.6-degree head angle and 76.6-degree seat tube angle put it in line with what most riders are looking for.
Using their experience building motors for their commuters, they chose to use their own in-house motor. The Ultro X mid-drive motor (produced by Gobau). It provides 750W peak power (850W in Boost Mode) and 110Nm (120NM in Boost Mode) of torque. Both bikes feature 800 Wh batteries and come in at 56 and 53 pounds respectively.
The build kits include SRAM drivetrain components, RockShox suspension and Maxxis tires.
There are two levels of bike; the ADV and the EXP. The ADV has aluminum front and rear triangles, while the EXP features a carbon front triangle and an aluminum rear triangle.
So what do they cost? The ADV comes in at $6,399 while the EXP is $8,399. If these bikes are everything they claim to be, those prices are considerably lower than their competition.
A familiar look
The Current isn’t trying to reinvent the mountain bike. If anything, it looks familiar. The silhouette looks a lot like a Specialized Stumpjumper. Whether that’s coincidence or inspiration the comparison is hard to ignore.
For what it offers, the Current lands in a price range that is noticeably lower than many comparable full-suspension eMTBs, putting it in a category that has traditionally been difficult for riders to access.
It’s not going to win a World Cup weapon, but it’s not claiming it will. The overall package is more than capable for everyday trail riding.
Brett Tippie joins the ride
Perhaps the most unexpected part of Aventon’s push into mountain biking is who’s along for the ride.
Canadian freeride legend Brett Tippie is now riding with the brand, bringing a level of credibility that Aventon hasn’t traditionally had in the mountain bike world. When he first announced the partnership, it didn’t quite make sense. Why would one of the orignal freeriders need a commuter? With the…
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