Aventon, a well-known eBike brand from Brea, California, continues surprising the e-biking community with each new release. This time, they did it with the Ramblas mid-drive electric mountain bike.
The Ramblas is the brand’s first proper electric mountain bike and the first model with a proprietary mid-drive motor. Therefore, these are two firsts for the Californian brand.
Aventon has already tested the eMTB waters with the Aventure fat-tire ebike, but the Ramblas is a much more serious trail-ready machine with its RockShox suspension, a 100 Nm mid-drive motor, and a SRAM NX Eagle drivetrain.
In this review, we’ll take a closer look at what the Ramblas has to offer, focusing on its trail capabilities, comfort, and overall value.
Are things too good to be true considering the budget-friendly $2,699 price tag, or is Ramblas really such a steal? Keep reading and find all the answers below.
Contents
Aventon Ramblas Overview: Who Is It For?
Unlike other eMTBs in this price range that call themselves that on paper, the Aventon Ramblas is actually designed for cyclists who want to ride on proper mountain trails and experience the thrill of mountain biking.
At the core of the Ramblas is Aventon Bikes’ brand-new proprietary A-100 mid-drive motor paired with a robust 708 Wh battery, which ensures hours of assisted trail riding.
The Ramblas is a solid choice for newcomers to the world of electric mountain biking, but it also caters to a broader audience that wants to commute on roads and city streets.
The Aventon Ramblas stands out as a genuine eMTB, built for serious trail riding and versatile enough for city commuting.
The wide-range drivetrain and 4-piston disc brakes ensure reliable control and pedaling prowess, whereas the integrated taillight and headlight reflect the bike’s versatile nature.
If you’re thinking about getting the Ramblas, you should be aware of the fact that its rims are not tubeless-ready and its suspension fork comes without preload adjustment, which could be potential drawbacks depending on your intended usage.
Key Specifications:
- Motor: Aventon A-100 mid-drive, 250w, 100Nm torque
- Battery: Aventon 708Wh, 36v LG 21700 cells
- Range: Up to 80 miles (varies based on usage)
- Charge time: 4 hours
- Top speed: 20 MPH (Class 1 eBike)
- Weight capacity: Not specified
- Weight: Approximately 56 pounds
- Drivetrain: SRAM NX Eagle 1×12
- Brakes: SRAM DB8 mineral 4-piston hydraulic disc
- Tires: Maxxis Recon, 2.4-inch width
- Accessories: Optional integrated headlight and taillight, compatible with Aventon app
Detailed Aventon Ramblas Review
Proprietary 100 Nm Mid-Drive Motor
As mentioned above, the Aventon Ramblas boasts the brand’s proprietary A-100 mid-drive motor. It’s rated for 250W of continuous and 750W or peak power and delivers up to 100 Nm of torque.
The motor is paired with a torque sensor and offers smooth and natural-feeling acceleration, which is especially noticeable on steep climbs.
The Ramblas also features a 708 Wh battery integrated into the downtube which returns an 80-mile maximum range, according to Aventon. However, the real-world range can vary based on which of the three assist levels you use the most—Eco, Trail, or Turbo.
The riding experience is enhanced by a smart and compact LCD display mounted to the left of the stem, similar to the one on the Shimano E8000 unit. It provides real-time riding data and connects to the Aventon app, allowing you to customize the pedal-assist performance.
All in all, the 100 Nm mid-drive motor paired with a high-capacity battery tells us that Aventon had real trail riding in mind when designing the Ramblas eMTB.
Aluminum Frame and RockShox Fork
The Aventon Ramblas is built around a robust aluminum frame, which is unsurprising considering the $2,700 price. Aluminum offers a balance between strength, and weight, which is just what an eMTB needs.
The frame’s geometry is modern and fine-tuned for trail riding, featuring a slack 66.5° head tube angle and a steep 74.5° seat tube angle, paired with a long reach and short (35mm) stem. This means the Ramblas offers a responsive and stable riding experience, even on technical sections of the trail.
With its robust aluminum frame and modern geometry, the Aventon Ramblas provides a stable and responsive ride, perfectly balanced for technical trails.
The 56-pound weight is not particularly lightweight, but it’s about right for an ebike of this caliber, boasting a sturdy frame, electric components, and a suspension fork.
Talking about the suspension fork, the Ramblas is equipped with a RockShox 35 fork with 130 mm of travel. This is more than enough for trail applications, but the lack of preload adjustment means you won’t be able to fine-tune your suspension setup.
SRAM 12-speed Drivetrain and 4-piston Brakes
One of our favorite features on the Aventon Ramblas is the SRAM drivetrain and brakes.
Namely, this eMTB is fitted with a mid-range SRAM NX Eagle 12-speed drivetrain that is known for crisp and reliable shifting. The drivetrain comes with a wide-range 11-50T cassette, which means you’ll have all the gears you need for various terrains, including steep climbs.
The Ramblas also boasts a pair of SRAM DB9 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes, a must on any e-bike that pretends to be trail-ready. These brakes are paired with a 200mm front and 180mm rear rotor, which means you’ll have consistent braking performance and plenty of stopping power.
This bike also comes with a dropper seat post, which will make you a lot more confident on steep descents and technical sections.
Trail-Ready Tires, but No Tubeless-Ready Rims
Aventon Ramblas rolls on off-brand double-wall aluminum rims and Maxxis Rekon 2.4″ wide tires (27.5″ or 29″ depending on the frame size).
Unfortunately, these aluminum rims, even though sturdy, are not tubeless-ready. A tubeless setup allows riders to avoid punctures and run their tires at lower pressures, improving grip and comfort on the trails.
The Aventon Ramblas features sturdy rims and Maxxis Rekon tires, yet the lack of tubeless-ready rims could be a drawback for riders seeking enhanced puncture resistance and traction.
At this price, tubeless tires are not expected, but tubeless rims should be. Upgrading the wheelset is a much costlier endeavor than upgrading the tires, so this is a significant drawback if you’re used to having a tubeless setup on your mountain bikes.
Namely, an entry-level pair of tubeless-ready rims will cost you around $500, whereas a pair of quality tubeless-ready tires starts at around $60.
Trail-Tested and Commuter-Ready Features
Aventon Ramblas stands out in the eMTB market for its versatile design that blends trail-tested and commuter-ready features.
Even though at its heart the Ramblas is an electric mountain bike, it can also serve as a day-to-day commuter thanks to its comfortable geometry and clever features.
On the trail side, you have the robust aluminum frame, RockShox suspension fork, SRAM’s 12-speed drivetrain, 4-piston brakes, and a mid-drive motor.
On the commuter side, the Ramblas includes extras such as integrated rear lights and an optional (included) headlight powered by the main battery.
Therefore, this unique combination improves the Ramblas’s versatility, making it a suitable buy for a wide range of riders—from weekend trail-goers to full-time eMTB shredders.
Final Thoughts About Aventon Ramblas
The Aventon Ramblas, with its budget-friendly price tag of just $2,700 redefines what riders can expect in the entry-level eMTB sector.
The Aventon did two things for the first time with the Ramblas—creating a trail-ready eMTB and building a mid-drive motor—and it seems that they did both of these things decently well.
The A-100 motor is sufficiently powerful to propel the Ramblas over steep climbs, paired with SRAM’s NX Eagle drivetrain and 4-piston brakes.
While the absence of tubeless-ready rims and a suspension fork with no preload adjustment may be deal breakers for some experienced riders with high expectations, the Ramblas is a steal for every other type of trail-goer out there.
Aventon Ramblas
$2,700
Pros
- Powerful mid-drive motor
- High-capacity battery
- Wide-range SRAM NX Eagle drivetrain
- Powerful 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes
- Versatile design features
Cons
- Non-tubeless rims
- No preload adjustment on the fork
- Weight
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