Starting with the bike’s sizing and fit, Aventon manufactures the bike in a single frame size intended to fit riders from 4’ 11” to 6′ 6” in height. The bike includes a 350mm suspension seatpost and a telescoping threaded/quill stem to accommodate such a wide range, and its geometry places the rider in an upright position.
At 5’11”, I am squarely within the bike’s recommended height range. I found the saddle, BMX-style handlebars, and ergonomic rubber grips to be comfortable, and I liked that I could adjust both the handlebar height and angle to find an appropriate position. Leg extension, however, is one area with room for improvement.
To avoid strain and maximize pedaling efficiency, riders should have a slight bend at the knee at the bottom of their pedal stroke; with the Abound LR’s saddle at its highest, I had much more of a bend than I hoped for.
The bike’s higher levels of pedal assist helped to offset the need for me to apply a lot of pressure on the pedals, but I found myself somewhat sore after about an hour of riding in Eco mode. For this reason, I encourage Aventon to include a longer suspension seatpost in the future; by my measurement, the bike’s seat tube should accommodate an additional 50mm.
To be clear, I enjoyed the overall comfort level of the ride; with 50 mm of travel in both the bike’s suspension fork and suspension seatpost, most bumps were smooth and almost unnoticeable.
As with most cargo e-bikes, the Abound LR is a large bike. In terms of handling, the bike generally felt its size and weight, but its 20” wheels gave it a surprisingly nimble feel, too. Case in point: I was able to turn around comfortably on a bike path without needing to perform a three-point turn!
Whether riding with or without cargo on the rear rack, the Abound felt generally sturdy and stable. We critiqued the original model for having a significant amount of flex when loaded up; Aventon’s redesign of the frame, which now features a cast, single-piece front triangle, uses a system of internal reinforcement to add stiffness. The difference was definitely noticeable!
Speaking of cargo, we had the opportunity to try some of Aventon’s optional accessories in our testing. Aside from the aforementioned pannier bags, the brand offers seat pads, a grab bar, and a handrail for young kids, a “captain’s chair” for older child passengers, cargo baskets for cargo—and even a front pizza rack for food delivery work!
At the time of writing, we’re not entirely sure which accessories will be cross-compatible between the Abound AG (the first version of the bike), the Abound SR (the short-rack utility version), and the Abound LR—please use one of the red “Check Best Price” buttons on this page to learn more.
I have discussed the bike’s motor engagement at length, but its responsive nature and powerful feel are defining characteristics of the Abound LR.
In terms of the user interface, I like the small handlebar-mounted display/control panel. I found the bike’s three assist levels easy to use; the fact that they are color-coded made it easy to know which mode I was in at a glance. The battery percentage was somewhat small and difficult to read, but the Aventon app shows this much more clearly.
To begin an explanation of the ACU’s features, I will begin with the Ride Tune feature I mentioned previously. This customization feature allows users to adjust the motor’s torque, sensitivity, and the strength of pedal assist (watts) in each of its assist levels. Each parameter can be changed with a slider that also adjusts a diagram of the overall motor output.
One of the most useful features of the Aventon app and the ACU is the ability to lock the center-mounted kickstand; this can be done manually or set to happen automatically when the bike is powered off. Similarly, the bike’s battery is typically locked and sealed in the down tube, but it can be ejected for external charging through the app or the bike’s display.
A GPS function within the Aventon app shows the bike’s location. Geofencing boundaries can be placed that can dictate where the bike can and cannot ride—an extremely useful feature when sharing the bike with a teenage child! If the bike leaves an allowed zone or enters a prohibited zone, the pedal assist system will be deactivated until the bike returns to an approved area.
The bike also has a motion detection and alarm system with three levels of sensitivity. If the bike is moved too much, the bike owner will receive an alert and the alarm will sound. The alarm can also be set to activate if the bike leaves its approved geofenced areas.
Finally, the bike can be manually deactivated if it is stolen or set to automatically deactivate if it does not make contact with Aventon’s servers within a predetermined time frame.
All of these features functioned well in our testing. Many of them require a subscription to keep the bike connected with 4G networks; the first year is free, and subsequent years will cost $20 annually or $2 per month.
In addition to governing the ACU and the bike’s security and customization features, the Aventon app can track ride data manually or automatically. Ride data can be synced with Apple Health and Strava. Users also have access to a social-media-like platform where they can share rides/photos and interact with other Aventon e-bike owners. Very cool stuff!
Like other models in Aventon’s most recent generation of e-bikes, such as the Level.3 and the Abound SR, the Abound LR is more than just a bike. With such a high level of connectivity, users are encouraged to make use of the Aventon app and use it hand-in-hand with the bike on a daily basis. Overall, these features elevate the Abound LR’s ride quality to a different level!
