The subject of Ride Quality encompasses many smaller elements of a bike’s feel and function, including its sizing and fit, the responsiveness of its motor, the user-friendliness of its controls and interface, and so on. As we examine the Level 3 ST’s ride quality, I’ll break down each of these sections and add in details from my testing.
Starting with sizing and fit, the Level 3 has both a step-thru and high-step frame that come in two frame sizes. We reviewed the high-step model separately. The regular ST frame fits riders from 4’11” to 5’7” while the large size we tested accommodates those from 5’7” to 6’1”.
At 5’11”, near the top end of the large frame’s height range, I found a proper fit with full leg extension and a forward-leaning riding position that felt sporty but comfortable. The bike has two main points of adjustment: a seatpost with roughly 6” of adjustment in saddle height and an adjustable stem that allows users to change the handlebar height and reach.
I found the saddle supportive and firm without making me sore on long rides. The rubber grips were soft and textured, making them easy to hold on to.
In my experience, the bike’s handling was a great match for its stretched-out and sporty design. It felt stable and sturdy without feeling weighed down, so it maneuvered well and cornered crisply. As mentioned in the Speed Test section, the ride itself could feel reserved and natural or quick and peppy, depending on the pedal assist level; both sensations suited the bike’s style.
The ride was generally quite comfortable thanks to the bike’s suspension fork and suspension seatpost. The former offers a generous 80 mm of travel, while the latter offers 50 mm of movement to absorb bumps and vibrations. The bike’s 27.5×2.2” tires add more cushion while providing stability and traction.
I always appreciate an e-bike that includes safety features such as lights and turn signals, but in contrast to the previous version of the Level, the 3rd generation model does not include tail lights with brake light functionality. This is primarily due to the fact that its brakes do not include a motor cutoff function, which has a few tradeoffs.
On the positive side, the rider can apply the brakes and receive power from the motor simultaneously, resulting in a more natural experience. It also means that the bike is not limited to using e-bike-specific brake systems. On the other hand, I consider brake lights an essential feature on a bike meant to share the road with larger vehicles; we’d prefer to see Aventon bring them back in the future.
I liked the Level 3 ST’s user interface, which consists of a color display and a 5-button control panel with controls for the pedal assist system, lights, and turn signals. Users can set up a passcode using these buttons, which I highly encourage, considering that the wheel lock and battery lock can be governed through the display as well as the Aventon app.
I’ve mentioned the Ride Tune feature of the Aventon app, but it has many more elements to mention. The app can be used to track ride data and syncs cleanly with Apple Health and Strava. It gives users the ability to interact with other Aventon e-bike owners through a private social media platform. It can also activate and control the Level’s security features.
In addition to the motion detection/alarm system and remote disabling feature, the app can be used to set geofencing boundaries that limit where the bike can and cannot be ridden. We view this feature as ideal for parents who wish to limit where and how far their child can ride the bike; the PAS will be disabled when entering a restricted zone or crossing the boundary of an allowed zone.
Many of these features, including the ACU’s 4G chip, require that an annual subscription service be maintained. The service is priced reasonably at $20 per year or $2 per month.
I found the app well organized and highly functional, though there is a learning curve to get the most from its features. Those interested can see a walkthrough of the app in our video review linked near the top of this review.
These elements add up to excellence; the Level 3 ST’s ride quality is top-notch, thanks to its handling, responsive power output, overall comfort factor, accessible step-thru frame, and its integrated technology.
