Tom's Guide Verdict
Get the Aventon Abound LR if you’re looking for a do-everything electric cargo bike. While it doesn’t have as much storage capacity as a front-loader, it can still haul your kid and some groceries around town.
Pros
- +
Great design
- +
Long range
- +
Strong motor
- +
Good safety features
Cons
- -
Motor makes a little noise
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I love my town — the people, the shops, the neighborhoods — with the exception of one thing: parking. If I need to zip into town to pick up some groceries or drop my kid off at her dance class, I’ll spend as much time looking for a parking spot as it took to drive there.
Over the last month, that equation has changed, as I’ve been using the Aventon Abound LR for all sorts of takes where I would have otherwise driven my car. And, it’s proven to be, at least for me, one of the best electric bikes for those who need an ebike with cargo capacity. I have a few minor gripes, but you’ll want to read the rest of my review to see if this ebike can cut down on your own car trips, as it has with mine.
Aventon Abound LR review: Price
Weight: 88 pounds
Tires: 20 x 3.0
Drivetrain: Shimano 8 Speed
Max cargo capacity: 440 pounds
Range: up to 60 miles
Battery: 36V, 20Ah, 733Wh
Class: 2 (Pedal assist/throttle up to 20 MPH)
Motor: 750W
The Aventon Abound LR costs $1,999 and is available in either sage or black. It’s large enough to carry two kids — though the second one would be pretty crammed.
At the time of this writing, Aventon was bundling the bike with the large rear panniers (normally $135) as well as a folding bike lock ($69).
Aventon sells a smaller version, the Abound SR, for $1,899, which is a bit more compact but can still fit one child comfortably on the back. It’s also available in some more fun colors, such as Cobalt Blue and Purple Haze.
The bike also has several anti-theft and tracking features that use 4G and GPS; they’re free for the first year you own the bike, but cost $20/year afterwards.
What I like
It's effortless to ride
Despite the bike’s bulk — especially when laden with my 7-year-old in the back — I was able to get up to speed quickly, even on hills, thanks to the combination of its 8-speed gearshift and throttle.
I rode the bike up some steep inclines using both the throttle and pedal-assist alone, and it never struggled. The bike’s 750W motor was quick to respond, and, as a nice touch, you can switch between it using either a cadence or a torque sensor. So, you can either have the motor respond the harder you pedal, or the faster you pedal.
The bike has a front fork suspension as well as a seat suspension, which made every ride extremely comfortable. Aventon says the bike will suit riders from 4’11” to 6’3”, and while my wife and I aren’t quite that tall or short, it fit our 5’2” and 6-foot frames just fine. (I had to extend the seat to its tallest setting, though).
The bike felt stable at speed, though I did have to remind my kid not to shift her weight around a lot while we were riding; I definitely noticed when she swung her legs or moved side to side.
Even when you’re not on the bike, it has a few helpful features. I especially like the Walk mode, which moves the bike along at about 1-2 MPH, and prevents it from rolling backwards. I use it all the time when I have to wheel the bike up my steep driveway, and then open my garage door; this mode lets me do everything one-handed.
Strong security and safety features
The Abound’s small but bright display doesn’t scream that this is a bike loaded with tech, but it’s got a few key features that I found really handy.
To the right of the display is a small five-button keypad, which lets you control most bike functions, such as the rear turn signals. The lights themselves are small, but it’s a good option to have, even though you should also use hand signals too for extra safety.
Security measures include a startup password as well as an anti-theft alarm; if someone tries to move the bike while it’s turned off, it will start emitting a loud beeping sound.
Built into the bike is 4G and GPS, so you can also track where the bike is at all times, and even create a geofence, so that it can’t be used outside of a certain area.
As I wrote in the pricing section, these are free the first year, but cost $20 a year afterwards. While you should always use one of the best bike locks, spending an extra $20 a year to ensure your $2,000 bike’s safety seems a reasonable investment.
Good battery life and range
Aventon says the bike’s battery is good for a range of around 60 miles. This all depends upon a variety of conditions, including your weight, what you’re carrying, and if you’re going up or down any hills.
I took the bike on a solo 12-mile ride, with the assist level set to Sport mode, and went up and down several hills, totaling a few hundred feet. At the end of the ride, I had used 30 percent of the battery. Extrapolating that out, I would get around 40 miles before I’d need to recharge.
What I don't like
Motor whines a little
I admit — I had a hard time finding fault with anything, so this is more of a nitpick. When you engage the electric motor, whether via pedaling or throttle, the bike makes a whining sound not unlike that of a manual transmission car in reverse. It’s not overly distracting, but it’s definitely noticeable. I wouldn’t say that this is cause for you to not buy the bike, though.
It could use even more accessories
This is also a bit of a gripe rather than a full-on complaint, but I want there to be even more accessories for the bike. I tested it with the rear Passenger’s Chair, and the biggest issue my daughter had is that she wished it had some sort of seatbelt, so she could “eat snacks while I was pedaling her to and from her activities.”
On my side of things, I would have liked more storage options. If you have the chair installed, there’s no way to add a rear basket or panniers, so the only way to carry additional cargo would be to add a front rack. I’ve been searching the web for anything that could work, so if you know of something, drop a note in the comments.
I did like that the company includes a small storage compartment right behind the crankshaft. It's great for stowing small things, such as a bike lock or bungee cords, and it even has a little combination lock of its own.
Bottom line
An electric bike isn’t cheap — with accessories, the Abound LR costs over $2,000 — but given the higher cost of gas these days, (as well as the warmer weather of the spring and summer), I can see myself using this bike far more often over the next few months.
Aside from parking and traffic woes, it’s just far more enjoyable to bike around town than it is to drive. My daughter and I notice things that we wouldn’t have otherwise if we were driving — like people’s lawn decorations, or herds of deer munching on hostas — and we have a much more fun time chatting. However, she said she preferred riding in front-loading cargo bikes, like the Urban Arrow Family, because when she looked straight forward, ”I’m not just looking at your back.”
Small quibbles aside, the Aventon Abound LR is a near-perfect bike if you have to carry around a little one, or need something that can eliminate a few extra car trips.
