Brea, California eBike brand, Aventon has achieved a couple of “firsts” with the launch of their new Ramblas eMTB. Not only is the Ramblas Aventon’s very first eMTB, but the new Ramblas comes equipped with a proprietary mid-drive motor, which is another first for the brand.
Last month, Aventon invited us to the launch of the new Ramblas. The event was held in San Clemente which is local to me, so I drove down to check out the new bike. While breakfast was served, we learned about the bike and all of its features, and then took off to ride the Ramblas.
To start the ride, we were shuttled to a nearby trail system in San Clemente. We rode a 5-mile loop that was almost 100% single track with decent climbs and a smattering of steep switchbacks.
The Ramblas is a Class 1 eMountain Bike that reaches 20 MPH with pedal assist. It would be a great fit for someone new to mountain biking, someone who likes to explore, or someone like me who is simply eMTB curious.
After I mounted my Ramblas and pedaled around for a bit, I noticed that the bike felt pretty comfy with my quick adjustments. Because it was so comfy, it seemed like you could throw some slightly less aggressive tires on this bike to commute on it as well.
Aventon’s Ramblas is an aluminum-framed hardtail with Boost rear axle spacing. Additionally, it has an impressive spec sheet, and an even more impressive price tag at… $2,699!
A Word From Aventon
“As enthusiasts ourselves, we believe that the joy of cutting-edge electric mountain biking should be an experience accessible to all, not just a privileged few,” says Aventon CEO JW Zhang. He continues, “We at Aventon are on a mission to revolutionize this landscape. Our Ramblas eMTB is not just a bike, it’s a testament to breaking barriers. The Ramblas delivers superior technology with a proprietary mid-drive motor, premium features, and a durable alloy frame. This ensures the thrill of our eMTB is accessible to all without sacrifice.”
Riding the Ramblas
The event yielded a ton of info about the new bike and a fun ride with a good group of people. While riding the Ramblas, the handling felt predictable.
The Ramblas is a suspended hardtail, using the Rock Shox 35 fork with 130mm of travel. This fork is rated for the extra weight that an eMTB brings. For me, when not riding rigid MTBs, the suspended hardtail is my preferred choice when it comes to any suspension at all.
I was riding the XL, and the geometry felt neutral and comfortable.
The bike shifted well enough with the SRAM 12-speed NX Eagle drivetrain. Alternatively, I think the Shimano XT LinkGlide would be a great match for this bike as well.
The SRAM DB8, 4-piston brakes that are spec’d on the Ramblas seemed more than adequate with a 200mm rotor up front and a 180mm in the rear. They offer more than enough stopping power for aggressive rides.
Between the DB8’s performance, the wide 770mm handlebars, and the capable set of Maxxis Recon tires, there was no shortage of control.
Aventon’s Torque Sensor Technology is impressive, giving you more pedal assistance as you give the Ramblas more analog input. This resulted in the Ramblas matching your effort seamlessly and somewhat natural feeling.
The Ramblas is also hand painted in a dynamic color called Borealis Green. It’s a very pretty color that looked especially good in the Southern California sunlight. We also got a lil’ sneak peek of another color that may be on the way at a later date.
Aventon’s New A-100 Motor
The motor that helps propel the Ramblas is Aventon’s first mid-drive. The A-100 was developed in-house and delivers 100Nm of torque. The torque was noticeable on my ride providing me with steady, natural acceleration with very smooth climbing.
When pedal speed increases the motor responds with a gradual decrease in torque. This helps in replicating the sensation of riding without any motor assistance, preventing a sharp drop-off of torque.
With an IP67 waterproof rating, the A-100 is protected from the elements like dust, must, and dirt, and even immersion in water for a short period. I don’t have a lot of experience on eBikes with mid-drive motors, and I was thoroughly impressed with how the motor seemed to be just enough when you needed it, staying away if you didn’t.
Ramblas’ Ride Tune
You can find Ramblas’ Ride Tune in the Aventon app which can be downloaded in Android and IOS app stores. It enables motor support customization with three settings, Eco, Trail, and Turbo. While riding the Ramblas, I played around with the settings and found the right match to the terrain and ride level in the “Trail” setting.
Aventon says that it is optional, but recommends it for fine-tuning Assistance, Max Torque, and Acceleration in hopes of enhancing the riding experience using the app or the handlebar controls.
Assistance
Assistance is the motor’s power contribution to the rider’s effort. For instance, at 50% it adds 30 watts to your 60-watt output, while 100% adds 60 watts.
Max Torque
Max Torque can be adjusted to change the feel of how you ride. Decreasing the max torque provides a more natural ride feel and increased battery range.
Acceleration
Acceleration determines the bike’s initial power from a stop. Higher settings mean quicker response, while lower settings offer a more natural feel.
Ramblas Geometry
Aventon Ramblas Retail & Specs
Retail: $2,699
- Frame: 6061 Aluminum alloy, Boost 148
- Fork: RockShox 35 Silver TK 130mm travel, coil, 44mm offset, 15×110 axle, 1.5″ tapered steerer tube
- Motor: Aventon A-100 mid-drive, 36v, 250w, 100Nm torque, IP67 rating
- Display: LCD Smart Display with Backlight & App Sync
- Charger: 42v 4A charger
- Battery: Aventon 708Wh, 36v LG 21700 cells
- Rear Derailleur: SRAM NX Eagle 1×12
- Shifter: SRAM NX Eagle 1×12 single click
- Cassettes: SRAM NX Eagle 1×12 11-50t
- Chainring: SRAM X-sync BCD 104 34t
- Crank: 165mm ISIS splined
- Pedals: 9/16″ alloy platform
- Stem: 35mm, 40mm length
- Grips: Lock on
- Handlebar: 35mm, 9° rise, 720mm width for size S, 760mm width for sizes M-XL
- Seatpost: KS dropper post, S: 125mm travel, M-XL: 150mm travel, 31.6mm, 395mm length
- Seatpost Clamp: 34.9mm
- Brakes: SRAM DB8 mineral 4-piston hydraulic disc for front and rear.
- Rotors: 200mm front, 180mm rear.
Aventon offers a 2-year standard warranty with the purchase of the new Ramblas. The warranty covers all manufacturer defects of the frame and components, before assembly.
Check out all of the bikes Aventon has to offer by hitting the link below. Or… visit one of Aventon’s 1000+ dealer locations nationwide.
