When I reviewed the Aventon Level 3 in 2025, I recommended it as an all-around commuter and a first e-bike for beginners. It handled gravel, asphalt and concrete, the torque sensor made pedaling feel natural, and it added a live range estimate and 4G tracking. The Aventon Level 4 ADV keeps the commuter idea and changes the most important part: the motor moves from the rear hub to the cranks. I haven’t ridden it. Everything below comes from Aventon’s official Level 4 ADV pages, checked on Oct 28, 2026 and linked at the bottom.
A Level with a mid-drive
The Level 4 ADV uses Aventon’s Ultro S mid-drive, rated at 100 Nm of torque and 750W peak. Aventon says it chose the Ultro S over the Ultro X because the X is built for mountain bikes and has features a commuter doesn’t need.
On paper this is a big jump from the Level 3 I rode, which Aventon rated at 60 Nm and 500W. The only Aventon mid-drive I’ve ridden is the Ramblas, a Class 1 hardtail mountain bike with a 100 Nm motor, and it climbed like crazy. The Ultro S is a different motor, so I can’t tell you it feels the same.
Gears that shift themselves
The drivetrain is a Shimano CUES 10-speed with an 11-39T cassette, a 48T chainring and Aventon’s E-Shifter, an electronic shifter in place of a cable. AutoShift can shift for you to hold a cadence you choose. Aventon’s FAQ says the default is 60 rpm and that experienced riders may prefer it higher. Add Uphill Start Assist, which helps you get going on a hill, and Ride Tune, which lets you set the assist, pedal response and max torque in each mode in the app.
No throttle in the box
This is the biggest change from the Level 3, which had a thumb throttle that worked from zero. The Level 4 ADV ships as a Class 1 bike, pedal assist only to 20 mph. Aventon sells a throttle you can add to make it Class 2, and the bike can be unlocked to assist up to 28 mph as Class 3. Aventon’s own FAQ says a throttle on a mid-drive feels “much more sluggish” than on a hub drive. If a throttle is a must for you, the hub-drive Level 4 REC includes one. Before you change classes, check our e-bike laws hub.
Battery and range
The battery is a removable, keyless 36V 20Ah pack, 800Wh, built with Samsung 21700 58E cells and weighing 8.7 lb. Aventon rates it at up to 110 miles. That’s based on a 165 lb rider on flat pavement in Eco with default Ride Tune settings, so treat it as a best case. The 42V 4A charger takes about 5 hours from empty to full. Aventon lists UL 2849 for the bike and UL 2271 for the battery.
Security and smart features
Like the Level 3 I rode, the Level 4 ADV has 4G and GPS tracking, and like the Level 3, the first year of 4G service is free and then it’s a paid subscription. On top of that, the ADV lists unusual activity alerts, remote notifications, Hold Mode, an Apple Watch connection and an integrated rear wheel lock that Aventon says locks the hub. If you park outside at work, those are the features to read about first.
Comfort and everyday parts
A 100mm coil fork with preload adjustment and lockout on a 15mm thru axle, plus a suspension seatpost with 50mm of travel, handle the bumps. Tires are Kenda K1052 27.5 x 2.2 in. Tektro 2-piston hydraulic brakes use 180mm rotors front and rear. The rack, fenders and integrated front and rear lights are all included, though Aventon doesn’t list a rack weight rating on the page. The Level 3’s rack was rated at about 60 lb.
At 61 lb, it’s 6 lb lighter than the 67 lb Aventon listed for the Level 3 and 7.5 lb lighter than the Level 4 REC. The total weight limit is 300 lb, and Aventon rates the bike IPX6 and the motor IP67.
Sizes
The step-over comes in Medium (5’3” to 5’10”), Large (5’10” to 6’4”) and Extra Large (6’4” to 6’7”). The Level 4 ADV Step-Through comes in S/M and Large with a 417mm standover. Aventon’s pages don’t agree on the step-through heights: the spec list says S/M fits 4’11” to 5’7” and Large 5’7” to 6’1”, while the geometry chart gives taller ranges. Check the fit with Aventon or a shop before you order.
How it fits with the bikes I’ve reviewed
The Level 3 is the closest bike I’ve ridden, and on paper the Level 4 ADV adds more torque, a bigger battery, a thru-axle fork, automatic shifting and 6 lb less weight. What it gives up is the throttle in the box and the lower price. The Level 2 is the older Level I filmed. The Ramblas is the Aventon mid-drive I’ve ridden, but it’s a mountain bike, and the ADV is built as a commuter. Next to the Level 4 REC, the ADV is the one for riders who pedal most of the time and want the mid-drive feel. The REC is the one for riders who want a throttle and a lower price. For more commuter options, see my best commuter e-bike guide.
FAQ
Have I ridden the Level 4 ADV?
No. I haven’t ridden it. I rode and filmed the Level 3, Level 2 and Ramblas, and this page compares the Level 4 ADV with them using Aventon’s published specs.
Does the Level 4 ADV have a throttle?
Not in the box. It’s Class 1 out of the box. Aventon sells a throttle that converts it to Class 2, and says a mid-drive throttle feels more sluggish than a hub-drive one.
Is the 4G tracking free?
For the first year from service registration. After that, Aventon says a paid 4G subscription is needed to keep tracking, lost bike reporting, alarms and the other connected features.
What’s the difference from the Level 4 REC?
On Aventon’s comparison table: the ADV has a 100 Nm mid-drive, 800Wh, up to 110 miles, 61 lb, a 100mm thru-axle fork, a Shimano CUES 10-speed with E-Shifter, and no throttle included. The REC has an 80 Nm hub (96 Nm in boost), 733Wh, up to 75 miles, 68.5 lb, an 80mm fork, a Shimano Altus 8-speed and a throttle.
Can I service it at a local shop?
Aventon says it has more than 2,000 partner bike shops for maintenance, service and repairs.
Pros and cons (from the specs and sources)
Pros: 100 Nm mid-drive on a commuter; 800Wh battery; 61 lb, lighter than the Level 3 and Level 4 REC; automatic shifting; thru-axle fork and suspension seatpost; rack, fenders and lights included; 4G tracking, alerts and a built-in wheel lock; step-over and step-through frames in five sizes between them.
Cons: no throttle included, and Aventon says an add-on one feels sluggish; 4G is a paid subscription after year one; no rack rating listed; step-through height ranges don’t match between Aventon’s spec list and geometry chart; costs $900 more than the Level 4 REC.
Who it’s for
On paper, the Level 4 ADV fits commuters who pedal most of the time, ride hills, and want the bike to handle shifting and security for them. It also suits riders who outgrew a hub-drive commuter like the Level 3 and want a mid-drive. If you rely on a throttle, or you want the lowest price for a well-equipped commuter, the Level 4 REC is the better match.
Price
As of Oct 28, 2026, the Aventon Level 4 ADV and the step-through were both $2,699, down from a list price of $2,799. Every size and color showed as available except the Medium step-over in Matte Black. The Level 4 REC was $1,799 on the same day.
“This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 (ESV)
