Aventon Ramblas review

Should you buy one?

Buy the Ramblas if you want a real hardtail mountain bike with a mid-drive motor, you ride singletrack and steep dirt climbs, and you’re comfortable with Class 1 rules: pedal assist only, cut off at 20 mph. I rode mine for several weeks. In June 2024 I called it probably my favorite Aventon (7:00), a ranking I later moved to the Aventure 3 for gravel.

Skip it if you want a throttle, rear suspension, or a cruiser for flat bike paths. It’s built to climb and handle rough ground, and on smooth pavement a lot of that hardware sits idle.

The deciding factors: whether you’ll actually ride dirt, and whether you can find one. The original Ramblas is gone from Aventon’s site. The current model is the Ramblas ADV, so a new purchase means the ADV, while the original is now a used-market buy.

See the Ramblas ADV at Aventon (affiliate link; the original Ramblas is no longer sold, and the ADV replaces it).

Who it’s for

• Riders who want their first e-mountain bike without paying what the big trail brands charge. In the video (0:55) I said a hardtail mid-drive from the bigger brands would cost $5,000 to $10,000 and up. That’s my estimate; I didn’t name specific bikes.
• Climbers. The A100 mid-drive is the bike’s strength, and it shows more the steeper the hill gets.
• People who already ride a regular hardtail and want the same feel with help on the way up.
• Tall riders. I’m about 6’1” and rode the Large comfortably.

Who should look elsewhere

• If you want a throttle for easy rides home, look at the Aventure 3. The Ramblas is Class 1 with no throttle, and so is the Aventure M.
• If a smooth ride matters more to you than trail handling, the Mokwheel Obsidian has full suspension and 4 inch tires.
• If you mostly ride roads and greenways, a commuter like the Soltera 2 costs far less and weighs less.

What the specs mean on the road

250W sustained, 750W peak, 100Nm. The 250W is the number on the frame. Ebike Escape lists 750W peak and 100Nm of torque for the original A100, and Aventon lists the same 750W peak and 100Nm for the ADV. The torque is the figure that matters on a climb.

Brakes. Ebike Escape lists SRAM DB8 four-piston hydraulic brakes with a 200mm front rotor and 180mm rear. In the video (2:44) I only noted the front brake uses mineral oil.

Battery. Ebike Escape lists a 36V 19.2Ah LG battery (about 691Wh by my math) and a 4A charger that takes about 5 hours.

3 assist levels. Eco, Trail and Turbo, plus Off (2:56).

Ramblas vs Ramblas ADV vs Mokwheel Obsidian vs Aventure M

Ramblas figures come from my video and Ebike Escape’s review (accessed Oct 24, 2026); the original product page no longer exists. Every other column comes from the current manufacturer page.

The ADV keeps what I liked about the original: the A100 motor, 29 x 2.4 Maxxis Rekon tires, a 12-speed drivetrain and a RockShox coil fork. On paper the main differences are in the parts list. Aventon now names SRAM DB6 four-piston brakes and a 150mm Manic dropper. I didn’t ride the ADV, so I can’t tell you how those changes feel.

For the side-by-side with the Obsidian, see the Mokwheel Obsidian vs Aventon Ramblas comparison.

The frame and build

I said in the video (0:00 and 0:36) that this was Aventon’s first mid-drive motor and its first true e-mountain bike, and Ebike Escape calls it Aventon’s first mid-drive too. It doesn’t feel like a first try. The frame is aluminum, not carbon. Aventon smoothed the welds so the joints look clean instead of beaded, and no wiring runs outside the frame. I said it was probably one of the best-manufactured Aventon bikes I’d tested, and I’ve tested the first and second versions of their whole lineup.

It’s a hardtail: a RockShox 35 fork up front and nothing in the back. Some commenters thought that was a corner cut. My answer is that not many years ago, every mountain bike had front suspension only. Someone also asked whether the fork locks out. I said it locks out; see conflicts below.

In the video (1:36) I said there’s an optional headlight that I didn’t install. Ebike Escape says a front headlight comes in the box and the rear lights are integrated but don’t light up when you brake.

Controls and display

In my video I called it a very, very clean design and a big change from Aventon’s other e-bikes (2:30-2:56). The display is tucked under the bar, out of the way when you’re looking down the trail, instead of perched on top where a crash can snap it. The remote cycles through Off, Eco, Trail and Turbo.

Aventon combined clamps to keep the bars clean. The brake lever shares its clamp with the shifter, and the dropper lever and brake also share one mounting point. The grips lock on with a nut, so they won’t twist when you’re hanging on through a rough section.

The front brake uses mineral oil, so it’s a hydraulic system (2:44).

How it climbs

The motor is the reason to buy this bike. At 3:40 I said the A100 gives an insane amount of torque, especially climbing, and that the way to use it is in a super low gear to get back up the hill. I didn’t name the exact gear or measure the grade on camera. Ebike Escape lists the drivetrain as SRAM NX Eagle 12-speed with an 11-50T cassette and a 34T chainring, so the lowest gear is 34 front, 50 rear.

At 4:31 I said riding it is easy and the instant torque is one of my favorite things, “able to propel you up any hill.” Then the ride footage runs with music from about 4:48 to 6:24.

On access: the Ramblas is Class 1, pedal assist only to 20 mph, with no throttle. Trail rules are set by whoever manages the land, and they differ by place, so check yours before you buy. My e-bike classes guide covers how the classes differ. One commenter said the 20 mph cutoff was a dealbreaker because you end up fighting the motor past it.

How it handles

The Maxxis Rekon 29 x 2.4 tires are real mountain bike tires (4:11). I called them pretty solid tires, especially for a stock mass-produced mountain bike. A commenter asked if they’re tubeless. Mine weren’t set up that way out of the box. The ADV page lists its Rekons as tubeless ready.

The dropper post makes a big difference. Drop the saddle from the bar before a descent and raise it for the climb, without stopping.

There’s a chain slap guard on the chainstay, so the chain isn’t chewing up the frame paint every time you drop off a ledge.

Another viewer asked if it works for city riding with hills. In my reply, I said it did fine on the paved hills I rode.

Ebike Escape lists handlebar widths of 720mm and 760mm depending on size, and a KS dropper post on the original.

Charging and daily use

The charger uses a proprietary plug, so you can’t borrow a standard one from another bike. Don’t lose it, or you’ll be buying another one from Aventon. The port sits behind a flap, which keeps dirt and water out on the trail.

I kept the Ramblas after the review and planned to put 100 to 200 more miles on it for a follow-up. I didn’t do a range test in the main video, so I won’t give you a range number. Aventon rates the ADV at up to 90 miles.

Pros and cons

Pros

• The A100 mid-drive climbs with far more force than its 250W rating suggests
• Clean build: smooth welds, internal wiring, display tucked out of harm’s way
• Proper trail parts: RockShox fork, Maxxis Rekon tires, dropper post, 12 speeds
• Chain slap guard and lock-on grips
• Four-piston brakes with a 200mm front rotor (per Ebike Escape)

Cons

• No throttle, and assist stops at 20 mph
• Hardtail only, so a rough descent beats you up more than a full-suspension bike would
• Proprietary charger plug
• Rear lights don’t work as brake lights (per Ebike Escape)
• The original is discontinued, so new buyers are looking at the ADV

Ramblas ADV spec sheet

The ADV is the Ramblas Aventon sells now. I tested the original, not the ADV, so this table is Aventon’s listing, not my results.

Source: aventon.com/products/ramblas-adv-ebike, accessed Oct 24, 2026.

A viewer asked about the crank length. I didn’t measure it on my bike; the ADV lists 165mm.

Geometry

Source: Aventon’s Ramblas ADV geometry chart, accessed Oct 24, 2026. I couldn’t find a geometry chart for the original Ramblas, so I can’t say whether these numbers match the bike I rode.

A 66.5° head angle is on the slack side for a hardtail, which generally means more stability going down and a slower feel in tight turns. The 465mm chainstays are on the long side, which tends to help keep the front wheel down on steep climbs. Those are general traits of those numbers, not something I measured.

Sizing at 6’1”

I rode the Large at about 6’1”. On the ADV chart, the Large covers 5’10” to 6’2” and the Extra Large starts at 6’2”. When a 6’1”, 170 lb viewer asked if they could go up to the XL, I said I thought the Large would be fine. The ADV chart agrees. If you’re 6’2”, you’re right on the line; the XL adds 26mm of reach and 26mm of wheelbase.

Conflicts worth knowing about

• Fork lockout. In my answer to a viewer, I said the fork locks out. Two other commenters said it doesn’t; one said you can make it stiff enough that it feels almost the same. Aventon’s ADV listing describes the Psylo Silver R fork with rebound adjust and doesn’t mention a lockout. Ebike Escape lists the original’s fork as a RockShox 35 Silver TK with 130mm of coil travel and rebound adjust, and says it has no lockout. That conflicts with what I said. Since none of my frames show the fork’s top cap clearly, I can’t settle it. Check the top of the fork’s right leg on any bike you look at.
• Tubeless. The tires on my bike weren’t tubeless, and one owner said the same. The ADV lists the wheels and tires as tubeless ready.
• Headlight. I said the headlight was optional; Ebike Escape says one comes in the box.
• Battery and range. I didn’t give a battery size or range for the original in the video. Ebike Escape lists a 36V 19.2Ah battery. The ADV lists 708Wh and up to 90 miles. Ninety miles is Aventon’s best case figure, and climbing in Turbo will use more battery.

Rain and water

Aventon rates the Ramblas ADV bike at IPX6 and the motor at IP67. Both ratings are higher than the IPX4 and IPX5 Aventon lists for its commuter bikes like the Level.2 and Soltera 2.5. IPX6 is protection against powerful water jets, and IP67 means the motor is rated for temporary immersion. That suits a mountain bike that sees mud and stream crossings. I didn’t find a rating for the original Ramblas, and I still wouldn’t point a pressure washer at the bearings or the display.

What owners in my comments say

These are commenters’ experiences, not things I tested.

• One owner said they love it.
• Another, three weeks in, said it’s easy to nitpick some parts choices, but for the price they’re all fine. They said the frame and mid-drive motor are worth paying more than the cheaper hub-drive bikes.
• One commenter said the 20 mph limit kills it for them, because you end up fighting the motor, and said they’d switch from their Aventure 2 if it had a throttle.
• Several wanted rear suspension. Another commenter answered that it’s fine without, and would cost more and weigh more with it.
• A 67 year old rider said a first hardtail got him over chunky trail with no problem.
• One asked about steep backcountry climbs instead of the small hills in my video. I didn’t film long backcountry climbs, so I can’t answer that from my testing.

Warranty

Aventon’s warranty page (aventon.com/pages/warranty, accessed Oct 24, 2026) sets out terms for bikes bought from 2026 on:

Aventon says bikes bought before 2026 keep the warranty they were sold with. The original Ramblas was sold before 2026, so it keeps its original warranty. A new Ramblas ADV bought today gets the terms in the table. Register within 90 days for the lifetime frame coverage.

Recall check

I checked the CPSC recall list and Aventon’s recall page on Oct 24, 2026. The only Aventon recall I found is the Sinch.2 folding bike (CPSC 24-075, Jan 4, 2024), for unexpected acceleration, fixed with a free controller software update at a dealer. Neither the Ramblas nor the Ramblas ADV is on it. Check cpsc.gov before you buy used, because recalls can come out later.

FAQ

Is the Aventon Ramblas a real eMTB?

Yes. It’s Aventon’s first proper e-mountain bike: a mid-drive motor, a RockShox fork, a dropper post, a 12-speed drivetrain and 29 inch Maxxis tires.

Does it cost $5,000?

No. I said in the title that it beats $5,000 bikes, and some people read that as the price. It isn’t. The current Ramblas ADV is $2,899 as of Oct 22, 2026.

Ramblas vs Ramblas ADV: what changed?

The motor, the 29 x 2.4 Rekon tires and the 12-speed setup carry over. Aventon’s ADV page lists SRAM DB6 four-piston brakes, a 150mm Manic dropper, a 708Wh battery and a 54 lb weight. I’ve only ridden the original, so the table above compares the specs on paper.

Ramblas vs Mokwheel Obsidian?

They’re different tools. The Ramblas is a lighter-feeling Class 1 hardtail with a mid-drive and no throttle. The Obsidian is a 77 lb full-suspension fat tire bike with a 750W rear hub, a throttle and a 940Wh battery. Pick the Ramblas for climbing and handling, and the Obsidian for comfort and power on demand. Read the comparison for more.

Does the motor help going downhill?

You don’t need it on the way down. My point in the video was that the motor and a low gear get you back up the hill so you can ride down again.

Does the fork lock out?

I said yes, but two commenters disagreed, and Aventon’s ADV listing doesn’t mention a lockout. See the conflicts section above.

What size should I get at 6’1” and 170 lbs?

I’m about 6’1” and rode the Large. At that height and weight, I think the Large would be fine.

Is it any good on city streets and hills?

It did fine on the paved hills I rode.

Are the tires tubeless?

Mine weren’t. The ADV’s Rekons are listed as tubeless ready.

Is it a budget mid-drive eMTB?

For a mid-drive mountain bike with these parts, I think so. It launched at $2,699, per Ebike Escape. In the video I estimated similar bikes from bigger brands at $5,000 to $10,000; that’s my estimate, not a priced comparison.

Is it waterproof?

Aventon rates the Ramblas ADV bike at IPX6 and the motor at IP67. I couldn’t find a rating for the original.

What’s the crank length?

Aventon lists 165mm cranks on the ADV. I didn’t measure my bike’s.

How heavy is it?

Ebike Escape lists the original at 56 lbs with the battery. Aventon lists the Ramblas ADV at 54 lbs, with an 8.44 lb battery. I didn’t weigh either.

Price

Aventon no longer lists the original Ramblas. Ebike Escape gives its price as $2,699; I couldn’t confirm that on an official Aventon page. I couldn’t find a used price range I could verify. The successor Ramblas ADV is $2,899 on Aventon’s site as of Oct 22, 2026. If you find an original Ramblas used, the comparison table above shows what you give up and gain compared with the ADV.

Check the Ramblas ADV price at Aventon (affiliate link).

Related reviews and guides

• Mokwheel Obsidian review
• Mokwheel Obsidian vs Aventon Ramblas
• Aventon Aventure M review
• Aventon Aventure 3 review
• Aventon lineup guide
• E-bike classes explained
• Compare e-bikes

“GOD, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places.” Habakkuk 3:19 (ESV)