As demand continues to skyrocket, newer brands such as Aventon and Addmotor try to build their brands around affordable electric bikes. These brands even boast about how much their bikes perform better than the higher-performing e-bikes from more established brands such as Trek, Specialized, and Giant. But how do they compare against each other?
Addmotor is the elder of the two brands and prides itself in making the most trouble-free bikes on the market. Aventon specializes in making comfortable e-bikes for all ages and skill levels. Both brands have their pros and cons, though most of the time the main differences are user preference.
Therefore, a must better way to compare the two brands is to go through each category of e-bike and match up the respective offerings to your needs. As such, by reading further, you will learn about their most popular bikes along with a quick e-bike buying guide.
Addmotor or Aventon: What to Consider When Buying an Electric Bike
While the technology is decades old, modern electric bicycles are more reliable with a larger array of features, weights, and gearing than ever before. You can even get them in every style and skill level including:
- Folding bikes
- Fat tire bikes
- Electric-assist Road bikes
- Various commuter and city bikes
It is this massive variety of styles and features that makes choosing an electric bike manufacturer so daunting. Sure, each e-bike brand focuses on a different style of rider. For instance, Aventon makes low-cost general-purpose bikes while Addmotor focuses on higher-end, professional and athletic rides. You can match these specialties to your experience level, budget, and body type to help determine the best e-bike for you.
Read also: Why are electric bikes so expensive? And, Does it make sense to buy the cheapest electric bicycle?
Addmotor Electric Bikes
Founded in 2006, Addmotor is not a newcomer to the electric bicycle market, though they spent their first five years making motorcycles. They are one of the few e-bike manufacturers to survive the market from a decade ago, relying on innovation to keep themselves and the American e-bike industry alive.
E-bike riders can now benefit from their hard work and patience through their nearly maintenance-free bikes. Addmotor is known to produce the most advanced technical features on the market today, making them one of the fastest-growing brands out there. Their Motan Mountain Fat Electric Bike routinely sits on top of best e-bike lists for its powerful motor, long battery life, and smooth shocks.
The highly technical features do not end there. Every Addmotor road, mountain, and sport bike comes with a very comfortable and durable design, powerful engines, and a large capacity battery. These models are also quite user-friendly with aluminum and steel guards and some of the best tire road grip on the market.
Read also: Is Addmotor a good e-bike brand to buy? Brand and models review.
They are also priced competitively coming in around $1600 to $4000, depending on available features.
Pros of Addmotor e-Bikes
Some notable benefits of going with an Addmotor e-bike include:
- Extra batteries are available separately
- Classic and updated e-bike designs
- Powerful engines with large capacity batteries
- Upgraded safety features such as an aluminum chain guard and hydraulic disc brakes
- Large comfortable seats with upgraded front and rear suspension
- One-year free service warranty
Cons of Addmotor e-Bikes
All the additional features make Addmotor e-bikes heavier than their counterparts from other brands. They are also on the more expensive side of the market.
Read also: How heavy are e-bikes? And, Can an e-bike pool a trailer?
Aventon Electric Bikes
Aventon means “to give a ride” in Spanish, and that is what the company wants to do for everyone who wants an e-bike. Founded in 2013 at the dawn of the current era of American e-bikes, they specialize in designing unique, comfortable, high-performance, and unique road bikes for every skill level and age.
Every Aventon e-bike also features exceptional workmanship, low-temperature painting, hand polishing, hydro-foaming technology, and flat position welding. These features won numerous awards including the Bicycling Magazine 2020 Award for their Pace 500 model. However, most of their models tend to cater to cycling enthusiasts and aspiring athletes with very little set aside for the casual rider.
With that said, Aventon electric bikes are built for speed and performance, making them a serious contender for the more serious cyclists. They are easy and intuitive to assemble and disassemble as needed, allowing for easy transport to and from the track.
Read also: Is Aventon a good e-bike brand to buy? Brand and models review.
Pros of Aventon E-bikes
Here are some commonly reported benefits of owning an Aventon e-bike:
- A variety of available e-bikes and accessories including pumps, mirrors, and helmets
- Often the most affordable bikes on the market with multiple payment options
- Offers bikes for all skill levels from the experienced to novice cyclers
- Advanced features such as rechargeable batteries, LCD monitor, and pedal-assist
- Referral program for discounts on e-bikes and accessories
Cons of Aventon E-bikes
Here are some issues some buyers had with Aventon e-bikes:
- Some features are not very durable and will break after a few rides.
- The throttle function does not always work.
- Can be expensive for novice cyclists
Addmotor vs Aventon Electric Bike Model Comparison
While they are both American companies, Addmotor and Aventon cite that their main competition comes from Europe and Asia. As a result, they rarely mention each other in their marketing and promotions. That does not mean you cannot compare and contrast them with each other. You just have to compare their product classes individually.
Although Aventon offers more bike models, both companies produce e-bikes for the most popular bike types. As such, you must use other characteristics to choose between them. While you should select the ones that best suit your needs, most experts recommend choosing an e-bike based on the following:
- Class: pedal assist (class 1), throttle control (class 2), or both (class 3), determines cycling assistance features and top speed
- Motor type: traditional hub or mid-drive. Determines the level of speed and assistance control. Mid-drive motors offer more control but are more expensive than traditional hub motors
- Battery size: combined output and lifespan expressed in watt-hours (Wh), determines riding the range on a single charge
- Battery Type: Removeable or integrated, determines how easy it is to replace and charge the battery
- Safety features such as head and taillights. Some models have configurable safety options that can be modified through accessories while others only allow the standard stock items
- Local regulations: Some areas restrict the types of e-bikes you can use
Read also: Best electric bicycle financing options in the USA. And, Rules & regulations for e-bikes and speed e-bikes in the USA.
General Overview
| Model | Aventon Level | Aventon Pace | Addmotor M-330 | Addmotor M-150 | Addmotor M-66 | Addmotor MOTAN | Adddmotor M-450 |
| Class | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Throttle | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Pedal Assist | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Motor | 500W Rear hub | 350 or 500W Rear hub | 750W Front hub | 750W Rear hub | 750W Integrated wheel | 500W Rear hub | 500W Rear hub |
| Battery | 672Wh Removeable | 614Wh Integrated | 750Wh Integrated | 500Wh Removeable | 614Wh Removeable | 614Wh Removeable | 614Wh Removable |
Aventon Makes Pedal-Assisted E-Bikes
E-bike class is the most important characteristic when choosing an e-bike as it determines how the bike helps you move. Each of the three official classes has its pros and cons, but most manufacturers stick to only one.
For instance, Aventon tends to focus on Class 1 and 3 e-bikes with an emphasis on Class 3 higher speeds. As such, all of their e-bikes offer pedal-assist functionality, though most models also include some throttling features.
Aventon Level Step-Through Commuter E-Bike
Often called the sleeper of city and commuter e-bikes, the Aventon Level offers a practical but understated daily riding experience with full fenders, a rear cargo rack, and a built-in kickstand. Despite this unassuming exterior, it packs a punch with its 500W rear hub motor and 672 Wh rechargeable battery.
Some important highlights include:
- 8-speed Shimano drivetrain with pedal assistance up to 28 mph (45 km/h)
- 27.5- x 2.2-inch Kenda tires on a suspension fork base and enhanced “thru-axis” steering
- Comes with fenders and a rear rack
- Competitively priced at around $1800 in small, medium, and large size variants
- Does not include lights or a bell
- Large backlit LCD speed and battery monitor
- Removeable battery and rear-hub motor
Read also: How to select the best city e-bike (with examples)? – also in this article, and this article. And, How much does a good city e-bike cost?
Aventon Pace Step-Thru E-Bike
Offered in 350W and 500V variations, the Pace Step-Thru E-bike is Aventon’s award-winning flagship model. Perfect for both urban commute and the open trail, the Pace is more of a hybrid than a true Class 3 bike as it comes with a built-in throttle for fully automatic operation, though the feature to shut off at 20 mph.
The Pace’s notable features include:
- Bult-in thumb-controlled throttle up to 20 mph (32 km/h)
- Integrated 40-mile battery, brake light, and rear-hub motor
- 7 or 8-speed Shimano drivetrain with pedal assistance up to 28mph (45 km/h)
- 27.5 x 2.2-inch Kenda tires with mechanical or hydraulic disc brakes
- The outstanding balance of price and performance starting around $1400
- Lacks fenders or integrated rack
- 250-pound capacity
Read also: How to select the best commuter e-bike (with examples)? – also in this article. And, how much does a commuter e-bike cost?
Addmotor Specializes in Throttle-Controlled E-Bikes
All Addmotor e-bikes are all under that Class 2 classification. As such, they all have automatic throttle controls that will propel the bike without pedaling, through most regulations cap the top assist speed at 20 mph (32 km/h).
Addmotor MOTAN M-330
Technically an electric tricycle, the M-330 is a stylish and comfortable ride for those who routinely haul heavy loads. It runs on a Bafang 750W front hub motor powered by a 750Wh battery. It even has a pedal-assist feature if you prefer a less automatic approach.
Notable M-330 features include:
- Built-in ½ twist throttle and pedal assistance up to 20 mph (32 km/h)
- A 55-mile range on a single 3–4-hour battery charge
- 20 v 4.0-inch Kenda tires on an aluminum frame and front hub motor
- 5-inch LCD monitor
Read also: Why fat tires are good news for electric bikes? And, How to select the best hybrid e-bike?
Addmotor M-150 R7 20″ Fat Folding
The Addmotor M-150 looks more like a motorcycle than an e-bike, making you feel special while riding it. The alluring fat bike’s foldable aluminum frame is a bit on the heavier side, but it is comfortable to ride with an adjustable seat and a maximum range of about 55 miles (90 km). It even offers throttle assistance up to 23 mph (37 km/h).
Notable M-150 highlights:
- Heavy and expensive but high powerful
- Throttle assistance up to 23 mph (37 km/h) with 5-level pedal assist
- Maximum weight capacity of 300lbs
- Long-lasting removable 500Wh battery with a 55-mile range (90 km)
- Aluminum folding frame with a rear hub motor and comfortable adjustable seat
- 20 x 4.0-inch Kenda 60 TPI fat tires
- 5-inch CD automatic light-sensitive display
Read also: How to select the best folding e-bike (with examples)? And, How much does a good foldable e-bike cost?
Addmotor MOTAN M-66 Moped
The retro-look Addmotor M-66 sports a masculine and stylish aluminum frame with a 750W motor integrated into the rear axil. This design lets the bike traverse harsh road conditions such as snow, sandy beaches, and rough inclines. It is also powerful enough to maintain its 30mph (48 km/h) top speed for at least 45 miles (70 km).
- Variable speed ½ twist throttle and pedal assistance up to 30 mph (48 km/h)
- 74-lb aluminum frame with an integrated wheel motor but oddly shaped
- 45+ mile range (70 km) from its 610Wh battery
- 20 x 4.0-inch Kenda fat tires
- Large 5-inch display
Read also: What is the difference between e-bike batteries? And, How far can e-bikes go? What is the e-bike range?
Addmotor MOTAN Mountain Fat
The Addmotor MOTAN delivers on its promises. It features an ARC integrated aluminum frame suitable for aggressive mountain riding. The sleek e-bike is even powerful enough to smoothly pedal uphill while making everyone else jealous as you zip by them.
- Throttle and pedal assistance with 25 mph top speed (40 km/h)
- 45-range (70 km) from a 614Wh battery
- 73lb durable aluminum frame with a rear hub brushless motor
- 26 x 4.0-inch Kenda TPI fat tires
- The frame is incompatible with most available accessories
Read also: How to select your first electric mountain bike? And, How much does a good eMTB e-bike cost?
Addmotor MOTAN M-450 Step-Trough
The MOTAN M-450 is an e-bike for people who want to go uphill really fast. Designed specifically for women and the elderly, this bike opens the mountain trails to everyone. It even has a built-in rear rack that makes it equally at home as a daily commuter. You get a wonderful ride either way.
- Throttle with 5-point pedal assistance with 25mph top speed
- 45-miles (70 km) range from a 614Wh battery
- Strong and durable 72lb aluminum frame with a brushless rear hub motor
- 26 x 4.0-inch Kenda 30 TPI fat tires
- Suitable for mountain trails and computing
- Designed for women and older riders
Read also: How much elevation / altitude can electric bikes climb? And, Can electric bikes go up steep hills?
A few words in conclusion
Addmotor and Aventon are two American e-bike manufacturers with at least a decade’s experience in the industry. While their bikes offer similar features, these companies specialize in different aspects of the market. As such, your choice between them often comes down to the type of rider you are and your skill level.
