Aventon Aventure vs RadRover 5 & 6 Plus: Which is Best?
July 7, 2023
With the release of the Aventure ebike, Aventon is stepping into the exciting and rapidly expanding world of off-road ebikes. Offering just as great and just as comfortable a ride on the trail as they do on the pavement, we’re positive that the fat tire Aventure and Aventure Step-Through are going to quickly ride to the top of their class!
To put this statement in perspective we decided to write up a piece comparing our new addition to the field, the Aventure, with one of the longest standing and, purportedly, best selling electric fat bike in North America, the RadRover 5, made by Rad Power Bikes. For good measure we've also included a comparison of Aventon's Aventure vs RadRover 6 Plus, the newer, and much more expensive version of the original RadRover. After all, if you’re going to see how you stack up against the rest you should compare yourself to the best!
To find more ebike model comparisons, here's a detailed analysis of Aventon versus Rad Power. Or continue reading to see how these models compare.
WINNING SPECS
| Aventure | RadRover 5 | RadRover 6 Plus | |
| Battery | 720Wh | 672Wh | 672Wh |
| Charger | 48V 3A | 48V 2A | 48V 2A |
| Brake | Hydraulic | Mechanical | Hydraulic |
| Display | Full Color Display w/ app sync capabilites | LCD | LCD |
| Sizes | 1 | 1 | |
| Gears | 8 | 7 | 7 |
| Top Speed | 20 MPH | Adjustable to 25MPH | 20MPH |
| App | Yes | No | No |
| USB Phone Charge | Yes | Yes | Optional, sold separately |
Stats
How do these two ebikes compare when you look them straight up and down? View their stats side-by-side in our RadRover 5 vs RadRover 6 Plus & Aventon Aventure breakdown.
| Aventure | RadRover 5 | Rad Rover 6 Plus | |
| Motor | 750W | 750W | 750W |
| Battery | 15Ah 720Wh | 14Ah 672Wh | 14Ah 672Wh |
| Pedal Assist | 5 Levels | 5 Levels | 5 Levels |
| Throttle | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Top Speed | 20 mph | 20 mph | 20 mph |
| Range | 45 miles per charge (PAS 2) | 45 miles per charge | 45 miles per charge |
| Size | 3 Available: S, M, L | 1 Available: 18" frame | 1 Available: 17" frame |
| Step-Through Model | | Yes 1 Size: 18" frame | Yes 1 Size: 14.8" frame |
| Weight | 73lb | 69lb | 73.4lb |
| Gears | 8 | 7 | 7 |
| Lights | Integrated front and rear lights (with brake light function) | Standard front light, integrated rear light (with brake light function) | Standard front light, integrated rear light (with brake light function) |
| Display | Full Color | Backlit LCD | Backlit LCD |
| Price | $1,999 | $1,699 | $2,099 |
On the cover these ebikes both seem pretty similar and the only items which may raise eyebrows are the slight difference in battery capacity, the app pairing capabilities, and the difference in price. On the above points alone, someone with no brand loyalty may choose to buy what they deem to be the cheaper, "just as good" option.
But if you're spending that kind of money, you're really going to want to get down to a bit more of the nitty gritty details to help you make the right purchasing decision. You might now be wondering why one company can produce two so similar products with quite similar stats to their competitor's product, but with one having a 10% price discount and the other having a 6% price increase. That's exactly what we wondered during our RadRover vs Aventon comparison.
Electrical Differences
We started by further exploring the e element of the two ebikes we were comparing. Looking not only at the components of the electrical systems but, in some instances, how the system has been thought out too.
| Aventure | RadRover 5 | RadRover 6 Plus | Comments | |
| Battery | 15Ah (720Wh) | 14Ah (672Wh) | 14Ah (672Wh) | Having a battery that is 7% larger than the competitor means, simply, that you have more power available and are able to travel further on each charge. To make this extra capacity possible we're using the latest tech; the same battery cells that Tesla are using in their latest electric vehicles. These cells have been designed from the ground up to provide a more powerful experience, packed into the same size space. |
| Motor | 750W 48V Brushless Rear hub motor | 750W 48V Brushless Geared hub motor | 750W 48V Brushless Geared hub motor | Our motors are equal, that is the easiest and most truthful way of putting it. Equally powered, both brushless, and positioned in the same place on the ebike. |
| Pedal Assist | 5 Levels of PA | 5 Levels of PA | 5 Levels of PA | All even here, with each ebike running with 5 levels of pedal assist. One thing to remember with this is that each company will program their pedal-assist levels to what they believe to be the best for their customers. We just reprogrammed our PA in response to customer feedback, tailoring it more toward what you have said you want from an ebike! |
| Charger | 48V 3 Amp Fast Charger | 48V 2 Amp | 48V 2 Amp | A charger with a higher amperage means faster charging. Which translates to more time being where you want to be; out on the trail! |
| LCD Screen | Full Color Display | Backlit LCD | Backlit LCD | Both displays show battery charge level, speedometer, odometer, trip odometer, and your pedal assist level. So nothing different there. The Aventure, however, has our first color display fitted and is ready to be linked to the Aventon App so that you can download your statistics and share your rides with your friends and the Aventon community! The RadRover ebikes, however, have none of these options. |
| Controller | Hidden | Attached to outside of frame by back tire | Hidden | The controller on your ebike is the brains for everything which goes on underneath you as you ride. We have tucked ours away safely inside the frame to ensure it is properly protected from the elements. The RadRover5, however, has theirs strapped to the outside of the frame, right next to the vigorously spinning back tire. When Rad Power Bikes recently designed the RadRover 6 Plus, they decided to rethink their design and hid their controller away too. |
| Lights | Integrated front and rear lights (with brake light function) | Standard front light, integrated rear light (with brake light function) | Standard front light, integrated rear light (with brake light function) | The cables for the Aventure's integrated lights, have been internally integrated to leave less wires hazardously hanging outside. Also, the Aventure's lights do not need to be moved when you add on front and rear cargo holders, the ones on both Rad Power's ebikes do need to be moved. |
Mechanical Differences
After looking at the e part of these ebikes, we naturally moved onto the bike part of these ebikes during our Aventon Aventure vs Rad Rover comparison.
| Aventure | RadRover 5 | RadRover 6 Plus | Comments | |
| Brakes | Hydraulic (With safety cut off sensor) | Mechanical | Hydraulic | Hydraulic disc brakes deliver more power in a smoother fashion than mechanical disc brakes; giving you quicker and smoother stopping capabilities. This makes hydraulic brakes that little bit safer, which can be very important when you’re riding an ebike that accelerates quickly, and is heavier than a regular bicycle. |
| Gearing | 8 Gears | 7 Gears | 7 Gears | Having 8 gears gives you a greater range than 7, allowing for more flexibility with speed and smoother transitions. Having 8 gears also means that there's a stronger hub design. |
| Suspension Fork | Zoom Forgo Fork | Spring Fork | Spring Fork | On the Aventure, we chose a 80mm, name brand fork to provide our customers with comfort through all of their riding days. There is little difference between the mechanical function of the three forks here, and they all have lockout functions so they'll act like stiff forks when you want them too. It cannot, however, go unmentioned that the RadRover 6 Plus is heavier than the other ebikes yet it is equipped with 20% less travel. The worry here is that the shorter fork will "bottom out", giving the rider a highly unappreciated jolt whilst also causing stress on other parts of the ebike and potentially causing the tires to slip out; whilst traveling over exactly the same terrain as the other two ebikes. |
| Production Method | Hydroforming | Extruded Tubing | Extruded Tubing | Extruding is the production method used to produce the vast majority of products made from aluminum. Hydroforming is the production method used in the automotive and aerospace industries and produces a stronger, more precise final aluminum product. |
Physical Differences
Finally, in comparison of Aventon Aventure vs Rad power, we sat back and looked at these ebikes as a whole, took in their stature, and looked at the elements which made up each of these machines' physiques.
| Aventure | RadRover 5 | RadRover 6 Plus | Comments | |
| Frames | Standard and Step-Through | Standard and Step-Thru | Standard and Step-Thru | All these ebikes are offered in standard and step-through models. However, Rad Power Bikes only offer their Step-Thru models in one size. |
| Sizes | 3 sizes: | 1 size: | 17" Frame Standard | Here at Aventon we know that one size doesn't fit all, and when to comes to spending over $1500 on an ebike, you want to make sure it fits you perfectly! |
| Handlebars | 680mm (26.5") | 700mm (27.5") | 700mm (27.5") | Both of these handlebars are wider than the average bike, providing the rider with extra stability whilst also making the ebike easier to control. |
| Fenders | Metal fenders | PVC fenders | PVC fenders | Simply, the choice of material here affects durability, and, for something that's protecting you, you want the material to be up to the challenge. |
| Battery | Integrated | Un-Integrated | Semi-Integrated | The battery on the Aventure is stealthily integrated into the frame, whilst the battery on both the Rad Power Bikes products are simply attached to the frame; okay one is slightly sunken. You could mistake the Aventure for a regular bike upon first glance, whilst the RadRovers both scream ebike! |
| Tires | 26"x4" Kenda Krusade reflective wall | 26"x4" Kenda Juggernaut, K-shield puncture resistant liner | 26"x4" Kenda Juggernaut, K-shield puncture resistant liner | These ebikes use 4" wide fat tires, and they are all high quality, puncture proof tires made by the highly respected tire manufacturer Kenda. |
| Cargo | Front and Back | Front and Back | Front and Back | All these ebikes have the ability to add cargo holders front and back. |
The range of an ebike will travel on a single charge varies on many different factors such as speed, weight, accelerations, crosswinds, motor exertion and more. Fortunately, we've put the Aventure to the test for you! We tested the ebike under real world conditions to give you a better indication of the Aventure's performance. For this test we rode on 80% flat terrain (20% hills) with a rider weighing approximately 180 lbs. Riding the Aventure solely using the throttle at 20 MPH gets you 27 miles of range! Considering that throttle exerts more from the battery, the range only goes higher from there as you move down the pedal assist levels. You can see the real world numbers for yourself.
Reasons To Love Aventon
In an ever-growing market, it’s difficult to find a brand that will continue to roll with quality and rider assistance, one that values longevity and persists in its efforts to make the riding experience last longer than the ride. Here’s how Aventon promises to change the way you experience the world on two wheels:
- 1,000+ authorized dealers that offer quality service & test rides
- 2-year warranty that protects you and your ebike for the long road ahead
- TUV Certified Safety Standards to ensure your ebike and its components are efficient and safe
- Innovative Aventon App that features in-depth riding metrics, plus interaction with fellow Aventon riders to share rides, photos and much more!
- Group Rides around the country that promotes connectivity and a good time
- Eco-Friendly Sustainable Packaging on all-new Aventon ebike models
- FREE fast shipping on all ebike orders
Aventon vs rad power: the bottom line
After lining these ebikes up side-by-side and comparing their stats, it is clear that the Aventure surpasses both the RadRover 5 and the RadRover 6 Plus from a performance standpoint and an overall components level. Additionally, when you begin to look beyond the stats on the page, you will find the subtle yet impactful elements and considerations that went into the design of the Aventure. Someone thought long and hard about the best way to go about each and every single element of that machine.
That attention to detail is a signature of the passion that we here at Aventon put into everything we design, build, and do. It shows through in the final product and we’re very proud of that and this new ebike that we’re so excited to release into the wild! On a final note: we know this isn’t a beauty contest… But tell us which one of these machines you think is the better looking one?
Thanks for the comparison. My only comment is that it would be nice if you offered the Kendra tires with the K Shield puncture resistant tire as an option. I understand the value of reflectant sidewalls, too bad Kendra doesn’t make a tire that does both.
I live in Bath, Ontario, Canada.
If I order 2 bikes, when could I expect delivery.
Thanks
Excellent summary / analysis. Bravo!
Rad Bikes offer different specials. I would like to buy your step through (I am 5’10” 200#.
I live in Portland but can travel to Corvallis.
Let me know when you have a special going and I will invest in your step-through.
Thanks!
The red also has USB