RAMBLAS REVIEW, AVENTON'S NEW EMTB: A FIRST LOOK

It is no secret that electric bikes have surged ahead in the past few years, defying bike purists. And truth be told, we too were a bit skeptical at first. Yet as time marched on, we found ourselves more open-minded to the whole idea. Perhaps it is the compelling marketing, the increasing demand, or maybe we just got off our high horse and actually tried it out ourselves. 

And boy, this bike is FUN! There is nothing out there that better demonstrates the value, performance, and quality that ebikes these days offer than Aventon’s new eMTB–the Ramblas. With the Ramblas, the possibilities of adventure are endless; it will take you farther, conquer any hill, and completely transform your riding experience. It will change the way you think of biking. If you can dream it, the Ramblas will take you there!

Aventon, a California based ebike brand, has consistently delivered an impressive lineup in recent years, including models like the Pace and Aventure. For the dollar, these ebikes outperform everything else on the market. While many brands have rushed to capitalize on the ebike buzz, Aventon has stood above the rest with superior warranty coverage and customer service. 

During our first test ride of the Ramblas, we were stoked to see it do everything and more that Aventon had hoped. It charged up hills without any complaints and it was beyond effortless to handle. The Ramblas responded to every whim and desire, making sharp turns with an ease and control we were honestly not anticipating. 

Let's talk bike:
​Featuring a hard tail, dropper post, wide rims, and Maxxis 29x2.4 tires, the Ramblas is designed for high performance. This bike is built to rip! Its wider rims and tires inspire confidence; the Ramblas can corner and descend with the best of the trail mountain bikes. The front suspension, a RockShox with 130mm of travel, let us glide over features with comfort and ease. For casual mountain bikers looking to weave through the woods all day long, effortlessly rolling over gnarly roots, the Ramblas is the perfect choice. 

We can tell Aventon really did their research with the MTB community, as the build kit here does not cut corners. From the sleek KS dropper post to the reliable SRAM disc brakes and the precise SRAM NX Eagle 1x drivetrain (no budget Tektro components here), every detail has been meticulously chosen. At 52lbs, the Ramblas remains nimble while being durable too–not an easy thing. The frame itself is a beauty to behold–sleek, streamlined, and equipped with an integrated battery that discreetly conceals its electric nature. No one will even know you are an e-convert until you effortlessly soar past them on a treacherous uphill. 

Let's talk motor:
At an easy $2699 the Ramblas boasts one of the most competitive offerings out there right now. Despite its reasonable price tag, it features an Aventon-designed motor, the A100, which rivals the performance of more expensive alternatives. We were stunned by the quality of the A100–basically indistinguishable to a Shimano motor. Could it really just be a Shimano motor with an Aventon sticker over their name? Maybe. That is a mystery you will have to unravel by experiencing it first hand. 

The A100 boasts over 100Nm of torque, resulting in a steady and effortless climb. No jolts. No weird power surges. It is smooth, as smooth as those eMTB’s double the Ramblas’ price. Check out the specs on other eMTB bikes: the Bosch Performance SX Motor only puts out 55 Nm of torque and the Shimano STEPS EP8 only puts out 85 Nm of torque. So the Ramblas A100 motor truly packs the punch to help you climb any hill. On our first ride, we pushed it to its limits by tackling a steep ski hill–a tall order indeed. The Ramblas did not sputter or complain, instead it seriously ripped without hesitation. Not going to lie, it really took us by surprise. 

Similar to Aventon’s Pace, Aventure, and other models, the Ramblas offers up to a 60-mile range and top assisting speeds of 20mph. The A100 is a Class 1 ebike motor with only pedal assist, which is different from the rest of Aventon’s lineup which come with a throttle. The major perk of Class 1 means the Ramblas complies with all mountain bike trail ebike rules. Whether you are cruising around town or tackling a climb to send that flowy downhill, the Ramblas will provide the range you need to have the best time riding. 

Overall, the Ramblas stands out as the best eMTB in its weight class– rigorously trail-tested, and mountain ready. Simply put, you won’t find a better eMTB for less.