Aventon Pace 4 Review: A Light Step-Through with 70 Miles for $1,599
Aventon's Pace 4 pairs an easy low-step frame with a big battery and a throttle, making it a low-fuss daily commuter for flat-to-rolling routes.
The Aventon Pace 4 Step-Through is the kind of bike you stop thinking about once you own it, which is exactly what most commuters want. You swing on without lifting a leg over a bar, the is one of the biggest you'll find at this price, and there's a for the days you don't feel like pedaling. It earns a Genius Score of 79 out of 100, and a lot of that comes down to how much bike you get for $1,599.
Because it has a throttle, it ships as , so you can ride up to 20 mph without pedaling at all, and you can bump it to Class 3 in the settings for 28 mph when you're pedaling. That switch is handy: keep it in Class 2 for bike paths, and flip to Class 3 when you're on the road and want the extra speed.
Pros & cons
What we like
- The low step-through frame makes getting on and off easy, whether you're in work clothes, hopping off at a light, or loaded down with groceries.
- A big backs up the claimed range of up to 70 miles, so most people can go several days of commuting between charges.
- A lets you ride without pedaling up to 20 mph, handy for pulling away from stops or resting your legs.
- from Tektro give you strong, low-effort stopping in traffic and rain.
- At 58 lb it's on the lighter side for an e-bike with this much battery, which helps when you need to lift it onto a rack or up a step.
Worth weighing
- The puts out steady rather than punchy power, so steep climbs feel like more work than they would on a higher-torque bike.
- There's no suspension and the tires are a fairly narrow 2.1 inches, so this is a smooth-pavement bike, not one for rough roads or trails.
Key specs
The motor & power
The Pace 4 runs a 500W that delivers power smoothly and evenly. That suits commuting well, since you get a predictable pull instead of a jumpy launch every time you tap the pedals.
is a fair amount for a commuter. On flat streets and gentle rises it'll get you and a load of groceries moving without complaint. On a long, steep hill the motor works harder, so if your ride is genuinely hilly, you'll feel it toward the top.
The is the fun part. It lets you ride without pedaling up to 20 mph, which is what makes the bike out of the box. It's great for getting across an intersection quickly or giving your legs a break, just know that riding on the throttle pulls more from the battery than pedaling does.
Aventon lists 864W of , which the motor only hits in short Boost bursts. Judge the bike on the 500 watts it puts out steadily, since that's what you'll actually feel on a normal ride.
Range & battery
The is the headline here, and it's a genuinely big one for this price. Aventon claims up to 70 miles on a charge. That top number assumes flat ground and mostly pedaling, but the pack is large enough that a real-world commute won't come close to draining it in a day.
The 70-mile figure reflects ideal conditions, so it's sensible to plan for somewhat less based on your terrain, how much you're carrying, how often you use the throttle, and how cold it is — and even a conservative estimate still leaves plenty of headroom for a typical round-trip commute. The battery is removable too, so you can carry it inside to charge if you park in a garage or shed.
Ride & components
The step-through frame is the whole point of this version. There's no top tube to clear, so getting on and off is easy in a skirt, a suit, or with a pannier loaded up. It's the frame you want if mounting a regular bike has ever felt like a hassle.
from Tektro handle stopping, and they're a nice thing to have on a commuter, giving you firm, reliable braking with one finger even on a wet descent. Shifting comes from a Shimano Altus 8-speed drivetrain, which is basic but dependable and gives you enough gears for city riding and moderate hills.
The 27.5 x 2.1-inch tires and rigid frame keep things efficient and light, and at 58 lb the bike is easier to handle than a lot of big-battery e-bikes. The trade-off is comfort on rough surfaces: with no suspension and fairly narrow tires, you'll feel broken pavement and potholes, so it's happiest on paved roads and smooth paths. It'll carry up to of rider and cargo, which is plenty for commuting with a full load.
This is one bike with a class you set in the display, not two different models. Out of the box it's with the active, so you can ride up to 20 mph without pedaling. Switch it to Class 3 and will carry you to 28 mph, though that speed only comes when you're pedaling. The lower setting is often what keeps you legal on bike paths and multi-use trails, while Class 3 is really for roads and bike lanes, so check your local rules and set it to match.
Price & value
At $1,599, the Pace 4 Step-Through lands in the mid-price range for commuters, and it's an outstanding value for the money because you're getting a lot for what you pay. The big battery, hydraulic brakes, and throttle are features you often pay more to get together.
It won't be your pick for a mountainous daily climb, but on flat-to-rolling commutes and errand runs, few bikes at this price pack this much range and comfort into a frame this easy to live with.
Who it's for
The easy-on, easy-off rider
If swinging your leg over a tall frame is a pain, whether because of how you dress for work, a cranky hip, or just carrying too much, the low step-through makes every stop and start simpler. Add the and you barely break a sweat getting around town.
The set-it-and-forget-it commuter
If you ride most days and hate fussing with a charger, the gives you enough cushion to plug in only now and then. Pair that with and steady, predictable power, and it's a bike you can just grab and go.
The hill-country rider
If your daily route includes long, steep climbs, the 500W motor and will get you up but make you feel the effort. Riders in hilly areas should look at a bike with more torque or a motor before settling here.
The rough-road roamer
If your commute runs over gravel, broken pavement, or the occasional curb, the rigid frame and narrow 2.1-inch tires won't cushion much. You'd be happier on something with wider tires or for that kind of terrain.
Frequently asked
How far does the Aventon Pace 4 go on a charge?
Aventon claims up to 70 miles on a full charge from its . That best-case number assumes flat ground and mostly pedaling, so plan for somewhat less depending on your terrain, load, and throttle use.
Does the Aventon Pace 4 have a throttle?
Yes. It has a throttle, so you can ride without pedaling up to 20 mph. That's also what makes it a bike out of the box.
Can you change the class on the Aventon Pace 4?
Yes. It ships as Class 2 with the throttle active and a 20 mph top speed, and you can switch it to Class 3 in the display for speeds up to 28 mph. Class 2 is usually what keeps you legal on bike paths, while Class 3 is meant for roads and bike lanes.
How fast does the Aventon Pace 4 go?
In its default Class 2 setting it goes up to 20 mph, on the throttle or pedaling. Switch it to Class 3 and pedal assist takes you up to 28 mph.
How much does the Aventon Pace 4 weigh?
It weighs 58.2 pounds, which is fairly light for an e-bike with a battery this size. That makes it easier to lift onto a rack or carry up a step than many commuters.
How much weight can the Aventon Pace 4 carry?
Its total weight limit is 300 pounds, covering the rider plus any cargo, which is plenty for commuting with a loaded backpack or panniers.
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