Aventon Pace 5 REC vs Heybike ALPHA
Two commuter e-bikes at a similar price, compared on the same normalized specs. Both scored by us, both reviewed in full.
The verdict
Same price, same Genius score, so this comes down to torque and weight versus range and portability: haul stuff up hills with the ALPHA, or carry the bike itself and go farther with the Pace 5.
Buy the Aventon Pace 5 REC
Buy the Aventon Pace 5 REC if you want a lighter bike to haul up steps or into an apartment, and you want more range in the bank for longer rides. It's also the Class 2 pick if that legal classification matters where you ride.
Buy the Heybike ALPHA
Buy the Heybike ALPHA if you deal with hills or heavy stop-and-go starts, since 105 Nm of mid-drive torque and a 400 lb payload capacity beat the Pace 5's hub motor for grunt and hauling cargo or a passenger.
The differences that matter
- Heybike ALPHA pulls harder from a stop and on hills, by 25 Nm of torque.
- Aventon Pace 5 REC runs a 250W bigger motor on continuous power.
- Aventon Pace 5 REC is 11 lb lighter, which you notice lifting it or carrying it up steps.
- Aventon Pace 5 REC claims 15 more miles of range, though both figures are the manufacturer's optimistic "up to" number.
Who each one is for
Aventon Pace 5 REC
Everyday commuters who want an easy-mount bike with plenty of range and the option to ride without pedaling when their legs are done for the day.
Heybike ALPHA
Everyday riders with hilly routes or cargo to carry who want one dependable bike that can handle all of it.
Spec by spec
| Spec | Aventon Pace 5 REC | Heybike ALPHA |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,799 | $1,799 |
| Motor (nominal) | 750W | 500W |
| Torque | 80 Nm | 105 Nm |
| Battery | 733 Wh | 680 Wh |
| Claimed range | 75 mi | 60 mi |
| Weight | 60.48 lb | 71.6 lb |
| Max payload | 330 lb | 400 lb |
| Motor type | hub | mid-drive |
| E-bike class | Class 2 Ebike | Class 3 |
| Brakes | Tektro HD-E3120 hydraulic disc | Hydraulic disc brakes |
| Drivetrain | Shimano 8-speed | Shimano Altus 8-speed |
| Tire size | 27.5" x 2.1" | 26" x 4.0" |
Highlighted values are the better of the two where both brands publish the number. Where a spec isn't published we leave it blank rather than guess.
The short version on each
Aventon Pace 5 REC
What's good
- The step-through frame is genuinely easy to get on and off, which matters more than it sounds when you're in a skirt or work pants or hopping on and off for errands.
- 80 Nm of torque, and up to 96 in Boost Mode, gives it real muscle for pulling a loaded bike up hills and away from stoplights.
- The 733Wh battery is large for this price, giving you enough headroom to tack on errands or a longer weekend loop without watching the battery gauge.
What to know
- Aventon doesn't list a suspension fork, and the 2.1-inch tires are fairly narrow, so broken pavement comes through to your hands and seat.
- The value is good but not class-leading, so a patient shopper can match its motor and range numbers elsewhere for a little less.
Heybike ALPHA
What's good
- The mid-drive's 105 Nm of torque climbs steep hills and pulls heavy loads without straining the motor.
- A 680Wh battery rated for up to 60 miles covers most of a week of average commuting between charges.
- Hydraulic disc brakes give you strong, low-effort stopping, which counts on a bike this heavy.
What to know
- Heybike's specs don't confirm whether it includes a throttle, so if riding without pedaling is a must-have, get that answered before you buy.
- Some competing commuters deliver comparable range for less, so you're paying here for the climbing power and payload more than an outright price advantage.
Full Aventon Pace 5 REC review → Full Heybike ALPHA review →