Aventon Pace 500 Review — A Bargain Class 3 E-Bike
In this Aventon bikes review, we’ll look at the Aventon Pace 500 electric bike, one of the company’s flagship e-commuter products.
The Aventon Pace 500 eBike is priced at under $2,000, making it more affordable than many leading commuter e-bikes with similar components. It has two frame designs and comes in three different sizes, making it suitable for men and women of all ages.
As a Class 3 eBike with five pedal-assist modes, a mid-range battery, and a powerful motor, it’s ideal for work commutes, grocery runs, or cruising around town. There is also an Aventon Pace 500 step-through model if you want easier mounting and dismounting.
This Aventon Pace 500 review will outline the main features, compare the bike to some similar models, and finish with customer feedback on the bike.
Aventon Pace 500 Specifications
- Model: Pace 500 / Pace 500 Step-Through
- Price: $1,699
- Recommended Rider Height: 5’1 – 5’11”
- Range: 40 mi (avg.)
- Motor: 500W (750W peak) – 50Nm
- Battery: 48V 11.6Ah (556.8Wh) Samsung cells
- Derailleur: 8-Speed Shimano Altus
- Brakes: Tektro Hydraulic Disc
- Tires: 27.5×2.2″ Kenda KwickSeven
- Weight: 52 lb
Aventon Pace 500 Review
Aventon is an electric bike company founded in 2012, selling itself as the “first e-mobility company for the real world.”
It aims to offer high-quality eBikes at affordable prices, with various models to appeal to a wide range of riders. With bespoke design and manufacturing paired with extensive testing and durable materials, Aventon stands apart in an overcrowded industry.
The most common Aventon Pace 500 problems are highlighted during assembly. First-time buyers typically don’t have enough mechanical experience to do a perfect job. If you are worried about this, you can take it to a bike shop that deals with Aventon e-bikes for assembly.
Motor and Speed
The Aventon Pace 500 is a Class 3 eBike that features both pedal-assisted riding and a thumb-throttle.
The standard 500W brushless rear hub motor can reach a peak power output of 750W. This means you get a 28mph e-bike with an impressive 50Nm of torque, enough to power you up steep hills with ease.
500W (750 Peak) Rear Hub Motor, Maximum Assisted Speed 28 mph.
The motor has five pedal-assist levels that you can change from a handlebar switch, depending on how strong your legs feel. In addition, you also get the throttle that provides a max speed of 20mph for those times when you just can’t pedal anymore.
Battery and Range
The Aventon Pace 500 comes with a 614Wh integrated lithium-ion battery that you can conveniently pop out for safe charging indoors.
The battery provides an average range of 40 miles on a single charge, which is more than enough for a full day of cycling around town.
The Aventon Pace 500 battery charger is a 48V 3 Amp fast charger that will fully charge the battery in just 3-4 hours. This means it’s quick enough to charge up and use again on the same day if needed.
Wheels, Tires, and Brakes
The Aventon Pace 500 electric bike has mid-sized 27.5″ (650b) wheels fitted with 2.2″ Kenda Kwik Seven-5 Sport tires. These tires are ideal for comfortable riding on rough city streets and pavement but can also handle mild dirt tracks or gravel.
- 27.5″ x 2.2″ Kenda Kwik Seven-5 Sport tires
- Tektro HD-T825 Hydraulic disc brakes, 180mm rotors
For safe, instant braking in dry or wet weather, Aventon included Tektro hydraulic disc brakes. This dual-piston model is tried and tested, a popular choice amongst cyclocross, MTB, and eBike manufacturers.
Gearing
Not one to skimp on decent gearing components, Aventon has chosen a high-quality Shimano drivetrain with Altus derailleur for the Pace 500.
Shimano Altus 8-Speed Derailleur
It includes an 8-speed rear cassette connected to a single front ring, controlled by a single shifter on the right handlebar.
Combined with the five pedal-assist options, this wide range of gears makes climbing hills or reaching high speeds even easier.
Display
The convenient, handlebar-mounted LCD display provides all the information you need while cycling, including speed, range, pedal-assist level, and distance.
It even comes with a handy backlight for riding at night or in low light.
Aventon upgraded the display from the Pace 500 v1’s monochrome model. The new one is a color display with a premium look.
Frame & Geometry
The Aventon Pace 500 eBike has a typical commuter-style frame, with an upright seating position designed for comfort over speed.
The design ensures you maintain excellent posture, taking pressure off your back and knees and allowing for long, lazy days of cruising around town.
It also has an extra soft, sprung saddle to absorb any bumps or vibrations on the road, helping you avoid the dreaded saddle-soreness many cyclists experience.
In addition, riders can choose a standard frame or go for the step-through model, which provides easier mounting for shorter people.
Aventon Pace Size Recommendations
Standard Frame
- Regular: 5’1″ – 5’7″
- Large: 5’7″ – 5’11”
Step-Through Frame
- S/M: 4’11” – 5’8″
- M/L: 5’8″ – 6’1″
Aventon Pace 500 Accessories
To improve your riding experience, Aventon offers several valuable accessories that you can add to your Pace 500 purchase.
These include a wide range of front and rear racks, panniers, baskets, fenders, lights, and mirrors.
They also sell a variety of bike locks, helmets, bells, and other safety equipment to tackle those busy city streets.
Aventon Pace 500 Compared to Other Models
Aventon Pace 350 vs 500
The key difference between the Aventon Pace 500 electric bike and the Pace 350 is speed and motor size. Since the Pace 500 is a Class 3 eBike, it can reach up to 28mph in pedal-assist mode – 8mph faster than the 350. Both the engine and battery on the 350 are smaller, so it has less power but manages to cover the same distance on one charge.
The 350 is lighter and slightly cheaper than the 500, with a few other minor differences like mechanical brakes and one less gear. Overall, I would say the 500 offers better value for money.
Main Differences
| Pace 350 | Pace 500 | |
| Motor | 350W | 500W |
| Pedal Assist | 20mph | 28mph |
| Battery | 417Wh | 614Wh |
| Range | 40mi | 40mi |
| Speeds | 7 | 8 |
| Brakes | Mechanical | Hydraulic |
| Weight | 49 lbs | 52 lbs |
Aventon Pace 500 vs RadCity 5 Plus
The RadCity 5 Plus by Rad Power Bikes is one of the most popular Class 2 eBikes available. It’s a bit more expensive than the Pace 500 and has a similar design, with a few differences.
Most notably, the RadCity 5 Plus is limited to 20mph (32km/h), has a smaller average range, but comes fully equipped for commuting.
Rad Power Bikes RadCity 5 Plus Review: Modern and Feature-Packed E-Bike
Both bikes have throttle acceleration with no need for pedaling but will go further with pedal assistance. Other minor differences on the RadCity include a larger motor, one fewer gear, and a lower payload. Again, I would say the Pace 500 offers better value for the money.
| Pace 500 | RadCity 4 | |
| Motor | 500W | 750W |
| Pedal Assist | 28mph | 20mph |
| Battery | 614Wh | 672Wh |
| Range | Avg. 40mi | Up to 50mi |
| Charger | 48V, 3 Amp | 48V, 2 Amp |
| Speeds | 8 | 7 |
| Brakes | Hydraulic | Hydraulic |
| Weight | 52 lbs | 65 lbs |
| Max Payload | 300 lbs | 275 lbs |
| Price | $1,699 | $1,999 |
Ride1UP 500 vs Aventon Pace 500
Ride1UP is another eBike company that has enjoyed increased popularity of late. Its 500 Series is similar to the Pace 500, with 28mph max speed, an 8-speed drivetrain, and a similar average range. In addition, the batteries are almost identical on these bikes.
The Ride1UP 500 Series is slightly heavier than the Pace 500, has lower-quality mechanical disc brakes, and comes with a rack and fenders.
Notably, the Ride1UP is about $200 cheaper than the Pace 500, meaning it offers excellent value for money and could be a strong contender as the better choice of the two depending on what you’re looking for.
| Pace 500 | Ride1UP 500 | |
| Motor | 500W | 750W |
| Pedal Assist | 28mph | 28mph |
| Battery | 614Wh | 624Wh |
| Range | 40mi Avg. | 25-45mi |
| Charger | 48V, 3 Amp | 48V, 2 Amp |
| Speeds | 8 | 8 |
| Brakes | Hydraulic | Mechanical |
| Weight | 52 lbs | 55 lbs |
| Max Payload | 300 lbs | 300 lbs |
| Price | $1,699 | $1,495 |
Customer Feedback
Check out what some of the people who bought Aventon Pace 500 had to say about the bike and their experience. Head over to the brand’s official website if you want to learn more and find more reviews.
Conclusion
The Aventon Pace 500 Next Gen is undoubtedly one of the best value Class 3 commuter eBikes available today, offering plenty for the budget-conscious rider.
Punchy electronics complement a comfort-focused build kit and geometry to make riding this bike smooth and enjoyable, even with a loaded bike. The 2022 update to the Aventon Pace 500 electric bike makes it even more appealing, with a sleeker design and newly integrated LED lights.
Consider the Pace 500 if you’re in the market for a reliable city cruiser for urban commutes, running errands, and relaxing weekend spins.
Buy Aventon Pace 500 Buy Pace 500 Step-Through
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