When it comes to safety, the Aventon Abound is loaded with practical features, though there is at least one area that stands to improve.
Let’s talk about the good:
Like the other new / updated versions of e-bikes in the Aventon lineup, the Abound features a headlight and a taillight with turn signals. This model’s extended frame design doesn’t allow for the rear light(s) to be integrated into the seat stays as with the Aventure 2 or the Level 2, so instead there is a single unit mounted on the very back of the rear rack. I love the inclusion of turn signals, and I hope that other e-bike manufacturers take note and include them more frequently; they just add a fantastic extra level of communication and visibility when sharing the road with motor vehicles. I can’t say enough about them!
The Abound uses a motorcycle-style center stand instead of a traditional kickstand that can fully lift the rear wheel off the ground when stationary. This gives the bike three points of contact with the ground, which creates a super solid and stable platform for loading up kids or cargo. This is an absolute must on a dedicated hauler, so I was really happy to see it here! There’s also a handle built into the saddle to make lifting the back end of the bike easier.
Those planning to use the Abound for frequent family trips will appreciate the inclusion of floor boards and wheel guards to keep little riders’ feet from ending up where they shouldn’t. The rear rack can be used as a seat as-is, but I definitely recommend adding one of Aventon’s more appropriate accessories on the top of the rack for comfort and added safety.
Now for the bad:
Aventon claims that the Abound can handle a maximum payload of 440 lbs including its rider. I honestly have no doubt about the frame, rack, or motor’s abilities to match this rating, but I encountered one concern with the bike’s stem that would make me hesitant, or at least very careful, about trying to load it up to the max.
The Abound’s extended and telescoping stem is collapsible, for the purpose of making the bike easier to store and transport. Considering the frame’s length, I’m honestly not sure how practical it would be to bring the bike along in an RV or minivan, but that’s a topic for another discussion. The long, plastic stem can feel a bit wobbly when the Abound is loaded up with a large amount of weight. Ultimately, I don’t think it makes the bike inherently unsafe – the Abound will tell you by feel if something is off with a short test ride – but it is definitely something to be aware of, and personally, I’d prefer to see a more stable design here just to eliminate any potential for undesirable situations.
And finally, the ugly:
Just kidding! This is not safety or brake related, but for the sake of a good film reference, I want to point out how much the Abound stands out visually from many other cargo e-bikes we’ve seen. Even some on the costly end of the spectrum end up looking much more utilitarian than the Abound. The bike’s stocky, curved down tube has Aventon’s trademark style, and while the rear section of the frame is built solidly, its design has been made much more pleasing to look at than just a blocky grid of support members.
Back on topic, we performed a Brake Test to evaluate the Abound’s Tektro hydraulic disc brakes with 180 mm rotors. For this test – and again, without cargo – we pedaled the bike up to 20 miles per hour, then hit the brakes to come to a complete stop as quickly as possible while maintaining control. We measured the distance the Abound took to stop, then repeated the process multiple times. With three sets of data, we calculated an average braking distance.
The Abound performed very well, with an average stopping distance of 19’ 5”. It also maintained a solid, stable feel while braking. When compared with other similar e-bikes we have tested, this distance is firmly in the middle, which is about what we expected with the bike’s specced Tektro brakes. One thing to note with any e-bike is that this distance WILL be extended with the addition of extra weight (our tester weighs in at 230 lbs.). As with the range that we discussed a few sections previously, the more weight a bike has, the less well it will perform.
