With the Naro family, Aventon is venturing into the city e-bike market for the first time, aiming to offer a bicycle "for all urban adventures." However, city rides with the Naro are unlikely to prove particularly adventurous, as the North American brand presents a very reliable and well-designed package on paper – and at a price that amounts to a declaration of war on the industry. The brand-new Aventon Ultro L motor is especially exciting, providing the city bike with up to 70 Newton meters of torque. What can we expect from the new Aventon Naro?
Aventon Naro: Canadians' first city e-bike
A list of features that a good city e-bike should absolutely offer has now become established in the industry. Aventon has adhered to this list admirably while simultaneously managing the feat of offering its newcomer for the urban sector at a very competitive price: The modern city bike costs just under €2.600 – and the brand from Ontario, Canada, has incorporated features more commonly found on higher-priced bikes.
At its heart is a new mid-drive motor: The Aventon Ultro L's performance rivals comparable motors like the Bosch Performance Line, but according to the manufacturer, it weighs significantly less. On the Naro, the drive unit transmits its power via a low-maintenance carbon belt, which in turn drives a Shimano Nexus five-speed internal gear hub with automatic shifting. This is definitely an upgrade from the mechanical hub gears often found in this price range. A 600 Wh battery is also included, which can be easily removed from the top thanks to the step-through frame design.
But the Naro isn't just impressive with its tangible features. The Aventon MyRide app is designed to integrate the e-bike and smartphone into a smart system, supporting the rider in everyday life and alleviating concerns, such as theft. The 3-inch color display on the handlebars can be password-protected, and GPS tracking is integrated, working even without a phone connection thanks to the onboard GPS and 4G module. Furthermore, the Naro detects unusual movements, triggers an alarm in emergencies, and simultaneously sends a push notification to the user's phone.
But the most important component of the anti-theft system is undoubtedly the integrated lock. A sturdy bolt locks the rear wheel hub, preventing the bicycle from being ridden away when locked. The system can be locked and unlocked via the display (password-protected), a mobile phone, or even an Apple Watch.
- Motor Aventon Ultro L 70 Nm / 600 W
- Battery 600 Wh (removable from the top)
- Drive Shimano Nexus 5 internal gear hub with automatic mode & carbon belt
- Display Aventon A280, 3-inch color display
- Equipment Luggage rack, mudguards, lights, kickstand
- Colors Black, grey, purple
- frame sizes S/M and L
- Weight (manufacturer's) 25,9 kg (L)
- Max system weight 150 kg
- aventon.com
- Price (MSRP) EUR 2.599
Everything about the powertrain – what's the deal with the new Ultro L motor?
On a decent city bike, the entire drive system – from the battery and motor to the gears – should operate as unobtrusively and reliably as possible. A Shimano Nexus Inter-5E internal gear hub in the rear wheel handles the gear changes, which Aventon has enhanced with an automatic function – meaning you no longer have to worry about selecting the right gear while navigating city traffic. The internal gear hub has been tried and tested for years – something that can't yet be said for the brand-new Ultro L motor. This is a completely new drive unit. At just under 1,95 kg, it's almost a full kilogram lighter than its Bosch counterpart, the Performance Line motor . The difference in torque of 5 Nm (75 Nm for Bosch, 70 Nm for Aventon) should be barely noticeable in everyday use.
Here, software features have a significantly greater impact on day-to-day handling, and this is precisely where Aventon likely has the edge. The Ultro L is controlled by the so-called ACU (Aventon Control Unit): This onboard computer offers functions such as password protection, GPS tracking, intelligent activity detection, and manages the integrated lock. It also enables the keyless battery system: The Naro doesn't require a battery key to remove the battery (which, incidentally, is conveniently accessed from the top), as the power storage unit can be easily secured via the display or the app.
All-inclusive equipment for 2.600 euros
Of course, a bicycle designed for everyday use also needs to be fully equipped, including the urban "four essentials": mudguards for rainy days, a luggage rack for a backpack- and sweat-free back, a kickstand for parking almost anywhere, and lights for nighttime riding. Aventon complements this quartet with an integrated rear wheel lock, eliminating the need to carry a heavy chain or U-lock.
We've already discussed the Shimano Nexus 5-speed internal gear hub; stopping power is provided by Tektro HD-M3120 two-piston brakes. In addition to a 60 mm travel suspension fork, a 40 mm suspension seatpost is also fitted. The Aventon Naro rolls on 27,5-inch wheels fitted with 2,1-inch wide Kenda tires.
| Naro ADV | |
|---|---|
| Frame | Aluminium |
| Fork | 60 mm |
| Motor | Aventon Ultra L |
| torque | 70 Newton meter |
| Offering | 600 watts |
| Battery | 600 watt hours |
| Hub Gear | Shimano Nexus 5 |
| Belts | Dayco Carbon |
| Wheels | 27,5 inch |
| Tires | Kenda Kwick Seven-5 Sport 27,5 x 2,1 inch |
| Brakes | Tektro HD-M3120 180 / 180 mm |
| Weight (manufacturer's) | 25,9 kg (L) |
| Price (RRP) | EUR 2.599 |
Geometrie
| Size | S/M | L |
|---|---|---|
| A - Seat tube length in mm | 400 | 500 |
| B - Horizontal top tube length in mm | 640 | 690 |
| C - Bottom bracket drop in mm | 70 | 70 |
| D - Head tube length in mm | 150 | 170 |
| E - Head tube angle | 67° | 68° |
| F - Seat tube angle | 69.5° | 69.5° |
| G - Chainstay length in mm | 480 | 480 |
| I - Wheelbase in mm | 1165 | 1204 |
| J - Reach in mm | 403 | 445 |
| K - Stack in mm | 633 | 656 |
| Standover height in mm | 381 | 381 |
| Wheel size (inches) | 27.5 inch | 27.5 inch |
| body height (cm) | 160-175 | 175-195 |
Conclusion
Ultimately, Aventon has put together a truly compelling package with the new Naro, one that not only boasts very solid hardware but also promises seamless integration into everyday life. The price of €2.599 is genuinely competitive considering the high-quality components, including a carbon belt drive, 600 Wh battery, and large color display, and is likely to give product managers at other brands pause. Likewise, the relatively low weight of 25,9 kg in size L (manufacturer's specification) is a real statement in this price and usage segment. The only drawback is that it's only offered in two frame sizes.
