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Digital Trends
30-06-2025
- Automotive
- Digital Trends
Aventon Abound LR e-bike review: greater capacity, comfort, and security
Aventon Abound LR MSRP $1,999.00 Score Details 'The versatile Abound LR includes a reassuring array of electronic security features.' Pros Generous cargo capacity Adaptable for many uses Suspension seatpost softens the ride Cargo accessories standard Comprehensive security features Competitive price for benefits Cons Mirrors not standard Pedaling without power is hard Heavy weight is awkward to move around The Aventon Abound LR rounds out the brand's purpose-focused e-bike lineup with a stretch version of the Abound SR cargo and utility bike. Capacity, comfort, and security matter for all e-bikes, but particularly for cargo bikes that regularly transport children, groceries, equipment, and gear. The Abound LR wins on all fronts and is available at a price that allows you to stock up on a selection of accessories for carrying kids, touring, hauling groceries, or even delivering pizza. Recommended Videos Aventon Abound LR e-bike: highest and best use At 88 pounds without added accessories such as child seats or cargo baskets, the Abound LR outweighs the Abound SR by 8 pounds. The LR is also 7 inches longer than the SR model. Right from the start, it's clear that the Abound LR isn't designed for agility or off-road riding. Some might consider using the Abound LR primarily for one-up riding with extra carrying capacity in reserve, the way many of us buy SUVs. That logic falls short if you also want to ride the bike for exercise, where the weight and size are more noticeable. Pedaling the Abound LR without battery power assistance is too hard. You can think of the LR as a long-wheelbase utility bike, a category where versatility and durability are primary factors. Perhaps the simplest way to consider the difference between the Abound SR and LR is to think of the SR as one-child transportation and the LR as the better choice for carrying two kids. The same factors that argue against the Abound LR for casual use make it an excellent choice as a versatile hauler. The overall cargo capacity is 440 pounds, with a maximum of 123 pounds that can be placed on top of or hung from the long rear rack. Aventon Abound LR e-bike: the numbers The Abound LR shares most components and capacities with SR; the only significant differences are length and weight. Power from a 36-volt, 20-amp-hour Lithium-ion battery supplies a rear hub drive motor that generates 750 watts continuously and 1,188 watts peak power. The maximum torque rating is 80 Newton-meters, which corresponds to a pulling power that's especially helpful when you're getting started with a heavy load and encountering steep inclines in your travels. The Abound LR is configured as a Class 2 e-bike with a top speed of 20 mph, whether accessed through the thumb throttle or with pedal-assisted support. There are three riding modes, Eco, Sport, and Turbo, with correspondingly increased power, torque availability, and speed. You select the ride mode using a small control pad on the left side of the Abound's handlebars. Aventon's FineTune software, available on the Aventon app, lets you configure power delivery for each mode to suit your preferences. Aventon recently utilized the LR's over-the-air update feature (OTA) to introduce a new mode that provides temporary additional power. Boost mode can only be used for a maximum of 30 seconds, after which you must wait five minutes to reaccess Boost. While in Boost, the Abound's motor provides up to 120% of the normally available torque. Using Boost continuously would significantly cut the bike's maximum range and likely cause the motor to run too hot for too long, affecting durability. You can use the Aventon app to reconfigure the Abound LR as a Class 3 e-bike for a higher top speed. With throttle use, the Class 3 top speed remains limited to 20 mph, but the pedaling assistance maximum increases to 25 mph. Normally, Class 3 e-bikes have a maximum speed of 28 mph with pedal assistance, but limiting the top speed to 25 mph is a good idea for a cargo bike, as it likely also conserves battery range. Aventon rates the Abound LR's range per charge up to 60 miles. Many factors affect battery range, including overall cargo weight, travel speed, acceleration patterns, elevation, temperature, and others. It's safe to assume that you'll only get close to the range maximum if you ride primarily in Eco mode and use pedaling assistance power for long inclines or to get started from intersections. Aventon stands out among its competitors by including a 4-amp charger with the Abound LR, which will charge a 20 amp-hour battery from 0 to 100% in about 5 hours, twice as fast as the 2-amp chargers standard with most cargo e-bikes. Aventon Abound LR e-bike: comfort and convenience Heavier e-bikes often feel more stable than lightweight models, and that's the case with the Abound LR. However, Aventon also includes an adjustable front fork suspension and a suspension seat post that's adjustable. The bike lacks a rear suspension, but the seat's suspension, with 50mm of travel and rebound, helps soften the ride when you hit a bump, a stone, or a crack in the road surface. Handlebar and seat adjustments also contribute to the Abound LR's comfort, as well as rider sizing. Aventon offers just one frame size for the Abound LR, but rates it for riders from 4 feet 11 inches to 6 feet 3 inches. You can adjust the height of the handlebar stem and the angle to suit your preferred riding geometry. I like to ride with the handlebars at an angle, maintaining an upright posture rather than leaning forward and bending over. I'll sacrifice the minimal aerodynamics loss for great back and neck comfort every time and appreciate the ability to set up the Abound LR to my liking. The Abound LR's standard rear rack, footboards, and wheel guards provide a valuable base setup for additional accessories. Most e-bike rear racks range from 15 to 17 inches in length, but the Abound LR's 27.5-inch length can accommodate two child seats or one child and additional cargo. You'll need to add a seat pad or child seat adapters to carry passengers, but having the wheelguards already installed to protect feet, shoe laces, and clothing from getting caught in the spokes is a great idea. Another convenience, which is a must for cargo bikes, is the installed center stand. A typical kick stand isn't much help when you're loading children or cargo on the back of a bike. Keeping the bike level makes loading easier and safer. Aventon Abound LR e-bike: safety and security Because cargo bikes typically cost more than regular e-bikes, and because there are times when you might need to leave a loaded bike unattended for a short period, security is a particular concern. Fortunately, the Abound LR is one of Aventon's ACU-equipped e-bikes. ACU stands for Aventon Control Unit. The ACU employs GPS and 4G connectivity, included free for the first year and renewable by subscription for $20 per year. The 4G service isn't necessary to ride the bike, but the connectivity adds functions that can give you peace of mind, including unusual activity detection, GPS tracking, and geofencing. Unusual activity detection can be configured to sound an alarm and send a notification if the bike is moved. With GPS tracking, you can contact law enforcement for assistance in locating and retrieving your bike. Geofencing enables you to define areas where a bike can be ridden, including both permitted and restricted zones. If someone borrows or steals your bike, for example, and rides away from an allowed area, the ACU can cut power assistance. Standard Aventon Abound LR security features also include a startup password, keyless battery access, and an integrated bike lock that secures the rear wheel. Aventon Abound LR e-bike: riding impressions I rode the Aventon Abound LR in traffic on city streets in Long Beach, California, at a pre-launch press event in February, and in suburban Connecticut on town streets and park pathways. In that type of riding, torque for quick starts from intersections and for tackling inclines is more important than a high top speed. I used the Aventon app to configure the bike as a Class 3 e-bike, but found that the only time I ever hit the 25 mph top speed was when I tested to see if it was possible. Otherwise, most of the time was ridden between 15 and 20 mph. There is a noticeable difference between Eco, Sport, and Turbo modes. I generally kept the bike in Turbo mode because I wasn't concerned about range. Aventon utilizes a torque sensor for pedal power assistance, which responds to the force applied by your pedaling. I never experienced a sudden power surge, which can occur with some cadence sensors that apply full power whenever the pedals are turning. Boost mode certainly adds the sensation of extra power, but again, it was modulated by pedaling force. The Aventon features an unobtrusive, compact display and button control module located on the left side of the handlebars. Operating the controls is pretty intuitive, and using the Aventon app makes it even simpler. The headlight is mounted low on the front fender, which is OK for visibility, but if I were going to travel extensively at night, I'd want a larger light. The horizontal taillight is noticeable, and it brightens significantly when the brakes are applied. I was particularly pleased to find that Aventon's turn signals automatically turn off after 15 seconds. Like almost all e-bike brands, Aventon does not include mirrors as standard equipment. I wish they did and wonder why any e-bike company that sells bikes that share the road with cars doesn't equip their bikes with at least one mirror. Aventon sells an accessory handlebar grip mirror for $20. Aventon Abound LR e-bike: options and accessories Aventon offers a diverse range of baskets, racks, bags, seats, and other accessories for the Abound LR. Because cargo bike buyers typically shop with specific uses in mind, it's a good idea to be sure you can also buy the accessories that you need. Aventon's broad selection should meet the needs of most cargo bike users. Aventon Abound LR e-bike: our take I keep coming back to the concept of 'the complete package' when I think of the Aventon Abound LR. It's easy to recommend such an evolved vehicle, especially now with its OTA update and upgrade functionality. The Abound LR's rider comfort and convenience, standard cargo-bike accessories, and the security elements of its ACU all justify the $1,999 price. Other cargo bikes to consider include the $1,725 Lectric Expedition 2.0, $2,399 Rad Power Bikes Radwagon 5, $3,895 Pedego Cargo. The Expedition 2.0 can utilize a second battery to double its range, and the price is slightly lower. The RadWagon 5 has a higher starting price and has less cargo capacity. The Pedego Cargo is a gorgeous cargo bike, but it costs twice as much as the Abound LR and weighs significantly more at 114 pounds. None of those cargo bikes has the Abound LR's range of security features. The last alternative cargo bike to consider is the Abound SR, which is essentially the same bike, but shorter and slightly lighter. Choosing between those two would depend only on the size of the cargo you'll haul or whether you are carrying one child or two.
Times
23-06-2025
- Times
I joined vigilantes on the trail of my stolen £5,000 bike
It was Sunday afternoon when my phone alarm went off. My bike was being stolen from outside my Camden flat. I had chained it up for just 20 minutes while I went upstairs to have a shower and change. By the time I got back it was gone. The cargo bike was worth £5,000 when you include extras such as the child seat and we only bought it four months ago. It's everything to us and has made our life much easier: getting to school is five minutes now versus half an hour on public transport. Even though the bike had two top-of-the-range locks worth £400 and a £120 GPS device, the thief was able to get away. In hot pursuit of the thief As my phone warned the bike was on the move, I saw the thief cycling off in the distance and ran downstairs to go after him. I chased him on foot but couldn't see where he had gone, so I got on a rented Lime e-bike and followed him. I was tracking the GPS on my phone. The GPS tracker shows the bike was stolen at 1.18pm. I was almost catching up because the stolen bike had no battery. My wife rang the police, who initially said they would only come if it was a life-and-death situation. It was only after I cycled off in pursuit that they called back and came, because some neighbours had seen the thief cutting the lock and rang 999. My wife got in the police car and they followed on, but by then the thief was 20 minutes away. We missed the chance to intercept him, which is what this whole GPS kit is for. The GPS device's app shows the thief took until 1.46pm to cycle to Queen's Park, Kilburn, in northwest London. The investigation When we arrived at the scene there was nobody there. We knocked on doors and talked to neighbours. It's a nice neighbourhood — I assumed when I was chasing that I would end up in an estate, but this is an expensive area where terraced homes sell for £900,000. The police went to a few houses, checked through some gardens and spent 20 minutes trying to check the cameras, then they said: 'We need to wrap it up.' I was hoping that the police would be able to get more CCTV because they have it everywhere now. But they were under time pressure — they had to go. They gave us the report and a number to follow up, but that was about all they could do unless 'you see the ping go from the house to the street, then you can call 999 as it will be an active crime'. Bringing in the 'vigilantes' I thought 'Who takes someone's child's bike?' and posted my story on the London cycling sub-Reddit. A lot of people offered just to come down here, but I said it was probably not a good idea. Someone suggested I call BackPedal, a bike security company that retrieves stolen bicycles. They sent out one of their top agents, Bilal, to help me. He put a drone up to see if my bike was in one of the gardens, but we couldn't see it. Then he spoke to all the neighbours and even persuaded one to show us around the ground floor of his house to show the bike wasn't there. Normally the company would install its own specialist tracking devices, which give it a much higher chance of recovering the bike. As I now know, retrieving a bike with off-the-shelf kit is more difficult. For now it's a mystery where my bike ended up. Bilal Ali of BackPedal thinks the thief must have worked out how to remove the GPS device and chucked it over a wall. What I've learnt My mother was worried that my daughter and I would be targeted by muggers while we were actually on the bike. It's unfortunate that we have to even think about these situations with a nine-year-old on the back. I'm checking all the secondary marketplaces such as Gumtree and Facebook constantly to see if anything pops up, but it's probably on its way to Romania by now.
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WIRED
14-06-2025
- Automotive
- WIRED
Tern's Newest GSD Cargo Bike Now Has Antilock Brakes
With all that said, my family and I are year-round riders and live in Portland, Oregon. I live in terror that something will happen to my kids on my bike and there have been multiple times on rainy winters on hills when I have forced my much spouse to switch bikes and ride with the kids because he's much bigger than I am and I was scared. If this is you, then you need ABS brakes. This would've allayed my fears quite a bit. If safety is also one of your primary concerns, the S10 also meets the DIN 79010, the German safety standard that's the only cargo bike standard that exists. The newly reinforced frame was tested under the DIN 79010 and verified to be safe carrying up to 463 pounds. Other components, like the rear rack, kickstand, and braking system are all tested under the DIN 79010, which is important because you don't want the kickstand to collapse or fall while you're strapping your baby into her Thule seat. My kids are now 7 and 10 and ride their very own nice mountain bikes, but I did load up the panniers with mulch and wood chips and ride up and down the steepest hill in my neighborhood with about a 10 to 15 percent grade, and I felt pretty secure about its stopping power. If my kids were still pretty small, paying for ABS brakes would be a good way to extend the use of the bike through the rain. Long-Lived Photograph: Adrienne So With the smart system, you're also paying for GPS tracking if it's stolen, locks, the Bosch eBike Flow app that connects to your phone, and customizable drive settings, so you can tweak the power settings for Eco, Tour, Sport, and Turbo. This is important, because I have had a double battery mounted on my old Tern for so long that I forgot that the range on this is quite small. A 12-mile ride at over 20 mph depleted the battery to 50 percent in less than an hour, and I am a relatively small person (115 pounds). I would immediately put a double battery on this if you are considering it as a commuter. The Tern has a Kiox 300 Bosch display, which is easy to scroll through, but with the Flow app I would also probably just pop it off (you can pop it off!) and put my phone on a bike mount. This may be a little hard to swallow: The bike costs $7,000, and that's just the starting point. You will need another battery, and I guarantee you are going to want accessories, especially if you have a kid. Tern's accessories are unmatched, especially if you have kids. I have a Storm Box, which protects my kids while riding in the rain. You can also put on a Sun Shield to protect your kids from the sun or an integrated TowBar so you can easily add a trailer.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Yahoo
Someone stole my BBC broadcasting bike - it's like losing a friend
I was planning an ordinary afternoon out - bags packed, ready to roll - when I bounded downstairs and was hit by a jolt of disbelief. The space where my cargo bike should have been was empty, and the double lock that had bolted it to my Amsterdam apartment wall was hacked. My daughter darted between the other bikes, convinced someone must have moved it, but no, it was gone. With cycling deeply embedded in daily life here in the Netherlands - part of the "Dutch DNA", as we say - I have no car, so used my bike for everything, from the school run to a shopping trip. This was no ordinary bicycle. My colleague Kate Vandy and I retrofitted it to become a mobile broadcasting studio, which we named the Bike Bureau. I started "Dutch News from the Cycle Path", a reporting series born on the school run after my daughter asked me: "Why don't you just tell people the news now?" The bike allowed me to reach breaking news scenes and broadcast live from anywhere, my daughter by my side, showing that working motherhood could be visible, joyful and real. It opened doors to collaborations, awards and a community of people who saw themselves in our story. I have zero expectation of getting the bike back, and searching for it has proven fruitless. I called the police immediately and they opened a case, but closed it shortly afterwards because of a lack of evidence that would help find the thief. People online and in my local community have rallied round to try to find it since I put out an appeal. Neighbours asked if I was okay, telling me they loved to see me enjoy their bike lanes and see their city from my foreigner's perspective. But why, my daughter asked, do so many people care that our bike was stolen? Colleagues and friends responded to my Instagram Reel about the theft. Legendary BBC camerawoman Julie Ritson called my bike a blueprint for the future of journalism. Others said it was a relatable life-hack that showed how one person can manage motherhood and career, and inspired them to rethink what's possible with a cargo bike. It was solar-powered, cutting the need for satellite trucks with heavy equipment and the pollution that mode of transport brings. Research last year from the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism shows audiences are not only interested in climate change news - they are particularly engaged by stories that highlight individuals taking empowering action in response to the crisis. Some people have expressed surprise that "this kind of thing" would happen in the Netherlands. What they may not realise is that bike theft is endemic here. Last year, more than 86,000 bikes were reported stolen in the Netherlands, up 1,000 compared to the year before, and 10,000 more than in 2022, according to police figures. Authorities say a rise in reports may have contributed to this. Most bikes stolen are stripped for parts or sold on. My e-cargo bike cost nearly €5,000 (£4,200) - more than our old car which I sold. I paid for the bike, so the BBC has undergone no financial loss. What it really bought me was independence - and in a way, losing it is like losing a friend. Aside from the impact on my own lifestyle, that bike gave my daughter a magical, nature-filled childhood: picnics in the dunes, detours to see highland cows, fairy lights in winter, breezy rides to the beach in summer. The theft has sparked conversations about urban safety, cycling infrastructure, and the burdens mothers still carry. But it's also a testament to the community we've built and the power of sharing authentic stories from the saddle. I might not get my bike back, but no one can steal what it gave us all. Why Dutch 'bike banks' are a game changer for kids He dreamed of a cycling revolution. Then an SUV crushed him Video guide made for new 'Dutch-style' roundabout
BBC News
24-05-2025
- BBC News
'Someone stole my BBC bike in Amsterdam - it's like losing a friend'
I was planning an ordinary afternoon out - bags packed, ready to roll - when I bounded downstairs and was hit by a jolt of disbelief. The space where my cargo bike should have been was empty, and the double lock that had bolted it to my Amsterdam apartment wall was daughter darted between the other bikes, convinced someone must have moved it, but no, it was cycling deeply embedded in daily life here in the Netherlands - part of the "Dutch DNA", as we say - I have no car, so used my bike for everything, from the school run to a shopping was no ordinary bicycle. My colleague Kate Vandy and I retrofitted it to become a mobile broadcasting studio, which we named the Bike Bureau. I started "Dutch News from the Cycle Path", a reporting series born on the school run after my daughter asked me: "Why don't you just tell people the news now?"The bike allowed me to reach breaking news scenes and broadcast live from anywhere, my daughter by my side, showing that working motherhood could be visible, joyful and real. It opened doors to collaborations, awards and a community of people who saw themselves in our story.I have zero expectation of getting the bike back, and searching for it has proven fruitless. I called the police immediately and they opened a case, but closed it shortly afterwards because of a lack of evidence that would help find the online and in my local community have rallied round to try to find it since I put out an appeal. Neighbours asked if I was okay, telling me they loved to see me enjoy their bike lanes and see their city from my foreigner's why, my daughter asked, do so many people care that our bike was stolen? A life-hack and so much more Colleagues and friends responded to my Instagram Reel about the theft. Legendary BBC camerawoman Julie Ritson called my bike a blueprint for the future of journalism. Others said it was a relatable life-hack that showed how one person can manage motherhood and career, and inspired them to rethink what's possible with a cargo was solar-powered, cutting the need for satellite trucks with heavy equipment and the pollution that mode of transport last year from the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism shows audiences are not only interested in climate change news - they are particularly engaged by stories that highlight individuals taking empowering action in response to the crisis. Some people have expressed surprise that "this kind of thing" would happen in the Netherlands. What they may not realise is that bike theft is endemic here. Last year, more than 86,000 bikes were reported stolen in the Netherlands, up 1,000 compared to the year before, and 10,000 more than in 2022, according to police figures. Authorities say a rise in reports may have contributed to bikes stolen are stripped for parts or sold on. My e-cargo bike cost nearly €5,000 (£4,200) - more than our old car which I sold. I paid for the bike, so the BBC has undergone no financial loss. What it really bought me was independence - and in a way, losing it is like losing a friend. Aside from the impact on my own lifestyle, that bike gave my daughter a magical, nature-filled childhood: picnics in the dunes, detours to see highland cows, fairy lights in winter, breezy rides to the beach in theft has sparked conversations about urban safety, cycling infrastructure, and the burdens mothers still carry. But it's also a testament to the community we've built and the power of sharing authentic stories from the saddle.I might not get my bike back, but no one can steal what it gave us all.
