Aventon Sinch 2 ST Review 2024

Intro

Some products sport benefits that need a marketing plan and advertising. Organic foods. Would any of us drop the extra cash had we not been told all the ways they are better for us? Folding bikes like the Aventon Sinch.2 don’t need the same kind of help. A bike with a motor that stores in the space of a suitcase? Where do I sign? In our review of the Aventon Sinch.2 we’re going to look at what makes this folding e-bike different from its competitors as well as the compelling reasons to consider this e-bike even for consumers who might not have been considering a folding e-bike.

The Aventon Sinch.2 features a step-thru frame design, a 500W brushless, geared hub motor, an 8-speed drivetrain and mechanical disc brakes. Those are the broad strokes. However, there’s a good deal more to this e-bike that is apparent in a single glance. It contains a number of finer details that make this e-bike more than what it appears at first. Most notable is that the Aventon Sinch.2 is equipped with a torque sensor, which fundamentally changes the how the motor interacts with the rider. Aventon spec’d an 8-speed drivetrain rather than the 7-speed Shimano parts more common in this price range. And while wide tires are fairly common among folding e-bikes, Aventon gave the Sinch.2 4-in.-wide tires to give riders even more cushion than we usually see. A short-travel suspension fork adds an extra measure of softness without sacrificing control.

Torque sensors are generally associated with mid-drive motors, and most e-bikes with mid-drive motors don’t come with throttles. The Aventon Sinch.2 splits the difference with its combination of hub motor, torque sensor and a throttle. The upshot is that riders benefit from a more integrated relationship with the e-bike and motor, making the Sinch.2 more responsive, but riders still enjoy the presence of a throttle should they want a rest from pedaling.

People often wonder how much work is involved in folding an e-bike like the Aventon Sinch.2. The best designs make it both simple and quick. Indeed, with the Sinch.2, there can be as few as four steps. Fold up each of the pedals, fold the handlebar mast and then release the frame latch, which allows the frame to fold. It’s an operation that can be completed in 30 seconds and leaves time enough to dance the hokey pokey.

The Aventon Sinch.2 comes with UL-certified electronics, which may be one of the single best reasons for considering it. It speaks to an overall approach to quality that is reassuring. Let’s take a look under the hood and dig into what makes the Aventon Sinch.2 worth considering.

E-Bike Category: Folding

Who the Aventon Sinch.2 Electric Bike Is for: Riders looking for a versatile e-bike that can handle everything from recreational rides to work commutes who want something that’s easy to store after the ride is over.

Aventon Sinch.2 E-Bike Specs

• Battery: 672Wh lithium-ion
• Expected Range: 55 mi.
• Charger: 3A
• Motor: 500W brushless, geared hub motor
• UL Certification: UL 2849 (full electronics system)
• Pedal Assist: 4 PAS levels
• Throttle: Thumb button
• Display: LCD
• Headlight: Included
• Taillight: Integrated
• Frame: 6061 hydroformed aluminum
• Fork: 45mm-travel RST with lockout
• Fenders: Included
• Kickstand: Included
• Handlebars: Alloy, 650mm wide
• Grips: Rubber
• Drivetrain: 8-speed Shimano, 12-32 cassette
• Brakes: Mechanical disc brakes, 180mm rotors
• Pedals: Folding
• Saddle: Aventon by Velo
• Tires: 20 x 4-in.

In-Depth Aventon Sinch.2 Review

Aventon Sinch.2 Review: Comfort, Handling, and Ride Qualities

Invariably, the first question anyone asks about a folding e-bike is how fool-proof the latching mechanism is. No one in their right mind wants to ride an e-bike that might suddenly start folding up. The good news is that the popular designs like Aventon’s Sinch.2 and the Lectric XP 3.0 place the hinge in a location that if the latch isn’t fully secure, the e-bike won’t be rideable. The latch, aside from being easy to operate, includes a fail-safe device—a small red slider that must be shifted in order to release the latch; there’s no way that a foot could accidentally catch the latch.

With its 4-in.-wide tires and suspension fork (45mm travel), the Aventon Sinch.2 will give riders a comfortable ride—just don’t pump those tires up over 25 psi. Because the wheels are 20-in. in diameter, this e-bike will feel very maneuverable at low speeds and will accelerate well. Small wheels do tend to transmit more shock from bumps and don’t roll over cracks, seams and potholes as e-bikes with bigger wheels.

The Aventon Sinch.2 is a one-size e-bike, but features an variable-height handlebar mast, which makes it more adjustable than we see with many e-bikes. The step-thru frame design gives riders a very low 15.4-in. standover height, making it an attractive option for anyone with range-of-motion issues, particularly stiff knees or hips.

Aventon Sinch.2 Review: Motor, Battery, and Drivetrain Performance

Because the Aventon Sinch.2 is a folding e-bike, keeping it light enough to be easily portable is kind of a big deal. A folding e-bike with a 1000W motor and a 1000Wh battery would have amazing power and range for days, but picking it up would require a crossfit instructor. Aventon did the smart thing, which is to equip the Sinch.2 with a 500W hub motor, which shaves a couple of pounds from the e-bike’s overall weight. More on that in a bit.

Aventon estimates that the Sinch.2’s 672Wh battery will provide a range of 55 mi., a respectable figure that leaves room for a rider to get a couple of days of riding while going everywhere in PAS 5. Aventon even reveals how they determined that range: In real-world testing on flat ground using Eco mode, a 160-lb. rider coverage that much ground.

By selecting a 500W hub motor and a 672Wh battery, Aventon was able to keep the Sinch.2’s weight to a manageable 68 lbs. That’s not exactly light, but with the battery in one hand and the folded e-bike in the other, the load is manageable.

As Aventon has been updating existing models such as the Level.2, Aventure.2 and Soltera.2, they have replaced the cadence sensor previously spec’d with a more expensive torque sensor. This makes for a substantially more enjoyable riding experience. With cadence sensors, there’s always a lag between when the rider starts or stops pedaling and when the motor starts or stops; it’s always about a second behind. The torque sensor applies power the moment the rider puts pressure on the pedals and responds in proportion to the rider’s effort. This means that acceleration is always related to the rider’s effort. It makes for a more seamless experience and gives the rider a finer sense of control over the e-bike’s speed.

Another upgrade Aventon gave the Sinch.2 over the previous Sinch was a move from a 7-speed Shimano drivetrain to an 8-speed drivetrain. Not only does the Sinch.2 have one more gear than the old one, it also sports a wider gear range, which will help at both the high end and the low end.

Aventon Sinch.2 Review: Braking, Safety & Warranty

Stopping the Aventon Sinch are a pair of mechanical disc brakes paired to 180mm rotors. We’re on the record about our preference for hydraulic disc brakes, but this is a situation where mechanical disc brakes can be used effectively. Smaller wheels are easier to stop, so often, manufacturers will pair hydraulic disc brakes with 160mm rotors on 20-in. wheels. Aventon has done the reverse of that—bigger rotors with mechanical calipers. The effect, though, is the same: good braking power.

The choice to go with mechanical disc brakes does come with a benefit: It helps keep the cost of the Aventon Sinch down, contributing to its overall affordability. Aventon seems to have a terrific ability to find ways to keep an e-bike’s price down while simultaneously delivering an e-bike that is well-designed, which is what makes them such a competitive brand.

Lithium-ion battery fires continue to be covered by the media, but the great majority of reports concern low-cost e-mobility devices, like hoverboards and scooters. Aventon has taken a proactive approach to safety by having the entire electronics system certified in accordance with UL 2849, the standard that governs entire systems on e-bikes. The battery, motor and all of the electronics on the Sinch have been verified safe.

Aventon’s warranty covers the frame, fork, battery, motor and other Aventon-branded components for two years. Aventon-branded accessories are covered for one year. That’s not bad, but what is disappointing is that they do not cover third-party components (such as the brakes and drivetrain); the OE manufacturer’s warranty will have to do.

Aventon Sinch.2 Review: Recommendation/Final Verdict

When people purchase an e-bike, they generally want some versatility. They want to be able to have fun and also commute to work, or run errands. And if it can be easy to store, so much the better. The Aventon Sinch.2 is just such an e-bike. It has the power necessary to assist a rider whether they are accelerating away from a traffic signal or climbing a hill. And for potential commuters, it comes equipped with all the basics someone needs for a trip into work: front and rear lights, fenders, a rear rack and a kickstand. Aventon also offers a number of accessories such as baskets and bags to customize the Sinch.2.

Some folding designs come with additional benefits. With the Aventon Sinch.2, its easy-to-fold design features a low, step-thru frame design. With its low standover height, it competes with other step-thru designs as an option for people with restricted mobility—particularly anyone with knees or hips that balk at yoga.

As Aventon has updated their models (everything with a .2 designation), they have replaced the cadence sensors with torque sensors. This is an upgrade that isn’t visible, so it is difficult to appreciate the change without going for a test ride. Reaching top speed on an e-bike with a torque sensor will require more effort than one with a cadence sensor, but the responsiveness of the motor is grin-inducing and makes the riding experience better because the rider feels more in control.

The drivetrain upgrade from a 200 percent gear range to a 266 percent gear range will make a difference for riders when going up hills and when trying to pedal at top speed; more, wider gears will always be a benefit.

Of similar benefit as the torque sensor to Aventon buyers is the company’s smartphone app. Its value doesn’t become apparent until after a purchase. Their app allows riders to adjust motor response, track their rides via GPS and even applaud milestones in training.

Lithium-ion batteries have been in the news lately, so we were pleased to see that Aventon has made a real priority of rider safety by having their electronics certified to UL’s 2849 standard for complete e-bike systems; this is a higher bar than getting just the battery certified. This alone should be encouraging to anyone contemplating an e-bike from Aventon.

Aventon, unlike many of their direct-to-consumer competitors, has put effort into building a network of brick-and-mortar dealers. This is a terrific reassurance to Aventon buyers who will need service for their e-bike at some point. But it is also useful to potential buyers because it offers the possibility of taking an Aventon e-bike for a test ride.

Thank you for reading through our review of the Aventon Sinch.2. Still have further questions? Wondering how it compares to a similar e-bike we’ve reviewed? Let us know in the comments below!