Aventon Pace 500.3 ST Review 2024

Intro

There are so many commuter e-bikes on the market that we are sometimes surprised when a company comes up with a design that surprises us. The Aventon Pace 500.3 ST is just such an e-bike. It skips many of the features that are often used to sell commuters and instead offers a simpler e-bike that lower’s a rider’s initial investment. In our Aventon Pace 500.3 ST review, we will look at the advantages to this approach.

The big differences between the Aventon Pace 500.3 ST and other commuters stack up like so: Aventon went with an aluminum fork, rather than a suspension fork. They chose 27.5-in. wheels and gave them 2.1-in.-wide tires, rather than wider tires suitable to off-road use. And they left off the rear rack and fenders that are often considered to be must-haves on a commuter.

Aventon chose a 500W brushless, geared hub motor for the Pace 500.3 ST and it is powered by a 614Wh battery. They gave it a better-than-usual 8-speed drivetrain, hydraulic disc brakes and, notably, a torque sensor to give the motor a more spirited response to rider effort.

Going with a 500W motor would be a liability on some e-bikes, as would a 614Wh battery, but that’s not the case here. When we add up the weight savings that a 500W motor, 614Wh battery, aluminum fork and no rear rack or fenders, plus road-specific tires results in an e-bike that weighs only 52 lbs. Because this e-bike is undeniably light, none of those features weighs against this e-bike’s overall value. We don’t often see direct-to-consumer e-bikes in the sub-$2000 price range that weigh less than 60 lbs.

A lighter commuter, and one with a step-thru frame will enjoy some obvious appeal. Let’s take a closer look to what makes this e-bike an exciting alternative to other commuters.

E-Bike Category: Commuter

Who the Aventon Pace 500.3 ST Electric Bike Is for: commuters and leisure riders who want an e-bike that balances affordability with solid performance and sporty handling.

Aventon Pace 500.3 ST E-Bike Specs

• Battery: 614Wh
• Expected Range: 60 mi. estimated
• Charger: 3A
• Motor: 500W brushless, geared hub motor
• UL Certification: Certified to UL 2849
• Pedal Assist: 4 PAS levels
• Throttle: Included
• Display: Color LCD
• Headlight: Included
• Taillight: Included
• Frame: 6061 Aluminum
• Fork: 6061 Aluminum
• Fenders: N/A
• Kickstand: Included
• Handlebars: Alloy
• Grips: Ergonomic comfort
• Drivetrain: 8-speed Shimano
• Brakes: Hydraulic disc brakes, 180mm rotors
• Pedals: Alloy, with reflectors
• Saddle: Aventon
• Tires: 27.5 x 2.1-in., puncture-resistant

In-Depth Aventon Pace 500.3 ST Review

Aventon Pace 500.3 ST Review: Comfort, Handling, and Ride Qualities

One-size-fits-all e-bikes may be plentiful, but they aren’t the greatest service to riders. Forcing consumers into one-size-fits-all e-bikes is like forcing people into one-size-fits-all pants. Folks in the middle of the bell curve on height do just fine, but tall and small people suffer. Aventon helps to alleviate this by offering the Pace 500.3 ST in two sizes, regular and large, not to mention the high-step (traditional) frame. The regular size features both a seat tube and top tube that are shorter than found with the large size.

E-bikes in the sub-$2000 range tend to be on the heavy side, but one of the features we love about the Aventon Pace 500.3 ST is that it weighs just 52 lbs. Reducing an e-bike’s weight affects its handling, making it noticeably more maneuverable. Less weight also makes it easier to pick up, store and transport.

Most of the e-bikes we see in the sub-$2000 range weigh between 60 and 70 lbs., so the Pace 500.3 ST’s 52-lb. weight makes a meaningful difference.

How did Aventon get that result? It comes down to a few strategic choices. First, there’s the lightweight aluminum fork, rather than a suspension fork. They left off a rear rack and fenders, which not only reduced the Pace 500.3 ST’s weight, but it cut the price as well, making the buyer’s initial investment smaller; both accessories can be added later. The other touch that served to keep weight down was their choice to go with 27.5 x 2.1-in. tires. Those 4-in.-wide tires we see on all-terrain e-bikes are heavy, as are the wheels.

So the Aventon Pace 500.3 ST enjoys a pretty sporty feel as a result of the choices that kept weight down.

Aventon Pace 500.3 ST Review: Motor, Battery, and Drivetrain Performance

The Aventon Pace 500.3 ST is spec’d with a 500W brushless, geared hub motor—yet another choice that served to keep weight down. A 500W motor won’t impress on paper the way a 750W motor will, but a lighter e-bike doesn’t need as much power to get the job done.

The 500W motor is powered by a 614Wh battery. Our general rule of thumb regarding battery size and range is that it’s helpful to have a battery that is roughly equivalent in watt/hours to the motor’s wattage. With the Pace 500.3 ST, buyers get an extra 20 percent more capacity compared to most e-bikes. This shows up in range. Our colleagues at Electric Bike Report tested the Aventon Pace 500.3 ST and while Aventon claims that riders can hope to cover 30 mi. by throttle or up to 60 mi. in Eco, they rode 35 mi. in Turbo mode and 68 mi. in Eco; exceeding their estimates by more than 10 percent.

The Aventon Pace 500.3 ST is one of the least expensive e-bikes on the market that is spec’d with a torque sensor, rather than a cadence sensor. What a torque sensor offers is immediate power when the rider begins pedaling; there’s no pause. Also, the motor responds in proportion to how hard the rider is pedaling, so more muscle means more acceleration and speed. It gives riders a decidedly superhero feeling and makes the experience feel more seamless, not like the rider is pedaling something with a motor.

In this price range, we usually see e-bikes with 7-speed drivetrain, not 8-speed, like the Pace 500.3 ST. Practically, what the rider gets isn’t just one more gear; it’s a wider range of gears; most 7-speed drivetrains offer a 200 percent range, but the Pace 500.3 ST gives riders a 266-percent gear range to make getting up hills easier.

Riders who want more speed than a Class 2 e-bike will offer (pedal assistance or throttle up to 20 mph) can go into Aventon’s smartphone app and unlock the Pace 500.3 ST so that it can be ridden as a Class 3 e-bike with a maximum assist speed of 28 mph.

Aventon Pace 500.3 ST Review: Braking, Safety & Warranty

Our preference in brakes on e-bikes is for hydraulic disc brakes. That’s not to say mechanical disc brakes are bad; they have some terrific features. Mechanical disc brakes help keep the cost of an e-bike down and are easier to service, but hydraulic disc brakes offer more braking power, better modulation and a smoother feel at the lever. Despite its remarkable affordability, the Aventon Pace 500.3 ST comes equipped with hydraulic disc brakes paired with 180mm rotors.

One detail that unites all Aventon e-bikes is their rear lighting setup that integrates small red lights in the frame. It helps keep riders visible as well as communicate their intention to turn.

Aventon provides a warranty that is a step-up from what we generally see with consumer-direct brands. They cover the frame and fork with a lifetime warranty. All Aventon-branded components receive a two-year warranty; third party parts are not covered, but may be covered by a warranty from the manufacturer.

Aventon Pace 500.3 ST Review: Recommendation/Final Verdict

Step-thru commuters enjoy an obvious appeal. A rider need not be dressed in a skirt or suit to prefer not to swing their leg over the saddle. That is but one of the many appealing features of the Aventon Pace 500.3 ST.

Any time we review an e-bike, one of the points we consider is how the various component choices come together in the final e-bike. Sometimes the elements don’t add up all that well, but with the Aventon Pace 500.3 ST, the details work together to yield a terrific e-bike that comes in at an affordable price. The $1500-$2000 price range is incredibly competitive and in an effort to produce an e-bike that meets all of the needs of a commuter, the combination of a big motor, sizable battery and the inclusion of fenders, a rear rack, suspension and cushy tires usually adds up to an e-bike that weighs 65 lbs. or more.

The lighter an e-bike is, the easier it is to manage both in and out of the saddle. As we’ve observed, at 52 lbs., the Aventon Pace 500.3 ST is lighter than most of the e-bikes it competes against. Yes, they left off fenders and a rack. Not a problem. First, they can be added later. Second, not everyone is going to ride in the rain. Similarly, some folks have no need of a rear rack because they may choose to carry whatever they need in a backpack or courier bag.

Some of the choices that Aventon made are harder to change after purchase. Upgrading from a 7-speed drivetrain to an 8-speed one is an expensive proposition and will require anyone not versed as a bike mechanic to go to a shop. Similarly, had they opted for mechanical disc brakes, upgrading to hydraulic disc brakes is simply not an option because the fittings on the bike that guide the cable housing are different than the ones used for a hydraulic hose. Same goes for the torque sensor; that’s not a component that can be upgraded after purchase.

The result is a somewhat stripped down commuter that weighs less and offers a more nimble ride because it’s lighter. Rather than adding in flashy accessories, Aventon went for substance, delivering the highest-quality e-bike they can in this price range. An e-bike that’s lighter than usual, offers a sporty, spirited ride and a solid component selection offers such obvious appeal we are at a loss for why we don’t see more e-bikes competing with the Aventon Pace 500.3 ST.

Thank you for reading through our review of the Aventon Pace 500.3 ST. Still have further questions? Wondering how it compares to a similar e-bike we’ve reviewed? Let us know in the comments below!