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Aventon vs. Rad Power Bikes: Comparing Aventon Level.2 to Rad Power RadCity 5 Plus
We’re comparing our newest electric bike with torque sensor, the Aventon Level.2, to Rad Power Bikes RadCity 5. See how both ebikes stack up in power, performance, and design!

Weeks ago, you saw our sneak peek through Bicycling Magazine and now, you’ve read the reviews, seen what it's capable of on social media, and want to know more. Welcome to our ongoing comparison articles, where we put one of our own against one of the competition! Stacking them up stem to stem, pedal to pedal, to give you the cold, hard ebike facts to help you determine which ebike is better suited for you.

This week, we’re putting the spotlight on the newest ebike to the Aventon lineup. Introducing Level.2! Aventon’s first electric bicycle equipped with a genuine torque sensor. Stacking Level.2 up to the RadCity 5 Plus by Rad Power Bikes, we’re going to review every spec of both electric bikes, comparing both the interior and exterior features. First, we’ll give you a quick snapshot of both bikes. The ‘total package’ if you will. Then, we’ll dive into their anatomy and physiology, examining their electrical, mechanical, and physical components in precise detail. Let’s get started!

AN OVERVIEW OF STATS

Level.2

RadCity 5 Plus

Motor

500W

(750W peak)

750W*

Battery

48V 14Ah (672Wh)

580 - 672 Wh

Pedal Assist

5 Levels

Throttle

Yes - Thumb Lever

Yes - Twist Lever

Top Speed

28 MPH

20 MPH

Range

Up to 60 Miles

28 - 50 Per Charge

Size

(Regular, Large and S/M and M/L)

Step-Through Model

Yes: in S/M and M/L Sizes

Yes

Weight

ST: 53 lbs

Traditional: 54 lbs

ST: 64 lbs

Traditional: 65 lbs

Total Carry Capacity

300 lbs

275 lbs

Gears

Lights

Front headlight front and integrated rear lights (including fender)

Brake light functionality with app compatibility

LED headlight with integrated taillight w/ brake light

Display

Colored LCD with app integration

Backlit LCD

Price

$2,799

$2,299

With a difference of $500, you might be wondering what RadCity 5 Plus has that Level.2 might be missing? One of the first things you might notice is that the RadCity 5 Plus has a larger motor, but after reading the side note, “*”, as we’ll also discuss in more detail, you’ll learn that the actual output is quite lower than this stated amount. For compliance reasons, the true output is intentionally withheld. Given that Rad Power Bikes also provided a battery range size for the RadCity 5 Plus, we believe that both bikes have the same size battery, with RadCity possibly being smaller.

Level.2 in both Step-through and traditional frames are lighter in weight than RadCity 5 Plus, with a higher carry capacity, more color options, and more sizes! While both bikes have five levels of pedal assist, Level.2 takes home the win with a higher top speed, more advanced tech features, and a greater riding range. Let’s see what else Level.2 provides its riders for a $50 difference.

ELECTRICAL

Some of the most important features shoppers look for in ebikes nowadays is the ecomponent. Let’s analyze how the electrical components of Level.2 compare to those of RadCity 5 Plus!

Level.2

RadCity 5 Plus

Comments

Motor

500W Rear Hub Motor

(750W peak)

750W* Brushless Geared Hub Motor

RadCity 5 Plus has a larger motor, however, this ebike’s web page features a disclaimer that reads:

“Stated wattage is the manufacturer’s rated power capacity. Actual power-to-ground wattage is under 750W to ensure ebike regulatory compliance and may vary depending on riding conditions.”

So while we don’t actually know RadCity 5 Plus’ true output, Level.2, on the other hand, openly provides this info. With a peak output of 750W and a sustained output of 500W, Level.2 riders can go as hard or light as they want, knowing their ebike is going to meet them wherever they’re at.

Battery

48V 14Ah (672Wh)

580 - 672 Wh

Both bikes have a relatively similar sized battery, with Level.2’s being roughly 16% larger than the lowest capacity listed by Rad Power. Level.2’s torque sensor, which we’ll get to shortly, optimizes its power usage more efficiently, reaching up to 60 miles in range per charge versus Rad Power’s 28 - 50 of miles per charge.

Sensor

Torque

Cadence

Equipping Level.2 with a torque sensor simply meant we wanted riders to get more out of their ebikes and feel the natural sensations of riding a traditional bike. Versus RadCity 5 Plus’s cadence sensor, that measures ifyou’re pedaling, Level.2’s torque sensor measures how hard you pedal. Thus, giving you motor assistance power in increments to match your efforts. The benefit? This not only can conserve your battery life but also let you ride farther!

Pedal Assisst

5 Levels

Both models have the same top speed with five levels of pedal assist, which gives riders a versatile riding experience. Level.2 can be modified anywhere from a Class I to Class III ebike, allowing riders to truly fine-tune their ride depending on their riding style, preferences, and local regulations.

Charger

48V 3 Amp

48V 2 Amp

When it comes to charging, you want to look for higher amperage (Amp), not voltage. Level.2’s fast charger means you’ll be ready to get back to your joy riding, with a full battery, sooner than with Rad Power’s charger.

Display

Colored LCD with app integration

Backlit LCD

Level.2’s full color, backlit LCD display shows you all the metrics you need, from battery life left, distance traveled, speed, and pedal assist level. Compatible with the Aventon mobile app, you can even sync your phone to view additional riding data, achievements history, and connect with the Aventon community! RadCity 5 Plus, on the other hand, simply has a row of 5 LEDs that show your pedal assist level and level of battery charge left.

Lights

Front headlight front and integrated rear lights (including fender)

Brake light functionality with app compatibility

LED headlight with integrated taillight w/ brake light

Integrated front and rear lights simply mean you never have to worry about not being seen, or your lights giving out on you mid-ride. Both electric bikes have a front headlight as well as rear taillights that activate when the brake levers are pulled.

Only Level.2 has a fourth total integrated light, seamlessly placed on the rear fender. Amounting to three total rear lights. Additionally, Level.2’s lights can be turned on via the Aventon mobile app, by tapping on the light button on the handlebar controls, or pulling the brake levers for taillights!

USB Charger

Yes

Optional - Sold Separately

Never worry about your phone running out of battery. With a concealed, built-in USB slot on Level.2’s Color Display, plug your device in wherever and whenever!

To sum up, especially considering Rad Power doesn’t conceal this model’s true motor power, our vote is that Level.2 is still the leading horse in the category. With a torque sensor, four total integrated lights, our updated color display with app sync capabilities, a concealed USB charger, a fast charger and a powerhouse duo of a motor and battery, we think it absolutely crushes its competition.

MECHANICAL

Now, let’s take a look at some of the more ‘traditional’ components of these ebikes. In other words, their bicycle mechanics!

	Level.2	RadCity 5 Plus	Comments
Brakes	Hydraulic Disc	Hydraulic Disc	Hydraulic disc brakes have a quick and smooth stopping power, an important feature to consider when in the market to purchase an ebike, especially one that accelerates quickly and reaches top speeds of 28 MPH. Considering both ebikes are equipped with hydraulic disc brakes, nothing to dissect here!
Gearing	8	7	An extra gear gives riders extra flexibility when riding, whether that’s tailoring speed to what’s comfortable for them or being able to shift between gears more smoothly. With Level.2, you get a little extra room to personalize your ride!
Suspension Fork	Spring Coil Fork 50mm of travel with lockout	Spring Fork 50mm of travel with lockout	Both ebikes feature a front suspension fork with lockout functions which allows riders to fine-tune their fork depending on the terrain they’re riding in. This makes riding on bumpy roads or flat surfaces more enjoyable. Although mechanically, both feature a suspension fork, it’s worth noting that Level.2 has 26% more travel than RadCity 5 Plus, giving riders more travel room to absorb bumps!

Mechanically, both electric bikes are fairly similar. They contain hydraulic brakes which provide the utmost braking power when riding at top speeds, meanwhile, Level.2’s extra gear gives riders a slight advantage in being flexible with their speed. With about 25% more travel in its front suspension fork, Level.2 outranks as the more comfortable and mechanically balanced choice!

PHYSICAL

Now it’s time to review more of the fun stuff! Looking at both bikes physically, the features we’ll cover will not only impact your riding experience but how you look and feel (confidence matters!) when you’re out and about.

	Level.2	RadCity 5 Plus	Comments
Frames	Standard and Step-Through	High-Step and Step-Through	Both electric bikes offer a standard step over bike frame as well as a step-through frame to ensure there’s an ebike that fits a wider range of physical abilities.
Sizes	4 Standard Frame: Regular and Large Step-Through Frame: S/M and M/L	1	When you’re investing in an ebike, it should fit and feel right, almost as if it was built foryou! That’s why Level.2 comes in 4 total sizes: 2 in step over and 2 in Step-through. Having more size, and frame options, available means that a wider range of people can discover their (almost!) perfect fit.
Colors	4 Colors Total (2 in standard frame, 2 Step-Through frame)	1	Color options are equally as important because who is going to ride an ebike they’re not in love with visually? Available in Clay, Glacier, Polar, and Himalayan, there’s a color for different preferences!
Weight	Standard: 54 lbs Step-Through: 53 lbs	High-Step: 65 lbs Step-Through: 64 lbs	Weight is an important factor when shopping around for an ebike. Level.2 is up to 13 lbs lighter than RadCity 5 Plus, making traveling, RVing, and biking with zero power easier.
Integrated Battery	Yes	Semi-Integrated	Integrated batteries are slowly becoming an industry standard. Not only does an integrated battery have a sleeker look, but it can also disguise the fact that you’re riding (or locking!) an item of high value, possibly making theft more difficult.
Weight Capacity	300 lbs	275 lbs	A higher maximum carry capacity simply means Level.2 can carry more, whether you’re transporting work materials, furry friends, or kids in a trailer!
Tires	27.5” x 2.1”	27.5” x 2.0”	Both ebikes have relatively similar tire specs, with Level.2 having .1” thicker tires. Both ebikes will hold their own biking through city streets, gravel, or other hard, compact terrains!
Fenders	Included	Included	What’s a commuting ebike without fenders? Both electric bicycles arrive with fenders, with Level.2’s arriving partially pre-installed!
Racks	Rear	Rear	Both electric bikes also arrive with a rear rack, to make commuting and cargo carrying a breeze!

AVENTON VS. RAD POWER BIKES: WRAPPING UP

After careful review, we feel it’s safe to say that Level.2 and Level.2 Step-through come in as the leading horse against RadCity 5 Plus. Despite the points raised throughout this comparison, some riders might still be influenced by which is perceived to be more “powerful,” without considering the true specifications or the real-world performance the bike will provide. Whereas other riders will see past specifications on paper and realize that the feature Level.2 arrives with far surpass those of RadCity 5 Plus. Whether you’re looking for a clean ebike design, innovative tech features, more intuitive components like the torque sensor, or just more versatility in size, color, and frame options, Level.2 has something for everyone. So, you tell us! Which of these two bikes is better suited for your needs?