Rad Power Radster Road vs Aventon Level 2

Rad Power is finally challenging the dominance of Aventon in affordable commuter ebikes. The Rad Power Radster Road is the torque-sensor ebike from the brand which is definitely one of the best commuter ebikes you can get in 2024. But how does the Aventon Level 2 stand against this new commuter ebike? Let’s find out!

The Rad Power Radster Road offers a 750W motor, an IPX6 water resistance, an SR-Suntour suspension fork, a UL-certified battery, and a 320lbs payload capacity. The Aventon Level 2, however, features a 500W motor, IPX4 rating, and a 300-lb payload capacity. But the Aventon Level 2 is 13 lbs lighter than the Radster Road and is more affordable as well.

Best Alternatives to Radster Road and Level 2

1. Velotric Discover 2

Velotric Discover 2 is the most premium option in this category and price range.

Key Features:

• UL 2271 Recognized Battery
• Responsive Torque sensor
• Works with Apple Find My
• 48V, 706Wh Samsung Cells
• 750W (75Nm Torque) Hub Motor
• Hydraulic Disc Brakes
• 8-speed Shimano Drivetrain
• Tektro Hydraulic Suspension Fork
• 75 Miles of Max Range
• 28mph Top Speed
• 3A Fast Charging
• IPX6 Water Resistance
• 440 lbs of Weight Capacity
• Kenda 27.5″x2.4″ Puncture-resistant Tires

Check Price

2. Velotric Discover 1

Velotric Discover 1 does not compromise on safety as it features the UL-2271 recognized battery which can be easily verified on UL’s official database. In comparison to the Aventon Level 2, the Velotric Discover 1 offers a more powerful motor, a safer battery, higher weight capacity, better water resistance, and a more affordable price tag.

Key Features:

• UL 2271 Recognized Battery
• 48V, 14.4Ah Samsung Cells
• 500W (900W Peak) Hub Motor
• Hydraulic Disc Brakes
• 7-speed Shimano Drivetrain
• Hydraulic Suspension Fork
• 65 Miles of Max Range
• 3A Fast Charging
• IPX6 Water Resistance
• 440 lbs of Weight Capacity
• 26″x2.5″ Puncture-resistant Tires

Check Price

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Rad Power Radster Road vs Aventon Level 2: Electrical Components

The Motor Difference:

The key difference between these two commuter ebikes is that the Radster Road features a more powerful 750W rear hub motor that offers up to 100Nm of torque. In comparison, the Aventon Level 2 comes with a relatively underpowered 500W motor and the torque offered is 60Nm. So, what does this mean for you?

Well, the 750W motor on Radster Road will make sure that you reach the top speed of 28mph on pedal-assist faster in comparison to the Aventon Level 2. This difference will be more notable when you are riding the electric bike on maximum pedal-assist mode.

Moreover, when you are riding on hills, the Radster Road will go much faster on both the throttle-only and pedal-assist modes in comparison to the Aventon Level 2. So, if you live in a hilly area, this 40Nm torque difference will mean the world to you going uphill.

But if you ride on flat terrain mostly, Aventon Level 2 will still do a decent job even if it’s not as fast as the Rad Power Radster Road.

Sensor and Top Speed:

Rad Power Radster Road now comes with a torque sensor and this has been the most notable upgrade from the brand yet. The top speed has also improved from 20mph in previous Rad Power ebikes to 28mph in this Radster Road model. These two upgrades are the reason why we are comparing this ebike with the Aventon Level 2 in the first place.

Aventon Level 2 already has the torque sensor and comes with a top speed of 28mph. So, in terms of speed and pedal-assist technology, both ebikes offer the same features.

Weather Resistance:

Another key difference between these two ebikes is the IP rating that these models carry. While many ebike brands try to hide these details, we’ll compare these ratings side-by-side here.

So, the Aventon Level 2 is IPX4 rated meaning that it can resist water splashes from all sides. You can ride the Level 2 in light rain or drizzle but it is not recommended to ensure the safety of your ebike.

The Radster Road, however, takes the weather-resistance game up a notch since it carries an IP-X6 rating. In simple words, the Radster Road can handle water coming from powerful jets from all sides and it won’t enter or harm the electrical components of the ebike. So, riding this ebike in heavy rain is not a problem you should be concerned about.

Please note that you cannot leave any of these two ebikes submerged in the water as that sort of protection is offered by a rating of IPX7 and above.

App Support and Anti-theft Features:

App support is a feature that we see in almost every Aventon ebike and Level 2 is no different. You can connect the Aventon app to your Android and iOS to track your rides and adjust important settings.

The Radster Road doesn’t feature app support but you can download any third-party app to track your rides on the phone. However, the Radster Road includes an extra security feature that allows you to unlock the ebike with just your personal security code. The ebike, of course, can still be stolen if the thief decides to pedal the ebike.

So, you cannot rely on this safety feature alone and should get a durable lock or a GPS tracker to ensure the safety of your ebike.

Battery, Mileage, Certifications:

The Rad Power Radster Road features a 48V, 15Ah battery (720Wh) with Samsung or LG cells. The battery is UL-certified to both UL-2271 and UL-2849 standards which clearly shows Rad Power’s commitment to ensuring the safety of its customers.

Aventon Level 2, however, comes with a slightly smaller 48V, 14Ah (672Wh) battery with LG cells. The battery on Aventon Level is TUV certified which is the European equivalent of UL-2849. Most of the ebike brands including Aventon go for the TUV certification which costs them less and allows them to keep the ebikes more affordable.

Let’s talk about the range now. Although the Rad Power Radster Road comes with a slightly bigger battery than Aventon Level 2, the actual difference in range is negligible. This is because the more torquey motor of Radster Road will consume the battery at a faster rate than the Aventon Level 2. So, that nullifies any range advantage that Radster Road could have offered even with this slight battery difference.

Both of these electric bikes claim a maximum range of 60+ miles which is only achievable in ideal conditions with the lowest pedal-assist mode (PAS-1). In normal riding conditions, you can expect an average range of 40 miles from both of these commuter electric bikes. The actual range can increase or decrease depending on a variety of factors including your weight and riding conditions.

However, there is another difference that I think is worth highlighting here. The Aventon Level 2 comes with a 48V 3A fast charger whereas the Radster Road comes with a standard 48V 2A charger. So, what advantage does the Aventon Level 2 have here? Well, you can get a full charge on the Level 2 at least one hour earlier than the Radster Road. It’s not a huge difference, but it’s worth noting nonetheless.

Throttle, Lights, Turn Signals:

The throttles on these two cruiser electric bikes are different. The Aventon Level 2 has a more familiar thumb throttle whereas the Radster Road comes with a half-twist throttle. This is more of a personal preference and I think you can get used to either of these after riding the electric bike for a few days.

Both Rad Power Radster Road and Aventon Level 2 have an integrated front light. The headlight on Radster Road is better and it also comes with a reflector. The taillights are decent on both of these electric bikes, however, the positioning of 2 rear lights on the frame of Aventon Level 2 makes it more visible.

One advantage that the Radster Road offers here is the turn signals that are integrated with the rear light. It would have been great to see these turn signals on the frame like some Aventon models offer, but it’s a good safety feature nevertheless and does a good job overall. The Aventon Level 2 doesn’t come with turn signals but I am hopeful that the next upgrade will include this feature.

Let’s peek into the design differences between these two commuter ebikes.

Rad Power Radster Road vs Aventon Level 2: Design, Dimensions, Weight Limits

Frame Design and Sizes:

There is no step-over model of the Radster Road. Instead, Rad Power is offering a step-through frame for the Small version and a mid-step frame for the Large version. Rad Power is not generous when it comes to color choices as well. You can choose between the Bay Blue and Lunar White color options. But I have to admit that the paint job on Radster Road is above our expectations.

The Aventon Level 2, on the other hand, offers step-through and step-over frames with 2 different size options. The color options are also more for the Level 2.

We can argue that the Aventon Level 2 offers a cleaner look than the Radster Road as the battery is completely housed within the main tube of Level 2. As for the Radster Road, the battery is slightly raised above the main tube and you can easily spot it from afar. But this is a design choice Rad Power has made and stuck to it even on this considerably expensive ebike.

Weight and Payload:

This is where the Rad Power really disappoints its hard-core fans as the Radster Road weighs a hefty 75 lbs with the battery attached. Lifting 75 lbs is no joke and if you need to carry this ebike through the stairs, this ebike will definitely test your endurance. If you remove the battery, the weight gets reduced to 66 lbs approximately which still is pretty heavy.

Now compare this to Aventon Level 2 which is relatively lightweight at 62 lbs. You can lose a few extra lbs by removing the battery and lifting this ebike is definitely easier than the Radster Road. So, this is a big deal and maybe a deal breaker for Rad Power fans looking to upgrade their commuter ebike.

However, there is another slight difference that must be mentioned here. The Radster Road offers a higher weight capacity of 320 lbs in comparison to the Aventon Level 2 which has a 300 lbs payload limit. Again, the difference is not huge but it can be significant for heavy riders. The rear rack of both ebikes can support a load of up to 55 lbs.

Let’s compare some components of these two ebikes now!

Rad Power Radster Road vs Aventon Level 2: Other Components

Suspension:

The most notable difference in the components of these two electric bikes is that the Radster Road comes with a superior SR-Suntour hydraulic suspension fork with 80mm of travel. In comparison, the Level 2 features a coil spring suspension with 65mm of travel on offer. So, the ride quality is undoubtedly better on the Radster Road but this is not a deal breaker since the Level 2 offers a decent suspension for a commuter ebike.

And you can always add a suspension seat post from SR-Suntour on both of these ebikes to make your experience even more comfortable. Since both of these commuter ebikes lack rear suspension, this addition would be worth the investment.

Brakes & Drivetrain:

Both ebikes offer the same reliable components when it comes to brakes and drivetrain. To be more specific, you are getting the Tektro hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm rotors on both ebikes and these brakes have enough stopping power to offer.

Both commuter ebikes come with the same 8-speed Shimano Acera drivetrain and you won’t be running out of gears on either of these ebikes. There is one slight differ

Finally, you are getting the rear rack and fenders on both of these electric bikes without any additional costs. So, you don’t need to pay extra greenbacks to get these accessories.

Rad Power Radster Road vs Aventon Level 2: Price Comparison

As I write this comparison, the Level 2 is $300 cheaper than the Radster Road. Both of these ebike brands keep offering discounts, so you should check the latest prices before making a decision. Speaking of decisions, here’s our verdict.

Rad Power Radster Road vs Aventon Level 2: Our Verdict

The Rad Power Radster Road is a far better ebike than the Aventon Level 2. For an extra $300 you spend on the Radster Road, you are getting a more powerful motor, better water resistance, higher payload capacity, a UL-certified battery, and a better suspension. So, I would definitely recommend you go for the Radster Road over Level 2.

If you go for the Level 2, you get a lighter ebike and you can save at least $300. So, if you need to carry an ebike upstairs every time, then Level 2 makes more sense.

But for all other use cases, the powerful motor on Radster Road, its UL-certified batter, and higher water resistance are just too good to ignore.