ALL Electric 
In the full review (15 sections)
Should you buy one?
The first-generation Aventon Level Step-Through is the same bike as the regular Level I tested, with a frame that’s much easier to get on and off. After riding it for several weeks, I liked the parts: an easy thumb and index-finger shifter, brakes that work great, a Zoom front fork, the wide Aventon seat, fenders and a rear rack. The throttle now works from a stop once you’re in pedal assist 1 through 5, after Aventon’s software update.
My big miss: it has no integrated headlight and no tail light. From a safety standpoint I think every e-bike should have both.
Buying note: this is the first Level. Aventon has since replaced it with the Level.2 and the Level 3, which I’ve also reviewed. Those are the bikes to look at new.
Quick specs
These come from my video. I showed the battery spec label on screen but didn’t read it out, so it isn’t listed here.
| Spec | Aventon Level Step-Through (1st gen) |
|---|---|
| Frame | Step-through |
| Suspension | Zoom front fork |
| Throttle | Thumb throttle, works from a stop in PAS 1-5 |
| Pedal assist levels | 5 |
| Display | Standard (not color) |
| Battery | Removable, key lock, integrated in frame, charge port on the bike |
| Included | Front and rear fenders, rear rack |
| Lights | None integrated |
Sources: my Aventon Level Step-Through video.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Step-through frame makes getting on and off “a lot easier and more accessible to a lot of people”
- Same high-quality parts as the regular Level: shifter, brakes, Zoom fork, pedals
- Wide, cushioned Aventon seat (“This is not like some racing bike seat”)
- Throttle works from a stop in pedal assist 1-5
- Front and rear fenders and a rear rack included, with the rear fender already installed out of the box
- Removable battery, and you can also charge it on the bike
Cons
- No integrated headlight or tail light
- Getting the battery out means moving the front wheel out of the way, and putting it back in is a bit harder
- The battery is “massive and super heavy”
- Standard display, not Aventon’s color display
The controls
The shifter is the same one on the regular Level: you click through the gears with your thumb and index finger, and it’s really convenient. The brakes are easy to use too. There’s a big display in the center. On this model it’s Aventon’s standard display, not the color one, but it’s still very nice.
On the left side you get the front brake lever, the left grip and the thumb throttle. When this bike first came out, the throttle didn’t work from zero. Aventon updated the software, and now all their e-bikes let you go from zero. In pedal assist 0 the throttle does nothing. In pedal assist 1 through 5, pushing it jumps you forward from a standstill, which is really nice when you’re riding. The power button is hidden down low and is marked with an M.
The step-through frame
The only difference between this and the regular Level I tested is the frame. The regular Level is a little harder to get on and off. With the step-through you just step right through, flip up the kickstand and ride. Getting off is just as easy: slide your leg through, put the kickstand down and walk away. If you’re shorter, it’s definitely easier.
The battery
The battery locks in with a key and is integrated into the frame. Taking it out is a little funky. There’s a switch up at the top, and then you have to move the front wheel out of the way to slide it out. Getting it back in was more of a challenge; I think squeezing one of the brakes would have helped. You don’t have to remove it to charge, though. There’s a charge port on the other side of the bike, so you can plug in right there.
What the specs mean on the road
Front suspension. The Zoom fork takes the edge off bumps and rough pavement. It’s a plus on a commuter.
Throttle from a stop. On a heavier bike, a throttle that works from zero helps you get rolling at lights and on hills without a hard first pedal stroke.
Removable battery. You can charge it inside if you can’t plug in where you park. Since the battery is heavy, charging on the bike is the easier option if you have an outlet.
No lights. If you commute early or late, budget for a headlight and tail light. That’s the main thing missing from this bike.
How it rides
It feels super smooth, and the brakes work phenomenally. The thumb throttle is convenient whenever you don’t feel like pedaling or you’re on your way to work. As long as you keep the battery charged, you won’t be sweating even when it’s super hot out.
How it compares
In the same video I put it next to two bikes with 350W motors.
- Mac Mission 100: I thought it was pretty terrible. It has a 350W rear motor, which is lacking for its size, plus a battery stuck on the frame, a cheap little display, inexpensive brakes and rock-hard grips. The fenders were a pain to install, with lots of bolts and three pieces. It was $700 to $750, and I wouldn’t buy it.
- Ziprs F1: same 350W motor, but I think you get more kick out of it because it’s so much lighter. It also folds, so you can take it on a train, and it has an integrated headlight. If you’re going with a smaller motor, I’d pick the Ziprs over the Mac Mission.
If you have the budget, the Level Step-Through is the nicer bike of the three. The Ziprs F1 is the only one of the three with an integrated headlight, and none of them has an integrated tail light.
Accessories I used
Aventon sent me a set of two rear-rack bags. They clip onto almost any rear rack. They’re fully adjustable, tighten down with a screw, and fix to the frame at a couple of other points, so they won’t bounce off over bumps. They’re waterproof, cinch down and buckle at the top. That’s room for work clothes, groceries or a bike lock. The two bags snap together by their hard backs for carrying.
Who it’s for
- Riders who want an easier frame to get on and off
- Commuters who want fenders, a rack and front suspension included
- Shorter riders
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone riding in low light who doesn’t want to add lights
- Anyone shopping new today: look at the Level.2 or Level 3
FAQ
Does the throttle work from a stop?
Yes, after Aventon’s software update, as long as you’re in pedal assist 1 through 5.
Does it have lights?
No integrated headlight or tail light on the bike I tested.
Can you charge the battery on the bike?
Yes. There’s a charge port on the side, and the battery also comes out.
Price
I didn’t give a price in this video, and Aventon no longer lists the first-generation Level, as of Oct 23, 2026. See the Level.2 and Level 3 reviews for their current price notes.
Shop Aventon (affiliate link)
