Aventon enter the eMTB market with the Current EXP, a bike built to compete on price as much as performance. The California-based brand has until now been known primarily for urban e-bikes and accessible price points, with little presence in Europe. Its EU market entry is, simultaneously, a debut in the fiercely contested performance e-MTB segment. At €5,499, the Current EXP offers up to 120 Nm of torque via the Ultro X motor system, an electronic SRAM Transmission drivetrain and a modern connectivity package. The question is how much trail performance that price actually buys.
This bike is part of our huge group test, “The best e-mountainbike of 2026 with 30 of the most exciting eMTBs of the season” – click here for the intro, our key take aways and all the bikes.
The Aventon Current EXP in Detail
Visually, the Aventon Current EXP favours a restrained and organic design language over sharp-edged styling gimmicks. The Current EXP carries a clean, understated aesthetic with well-balanced proportions throughout. The bottom bracket area is the sole visual concession to the hardware beneath, its bulk a direct result of the Ultro X motor’s size.
The combination of a carbon front triangle and aluminium rear triangle feels well put together. Aventon rely on practical plastic protection elements throughout the frame. The chainstay protector does an effective job of preventing chain slap, while a sturdy TPU plate on the downtube transitions seamlessly into the motor cover, providing reliable protection for the drive unit against impacts. A small rubber protector between the main frame and swingarm helps prevent dirt from collecting in this area and causing damage.
Cable routing is neatly executed, too. The cables enter the frame neatly through dedicated cable ports and, together with the tidy cockpit layout, contribute to the bike’s clean, uncluttered look.
The spec of the Aventon Current EXP
The Aventon Current EXP is powered by the Ultro X drive system, developed in collaboration with Gobao. On paper, the motor certainly delivers impressive figures: up to 120 Nm of torque in Boost mode and 850 W peak power place it firmly among the more powerful motors in this group test. The motor draws its power from an 800 Wh battery, which can be removed relatively quickly from the downtube after undoing three bolts. Charging is handled by a standard 4 A charger, making for fairly leisurely charging times. However, a faster 12 A charger is expected to follow.
For the suspension, Aventon opted for a solid but clearly entry-level oriented combo consisting of a RockShox Lyrik Select fork with Charger damper and a matching RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ shock controlling 140 mm of travel at the rear. Setup is pleasantly straightforward and should appeal particularly to less experienced riders. The fork allows adjustment of both low-speed compression and rebound damping, which is more than enough for most riders and scenarios.
Shifting is taken care of by a SRAM S1000 Transmission drivetrain, which operates reliably and delivers the precise shifting performance the SRAM T-Type system is known for. A practical detail is that the derailleur draws power directly from the bike’s main battery, eliminating the need to charge a separate battery. SRAM MAVEN Base brakes with 200 mm rotors front and rear ensure powerful, reliable deceleration, proving a sensible setup for an eMTB.
Less convincing is the X-Fusion Manic LT dropper post, which offers only 170 mm of travel even in frame sizes L and XL. The remote lever also feels rather cheap and falls short in terms of ergonomics.
However, the most questionable aspect of the build is the tire choice. The Current EXP rolls on 29-inch aluminium wheels fitted with a Maxxis Minion DHF up front and a Minion DHR II at the rear, but both tires feature the lightweight EXO casing. For an eMTB, that’s simply not enough regardless of rider weight, and unnecessarily increases the risk of punctures. Upgrading to at least EXO+ casings, and ideally a DoubleDown casing on the rear tire, should be high on your to-do list.
“Modern drive concept, solid components, but the tires are clearly the weak link.”
Aventon Current EXP
€ 5,499
Specifications
Motor Aventon Ultro X 120 Nm
Battery AVENTON 800 Wh
Display Aventon
Fork RockShox Lyrik Select 150 mm
Rear Shock RockShox Super Deluxe Select + 140 mm
Seatpost Fusion Manic LT 180 mm
Brakes SRAM MAVEN Base 220/200 mm
Drivetrain SRAM S-1000 Eagle Transmission 1x12
Stem Aventon 50 mm
Handlebar Aventon 800 mm
Wheelset Aventon Aluminium 29"
Tires MAXXIS Minion DHF Exo, MAXXIS Minion DHR Exo 2,5"/2,4"
Technical Data
Size S M L XL
Weight 24,0 kg
Specific Features
entnehmbarer Akku
Tuning-Tipp: Robustere Reifenkarkassen montieren.
| Size | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toptube | 571,3 mm | 598,5 mm | 626,6 mm | 654,9 mm |
| Seat Tube | 380 mm | 410 mm | 440 mm | 470 mm |
| Head Tube | 100 mm | 110 mm | 125 mm | 140 mm |
| Head angle | 64,6° | 64,6° | 64,6° | 64,6° |
| Seat angle | 76,6° | 76,6° | 76,6° | 76,6° |
| Chainstay | 445 mm | 445 mm | 445 mm | 445 mm |
| BB Drop | -26,6 mm | -26,6 mm | -26,6 mm | -26,6 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1.196,2 mm | 1.225,4 mm | 1.256,8 mm | 1.288,1 mm |
| Reach | 425,5 mm | 450,4 mm | 475,3 mm | 500,2 mm |
| Stack | 611 mm | 620,3 mm | 634 mm | 647,8 mm |
Jacket POC Motion MTB
Pants Leatt Ride Kit MTB 1.0| Shoes ION Raid Select
The Aventon Current EXP On the Trail
How does the Aventon Current EXP perform on the climbs?
On the climbs, the Aventon Current EXP initially impresses with one of the most powerful and quietest motors in this group test. Up to the 25 km/h assistance limit, the Aventon Ultro X motor delivers strong acceleration and plenty of punch.
Motor support refinement is where the Current EXP shows its limitations. Assistance sometimes returns with a noticeable delay after tight corners or brief pauses in pedalling, giving the motor a sluggish character that blunts precision and control, particularly on technical climbs. Rear-wheel traction compounds the issue: without a sensitive traction control function, the system relies on the adjustable overrun feature to handle steps and ledges effectively.
The riding position, on the other hand, is pleasantly comfortable and well suited to longer rides. However, the bike’s high overall weight and less-than-ideal motor integration become noticeable in technical climbs. As a result, the Aventon feels somewhat cumbersome on the way up and lacks the agility of the best climbers in this group test, such as the Megamo REASON and the AMFLOW PL Carbon Pro.
How does the new Aventon Current EXP perform on descents?
Riding downhill, the Aventon Current EXP has an approachable and uncomplicated character that works particularly well on easier tracks and flowing trails. Handling is predictable and undemanding, much like the ROSE SLAB Plus, which makes it especially appealing to less aggressive riders who are likely to feel comfortable on it from the outset.
As speeds increase or the terrain gets rougher, the Current’s limitations become increasingly apparent. The suspension lacks support and generally feels more like that of a bike with less travel. When you start pushing the bike harder, it quickly dives deep into its travel, noticeably reducing control and leaving little room in terms of reserves. As a result, the Current is only a partial fit for more ambitious riders and delivered the weakest descending performance of any bike in this group test when the trails turned technical.
To make matters worse, the bike is surprisingly noisy on the descents. The motor, cables and even the suspension fork all make their presence clearly known, making the Current EXP one of the loudest bikes in this group test. Combined with the brakes, which suffered from an inconsistent bite point throughout our test session, this further undermines confidence when riding at speed downhill.
At moderate pace and with a passive riding style, the Aventon makes good use of its travel and delivers a high level of comfort, comparable to the Haibike AllMtn CF 11 TRN/IQ. Even so, the overall ride feel remains somewhat nervous and unsettled, eroding confidence quickly once the trails become more demanding.
“An approachable bike for easy trails, but not one for serious downhill riding.”
Who is the Aventon Current EXP the right eMTB for?
The Aventon Current EXP is aimed primarily at riders looking for a powerful and straightforward eMTB for tours, easy trails and everyday use. Its punchy motor, comfortable riding position and accessible handling make it particularly appealing to less experienced riders who want to avoid an overly sporty or demanding bike.
The Current is at its best on flowing trails and moderate terrain, where it remains predictable and delivers plenty of motor power. It is less well suited to ambitious riders who regularly tackle technical trails or fast descents. For that, the Aventon lacks composure, suspension reserves and the overall stability needed to inspire confidence when things get rough.
The right bike for:
Beginners and leisure riders
With its comfortable riding position, powerful motor and easy-going character, the Current EXP impresses on simple trails and longer rides.
Price-conscious riders
If you’re looking for modern features such as a Transmission drivetrain and plenty of motor power at an attractive price of € 5,499, this bike offers a solid overall package.
Not the right bike for:
Ambitious trail riders
The Aventon lacks the composure, suspension reserves and control required for fast, technical descents.
Conclusions about the Aventon Current EXP
The Aventon Current EXP scores highly for its powerful yet pleasantly quiet motor, comfortable riding position and generally approachable character. It feels most at home on easy trails and longer rides, where modern features and an attractive price tag make a compelling combination. Once the terrain turns technical or rougher, however, the Current reaches its limits quickly. Suspension, tyre specification and noise levels all detract from confidence and control. A solid e-MTB for beginners and leisure riders, then, but one with clearly limited trail potential.
Tops
- Powerful motor
- Comfortable riding position
- Excellent connectivity
- Approachable character on easy trails
Flops
- Nervous handling on descents
- High noise levels
- Poor tire specification from the factory
For more information about the Aventon Current EXP, head over to Aventon.
The test field
For an overview of this group test, click here:
The best e-mountainbike of 2026 – The 30 most exciting bikes in the big group test
All bikes in test: AMFLOW PX Carbon Pro, AMFLOW PR Carbon Pro, AMFLOW PR Carbon, Centurion No Pogo R7000, Thömus Lightrider E-MAX, Aventon Current EXP, Atherton S.170E, Haibike AllMtn CF 11 TRN/IQ 2025, Abums Model One, MEGAMO Reason CRB 01, Santa Cruz Vala AL 70, Specialized Levo R, Specialized S-Works Turbo Levo 4, Specialized Turbo Levo 4 Comp Alloy, Yeti LTE T4.
Words: Lars Engmann Photos: Peter Walker, Benedikt Schmidt
