Aventon has been moving through their electric bike product lines, revising, revamping, and improving individual models from good to better and beyond. The second-gen Aventon Sinch, the company’s entry in the folding fat-tire eBike niche, is new and improved for 2022. New Sinch does everything the original did but smoother and easier and in a very attractive package.

The Sinch design is sleek and well thought out from top to bottom. Battery and wiring are neatly packed into the downtube–out of sight, out of mind–until you need to recharge, and then the battery pack is easily removable for getting closer to the power source.

Aventon has replaced the single huge front-to-back cross-member that served as the main structural element of the frame on the original Sinch with a more user-friendly, low-slung step-through model that looks sharp and rides smooth. So for campers and RVers, office workers who want to stash their ride in the corner, city dwellers in cramped spaces who wish to do quick errands effortlessly, and so much more, the new Aventon Sinch might just be fit perfectly in the tight place you’ve got for it.

Facts & Specs

Where it matters, not much has changed on second-generation Sinch. A powerful 48V, 500W brushless rear hub motor helps you turn the wheel, as needed. The juice comes from a removable, lithium-ion 48V, 14Ah rechargeable battery with LG cells. Aventon pitches the included 48V 3 Amp charger as a “fast charger,” but its rated 4-5 hour charging time is about average. A backup battery pack is an option for those who want to stretch rides out beyond the estimated 40-mile road range or those on the go that need to be ready to go again quickly.

For those who like the feel of an electric bike motor that will take over and do the work for you sometimes, the Sinch features a thumb throttle, conveniently mounted on the left-hand side of the handlebars. However, as you may imagine, or will soon figure, too much throttle drains a battery in a hurry. Regardless, most riders get plenty of help pedaling from one of the five levels of pedal assist power up to 20MPH, with the assist adding some force to each turn of the cranks.

The 7-speed Shimano drivetrain gives a wide selection of gears to complement your riding style and terrain of the day. Sinch lets you find your sweet spot in riding posture with a folding and telescoping, height-adjustable stem. With the low geometry of 20” wheels, some riders like to lift the handlebars up to full cruising altitude to sit high in the saddle. For those who are shorter or enjoy a lower, more laid-back riding position, the controls can be brought down to size with the adjustable stem.

The Aventon Velo comfort saddle is well-cushioned and 245mm wide to complement the 4” balloon tires and a front suspension fork to even out rough spots and provide a smooth, comfortable ride. The 20” x 4” tires are eBike rated and ready to roll on reliably for many miles with strong puncture resistance. The tan gum sidewalls give Sinch a comfortable retro feel, like a classic car with its whitewalls showing the tires to their best effect. Mechanical disc brakes provide solid stopping confidence, with 180mm rotors that have plenty of grabbing surfaces to bring you to a quick stop.

At 68 pounds, the Sinch can be a heavy load to pick up and move around. Even folded down, with the single center hinge released, the handlebars folded in, and the pedals flipped up out of the way, you’ve still got a pretty big package–46” long, 28” wide, and 30” tall. It may be small enough to go in a hatch or trunk, but you’ve got to lift it to get it there, which will require a little muscle. Folded, the Sinch can roll alongside you as you walk, which makes for smooth transit through a bus station or into an office lobby, for example.

While it ships in a stripped-down but ride-ready form, accessories are a great option to customize your ride. Sinch has standard mounting points, and Aventon offers a complete line of racks, bags, fenders, lights, and more to give your ride the personal touches that fit you just right. It is a bit disappointing to see a new eBike arrive at your door, ready to ride with some simple assembly but to lack any lights. Among recent improvements in other models, Aventon has built rear lights into the frame on the seat stays, but not on the redesigned frame of the Sinch.

While some may complain that a 1,800 dollar investment should include fenders or racks or lights at a minimum, there’s some wisdom in Aventon’s choice of keeping it simple. Not everyone needs to transport goods, and not everyone rides in inclement weather, so racks and fenders are may be better suited as optional aftermarket add-ons. For a folding bike, especially, some accessories are just in the way.

PROS – Why to Buy

• Easy-rider: with its smooth step-through frame and low 20” wheels, Sinch is a smooth on-off machine with comfortable, adjustable geometry–the stem telescopes lets you set your bars where you like them, the seat has an excellent range of adjustment, and you’ll ride in comfort on your properly set up Sinch.
• Fair value: while a price that bumps up against two grand is a nice chunk of change, the Sinch delivers a lot of value in a compact package. Set yours up with a rear rack and side-bag panniers, and you’ll be picking up groceries without burning a gallon of gas. Pay no parking fees at work (hello, office!) and stash your ride in a corner near your desk. Sinch comes with many ways to save a few bucks here and there on your transportation budget, and they add up quickly.
• Comfortable Ride: between the four-inch balloon tires, the front-suspension fork with 45mm adjustable travel, and the wide padded saddle, you’ll find that a lot of the shocks of city riding are absorbed when you’re on a Sinch.

CONS – What to consider before buying

• No lights: unlike other Aventon models, the stripped-down Sinch ships lightless. No front headlamp to light your way through a dusk ride home; no taillight to alert those behind you of your stops. Of course, the company webpage provides helpful links to both products. For another 100 bucks or so, you’re good. Just know that Sinch is a bit of a penny-pincher.
• No accessories: you’re always free to add racks, fenders, lights, and other details from Aventon’s wide selection of options or other aftermarket products that will adapt to Aventon’s standard mounting sets. Some see this as a plus–after all, since you’re not paying for extras you don’t need. But, of course, you can choose what you want to add later. And with a folding frame, some racks can get in the way. Still, many rides in this niche include racks and fenders for more versatile transportation options.
• Bulky: Sinch weighs 68 pounds and still occupies a large block of space, even in folded form. But, compared to a full-on off-road monster in a comparable class of fat-tire wide-frame trail beasts, Sinch is a cinch to snap in half and heft up into a back seat.

Final Thoughts

Aventon is staking a claim to prime eBike market territory with new and improved versions of popular best-sellers of recent years. The Sinch is a well-built, thoughtfully redesigned, versatile, and fun improvement to their already solid product line.

One nice bonus that Aventon offers, unlike many eBike companies in the crowded market today, is a string of retail locations across the US. So, in addition to the full range of products for sale on the web, if you live near a good-size metro area, the chances are good that you can get into your local bike shop and get a close look at the Aventon lineup. There’s no better way than to get your feet on Sinch’s pedals to see how it feels for you.