Table of Contents
The good stuff
- Low-maintenance rides and cost saving
- Easy-to-operate gear system and powerful motor
- Comfortable for long rides
Potential improvements
- Twist shifter could be an issue for sore right wrists
- A bit heavy for a commuter e-bike
- Walk-Assist mode could have more torque to conquer steep hills
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Motor assistance & PAS
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Battery range
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Overall Weight
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Responsiveness & Comfort
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Accessories
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Technology combo
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Warranty
The Auren EV V4 is a commuter electric bike designed in Melbourne, Australia. This carbon belt-drive e-bike model is one of the first series the brand is launching, featuring a minimalist design.
Auren Bikes provided this model for testing purposes. All opinions are entirely my own, and I have not been compensated to carry out this review.
Auren EV V4 Specs Summary (basic)
| E-BIKE MODEL: 1st Generation
PURPOSE: City Rides MOTOR & TOP SPEED
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BATTERY
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RANGE (based on EBA test)
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CONTROLLER, RIDING MODES, & DISPLAY
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FRAME
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GEAR SYSTEM
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BRAKING SYSTEM
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AUREN EV V4 WEIGHT
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| TYRES & SUSPENSION Tyres:
Suspension:
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SENSORS
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FEATURES
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PRICE & WARRANTY
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Auren EV V4 Review: My Findings
Terrains tested
I tested the EV V4 across three (3) different terrains:
- Compacted gravel paths to test tyres’ grip and handling.
- Asphalt (uphill and downhill) with approximately a 20% steep slope to test: motor, braking performance, and balance on high-speed descents.
First impressions
- My first impression was that the EV V4 didn’t have the normal look of an electric bike. This was a plus, as at the time of this review, there was significant controversy over e-bike use on streets in Melbourne.
- Another one was its design. For me, it wasn’t the most attractive one straightaway, but on closer look, I was impressed by how well-defined and clean the frame and each element were laid out.
- The best thing for me was its minimalist approach, presenting only the necessary elements for fun, solid rides.
Test Ride Experience
Walk-Assist mode
The walk-assist mode is a feature that could be a decisive factor in deciding whether to buy a specific e-bike. During the EV V4 walk-assist mode test, I noted three things:
- Its activation was straightforward and within three seconds.
- The maximum speed reached was around 2.5 km/h. This speed was good for a gentle walk.
- When tested on a 20% slope, the motor stopped assisting the e-bike halfway up the hill.
I was very surprised that the motor struggled to push the bike uphill while using this feature. Nevertheless, I believe it is a matter of tuning the assistance, as the motor has sufficient torque (50 Nm) to do so.
Riding it like a standard bike
- The Auren EV V4 weighs around 22 kg, putting it in the mid-range for e-bikes.
- When riding on flat terrain, it felt like I was riding a standard bike – gentle, smooth, effortless. When climbing hills, the EV V4 still felt good and easy to ride, but I could only reach very low speeds.
Overall, the smooth and effortless ride without assistance was a relief.
EV V4 PAS performance
I carried out the motor and PAS test not only on flat terrains, but also on a very steep hill. The following relates to the hill test:
- PAS1 – It gave me good assistance, but I still had to pedal somewhat hard. The maximum speed reached was around 9 km/h
- PAS2 – I noticed a difference in performance between PAS1 and PAS2. The motor kicked straightaway, with good power and torque. The speed reached was around 11 km/h, with low pedalling effort.
- PAS3 – This one gave me much more torque, allowing me to ride easily and maintain a steady, comfortable pace. The maximum speed reached was 15 km/h, which is a good speed for this type of hill.
Overall, it was clear the difference between each PAS:
- PAS1 would be great for flat terrain, keeping battery performance.
- PAS2 for gentle hills; and
- PAS3 for delivering high torque when needed and climbing challenging hills (high battery consumption).
Comfort, balance and braking performance
- The EV V4 came equipped with comfort features: an ergonomic saddle, an adjustable eagle-shaped handlebar, and ergonomic grips.
- Although Auren kept its intended purpose – a minimalist urban e-bike without front suspension added made my ride still enjoyable.
- The biggest test was riding downhill at almost 60 km/h:
- Braking performance: At first, I was nervous the brakes would heat up quick however, they responded quite well.
- Balance: During my descent, I had to take several corners. I felt safe with the balance and grip the V4 presented.
I was nervous about riding downhill at that speed; however, I was very pleased to test its limits and find that it responded well.
The Auren EV V4 Controller
While the Bofeili controller was not the most fancy one compared to Bosch tech and the likes:
- All necessary readouts were easy to read.
- Its minimalist design made it simple to operate.
The one thing that intrigued me was the LCD contrast, which might not allow the rider to see the readouts clearly while wearing sunglasses (I had an experience where I thought the controller wasn’t working). Other than this, the controller was great.
The Carbon Belt E-Bike Gear System: Enviolo CVT Hub
As part of the minimalist design, Auren decided to equip it with the Enviolo CVT (Continuous Variable Transmission) carbon belt drive. This is what I think about it:
- The continuous increase and decrease of almost “infinite” gears made the ride easy, especially when riding without assistance.
- It was nice to gradually shift the gears until finding that sweet spot for a smooth ride.
- I liked the little person graphic to indicate the high or low gear selection.
- The twist-shift gear system was very easy to operate; the downside is that it can be uncomfortable on a sore wrist, limiting hand movement.
It was awesome that the brand offers a low-maintenance approach with the carbon belt drive system, which will pay off in the long run.
Things I Loved About the EV V4
1. The minimalist design: I have nothing against big e-bikes, but I prefer models that are not bulky, simple and minimalist.
2. Overall comfort: My lower back and shoulders felt good after every ride (around 40 mins). This is thanks to the handlebar design and comfortable saddle.
3. Build quality: From the frame to the accessories included, each element seemed of good quality and sturdy.
4. Low Maintenance: an electric bike with a belt drive could be a bit more expensive, but not having to worry about frequent maintenance and grease on pants/hands is great.
The Potential Deal-Breaker?
As mentioned before, I loved the minimalist approach the brand wants to offer. In this instance, the use of the Enviolo CVT gear hub is great to reduce the long-term maintenance. However, the twist shift system can be an issue for those with sore wrists. If this is the case, consider other options.
Who Is The Auren EV V4 For? Conclusions
The brand did a good job building this e-bike. It offers versatility, comfort, and good pedal assistance, among other things.
The most appealing aspects were the low maintenance requirements and the easy-to-use system.
Unless you have issues with the right wrist, the Auren EV V4 commuter e-bike could be a good alternative to consider.
Have you ridden the EV V4 yet? If so, it would be awesome to have your input in the comments below.
