Aventon Sinch 2 was probably the best folding electric bike in 2023 but things have changed in 2024 as we have a new contender in the market. Rad Power has finally released a torque-sensor folding ebike to challenge the Aventon Sinch 2 and it looks like they have already made it.
In comparison to the Aventon Sinch 2, the new RadExpand 5 Plus offers a more powerful motor, a bigger battery, more water resistance, better brakes, and a higher payload capacity. And the electrical components of the RadExpand 5 Plus folding ebike including the battery are UL-certified as well.
So, is it worth laying down some extra cash to get the RadExpand 5? Let’s find out!
Our Recommended Folding Ebikes
1. Velotric Fold 1
Velotric Fold is the best value-for-money folding ebike in 2024. Don’t rely on our word, take a look at the impressive features below.
Key Features:
- Powerful 750W Hub Motor
- UL-2849 Safety Certified
- Shimano 7-speed Drivetrain
- Dual Hydraulic Disc Brakes
- 55 Miles of Max Range
- 28 mph Top Speed
- 440 lbs Payload Limit
- 48V 608Wh, Detachable Battery
- 20″ x 3″ Puncture-resistant Tires
2. Heybike Mars 2.0
With a 750W powerful motor and an improved rear rack, the new Heybike Mars 2.0 is a great folding ebike on a budget.
Get a Special Discount of $50 on any Heybike ebike using our Discount code “Mag50”
Key Features:
- 750W Rear Hub Motor
- 48V 12.5Ah Battery
- 45 Miles of Max Range
- 28 mph Top Speed
- USB Charging Port
- App Support
- Rear Rack with Pegboards
- Front Fork Suspension
- 20″ x 4.0″ Fat Tires
- Shimano 7-speed Drivetrain
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RadExpand 5 Plus vs Aventon Sinch 2: Electrical Specs & Key Features
| Feature | Rad Power RadExpand 5 Plus | Aventon Sinch 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Motor Power | Rear Hub Motor Nominal Power: 750W Torque: 64Nm | Rear Hub Motor Nominal Power: 500W Torque: NA |
| Top Speed | 20 MPH | 20 MPH |
| Battery | 48V, 15 Ah (720Wh) Removable Battery LG/Samsung Cells | 48V, 14 Ah (672Wh) Removable Battery LG Cells |
| Battery Certification | UL-Certified UL-2849 UL-2271 | TUV-certified (UL-2849 Compliant) |
| Maximum Range | 60 Miles (Pedal Assist) | 55 Miles (Pedal Assist) |
| Sensors | Torque Sensor | Torque Sensor |
| Throttle | Yes | Yes |
| Pedal Assist | 5 Levels | 4 Levels |
| Throttle Mode | Half twist Throttle | Thumb Throttle |
| Water Resistance | IPX6 (can handle water coming from powerful jets) | IPX4 (Can handle Water Splashes) |
| App Support | No | Yes |
| Charger | 48V 2 Amp | 48V 3 Amp Fast Charging |
| Headlight | Integrated Headlight | Integrated Headlight |
| Taillights | Rear Light with Turn Signals | Rear Lights with Turn Signals |
Motor, Speed, & Torque:
The most significant difference between the RadExpand 5 Plus and the Aventon Sinch 2 is undoubtedly the motor. While the Sinch 2 has a rear hub motor with 500W nominal or sustained power, the RadExpand 5 Plus offers a more powerful 750W motor.
With an impressive torque of 64Nm, the RadExpand 5 Plus is really built to conquer steep hills. While there is no official word from Aventon about the torque produced by Aventon Sinch 2, you can expect somewhere around 50Nm of torque from this folding ebike. The 500W motor of the Aventon Sinch 2 peaks at 750W and is enough for normal commutes on flat terrain.
But the RadExpand 5 Plus would really excel when it comes to challenging terrain like steep hills. The top speed, however, is limited to 20mph on both of these class-2 folding electric bikes. And there is no option to unlock these ebikes to a higher top speed either. So, the motor assist will stop as soon as you hit the 20mph limit.
Battery, Range, & Certifications:
If we compare the batteries of the RadExpand 5 Plus and the Aventon Sinch 2, the former has a slightly bigger battery. The RadExpand 5 Plus features a 48V, 15Ah battery whereas the Sinch 2 comes with a 48V 14Ah battery. The difference in battery capacity is not huge and is definitely not a deal breaker if you decide to go for Sinch 2.
What cannot be ignored, however, is the fact that RadExpand 5 Plus offers a UL-certified battery along with thermal protection which makes it a lot safer than normal batteries.
In comparison, the Aventon Sinch 2 has a TUV-certified battery which is the European equivalent of UL. This can be a deal breaker for many people who are renting and their landlords don’t allow them to store an ebike inside if it doesn’t come with UL certification.
The RadExpand 5 Plus offers a maximum range of 60 miles in the lowest pedal-assist mode which is just 5 miles more than what Sinch 2 has to offer. You can expect to get around 30-40 miles of range from these folding ebikes in normal riding conditions. The actual range of course will differ depending on your weight and terrain.
Water Resistance:
Water resistance is an important factor to consider especially if you live in an area with a lot of rainfall. The Aventon Sinch 2 comes with an IPX4 rating meaning it can handle water splashes without damaging the electrical components of the ebike. You can ride the ebike in light rain, but long rides on the ebike exposed to rain can be harmful. You must also make sure that the ebike is not exposed to water coming from jets as they can damage the ebike.
The RadExpand 5 Plus, however, has a higher water-resistance level i.e. IPX6 which means the ebike can handle water coming from powerful jets from all directions without any risk. You can ride the RadExpand 5 Plus during the rain as well but you cannot submerge it into water.
So, this is where the RadExpand 5 Plus truly gets ahead of the Sinch 2 because you are getting better water resistance and thereby peace of mind with the Rad Power ebike.
Charging & App Support:
Although the Aventon Sinch 2 is not the ideal folding ebike when it comes to water resistance, it does come with fast-charging support. The 48V 3A charger will ensure that the Aventon Sinch 2 gets a full recharge at least one hour earlier than the RadExpand 5 Plus which supports a 2A charger.
Moreover, the Aventon Sinch 2.0 offers app support and you can connect your ebike with the app to track your rides and adjust important settings. The RadExpand 5 Plus doesn’t come with any dedicated app.
RadExpand 5 Plus vs Aventon Sinch 2: Design & Dimensions
| Feature | Rad Power RadExpand 5 Plus | Aventon Sinch 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Frame | Step-Through | Step-Through |
| Foldability | Yes | Yes |
| Color Options | Slate Blue Stone Tan | Quicksilver Sapphire |
| Bike Weight | 72.5 lb | 68 lbs |
| Max Payload | 315 lbs | 300 lbs |
| Rear Rack Capacity | 59 lbs | 55 lbs |
| Rider Height | 4’10”-5’10” | 4’11” – 6’2″ |
| Min Seat Height | 31″ | 33.4″ |
| Max Seat Height | 38″ | 40.07″ |
From a design point of view, the Aventon Sinch 2 gives a more premium look with a fully integrated battery. The RadExpand 5 Plus has the same design as its predecessor and comes with a semi-integrated battery.
The key difference to note here is that the Aventon Sinch 2 is relatively lighter at 68lbs as compared to the RadExpand 5 Plus which weighs around 72.5lbs. You can lose an extra 10 lbs by detaching the battery on RadExpand 5 Plus but 62.5 lbs is still pretty heavy for a folding ebike. The same goes for the Aventon Sinch 2 which cannot be considered lightweight by any means.
There is a slight difference in payload capacities between these two folding ebikes as the RadExpand 5 Plus can support weights up to 315 lbs with a rear rack capacity of 59 lbs. The payload limit on Aventon Sinch 2 is 300 lbs and the rear rack can bear a load of up to 55 lbs.
RadExpand 5 Plus vs Aventon Sinch 2: Other Components
| Feature | Rad Power RadExpand 5 Plus | Aventon Sinch 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | Gemma Hydraulic Disc Brakes | Mechanical Disc Brakes |
| Rear Derailleur | 7-Speed Shimano | 8 Speed Aventon |
| Shifter | 7 Speed Shimano Thumb Shifter | 8 Speed Trigger Shifter |
| Tires | CST BFT 20” x 4” Fat Tires with Puncture resistant liner Reflective Strip | 20” x 4” Fat Tires |
| Fork | Exsho STRONG-C Hydraulic Suspension 50 mm travel | RST GUIDE Front Suspension 45 mm travel |
| Seatpost | Standard | Standard |
| Rear Rack | Included | Included |
| Fenders | Included | Included |
Brakes & Drivetrain:
When it comes to components, brakes are the most notable difference between these folding ebikes. The RadExpand 5 Plus offers the Gemma hydraulic disc brakes whereas the Aventon Sinch.2 comes with mechanical disc brakes.
This is really disappointing from Aventon since even ebikes with price tags close to $1k now feature hydraulic disc brakes. Ride1Up Portola and Lectric XP 3.0 are good examples here as they feature hydraulic brakes and are priced at $1k. So, RadExpand 5 Plus is definitely the better option when it comes to braking.
Now, let’s dive into the drivetrain. The Aventon Sinch.2 comes with an 8-speed derailleur with a trigger shifter whereas the RadExpand 5 Plus offers a 7-speed drivetrain. But here’s the catch. The RadExpand 5 Plus has the Shimano derailleur whereas the brand of derailleur used in Aventon Sinch 2 is unknown.
They are marketing it as Aventon 8-speed derailleur but there is no word about the actual manufacturer of the component. So, I would definitely trust Shimano as far as the drivetrain is concerned because there is a reason most of the ebike brands turn towards such brands for quality components.
Suspension & Tires:
Things are not much different here either as RadExpand 5 Plus offers a better suspension than the Sinch 2. The RadExpand 5 Plus comes with an Exsho STRONG-C hydraulic suspension fork with 50mm of travel distance. The Sinch 2 features an RST GUIDE suspension fork with a 45mm travel distance and does a decent job.
Both of these electric folding bikes feature 20” x 4” fat tires but the RadExpand 5 Plus tires have a puncture-resistant liner along with reflective strips as well.
RadExpand 5 Plus vs Aventon Sinch 2: Price Difference
| Rad Power RadExpand 5 Plus | Aventon Sinch 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1999 | $1499 |
| Shipping (US) | Free | Free |
As I write this Aventon Sinch 2 vs RadExpand 5 Plus comparison, the Sinch 2 is $500 cheaper than its competitor from Rad Power. Both folding ebikes offer free shipping to the contiguous 48 states. But is it worth saving $500 and going for the more affordable option here? Let’s find out!
RadExpand 5 Plus vs Aventon Sinch 2: Verdict
If it isn’t clear already from the above comparison, the RadExpand 5 Plus is a better folding ebike than the Aventon Sinch 2 and offers more value for money as well.
For an extra $500, the RadExpand 5 Plus is offering you a 750W motor, hydraulic disc brakes, a UL-certified battery, hydraulic suspension, more payload capacity, better range, and higher water resistance.
The Aventon Sinch, on the other hand, can offer you fast charging, app support, and a more clean design. And it’s 3 to 4 lbs lighter than the RadExpand 5 Plus.
But it’s hard to ignore the value RadExpand 5 Plus is offering for those extra five hundred bucks. Why would you spend $1.5k on an ebike that you cannot even ride in the rain and comes with a lackluster motor?
