Aventon Abound vs. Tern GSD

Electric cargo bikes are the perfect solution if you want to experience the benefits of going electric but require more storage space, whether it’s for hauling groceries, delivering packages, or shuttling the kids to school.

For this purpose, we offer the Aventon Abound—a beautiful electric cargo bike that is built for transporting people and goods. With its ample storage capacity, premium hardware, and cutting-edge technology, the Abound is the top choice for families, small businesses, and anyone else who needs a reliable and versatile cargo e-bike. 

Interestingly, many of our customers shared that before making their purchase, they had narrowed their options down to two choices: the $3,499 Aventon Abound and cargo e-bikes from Tern, which retail for anywhere between $8,000 and $12,000. 

Both Aventon and Tern have fantastic e-bikes, but we think the price difference is fascinating. To satisfy our curiosity, we took it upon ourselves to review both the Aventon Abound and the Tern GSD to see which one is better.

Is Tern worth its price tag, or is Aventon the more practical choice? 

Let’s find out.

What You Should Know About Aventon and Tern

Let's start by exploring the companies behind the world's best electric cargo bikes.

Aventon 

JW Zhang’s Aventon started making its mark on the bicycle industry in 2013, but it wasn’t until five years later, in 2018, that the company began its foray into making electric bikes.

With the release of their first e-bike, the Pace 500, Aventon cemented its place as a pioneer and leader in the electric mobility scene, churning out one great e-bike after another to cater to different cyclists, from city commuters to off-road adventurers.

In 2020, Aventon completely stopped manufacturing traditional bicycles and focused instead on electric bikes—a brilliant decision that led to the release of top-tier electric bikes like the Aventure, Soltera, Sinch, and Abound. 

Known for their commitment to innovation, we have seen these models upgraded over the years, incorporating customer feedback and real-world experience into every design. Aventon has left no stone unturned in doing its part to make the urban landscape better.

Aventon remains at the forefront of the e-mobility revolution, expanding its reach to more countries around the world—including Australia—to make e-bikes accessible to everyone. Learn more about Aventon here.

Tern 

In 2011, a couple of years ahead of Aventon's founding, Florence Shen and Joshua Hon established Tern, a company dedicated to making foldable bikes that were convenient and highly portable.

Taking inspiration from the Arctic tern, a small migratory bird known for holding the record for the longest migration, Tern prioritises safety and comfort rather than just speed in making their e-bikes. 

Tern is also known for its commitment to sustainability—a dedication not only seen in the electric bikes they produce but also in their internal operations, from minimising plastic consumption, using recycled packaging, reducing the use of harmful chemicals, and actively participating in cycling associations, even providing free bicycles to their employees.

A true class act, Tern is all about building a better world, donating 1% of their net profits to various social and environmental causes each year.

The company currently has several bike lineups: the non-electric Short Haul and BYB and the electric HSD, NBD, Quick Haul, Vektron, Eclipse, Link, Node, Verge, and their most popular cargo e-bike range, the GSD. 

Comparing the Flagship Electric Cargo Bikes

Aventon and Tern have produced equally groundbreaking electric bikes, but today we are going to focus on their most popular cargo e-bikes: the Tern GSD series and the Aventon Abound.

Price

The biggest difference between the Aventon Abound and the Tern GSD bikes is the price tag. While you can pick up an Abound for a cool $3,499, the GSD lineup ranges from $7,995 for the popular S10 to a whopping $12,595 for the top-of-the-line R14.

Tern

Tern bikes are not unreasonably pricey. After all, the GSD range is a premium cargo e-bike lineup, fitted with lightweight aluminium frames and name-brand components like a Bosch motor. There is no doubt that Tern bikes are expensive, but they are still a fraction of the cost of a new car, which is what they essentially are—a car replacement. 

Aventon

On the other hand, we have the more affordable Aventon Abound. But while it's half the price of the base model GSD, it doesn't feel cheap at all. In fact, its solid construction and high-quality components give it a premium feel. If you want value for your money, go for Aventon Abound. 

Verdict: The Aventon Abound clearly wins this round due to its significantly lower price tag.

Design

The Aventon Abound and Tern GSD look a bit similar, but they have differences when it comes to size and colour options. 

Tern

Thanks to its adjustable cockpit, which includes the seatpost, handlebar, and stem, the Tern GSD can comfortably fit riders from 4’11” to 6’5”. While the higher-end models are only available in neutral hues, the S10 comes in more eye-catching colours, namely blue, green, yellow, and red. 

Aventon

Meanwhile, the Aventon Abound accommodates riders from 5'1" to 6'4". While it has a smaller height range than the GSD, it's still a great option for many people.

Unlike other stockier cargo e-bikes, the Abound sports a sleek and elegant design that's reminiscent of Aventon's signature look. It is only available in two shades, Polaris (blue) and Sage (light green), but both colours are sure to turn heads.

Verdict: The Aventon Abound and the Tern GSD are both well-designed and versatile, so in this round, we're calling it a tie.

Performance

Both the Tern GSD series and Aventon Abound e-cargo bikes are known for being fantastic electric bikes. Despite having different price points, both bikes offer a comfortable and efficient way to transport cargo and passengers.

Tern

The GSD bikes are performance powerhouses. Thanks to their Bosch mid-drive motors, which are more powerful than the motors found on many other e-bikes, the GSDs can provide up to 400% pedalling assistance, making even the toughest rides feel like a breeze. 

In the case of the S10, its motor propels the bike to a top speed of 32 kph, while its Bosch dual-battery system gives it a maximum range of 195 km. 

Plus, the GSD bikes can easily scale hills and inclines when in Sport and Turbo modes. They are also equipped with four-piston hydraulic brakes for efficient yet smooth stopping power. 

The GSD S10's 20-inch tyres may seem small for its size at first glance, but this is a deliberate design choice. Smaller tyres keep the centre of gravity lower, which results in a more balanced and stable ride. The bikes also have a front suspension fork to absorb bumps and vibrations from the road, making for a comfortable ride every time.

And, if you're willing to splurge on a high-end GSD model, your bike may come with a Cane Creek Thudbuster Suspension Seatpost for an even greater level of comfort. 

Aventon

Fortunately for us budget-conscious cyclists, the Aventon Abound also performs like a dream, boasting features that are outstanding for its price. 

Equipped with Aventon’s responsive torque sensor, the Abound assesses your pedalling efforts and matches them to make cycling easier and more effortless. The result is a natural and intuitive riding experience, which, at the same time, also helps conserve your battery life. 

Torque sensors were once exclusive to high-end e-bikes, but the Aventon Abound brings this premium feature to a more affordable price point. Compared to bikes with cadence sensors, bikes like the Abound deliver smoother rides that feel just like a traditional bicycle but with the added power of an electric motor.

Just like the GSD S10, the Abound can hit a top speed of 32 kph. However, its range is more limited at 80 km. That said, that's still more than enough to cover your daily commute, run errands, or even make deliveries around the neighbourhood.

Finally, the Aventon Abound also sports a suspension fork for comfortable rides for you and your passenger. For efficient stopping power, you also get Tektro hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm rotors. In Sport and Tour modes, the Abound easily tackles short and medium hills, too.

Verdict: Though the Tern GSD boasts impressive specs and figures, the Aventon Abound compensates with a natural and intuitive riding experience that meets the needs of real-world riders. So, we're declaring another draw.

Passenger Capacity

The Aventon Abound and Tern GSD are both cargo e-bikes with a 200-kg weight capacity and a variety of attachments available. However, they differ in their passenger-carrying abilities.

Tern

With the right attachments, the Tern GSD easily transforms into a family taxi that can carry passengers of all ages—from toddlers to teenagers, even adults. Thanks to its sturdy rear that can support up to 100 kg of passenger weight, the bike remains stable even with a heavyweight passenger.

Aventon

On the other hand, although the Aventon Abound can also carry up to 200 kg in total, its rear rack has a lower capacity than the Tern GSD and can support up to 64 kg. While this is still a significant capacity, especially for its price, this means the Abound is better suited for carrying toddlers and smaller children.

Verdict: The Tern GSD series takes the win in this round for its ability to carry passengers of all ages (up to 100 kg).

Safety

Without any doubt, Aventon and Tern have produced some of the safest and most reliable electric bikes of today. Both companies are known for their high-quality components and their strong commitment to road safety.

Tern

Models in the Tern GSD series are fitted with either a Valo Light or an Ignis Headlight. The Value Light can be turned on and off using a switch located on the light’s rear, while the Ignis Headlight is controlled using buttons on the handlebar.

All GSD models also come with a Rearstop Brake Light.

Aventon

Meanwhile, the Aventon Abound has a full lighting setup, complete with integrated headlight, taillight, and turn signals or indicators. The turn signals, which can be controlled from the handlebars, are useful in communicating with other road users.

The Abound also comes with front and rear fenders to protect you from splashes.

Verdict: Though both bikes have front and rear lights, the Aventon Abound takes the lead with its turn signals, which indicate not just stops but also turns. 

Foldability

The Tern GSD S10 and the Aventon Abound are not lightweight bikes by any means, weighing 34 and 37 kg, respectively. Despite this, both models are easy to store thanks to their folding mechanisms.

Tern

Tern is known for its folding bikes, so it's no surprise that the GSD range has mechanisms for compact storage. When not in use, the handlebars can be folded down to reduce the bike's size to 176 x 40.5 x 83 cm.

Aventon

Similarly, the Aventon Abound has a stem that can be adjusted for height. It also folds down to make the bike easier to store. With the stem folded down and the seat dropped, it measures 191 x 44 x 88 cm. 

Verdict: The Tern GSD S10 impresses with its lighter weight and more compact folded form, making it easier to store and transport.

Side-by-Side Comparison

A Tern electric bike is a premium investment known for their high-quality components, solid structural build, and innovative design. 

Of course, no bike is immune to depreciation. But because Tern bikes are built so well, they tend to hold their value better than other brands. So if you do decide to sell your Tern bike in the future, you're likely to get a good price for it.

Then again, while Aventon electric bikes are half the price of Tern, they offer you incredible value for your money. You'll get top-notch components, the latest features, and a powerful motor at a price that won't break the bank.

Plus, Aventon e-bikes are well-equipped and built for everyday riding, from commuting and running errands to exploring your city. With an Aventon e-bike, you'll see your return on investment in no time.

If you're looking for an electric bike that is built to last and will give you years of enjoyable riding, you won’t go wrong with either the Aventon Abound or the Tern GSD.

Final Verdict

Tern has created some of the finest electric bikes out there, but Aventon offers a great alternative for those looking for a more reasonable option. 

In terms of performance, neither Tern nor Aventon emerge as the clear victor. Both brands deliver on all fronts, from power and safety to rider comfort. While there are some differences in rider capacity, the Aventon Abound's impressive features and competitive pricing more than compensate.

To put things in perspective, let's compare these bikes to SUVs. The Tern GSD series is like the BMW X7: a premium SUV that is powerful, efficient, and packed with cutting-edge technology. The Aventon Abound, on the other hand, is like the Toyota Kluger—it does the same job just as well, has most of the same features but comes for half the price. The trade-off is it has a less premium feel. 

The Toyota may be more affordable and practical, but does that make the BMW the worse option? Not really - with the Beamer, you’re still getting a premium ride that turns heads. But does that mean the BMW is the better choice? Also no. 

What we’re trying to say is if you want what’s top-of-the-line and don’t mind paying a premium, any model from the Tern GSD series would be a great choice for an electric cargo bike. 

But for the average person looking for a practical cargo e-bike, Terns are overkill. Just like the BMW, a lot of what sets them apart is considered more than you really need. 

If you want something that's mostly on par with Tern but without the cost, the Aventon Abound is a strong contender, with excellent quality and a wide range of accessories available.

Beyond its attractive price tag, the Abound consistently delivers an outstanding performance that matches—and, at times, even exceeds—its more expensive rival.