For those wishing to add a little more power to their trail rides, errand runs, or commutes, the Avadar C3 City electric bike is a great “drop-in” substitute for a mountain bike-style ride because it doesn’t actually handle or feel much different from a normal old analog bicycle. However, the C3 City e-bike allows you to ride it like you stole it without any of the labored breathing and thigh cramps thanks to its mid-drive electric motor and 16 gearing choices.
ently, I was seeking for a more conventional-appearing ebike that was lighter and could assist me in pedaling up those awful hills. I wanted an e-bike that I could safely cycle with or without the engine but yet have the support I need in more difficult terrain. It found me, or perhaps I found it. When Avadar approached me about evaluating their bike, I was very excited to give the C3 Sport a try because it is precisely what I was looking for.
The Sport and the City are the two available configurations for the Avadar C3. For an additional few hundred dollars, the City will add front and back fenders as well as a rear rack. For the City and the Sport, there are two frame sizes and two color choices. This review includes the Sport, a medium-sized frame in matte black with red accents.
| Pedal: | Mid-drive Motor 36V/250W |
| Derailleur: | 6 Speed Front & Gear |
| Brake: | Hydraulic Disc Brake |
| Display: | Color LCD, backlit |
| Electric Assistance: | 5 Levels |
| Suspension: | Front |
| Integrated Lights: | Front LED; rear reflector |
| Torque: | 80 Nm |
| Battery: | 36V/10Ah, 2500mAh |
| Max Speed: | 45km/h 28mi./h |
| Rim Size: | 27.5 inch |
| Tire Size: | 27.5 x 2.1 inch |
Avadar C3: Design and Build Quality
The size of the downtube, where the battery pack is placed, may be the only thing that immediately distinguishes the C3 from other bicycles as an electric bike. It has a very basic hybrid mountain bike design with regular tires and wheels rather than the popular fat tires seen on many e-bikes nowadays, a front suspension fork, and a respectable gearing range in its Shimano components (2 chainrings up front and 8 cogs on the rear). The integrated lights, which is powered by the bike’s battery, is a great addition to the C3 City model, which also had complete fenders on both wheels and a rear rack.
By no means is the Shimano Altus derailleur high end, but it is capable, shifts smoothly, and in my experience, is simple to maintain. Additionally, an ebike with a two chainring gearbox is extremely uncommon. The gear ratios on the majority of ebikes leave a lot to be desired, but the C3 has good range.
The CST 27.5 x 2.1-inch tires are made for mountain riding and are a fantastic all-around size for pavement and off-roading. The tread is quite aggressive and offers excellent traction. The bike’s efficiency would rise if you switched to a gravel or road tire if you intended to stay on pavement.
I discovered that I could ride the C3 City just like I do with my other mountain bike, which is to say pretty aggressively and always looking for all the little grade changes and bumps that allow me to briefly go airborne, as well as riding hard into the turns and flying down the hills, because it weighs significantly less than a number of other e-bikes I’ve ridden.
While I do enjoy riding some of the more powerful electric bikes with big fat tires and a thumb throttle, it’s also a different experience — more akin to riding a motorcycle than pedaling a bicycle — and I know that I’m not alone in this. This aspect of the C3 were pleasantly surprising, and had me reconsider my initial impression of the bike. I think that this e-bike would make a perfect “drop-in” replacement for riders who are devoted to cycling but don’t want a motorcycle-like riding experience from a bike since they want the feel of the trail beneath them and the sweet sense of the pedaling cadence.
Despite the bike’s aggressive appearance, the geometry is perfect. The riding position is somewhat upright, so I don’t experience the usual tightness in my wrist and shoulders that I do on other cycles. Although the mountain bike type grips don’t have much cushioning, they are nevertheless comfortable when worn with a nice set of cushioned riding gloves.
I am a shorter rider (5’1″), but the medium frame is excellent for me. I can place both feet on the ground while seated because the reach is comfortable. This bike suits me the best out of anything that I possess. Having a bike that is the proper size for your height and reach makes a significant impact.
The C3’s lighter weight (about 57 pounds) than many new e-bikes means that it can fit on a standard rear car rack and be lifted up onto the rack with ease, which cannot be said for heavy e-bikes. Additionally, even though it is still heavier than an analog bicycle of the same size, carrying it up stairs is not a problem.
Even though I can’t straddle the medium frame since the standover height is roughly 30 inches, I can still put both feet on the ground and easily swing my leg over the rear of the bike, making it very approachable for shorter riders. It would be harder to swing a leg over if I added a rear rack and trunk bag, so I don’t intend to.
Despite being unbranded, the hydraulic brakes provide outstanding stopping force. Overall, I’m quite pleased with how well the bike’s parts operate.
Avadar C3: Motor and Driving
The mid-drive motor on the C3, which is only rated at 250 watts (as opposed to the 750 watt hub motor on my other e-bike), kicks in seamlessly as you pedal, giving you an invisible boost that is not “pushy” as some rear hub motors can feel. Once the C3 is powered on, however, the differences between it and my old Kona mountain bike become immediately clear. Despite the fact that I understood it was electrons and not some newly discovered superpower within myself that was performing the work, it still seemed like I instantly became stronger and had more endurance.
A torque sensor and numerous other in-built smart sensors are used by the 250-watt mid-drive motor to provide immediate assistance. Although there is no throttle, I don’t miss it when starting up a slope from a complete stop. The motor starts to turn when the pedals are lightly depressed. It has some strong hill climbing ability with 80 Nm of torque. It gives you just the appropriate amount of assistance to help you conquer hills without making you feel like you’re just cheating, but you will still need to contribute some leg strength on the steeper climbs.
It’s important to discuss the differences between mid-drive and rear hub motors because there is a clear distinction between the two. A mid-drive motor spins the crank instead of the wheel, which, in my opinion, provides the rider an advantage in selecting the best gearing for the terrain. A rear (or front) hub motor spins the wheel itself.
The LCD display/controller of the Avadar C3 City offers 5 pedal-assist levels (or no pedal assist, if requested), as well as an easy-to-read indication of the current speed, assist level, and mileage. The motor cuts in and out smoothly, without any of the jerkiness or abruptness that some e-bikes have, and the bike has both torque and cadence sensors, which is an improvement over many other entry-level e-bikes with just a cadence sensor.
I value the C3’s limited yet satisfying power because I like to pedal as independently as possible. It softens the edges just enough to make biking fun and feasible, especially in hilly terrain and against headwinds.
If you’re ready to put in some extra work on hillier and rougher terrain, the bike works well as a commuter, gravel bike, and even a mountain bike.
The motor is not too noisy. Although the C3 motor performs better than the Yamaha motor on my second mid-drive ebike, it makes a higher pitched sound. A little bit more responsiveness is apparent.
Other ebikes can be ridden without a motor or with only the lightest level of pedal assistance, but you’ll frequently feel yourself straining against the weight and fewer gears of the bike. If you’re a pedaling purist like me, many ebikes offer too much or too little assistance in lower pedal assist levels to enable you to ride at a comfortable and pleasant cadence.
The Avadar C3 Sport offers exactly the kind of help I’m looking for, making biking feel much more natural. There is little doubt that the 16-speed transmission aids in that. The gearing of the bike is quite advantageous for mid-drive motors since they use the chain to transmit power to the rear wheel.
Avadar C3: Battery and Range
In typical riding circumstances, the 36-volt 10 Ah, 360 watt-hour battery will offer a range of roughly 30-45 miles. If you use lesser amounts of aid and ride for a significant portion of the time without the engine, this can be prolonged. At the moment, Avadar charges $499 for replacement batteries. There are mounting points on the frame that can support third-party racks and fenders if you don’t want to buy the $199 extras that come with fenders and a rear rack.
Its price is fairly reasonable given the bike’s parts. The motor’s maximum output is presumably greater than 250 watts. The motor feels like it has more to offer after using other 250-watt motors. 350–400 watts is my best estimate. I’ll ask Avadar to verify that. Since the motor’s brand isn’t mentioned, it’s difficult for me to research it.
Avadar C3: Conclusions
After riding a variety of powerful (but heavy) electric motorcycles over the previous few years, I had a mixed reaction to the Avadar C3 City based solely on its technical specifications. I think I even heard myself mumble, “The motor is just 250 watts! What on earth will that do for me? But after it was put together and on the trail, I was pleasantly surprised by how much this e-bike resembled my reliable old (non-electric) mountain bike rather than my other daily driver ride, a longtail cargo e-bike, which I love but is also a bit of a beast to shlep around when it’s not powered.
For the asking price, the Avadar C3 Sport and C3 City fill a void in the e-bike market where there is little rivalry. As a Class 1 ebike, the motor performance is excellent and the ride is comfortable. People presumably prefer an ebike like this because it offers excellent help in hills.
I thought it was a fantastic bike for people who enjoy cycling as a sport. Finding an ebike with a satisfying cadence and the ideal amount of speed and power is uncommon. I found just what I needed. I wanted an electric bike with enough power for when I needed it but that I could also ride without the engine.
The cost of the C3 Sport is $1980. It’s uncommon to find a mid-drive ebike for less than $2000. Most cost more than $2500, but by late 2021, I expect more reasonably priced options will become available. Because mid-drive motors are more effective than hub motors, 36-volt systems are frequently used for them. A 36-volt system is sufficient unless you plan to ride in the highlands or on really mountainous terrain.
