We asked Cat
h to try out our new Avatar 2.0 electric bike to give her review of the bike and the ride. Her full review is available here https://thereviewstudio.co.uk/2023/11/13/roodog-avatar-electric-mountain-bike/
“I’ve been considering buying an electric bike for a while. My husband is a keen cyclist and when we go out on our bikes I tend to lag behind. An electric bike sounded the best option to enable me to keep up with him on the hills and go that little bit further. I was therefore really pleased when RooDog offered me the chance to try their new Avatar Step through mountain bike.
Ease of Use
The first thing I have to say is it is fantastic having a step through bike. Being 6‘ tall means I have always had men’s cycles with a crossbar. Whilst it has never really bothered me, it is so much easier not having to lift my leg over a crossbar when I get on and off!
With burly tyres and suspension, it’s designed for on and off-road riding and is incredibly smooth to ride. It has a twist grip throttle which is really useful, especially when at junctions, giving a quick boost to set off. 
The geometry of the Avatar gives a more upright riding position. The frame allows for plenty of adjustment, ample for my 6’ height. I’m at the very top of the height recommendation and it was perfect for me. The seat was high enough and the reach to the handlebars is comfortable for my long arms. I liked the level of adjustment available and, after a few tweaks, found it very comfortable to ride.
On the road, the most impressive trait of the Avatar is the way it powers up hills. We live in a very hilly area, so much so that many pro cyclists train around here. Hills that I generally walk up are no longer a problem. I can now ride up easily on level 3 and now it’s my husband who is lagging behind!
Range, Control and Comfort
The Avatar has a decent range – up to 30 miles per full charge on the highest speed setting (level 5). I haven’t been using it on full power but to give an idea of range I dipped down to two bars of battery (out of five) after 32 miles of using mainly levels 2 and 3 on hilly terrains.
The suspension gives a really smooth ride both on the road and on tracks. On rough surfaces it cushions the lumps and bumps The bike feels stable and balanced and I feel in control both on fast descents and tight, twisty corners. It is here that the disc brakes come into their own giving powerful braking that does not fade in wet conditions.
The digital control is smart. Sitting nicely on the left handlebar, the LCD-PAS System has a clear digital display with battery indicator, lights, odometer and the all important speed indicator.
Charging is pretty simple, after a ride I just plug in the charger and it takes around 4 to 6 hours to charge from flat. I charge it in the garage but, since the battery is removable, it can be charged in the house and when we’re away I can easily charge it in the motorhome.
Final Thoughts
As with all electric assist bikes, the motor cuts out at 15.5mph – the Avatar isn’t going to turn me into a fast rider. It certainly gives me an edge when we head off into the hills and that’s what I’m looking for in an electric bike. For £1,750 you’re getting a pretty good deal. It has a good motor and fairly sizeable battery. If you want an e-bike that looks decent, and will help you some of the way, this is the bike for you.
RooDog are a small family business and have been trading for 10 years. Like all small businesses they are passionate about what they do. Whenever I have spoken or emailed Scott and Tina I have found them incredibly knowledgeable and very easy to deal with.
After using the Avatar for the last couple of weeks I am now convinced that an e-bike is a very worthwhile investment. It gives me the extra boost I need to get up the hills and I can still enjoy the scenery without lagging behind. I’m really happy with the Avatar electric mountain bike.”
