Aventon Pace 350 Electric Bike Review Part 1 – Pictures Specs
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The all new Aventon Pace 350 just launched and this is a well equipped eBike for around a thousand dollars!
Like the Pace 500 the 350 has the cruiser style design with its swept back handlebars, comfortable seating position, and balloon style tires.
The Pace 350 provides pedal assist or throttle up to 20mph with a 350 watt hub motor and 36V 11.6ah frame integrated lithium battery.
Some of the component highlights are a Shimano 7 speed drivetrain, Tektro mechanical disc brakes, and Kenda tires.
There is also the option for a step-thru frame that makes getting on and off the bike easier.
In this first part of the testing review you will get a detailed look at this bike with a BUNCH of pictures and the specifications.
Part 2 of the Aventon Pace 350 testing review will give you info on the ride characteristics, results from the range test, pros, cons, and overall thoughts on this eBike.
Alright, let’s take a closer look at the Aventon Pace 350!
The Aventon Pace 350 is ready for the open road!
In addition to the Cast Blue color in this review the Aventon Pace 350 is also available in the Chalk White color shown above.
Aventon offers 3 sizes of the Pace 350 that are:
Small for riders in height 5′-1″ to 5′-7″
Medium for riders in height 5′-7″ to 5′-11″
Large for riders in height 5′-11″ to 6′-2″
The bike is this testing review is the Medium frame size.
There is also the step-thru frame option that comes in 2 different sizes:
Small for riders in height 4′-11″ to 5′-4″
Medium for riders in height 5′-4″ to 5′-10″
The step-thru model comes in Amethyst (shown above) or Chalk White color options.
6061 aluminum tubing with some hydroformed shaping makes up the Pace 350 frame and fork.
The hydroformed tubing provides additional material where it is needed for extra strength in addition to creating shapes for the integration of components like the battery housed in the downtube.
Smoothed welds are a nice frame detail that provides a clean look with the tubing blending together. This is a view of the top and down tubes connecting to the head tube.
Here is a closer look at the smoothed welds at the top tube and seat stay connections at the seat tube.
Also visible is the seat post quick release for quick seat height adjustments and there are rear rack attachment points on the seat stays.
The 6061 aluminum fork has a clean look with an aerodynamic style and smoothed welds. There are attachment points for fenders.
One of the big design highlights is the downtube mounted battery because it is a clean look and it is a good location for the weight distribution.
The low and centered weight distribution is good for the balance of the bike when picking it up and it is also very beneficial for the overall bike handling.
The battery is a 36V 11.6ah (417.6 Wh) lithium battery with Samsung cell.
At the top of the battery there is a charge level indicator in addition to the one on the display.
Here is a view of the left side of the battery with the lock at the top and the charge port at the bottom.
Removing the battery is accomplished by unlocking it with the key (2 supplied) and rotating it to the left side of the bike and lifting it out of the downtube.
Here is a look at the downtube with the battery removed.
When the battery has been removed the bike weighs 40.7 pounds (Medium size in this test) which makes it a little easier to pick up and load onto a car rack.
The bike with the battery weighs 46.7 pounds (Medium size in this test).
This is a closer look at the lock and electrical connection at the top of the battery mount area.
And the battery attachment point near the bottom of the downtube.
The battery can be charged on or off the bike. Charging time is about 4 hours for a full charge. The battery weighs 6.0 pounds.
Here is a look at the charger plugged into the battery while its on the bike.
Providing the assist is a 350 watt geared rear hub motor that assists up to 20 mph.
The Pace 350 has 5 different pedal assist levels that is based on a cadence sensor system.
There is also a thumb throttle that will provide assist up to 20mph and you don’t need to be pedaling while using the throttle.
A walk mode is available that moves the bike at about 3.5 mph and helps when walking the bike up hill/stairs.
The Aventon Pace 350 is a Class 2 electric bike.
Also in this view is the Shimano 7 speed 14t to 28t cogset.
On the other side of the 350 watt geared hub motor is the 180mm disc brake rotor for the Tektro MD-280 mechanical disc brakes.
Now let’s take a look at the control center of the Pace 350.
The handlebar has a swept back cruiser style that provides a comfortable and relaxed ride feel.
On the left side of the handlebar is an ergonomic grip, front Tektro mechanical disc brake lever, thumb throttle, and control pad.
The ergonomic grips have a “wing” area to provide some wrist support and they have a lock on collar to keep them from rotating.
In this view is the thumb throttle and control pad.
The thumb throttle has a wide spectrum of assist that smoothly transitions from just a little to full power. The throttle provides assist up to 20mph and don’t need to be pedaling.
The control pad (to the right of the thumb throttle) adjusts the pedal assist levels with the up and down arrows. The on/off button (below the arrow buttons) cycles through information on the display.
Here is a closer look at the Tektro MD-M280 mechanical disc brake lever.
There are sensors in each brake lever that will stop the assist when either brake lever is engaged.
The large LCD Smart Display is mounted in the center of the handlebar and it provides information on the battery level, speed, pedal assist mode, odometer, trip distance, max speed, average speed, battery voltage, and ride time.
The display has a backlight for easily seeing it day or night.
The right side of the handlebar features an ergonomic grip, Tektro rear mechanical disc brake lever, and Shimano 7 speed shifter.
Here is closer look at the Shimano 7 speed shifter.
The front 44t chaining has double chainring guards to keep the chain on the chainring and to help with keeping your pant legs clean.
A Shimano Tourney rear derailleur shifts through the 7 speed 14t to 28t Shimano cogset.
This is a closer look at the rear Tektro MD-M280 mechanical disc brake caliper with 180mm rotor attached to the 350 watt geared rear hub motor.
And this is the Tektro HD-T285 hydraulic disc brake with 180mm rotor on the front.
Kenda Kwick Seven Sport 27.5″ x 2.2″ eBike rated tires are used front and rear. They have a smooth profile for an efficient ride and channeling to dissipate water.
The balloon cruiser style adds to the casual look of the Aventon Pace 350.
The aluminum pedals have a large platform with a grippy surface and reflectors on the front and back.
The Velo Comfort saddle has a wider profile and double springs for a comfortable ride.
The Aventon Pace 350 comes with a water bottle cage and versatile attachment system that makes it easy to mount the water bottle in various locations on the bike.
The kickstand has an adjustable height so you set the angle of the bike when it is parked.
Aventon Pace 350 Electric Bike Specifications
Frame: 6061 Double-Butted Aluminum Alloy
Fork: 6061 Aluminum Alloy, Tapered
Motor: 350W geared rear hub motor
Battery: Semi-Integrated 36V 11.6Ah (417.6 Wh) with Samsung Cells. The battery weighs 6.0 pounds.
Assist Options: 5 pedal assist levels, thumb throttle, and walk mode.
Speed: Pedal assist and/or throttle to 20 mph which makes this a Class 2 eBike.
Display: LCD Smart Display that provides information on the battery level, speed, pedal assist mode, odometer, trip distance, max speed, average speed, battery voltage, ride time.
Drivetrain: Shimano Tourney 7 speed rear derailleur. 44t chainring with 14t to 28t cogset.
Brakeset: Tektro MD-M280 mechanical disc brakes with 180mm rotors
Tires: 27.5″ x 2.2″ Kenda Kwick Seven Sport, E-bike Rated
Seat: Velo Comfort
Sizes: Small (5′-1″ to 5′-7″) Medium (5′-7″ to 5′-11″) Large (5′-11″ to 6′-2″). Step-thru frame available in Small (4′-11″ to 5′-4″) Medium (5′-4″ to 5′-10″) size.
Colors: Cast Blue or Chalk White in the step-over frame. Amethyst or Chalk White in the step-thru frame.
Weight: 46.7 pounds for the Medium frame size in this test. 40.7 pounds with the battery removed.
Stay tuned for part 2 of the Aventon Pace 350.-
Reader Interactions
Комментарии и мнения владельцев
I’m continuously impressed by what is becoming available for affordable ebikes. A couple things jumped out for me on this one though. The gearing is too low. At max assisted speed you would have to pedal at over 90 rev/min to keep a bit of force on the pedals. A 48t or 52t chainring and 11-32 cogset would be better, but it looks like the chainring is riveted to the crankarm, so is not easy to swap out. Also, I’ll never understand why so many manufacturers put the charge port down low by the pedals. For something you’ll use every day, it should be up near the head tube, where it’s easier to reach and align, and less vulnerable to road grime.
Am I right to assume that all the electrical components, esp. the battery are completely waterproof? Product info only says the info display is water “resistant.”
In my previous message about whether or not the bike is waterproof, my question was regarding the Aventon Pace bikes specifically. Sorry.
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Aventon Pace 350 Review
To run the forums, host the website, and travel, I charge a universal service fee for my reviews. This review was sponsored by Aventon. My goal is to be transparent and unbiased, this video and written review are not meant to be an endorsement of Aventon products.
The Aventon Pace 350 is an affordable yet capable and versatile ebike which aims to give more bang for your buck versus other value priced offerings. The Pace 350 is a scaled down version of the Pace 500, so if you saw my review on that you will see a lot of parallel information. For example, like the Pace 500, it comes in both a step-through and a high-step, each with their own sizes and colors. You can find the step-through in small and medium sizes, while the high-step is available in a small, medium, and large frame. For 999 there is surprisingly a lot to look over, so let’s get in a little deeper. The Pace 350 is a comfortable and upright bike with a relaxed position for leisure riding or commuting. That comfort comes from a seat tube that is further back, swept back handlebars, and locking ergonomic grips. You also get this Velo comfort saddle with rubber bumpers underneath and some nice fairly thick high volume tires (27.5”x2.2”) which make for wider attack angle. Unfortunately, there is no suspension fork or seat post, but I am sure most wouldn’t be surprised given the cost of the bike. However, they do have a 30.4mm seat post on the step-through and 31.6mm seat post on the high-step if you want to swap those out with a cushier option. Also, the head tube itself is tapered, which is nice because that will open up some fork options for those looking for an upgrade. The bike itself is fairly lightweight with an aluminum alloy frame and fork, coming in at 46lbs total on the small frame. It’s a handsome bike with wrapped wires, some internally routed cables, and extra gussets adding a lot of attention to detail. Other features include rear rack bosses, fender bosses, kickstand (although it is centrally mounted which could produce pedal lock when reversing), reflective sidewall stripped tires, plastic chain guide, and a semi-integrated downtube battery. The real big wins on this bike though is in the price. Although you don’t get the 500 watt motor or the hydraulic disc brakes, so many of the other features are still here including the trigger throttle complete with motor inhibitors. At 999, I would say this is definitely in the affordable category, without succumbing to generic or no-name brakes or derailleur.
Driving the Pace 350 is a Shengyi 350 watt planetary gear hub motor. Since its planetary geared, it will freewheel a little more efficiently and not cause the drag you get from gearless motors. However, since it is a sealed 12 magnet cadence sensor, you will get a little more of that “on-off-on-off” feeling as you ride it. Since it has a sealed sensor, that means no gunk or debris getting lodged inside which is a nice feature. It may not be as zippy as the 500 watt version, but it does have a smoother ramp up and is pretty quiet. On the mechanical drivetrain of the bike, you will find an 7 speed Shimano Tourney sprocket versus the 8 speed Shimano Altus on the 500. Along with that is a 14-28 Shimano freewheel so the climbing may not be as good. Controlling everything is a set of trigger shifters (one way high, three-shift low) with a windowed gear display. For stopping, you have a nice set of Tektro mechanical disc brakes with 180mm rotors and three-finger levers with motor inhibitors.
Powering this ebike is a 36v 11.6ah lithium-ion battery with Samsung cells. The battery is a little more limited than the one found on the Pace 500, but the motor should be a power sipper, so it should even out well. This battery weighs a total of 6lbs. There is a USB port on the side, but it is not for charging, but rather for service diagnostics which serves a great purpose, but looking at it does serve as a constant reminder that a USB charging port may have been a missed opportunity. The charger is 1.3lbs and puts out 3amps of charging power, a bit faster than the standard 2amp chargers we are used to seeing. The battery is secured with lock and key and can be charged on or off the bike, but I do recommend charging indoors. To really care for this and other lithium-ion packs, I have heard that storing in a cool dry location vs. extreme heat or cold will extend the life, and try to keep it about 50% full when not using for long periods so you won’t stress the cells. Try not to let it run down to zero, because that’s really hard on the cell chemistry.
The cockpit controls are great, its nice to see levers for shifting instead of the usual thumb shifter. Most of this is possible since the throttle is on the left along with the display controls. On the right is your shifting levers as well as a gear display window. Right in the middle of the handlebars is the large and easy to read display. The display does have an adjustable angle, but is not removable which can sometimes leave you feeling insecure when parking it or leaving it to the elements. The display is grayscale and features a backlight for nighttime riding. To start the bike, press power on the battery, hold the M button to turn on display. The large display offers a wealth of information starting at the battery levels. The battery infographic is shown in 10 separate 10% intervals which does a better job of leaving guess work out compared to other bikes with 33% or even 20% steps. You can scroll through several modes of pedal assist (1-5) and can use the throttle on any as long as you get that pedal rotation in. Other display options include odometer, trip A, trip B, battery voltage, and a timer. Also, if you hold down the down arrow, you can engage a walk mode. There is a deep dive menu if you want to play with other various settings. Hold up and down arrows for a couple of seconds to initiate this menu of settings. Once inside, you will have access to backlight settings, unit readout, wheel size configuration, and top speed. To exit this menu, hold M to leave.
It’s hard to knock a bike with throttle, pedal assist, and a comfortable riding position that only cost 999. So much attention to detail is given but you can’t make a bike to please everybody so there are some tradeoffs to take into consideration. Little things here and there would be issues with the derailleur and some of the wires in the rear being a little exposed. This could be problematic if the bike is damaged in shipping or even dropped. There is no slap guard in the rear, so the chain could really do some damage to that paint, something that could annoy you especially if you got a color like Wine Red to stand out. I recommend covering it with some box tape or getting an aftermarket neoprene slap guard on Amazon. Its nice to have fender bosses, but unfortunately no bottle cage bosses this time. Also, for a commuting bike, I gotta say its a little disappointing they didn’t add battery intergraded lights for either the front or back. The biggest tradeoff however, would have to be the assembly. The bike is made to order through dealers or online, but if you have it delivered to your home, do be prepared. It can take an hour or more to assemble, so make sure you have some tools handy (although they do include some) and some free time. To help remedy this, Aventon does have a YouTube video that details assembly instructions for those looking for some extra help. Of course, you can also have your local dealer do it, or pay a local bike shop as well. To be honest however, when you look at the big wins like the comfortable ride, and then look at all the little touches like the thicker reflective tires, locking grips, and brand name components, its amazing that this bike comes in at such a great price. Tradeoffs considered, this bike would probably pleasantly surprise anyone looking at the more affordable options. A big thank you to Aventon for inviting me out and letting me see their bikes and their factory.
As always, I welcome questions and feedback in the comment section below. Whether you own a previous version of the bike, have taken a test ride, or are brand new to the space, my goal is to provide an objective and honest resource. You can also join the Aventon Ebike forums and share your own photos, videos, and review updates to help others! Have fun out there, and ride safe 🙂
Pros:
- An affordable (999) yet capable and versatile ebike which aims to give more bang for your buck versus other value priced offerings
- Comes in both a step-through and a high-step, each with their own sizes and colors, you can find the step-through in Small and Medium sizes, while the high-step is available in a Small, Medium and Large frame
- A comfortable and upright bike with a relaxed position for leisure riding or commuting, seat tube is further back, bike has an adjustable angle stem, swept back handlebars, and locking ergonomic grips, also has Velo comfort saddle with rubber bumpers underneath and some nice fairly thick high volume tires (27.5”x2.2”) which make for wider attack angle
- The Pace 350 is a handsome bike with wrapped wires, some internally routed cables, and extra gussets adding a lot of attention to detail
- A lot of bonuses like rear rack bosses, fender bosses, kickstand, reflective sidewall stripped tires, plastic chain guide, and a semi-intergraded downtube battery
- It is equipped with a 350 watt motor for cadence based pedal assist and also a throttle rated for 20mph for leisure riding
- Great size for stopping with the 180mm Tektro mechanical disc brakes, also with motor inhibitors
- 36v 11.6ah battery with a 3amp charger, a little faster than the standard 2amp charger you usually see with value priced ebieks
- Large and easy to read display offers a lot of information as well as a deeper settings menu to really do some tweaks and adjustments
- A lot of value priced bikes have generic components however, many of the Pace 350 components are Shimano or Tektro, great to see a sub 1,500 bike without no-name parts
- The bike is sold online or through a dealer network and offers a 1 year warranty
Cons:
- No suspension in either the front fork or the seat, however they can be swapped out for cushier options if you want to compliment the relaxed riding geometry
- Although the battery in theory is capable of charging peripherals via USB, there is no such option, it would be nice to see some device charging in the future
- Additionally, batteries such as this are known for powering intergraded lights, another missed opportunity on this bike as it does not come with any in either the front or the rear
- Display is not removable so be careful when parking in the elements or in high crime areas
- Bottle cage bosses and slap guards are becoming common place in a lot of value priced bikes and this bike is without them, but I suppose you could add a aftermarket neoprene guard from Amazon and even get a handlebar mounted bottle holder if needed
- A minor grip but some of the derailleur and wires in the rear are a little exposed, this could be problematic if the bike is damaged in shipping or even dropped, make sure to take good care of it
- A decent amount of assembly is required, Aventon was nice enough to let me in their warehouse to take a look at the products being shipped out so make sure to check out the video if you want to get a good look at what is required, it does come with some tools and they have an instructional video on YouTube, or you could have a bike shop or mobile repair service assemble it if you are not comfortable
The Aventon Soltera is proof you don’t need to spend a lot to get a good ebike
Tom’s Guide Verdict
The Aventon Soltera offers a zippy, fun ride and is surprisingly comfortable and affordable. However, the motor assist feels underpowered, so this bike is best for those who don’t need a lot of pedal assist.
Pros
- Great price
- Impressive comfort
- Easy to read head unit
- Throttle is helpful getting the bike going from a dead stop
Cons
- – Lack of quick-release levers
- – Motor assist lags
- – Motor feels underpowered, particularly on hills
Why you can trust Tom’s Guide?
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Weight: 41 pounds (advertised) Range: 20 to 63 miles, depending on assist setting Motor: 36V, 350W brushless rear hub motor Top assist speed: 20mph Battery: Phylion Lithium-Ion 36V, 10Ah with LG cells Drivetrain: singlespeed (7-speed option available) Maximum payload capacity: 300 pounds Throttle: included. Removeable to change to Class 1 ebike if preferred
The Aventon Soltera e-bike is a shining example that you don’t have to spend a ton of money to get a functional, comfortable e-bike that’s appropriate for commuting or just having fun. It may lack some of the bells and whistles of some of the best electric bikes, but the Soltera delivers a pleasant ride quality, easy controls, and no-frills build that keeps the price low.
It also looks pretty darn good. The battery is hidden in the down tube, which means you might not even realize it’s an e-bike at first glance. That trend continues when you pick it up: at 41 pounds, most users will be able to move it around with general ease. This comes in handy for apartment dwellers who don’t live on the ground floor.
If you’re interested in buying your first e-bike and want something that delivers quality at a low price, the Soltera is worth a look as one of the best budget electric bikes. But make sure to read the rest of our Aventon Soltera review first.
Aventon Soltera review: Price and availability
The Soltera costs 1,199 for the single-speed version, which is the model I tested. If you want to bump up to the 7-speed version of the Soltera, that will cost you 1,299.
You can order the Soltera on Aventon’s website. Aventon offers free shipping on some orders, and lots of discount opportunities (military, first responder, gov employee, teacher).
There’s also a dealer locator on the website for dealers in the U.S. and Canada. That way, you can stop into a shop to test ride, find out which bike fits you best, and even buy right through the local store.
Aventon Soltera review: Design
The Soltera comes in two sizes: regular and large. Aventon says the regular is the most appropriate size if you’re between 5’1” and 5’7”. The large is best if you’re between 5’7” and 6’4”. There’s a step-through option as well to make it easier to mount and dismount the bike. I am 5’11” with a 30-inch inseam, and the large frame fit me perfectly.
The aluminum frame features lights integrated into the seat stays. There’s a headlight mounted just below the stem at the front of the bike too. That’s a little fancier than the Swft Volt, another budget ebike, which only has a headlight. You can get the Soltera in three different colors. Aventon advertises the Soltera weight as 41 pounds for the singlespeed version.
The wheels are aluminum as well, and they mate to Tektro rim brakes. The wheels do not feature quick release levers; instead, they are bolted on. This is likely to accommodate beginner cyclists who may not be familiar with how quick release levers work.
The Soltera is a Class II e-bike, which means it has a throttle in addition to the pedal-assist modes. You can remove the throttle to make it a Class 1 e-bike if you prefer. The max assist speed is 20mph.
Phylion’s removable lithium-ion battery is integrated into the downtube of the frame. At first glance, the Soltera barely looks like an e-bike at all, a nice nod to the effectiveness of Aventon’s battery integration. The battery itself is physically smaller than many batteries on similar bikes, which helps it hide more effectively inside the frame.
The rear hub motor is Aventon-branded and features 36V and 350W of power. Aventon says this motor is “white-labeled,” which means Aventon sourced the motor from another company. (They did not say what company made the motor.)
The BC280 LCD Easy Read Color Display has an integrated backlight for easy viewing in dark conditions. It can sync with an app that allows you to configure your lights, track your mileage, view battery life percentage, record rides, and even set goals for yourself.
Aventon says you can tote up to 300 pounds max on the Soltera. If that sounds daunting with just a single-speed drivetrain, Aventon does offer a 7-speed version of the Soltera that comes with disc brakes. It will cost you an extra 100.
The Soltera comes with a kickstand that mounts to the chainstay near the rear of the bike. It feels stout and stable, which should come in handy should you end up loading any weight onto the bike. But the Soltera does not come with racks out of the box, so you’ll need to purchase those separately if you intend to carry cargo.
Aventon Soltera review: Performance
The Soltera immediately impressed me with its comfortable riding position. A cushy saddle combined with an upright riding position make the Soltera pleasant to ride, particularly for those with less flexibility to accommodate aggressive riding positions.
The head unit display also impressed. It’s very bright, even in direct sunlight, and it’s easy to read at a quick glance. Navigating the menus is simple using the handlebar control buttons, and adjusting the assist level is just as easy using those same control buttons.
Getting the bike going can be a challenge if you’re counting on the pedal-assist or throttle to do most of the work. It takes about a second or slightly more for the assist power to kick in regardless of whether you’re using the pedal-assist mode or the throttle.
That means you’ll start pedaling under your own power from a dead stop. That’s not a huge problem for most riders, but if the bike is loaded down with weight or you’ll be relying primarily on the motor assist to get you going, that lag can be long enough to become problematic.
Once you’re up and pedaling, the motor kicks in and offers smooth acceleration. But just as it takes a second or more for the assist to kick in, it also takes a second or so for the assist to disengage, regardless of whether you’re using the throttle or the pedal-assist feature.
The assist itself is a bit underpowered and bogs down particularly on hills in both the throttle mode and the pedal-assist mode. You will end up doing more pedaling under your own power if you live in a hilly area.
Aventon Soltera review: Battery life and range
According to Aventon’s website, you can get up to 20 miles of range while using the throttle exclusively, no pedaling. If you use the pedal-assist modes instead, you can get up to 63 miles on a single charge.
Using the throttle drained the battery very quickly during my testing. At 100% charge, I used the throttle for less than five minutes and was down to 97%. That got me about 0.6 miles. The throttle is best used on short trips, or if you need to get started from a dead stop, particularly with the bike loaded heavy. Otherwise, you’ll probably want to use it judiciously to preserve battery life.
The 63-mile range figure that Aventon provides as its outside best is what you’ll get if you only use the lowest assist setting. In the middle settings where you’ll likely spend most of your time, you can reasonably expect a 25-40 mile range on a single battery charge.
Aventon Soltera review: Accessories
There are pages and pages of accessories available on Aventon’s website. Some are branded Aventon, some are third-party bits. can range significantly depending on how you want to configure your Soltera. You can get basic racks for around 40 to 50, for example, or you can set your Soltera up to haul the kids with a Burley rack mount or frame mount child seat for around 150.
You can purchase helmets, phone mounts, lights, bike locks, water bottles and cages, and even vehicle bike racks right on the Aventon website.
Aventon Soltera review: The competition
Other inexpensive e-bike options are vast. Many of them feature sourced motors without branding, and batteries that may or may not come from reputable sources. Aventon’s Soltera is no different; the motor is branded Aventon but was sourced somewhere else.
I reached out to Aventon for clarification on where they got the motor and battery; the company told me the motor was “white-labeled”, and the battery features either Samsung or LG cells packed by a third-party supplier. The battery in my test bike is labeled Phylion.
Samsung and LG are both reputable names, which is important when you’re considering battery life, repairability, and recyclability. But keep in mind that third-party assemblers may also glue the casings closed, which makes it difficult or impossible to repair batteries, since the casing will need to be pried apart to access the contents within. I couldn’t tell just by looking at the battery how it is enclosed or whether it is repairable.
Other bikes in the category of inexpensive e-bikes include the 999 Swft Volt, and Ride1Up’s Core5 and Roadster V2, among many others.
Aventon Soltera review: Verdict
The pedal-assist isn’t the quickest, and the parts package isn’t the nicest out there. But the Soltera still delivers a comfortable and fun ride in an attractive package. For an extra 100, you can upgrade to a 7-speed drivetrain and disc brakes. That seems like Smart money, particularly if you’ll be carrying heavy loads with the Soltera.
If you’re looking to save a bit, the single-speed 999 Swft Volt also has a 350-Watt motor and an estimated range of up to 32 miles, though its battery is non-removable and its design and display are both less sophisticated.
While the Aventon Soltera could do with some more modern touches like disc brakes and quick release levers, beginner e-bike riders or budget-conscious commuters will be plenty pleased with the no-frills package the Soltera offers.
We Bought a Real Electric Bike: Aventon Pace 350
We bought a real electric bike for my wife. It is already here. I just finished assembling it and taking it for a test drive down the street. I have no idea if this Pace Aventon 350 will meet our expectations, but I’d like to tell you about the motivation behind our purchase, and how we zeroed in on this particular model.
Where this journey began
Two years ago, I bought a folding electric scooter. You ride the Hover-1 XLS like a bike, but it completely lacks manual pedal power. We live just a few houses away from the awesome paved bike trails that connect many of our parks here in Plano, TX. I bought the bike so I can carry my backpack to the park and fly FPV freestyle quadcopters.
That’s what my Hover-1 XLS has been limited to. It does fold up, and it is possible to put it in the back of our tiny SUV, but it is a pain in the butt. It weighs about 50 pounds, and that doesn’t sound heavy on paper, but it folds up into what amounts to a 4’ tube. It is difficult to hoist that thing up and into the car, so it has been confined to the bike paths near our house.
We bought Chris a simple pedal bike
My wife owns a nice spin bike. She used to participate in and teach spin classes here in town. She hadn’t done that in years, though, and she said she wanted to get back in shape, so we bought her a basic pedal bike. It was the cheapest one we could find on Amazon.
It is a terrible bike, but it served its real purpose. We wanted to figure out what she’d really want out of a bike. How big does the bike need to be? Does it need street tires or off-road tires? Something in between?
As it turns out, the biggest problem is the power train. When she heads home from the park, the end of the ride involves climbing a bit of a hill. How far can Chris ride before she gets tired? Will she be able to make it up that hill if she pushes farther into the park?
She has definitely been suffering from range anxiety, much like folks with fully electric vehicles. This has kept her from riding the bike. She prefers to ride the spin bike in the house.
Everyone should have an e-thing
I addressed all my complaints about my Hover-1 scooter by upgrading to a [self-balancing electric unicycle (EUC)][]. My little InMotion V5F has 14 miles of range, goes 15 mph, and only weighs 25 pounds. It is fantastic, and a ton of fun.
Brian has an electric long board. Alex has a OneWheel XR. I have my unicycle. What should Chris be riding?
Today @patsheadcom was showing off his brand-new #electric #unicycle while we flew #quadcopters. I took this chance to record some cinematic footage that he could use his blog (See: https://t.co/nePTRq59rq) and then #disaster struck! #wasted piccom/amR7cs1yaJ
— Brian Moses (@briancmoses) May 10, 2020
We tried to teach her to ride the unicycle, but she’s having difficulty, and she’s getting frustrated. We’ve been going out riding quite a few times every week during the COVID-19 pandemic. She wanted an upgrade, and she decided that upgrade should be an electric bicycle.
Why an electric bicycle?!
She wants to be able to exercise. Her plan is to pedal until she gets tired, then use the electric motor. These electric bikes also offer pedal assist, so you can let the machine do a portion of the work for you.
The Pace Aventon 350 vs the Ride1Up 500
I didn’t have to research long before I narrowed our choice down to either the Pace 350 or the Ride1Up 500. I was very much leaning towards the Ride1Up.
They’re both quality bikes, but the Ride1Up 500 has a more powerful motor, and it uses a 48-volt battery instead of the Pace’s 36-volt battery. Everything else on the spec sheet is similar enough. If you’re shopping, you should definitely check out the Ride1Up 500. The Ride1Up 500 is more directly comparable to the Pace Aventon 500, but with a price much closer to the Aventon 350.
Chris is barely 5’ tall. She needs a small bike. I read somewhere that if you’re under 5’4”, you’re not going to be happy with the bike from Ride1Up.
The Pace Aventon 350 is available in three different sizes. We chose the small frame in the step-through configuration. This is working out well, because we wound up having to set the seat higher than its minimum setting!
The important specs of the Pace Aventon 350
This is all based on Pace’s claims. We’ve had the bike out for a single 5-mile ride so far. We haven’t had a chance to really put it through its paces!
- 20 mph top speed (throttle only)
- 30 miles range (throttle only)
- 7 speeds (for the pedaling!)
- 46 pounds
- 420 Wh battery
- 350 watt motor
This should be an interesting upgrade from the Hover-1 XLS. The Pace bike weighs 5 pounds less, has 40% more battery capacity, a higher top speed, and more than twice as much range. Getting the bike into the car will probably be more of a hassle, though!
Pedal assist
When I started shopping for e-bikes, I was worried that all the e-bikes I’ve looked at only have one set of gears. They have 7 gears in the back, just like Chris’s cheap 21-speed bike, but they only have a single gear on the pedal sprocket.
On Chris’s old bike, 7th gear is too high for someone like me to make it up a hill, but it is also too low for me to use on flat ground. How is that going to work out on the electric bike?
I didn’t understand until I rode the bike, and I’m proud to announce that I understood before even getting to the end of my street! The magic of pedal assist easily makes up for the lack of available gear settings.
The Pace 350 has 5 levels of pedal assist. When the sensors detect that you are pedaling, the electric motor will spin up to help you out. The higher you set the assist level, the more power the system will apply.
I figured Chris would be using the throttle lever most of the time and the pedal assist would just be a bonus feature, but I think I’ve predicted this incorrectly. I followed her on my unicycle for five miles today, and she was pedaling almost the entire time.
We’ll see if that’s the case when I write the follow-up to this post!
The Pace Aventon 350 is just a bike!
My weird Hover-1 XLS scooter is extremely proprietary. Other than the brakes, just about everything on there is custom hardware. If something fails, just about the only way to fix it is to acquire spare parts from the manufacturer.
The Aventon 350 isn’t much different than a regular bicycle. If you bend a wheel, need a new seat, or goober up the gears or chain, you can buy generic replacement parts. Other than the built-in bracket for the battery, even the frame is just a bike frame.
That makes this a little more reliable in the long run, and even quite upgradable in the future!
What’s next?
First of all, she needs to put some miles on this sucker. We won’t really know if it is any good or worth 1,100 until we let her ride it for a few hundred miles, right?
I’m more worried about what’s going to happen to me and the 14 miles of range on my electric unicycle. I used to have the edge on range, but now she can out-distance me by at least 15 miles, and that’s before adding any human power. Am I going to get left behind? Am I going to have to upgrade to a bigger wheel?!
Are you riding an electric bike? How about some other sort of personal electric vehicle? Did I make a good choice, or will we be disappointed in a few months? Let me know in the Комментарии и мнения владельцев, or stop by the Butter, What?! Discord server to chat with me about it!