Aventon Soltera Step-Through Review
What a time to be alive and a fan of e-bikes. Gone are the days when you had to dole out thousands of dollars for a janky e-bike with less range than a remote-controlled toy.
Case in point, the Aventon Soltera step-through!
I don’t know what kind of engineering black magic the Aventon engineers are using, but they somehow managed to produce an affordable, gorgeous commuter with pretty decent specs.
Sure, it doesn’t come with the most powerful motor or battery, but it will make your short trips around town much more enjoyable. And on top of that, it looks pretty damn cool.
Frame
I forgot to tell you in the intro that this is the Soltera actually comes in two flavors: step-over and step-through.
The reason why I’m not doing a dual review right now is that there are significant differences between the two.
For starters, the step-over Soltera comes with dinky little caliper brakes that offer less breaking power than just yelling, “stop!”
To make things even worse, the step-over version comes with a single gear. You rarely see regular single-gear bikes these days, let alone electric bikes.
The funniest thing about all this is that both versions are priced the same. I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t go for the step-over Slotera even in my wildest dreams.
So, what does the step-through Soltera have to offer?
Well, a pretty sexy frame design, for starters.
The frame is fashioned in the same way as a high-end touring bike. In other words, there aren’t many unnecessary accents or accessories. just pure functionality.
With that said, the front forks are pretty thick, which kinda’ adds the perfect contrast to the whole minimalistic aesthetic.
The cables are routed through the frame, which just further adds to the sleekness of the frame.
On top of that, the Soltera is pretty lightweight. It weighs just a tad under 41 pounds. So even if you’re not the most able-bodied, you’ll have no trouble lugging it around.
One little detail that blew me away was the tail lights. They’re integrated into the frame, which is something you don’t see in affordable e-bikes.
Unfortunately, this also means you’ll have to go through the whole trouble of fixing the tail lights when they eventually die. On the bright side, I’ve gone through hundreds of user reviews, and no one mentioned tail lights giving out.
This being a budget-oriented e-bike and all, there aren’t any accessories. The Soltera is as bare-bones as it can get.
Still, you can buy all the accessories you want from Aventon’s store. It’s far from cheap, but hey, it’s there. At least the cargo racks are affordable.
The only thing that rubs me the wrong way about the frame is the battery placement.
The battery is integrated into the lower side of the downtube, which makes taking it out a bit frustrating because you have to move the front wheel out of the way.
Motor
Aventon Solter comes with a 350-watt rear-gear motor.
At first glance, you might think that 350 watts of power isn’t enough to get this bike to 10 MPH, let alone 20 MPH.
But when you consider this bike weighs just 41 pounds, it all clicks. You don’t need a beefy motor if you’re not going to drive a lot of weight.
Of course, this motor produces almost no torque, but it will reliably get you to the max speed of 20 MPH in no time.
One thing that I noticed when riding the Soltera around is that the motor didn’t give any noticeable assistance until PAS 3. But that’s the case with most cheap e-bikes with underpowered motors.I think Aventon should’ve just put 3 levels of PAS instead of 5, but I guess five levels of pedal assist sounds better than three.
At least there’s a thumb throttle when you get tired of peddling. Just keep in mind that it will cut your range by more than half.
The one component where Aventon didn’t spare any expense was the LCD display. It’s extremely well-lit and easy to read.
You can also pair the controller with your phone and get some juicy info about your ride, such as calorie burn, total C02 reduced, as well as a nifty google maps integration.
Battery
Although Soltera comes with a pretty slim battery, it can churn out quite a lot of range.
The battery can hold only 10 Ah of charge. This will get you around for about 40 miles of range.
However, there are some caveats.
If you want to squeeze out every foot of range from this battery, you’ll have to ride this bike on PAS 1. This means you’ll be draining more of your energy rather than the battery.
Naturally, as you up the PAS level, the range drops off. At PAS 5, you can expect around 20 miles of range. Maybe you’ll squeeze out another mile if you’re super skinny.
What really blew me away was the range on the throttle. I don’t know how, but I managed to squeeze out 15 miles without turning the pedals once.
But this is not where the good stuff ends. Although it’s integrated, you can remove the battery from the frame and charge it somewhere more convenient.
As for the recharge time, it takes around 5 hours to top the battery off from 0 to 100 percent.
Brakes
One of the components that manufacturers usually cheap out on is the brakes. Sadly, this is also the case with Soltera.
Don’t get me wrong, 150 mm mechanical disc brakes are leagues better than caliper brakes, but they still leave a lot to be desired.
Yes, I had no issues coming to a full stop, but it took suspiciously long. I wouldn’t trust these brakes on any other surface than the pavement.
Thankfully, Soltera was built for pavement, so the brakes are adequate, at the very least.
Tires
Soltera features your run-of-the-mill 700c wheels and tires. They’re nothing to write home about, but they get the job done. In fact, these are your standard road bike wheels.
At least Aventon used a known brand of tires. Kenda. Just like the wheels, they’re pretty standard.
Since they’re pretty thin, they don’t do a great job of absorbing road shock, so if you don’t like a bumpy ride, I recommend you skip buying this bike.
I wouldn’t ride this bike on anything other than pavement. I mean, you can, but your spine, crotch, and kidneys will suffer greatly.
Comfort
I have to admit, Soltera is not the most comfortable bike in the world. There’s no suspension and since it comes with standard 700c wheels, there are no fat tires to absorb the road shock either.
However, this bike isn’t meant for long rides, so I took that into account when reviewing this bike.
So, for short rides, the Soltera is amazing. The ride is a bit bumpy, but nothing intolerable.
On top of that, I had no trouble finding a comfortable riding position since I’m a bit on the taller side.
If you’re planning on taking this bike for longer trips, then I recommend you get a suspension seat add-on. Yes, it does cost an arm and a leg, but it will make your ride astronomically more comfortable.
What I Like About Aventon Soltera Step Through E-bike
Whenever I get to ride a budget e-bike such as the Soltera, I can’t help myself not to geek out about all the value it provides.
I’m happy to say that this e-bike has a lot going for it.
The main thing it’s got going is the price. There are just a handful of other e-bikes that provide this much bang for the buck.
Of course, there’s also a gorgeous frame design. The frame lines are aggressive but sleek, which makes for one gorgeous-looking e-bike.
And then there’s the range. This is one of just a handful of e-bikes that actually managed to provide the range as advertised.
Sure, you only get the full range if you are on pedal assist 1, but having 20 miles of range on pedal assist 5 is incredibly impressive for a budget e-bike.
What I Don’t Like About Aventon Soltera Step-Through E-bike
As is the case with everything in life, there are always some drawbacks.
The biggest issue I have is the underpowered motor. It’s not just underpowered, it’s sluggish too.
It took me nearly 20 seconds to reach the top speed of 20 MPH on PAS cranked up all the way to 5.
I know the bike is light and that the motor can drive it just fine, but having a little more power would go a long way.
I also don’t like how uncomfortable it can get. Sure, it’s all fine and dandy on shorter rides, but your crotch, back, and kidneys will start feeling the road after about 10 miles.
Advice To Consumers
If you’re strapped for cash and need a reliable bike for short trips around town, Soltera is perfect for you. If you need anything more than that, I recommend you take a look at some of Aventon’s other e-bikes.
Aventon Soltera Ebike Review: An Affordable and Quality Commuter Ebike
The Soltera is the newest addition to the Aventon ebike line. Soltera in Spanish stands for single, so it makes sense why the Soltera is a single speed ebike. Jimmy and I were lucky enough to receive the Soltera before the January 4th release to test and review.
As soon as we unboxed the Soltera and put it together, we could tell it was constructed much better than most ebikes we have reviewed in the past. In this review we will let you know what we love and hate about the Aventon Soltera.
For current pricing on the Aventon Soltera, click here.For current pricing on the Step Through Aventon Soltera, click here.
Top 10 things I love about the Aventon Soltera Ebike
- Color display
- Mobile App
- Simple single speed
- Seamless welds
- Beautiful paint job
- Great color options
- Lightweight
- Sturdy construction
- Integrated lights
- Throttle on top of peddle assist
The Aventon Soltera mobile app
The color display on the Aventon Soltera is Bluetooth enabled, so you can connect your phone to the Soltera via an app. One of my favorite features of the app is that it gives you the opportunity to track your rides.
The app stores your current and previous rides, giving details of your average speed, top speed, distance traveled, CO2 emissions saved, and calories burnt.
You can also use the app to motivate you against other Aventon riders. There is a section in the app for cycling rank. The cycling rank will show you how you rank against other Aventon riders for the day, week, month, and total.
There is a discover tab in the app that allows you to share pictures and post with other Aventon riders. The app even allows you to find local Aventon dealers for repairs.
Aventon is looking to capitalize on the popularity of social bike competitive apps and programs such as Peloton and Strava.
How many gears does the Aventon Soltera have?
The Aventon Soltera comes in two models, a single speed and 7 speed version. Jimmy and I tested out the single speed version.
I was not a big fan of the last single speed ebike we reviewed, the KBO Hurricane, so I was not expecting a lot from the Aventon Soltera.
However, once I had a chance to test and review the Soltera….I was pleasantly surprised by the overall ride feel of the Aventon Soltera. I’m sure the 7 speed Soltera is nice but I love the simplicity of a single speed Soltera.
The Aventon Soltera Ebike Has a Premium Feel and Construction
Jimmy and I have reviewed numerous ebikes, and most have terrible weld marks. Most ebikes have weld marks that are large and bulky, and simply painted over. Aventon grinds down their weld marks to make the frame look flawless.
It is these fine details that really help Aventon stand out from their competitors.
A paint job to be proud of!
On top of having seamless weld marks, Aventon has mastered their paint jobs. The paint finish on the Aventon Soltera is absolutely stunning. I love how they use other colors of the Soltera bikes in their lineup to accent the bike.
How many colors is the Aventon Soltera offered in?
The Soltera is offered in six different colors, and it depends on the frame choice and gear choices. My wife loves the seafoam green color which is basically a fancy name for teal. Below are the color choices offered.
- Onyx Black – Single Speed 7 Speed
- Citrine – 7 Speed
- Azure Blue – Single Speed
Soltera step-through frame:
- Salmon Pink – Single Speed
- Lilac Grey – 7 Speed
- Seafoam Green – Single Speed 7 Speed
How much does the Aventon Soltera weigh?
The Aventon Soltera single speed weighs 41 pounds.
The Aventon Soltera 7 speed weighs a few more pounds than the single speed, coming in at 43 pounds.
They are both relatively light for ebikes, and can easily be carried up and down stairs or onto public transportation.
How sturdy is the Aventon Soltera?
Jimmy and I have found that quite a few ebikes rattle and shake when dropping off curbs. The Aventon Soltera is sturdy and makes very little noise when dropping it off curves.
The overall construction of the Aventon Soltera is outstanding.
Does the Aventon Soltera have brake lights?
The Aventon Soltera has the most amazing brake lights I have ever witnessed on an ebike. The Soltera has brake lights integrated into the frame, making them seamless and beautiful. When you have the lights on, the rear taillight is always on and gets brighter when braking.
Aventon listened to feedback because a lot of people complained about the Aventure only having one brake light integrated into one side of the frame. The Soltera has two brake lights, one for each side of the frame.
Does the Aventon Soltera have a throttle?
Yes, the Aventon Soltera has a thumb throttle on the left.
When Jimmy and I reviewed the KBO Hurricane, it was hard to get up hills since it was a single speed with no throttle option. The Aventon Soltera offers a throttle which helps out tremendously. When starting on a hill with a single speed ebike, it is hard to get it going.
With the Aventon Soltera, you can help get yourself going on a hill by simply mashing down on the throttle. I love having the option to hit the throttle when I am too lazy to peddle.
For current pricing on the Aventon Soltera, click here.For current pricing on the Step Through Aventon Soltera, click here.
How big is the battery on the Aventon Soltera?
The battery on the Aventon Soltera is a 36V 10Ah LG battery, totaling 360 watt hours. I wish the battery was bigger, but understand Aventon kept it smaller to help with the weight of the Soltera. I love that Aventon is conservative with their claimed range, and lists the ranges based on peddle assist levels.
The battery is built into the bottom of the frame. I worry about batteries falling out when they are attached to the bottom. However, the Soltera has a key and an additional safety latch to hold the battery in place.
Beautiful paint job that can be hard to keep clean
Jimmy and I received the Onyx Black version of the Aventon Soltera. The shiny black paint job is gorgeous, but you can easily see smudges in the sunlight. I do find black cars are hard to keep clean, so I would hope the other colors of the Soltera don’t show smudge marks as easy.
Does the Aventon Soltera remember what peddle assist level you were at when you turn it back on?
One obnoxious feature of the Aventon Soltera is that it will always reset back to 0 peddle assist when turning the ebike off and on. The display will remember your last trip distance, but it will not remember your peddle assist level.
It is easy to turn up the speed settings, but I wish the bike would remember what pedal assist I last left the bike on.
Does the Aventon Soltera allow you to use the throttle in PAS 0?
No, you cannot use the throttle when on Peddle Assist mode 0.
I hate when ebikes don’t allow you to use the throttle when in peddle assist mode 0. Sometimes I like to manually peddle an ebike and only use the throttle when completely stopped or riding up hills.
The Aventon Soltera does not allow you to use throttle only when in PAS 0. I am always confused why some ebikes allow you to throttle in PAS 0 and some ebikes do not.
What type of brakes are on the Aventon Soltera?
The Aventon Soltera features caliper brakes.
I prefer mechanical or hydraulic disc brakes over caliper brakes. Caliper brakes stop fine, but disc brakes feel much better and are safer in wet conditions.
The brake choice is my biggest gripe with the Aventon Soltera.
For current pricing on the Aventon Soltera, click here.For current pricing on the Step Through Aventon Soltera, click here.
Who is the Aventon Soltera perfect for?
The Aventon Soltera is the perfect ebike for someone who wants to get into ebikes, but wants a tradtional road bike feeling.
The Aventon Soltera is nimble and would be great for high pedestrian and traffic areas. The Soltera is light enough to carry up stairs and into public transportation.
The Aventon Soltera is a gorgeous ebike and perfect for those who want something aesthetically pleasing. If you are all about having the latest tech, the Aventon Soltera’s app is by far the most premium app we have seen for an ebike.
If you want a simple refined ebike, you should definitely keep the Aventon Soltera in mind.
Aventon Soltera Discount Codes, Coupon Codes, and Pricing
For current pricing on the Aventon Soltera, click here.
For current pricing on the Step Through Aventon Soltera, click here.
Click here to view all our coupons and discounts on scooters and other PEVs.
Click here to view all the safety gear that Jimmy and I use.
– Please join our eBikepedia group for the most up-to-date information.
Interested in electric scooters, check out our gotscooter blog.
Click here to check out all our coupon codes for other PEVs.
Aventon Soltera Review | Aventon’s Most Affordable Ebike Yet!
Aventon’s newest creation is the Aventon Soltera. The Soltera is a city bike that has design elements of a sleek road bike but with a more comfortable riding position. At 1,199 for the single-speed option and 1,299 for the seven-speed, it is the most affordable Aventon ebike you can buy. (Note that the Aventon Pace 350 is priced at 1,299). Check out our video review below or read on for our full Aventon Soltera review.
Aventon Soltera Electrical Components (Motor, Battery and more)
The Soltera uses a 36V 350 watt (nominal) rear hub motor powered by a 36V 10Ah battery (360 watt-hours). The battery uses LG cells and is integrated nicely into the bottom of the Soltera frame.
It’s a Class 2 electric bike, meaning throttle and pedal assist (cadence sensor) up to 20 MPH. Aventon quotes a range estimate of 41 miles. Check out Aventon’s Soltera range estimates below which are based on real-world riding. The battery is charged with an included 2 Amp charger.
Even though the Soltera is a more budget-friendly ebike from Aventon it still uses the same display found on the Aventon Aventure fat tire ebike (see our review), their most expensive electric bike. This means you can use a mobile device and pair it with your Aventon ebike. The Aventon app allows for some customization including changing settings, ride tracking, social interaction, gamification, and more. Aventon did a nice job with the app and it is a differentiator. Mobile apps are a feature often seen from ebike companies that sell much more expensive ebikes.
Finally, the Aventon Soltera has a left-hand thumb throttle though it’s important to be cognizant of throttle usage simple due to the battery size on the Soltera. Using the 5 levels of assist (cadence sensor) will lead to a longer range.
Soltera 7-Speed vs Soltera Single-Speed
The components on the Soltera differ slightly between the 7-speed and single-speed. Mainly, having the option to shift gears but also the brakes.
The included 7-Speed derailleur is Shimano Tourney which is an entry-level component offered by Shimano. In our experience, it performs adequately and is a common component you’ll find on many ebikes in this price range. The shifter is a twist-shifter, something we don’t often see on many electric bikes.
But here’s where it gets interesting. The 7-speed Soltera comes with Tektro mechanical disc brakes (160mm rotors). On the single-speed are lighter Tektro caliper brakes. Both should provide plenty of stopping power, especially for such a light ebike. However, the mechanical brakes are likely to perform better in wet conditions. The caliper brakes on the other hand will be easier to adjust and replace, even for the amateur home mechanic.
The single-speed clocks in at just 41 lbs and the 7-speed Aventon Soltera weighs 43 lbs.
Soltera Components
All of the other components on the Soltera models are the same. Since the Soltera ebike leans more towards being a road bike for the city, it has thin Kenda 700 x 35c tires. Both axles front and rear are nutted so no quick release. The stem has a slight rise of 7-degrees and a Selle Royal rounds out the components found on the Soltera. Check out the full Aventon Soltera specs.
What Makes the Aventon Soltera Special?
Cables are nicely wrapped and hidden into the frame of the Soltera frame (pictured below). The integrated front light that runs off the Soltera battery is plenty bright and mounts on the handlebars. In the rear are integrated lights that are built right into the frame. This is a feature we first saw with the popular Aventon Aventure (though that ebike only had the light on one side). Not only do these lights look great but they will also increase visibility – something important for city riding.
Ebike Escape’s Take
Aventon continues to impress with their new ebike models. The Soltera is one of those ebikes where you get what you pay for and then a little bit more – a fully-featured LCD display, integrated lights, app connectivity, and let’s not forget the sleek design.
It’s a 36-volt system with a 350-watt motor so you shouldn’t expect an overwhelmingly powerful ebike. But that’s not the point. It’s meant to be an efficient, lightweight ebike that can be used in the city or on paved paths. And the Soltera does just that. If you are shopping for an ebike in the 1,000-1.300 price range the Aventon Soltera should 100% be on your list. Check out the full specs on Aventon’s website (and support Ebike Escape!).
Aventon Soltera Review: Specs, Price, Pros and Cons
With summer right around the corner, getting outside and enjoying the sunshine while you can should be at the top of your to-do list. As an avid bike enthusiast for years, my favorite thing to do when the weather starts to warm up is dust off the old bicycle and hit the trails. But this year, I wanted to do something different.
I’ve always been fascinated by electric bicycles, or “e-bikes,” but the thought of maneuvering around a clunky and heavy bike with a huge battery and short range just wasn’t appealing to me. Luckily for me, e-bike technology has improved drastically since the early days, and modern e-bikes are sleek, fast, and capable of some truly impressive distances.
After researching for months, and testing out several different models (I’m lucky enough to have an awesome e-bike shop near me), I finally decided on the Aventon Soltera 7. Today’s article will be a full breakdown of the bike, including what I love about it, what I hate about it, and if you should consider getting one for yourself. Let’s get to it!
Aventon Soltera: Overview
While e-bikes have been around for a while, Aventon is a relatively new company. Founded by JW Zhang in 2017, Aventon changed the game in regard to budget e-bikes, and the company now has over a dozen different models, including commuter, cruiser, off-road, and even cargo bikes.
Release Date and Price
The Aventon Soltera is one of the latest models from the company, released a little over a year ago, as of this writing. What makes this bike truly impressive is the low price. Starting at just 1199, it is one of the cheapest e-bikes you can get. But that doesn’t mean it’s lacking in style, performance, or build quality. We’ll talk more about those in a second.
Of course, the price could fluctuate depending on where you get it from. I actually paid a little bit more for mine, since I had it professionally assembled for me. But I’ve been told that this model is super simple to put together yourself if you have a little time on your hands and don’t mind reading some instructions.
Different Models
Aventon offers the Soltera in a few different formats to suit your tastes:
The difference between single-speed and seven-speed will depend on the sort of terrain and elevation you’ll be tackling. I opted for the seven-speed model since I live in a hilly area, but the single-speed model will work fine if you use your bike in more urban or flat terrain.
As for the step-over or step-through version, you just have to ask yourself if you are comfortable lifting your leg all the way over to mount the bike, or if you want a little easier time with it.
I also can’t forget to mention that the Soltera comes in two sizes: large and small. Both of them are suitable for an adult, but your height will determine which one is best for you. The smaller one is ideal if you are between 5’3” and 5’10,” and the larger model is better if you are taller.
Additionally, you can pick from three different colors for your bike: black, azure blue, or citrine. I chose citrine, which, as you can see from the pictures, is a high-visibility, flashy color. It’s not for everyone, but it gives the bike a more high-end “racing bike” style and helps to ensure you are easy to see on the road.
Features
The Aventon Soltera comes with plenty of standard features that are commonplace on much more expensive bikes. At first glance, nothing really jumps out at you, since everything is neatly integrated into the frame, and you can hardly tell it is an e-bike, thanks to the battery’s cozy center compartment.
Looking a little closer, you’ll notice that it is packed with features. You have a removable 9.6ah 36v lithium-ion battery, integrated headlights and tail lights, an onboard computer, a speedometer, throttle control, ergonomic pedals, and handlebar grips.
Everything is adjustable to suit your comfort preferences, and for even more customization, you can add accessories like baskets, fenders, mirrors, and water bottle holders. Before we dive into the specifics of each component and what it’s like to use it on the road, let’s take a closer look at the tech specs.
Specifications
| Electric range | Up to 41 miles |
| Top speed | 20 mph electric |
| Weight | 43 pounds |
| Maximum weight limit | 300 pounds |
| Lights | Front and rear integrated LEDs |
| Tires | 700c35c Kenda K193 |
| Frame | Aluminum alloy |
| Brakes | 160mm mechanical disc brakes |
| Cassette | 7-speed |
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano RD-TY300D |
Aventon Soltera: Review
The Aventon Soltera is designed as a city commuter bike, and it excels at that. You have enough speed to accelerate rapidly from a standstill and enough braking power to bring you to a stop at the drop of a hat, too. Now that I have owned this e-bike for a few months, I’ve had a chance to put it through its paces and really give it a beating.
With the pedal assistance turned on, you can easily conquer steep hills and windy days far better than a conventional bike. The full-size step-over model doesn’t give away the fact that it is an e-bike, and other riders will only know that you have an electric motor because of how fast you go speeding past them.
As someone who’s not out of shape, but also not an Olympic Champion, the Soltera is pretty heavy to move under your own power. If you run out of battery while far from home, it will definitely be a slog to get back.
Unless you’re going down a hill, you’re going to feel the extra weight of the battery and electronics. Even still, it makes up for the extra weight in plenty of ways.
Design and Build Quality
If you’re accustomed to the clunky old e-bikes of the last decade, the Aventon Soltera will really blow you away. The design is one of its strongest areas, and its sleek aluminum frame gives off a high-end style that looks a lot more expensive than it is.
No matter what color you get, the Soltera will definitely turn heads and, at first glance, it doesn’t immediately give away the fact that it is an electric bike. The battery is integrated cleanly into the frame — barely thicker than your standard commuter bike. The wheels and tires are slim and aerodynamic, and the mechanical disc brakes are a nice added touch.
If you like riding at night, the integrated headlights and tail lights are a nice touch. While I was personally a little disappointed that they can’t go into strobe mode or blink, they do get extremely bright. The headlight is enough to illuminate the street in front of you for at least a hundred feet, and the brake lights come on extra bright when you tap your brakes.
Additionally, the IPX4 water resistance means getting caught in the rain is not a problem. You shouldn’t submerge your bike (who’s riding underwater, anyway?), but you can ride in the rain and leave your bike outside if you really want to.
Performance and Handling
Compared to other e-bikes on the market, the Aventon Soltera is a steal. It feels like a racing bike once you get it up to speed. But, if you’re hoping to enjoy true “racing heritage,” it might be a little slow for you. The 350-watt electric motor propels the bike up to a solid 20 miles per hour, and getting there only takes a few seconds.
If you’re a speed demon in search of something faster, it will probably disappoint. That being said, you’ll still want to wear a helmet at all times, and don’t underestimate its power, especially if you’ve never had an e-bike.
Thanks to the throttle control, you can get up to 20 mph without pedaling at all. However, if you really want to accelerate faster, then pedal assist mode will help you out a lot. With five different levels of pedal assist, you can dial in precisely how much help you want from the electric motor.
Level 1 will give you a slight boost, but you won’t feel much more power than a standard bicycle. Next up is Level 2, which will boost your speed a bit more. However, you will struggle to get over 10 miles per hour.
Level 3 is the sweet spot, in my opinion, with the perfect balance of assistance that doesn’t hog your battery. Turning up the assistance to Level 4 or 5 will get you to top speed with minimal effort, but will drain your battery quicker.
Range and Charging
Aventon says the Soltera can get up to 41 miles on a single charge, and while this isn’t exactly false, I would say it is difficult to achieve, most of the time.
Realistically, you can expect at least 30 miles, especially if you’re using the bike at between Level 3 and 4 pedal assistance. If you’re using nothing but the throttle, you can expect even less, with around 20 to 25 miles maximum range.
The interesting thing is that your battery percentage shown by the onboard computer will fluctuate up and down as you ride. This led to a little confusion when it first happened to me. I noticed the battery dip below 1 percent and thought it was about to die, but upon turning the pedal assistance down, the percentage came right back up to a reasonable level.
That being said, you can charge the Soltera battery back up to 100% pretty quickly. In fact, if you don’t let the battery dip below 20%, then you can easily get back to a full charge within a couple of hours. Even if you let it reach 0% (which you shouldn’t do if you want to keep the battery healthy), it still only takes three hours to charge all the way.
If you fancy yourself a long-distance rider, you might want to consider a second battery. As someone who lives in a rural area, a single battery will get me to the nearest city, but I will be out of luck if I need to turn around and go back.
Thanks to the swappable battery, I can simply carry an extra one on me if I happen to run out. The only problem with this is that batteries are not cheap: expect to pay at least 300 for a battery replacement.
Aventon Soltera: Pros and Cons
If you’re wondering if the Aventon Soltera is for you, consider these pros and cons before you buy.
Pros:
- Highly affordable
- Very sleek, stylish design
- Multiple assistance levels
- Plenty of features
Aventon Soltera: Is It a Buy?
With so much going for it, should you consider buying the Aventon Soltera?
Buy it if…
…This is your first e-bike, and you want something decent without breaking the bank.
Fellow e-bike enthusiasts have told me the Soltera is an impressive e-bike even compared to other high-end models of just a few years ago. So, you’re really getting a good bang for your buck.
For the price, you get a decent range and a zippy top speed. Sure, it’s not as fast as more expensive bikes, but it definitely beats pedaling the old-fashioned way.
If you’re looking for a city commuter, you can’t go wrong with the Aventon Soltera. With around 30 miles of range under average usage, you can easily get back and forth to work no matter what city you’re in. And the fact that you can take the battery out and charge it up so you have some juice for the ride home makes it a no-brainer.
Don’t buy it if…
…You want a really long-range e-bike.
I will admit, there are plenty of bikes out there with more range. Models from other companies like Optibike, Delfast, and DŌST Kope claim upwards of 100 miles on a single charge. However, those bikes also come with significantly higher price tags. Be prepared to drop at least double or triple the price of the Soltera if you want access to a much higher range.
If you want a really fast e-bike, the Aventon Soltera might not satisfy your need for speed. Models from Delfast and Ristretto claim upwards of 50 mph top speeds. But those models are in a league of their own and are substantially more expensive. For a city commuter, the Soltera is decidedly average in terms of speed.
Additionally, if you’re hoping to do some offroading or hit the trails on your e-bike, the Soltera is not the best choice. Low-profile tires mean that you won’t get the best handling on rough or uneven terrain, and you even risk damaging the wheels, depending on where you ride.
The complete lack of any suspension means that you will feel any bumps and potholes in the road. So, it is safe to say the Soltera is a bad choice if you want a mountain bike.
Aventon Soltera Review: Specs, Price, Pros and Cons FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Are Aventon bikes good quality?
Aventon has been making e-bikes for several years, and the reviews point to a history of quality and great support. Aventon bikes are easy to assemble and also easy to repair and find replacement parts.
The Soltera is one of the more budget-minded models from the company, but its build quality and design are reminiscent of higher-end bikes.
What is Aventon Soltera range?
The Aventon Soltera can get up to 41 miles on a single charge, although you should expect closer to 30 miles if you are relying heavily on pedal assistance.
How much does the Aventon Soltera weigh?
The Aventon Soltera weighs 43 pounds, which is relatively light compared to similar e-bikes.
What is the top speed of Aventon Soltera ebike?
The electric motor can push the Soltera up to 20 miles per hour. If you are feeling particularly athletic, you can add another few miles per hour to this number.
If you are going down a hill, you can reach even more eye-watering speeds. Conversely, if you are going up a steep incline, you will struggle to get over 10 mph.
What class is the Aventon Soltera?
The Aventon Soltera is a class 2 e-bike. However, with the throttle control removed, it can fit into the class 1 distinction (useful if you are riding somewhere class 2 e-bikes are not permitted).
About the Author
Tyler Von Harz
Tyler Von Harz is a writer with a passion for computers and technology. When he isn’t writing about graphics cards, processors, and computers, he is working in his computer store, where he builds and repairs PCs. Outside of working on computers, Tyler also enjoys creating coding tutorials and sharing stories about what it is like to run a computer store on his blog: tylerthetech.com