Takeaway: Many commuter-style e-bikes have complicated features and designs that are impractical for many riders’ lifestyles. What excites us about the singlespeed Soltera is its simplicity and functionality. Aventon did away with derailleurs and disc brakes; skipped the suspension fork and fat bike-sized tires. This makes for a lighter e-bike that is easier to live with and maintain.
- Singlespeed for simplicity and no-fuss use.
- Available as 7-speed for $100 extra.
- Peppy rear hub motor
- Standard and Step-through models, each in 2 sizes and 3 colors.
Price: $1,200
Weight: 42.1lbs (Large)
Pros
- Singlespeed for simplicity
- Lightweight (for an e-bike)
- 7-speed option available
- Competitively priced
Cons
- Singlespeeds aren't for everyone
- Rim brakes aren't for everyone
Style: City/urban e-bike
Material: 6061 double-butted aluminum alloy with internal battery
Wheel Size: 700C
Fork: Aventon Soltera AL fork
Motor: 36V, 350W (nominal) brushless rear-hub motor
Battery: Removable integrated lithium-ion 36V, 10Ah with LG cells
Drivetrain: Singlespeed
Crank: Alloy, 170mm length w/ 48T chainring
Pedals: Alloy platform
Freewheel: 16T singlespeed freewheel
Brakes: Tektro caliper
Wheels: Doublewall aluminum rims, 36H (front & rear)
Tires: Kenda K193, 700x35c
Saddle: SelleRoyal
Seatpost: Forged alloy, 27.2mm diameter, 2-bolt head
Handlebar: Aluminum 31.8mm clamp, 620mm width
Grips: Ergonomic comfort
Stem: Threadless, 31.8mm clamp, 7° rise
Other: Front & rear lights, quick release seat clamp, kickstand
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Aventon Soltera Detail Photos
In an e-bike market where the dominant feature peddled by brands often ends up being “more”—more motor, more battery, more gears, more price—this e-bike stands out by having “less,” and that makes it potentially more attractive for a lot of riders. The Soltera Singlespeed has but one gear, eschews disc brakes, and lacks suspension or extra-wide tires. This results in a very practical, no-nonsense e-bike; great for getting across town, running errands, or just cruising on the weekends or after work.
Before recently pivoting to a fully electric bike line-up, Aventon made a name for itself in the track racing and urban-riding communities by selling fixed-gear bikes. Fixies and track bikes are the most stripped-down type of bikes one can imagine. They have only one gear (on which you cannot coast, hence the term fixed gear) and no brakes. So, in a sense, Aventon returned to its roots by making such a simple and practical e-bike with the Soltera Singlespeed.
Comprised of a half-dozen different platforms (most of which are offered in traditional and step-through frames), the Aventon product line focuses on bikes for the city, commuting, and transportation needs. So, if a singlespeed isn’t your style, there are city and commuter models (such as the Level or Pace 350), fat-tire bikes, and a folding e-bike that might suit your needs. Additionally, you can also purchase the Soltera as a 7-speed model.
Aventon Soltera Bike Family
Aventon offers the Soltera in two drivetrain styles (singlespeed or 7-speed) and two frame styles (traditional or step-through). We tested the $1,200 singlespeed model in the traditional (double-diamond) frame, though all the models share many features and design details so what you read here applies to all the bikes.
The frame differences between the traditional and step-through type Soltera frames are pretty straightforward, with the step-through style having a lower toptube. Aventon sells each frame styles in two sizes (regular or large for the traditional frame, S/M and M/L for the step-through).
Aventon claims its sizing will fit riders up to a height of 6'4" on the traditional frame and down to 4'11" on the step-through. Our 6'0" tall test rider fit comfortably on the large size frame. While we tested the standard frame, we are proponents of step-through frames on bikes being used around town. They enable easier sharing between riders in a household and the low top tube makes it easier to hop on the bike or dismount, particularly when you are carrying something in your hand or your e-bike is loaded with groceries, gear, or kids in child seats.
While we like the simplicity of the singlespeed, we know the 7-speed versions will appeal to riders in hillier areas, or who may be carrying lots of cargo. The $100 option on the Soltera gets you a Shimano Tourney rear derailleur, a 7-speed cassette, and twist shifters. Stopping duties on the 7-speed variant are handled by disc brakes, whereas the singlespeed comes with long-reach caliper rim brakes.
Regardless of drivetrain style, both bikes are equipped with the same display interface, a 350-watt hub-motor system, and an integrated battery. The bikes also share the same frame geometry, though keep in mind that the frames are different and you cannot add a derailleur and multi-speed cassette to the singlespeed down the line. So, choose wisely on this option.
Riding the Soltera Singlespeed
For $1,200, you get a lot of bike with the Soltera Singlespeed. Though it comes without some popular features, such as fat tires, racks, fenders, suspension fork, disc brakes—or in this configuration, even gears and a derailleur—it is one of the most practical e-bikes we have ridden recently.
The advantages of a singlespeed bike around town are numerous. There isn’t a derailleur to damage when you lock the bike on the sidewalk bike or to bend when the bike falls over. Singlespeed drivetrains also typically require less maintenance since you don't have to worry about replacing cables or adjusting gears. Plus, they are often lighter than geared bikes. Hence the reason reliable, fuss-free singlespeeds are often the bike of choice for messengers and diehard commuters.
The drawback of traditional singlespeed bikes, however, is that they don't have extra gears to help you get up a hill easier or if you have to ride into the wind. But, the addition of an e-bike motor reduces those downsides. And we found this to be the case with the Soltera. Aside from one particularly long and steep gradient, in our riding, we were able to get up hills and overpasses with relative ease thanks to the assistance of the Aventon's 350-watt hub motor—certainly more easily than on non-assisted bikes.
As for that motor, it is the same unit used on other Aventon models. For the Soltera, Aventon tuned the motor to have maximum assistance of 20 mph and mated it with a throttle lever on the handlebar. While we have found previous Aventon models to have an abundance of torque—almost too much for some situations—the Soltera felt smoother. Pushing on the throttle results in a fluid increase in power and speed that felt natural and proportionate to the gearing of the singlespeed drivetrain. The Soltera is peppy without feeling jumpy or hyperactive.
Aventon claims the Soltera’s 10-amp-hour lithium-ion battery can power the bike for up to 41 miles in the second (10mph) of five assistance settings or up to 20-miles when using only the throttle. Claimed ranges on e-bike batteries can be unreliable because so many factors affect performance. Hills, rider weight, the direction of the wind can all significantly impact your range. During our review period, we got less than 41 miles on a charge—our test rider who weighs more than 200 pounds covered hilly roads and used a heavy thumb on the throttle. Lighter riders who are a bit more judicious with their use of the power assistance should be able to get 30 miles or more per charge.
While the Soltera forgoes some common features, Aventon's execution makes it enjoyable and easy to ride. That, as much as the thoughtful simplicity, makes it a strong value at $1,200. The bike’s bright, easy-to-operate, backlit LCD screen makes accessing ride data convenient. It shows metrics such as battery power, speed, and distance traveled. Motor controls while riding are easily reached with your left thumb by scrolling the “+” or “-” button. And Aventon’s app wirelessly syncs with the display to provide additional tuning and update the bike's firmware.
The control unit also has the power switch for the Soltera's built-in front and rear lights. Though not blindingly bright, the front light sufficiently illuminates a bike lane or bike path in the dark. The rear lights are sleek and are cleanly integrated into the Soltera's seatstays. The rear lights also serve as brake lights when the brakes are applied.
Two popular commuter bike features not included on the Soltera are racks and fenders. The frame and fork both have bosses if you want to install your own, but Aventon doesn't sell a proprietary rack (it does have other rack choices) or fender set specifically for the Soltera model. While that's less convenient than ordering them pre-installed on your bike, it does mean you have more options to choose from if you do want to add them, and that you're not paying extra for features you may not want.
The sight of rim brakes on the Soltera initially gave us pause, as most e-bikes now come with disc brakes. But their smooth and effective stopping power surprised us. Even riding on a wet day, the long-reach road calipers sufficiently stopped the 42-pound bike and rider. They worked as well, if not better than some of the cable-actuated disc brakes we’ve tested on lower-priced e-bikes.
One other benefit of rim brakes for many riders: It's easy to see when the brake pads are worn and need to be replaced. From spending time in bike shops ourselves, and in discussions with service managers, we have witnessed numerous bikes being ridden with heavily worn disc brakes pads. Due to the positioning of disc brakes, it can sometimes be tough for riders to spot worn disc pads. When they're out in the open (as with rim brakes) it is far easier to keep an eye on them for service.
With the Soltera Singlespeed, Aventon has put together a solid package for buyers seeking a sporty, functional, and practical e-bike for riding around town or college campuses, commuting, or just getting out for a weekend ride. The low maintenance nature of the singlespeed model makes it ideal for teens or city dwellers. Plus, the lower weight (compared to other e-bikes) of the Soltera will help those who might need to carry their e-bike up flights of stairs or lift it onto the bike rack of a bus.
Aventon Soltera Detail Photos
As Deputy Editor, Tara Seplavy leads Bicycling’s product test team; after having previously led product development and sourcing for multiple bike brands, run World Championship winning mountain bike teams, wrenched at renowned bicycle shops in Brooklyn, raced everything from criteriums to downhill, and ridden bikes on six different continents (landing herself in hospital emergency rooms in four countries and counting). Based in Easton, Pennsylvania, Tara spends tons of time on the road and trail testing products. A familiar face at cyclocross races, crits, and bike parks in the Mid Atlantic and New England, on weekends she can often be found racing for the New York City-based CRCA/KruisCX team. When not riding a bike, or talking about them, Tara listens to a lot of ska, punk, and emo music, and consumes too much social media.
