Aventon Soltera

One of the biggest challenges of e-bike design is that the bigger the motor, the more it weighs. The same goes for batteries. That creates a challenge for a bike designer; a more powerful motor gives up some of the value of its wattage by virtue of the fact that the increased weight negates it. Similarly, a more powerful battery weighs more and therefore reduces an e-bike’s range. Rather than beefing up both motor and battery for the Aventon Soltera.2, Aventon went in the other direction; specced with a 350W brushless motor and a 360Wh battery, the Soltera.2 tips the scales at just 46 lbs.

The Aventon Soltera.2 is modeled on single-speed, flat-bar road bikes known as fixies. It features skinny tires which give the bike a more agile feeling. They also increase its efficiency, making it easier to accelerate and using less energy at speed. Additionally, the 700C wheels roll over bumps more easily and offer a stable ride. 

These brakes are plenty powerful for the kind of riding buyers will do on this bike. The mechanical brakes work well with the bikes lower weight, help to keep costs down, and make replacements easier. And while the tires on the Aventon Soltera are narrower than we often see on e-bikes, they aren’t as skinny as the tires we see on racing bikes, so they will still offer a relatively comfortable ride even on rough roads.

PRO’S

• The riser bar, skinny tires and hidden battery gives the Soltera.2 the look of a fixie
• At 46 lbs., the Soltera is a surprisingly light e-bike and as a result it has a zippy feel on the road that is refreshing
• Most similar e-bikes are spec’d with a battery smaller than the 360Wh battery found on the Soltera, which gives it a surprisingly long range
• Even though this is a budget-oriented model, Aventon doesn’t go cheap; the Soltera is equipped with the full-color LCD display, companion app and inset taillight

CON’S

• Riders looking for an e-bike with a powerful motor might not appreciate this bike’s balance of power vs. weight; this bike is meant to make use of a smaller motor in a lighter bike