Aventon Soltera.2 Review: Affordability, Efficiency and Style in One
Editorial Team
2023-10-02Aventon is well known for its affordable products that push the boundaries of what low-priced electric bikes offer. Its Soltera.2 e-bike is yet another example of this.
The Aventon Soltera.2 is a budget-friendly option with a light-duty motor and a modest battery, making it ideal for those seeking a little boost on their commutes, rather than pure power.
The frame design is a tribute to Aventon’s beginnings in the fixed-gear scene. However, the new Soltera only comes in a 7-speed configuration, which is one of the biggest improvements compared to the previous version.
With trickled-down features from Aventon’s more expensive models, the Soltera.2 delivers excellent value for money. But does it outperform its competition? Let’s find out.
Aventon Soltera.2 Main Specs:
- MSRP: $1,399
- Class: Class 2, 20 mph
- Motor: 350W rear hub, 36V
- Battery: 36V, 9.6 Ah (~350 Wh)
- Range: 46 miles
- Tires: Kenda 700c x 38c
- Drivetrain: 7-speed Shimano Tourney
- Brakes: Tektro Mechanical Disc Brakes, 180 mm Rotors
- Weight: 46 lb
- Weight limit: 300 lb
Aventon Soltera.2 Review: Wallet-Friendly Torque-Sensing E-Bike
The budget lightweight e-bike selection is underserved, with few options to choose from that weigh under 50 lb. That’s just part of the reason why Aventon Soltera.2 stands out.
A combination of affordability, efficiency, and style makes it a rare find in the current landscape of budget-conscious, lightweight e-bikes.
With a streamlined aluminum frame, 46 lb weight, decent motor, integrated battery, and 7-speed drivetrain, the Soltera.2 has almost everything an urban commuter could desire.
The Aventon Soltera.2 is a standout in the e-bike market, with its unique blend of efficiency and style. It’s also one of the cheapest bikes that features a torque sensor.
This torque sensor enhances the ride quality over typical cadence sensors by responding to your power instead of the crank movement. This results in a smoother ride quality closer to that of a mid-drive e-bike.
In comparison, the Ride1UP Roadster v2, another popular pick in this category, features a single-speed drivetrain (with a belt drive), a cadence sensor, rim brakes, and a smaller battery, albeit at a slightly lower cost.
While the Soltera.2 isn’t flawless, and it would be great to see a larger battery and some basic accessories, it’s difficult to criticize it considering the $1,399 price tag.
Aventon Soltera.2 Pros and Cons
Pros
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Cons
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Sporty Aluminum Frame with Seamless integration
As some of you probably already know, Aventon used to be a big name in the fixie circles, before it started focusing exclusively on the e-bike market. The Soltera.2 is obviously an homage to those times.
It comes with a sleek aluminum frame available in step-over and step-through variations, each of which is offered in two unique colors. Each frame is also offered in two frame sizes that fit riders between 5’3″ and 6’4″ tall.
| Step-Through | Step-Over | |
| Size Regular | 4’11″ – 5’7″ | 5’3″ – 5’10″ |
| Size Large | 5’7″ – 6’1″ | 5’10″ – 6’4″ |
Given its fixie roots, the Soltera.2’s geometry is on the more aggressive side, putting you in a forward-riding position. This is by no means an athletic position, like on a proper road bike, but it’s more aggressive than on most popular city electric bikes.
The only downside of this frame is that the water bottle cage mounts are located on the underside of the top tube on the step-over version, which is not ideal. A much better position would be on the seat tube.
Reliable Motor and Battery Suitable for Urban Riding
Aventon Soltera’s motor and battery are solid for an e-bike designed for city commuting and urban riding.
With a setup like this, you’ll have no problems cruising along flat roads using throttle only, but you will need to supplement your own power when the road starts going up.
With five levels of pedal assist and a thumb throttle, the Soltera.2 offers a 46-mile max range and a 20 mph top speed. In comparison, the Ride1UP Roadster has a 28 mph top speed, but only a 20 to 30-mile range, which means you need to choose on or the other when it comes to low-weight ebikes.
Equipped with a solid 350W rear hub motor and a neatly integrated 350 Wh battery, the Soltera.2 is well-designed for city commuting and urban riding.
Considering that the Soltera.2 weighs only 46 lb and rolls on slick 700c x 38 mm tires, this motor and battery combo is just enough to provide a decent boost unless you’re a particularly heavy rider.
Entry-Level Drivetrain and Solid Disc Brakes
When it first came out, Aventon offered the Soltera with either a single-speed or a 7-speed drivetrain. However, the new Aventon Soltera.2 is only available in a 7-speed version.
On top of that, the single-speed model came with caliper brakes, whereas the 7-speed version uses Tektro mechanical discs, now with larger 180 mm rotors, which offer an improvement in braking power.
With a 7-speed cassette on the back and a 46 lb weight, you’ll find it pretty easy to pedal even with a dead battery, which is a big plus.
The Soltera’s 7-speed drivetrain and Tektro mechanical discs significantly enhance braking power and pedaling experience.
Also, by being able to shift gears and pedal more efficiently, you’ll climb hills more easily and get more range from the 350 Wh battery.
Surprisingly High-Tech Features
Full-color LCD display and rear lights with stop light and turn signal functionalities.
The lack of accessories is Soltera.2’s main downside for riders used to riding fully equipped city commuters. But even though it lacks fenders and racks, the Soltera.2 offers a few other unexpectedly advanced features.
First of all, it has a handlebar-mounted front light that’s not super bright, but it’s decent enough to see and be seen at night. It also has taillights integrated into the seat stays which have handy turn signals.
The Soltera.2 also comes with a full-color LCD display that’s compatible with Aventon’s official app and offers some cool features and metrics.
For example, on top of showing you all the standard metrics (speed, distance, average speed, odometer, etc.) it also shows you the battery level as a percentage (which is fantastic and should be more common) and how many kilograms of CO2 and trees you’ve saved by riding your e-bike instead of driving your car.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How heavy is the Aventon Soltera.2?
The Aventon Soltera.2 weighs just 46lb, which makes it one of the lightest e-bikes in its price category. Similarly equipped 7-speed e-bikes typically weigh around 55lb or more, which is a big plus for the Soltera.2.
2. What class is the Aventon Soltera.2?
The Aventon Soltera.2 is a Class 2 e-bike, as it offers five pedal-assist levels, a throttle, and a 20mph top speed. You can ride it faster than that, but the assistance from the motor cuts off when you reach 20mph.
3. What is the speed limit on Aventon Soltera.2?
The Aventon Soltera’s top speed is 20mph with both pedal assistance and throttle. However, keep in mind that its average top speed is slightly lower, as it can’t reach its maximum 20mph on hills.
4. How can I make Aventon Soltera.2 faster?
To make your Aventon Soltera.2 e-bike go faster, you need to first download the official Aventon app and then follow these steps:
- Press and hold the center button on your handlebar control to access the display menu.
- Navigate to the “Connect to App” option using the minus button ( ” – ” ).
- Launch the Aventon app on your phone, create an account, and log in.
- Within the app, tap on “scan pair.”
- Scan the QR code that appears on your e-bike’s screen.
- Assign a nickname to your e-bike and click on “confirm.”
- After successfully connecting the Aventon app to your e-bike, navigate to the settings menu in the app (click the settings icon at the top right of the e-bike page), and scroll down until you find the option to customize your top speed preference.
5. Does the Aventon Soltera.2 have a throttle?
Yes, the Aventon Soltera.2 has a thumb throttle located on the left side of the handlebars. It’s designed with grooves so it doesn’t slip under your fingers and lets you travel at a 20mph maximum speed.
6. How long does it take to charge the Aventon Soltera.2 battery?
The Aventon Soltera.2 battery charges in around three hours. The battery has a capacity of only 350 Wh, so it doesn’t take long to charge it fully. However, for the best life expectancy, you should try to keep it between 20% and 80%.
Our Verdict: Ride or Pass?
In conclusion, the Aventon Soltera.2 offers an exceptional blend of style, affordability, and utility, making it an appealing choice in the currently underserved lightweight e-bike category.
While it isn’t without its flaws, such as the lack of accessories and limited battery capacity, the Soltera’s high-tech features and solid performance outshine its minor shortcomings.
Despite minor imperfections, the Soltera, offering high-end features at a price tag of $1,399, represents exceptional value for money.
For city commuters seeking a practical, smooth, and efficient mode of transport, the Aventon Soltera.2 definitely merits strong consideration.
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