Aventon Soltera 7 Speed Review

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2022 Aventon Soltera 7 Speed Electric Bike Review
2022 Aventon Soltera 7 Speed
2022 Aventon Soltera 7 Speed 350 Watt Geared Hub Motor
2022 Aventon Soltera 7 Speed Removable Downtube Battery Pack
2022 Aventon Soltera 7 Speed Riser Handlebar Lcd Display Shifter Trigger Throttle
2022 Aventon Soltera 7 Speed Rigid Aluminum Alloy Fork
2022 Aventon Soltera 7 Speed Front View Headlight On
2022 Aventon Soltera 7 Speed Rear View Lights On
2022 Aventon Soltera 7 Speed 48 Tooth Chainring Bottom Bracket
2022 Aventon Soltera 7 Speed Front Wheel Kenda Reflective Tires 160mm Disc Brakes
2022 Aventon Soltera 7 Speed Downtube Charging Port
2022 Aventon Soltera 7 Speed Crank Arms Pedals Kickstand
2022 Aventon Soltera 7 Speed Selle Royal Assenza Plus Saddle
2022 Aventon Soltera 7 Speed Seat Stay Lights Mechanical Disc Brakes
2022 Aventon Soltera 7 Speed Shimano Tourney Derailleur 14 28 Tooth Freewheel
2022 Aventon Soltera 7 Speed Left Side
2022 Aventon Soltera 7 Speed Ebike
2022 Aventon Soltera 7 Speed Box Charger Battery Off Bike
2022 Aventon Soltera 7 Speed Removable 36 Volt 350wh Battery 2 Amp Charger
2022 Aventon Soltera 7 Speed High Step Citrine Yellow
2022 Aventon Soltera 7 Speed High Step Onyx Black
2022 Aventon Soltera 7 Speed High Step Azure Blue
2022 Aventon Soltera 7 Speed Electric Bike Review
2022 Aventon Soltera 7 Speed
2022 Aventon Soltera 7 Speed 350 Watt Geared Hub Motor
2022 Aventon Soltera 7 Speed Removable Downtube Battery Pack
2022 Aventon Soltera 7 Speed Riser Handlebar Lcd Display Shifter Trigger Throttle
2022 Aventon Soltera 7 Speed Rigid Aluminum Alloy Fork
2022 Aventon Soltera 7 Speed Front View Headlight On
2022 Aventon Soltera 7 Speed Rear View Lights On
2022 Aventon Soltera 7 Speed 48 Tooth Chainring Bottom Bracket
2022 Aventon Soltera 7 Speed Front Wheel Kenda Reflective Tires 160mm Disc Brakes
2022 Aventon Soltera 7 Speed Downtube Charging Port
2022 Aventon Soltera 7 Speed Crank Arms Pedals Kickstand
2022 Aventon Soltera 7 Speed Selle Royal Assenza Plus Saddle
2022 Aventon Soltera 7 Speed Seat Stay Lights Mechanical Disc Brakes
2022 Aventon Soltera 7 Speed Shimano Tourney Derailleur 14 28 Tooth Freewheel
2022 Aventon Soltera 7 Speed Left Side
2022 Aventon Soltera 7 Speed Ebike
2022 Aventon Soltera 7 Speed Box Charger Battery Off Bike
2022 Aventon Soltera 7 Speed Removable 36 Volt 350wh Battery 2 Amp Charger
2022 Aventon Soltera 7 Speed High Step Citrine Yellow
2022 Aventon Soltera 7 Speed High Step Onyx Black
2022 Aventon Soltera 7 Speed High Step Azure Blue

Summary

  • A light, efficient, affordable city electric bike. This option includes a basic Shimano Tourney 7-speed drivetrain and Tektro mechanical disc brakes with 160mm rotors. Efficient 350 watt hub motor and 350 watt hour removable battery pack.
  • Available in two frame styles: High-Step and Mid-Step, two frame sizes each, and three colors each. Lots of options to get the correct fit and a unique style. Outstanding integrated lights including their position, brightness, and brake activation.
  • One of the best display panels and smart phone apps I've seen for any electric bike. The button pad is easy to reach and includes a dedicated lights button, the large color LCD is intuitive to navigate and includes a settings menu, the app allows you to adjust the top speed and engage in a social feed to share rides and pictures.
  • Rigid aluminum frame with no suspension and narrow tires means it's efficient but also jarring to ride on bumpy terrain. Opportunities to improve include additional bottle cage mounts, a derailleur guard, tougher display screen, wider gear range, and faster motor activation... or the option to change power delivery since it ramps up very gradually.

Video Review

Introduction

Make:

Aventon

Model:

Soltera 7 Speed

Price:

$1,399 ($1,299 for Single Speed)

Body Position:

Forward

Suggested Use:

Neighborhood, Urban

Electric Bike Class:

Throttle on Demand (Class 2)
Learn more about Ebike classes

Warranty:

1 Year Comprehensive, Lifetime Frame

Availability:

United States, Canada

Model Year:

2022

Bicycle Details

Total Weight:

44.8 lbs (20.32 kg)

Battery Weight:

4.8 lbs (2.17 kg)

Motor Weight:

9 lbs (4.08 kg)

Frame Material:

6061 Double-Butted Aluminum Alloy

Frame Sizes:

20 in (50.8 cm)22 in (55.88 cm)

Geometry Measurements:

Large Measurements: 22" Seat Tube, 22.25" Top Tube, 32" Stand Over Height, 36" Minimum Saddle Height, 25" Width, 42" Wheelbase, 69.5" Length

Frame Types:

High-Step, Mid-Step

Frame Colors:

Gloss Onyx Black, Gloss Azure Blue, Gloss Citrine Yellow

Frame Fork Details:

AE-E09 Rigid Aluminum Alloy, 100mm Hub Spacing, 9mm Threaded Axle with Nuts

Frame Rear Details:

135mm Hub Spacing,12mm Threaded Keyed Axle with Nuts

Attachment Points:

Rear Rack Mount, Fender Mounts, Bottle Cage Mount Below Top Tube

Gearing Details:

7 Speed 1x7 Shimano RD-TY300D Derailleur, Shimano MF-TZ500-7 14-28 Tooth Freewheel

Shifter Details:

Shimano RevoShift Half-Grip Twist Shifter with Optical Gear Window on Right

Cranks:

BD2WR Forged Aluminum Alloy, 170mm Length, 48 Tooth Steel Chainring with Aluminum Alloy Guard

Pedals:

Feimin 9/16

Headset:

Semi-Integrated, Sealed Cartridge Bearings, Straight 1-1/8"

Stem:

Aluminum Alloy, Threadless, 7 Degree Rise, 90mm Length, Three 10mm Spacers, One 15mm Tapered Base Spacer, 31.8mm Clamp Diameter

Handlebar:

Aluminum Alloy, Mid-Rise, 620mm Length, 31.8mm Bore

Brake Details:

Tektro Mechanical Disc with 160mm Rotors, Tektro Three-Finger Levers with Motor Inhibitors, Integrated Bell on Left, and Brake Light Activation

Grips:

Aventon Branded, Ergonomic Rubber, Inner Lock Ring

Saddle:

Selle Royal Essenza+

Seat Post:

Zoom, Aluminum Alloy, Single Bolt Clamp

Seat Post Length:

280 mm

Seat Post Diameter:

27.2 mm

Rims:

Deep Dish, Aluminum Alloy, Double Wall, Machined Sidewalls, 25mm Outer Width, 30mm Depth, 36 Hole

Spokes:

Stainless Steel, 13 Gauge, Black with Silver Nipples

Tire Brand:

Kenda Kwest, 700x35c 28" x 1-5/8" x 1-3/8" (37-622)

Wheel Sizes:

28 in (71.12cm)

Tire Details:

50 to 85 PSI, 3.5 to 6.0 BAR, Reflective Sidewall Striping

Tube Details:

Presta Valve

Accessories:

Adjustable Length Kickstand (40mm Spacing), Seat Stay Integrated Rear Lights (Side Visibility, Brake Mode Bright Activation, 8 LEDs Each Side), Handlebar Mounted Integrated Headlight (Single Square Bright LED, Aimable, Plastic Supports)

Other:

Locking Removable Downtube-Integrated Battery Pack, Aventon Branded 1.2lb 42 Volt 2 Amp Charger

Electronic Details

Motor Brand:

Aventon Branded

Motor Type:

Rear-Mounted Geared Hub
Learn more about Ebike motors

Motor Nominal Output:

350 watts

Battery Brand:

LG Cells, Model GW-JH-AE1002MY-M50LT

Battery Voltage:

36 volts

Battery Amp Hours:

9.6 ah

Battery Watt Hours:

345.6 wh

Battery Chemistry:

Lithium-Ion

Charge Time:

4 hours

Estimated Min Range:

22 miles (35 km)

Estimated Max Range:

63 miles (101 km)

Display Type:

Fixed, Adjustable Angle, Color 2.87" LCD

Readouts:

Lights Icon, Battery Percentage, Battery Infographic (5 Bars), Current Speed, Assist Level (0-5), Trip Distance, Odometer, Avg Speed, Max Speed, TripTime, Cal Burnt, Trip CO2 Reduced, Trip Trees Saved, Sum CO2 Reduced, Sum Trees Saved

Display Accessories:

Independent Button Pad on Left, Buttons: Power, +, -, i, Lights, Walk Mode: Hold - (Only Active in PAS 1-5), Settings Menu: Hold i

Drive Mode:

Cadence Sensing Pedal Assist, Trigger Throttle (Bottom Bracket Integrated Cadence Sensor)

Top Speed:

20 mph (32 kph)

Written Review

This review was provided for free using a demo bike. My goal is to be transparent and unbiased with you, this video and writeup are not meant to be an endorsement of Aventon products. I welcome your corrections, additions, and feedback in the comments below, and the Aventon electric bike forums.

Observations:

  • The Soltera is a Class 2 electric bike, meaning that it offers pedal assist and throttle mode. You can adjust the top speed using the optional smartphone app, and remove the throttle to make it Class 1 if you wish.
  • Aventon started making fixed-gear bicycles in 2013, and over the years they have steadily grown in size and turned to focus on the ebike space. The Soltera is their most affordable modal, but it is still available in two frame styles, three sizes, and six colors across the line. This particular loadout is the high-step, large, citrine yellow, with the 7-speed setup vs. single speed. It adds gears and mechanical disc brakes for $100 more than the single speed.

Pros:

  • The bike looks beautiful in person. Everything from the paint, decals, integrated wires, battery integration, and branded accents like the Aventon grips, display, and colored stem cap. Maximum attention to detail.
  • The display panel and optional smartphone app are above average. They are very intuitive to navigate and use. I love that the display even has a USB charging port built into the bottom! I just feel like they checked every box, but managed to keep it intuitive to use.
  • The display shows battery percentage, so it’s more precise than a lot of other affordable bike displays. It also shows trees and CO2 saved by riding. All of the other expected readouts are present, and it’s easy to navigate through with the large button pad.
  • The trigger throttle is easy to reach, can be removed without sliding off the left grip (if you wish to convert to Class 1), and I love that it’s setup to override Assist 1-5 with full power. This means you can zoom faster or get started from standstill without pressing any + and – buttons.
  • Considering that Aventon is a smaller company than Specialized, Giant, and Trek, their smartphone app is as good and sometimes better. It doesn’t have route planning, but it will record your trips, allow you to adjust backlight brightness, top speed, and perform firmware updates. There’s a social feed to share pictures and comments. I found it to be very responsive, easy to connect to the bike, and easy to navigate and use.
  • It’s relatively light weight at ~45lbs for the large, and the weight is positioned low and center. The battery only weighs 4.8lbs and I love that it can be charged on or off the bike.
  • The charging port and locking cylinder for the battery are positioned high on either side of the frame. This means you won’t get cables snagged during charging and won’t have to bend over as far to plug in or unlock.
  • The battery connects to the frame securely and has an intuitive latch, it is similar to the Bosch PowerPack but lighter and easier to use! I was able to re-insert the battery without fumbling with the keys or taking additional steps. High praise here.
  • The battery charger is very compact and light at just 1.2lbs. It feel sturdy and has a removable wall-side plug to make it even smaller if you’re packing into a bag to take along on your ride. The bike also comes with an Aventon branded multi-tool, which made me smile.
  • I love the QR code inside the accessories box, which links to an assembly video online! It’s a thoughtful way to save paper and weight, and it’s more interactive and dynamic. There is a QR code on the display to help sync the smartphone app if you decide to download it.
  • Great kickstand mount with wide sturdy 40mm bolt spacing. I love that the kickstand is far enough back to not create pedal lock if you back the bike up. The kickstand itself offers adjustable length, which is a nice touch.
  • It appears that the cadence sensor is built into the bottom bracket, very hidden and protected. Most of the time, I see a plastic ring with a wire and sometimes exposed magnets. This setup is very clean.
  • The reflective tires and integrated lights are a big draw for me, because they improve safety by keeping you visible to cars. The headlight is high up and points where you steer, I prefer this position on the handlebar vs. the fork arch because it’s less likely to get blocked by a fender. The rear lights use 8 LEDs each and are visible from the back and sides. They go extra bright when braking, even if they are already turned on.
  • The handlebar is shorter than average, which makes it easier to fit through doors and between cars if you’re riding through traffic or a parking lot. This is a great bike for the city, and it still felt stable when I rode with no hands, no wobble.
  • Comes with a solid one year comprehensive warranty and lifetime for the frame. It’s widely available thanks to Aventon’s hybrid model of selling direct to consumers with free shipping and a large network dealers (we count over 300 in North America).

Cons:

  • Since the bike does not have a suspension fork or seat post included, and the tires are fairly narrow and high pressure, the ride can feel a bit jarring. You do have the option to lower the tire pressure to 50 PSI, but that reduces efficiency and increases the risk of pinch flats. You can add a 27.2mm suspension seat post for improved comfort, but this will raise the minimum saddle height and add weight. The included Selle Royal gel saddle, ergonomic grips, and mid-rise handlebar help a bit.
  • If you go for the high-step, as shown in this review, the stand over height is pretty tall. This is due to the larger wheel diameter and classic diamond frame that doesn’t slope down or have a bend. I measured 32″ for the stand-over on the size large frame. Consider the mid-step if you have hip or knee sensitivity.
  • Considering how much space is open inside the main triangle, I feel that they could have added an additional bottle cage mount on the seat tube and possible down tube (as long as it wouldn’t interfere with the battery pack). As it is, the open space allows for very easy lifting of the frame, hanging on some car racks, and adding a frame bag like this.
  • I love that the bike comes with a clear sticker slap guard, but it does not have a derailleur guard. This would help to protect the motor power cable and derailleur during shipping, or if the bike tips over.
  • The 7-speed drivetrain is pretty basic with entry-level derailleur and limited 14-28 tooth freewheel vs. the 14-32 tooth or wider options. This just means it weighs more, might require more maintenance, isn’t as stiff, and the shifter mechanism requires a bit more hand effort to twist and is slower than trigger shifters.
  • The display, headlight, and all mounts at the front are plastic. They don’t feel as durable as aluminum alloy. The screen of the display isn’t glass, and I noticed that it already had a couple of little scratches even though I was being very careful (and it’s not removable). Thankfully it’s somewhat protected at the center of the handlebar. I did have to regularly re-position the headlight to aim where I wanted, perhaps the support needed to be tighter, but I just don’t think it’s as sturdy as metal.
  • The headlight is bright and has a cut off beam to avoid blinding traffic, but it doesn’t have side cutouts. It isn’t as visible from multiple angles as the rear lights or some alternative headlight designs.
  • The motor ramps up slowly and doesn’t feel that powerful at first. Perhaps this is an intentional controller setting to help maximize range. I’d like it to feel faster and stronger, especially if I’m in the highest PAS setting or using the trigger throttle at full. I would feel more secure crossing streets and it would reduce knee pressure if I was in the wrong gear or on the single speed and just starting from standstill.
  • The tires do not appear to have puncture protection built in, and both wheels attach with threaded axles and nuts. This is good for security, but more difficult if you have to change a flat. Do check the tire pressure regularly because getting too low makes it easier to get pinch flats with narrow tires like these if you hit a tall obstacle or go off a curb.
  • Mechanical disc brakes require more hand effort than hydraulic, the rotors aren’t especially large at 160mm vs. 180mm (especially given the larger wheel size), and the brake line for the rear caliper aims down. This means it would be easier for water and dust to accumulate and “gum up” the brake action, slowing it down and requiring more hand effort.

Useful Resources:

Review Updated On

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Comments (3) YouTube Comments

scott t
12 months ago

I have this ebike in the large size black color. For my nearly 6’4″/210lb frame it provides comfortable seating and works well for me. I am coming to this bike from a rad power rad city 3 that i did enjoy. This bike, if I need to transport is about 30 lbs lighter… one of the main reasons I got it and Aventon had a ‘sepecial’ to get a free front rack and a discounted 2nd battery. The front rack is neat as it has a can holder and wood bottom. Despite the lighter weight I do find that I need to ride at power lvl 3 on this bike as opposed to the rad city at lvl 2. It also doesn’t seem to heave quite the gear range on the rear sprocket. But with throttle assist and minus the magnetic drag from the rad city brushless motor, this bike seems to accelerate faster and coast with much less resistance. It is equipped with a grip shifter which I kind of like. It doesn’t have a suspension fork but with the 35c tires and really nice aluminum frame road imperfections didn’t seem much of an issue. One great features is the built in lighting… the stock headlight is quite good and the rear LEDs are built into the frame and quite visible. I don’t think it will have quite the range of the rad city 3 but my bike is mostly used for errands and groceries with rides not exceeding 15 miles on most occasions. Z nice value option in ebikes.

  Reply
robert
10 months ago

Very interesting bikes.

  Reply
Court
9 months ago

Yeah, I agree with you Robert. The Aventon Soltera really impressed me with the lights, nice styling, and decent price :)

  Reply

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