Aventon Soltera 2 Review 2024

Intro

Commuters are arguably the biggest category in the world of e-bikes. It’s a diverse segment and can include some very thoughtful designs. For instance, the Aventon Soltera.2 HS is a commuter that deviates from the usual commuter script. In our Aventon Soltera.2 HS review, we will show what makes this affordable e-bike such a remarkable combination of value and purpose.

First, let’s cover that “HS” designation. Aventon makes two different versions of the Soltera.2, the HS and the ST. The HS stands for “high step,” which means a more traditional frame design where the rider must swing their leg over the saddle in order to mount the e-bike; the ST stands for “step-thru,” meaning someone can pass their leg in front of the saddle.

While most commuter e-bikes try to pack in as many features as possible—an effort that can drive up price even as the manufacturer tries to maximize selling points, Aventon has taken a different approach with the Soltera.2 HS. Compared to many commuters, this is a somewhat more stripped-down e-bike. Think sporty, the e-bike answer to the Mazda Miata.

Aventon took a different approach than we see with some commuters. They began with a 350W brushless, geared hub motor and a 346Wh battery. They also chose 700C wheels with relatively narrow tires to make it as quick-rolling as possible. Rather than a suspension fork, they went with a crisp-handling aluminum one and they even made some strategic component choices, all of which adds up to an e-bike that weighs just 46 lbs. When we factor out $6000+ eMTBs, we can say that we don’t often see e-bikes that weigh less than 50 lbs.

Not everyone who rides a commuter will use panniers (which require a rear rack) or will ride when it’s wet (necessitating fenders). A rack and fenders can add a couple of pounds, so why have them if they don’t make the e-bike more usable?

One notable feature of this surprisingly affordable e-bike was Aventon’s decision to spec a torque sensor rather than a cadence sensor. We will dig more into this in a bit, but the big difference between e-bikes with a torque sensor and those with a cadence sensor is that with a torque sensor, the motor responds to how the rider is pedaling, rather than the PAS level the rider has chosen.

While the Aventon Soltera.2 HS will make a great e-bike for anyone on a budget, due to its low weight and frame design, people who aren’t especially tall may find this e-bike to be a compelling option. Let’s take a deeper look at what makes this such a value-packed e-bike.

E-Bike Category: Commuter

Who the Aventon Soltera.2 HS Electric Bike Is for: commuters looking for a sporty experience in a commuter and an e-bike that is no heavier than necessary will love this model.

Aventon Soltera.2 HS E-Bike Specs

• Battery: 346Wh lithium-ion
• Expected Range:
• Charger: 2A
• Motor: 350W brushless, geared
• UL Certification: 2849 (entire electronics system including battery)
• Pedal Assist: 4 PAS levels
• Throttle: Included
• Display: Color LCD
• Headlight: Included
• Taillight: Included
• Frame: 6061 Aluminum
• Fork: 6061 Aluminum
• Fenders: N/A
• Kickstand: Included
• Handlebars: Alloy, 620mm wide
• Grips: Ergonomic comfort
• Drivetrain: 7-speed Shimano, 14-28t cassette
• Brakes: Mechanical disc brakes
• Pedals: Alloy, with reflectors
• Saddle: Aventon by Selle Royal
• Tires: 700C x 38mm

In-Depth Aventon Soltera.2 HS Review

Aventon Soltera.2 HS Review: Comfort, Handling, and Ride Qualities

Aventon makes the Soltera.2 in two versions: ST (step-thru) and HS (high-step). We’re reviewing the HS; you can find our review of the ST here. The Soltera.2 HS is a fairly traditional frame, but has a sloping top tube that will give riders greater standover height than many traditional frames.

The Aventon Soltera.2 HS is a commuter of a different flavor. It’s based on a 6061 aluminum frame and fork rolling on large (700C) wheels with relatively narrow (38mm or 1.5-in.-wide) tires. What this means is that the Aventon Soltera.2 HS provides a sportier ride than most commuters we see. That’s because most commuters we review run on tires that are at least 2 in. wide and feature a suspension fork. That’s not as cushy a ride as an all-terrain e-bike, but it gives a gentle feel. The Aventon Soltera.2 HS will transmit a finer sense of the road surface and more feedback to the rider in turns, which makes swoopy cornering undeniable fun.

One of the Aventon Soltera.2 HS’s most defining features is its weight. At 46 lbs., it is one of the lightest e-bikes on the market in this price range. For anyone wondering why the tires are skinny and there’s no suspension fork, well, this is why. A suspension fork weighs more than the aluminum one spec’d on this e-bike, and the wider the tire, the heavier the tire.

A 46-lb. e-bike that goes for less than $1500 is intriguing because it’s a fresh take on what a value-driven e-bike can be. With less weight to coax into turns, this is an e-bike that will capitalize on those narrower tires and stiff fork to offer riders an unusually agile and sporty experience.

Compared to most e-bikes in this category, the Aventon Soltera.2 HS provides riders multiple opportunities to achieve a comfortable fit. Not only does Aventon make the Soltera.2 in a step-thru frame as well as this high-step frame, but they make this frame in two sizes: the regular size has a reach of 398mm (15.6 in.) and the large has a reach of 414mm (16.2 in.). This is a relatively modest reach, which makes the Soltera.2 a good e-bike for consumers of more modest height. This is an especially good e-bike for women to consider given the reasonable reach.

Aventon Soltera.2 HS Review: Motor, Battery, and Drivetrain Performance

We just mentioned (again) that the Aventon Soltera.2 HS weighs 46 lbs. An important part of how they achieved this low weight was by choosing a relatively modest motor and battery. The brushless, geared hub motor produces 350W, which doesn’t look like much on paper, but a 350W motor can do plenty on a 46-lb. e-bike, and even more if the rider is on the smaller side.

When our colleagues at Electric Bike Report tested the Aventon Soltera.2 HS, they found that it had reasonable acceleration, but was a bit underpowered on hills with a 180-lb. rider aboard. While it was able to ascend their test hill on pedal assist, though at a leisurely 8.2 mph average speed; however, it couldn’t be throttled up to the top of the hill.

Powering the Soltera.2 HS’s 350W motor is a 346Wh battery. That sounds small, and it is, in an absolute sense, but motor size makes a big difference in how much range a battery can offer. Our basic rule of thumb for reasonable range on an e-bike is to match the motor’s power (watts) with the battery’s capacity (watt/hours), which is exactly what we have with this e-bike. In Electric Bike Report’s testing, a 150-lb. test rider covered 37 mi. (in PAS 1); that’s a bit less than what Aventon estimates a rider will manage, but it’s enough to cover a full-day’s riding for most of us. Remarkably, in PAS 4 (turbo), a 150-lb. rider was still able to cover 29.3 mi.

One of the notable features of the Aventon Soltera.2 HS is the choice to equip it with a torque sensor rather than a cadence sensor. What this means is that the rider will have acceleration assisted by the motor the moment they push down on a pedal, not a pedal stroke later. It also means that how hard the rider pedals will determine how the motor accelerates and decelerates. The experience for the rider feels better coordinated and integrated. Rather than having the feeling of riding a bike with a motor added, the rider feels like a superhero. Generally, this means that a rider on an e-bike equipped with a torque sensor will do more work than if they were on an e-bike with a cadence sensor, but it’s a more thrilling ride. Guaranteed to make the rider smile.

The 7-speed Shimano drivetrain found on the Aventon Soltera.2 HS is common in this price range, but Aventon did swap the thumb shifter we usually see for an under-the-bar trigger shifter. This trigger shifter both shifts smoother and is easier to operate, due to its location. It’s a terrific touch of quality in a place we didn’t expect.

Aventon Soltera.2 HS Review: Braking, Safety & Warranty

Anyone who has read other reviews on Best Electric Bikes will be familiar with our appreciation for hydraulic disc brakes. Aventon chose mechanical disc brakes for the Soltera.2, and it’s fair to ask why. It was a good move for this e-bike for several reasons. First, mechanical disc brakes cost less than hydraulic ones and that helped to keep this e-bike ultra-affordable. Mechanical disc brakes also weigh less than hydraulic ones, which helped them hit that 46-lb. weight.

When we consider an e-bike’s relative safety we look at a number of factors. We don’t often run across anything truly alarming. On the occasions that we run across something that concerns us, we decline to review the e-bike; consumers are better off not hearing about the machine in question from us. But we sometimes run across minor issues that a rider might want to consider. Increasingly, those concerns include UL-certified batteries and/or electronics. Aventon has taken one of the most proactive responses to increasing UL-certification requirements. The Soltera.2 has been certified to UL’s 2849 standard, which covers the battery, motor and the entire electrical system. This is the gold standard for e-bike safety.

Aventon covers their e-bikes with a two-year warranty. They include the frame and fork; motor, battery and electronics; and any Aventon-branded components. They don’t cover third-party components like the drivetrain and brakes, which is a bit unusual. Aventon-branded accessories carry a one-year warranty. There are better warranties out there, but this isn’t bad.

Aventon Soltera.2 HS Review: Recommendation/Final Verdict

Aventon’s Soltera.2 HS a lightweight, affordable and exciting e-bike that, thanks to its torque sensor, provides a more thrilling ride than most other e-bikes in its price range. After digging into both the Soltera.2 HS and ST, we’re left wondering something.

Why doesn’t this e-bike have more competition?

We’ve seen over and over that when a company produces an e-bike that balances performance and value other manufacturers will market a model that is competitive with it. Generally, companies don’t market direct copycats, but we’ve seen designs so similar that if they were all painted the same color we might have a tough time telling them apart. It’s understandable; good ideas get borrowed.

With the Aventon Soltera.2 HS, this would be a pretty nice e-bike at $1500, but because it goes for hundreds less, it offers a mix of affordability and performance that is uncommon in its price range.

If all-terrain e-bikes, with their fat tires and suspension forks, sit near one end of the comfort spectrum, an e-bike like Aventon’s Solter.2 HS sits toward the other end. As we’ve shown, this isn’t an uncomfortable e-bike, but it offers riders a more stripped-down and raw ride. It’s an approach that we look forward to seeing more manufacturers emulate.

As a study in how to make the most affordable e-bike possible, the Aventon Soltera.2 HS comes up with straight As. This is a terrific e-bike and one that proves e-bikes are becoming ever more affordable.

Thank you for reading through our review of the Aveton Soltera.2 HS. Still have further questions? Wondering how it compares to a similar e-bike we’ve reviewed? Let us know in the comments below!