Aventon’s Slim Solterra Is The Affordable Ebike For Old-School Single-Speed Pedalers

Typically, you simply wish to preserve issues easy. Earlier than ebikes turned so fashionable, biking was (and nonetheless is) a various universe of motorcycle sorts that catered to each driving model, from burly mountain bikes to carbon-fiber racing specials to super-lightweight urban tools known as “fixies” with one fixed gear – and never a lot else.

Admittedly, I didn’t personal a fixie, however I rode (and nonetheless personal) a motorcycle near it, a super-simple, stripped-down “single velocity” bike with a freewheel as a substitute of a set gear, usually known as a “single.” It’s nonetheless a hoot to journey, and an awesome reminder of the KISS principle with regards to private transportation.

Currently, I’ve gotten in a sequence of single-speed ebikes for evaluation, together with the SWFT Volt, the Cowboy 4, and now the brand new Solterra from Aventon. The VanMoof bikes look like single-speed machines, however they’ve inner gearing so, technically, they aren’t. However they do have That Look.

Solterra Tech Overview

The shiny black $1,199 Solterra I obtained for evaluation is a intelligent mixture of outdated and new applied sciences. Like many old-skool single-speed bikes, it makes use of rim-grabber brakes (by Tektro) as a substitute of discs. If you happen to go for the $1,299 7-speed shifter model of the Solterra, it consists of Tektro mechanical disc brakes, however truthful warning, you do lose model and avenue cred factors. A step-though Solterra variant can also be obtainable.

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The Solterra bikes haven’t any suspension, and roll on pretty skinny wheels and tires. The Kenda K193 tires are wider than pure highway bike tires, however solely simply, and the wheels are the extra trendy 27.5-inch selection as a substitute of the outdated 26ers. A 350-watt motor hides within the rear wheel hub, and the only gear is linked by chain, not a belt, to a big entrance sprocket. The detachable 9.6 Watt-hour 36-Volt battery hides within the body, and the considerably bigger decrease spar of the all-aluminum body is de facto the one semi-obvious indication that the Solterra is packing some additional energy on board.

Up high, Aventon’s app-connected and wonderful colour LCD show retains tabs on issues, and a small thumb throttle is hidden on the left bar under the small D-pad model controller. A discreet however simply shiny sufficient LED headlight sits in entrance of the show, and two giant, glossy and trendy shiny purple LED tail lights are cleanly frenched into each rear triangle body spars – an Aventon trademark.

Additionally they operate as brake lights – even when the lights are set to “off” – and I want extra bike makers would observe Aventon’s instance right here and simply make back lights operate as brake lights as a de facto {industry} customary. It makes a giant distinction for a rider security.

I’ll admit I’ve been a little bit spoiled by different bikes on this class from LeMond, Cowboy, and VanMoof which have accomplished a superb job hiding the various wires which are wanted on an ebike, so the slight mess of wires underneath the Solterra’s handlebars stood out after I acquired it, as did some wiring runs at in the back of the bike, but it surely wasn’t something I couldn’t wrangle in a minute with a few zip ties. Seat peak set, battery charged and tires aired up, it was time to take the Solterra for a journey round Portland.

Driving Expertise

I’m 6-foot-1 inch tall with a 34-inch inseam, so occasionally, a motorcycle maker’s “giant” body measurement isn’t fairly giant sufficient, particularly between the seat and bars, however luckily the Solterra match excellent and I used to be immediately comfy on the bike. It took me a mile or two to overlook the impulse to really feel for shifter controls on the appropriate bar, however with pedal help set to Stage 3 (of 5), I used to be rolling at 20mph within the flat with simply the correct amount of pedal effort. Pedal help velocity limits can be set within the very helpful Aventon app. At 42 kilos, the Solterra isn’t a flyweight bike, however as ebikes go, it’s on the lighter facet to make certain, and with that low weight comes agility and a extra “common bicycle” really feel to the journey. Warmed up, I rode for miles with the help set to 1 (”Eco”), and even zero (no help, however with techniques working), till I acquired to my hill take a look at part.

Topping the 1.5-mile, 700-foot elevation achieve climb was one thing I may barely do on my outdated non-electric single velocity, and I used to be a lot youthful (and lighter) in these days, so it’s been take a look at of this new crop of single-speed machines and their help energy. The Solterra is geared tall, so I cranked the help as much as the max (Stage 5) and acquired out of the saddle. Cranking up the hill, I held a gentle 10mph because the rear hub motor quietly whirred away, and as soon as on the high, the battery nonetheless held a 50% cost. Aventon says the battery will give a median of 42 miles of help in blended situations, so regardless of my most draw on the powertrain up the hill, I nonetheless had no less than 20 miles of vary remaining at decrease settings. A pleasant “hidden” characteristic is that in case you utterly run it out of battery energy, you’re not stranded because it’s simple to pedal the light-weight Solterra with no help in any respect, though a steep hill could also be an actual problem.

Heading again down the hill, the Solterra simply touched 40mph on a steep part however felt stable and assured at velocity, together with via some quick sweeper turns close to the underside of the run. It was early spring whereas I used to be driving and there was some water on the roadway in spots so I acquired a little bit of a shower since there aren’t any fenders on the Solterra. Aventon does supply fenders and racks, though any bike store may in all probability determine one thing out if you’re going to be driving within the moist (as we regularly do in Portland). Again within the flat, I simply rolled house at Stage 2, and for a brief bit, I even let the thumb throttle and battery do all of the exhausting work for a mile or two, and it was capable of transfer me proper alongside at as much as 20mph. A pleasant “trendy” possibility to make certain.

Conclusions

I loved my time aboard the Aventon Solterra. It’s a quick, enjoyable, glossy and handsome ebike that may be a pleasure to journey, particularly in case you just like the single-speed vibe however possibly need one thing with a little bit of juice to again up your efforts. It’s not likely a commuter bike per se, though some could discover it the proper dry-weather work journey when all you’ll want to carry can slot in a backpack or bike bag. Actually, the Solterra is about having enjoyable whereas driving moderately than being a workhorse, and in that regard it’s right on target and at $1,199 MSRP, actually reasonably priced. I’d prefer to see the bottom bike get some hydraulic disc brakes, as moist rims make for sluggish and noisy brakes, and a bit extra consideration to the wiring. And possibly a couple of extra lumens out of the entrance headlight as nicely. However as winter turned to spring right here within the PNW, I discovered extra time (and dryish climate) to journey the Solterra, and backside line, it all the time made me smile.