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WIRED's best commuter ebike: at 37 lb with a Gates carbon belt, it rides much like a regular bike and is easy to handle. It has a single speed, so even WIRED's strong tester struggled on steep hills, and there's no throttle.
Real-world range: Aventon claims up to 70 miles. WIRED got closer to 50 miles per charge on hilly roads in Chapel Hill, N.C.
Weight: 37 lb (WIRED)
Recalls (CPSC): No CPSC recall found for the Soltera (checked 2026-10-11). Aventon recalled its Sinch.2 folding e-bike on 2024-01-04.
E-bike class: Class 1 (pedal assist to 20 mph, no throttle) (WIRED)
Battery safety certification: Aventon's product page says 'UL Safety Certified' without naming the standard.
Top complaints
- One gear struggles on hills
Even in Turbo mode, WIRED's tester had to put out over 400 watts himself to climb a steep grade; WIRED recommends it mainly for flat-ish areas. Tom's Guide found the earlier Soltera.2 underpowered next to the Ride1Up Roadster V3.
- Small display buttons
The control buttons are small and easy to mis-press, and almost impossible to use with thick winter gloves (WIRED).
- Brakes add maintenance
WIRED notes the hydraulic brakes need bleeding roughly every year, which undercuts the low-maintenance belt drive.
Source: WIRED (Aventon Soltera 3 review)
What owners love
- Light and nimble
37 lb, with narrow 700 x 36 tires and flat handlebars; WIRED says it feels close to a road bike.
Source: WIRED (Aventon Soltera 3 review) - Gates carbon belt drive
Quiet, grease-free and longer-lasting than a chain (WIRED).
- Wide size range
Four sizes fit riders from about 5 ft to 6'4" (WIRED).
Source: WIRED (Aventon Soltera 3 review)
- You live somewhere hilly
- You want a throttle
- You need to carry cargo
- Flat or gently rolling commutes
- Lifting onto racks or up a few steps
- A low-maintenance belt drive
Scores (tap for why)
What experts say
- WIRED (best electric bikes): Best commuter ebike (updated April 2026): the least 'ebikey' ebike, light and maneuverable; no gears and small buttons are the only complaints. $1,499.
- WIRED (Aventon Soltera 3 review): Review (2026-02-27, 8/10): the most fun the reviewer has had on an ebike, but a single speed isn't great for hills.
- CNET (best electric bike): CNET's best overall is the cheaper Soltera 2.5 ($1,199; list updated November 2025), which has a 7-speed cassette and a throttle.