Simple is the name of the game - no gears to grind, no chains to break, just Soltera 3 ADV.

Paying homage to Aventon’s roots in fixed-gear bicycles, the Soltera 3 ADV brings back the Soltera platform with a few new twists: updated geo, single speed gearing, and a Gates Carbon Belt Drive system. This bike cuts through the nose and rebukes the unnecessary to dial in on Refined Simplicity.

Soltera 3 ADV is a Class 1 ebike, meaning that it has a max speed of 20mph and is NOT throttle compatible. This was done to keep the bike as simple as possible - fewer things to potentially go wrong. It has 700c wheels and a fitness geometry, coming in a full size run (S-XL). The BC147 screen looks sleek on the newly-updated flat bars. All of this with updated geo and weighing in at only 37lbs (for an ebike!), the old lightweight city bike is reborn as a single speed smasher.

Although this bike is stripped down and minimal, it wouldn’t be an Aventon without some kind of innovation. In place of the ACU is the Gates Carbon Belt Drive system. Instead of a chain, we’ve used a carbon reinforced polymer belt to transfer power from your crankset to your rear wheel. This does much more than just create more contact with the teeth of the gears. In fact, the Gates Belt Drive systems are notorious for their longevity and ease of maintenance.

Lasting anywhere from 2-3 times longer than a traditional 8-speed chain, the Gates belt also wears less because it’s not metal-on-metal. There is also less stretch and wear, since it’s made of multiple high-tensile carbon fiber cords and not a series of pins, bushings, and rollers. This encourages a higher rate of perfect engagement since they work with a machined pulley system built for exactly that belt.

This drive train is super low-maintenance since it doesn’t require any kind of lubrication for upkeep. Lubing this chain is actually discouraged since a wet chain can pick up dirt and grime, leading to a louder chain.

Although the initial cost of the belt drive is slightly higher than a traditional chain, the durability and longevity of this system makes it a more cost-effective solution overall.

The Soltera 3 ADV features the smallest motor in our lineup at 250W, with a 500W peak. This smaller motor was the proper choice for this bike because of its use case. The Soltera 3 ADV isn’t built like its predecessors, but is meant as the easy option to grab and go for short errands. When a grocery store run doesn’t necessitate a minivan, Soltera 3 ADV’s motor gives you enough power to ride there and back with enough torque (40NM) to keep you at its Class 1 speed limit.

The motor is also part of the huge weight savings in this update - contributing to the 9lb difference between Soltera 2.5 and Soltera 3 ADV. The everything-you-need and nothing-you-don’t mentality really shines through here, with the 500W peak being enough to get you to a solid cruising speed. The 9lb weight-shed keeps this bike as a lean, clean, pedalling machine.

The Soltera’s single speed gearing allows for simplicity in maintenance and enhances its urban appeal. The single speed and fixie crowds grew a city-centric audience because of their trendy minimalism and easy maintenance. There was also a prestige to be had as a fixie rider in major cities such as New York and San Francisco, where bike messengers rode rampant as part of the subculture. These bikes were inexpensive, easy to maintain, and made sense for the stop-and-go flow of city riding.

While not a fixed gear, the Soltera 3 ADV’s single speed configuration still accomplishes the minimalist doctrine of a fixie while giving it a “RoboCop” upgrade. Beyond the additions of a hub motor, integrated lights, and, of course, a freewheel, Soltera 3 ADV requires little maintenance to stay moving with fewer parts to break. This in turn keeps the bike at an approachable price point, as many of the Smart Bike features Aventon has included on higher-priced models are not included on this bike.

The gearing is also perfect for its Class 1 ebike designation. Aventon took great care in choosing a ratio that would work for all speeds on the Soltera in acknowledgement to the on-and-off nature of city traffic. The 60T chainring and the 22T flywheel pair together for the max speed of 20mph. The cadence of an average fitness cyclist is around 75-90mph, and that puts the rider right at that 20mph mark for this gearing on 700c wheels.  

As a commuter, it’s reliable, nimble, and elegantly simplistic.

Soltera 3 ADV was engineered with thoughtful commuting in mind. The concrete jungle is littered with potentially dangerous obstacles and distractions that require nimbleness and control. Conversely, the commute to the daily desk grind should be an enjoyable experience to look forward to, not something that leaves your back, wrists, and rear end feeling sore. Mindful of this balance, the updated frame design embodies a refined harmony of comfort and control.

Bike geometry is a personal preference, since it has evolved so much over the lifetime of the bike. Road and gravel bike geo draws from mountain bikes and vice versa, expanding the landscape of use cases and allowing bike-shoppers to really dial in on their niche. Geometry affects every aspect of the ride and is important to how the bike handles and how it feels. Bike handling includes elements of steering, stopping, and stability while riding and braking. Comfort on the bike is more about how the body feels while riding and has to do with back and neck comfort, ease of motion while pedaling, and feeling smooth on rough terrain.

The Soltera 3 ADV has a longer wheelbase, lower bottom bracket, and a longer front center measurement than the Soltera 2.5, making it feel more stable. These adjustments were made to encourage confidence while descending city streets without making it so long that it would inhibit steering. They also keep the bike nimble and comfortable while ripping through rough streets and light direct.

There are a lot of aspects to comfort geo, especially on a commuting bike. Aventon engineered the Soltera 3 ADV with a taller stack height, steeper seat tube angle, and lower standover height to enhance accessibility and comfort—without compromising performance. These measurements determine how the rider can, well, ride. This is super important because this reduces the strain on wrists, backs, and necks, while making riding over curbs and into crack in the road as smooth as possible.

For the folks that don’t want the bells and whistles and ride for the beauty of it, this bike gives you everything you need and nothing you don’t. Crush concrete and navigate new neighborhoods on this specimen of urban agility. With updated geo, the Gates Carbon Belt Drive, and pedal assist to get you where you need to go, Soltera 3 ADV is the embodiment of refined simplicity. Available now for $1499 at your local bike shop or on aventon.com!