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Aventon Soltera 2.5 Review | Precise Handling; Lightweight Feel

For a budget-priced bike, it doesn’t feel cheap in the slightest. Aventon’s city bike has a terrific feel on the road, and its lightweight design is easy to manage when out of the saddle.

In my early e-bike days, I was drawn to the powerhouses of the e-bike world. But with each passing year, I’ve gained a deeper appreciation for lighter, more efficient rides that prioritize precise handling and a natural (yet still powerful) feel. If that sounds like your jam, let me tell you about the Aventon Soltera 2.5, which our team has spent several weeks testing.

This bike pulls off a lot for its price point. Bikes in the $1,000–$1,200 range, like the Soltera, are clearly designed to be value plays, but the Soltera doesn’t feel like a “budget” e-bike at all. Its motor has excellent engagement, syncing seamlessly with your pedal effort. While the motor power is admittedly more modest than some other e-bikes, that’s by design. This bike will boost your speed and take the edge off hills, but it still feels like you’re doing the riding—not just along for the ride.

The Soltera’s handling is arguably its standout feature. The stiff frame and narrow tires make it feel quick and agile on the road. It corners confidently, and with upgraded, more powerful brakes, it can stop on a dime when needed.

Aventon is one of the few e-bike brands that makes its own frames, and it shows. The clean lines, refined angles, and thoughtful cable management give the Soltera some serious aesthetic appeal that others lack at this price. The frame also feels well-balanced, something I didn’t expect with its shorter-than-average top tube. Ultimately, the overall design delivers a bike that’s not only fun to ride but also comfortable by city bike standards.

That said, there are a few limitations to note. The Soltera 2.5 comes in three frame sizes to help riders find their fit, but there’s no mid-step option, meaning it’s better suited for taller riders. You might also want to budget for a few add-ons to maximize its potential as a city commuter. Even so, this bike nails what most people want in a lightweight option: a natural, responsive ride with solid power—and one that won’t make you dread hauling it up a flight of stairs with a manageable amount of weight.

To dive into all the details and see how it performed in our testing, keep reading the full Soltera 2.5 review below.

Tenways CGO600 Pro-C Review | What Gains Come with a Chain?

This light and nimble urban e-bike combines a quiet and responsive motor with a multi-speed drivetrain and an iconic design.

Our first experience with the Tenways CGO600 Pro came in the form of the original single-speed model with a belt drive. The bike felt nimble, responsive, and generally well put together. It also stood out with a unique, contemporary aesthetic.

Single-speed e-bikes, however, have some innate limitations. Their gearing must be efficient for pedaling on flat ground without creating too much difficulty when climbing hills. Tenways largely nailed this balance, but we were nonetheless excited upon learning that the brand released an 8-speed model with a traditional chain and cassette.

After an initial ride, we were pleased to note that the CGO600 Pro-C (as the chain-driven model is designated) had all of the same characteristics we liked about the belt version.

Most notably, it has one of the smoothest, quietest, and most natural-feeling rear-hub motor/torque sensor combinations we have tested to date. Its 350W of nominal power is noticeable without feeling overpowered, helping riders to accelerate faster and climb hills with less strain.

The Pro-C also retains the belt drive model’s clean and sleek design as well as its crisp, agile handling.

Broadly speaking, the standard CGO600 Pro performed well in our series of standardized tests. With an 8-speed drivetrain and a 290% gear range, we expected the Pro-C to have an extra advantage in our Hill Test. See our full review below to see how this version of the bike fared!

Burley Dash MIK HD Review | Kid-Tested, Dad-Approved

This solid and reliable child seat attaches better than ever

Cycling is a fantastic family activity, especially when you have the right accessories. The Burley Dash lineup of child seats offers a convenient way to bring your kids along for the ride. With multiple variations to suit different bike setups—whether that’s racks, frames, or, as in our case, the MIK HD (Heavy Duty) rack. This MIK-compatible design shines with its tool-free on/off functionality, making it incredibly user-friendly.

In our review of the Burley Dash MIK HD, we found it checks virtually all the boxes for a great child’s bike seat. It’s lightweight and nearly effortless to attach or remove from your bike, it’s also a breeze to clean—a must when the oft-sticky hands and dirt-stained pants of kids inevitably transfer over. Most importantly, the seat is safe and reliable, offering a snug, secure fit with adjustable features that accommodate little riders as they grow.

Mokwheel Basalt ST 2.0 Review | Great Power, Fast Speeds

The Basalt helped put Mokwheel on the map, and now the Basalt ST 2.0 makes strides by adding some improvements to a fun and powerful bike.

Mokwheel burst onto the scene and quickly developed a cult following, earning a reputation for fast and fun rides. The Mokwheel Basalt ST 2.0 we’ve been reviewing over the past few weeks (and nearly 200 miles) shows that the brand’s legacy is alive and well in the latest version of its ever-popular fat-tire e-bike.

There’s a lot to like about this bike. The power is evident but ramps up nicely. With its 750W motor (peaking at 1100W) and 90 Nm of torque, it’s the kind of bike that easily accelerates to higher speeds. The torque sensor isn’t the most natural feeling we’ve tested, but it does reward effort—you get more power the harder you pedal. You can be off to the races with a mild effort, and tension kept to the chain.

The Basalt ST 2.0’s 19.6Ah battery is on the larger side for this category, delivering impressive range for such a heavy bike. It’s great for multi-day rides without needing a recharge, and we are happy to see that it comes with UL certification for added peace of mind.

This bike also includes features not typically found in its price range. The removable color display, for instance, looks sharp but also acts as a theft deterrent—once removed, it disables the motor. Additionally, Mokwheel offers an optional power inverter and solar panels, allowing you to turn your bike into a mobile power station—perfect for weekend camping trips.

In our standardized tests (detailed below), the Basalt ST 2.0 performed admirably. Beyond the numbers, it impressed us with its comfort, solid handling, and motor power that made every ride an enjoyable experience. Its sizing has limitations for longer legs, and we think the speed profile could be improved a bit, but overall, it only takes a single ride to figure out why it’s such a fan-favorite fat tire e-bike.

How to Become an Electric Bike Technician

Sixthreezero Announces ANYterrain Stabilized 4-Wheel E-Bike

LEVA has trained close to 2000 technicians in our various courses. These courses range from one-hour safety-focused, online events to two days of in-person training and semester-long training at vocational-technical schools.

Experience with these programs has taught me that a “complete” e-bike tech needs to thoroughly understand and be comfortable working on the mechanical parts of an e-bike. That takes longer and requires more tools than being able to service the electronic parts.

There is a different mindset between bike mechanics who are used to being able to see, feel, and hear issues with the mechanical parts of the bike and the mindset that relies on measuring instruments and error codes to service the propulsion system of an electric bike. Mechanical stuff is harder.

Most e-bike problems are mechanical problems. Flat tires, out-of-true wheels, broken spokes, brakes that need adjusting, all the normal bike problems. So, the first step is to learn how to work on the bike.

Aventon Abound SR Review | Utility & Security at its Finest

With a remarkably analog-like feel, integrated GPS features, a locking kickstand, and plenty more, the Abound SR is high-tech, practical, and simply cool.

Aventon Abound SR Review | Stable & Secure

Full-size cargo e-bikes are known for their ability to carry tons of weight—often with 400+ lb payload capacities and room for up to two child passengers—but they’re also famously long and heavy. Many are also made to feel overpowered when riding without cargo so that they can effectively manage a full load.

These characteristics can make longtail cargo bikes feel impractical when you simply want to ride to work, blow off some steam with an exercise routine, or take an evening leisure trip around the park.

As a short-rack utility e-bike, the Aventon Abound SR is a natural solution to many of these concerns, as it boasts a shorter wheelbase and a lower weight than a full-size cargo hauler. Aventon didn’t stop there, however, as this bike largely sets a new standard for integrated tech and security features at its price point, slightly below the $2k threshold.

The Abound SR features a smart module (the ACU or Aventon Control Unit) that governs its motor tuning and a host of security features. It incorporates a 4G chip that allows for GPS tracking, geofencing, and remote deactivation in the event of theft. It also has the ability to lock the bike’s kickstand and eject its battery from its sealed dock in the down tube.

It also differs from the norm in terms of its extremely natural ride feel, as the bike includes a 36V, 750W rear hub motor paired with a highly responsive torque sensor. We found that this lower-voltage electrical system (most similar bikes use 48V systems) allowed us to feel more of an active participant in the ride instead of the motor dominating our own effort.

We were extremely curious to find out how this combination of elements would affect the Abound SR’s performance in our series of standardized tests. See our full review below to learn what happened!

Brompton Electric C-Line Explore Review | Cool & Compact

This lightweight English electric city bike performs solidly while quickly folding down to an ultra-portable size.

At least here in the US, folding e-bikes are somewhat of an enigma. Sure, they can become more compact to save on space and increase portability, but even when folded, they’re often bulky and cumbersome—some weigh over 70 lbs!

Of course, many of these bikes feature robust motors, large batteries, and all-terrain tires to satisfy American appetites for speed and power. But what options exist for city dwellers who rely partially on public transit or those in cramped third-story apartments?

The Brompton Electric C Line Explore (the 12-Speed model) may present the ideal blend of ease, portability, functionality—and, most importantly, fun.

This e-bike, one of three electric models in the British brand’s lineup of analog and battery-powered bikes, features a proprietary folding design, making it one of the most compact models we’ve tested. Additionally, it weighs just 38 lbs, including its removable battery pack (32 lbs without), so it’s also one of the lightest.

The bike lightens its rider’s effort level with a custom 250W front-hub motor paired with a 36V, 300-Wh battery that is built into an easily removable carry bag. It feels much like a non-electric bike thanks to its responsive torque sensor, making the ride engaging, natural, and active—but not strenuous.

For those unfamiliar, Brompton is a well-established company that began making folding analog bikes in 1975 and e-bikes in 2017. With 50 years of experience under its belt, the brand has become known as the gold standard for compact cycles.

Prior to this review, we’d been itching to get our hands on a bike from Brompton! Now that we have, our goal was to discover if it was everything it was cracked up to be. Read our full review below to find out how the bike felt, folded, and performed in our series of standardized performance tests!

Vvolt Centauri II Review | It Doesn’t Get Much Easier!

A lightweight commuter e-bike with a powerful and natural motor, automatic shifting, and a fun and responsive ride.

As “bike people,” sometimes it’s easy for us to forget how complex and intimidating e-bikes can be for those who are new to them. First, there’s all the esoteric terminology—things like derailleurs, watt-hours, and Newton-meters. Then, there are practices while riding, like trail etiquette, hand signals, and shifting discipline.

Some of those things should be learned before buying an e-bike, and others may be non-essential for many riders depending on where and how they ride. Good shifting practices are important for all riders—unless you find yourself riding the Vvolt Centauri II, that is.

Why, you may ask?

The Centauri II features an exceptionally user-friendly drivetrain that pairs a 350W mid-drive motor with a 3-speed automatic internal gear hub (IGH). This system requires no action from the rider, as it changes gears at pre-set intervals: roughly 12 and 20 miles per hour. We found it to be effective, easy, and functional for the bike’s Class 3 speeds.

With a Gates CDX belt connecting its mid-drive and IGH, the Centauri II is also remarkably low-maintenance. The internal gears of the IGH are protected from damage and wear, while the durable belt is rated to last twice the mileage of a chain. As a bonus, the system uses no grease, so riders need not worry about getting a messy pant leg.

We liked the Centauri II’s easy-to-use-and-own nature, but we also found its ride to be seriously fun and natural. The bike’s mid-drive responded quickly to deliver smooth power. With a peak of 650W and a surprisingly powerful 120 Nm of torque, it also felt highly capable of climbing hills.

Uphill capability is one of many aspects of the Centauri II we tested. See our full review below to see how the bike performed!

Blix Sol X Review | The Cruiser/Commuter of the Future?

This relaxed beach cruiser boasts a powerful 750W motor, a responsive and natural ride, electronic shifting, and a cool, contemporary design.

Cruiser-style e-bikes are known far and wide for their comfort, with upright riding positions and a relaxed, leisurely feel. They’re often simple, feature-light, and uncomplicated, which makes them easy to operate—but this also means they may lack some functional elements.

Additionally, beach cruisers don’t usually have a reputation for being high-tech or high-performance, but the Blix Sol X isn’t your average cruiser.

Like the Vika X we reviewed a short time prior to the Sol X, this bike is loaded with cool technology features that are uncommon for its style and price point. The Sol has an electronic shifting system. It also pairs with the Blix Connect app for ride data and customization, and it offers an Auto pedal assist setting with optional automatic shifting.

The Sol X also offers a comfortable ride with better-than-expected handling and a responsive feel. It pedals similarly to an analog bike thanks to its torque sensor, and its relatively light construction keeps it feeling lively and highly maneuverable on the road or path.

On top of that, it includes a variety of commuter-friendly features to enhance safety and functionality. The bike has integrated turn signals and lights (including a high- and low-beam LED headlight), a cargo rack, and fenders.

The Sol X even breaks from the norm in its appearance; where many electric cruisers look like they’re fresh out of the 1950s, Blix opted for a much more contemporary vibe with black trim and a selection of cool, trendy colors.

Intrigued yet? Keep reading our full review of the Sol X below to find out how it fared in our series of standardized Speed, Brake, Range, and Hill tests!

Retrospec Boca Rev Review | Check Out The Test Scores!

This e-trike has great performance, handling and comfort all for a great price.

For years, it seemed like the electric trike market had too few options, and not enough affordable ones. That trend has changed in recent years, and Retrospec’s Boca Rev trike we’ve been reviewing for several weeks is a highly compelling option for trike riders not looking to break the bank. Why? Simple, it executes the basics well, and includes nice touches that are often overlooked.

Arguably it’s standout trait we discovered across our miles of testing was how stable and comfortable the ride felt. It has a wide rear axle, appropriately sized tires, and a good balance to the weight displacement throughout the ride. Trikes have different handling in general vs their two-wheeled counterparts, but assuming you know how to ride, you’ll quickly see how stable this feels when moving even when taking that bend in a road.

Comfort is another standout element to the ride. There is a generously paddled saddle with a back rest, a low 17.5” standover height, and a large seatpost that adjust for optimal leg extension. Sizing can be constrained for the tallest of riders with a shorter rise to the handlebar, but assuming you fit the ride, it’s quite comfortable and easy to navigate the roads on it.

This is an e-trike afterall, and Retrospec did a good job with the motor and battery. The trike has a nice spread of speedsa cross the six different PAS levels, and the whole system is certified to UL standards.

For a competitively priced e-trike, the Boa Rev doesn’t have many glaring weaknesses. Most of the factors we consider in our review processes yielded good to great results as you’ll see in our testing sections down below.

Aventon Soltera 2.5 Review | Precise Handling; Lightweight Feel

For a budget-priced bike, it doesn’t feel cheap in the slightest. Aventon’s city bike has a terrific feel on the road, and its lightweight design is easy to manage when out of the saddle.

Tenways CGO600 Pro-C Review | What Gains Come with a Chain?

This light and nimble urban e-bike combines a quiet and responsive motor with a multi-speed drivetrain and an iconic design.

Burley Dash MIK HD Review | Kid-Tested, Dad-Approved

This solid and reliable child seat attaches better than ever

Mokwheel Basalt ST 2.0 Review | Great Power, Fast Speeds

The Basalt helped put Mokwheel on the map, and now the Basalt ST 2.0 makes strides by adding some improvements to a fun and powerful bike.

How to Become an Electric Bike Technician

Aventon Abound SR Review | Utility & Security at its Finest

With a remarkably analog-like feel, integrated GPS features, a locking kickstand, and plenty more, the Abound SR is high-tech, practical, and simply cool.

Brompton Electric C-Line Explore Review | Cool & Compact

This lightweight English electric city bike performs solidly while quickly folding down to an ultra-portable size.

Vvolt Centauri II Review | It Doesn’t Get Much Easier!

A lightweight commuter e-bike with a powerful and natural motor, automatic shifting, and a fun and responsive ride.

Blix Sol X Review | The Cruiser/Commuter of the Future?

This relaxed beach cruiser boasts a powerful 750W motor, a responsive and natural ride, electronic shifting, and a cool, contemporary design.

Retrospec Boca Rev Review | Check Out The Test Scores!

This e-trike has great performance, handling and comfort all for a great price.

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For a budget-priced bike, it doesn’t feel cheap in the slightest. Aventon’s city bike has a terrific feel on the road, and its lightweight design is easy to manage when out of the saddle.

This light and nimble urban e-bike combines a quiet and responsive motor with a multi-speed drivetrain and an iconic design.

This solid and reliable child seat attaches better than ever

The Basalt helped put Mokwheel on the map, and now the Basalt ST 2.0 makes strides by adding some improvements to a fun and powerful bike.

With a remarkably analog-like feel, integrated GPS features, a locking kickstand, and plenty more, the Abound SR is high-tech, practical, and simply cool.

This lightweight English electric city bike performs solidly while quickly folding down to an ultra-portable size.

A lightweight commuter e-bike with a powerful and natural motor, automatic shifting, and a fun and responsive ride.

This relaxed beach cruiser boasts a powerful 750W motor, a responsive and natural ride, electronic shifting, and a cool, contemporary design.

This e-trike has great performance, handling and comfort all for a great price.

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About

Guides

Reviews

What’s Trending