Ride1Up Revv 1 Review

The Revv 1 arrives as a Class 2 electric bike with a 780-watt-hour battery and 750-watt motor. This moped-style e-bike features a Multi-Class Speed System, allowing users to switch between Class 2 and 3 modes easily. The aluminum frame and single-crown suspension fork support a wide and long motorcycle-style seat and riser handlebars. Thick, mag-style, 20-inch wheels house the motor and roll on 4-inch knobby tires. The 84 lb bike supports a maximum weight of 400 lbs and has an enormous range. The Full-suspension version of this bike uses a 1040 Wh battery.

Performance Comparison

Ride

Just looking at the Ride1Up Revv 1 makes us want to ride it; it looks fun and inviting. Its ride quality feels less like a bicycle and more like a small motorcycle. The long, "loaf of bread" style seat is soft and comfy, and its handlebar rises to meet you in a comfortable position. The wheelbase of this bike is short and sporty, but its 84 lb mass makes it feel less agile. The cool-looking mag wheels contribute to its motorcycle vibe, and the 4" tires provide traction and comfort. The long seat means you can sit fore or aft, but the seat doesn't raise or lower, so your pedaling position isn't likely ideal. Add to that the single gear, small 127mm crank arms, and weight of this bike, and you realize it wasn't designed for pedaling. It's incredibly fun to ride, but propelling it with exclusively your own force is anything but fun.

The mechanical drivetrain helps you get started or lets you dictate how much power the motor will add. Applying force to the pedals triggers the cadence sensor, and depending on your pedal assist setting (PAS), the motor adds incrementally more power. You get the benefit of looking like a bicycle and have a secondary method of triggering the motor (other than the throttle), but pedaling doesn't contribute much to the bike's power.

The build quality of the Revv 1 is quite good, and its components are well chosen. The 120mm rise handlebars and 100mm travel suspension fork create nice positioning and comfortable handling. The 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes with 200mm rotors do an excellent job of scrubbing speed and bringing the bike to a stop. While the short crank arms don't help you generate much power, they do keep your feet up high and free of obstacles.

There's no escaping the feel of the heavy wheels on this bike. They contribute to the motorcycle feel, and their gyroscopic forces slow your steering and make pedaling feel laborious. They also feel incredibly stable at speed and give the bike confidence. 4-inch wide tires never long for grip, and their volume absorbs shock over a wide range of conditions. We rode this bike in dirt, mud, snow, and sand, and it never felt like the tires held us back.

The bike comes equipped with a headlight and tail light that are bright enough for night riding. The tail light features a brake light activated by switches in the brake levers. The headlight on the hardtail model we tested is attached to the bike's headtube and does not follow the steering path. This results in less than stellar night vision; the full suspension version of this bike mounts the headlight to the fork so it follows the riders steering input. The fenders are full coverage and effective; they're nice when encountering mud or a puddle. The bike includes a kickstand, high and low beam settings for the headlight, and a surprisingly loud horn.

Range

The Revv 1 is capable of incredible range with its 780Wh battery. The battery sits in the center of the top tube, with the aluminum frame surrounding it on three sides resembling a motorcycles gas tank.

In our standardized range test, the Revv 1 was able to travel 30.8 miles without pedaling over varying terrain on a ride that included over 1500 feet of elevation gain at an average speed of 15.2 mph. Ride1Up says the bike has a 30-60 mile range, reaching the upper limit would likely require quite a bit of pedaling on level ground. We consider this exceptionally good considering the weight of the bike and size of the tires.

Power

The Revv 1 ships as a Class-2 model limiting its power to the hub motor, giving it a top throttle speed off 20mph. Given its pedaling limitations, you won't go much faster than that on flat ground; it's still fun and stable feeling, yet restrained. Switching to Class-3 mode enables pedal assist speeds of 28 mph which we were able to reach on an incline but didn't feel much difference at lower speeds; throttle speed is still limited to 20mph. The difference in ride quality is barely noticeable and 28 mph never felt too fast for the roads and terrain we were testing on.

Switching to off-road mode requires registering the bike and signing a waiver with Ride1Up, unlocking the bike's potential. Company literature tells us that off-road mode enables speeds of 28+ mph on pedal assist and throttle only. Having ridden other models in "off-road" or "unlocked" mode, we were dubious of the results but quickly surprised. The Revv 1 is powerful and quick enough to get your adrenaline pumping. Off-road mode is "for private street and property only," and it's easy to understand why; it brings out a completely different side of this bike. It's sporty, fast, powerful, and quite fun to ride in the dirt. There was enough power to air out small jumps and reach 46 mph on our closed course. At that speed, the bike doesn't feel bike-like; ditch the vented, half-shell styrofoam lid for a real motorcycle helmet. We hope owners will be responsible with off-road mode and respect the rules of the road; it's quite powerful.

Interface

The display on the Revv 1 is designed for easy readability and contains a wealth of information. It features a two-tone color scheme and is centrally located on the handlebar, allowing riders to quickly glance at it without taking their eyes off the road. Current speed is displayed prominently with state of charge represented by a battery that decreases in 20% increments. PAS level, average speed and trip distance occupy the remaining perimeter of the display.

Throttle is intuitively controlled by a half length twist grip on the right side. The handlebar controls, including the power button, headlight switch, and horn, are conveniently located within reach of the rider's thumbs.In addition, the controls have a straightforward +/- button for switching between PAS settings. The main power button is located on the side of the battery, which resembles a gas tank. The opposite side of the battery has a clear LED display that indicates the current charge level.

The M button displays a Bluetooth icon but there is no connectivity available at this time. Aside from a navigation map, we can't imagine a phone screen contributing much to the already comprehensive display.

Assembly

The Revv 1 is delivered almost fully assembled, making the final setup quick and easy without requiring much time or skill. The bike includes all the necessary tools, a manual, and even a beanie. Due to its weight, we recommend having a second person assist with moving the box and installing the front wheel.

Ride1Up offers a step-by-step assembly video and instructions to guide you through the process. The majority of the preparation involves removing the protective packaging and clipping off the zip ties. After unpacking, you simply need to install the handlebar, pedals, and headlight; inflate the tires, charge the battery, and the Revv 1 is to ride.

Should You Buy the Ride1Up Revv 1?

Certainly! If you're searching for an extremely enjoyable electric bike and are aware that it isn't particularly designed for exercise, then this could be the bike for you. However, if you're looking to cycle on bike paths and improve your fitness, we suggest looking for an alternative. This class 2 bike is remarkably powerful and entertaining in off-road mode and has a substantial range in its lesser modes. It's an exhilarating experience to ride, enabling you to explore various terrain confidently.

What Other E-Bikes Should You Consider?

If you're interested in this type of e-bike, you should check out the Revv 1 full-suspension model for a more comfortable ride with better lighting. Additionally, the Super73 S2 is worth considering. Super73 offers a variety of hip and fun bikes in different colors. Although the S2 doesn't provide as many watts per dollar as the Revv 1, not everyone requires that level of power.