The Ride1UP Revv 1 moped-style electric bike, which was released last year after the Prodigy and Café Cruiser, is one of seven models offered by the company. It comes with a hardtail or full suspension.
The Ride1Up Revv 1 is an electric utility bike that tries to be everything to everyone but in doing so unavoidably fails. It will be appealing to first-time customers searching for a cheap electric bike to transport luggage, but the range is very limited and add-ons can significantly increase the price. In addition, taller riders will find the frame uncomfortable.
One such alternative is the Ride1Up Revv 1, which has a starting price of $2395 and pitches itself as a jack-of-all-trades rather than a specialist utility bike. It can function as almost any type of bike and is a competent luggage carrier. With a traditional step-through “moped” style, its marketing even promotes it as a component of something entirely new.
Is it successful enough to merit a recommendation? For a complete evaluation, keep reading.
Tires FS | 20x4.0" All-surface Tires |
Motor | 750w |
Display | 3.5" Center Mount |
Battery FS | 52V 20ah |
Brakes | 4-piston Hydraulic Disc Brakes |
Rear Suspension | DNM AOY-38RC |
Front light | 120 LUX, high & low beam |
Tubes | Black Butyl added to prevent flats |
Grips | Anti-slip Rubber Grips |
Pedals | Alloy Black Pedals |
Total Weight | 93lbs |
Rider Height Range | 5'2" - 6'4" |
Ride1Up Revv 1: Design and Build QualityÂ
Moped-style mini motorbikes of the 1980s and 1990s are the inspiration for the design of eBikes. The choice by Ride1UP to participate in the trend can be attributed to the rise in popularity of this electric bike type over the previous several years.
This bike is offered with a hardtail (HT) or full-suspension (FS) frame, as was already indicated. In either case, the appearance is remarkably similar. The frame is made of a sturdy metal that can support additional weight and power. Although though the weight of the Ride1UP Revv 1 is considerable, it falls within the typical range for the moped e-bike class.
Generally speaking, the utility bike does not adhere to the same design principles as the “regular” bike. It’s not necessary to create something lean and elegant that would look equally at home on the Champs-Elysee as it would on Main Street; robustness and rack size are what matter.
Once more, you may purchase the Ride1UP Revv 1 electric moped bike in full suspension or hardtail versions. The added rear suspension offers a better ride quality than the other build, thus the two will feel very different to ride.
Another compromise is brought about by the size of the battery and the bulky design in general: weight. The Ride1Up REVV1’s comparatively small size belie its incredible weight of 93 lbs. For commuters, especially those who bring their bikes on public transportation, this might immediately mean looking elsewhere.
Although it is possible, it is not the simplest task to remove the battery from the frame for charging off the bike. The key-operated lock serves as a “ignition” that must be set in the proper position in order for the bike to start, preventing someone from stealing the battery while the bike is parked. But, you can take the keys out before boarding.
The Ride1Up Revv 1 is a peculiar customer even on these criteria. First, and this is rare, it is made to fit those who are between 150 cm and 188 cm in height. This is commendable because many bicycles, especially e-bikes, exclude riders who are under 160 cm, but it comes with a number of trade-offs.
Both designs have a single-speed drivetrain, powerful four-piston hydraulic disc brakes, and 20-inch mag wheels, which limits your capacity to pedal when going uphill. A cafe-style saddle, anti-slip grips, reinforced aluminum fenders, and strong lights are additional shared components.
The FS structure includes a unique dbl 120mm air suspension with preloaded, rebound, and hydraulic lockout. The DNM AOY-38RC back shock has an unspecified amount of travel and the same settings. Because it is perfectly adapted to the incredible velocities and mass of moped e-bikes, we predict that the offroad option is going to be most preferred when the Revv 1 goes on sale.
I discovered that the bike was challenging to place into a comfortable riding position between the handlebars and the saddle at 177cm, approaching the high limits of the fit. On general, this made for a tight ride, though people with shorter legs might not have had the same problem. The perception of this may be highly skewed by height because a friend of mine who is 150 cm tall was thrilled to find a bike that wasn’t way too huge.
Rows of LEDs display the remaining battery life and the current assist level, and buttons are available to increase, decrease, and turn on the built-in headlight with no other options. To change help levels while cycling, you must glance at the touch buttons because they are not distinguishable from one another. They also require a strong push to activate.
Both configurations use 4-inch fat, puncture-resistant tires, however the hardtail Revv 1 features Kenda Krusade off-road tires with deep tread as opposed to the FS build’s slicker, more effective CST Scout eMoped tires.
The option to have the bike installed at your house after delivery is available as an add-on service, and it could be pricey. We found the Ride1Up REVV1 to be quite difficult to put together, with the fenders in particular posing a challenge, although the more technically inclined might not find it to be an issue.
Ride1Up Revv 1: Motor and Battery
The Ride1UP Revv 1 electric bicycle sports a 750W Bafang geared hub motor and operates on a 52V system. A 750W motor’s extremely high torque rating of 90Nm makes for a more capable and potent ride that accelerates quickly.
While the Revv 1’s electronics aren’t exactly high-performance for the category, the 52V battery and controller ensure that you’ll have no trouble cruising at the top speed of 28mph. Moped-style electric bikes are designed to be enjoyable to ride.
So how is it to ride the bike? Of course, this is the key query, and the response is: largely satisfactory. This means that the Ride1Up REVV1 is fairly average to ride, despite the rather nondescriptive nature of the response.
Initial comfort is a plus; the substantial saddle is built to confidently absorb knocks and shocks from the road. The large tyres helped make it easier to travel over obstacles like cobblestones.
The top tube of the Revv 1’s battery is nicely positioned in front of the saddle. The considerable difference in power between the HT model’s 780Wh and the FS’s 1,040Wh accounts for a sizable portion of the $500 price differential.
The Ride1Up REVV1 will work well for you if you only intend to use the bike for short trips to the store and don’t intend to go on longer outings. There are better options available if you’re searching for anything to use for extended road trips or off-road riding.
Range would appear to be a particular strength of the Ride1Up REVV1, with a reported range of up to 88 km/45+ miles. Yet in the actual world, of course, things seem different. The temperature, the load on the vehicle, and the weight of the rider are just a few of the many variables that can determine how far the battery can take you.
The estimated range for both bikes, listed at 30 to 60 miles, is the same according to Ride1UP. The benefits from the larger battery are probably offset by the extra weight and decreased efficiency from the rear suspension.
A stylish 3.5-inch bike computer with a two-tone display, programmable settings, and comprehensive ride stats (including a wattage/RPM bar) is located in the middle of the Revv 1’s handlebars.
With these factors in mind, we managed to go about 19 miles before the battery needed to be recharged, despite the Ride1Up REVV1 being unable to travel quite as far as the advertised maximum distance. Many commuters will be covered by this, but those who want more stamina probably need to look elsewhere. It took about five hours to fully charge the battery.
Ride1Up Revv 1: Conclusions
It’s too soon to say for sure, but based on what we know about the brand’s goods and the enjoyment and value they provide, we’re optimistic that the Ride1UP Revv 1 Class 2 eBike will be a success in the moped e-bike market.
It’s challenging to release any gadget that tries to do everything, much less an e-bike. It’s likely that while it may perform a few tasks admirably, in the long run, they will fall short of their potential.
Although the Revv 1 won’t be as fast as some other moped electric motorcycles, the price is reasonable, the design is elegant and well-thought-out, and the parts are reliable for the price range.
Although Ride1UP has supplied two models to accommodate various budgets, we anticipate that the full-suspension model will be the most well-liked.
If you want a utility e-bike expressly to replace your car for short trips, like running to the store or dropping off a child at school, it will happily carry your luggage and has a smooth ride and reassuringly robust tires. Nevertheless, if you’re thinking about using it for commuting, it is simply too heavy and might not provide adequate range. Off-road bike riders will need something with gears.