Ride1UP Revv 1 Review – 2024

Intro

Not everyone who buys an e-bike wants exercise. There, it’s out in the open. Not everyone likes pedaling. Is that a dirty little secret? Maybe. But we can be honest here; we’re friends. A disinterest in pedaling is worth mentioning because now that manufacturers are aware that some people will buy an e-bike with no intention of pedaling, they have begun asking—and answering—the question, “What can an e-bike be if it’s not meant to be a traditional bicycle?” In our Ride1UP Revv 1 review we will take a look at what makes this e-bike ideal for people looking for transportation, not exercise.

The Ride1UP Revv 1 looks more like a motorcycle or moped than it does an e-bike thanks to its box frame that encases both the battery and controller, its bench seat and suspension fork. The 20-in. wheels are close to the sizes we see on many motorcycles and the big headlight helps reinforce the motorcycle appearance. All that noted, this is very definitely an e-bike.

The Ride1UP Revv 1 is powered by a 52V, 750W Bafang hub motor that can deliver riders to traffic speeds as easily as it can ascend a hill. The twist throttle is likely to get a workout because the big bench seat isn’t especially suited to pedaling.

As a means of transportation, the Ride1UP Revv 1 is a big improvement on a car, and a lot less work than a bike. In our review we will dig into this e-bike’s strengths, who it’s intended for and the differences between the full-suspension and hardtail versions. Let’s get to it.

E-Bike Category: e-moped

Who the Ride1UP Revv 1 Electric Bike Is for:

Perfect for the rider likely to be throttling more than pedaling and wants an e-bike capable of Class 3 speeds

Ride1UP Revv 1 E-Bike Specs

• Battery: 1040Wh (FS) or 780Wh (HT) Samsung lithium-ion cells
• Expected Range: 60 mi. in PAS 1
• Charger: 4A (FS) or 3A (HT)
• Motor: 52V, 750W Bafang brushless, geared hub motor producing 95nm of torque
• Pedal Assist: 5 PAS levels
• Throttle: Included
• Display: B/W LCD display, mounted in center of bar
• Headlight: 120 Lux, high and low beam
• Taillight: Star Union
• Frame: Aluminum, either with full suspension or hard tail
• Fork: 120mm-travel suspension fork with full suspension or 100mm-travel with hard tail
• Fenders: Full, included
• Kickstand: Included
• Handlebars: 720mm width, 25° sweep, 120mm rise
• Grips: Rubber, lock-on
• Drivetrain: Single speed
• Brakes: 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm rotors
• Pedals: Alloy
• Saddle: Bench seat
• Tires: CST Scout eMoped 20” x 4”

In-Depth Ride1UP Revv 1 Review

Ride1UP Revv 1 Review: Comfort, Handling, and Ride Qualities

The Ride1UP Revv1 is a moped-style e-bike, which is to say it has a moped’s box-style frame, a long bench seat and double-crown fork. Because the drivetrain has but one gear, this is an e-bike that most riders will likely throttle their way around most of the time. The bench seat is plenty comfortable but it can’t be adjusted to give a rider an ideal saddle height for fluid pedaling.

The Revv 1 comes in two different versions, the FS (full-suspension) and the HT (hard tail). Most features between the two e-bikes are the same, but the FS comes with a larger battery and a higher-capacity controller (28A as opposed to 25A). The full-suspension version offers a more comfortable ride and will do more to smooth bumps both in the front and the rear.

The moped/motorcycle styling is more than a look. The box frame is very stiff, which helps cornering performance, but all the extra tubing results in an e-bike that weighs more than 90 lbs., which is less than a moped or motorcycle, but is quite heavy by e-bike standards. It’s unlikely anyone will want to try to pedal home if they drain the battery.

With the low-profile 20 x 4-in. tires, the Revv 1 has both terrific acceleration and traction in corners; it’s a very confident ride.

Ride1UP Revv 1 Review: Motor, Battery, and Drivetrain Performance

Armed with a 52V, 750W brushless, geared Bafang hub motor that produces 95Nm of torque, the Ride1UP Revv 1 offers riders a level of acceleration and climbing power that may surprise. The fact that Ride1UP chose to go with a 52V motor and battery is part of what makes the Revv 1 an unusual e-bike. If we think of an electrical system as being like water running through a hose, using a 52V system instead of the more typical 48V ones is like swapping out for a bigger hose.

The motor is governed by a cadence sensor which creates a terrific opportunity for anyone who wants to pedal some, but isn’t wild about getting sweaty. With a cadence sensor, once the sensor detects that the pedals are moving, it tells the motor to go. This allows someone to do what we call “ghost pedaling,” which amounts to turning the pedals just enough to tell the motor to run. There’s no suffering, but plenty of go.

The FS version of the Revv 1 comes with a 1040Wh battery, while the HT edition is spec’d with a somewhat smaller 780Wh battery. A 1040Wh battery is big, by any standard, but because the Revv 1 FS weighs 93 lbs., the battery is advertised to offer a range of up to 60 mi. in PAS 1.

In testing, our sister publication, Electric Bike Report, saw a range of 52 mi. in PAS 1, 8 mi. shy of their estimate. However, in PAS 5 they covered 36 mi., 6 mi. more than they estimated.

The fact that the Revv 1 was equipped with a single gear tells us something about how Ride1UP believes riders will use this e-bike. A single gear means that at low speeds the e-bike will be difficult to pedal, and the rider will have to pedal furiously to reach high speeds, even with the help of a motor. The cadence sensor will allow someone to pedal at whatever effort they choose and use the controller to dictate what cruising speed they will reach.

Ride1UP Revv 1 Review: Braking, Safety & Warranty

We sometimes run across heavier e-bikes that are equipped with mechanical disc brakes or small rotors, which compromise the rider’s control. It’s not unsafe, but it’s not helpful. With the Ride1UP Revv 1 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes have been paired with 180mm rotors to give riders excellent control.

Speaking of control, there more to braking than just stopping. Most of us brake some before entering a turn (some of us will wait until we are in the turn to brake); either way, we usually brake for turns and having powerful brakes means riders can wait later to brake and still maintain confident control.

Safety concerns can be fluid, changeable from one person to the next and different bikes can address different issue. With the Ride1UP Revv 1, we have an e-bike that will handle well at speed, cruise through turns and float over potholed roads. For the rider concerned about remaining in control at all times, the Revv 1 is a terrific response.

Ride1UP grants buyers a one-year warranty on parts and factory labor.

Ride1UP Revv 1 Review: Recommendation/Final Verdict

The Ride1UP Revv 1 is a particular sort of e-bike. We wouldn’t want to discourage anyone from buying this e-bike with a mind to pedaling a fair amount, but with its moped-inspired design, we want to be honest about who this e-bike will best serve. Someone planning to go out and pedal lots would be better served by an e-bike with an adjustable bike saddle.

That said, if someone isn’t planning to pedal much, the bench seat is a smart move. It’s comfortable, more comfortable than most bike saddles.

Shoppers who have been contemplating an e-bike for transportation and activity, but not exercise, per se, will want to consider the Ride1UP Revv 1, particularly the FS version, thanks to its 1040Wh battery. Nothing saps an e-bike battery like a pinned throttle and thanks to its big battery, the Revv 1 gives riders far greater range than we typically see in these moped/motorcycle-inspired e-bikes.

The Revv 1 HT (again, hardtail) offers shoppers a way to do this e-bike in a cost-effective way. Most of the difference between the HT and the FS (full suspension) comes down to the battery size, rear suspension and another nice accessory: turn signals. Given the increased range and greater comfort that comes with full suspension, we encourage shoppers who can afford to spend $500 more to look at that version.

One of our favorite features of the Ride1UP Revv 1 is its handling. We encounter a number of e-bikes with 20-in. wheels that don’t feel all that stable as they approach (or exceed) 20 mph. The Revv 1 is a confidence-inspiring ride, just the sort of e-bike to make a daily driver.

Thank you for reading through our review of the Ride1UP Revv 1. Still have further questions? Wondering how it compares to a similar e-bike we’ve reviewed? Let us know in the comments below!