CleanTechnica Tested: The Ride1Up Revv1 Moped E-Bike
The Ride1Up Revv1 represents a sharp deviation from its formula to date for Ride1Up with a completely new build that’s *almost* a full-blown push into electric mopeds. Ride1Up admits as much in the description, calling it a “moped ebike.”
Technically it’s an electric bike with pedals and the like, but is also packing moped-style tires, a set of blinkers, a horn, and a motorcycle headlight, all built on top of a motorcycle-style frame. It definitely looks more like a motorcycle than your mom’s beach cruiser of yesteryear. Let’s dive in.
The Bike
If we’re to read a book by its cover on this one, Ride1Up has brought a small cafe racer motorcycle backwards from the future. The matte charcoal tones of the frame and swooping lines of the tubular frame have me itching to get back out into traffic on two wheels. The bold frame locks the rider into position at a fixed height seat that feels simultaneously big for a bicycle yet small for a motorcycle.
Up front, a set of sturdy motorcycle handlebars provide a comfortable ride and really make it feel like you’re out for an afternoon cruise. The thin yet comfortable grips are confidence inspiring with a twist throttle on the right and hefty hydraulic disc brake levers on either side. At the center of the triple clamp fork, a futuristic display provides all the key metrics at a glance. The speed is front and center, with the pedal assist level out on the left. The battery level is at the top, making it easy to see what’s needed while underway.
The saddle is comfortable and has enough cushion for everything from a quick blast down to the market or a long ride through the mountains. It’s long enough that you could imagine putting a passenger behind you while also allowing taller riders to simply push towards the back of the seat for a more comfortable riding position.
The Cruise
The name of the Revv1 is somewhat ironic as it has all the characteristics of a bike that seems like it should make a loud revving noise from the engine…except that there is no engine. In reality, the Revv1 is all but silent when out on the road with just a light hum from the electric motor indicating its actually moving the bike forward.
The Revv1 comes kitted out with oversized CST Scout e-Moped tires that look and feel a lot more like a motorcycle tire than those traditionally found on e-bikes. They have a ton of extra meat on them which provides extra padding for any bumps in the road while also mitigating flats from smaller road debris. The bike is also sporting a set of blinkers, a full-sized LED headlight up front, powerful hydraulic disc brakes, triple crown front suspension, and a DNM dynamic rear suspension shock that makes for a very comfortable ride.
All of this feels extremely solid and robust, blurring the lines between bicycle, moped, and motorcycle. Further confusing the picture is the diminutive bicycle powertrain. It’s a single speed e-bike with short cranks that make it feel like you’re a hamster caught on a treadmill moving faster than you can run. Ride1Up included the pedals and chain but their effectiveness is almost laughable. It’s hard to imagine most owners not simply taking them off, but for the fear of regulatory enforcement of their now, newly converted electric moped.
This e-bike screams about the potential of two wheeled electric vehicles’ capability to do more than they are currently allowed to under current regulations. The Revv1 delivers much of the functionality of an electric moped, just without all the regulatory hurdles that vary state by state across the US and in other countries around the world. Ride1Up also offers the ability to unlock the bike for an even higher top speed, more power from the motor, and ultimately more capability.
Overall
The Ride1Up from Revv1 packs about as much functionality, power, speed, and capability as possible into a single bike that still complies with the Class 2 and 3 definitions of an e-bike in the US. Its 350-pound weight capacity does seem a bit low given the bulky frame, forks, and tires but it’s also not really built to be a cargo hauling bike either. The ability to unlock it in “off-road mode” demonstrates its potential to do even more, though it opens up the possibility of riders using off road mode on the streets which is definitely a grey area.
With so much capability, safety becomes a paramount concern with the Revv1. It can go the factory locked Class 2, 20 mph on up to at least the 32mph we were able to hit in our testing in off-road mode. Are the tires rated for the higher speed? Will it start to wobble at higher speeds? Will it hold up to the rigors of use as a light duty motorcycle or electric moped? We would love to see a fully moped-ready version built that could be licensed and used in states and countries where such a designation exists, as it does in California.
We love that the Ride1Up Revv1 pushes the limits on what’s possible and within the current e-bike framework and gives buyers an extremely exciting bike that sets them apart from the masses. Its slick moto-inspired design is sure to stand out from the throngs of fat tire step through e-bikes cruising bike paths across the country and around the world.
The Revv1 is available in a full suspension frame (as tested) or a hard tail and comes in moss green and a graphite color. For more information about the Ride1Up Revv1, head over to the official Ride1Up Revv1 website.
- Frame: Alloy hard tail frame (HT: $1,895) with full suspension option (FS: $2,395)
- Motor: 750 watt, 52v Bafang rim-integrated rear hub motor w/95 Nm torque
- Battery (FS): 52v, 20Ah battery built with Samsung 21700 NMC cells
- Range: 30-60 miles of range per charge
- Brakes: 4 piston hydraulic disc brakes w/integrated motor cutoff switch
- Tires (FS): CST Scout eMoped All-surface Tires, 20×4.0
- Weight Capacity: 350 lb
- Weight: 93 lb
- Warranty: 1 year
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