This bike has a fun, stable feel to it in it’s shipped Class 2 settings, with a fun and exhilarating ride when switched to Class 3 speeds.
I’ve recommended many fat tire e-bikes over the years to family, friends, and neighbors—even if that’s not the style they initially indicated they were looking for. Why? Because so many people have remarked on how stable they find the wide tires. I love recommending them to anyone who hasn’t ridden a bike in years (or even decades).
One area where I often hesitated was when the bike was clearly more than the person would need. Not all fat tire bikes are built to split commuting and offroading 50/50, after all, but several are designed with that purpose in mind, so sometimes, when I recommend a fat bike, the features could be a little more than what the person needed.
That’s what was refreshing about my review of the Retrospec Koa Rev 2 ST. This bike is a solidly built, and appropriately-spec’d model that excels at making leisurely trips around town or as a comfortable commuter. It keeps the price low by using more modest components.
The Koa Rev 2 has a 500W motor and a 500Wh battery to match. It’s a pleasant and controlled ride in its shipped Class 2 settings, but it shows a noticeable speed boost in Class 3 mode—a difference I appreciated when I wanted to move faster. The low step-over height, wide tires, and suspension fork make for a smooth sailing experience across either nicely paved roads or bumpier surfaces.
This bike has some wild side to it and will hold up fine at a campsite or on a fire road; people who need a more adventurous ride can consider its upgraded Plus model. It’s uncommon for an affordable brand to offer both a base and an upgraded model, so this is a nice rarity to find.
The bike is easy to maneuver on the roads, weighs under 70 lbs (a rarity for fat tire bikes), and comes in two attractive color options. It’s also available in a high-step model if you prefer a stiffer frame.
To see how it performed in our tests, check out all the details below.
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