Retrospec Beaumont Rev 2 Review 2024
Classic good looks, super-comfy cruising, and packed with value.
Spoiler alert, we think you can.
Right off the bat, this bike is comfortable! We spend a lot of time on bikes here at EBR, and comfort (or lack thereof) becomes quickly apparent to us once we hit the paths. In my testing this week, I spent quite a bit of time on the Beaumont Rev 2, and from my first mile, this bike kept me cruising with comfort. Retrospec’s choice for Compass 27.5”x2.4” city tires and cushioned wide leather seat were spot on, as they teamed up to deliver a smooth ride that I found myself not wanting to get off of.
But, what good is comfort (and price) if the bike doesn’t look good? I mean, that’s half the battle these days, a bike just needs to look good. Well, the folks at Retrospec really went big by offering six colors to pick from with the Beaumont Rev 2. So, no matter what your style is, you can likely find a color from the lineup that compliments your taste.
Now, with all my flattery out of the way, it’s time to get into the testing data we got with the Beaumont Rev 2. So, is it all pretty paint and price tags? Or, does this bike really deliver in the areas you need it most, things like range, speed, braking and ride quality? Well, let’s get nerdy and find out.
- Value is hard to find these days in e-bikes, but, thanks to the $999 MSRP, this bike nails it.
- Been a while since you were on a bike? Fear not, the 350W motor feels even and gentle and never felt jumpy or unsteady.
- We logged over 43 miles of range in our test, showing the efficient tuning of the 350W motor and 36V Samsung battery.
- Has eye appeal with 6 available color options.
- Longer rides felt great courtesy of the wide leather seat and 27.5”x2.4” wide tires from Compass.
- It was easy to operate the bike as the 7-Speed Shimano Tourney drivetrain and 5 levels of pedal assist provided a sensible range for most cases.
- The Beaumont Rev 2 is easy to get on and off thanks to the low stepover height of just 19.35 inches.
- Practical perks like a rear rack, a headlight and taillight, chainguard and fenders really emphasize the value packed into the Beaumont’s low price.
- Not a surprise on a 350W motor, but it struggles a bit on steep, steep hills. Best for flatter enviornments.
- At speeds above 15 mph, the bike feels undergeared, a slightly larger rear cog range would help create a more meaningful pedal response through all 5 levels of pedal assist.
- Battery:36V
- Display: None
- Motor: 2 350W Rear Hub with 360 Watt Hours
- Controller: Not Listed
- Headlight:Yes, 2xAA Batteries Required
- Taillights:Yes, 2xAA Batteries Required
- Pedal Assist: 5 Levels
- Claimed Range:Up to 38 Miles
- Tested Range:43.8 miles in PAS 2
- Throttle:Yes
- App:No
- UL Certification:Not Listed
- Claimed weight: 57.5 lbs
- Our Tested Weight: 62 with Battery, 56.2 Without Battery
- Rider height range: 5’ to 5’ 10”
- Maximum rider weight: 350 lbs
- Maximum load on the rear rack: 22 lbs
- Total payload capacity:350 lbs
- Brakes:Tektro mechanical disc brakes with 180mm rotors
- Fenders: Front and Rear, Metal
- Frame: Steel
- Drivetrain: 7-Speed Shimano Tourney with a 14T-34T rear cog and 42T chainring
- Grips: Brown Rubber
- Saddle: Wide Cushioned – Brown Leather
- Handlebar: Dutch Style – Alloy
- Kickstand: Yes, Rear Mounted
- Pedals: Flat Plastic
- Tires: Compass, Semi-Slick City Tread Pattern, sized 27.5 x 2.4”
Retrospec Beaumont Rev 2 Review: Speed Test
Hitting our local multi-use trails, we headed out on the Retrospec Beaumont Rev 2 to see how the bikes speed performance was in pedal assist. We conduct this test to gauge what speed thresholds the bike has at each level, and to get an idea of how the motor feels when it’s delivering that power.
The Beaumont Rev 2 bike is equipped with a 350W motor, activated by a cadence sensor, and the bike carries 5 levels of pedal assist along with a push throttle.
Starting with no pedal assistance at all from the motor, I keep a steady, yet, relaxed pace that ends up around 7.5 to 8 mph. Kicking off the pedal assist at PAS 1, the bike picked up speed with a subtle bump to 10.5 mph. Heading up into PAS 2, the bike settled in at 13.4 mph which we found to be a good all-around cruising speed. In PAS 3, the bike reached a speed of 16.6. Moving up to PAS 4, the bike reached a speed of 18.4. And finally at PAS 5, the bike reached a top speed of 20.9.
Overall, these results are great and show us the bikes power distribution at all 5 levels felt even and gentle. The bike never felt jumpy or unsteady when power was applied which is not only a testament to the cadence sensor, but also consistent with the laid back theme of a cruiser bike.
This bike effortlessly reaches that 20 mph Class 2 speed limit, but there’s a smoothness to its acceleration that feels reassuring. You won’t get any sudden power surges, which maintains a sense of control and stability.
If you’re a little hesitant about the power of e-bikes, or maybe you’re returning to cycling after a while, this would be a solid choice. The way it delivers power is gentle and predictable, making it easier to find your comfort zone and just enjoy the ride.
Retrospec Beaumont Rev 2 Review: Range Test
Range estimations are a funny thing. Sometimes brands tout really optimistic estimations and the bike can’t live up to it. Other times a brand gives a modest estimation and it really does deliver (and sometimes exceed) results in our real-world range tests.
In the case of the Beaumont Rev 2, Retrospec gave an estimation of 38 miles. In our testing, on PAS 2, we reached 43.8 miles, riding for 4 hours and 15 minutes with an average speed of 10.5 mph. On the highest PAS 5 setting, we reached 17.1 mph in a time of 1 hour and 15 minutes with an average speed of 21.1 mph.
The most impressive part? We hit 43.8 miles using PAS 2 – not the lowest setting. PAS 1 felt too slow for our tester’s comfortable pedaling speed, so it wouldn’t have been a realistic test.
This suggests that a more casual rider, comfortable cruising at 8-10 mph on PAS 1, could likely go even farther than our result. We won’t guess at the exact distance, but it’s something to consider if that matches your riding style.
Overall, the Retrospec Beaumont Rev 2 not only met, but exceeded the range expectations leaving us feeling good about the result.
Retrospec Beaumont Rev 2 Review: Hill Test
The Beaumont Rev 2 comes equipped with a 350W motor and a 36V battery, these are on the lower end of the e-bike muscle spectrum.
Our hill test revealed that the Beaumont Rev 2 could not ascend the incline on throttle power alone. However, when utilizing PAS 5 with pedaling, it managed the hill in 1 minute and 54 seconds, maintaining an average speed of 9.5 mph.
This performance aligns with our tests of other 350W motor bikes. None have successfully navigated the hill on throttle power alone, regardless of bike category (city, folding, commuter, etc.).
Overall, the Beaumont Rev 2’s hill-climbing ability is consistent with expectations for its motor specifications. If your local terrain features frequent, steep hills, a bike with a more powerful motor would be a better choice. For areas with mild to moderate inclines, this bike should offer sufficient performance.
Retrospec Beaumont Rev 2 Review: Brake Test
In the braking department, we use the test (explained above) to gather 3 braking distance results and then pull the average of the three runs to get a solid idea of how the brakes perform.
The Beaumont Rev 2 comes equipped with Tektro mechanical disc brakes paired to 180mm rotors, which, from what we’ve seen in the past is a decent setup for consistently safe braking. Also, Tektros are known nationwide by nearly any bike mechanic, so finding parts, getting service, and the brakes longevity should all be pretty solid.
Our test result showed an average stopping distance of 24 feet, 3 inches for the Retrospec Beaumont Rev 2. This result is slightly slower than other bikes we’ve tested equipped with similar mechanical disc brakes. We believe this is primarily due to the bike’s substantial weight (57.5 lbs), its larger cruiser tires designed for comfort, and the impact of the rider’s upright seating position.
While there’s room for brake performance improvement, it’s crucial to consider the Beaumont Rev 2’s impressive feature set at its sub-$1000 price point. Most importantly, the brakes consistently stopped the bike within our 25-foot safety threshold and never felt unsafe during testing.
Ultimately, if you own this bike, just be aware of the slightly longer stopping distance and give yourself a little extra room for unexpected stops. This simple adjustment will help ensure a safe and enjoyable riding experience on the Beaumont Rev 2.
Retrospec Beaumont Rev 2 Review: Ride Quality
Its Dutch-inspired design offers an upright, relaxed riding position for excellent visibility. While the Beaumont Rev 2 lacks suspension (common for its class and price), the wide, leather seat provides surprising cushioning and absorbs bumps better than you might expect.
The Compass 27.5 x 2.4″ tires feature a semi-slick tread we found to be quiet when rolling and the traction felt reliable. Retrospec suggests this bike is ideal for riders from 5′ to 5’10” – likely due to the non-adjustable stem. Interestingly, at 5 ’11”, I still found the Beaumont comfortable throughout my testing.
Also, the low step-over frame height of just 19.35 inches makes mounting and dismounting much easier – a welcome touch for any rider..
The Beaumont Rev 2 boasts practical features for daily commuting, including front and rear metal fenders, a rear rack rated for 22 lbs, and AA battery-powered front and rear lights.
Staying true to its budget-conscious nature, the bike forgoes an LCD display. Instead, it has a simple indicator panel on the left handlebar showing battery and pedal assist levels, with corresponding adjustment buttons. Unfortunately, the thumb throttle’s placement is a bit awkward. I found myself instinctively reaching for the throttle when intending to change assist levels, requiring a conscious effort to ensure I hit the correct button. A revised control layout would improve this aspect of the user experience.
The right handlebar features a Shimano Tourney shifter for the 7-speed drivetrain, with a 42T front chainring and a 14-34T cassette. This setup provides a practical gear range for pedaling in most cases, even when you choose not to use the motor. I would like to see a slightly wider range in the rear cog as after about 15-16 mph the bike feels undergeared.
The Beaumont Rev 2 also has a few practical features for daily commuting, including front and rear metal fenders, a rear rack rated for 22 lbs, and AA battery-powered front and rear lights.
Staying true to its budget-conscious nature, the bike forgoes an LCD display. Instead, it has a simple indicator panel on the left handlebar showing battery and pedal assist levels, with corresponding adjustment buttons. Unfortunately, the thumb throttle’s placement is a bit awkward. I found myself instinctively reaching for the throttle when intending to change assist levels, requiring a conscious effort to ensure I hit the correct button. A revised control layout would improve this aspect of the user experience.
The right handlebar features a Shimano Tourney shifter for the 7-speed drivetrain, with a 42T front chainring and a 14-34T cassette. This setup provides a practical gear range for pedaling, even when you choose not to use the motor.
Retrospec Beaumont Rev 2 Review: Summary / Where to Buy
Is there room for improvements with the Beaumont Rev 2? Sure. While we’d love to see slightly snappier brakes, they’re still perfectly sufficient for everyday cruising. The thumb throttle placement next to the pedal assist buttons felt a bit awkward, and it took some getting used to avoid confusing the two. That said, the Beaumont Rev 2 boasts an impressive range and a surprisingly comfortable ride.
Bottom line, e-bikes can be a serious investment, but the Retrospec Beaumont Rev 2 proves you don’t have to break the bank to get a quality ride. At just $999, this one’s a definite budget-friendly win.
Happy Riding! Make sure to let us know if you have any questions or if you think we left anything out in this review of the Retrospec Beaumont Rev 2 down in our comments section.