Retrospec Valen Rev 3 Review | Moto Style Without the Premium Price

Moped-style e-bikes are a little different from most other categories, so we test them a little differently too. Since most riders are not going to spend much time pedaling them, we evaluate range the way they are most likely to be used: on throttle power.

Going into this test, I was not especially optimistic. In general, we like to see something close to a 1:1 ratio between a motor’s nominal wattage and a battery’s watt-hour capacity. Here, the Valen Rev 3 tips the other way, pairing a 750W nominal motor with a 500Wh battery. On paper, that made me think the range might come up a bit short. But to the bike’s credit, it turned in a pleasantly surprising result.

Using throttle only, the bike traveled 25.5 miles before the battery ran dry. Based on my initial expectations, I would have guessed something south of 20 miles, so credit is due to the programming for managing power well enough to stretch the battery farther than expected.

We have tested a lot of moto-style e-bikes over the years, and the average in our database is 24.6 miles, despite those bikes using all kinds of different motor and battery combinations. So for a bike with a somewhat uneven motor-to-battery ratio, I came away pretty happy with the result.

The external battery is also easy to remove, which adds a little flexibility. If you expect longer rides, you could always pick up a spare and swap in a fresh pack when needed. But even as it comes, 25.5 miles on a charge is a strong result for this style of bike.

One of my favorite parts of our hill test is the reminder it gives every time we go out to run it. Riders on non-electric bikes are often seen walking their bikes up this climb, which tells you pretty quickly what kind of challenge it is. The hill is long, steep, and genuinely punishing, so it is a great test of any motor system.

Much like the speed test, we stuck to our standard routine and tested the Valen Rev 3 on both throttle and pedal power. In this case, both results were strong, and they ended up fairly close together.

On throttle alone, the bike reached the top in 1:57, averaging 15.5 mph. With pedaling, it only slowed slightly, finishing in 2:01 at 15 mph. Both times edge out the current all-bike average by a few seconds, which is a solid showing.

We have not tested a huge number of moped-style bikes since switching over to the 2.0 version of our hill test, so there is not a deep pool of direct category comparisons yet. Even so, the overall takeaway is clear: the Valen Rev 3 is a capable hill climber.

Its 85 Nm of torque does not put it at the very top of the hub-motor class, but it is far from underpowered. There is enough punch here to handle even steep climbs with confidence.

And if you decide to take advantage of the bike’s 350 lb payload capacity by adding a passenger, it should still be able to make it up most hills just fine—just with a little less urgency.

Brake tests on bikes like this can be a little hard to predict. On one hand, the low center of gravity from the 20” wheels and low-slung frame can work in their favor. On the other, these bikes also tend to be fairly heavy, often pushing close to 80 lbs. So while you can make an educated guess, the result does not always go exactly as expected.

In this case, the Valen Rev 3 performed really well. It stopped in 19’7”, which is a little more than two feet better than the current all-bike average and 5” better than the moped-style class average.

It is tough to argue with results like that. The bike stops quickly when asked, and that is a clear win.

That said, there are still a couple of areas where I would have liked to see a little more added value. The Tektro Aries brakes have proven to be solid mechanical brakes over the years, and there is a real advantage in the fact that they are generally easier to service and replace. That is a legitimate plus.

Even so, I have been beating the drum for hydraulic brakes on most e-bikes for years, and I think they would have been a welcome upgrade here, especially on a bike that somewhat encourages riding with a passenger. Add more weight, and stopping distances naturally become more important. I also would have liked to see integrated lighting, or at least brake lights, as that is becoming increasingly common at this price point. On this model, you are still just getting reflectors.

Those features do exist on the upgraded Plus model, so the option is there if they matter to you. But I still think this standard model would have benefited from those additions for a little extra peace of mind.

Simplicity is very much part of Retrospec’s calling card, and with the more affordable version of the current Valen Rev lineup, that theme continues in a big way.

It starts with a killer frame. I genuinely like the styling of the Valen Rev 3, and the blue color really pops. There is a fun personality to the bike, from the “it’s off the chain, yo” text on the chainstay to the oversized, diamond-patterned tubing that gives it a larger-than-life presence.

The fork looks cool too, though some riders may be surprised to realize on closer inspection that it is rigid. Still, the triple-clamp design works well from a handling standpoint when paired with the BMX handlebar. It is easy to tilt the bar back into a comfortable position, and the steering lands in a good spot for a cruiser-style ride that can still respond a little quicker when needed.

The display is fairly basic, which fits the bike’s minimalist theme. The contact points are all pleasant, and the seat is firmer than expected, but in a good way. It has enough plushness to stay comfortable while still offering decent support.

The tires also bring a little extra versatility. With the rigid fork, I would not pitch this as a true all-terrain bike, but the wider tires do help it handle surfaces like sandy beaches or similarly loose terrain better than a typical bike. That extra width gives it more float and a little more confidence when the pavement ends.

Overall, this is not a feature-heavy bike, but that is clearly the point. Retrospec has the Plus model for riders who want more extras. A lot of moped-style e-bike appeal comes down to looks and motor power, and the Valen Rev 3 delivers where it counts. In that sense, a lot of what you are paying for is the vibe, but that is true across the category. Higher-priced alternatives from brands like Super73 have often asked for a lot more money while offering similar, and sometimes even leaner, specs. So for simple around-town riding and relaxed cruising with style, the Valen Rev 3 makes a strong case. Riders looking for a little more substance for commuting may be better off stepping up to the Plus model.

Juiced and Super73-style moto e-bikes were some of the first e-bikes I remember seeing out in the wild. For a while, they really felt like the “cool kid” bikes, and honestly, this category still leans heavily on vibe first, with practicality coming in a distant second. With that in mind, I really like the Valen Rev 3’s more affordable approach. It gives you the look, delivers enough motor power to feel lively, and captures that same joyride energy while costing a lot less than many of the bikes that helped define the category.

The handling is a big part of the appeal. The wide tires and BMX handlebar make it easy to settle in and enjoy the ride, and simply hammering the throttle and ripping around town does not get old. It is the kind of bike that feels just as entertaining on ride number fifty as it does on ride number one.

There are still a few areas where I would not have minded seeing a little more on this lower-cost trim, particularly integrated lighting and hydraulic brakes. But it is also hard to complain too much when Retrospec offers a higher-spec Plus model at a reasonable step-up in price, especially since it adds several of the extras I would most want.

If you want an e-bike that is mostly about fun, has enough room and payload capacity to bring along a second rider when needed, and still has enough zip to feel exciting, the Valen Rev 3 strikes me as an affordable option that is genuinely worth considering.

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 Valen Rev 3 down in our comments section.