Ride1UP Revv 1 Hardtail Review, 2024

Ride1UP makes two different versions of the Revv1. There’s a full-suspension version that comes with a 1040Wh battery as well as the version we tested, the hard tail, which comes equipped with a smaller 780Wh battery. It also weighs 10 lbs. less than the full suspension version, at 83 lbs. Because their range estimate doesn’t specify which version that refers to, we really didn’t know what to expect in our test.

We performed two separate tests with the Ride1UP Revv1 HT: one each in PAS 1 and PAS 5. On our max power test, the Ride1UP Revv1 HT did an impressive job and took us a total of 33.57 mi., a bit more than Ride1UP’s estimate of 30 mi. When we went back out for our PAS 1 test we covered 43.98 mi. While we didn’t achieve the 60 mi. Ride1UP suggested, but when we consider other e-bikes we’ve tested with a 750W motor and a 780Wh battery, it’s not a bad result at all.

As we noted in our speed test, the Ride1UP Revv1 HT went 15.2 mph in PAS 1; that’s faster than we usually see, and more speed equals less range, so we were impressed with the 44-mi. range.

The wide bench-style saddle makes for comfortable sitting, but it’s hard for to pedal comfortably for long due to the lack of leg extension and seat width; we expect most riders will rely on the throttle for lots of their riding.

The hill test we put e-bikes through on Hell Hole, our ⅓-mi., 12-percent climb is one of the most fun aspects of testing e-bikes here at EBR. We love to see how the e-bikes will perform, which may be the only reason we call such a big hill beloved.

Crushed is the best way to describe how the Ride1UP Revv1 HT performed on the throttle-only test up Hell Hole, as in the Revv1 crushed the test. Justin rode the Ride1UP Revv1 HT up in a time of 1:14, for a 14.7 mph average. When pedaling, he shaved off 5 seconds for a 1:09 result with a 15.2 mph average.

We compared the performance of the full-suspension version of the Revv1, which has a 35A controller, to the performance of the hard tail, which comes with a 25A controller. This one change, which determines the flow of electricity from the battery to the motor can be credited with giving the full-suspension version a 9-second-faster ascent on throttle and a 7-second-faster climb when pedaling.

While the hard tail can’t draw energy the same way the full suspension version can, there is a silver lining. In limiting the energy draw, the Ride1UP Revv1 HT enjoys good range for an e-bike of this style.

*Good news, our brake test results are getting an upgrade. While our test model came with 180mm rotors, Ride1UP upgraded all Revv 1 models to 203mm rotors not long after. You can expect better braking performance than what we acheieved.

We’ve seen a number of e-mopeds that were equipped with brakes typical of Class 2 e-bikes with a maximum assist speed of 20 mph. But because they are able to go up to nearly 30mph, that extra speed calls for more powerful braking. The Ride1UP Revv1 HT impressed us by not only going with 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes on 180mm rotors. The norm is 2-piston calipers, so we appreciated the extra help

In our three-pass test, after accelerating up to 20 mph, the Ride1UP Revv1 HT averaged 22 feet 10 inches which is a foot longer than our current average of 21 feet 10 inches. A solid result.

One facet of the Ride1UP Revv1 HT we liked in braking was how stable it felt under hard braking. Thanks to the heavy, 20-in. wheels, which contribute to a low center of gravity, the Ride1UP Revv1 HT offered a stable feel when hard on the brakes.

As a card-carrying member of the e-moped class, the Ride1UP Revv1 HT has a particular ride. With its low-slung frame and 20-in. cast-aluminum wheels and 4-in.-wide tires, it graces riders with an especially confident feel. While it’s plenty maneuverable at low speeds, the ride is most enjoyable once it’s at cruising speed.

Shoppers who want to be able to place both feet on the ground when stopped will enjoy this design as that’s part of the intent of e-mopeds, along with a big bench seat, which offers more support, but can’t be adjusted for leg extension. The lack of leg extension and the seat width make pedaling a little less comfortable than they might be on a more traditional e-bike, but the appeal of e-mopeds is rooted in using the throttle and not the pedals, a detail that’s backed up by the fact that in testing any time we were going faster than 20 mph we could only ghost pedal.

Most of the e-mopeds we have reviewed run more than $2000, including the full-suspension version of the Ride1UP Revv1. There are some good reasons why they tend to be more expensive. First, the box-style frame requires both more tubing and more labor to build. Second, they feature big batteries and powerful motors and those two components often contribute half the cost of an e-bike (or more). Third, even after the cost-saving measure of leaving out the multi-speed drivetrain, more powerful brakes up the expense, as do the beefy wheels and tires.

This is why when we saw that the Ride1UP Revv1 goes for less than $2000, not only were we impressed, but we knew we’d need to put it through its paces. And it passed our speed and hill tests with flying colors. Some shoppers might not be impressed with the 44-mi. range we saw, but when we weigh that against other similarly equipped e-mopeds as well as the cost associated with spec’ing a bigger battery, we think they made a smart strategic choice. And for anyone with range anxiety, there’s always the full-suspension Revv1, which includes a battery with 33 percent more capacity.

The wide, bench-style seat and short distance to the pedals means that the Ride1UP Revv1 HT will not be the most comfortable e-bike to pedal for long distances. The low seat makes it easy to reach the ground when stopped, but it leaves the rider close enough to the pedals that it feels a bit like driving a car with the seat too far forward. Again, this points to our belief that Ride1UP expects the Revv1 to appeal most to people who don’t want to pedal much, if at all.

Shoppers considering the Ride1UP Revv1 HT who wonder whether they will fully enjoy it if it is set for Class 2 operation need not worry. Even though on throttle both PAS 3 and PAS 5 will take the rider up to 20 mph, selecting PAS 5 will result in quicker acceleration and a bit more muscle on hills.

We have criticized some e-mopeds for spec’ing brakes that resulted in a rather leisurely stopping distance. While the Ride1UP Revv1 HT came in just below our average in our brake test despite the presence of 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes and larger-than-usual rotors. We think that we might not have fully broken the pads in because when we tested the Ride1UP Revv1 FS it came to a stop more than 3 feet sooner—a result more in keeping with 4-piston brakes clamping down on 203mm rotors.

The combination of 4-in.-wide tires and a 100mm-travel suspension fork mean that riders will enjoy a very smooth experience as they roll. Even rough roads will feel smooth on the Revv1 HT.

Making the most of the Ride1UP Revv1 HT’s 750W Bafang hub motor will happen on dirt roads with the controller set to “off-road” mode. Unfortunately, most cities don’t permit e-mopeds or e-bikes to go faster than 28 mph.

The Ride1UP Revv1 HT may be the biggest surprise in the e-moped category. We called the full-suspension version of the Revv1 the best e-moped on the market, but when we consider the stunning value that the hard tail offers shoppers, we might have spoken out of turn; the Ride1UP Revv1 HT makes a very strong case for the crown of the best e-moped on the market.

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 Ride1UP Revv1 HT down in our comments section.