The Ride1Up REVV1 Takes Aim at Class 4 Ebikes
The REVV1 Has Hidden Class
Most consumer electric bikes fit into a 3-tiered classification: Class 1 e-bikes use pedal assist motor power only and lack a throttle; Class 2 and 3 ebikes have throttle power but also rely on pedaling to hit their legal top speed limits of 20 and 28 mph. The REVV1 FS – one of our top recommended and most-popular, moped-style electric bikes – comes as a single-speed, Class 2 electric bike with a top speed of 20 mph and full suspension.
The REVV1 FS also has another, hidden mode that turns it past 11 – or past its Class 2-approved legal limit. Unlocked in “off-road mode,” the standard REVV1 can hit speeds of up to 35 mph. The REVV1 DRT (more on that in a moment), on the other hand, hits RG-tested top speed of 45 mph, no unlocking needed. These capabilities and the power specs of the unlocked FS and DRT place them outside the usual 3-tiered classification system.
A category that isn’t usually mentioned in everyday ebike marketing, Class 4 electric bikes are the monsters of the ebike world. Class 4 ebikes include electric dirt bikes from Surron, Talaria, Solar, and E Ride.
Class 4 can also include innovative hybrid electric motorcycles like the Land District. The District can operate in 4 modes: in its first mode, it's like a Class 2 ebike. In its second mode, the District is a street-legal 38-mph moped or cafe racer. Only in the last two modes does it power up to motorcycle speeds.The Ride1Up REVV1 can also operate like a cafe racer around town. You can even swap in cafe racer-style handlebars.
Class 4 Moped Speeds for Less
Ride1Up REVV1 FS | $2295
The REVV1 doesn’t hit highway speeds, but unlocked it travels as fast as many Class 4 competitors, and that includes electric bikes that cost several hundred more. Class 4 is a broad category for “off-road” ebikes as well as mopeds, and Class 4 ebikes are categorized as motorized vehicles rather than bicycles. They often require mirrors, plates, turn signals, and some form of licensing and registration for use on the road.
In its stock configuration, the REVV1 is a Class 2 ebike with a 750W motor, pedals, a single sprocket, and a top speed of 20+ mph. In “off-road mode,” its Bafang motor outputs around 1500W, pushing it to speeds almost as fast as the Land District’s moped mode, for less than half the price of the District, while its dual suspension and natural, upright riding position give it a plush, comfortable ride quality that’s nothing like a bicycle.
Best-In-Class Class 4 Ebike
Ride1Up REVV1 DRT | $2495
The REVV1 DRT edition goes even further, competing with another very popular Class 4 electric bike with a manual drivetrain and PAS – the Super73 Adventure series. For legal reasons, most likely, Super73 will only specify top speeds of “28+” for their Adventure series in unlocked off-road mode, but the DRT blows past this vague spec with up to 45 mph top speeds.
The DRT edition comes with a stock 1000W motor, a huge 1040Wh battery, and a long list of appointments. In our testing, the DRT blew away the Super73-Z when it came to speed, range, ride-quality, and all-around appointments. We compared the difference to a Porsche 911 Turbo S vs a commuter sedan. (Note: The latest Super73 Adventure series bikes come with full suspension, while the Super73 we tested had a hard tail).
The DRT has a bigger motor than the Super73 Adventure series, and it's got a larger battery, all for well over $1,000 less. The REVV1 also has more options for storage with a center Molle panel that can convert to an optional storage case for $100.Both the FS and DRT can carry passengers with the optional $100 passenger kit, making them even more useful as Class 4 mopeds as well as functional ebikes.
Summing Up
We can confidently recommend both editions of the REVV1 – the FS and the DRT – over most other moped-style, off-road capable electric bikes out there that cost much more, including those made by Super73.
The REVV1 is also a great street-style Class 4 moped, for half the price of a cafe racer-style e-moto, although you’ll need to check your local laws about street legality when unlocked. However you ride it, for under $2500, this bike has proven it can rise to the top of the class without emptying its riders’ bank accounts.
