The looks are killer, but the bike isn’t just style; off-road fun abounds on this speedy dirt bike-inspired ride.
My previous experiences reviewing the HT and helping test the FS models already convinced me the Revv 1 was a great bike. Both were fun, fast, comfortable and just looked badass!
Now, enter the DRT with the best specs of any Revv1 model. Its enhanced suspension and duo-sport tires sent me further off the beaten path than I’d attempted on any previous Revv1. I immediately found myself enjoying the ride in a whole new light. If you want fun times on paved surfaces or in the dirt, the Revv 1 DRT is an excellent place to look.
I’ll state the (hopefully) obvious: It’s not a dirt bike. But if you want a versatile e-bike that allows you to commute on bike paths, enjoy some double-track, and even hit a smaller dirt jump or two, then the DRT can deliver.
The DRT packs all the hallmarks of a moped-style e-bike. It has a powerful motor, sufficient counterbalance with 4-piston hydraulic brakes, and a large battery for longer ride times.
But all of that is just the tip of the iceberg, and there is plenty more worth discussing. See how it did in our testing down below for all the details.
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E-Bike-Category:Moped
E-Bike Class:
Class 2 (throttle to 20 mph)
Class 3 (pedal assist to 28 mph)
NOTE: tested bike exceeds 750 watts nominal output
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Ride1Up Revv 1 DRT Video Review
ELECTRICAL SPECS & FEATURES
Battery:52V 20ah, Samsung 50E 21700 Cells (56 cells). UL 2271 Certified Display: 3.5″ Center Mount w/ Watt ‘RPM’ bar Motor: 52V Bafang RM G0F4.1000W Controller:52V 35A (boost) 18 Mosfets Headlight:Moto Style Round Headlight with Custom Fairing, 120 LUX, high & low beam Taillights:Starunion Brake Light Pedal Assist: PAS 1-5, Cadence Sensor Throttle:Twist grip App:No UL Certification:UL 2271 CertifiedWeight & Dimensions
Claimed weight: 91 lbs Tested Weight: 94.1 lbs Rider height range: 5’3” – 6’4” Total payload capacity: 350 lbsComponents & Accessories
Brakes: 4-piston LBN 203mm Hydraulic Disc Brakes w/ Electric Cut-Off Sensor Fenders: Custom Off-Road Style Plastic Composite Fork: Double-crown 150mm, Preload w/ Hydraulic Lockout Frame: Alloy Frame Drivetrain: Single Speed KMC chain, 42t chainring Grips: Anti-slip Rubber Grips Saddle: Customized cafe style saddle Handlebar: Width: 720mm, Sweep: 25°, Rise: 120mm Kickstand: Included Pedals: Alloy Tires: Custom Innova, 20” x 4” off-road tiresThe DRT is a BLAST to ride around and made for a highly capable plaything out in the desert.
1000W of power, a 52V system, and 95Nm of torque: They sure didn’t skimp on the motor’s juice.
The throttle A.K.A the thing you’ll be using 99% of the time.
The purpose of our speed test is to see how fast you can go when pedaling at any given PAS level in class 2 or class 3 settings. Now, you and I both know you’re likely using throttle more than 99% of the time on an e-bike like this, but hey, I’ll still do the due diligence and test the speed settings anyway!
The results were pretty much what I expected to see. A heavy bike with cramped leg extension is slow-moving without a motor. Make sure you always have enough battery, folks! It’s not fun otherwise.
But with the motor on, it’s a much different story. Class 2 settings will quickly get you to the 20 mph limit. I noticed the bike had a tendency to go up to about 23 mph before settling back down to the limit.
Class 3 riding has pretty good spacing and distinct speed levels. You might not pedal it much, but I like the setup class 3 has if you do pedal.
Now, if you watched the video review (and I highly recommend that you do), you’ll see where I also did throttle and unrestricted mode tests. These showed to me two things.
First, for a motor that can easily push fast speeds, it has a very nice acceleration curve. Many a fast e-bike is guilty of accelerating too fast in my opinion for less-experienced riders. But the throttle up to 20 mph feels manageable for anybody comfortable with those speeds. The throttle has decent modulation meaning you can hover at a slower speed too by just not twisting it fully.
Second, the off-road mode is a certified blast! The acceleration feels like it’s on a similar curve to the class 2 and 3 settings, but I was able to get the bike up to 36 mph on throttle alone. The DRT has the longest wheelbase of any Revv1 model, and as a result, it feels the most stable, so it’s fun to get going that fast and not sketchy like it can be on other e-bikes.
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There was a very good sense of control where the handling is concerned.
The gas tank-looking battery is large and fits the needs of a power-hungry motor.
The display is larger than most and easy to see in all but intense, direct sunlight.
When it comes to hub motors, we hope to see a 1:1 ratio of a motor’s nominal wattage output to a battery’s watt-hour capacity. The DRT checks that box with a 1000W motor feeding off a 1040 Wh battery.
Earlier this year we made a small change to our range tests where moped e-bikes are concerned. Instead of doing a PAS 5 and PAS 1 test to evaluate a brand’s range claims (30-60 miles in this case), we do just one throttle test at full power to establish a floor value. We test them similarly to how most people ride them anyway.
The Revv 1 DRT’s ability to travel 27 miles without any help from a rider’s legs is plenty impressive. It edged out most of the other moped bikes despite being heavier than most.
One thing on our wishlist would be the option to tie PAS speeds into throttle speeds. Yes, the twist throttle had modulation, so you don’t have to go to the max, but enhanced control over slower speeds to preserve the battery would be welcome.
Ride1Up also has an accessory (currently on backorder) for a dual-battery balancer. The option to add a second battery should be available in the near future for Revv 1 riders looking for even more range before having to recharge their batteries.
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The DRT is within the margin of error with the HT model to be declared a virtual tie. Somewhat curiously the FS model was a little faster. I’ve got educated guesses involving the cast aluminum wheels and smoother tread of the FS giving it an advantage, but I digress.
In any case, the DRT is one of the faster-moped e-bikes when it comes to hill climbs. The 95 Nm of torque in addition to the 1000W of power and 52V system means it can hang with the fastest hill climbers around.
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The DRT lives up to its name as it was a great to ride offroad.
The single-speed setup is easier to pedal than most moped-style e-bikes, but let’s be real, you’ll mostly use the throttle.
The 20” x 4” Innova tires have a duo-sport tread that holds straight-line speed well and is rugged enough for off-road usage.
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E-bikes have collectively been improving when it comes to brakes. For a long time, the average stopping distance in our brake test was 23’, but that number is now just under 22’ as of this writing.
Moped style e-bikes like the Revv 1 DRT tend to perfrom a little better than the average though since they often include greater stopping power to offset the powerful motors they carry.
Even though this bike style is typically better in this test, the Revv 1 DRT still managed to stand out. With a brake test average of 19’ even, it ties as the fourth-best result we’ve seen from similar e-bikes.
The 4-piston LBN brakes work great and are more than up to the task of stopping the bike.
The Moto-style inverted fork has 150mm of travel and feels good when cornering.
The sportier design of the DRT’s saddle still retains a plush feel with a slightly nicer aesthetic.
The Molle panel might offer some utility to those who use it, but it definitely enhances the visual appeal.
The main headlight is plenty bright for seeing and being seen in dark conditions.
The suspension is one of the main draws. The 150mm double-crown fork and 76mm rear shock make the ride really cush. Overall it feels soft, but not easy to bottom out which translates to a pretty cushy ride which holds up well off road.
Speaking of which, the tires here walk well in both worlds, so to speak. They are more duo-sport than anything. They can go offroading but don’t have the grip for overly technical stuff. I’d stick to fire roads and double track mostly, but you’ll like how well it rides and takes punishment from rocky and uneven terrain.
The DRT is the tallest and longest Revv 1 model. It retains the benefits of a planted feel with a low center of gravity but handles the blazing-fast speeds of the off-road mode very well too.
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The rear shock provides a huge amount of comfort, and the reservoir means the performance will hold up even on longer rides.
The tread pattern is meaty, to say the least, but it’s quieter on roads than you’d expect, and it holds speed well. All while being tough enough for dirt adventuring.
The rise of the bars and gradual sweep keep riders upright and in control nicely.
We always appreciate included brake lights for better visibility while commuting.
Ride1Up also has optional accessories that are worth looking into. The most practical of the lot would be a center storage box for the main triangle (Diamond? Trapezoid?), but you’ll also find passenger kits to take advantage of the foot pegs near the rear dropout.
The suspension feels great, and the tires ride surprisingly well on road and off, and the overall handling is more solid than ever. This is a bike where you have to squint to find things to not like.
A little enhanced speed control might be nice, and as is the case with every heavy e-bike, it just won’t be for everybody depening on your personal situation for moving or storing it when it’s not in use.
But those in the market for a fun all-around moped option will be more than happy with the Revv 1 DRT so long as it fits the budget.
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 Revv 1 DRT down in our comments section.
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