Retrospec Electric Bike Review: Is Retrospec A Good Brand?

If you’ve begun to look for an electric bike, you have probably seen the name Retrospec on your screen. With their unique retro-inspired look and budget-friendly philosophy, Retrospec has made a name for themselves in the crowded e-bike space. But beyond the fashionable frames and appealing colors, an important question looms for any savvy shopper: Are Retrospec e-bikes really any good? This product review aims to strip away the advertising claims and show you a genuine analysis. We’re going to dig into their full product line, delve into what it’s really like to ride their top models on the street, and answer the most crucial questions we think you want answers to before you make a decision on whether this is the brand you want to use to power your joy rides. It’s not just an overview, it’s a full guide to whether or not a Retrospec electric bike is right for you.

Its portfolio of electric bikes is varied, serving up something for just about every type of rider with a slant toward some specific use cases — commuting, cruising, all-terrain fun. And to make sense of the brand, you need to look at their entire line, broken into series and models. Here is a comprehensive rundown of their products:

Valen Series (Commuter/Utility)

• Valen Rev Step-Thru E-Bike
• Valen Rev E-Bike

Chatham Series (Cruiser)

• Chatham Rev Beach Cruiser E-Bike
• Chatham Rev Step-Thru Beach Cruiser Electric Bike

Beaumont Series (City/Hybrid)

• Beaumont Rev Step-Thru City E-Bike
• Beaumont Rev City E-Bike

Koa Series (Fat Tire/All-Terrain)

• Koa Rev Fat Tire E-Bike
• Koa Rev Step-Thru Fat tire E-Bike

Jax Series (Folding)

• Jax Rev Folding E-Bike

Griffin Series (Folding)

• Griffin Rev Folding E-Bike

For an honest understanding of what Retrospec has to offer, we’ll need to move beyond mere names and into the riding experience of their bikes. We honed in on three of their most popular models to set the tone for the brand. First up was the Chatham Rev Beach Cruiser. From the first glance, the Chatham is steeped in a laid-back, beachcomber atmosphere. The bars have swoopy lines, and the saddle is a wide and cushy one that puts you in a relaxed, upright riding position immediately. And the experience is less about speed than it is about feeling. That means that when I start pedaling on a level trail, the rear hub motor kicks in with a subtle but palpable nudge that turns hills and headwinds from something to be reckoned with into something that’s a bit of an annoyance instead of a major obstacle. It’s quiet and smooth. The sensation is one of smooth sailing, just right for easy weekend cruisers or your favorite local coffee joint. The single-speed drivetrain makes the ride even easier; you hop on, pick a pedal assist level and go. It’s certainly a looker, visually, with its classic frame geometry and tasteful colour choices. It’s less a piece of technology and more a beautiful bicycle that happens to have a motor.

Next, we tested the Beaumont Rev City E-Bike, and the change of mission was clear from the start. Striking enough to look at and reminiscent of those European city bikes, but all about practicality. Its 7-speed Shimano drivetrain is geared for urban terrain, so you can go from fast rides to fun commutes. The shift is crisp, and you can anticipate exactly which gear you want to be in for a small incline or long flat stretch. The motor is perhaps a little more responsive here, geared for the stop-and-start of city riding. Nailing the hit, from standstill to hit, at a traffic light feels good and inspires confidence. The rear rack is a huge practical plus giving the opportunity to carry groceries or a work bag easily. And it feels like a tank — in a good way. Jumpy and unpredictable, the bike, though, is not. It rides steady and reliable, and the slightly narrower tires — as compared with the Chatham — mean nimbler handling through tight city streets. It’s the sort of bike that really could be a car-replacer for short commutes, marrying retro style to modern electric utility.

Finally, we tried out the Koa Rev Fat Tire E-Bike, something else entirely. The 4" wide tires really do give the bike an imposing look and a feeling of being able to take on a lot. Then, you start riding the Koa Rev and it feels empowered. On pavement, the tires whoosh and soak up all but the worst road imperfections for a remarkably smooth ride. But its true nature reveals itself when you leave the pavement. Put the Koa Rev on a gravel path or packed dirt trail and it wakes up. That bulk of a tire floats on top of deep gravel when thinner ones would sink or slip. With up to a 75-mile range, you can travel further and explore more than ever before. A high-powered motor means you can also traverse off-road uphills with ease. You are part of the land but protected from it. It is a bike made for the adventure and fun of finding paths you might overlook. It’s a sense of freedom, capability — and Retrospec proves you can have a strong, smile-inducing ride, all without looking the part.

Hands on is key, but a shrewd purchase considers the brand from all points of view. What most have found appealing with Retrospec is the design philosophy and accessibility. The brand has deftly tapped into a hunger for goods that are not only utilitarian, but beautiful. Their retro/vintage vibes are a breath of fresh air in an industry that is increasingly focused on futuristic and/or hyper-aggressive looks. This helps their bikes feel a bit more user-friendly, particularly to new riders or riders who place as much emphasis on style as they do speed. Another major benefit is they sell direct-to-consumer, which allows them to keep the price point of their electric bikes as one of the most affordable on the market. You’re getting a lot of style and solid entry-level electric performance for your dollar. This affordable and cute design is what makes Retrospec so popular. They have managed to make the electric bike a sexy lifestyle product rather than a joyless utility vehicle. Also, the no-frills nature of a lot of their models, such as the single-speed Chatham, can certainly be a plus for some riders who don’t want to be bogged down by bells and whistles, and instead just want to jump on and start pedaling. They have made a bike that's dependable, fun, and ready for everyday use cases - the commute, cruising, a bit of casual fun - and they've closed their circle really well.

It's true that Retrospec has mastered the traditional styling cues and have done a great job making their offerings accessible, but if you're after the most advanced commuter tech or the best overall high-performance commuter riding experience around, you could be better off looking elsewhere in the niche. One brand that’s on top of all is ENGWE, more specifically with their P275 SE. The electric bike is designed from the ground up for the digital age and is focused on maximum technology and design for the best possible ride. Its star feature is its smart torque sensor, a huge step up from the cadence sensor that’s standard on most non-premium e-bikes. This sensor reads your actual pedaling force, and unlike most other e-bikes, power is given from the 250W motor seamlessly and naturally; it simply feels like you, only faster. Equipped with the exclusive E-SATS AI algorithm of ENGWE, the system responds in 50 milliseconds, and it’s an ultra-responsive ride. The P275 SE is a bike of endurance and security too; the 36V 13Ah high-capacity detachable battery offers up to an incredible 100 km range on a single battery. Front and rear hydraulic disc brakes ensure that you have full stopping power in busy city traffic. It is also about comfort as it includes a Dutch-style upright position, ergonomic swallow handlebar, and shock-absorbing features. A smart app for the tech-savvy rider to see real-time data and operate lights at your fingertips (free download at Apple Store/Google Play Store). The ENGWE P275 SE is of a different philosophy: it’s designed from the ground up to be a tech-inspired commuter that minimizes effort and fatigue for an added lavish riding experience.

So you can get a better overall sense of how Retrospec’s own bikes compare one to another, the chart below details all the different components and models they’ve put out so far. That means you can compare the specs that matter most to your needs: motor power for tackling hills, battery range for longer rides, and frame geometry that suits you for spoiler or step-through riding.

Retrospec E-Bike Model Comparison

To help with your purchase, here are some of the most frequently asked, and most important, questions people ask about Retrospec electric bikes.

1. Where are Retrospec bikes manufactured?

As with many global bicycle brands striving for affordability and scale, Retrospec designs its bikes in California and has them produced by reliable partners in Asia. This is a common practice, allowing them to benefit from the established manufacturing know-how in making good quality frames and components, but athletes who are paying their own way don’t have to have their bank accounts cleared out to fund the cost. Quality control oversight ensures that the final product will match up to their design and safety standards.

2. What is the speed of Retrospec’s e-bike?

Most of the Retrospec e-bikes are in the United States classified as Class 1 or Class 2 electric bikes. That's because they offer engine support only up to speeds of 20 miles per hour (or so). Class 1 bikes only give aid when you pedal (pedal-assist), whereas Class 2 bikes also have a throttle that will power the bike without applying pedals. Of course, your real-world top speed will be influenced by factors like rider weight, the terrain you’re riding, and how much wind you’re against, but once you hit that 20 MPH threshold, the motor will stop giving you any pedal assist.

3. What is the process involved in assembling when you buy an e-bike of Retrospec online?

Retrospec bikes are direct-to-consumer, and approximately 85% assembled. This is par for the course for direct-to-consumer bike brands. The rest of the assembly is usually adding the front wheel, handlebars, pedals, and saddle. Retrospec has you covered with instructions and the tools you’ll need for the job. It's pretty doable for a person who knows a few things about turning a wrench, but someone totally unfamiliar might be slightly intimidated. To ensure your personal safety and performance, we recommend that you have the final assembly done by a local professional bike mechanic.

4. Can I take out the battery of a Retrospec e-bike?

Yes, one of the many benefits of Retrospec's “Rev” lineup is the batteries are inside the downtube of the frame for a sleek appearance; however, they are completely removable. This is a very, very important convenience. It means you can take the battery into your home or office to charge without lugging the whole bike with you. It also adds a level of security to the bike: when parking up in a public place, you can take out the battery, making it a much less valuable target for theft.

5. What is Retrospec's warranty and customer service?

Usually, Retrospec provides a limited warranty for its products. This generally means a longer warranty on the frame and a shorter, allocated warranty (usually a year) on the electronic components such as the motor, battery, and controller. It's very important to read the actual details of the warranty available on the model you are interested in, especially before making the purchase. Their customer service is done via email communication and through their website. But since this is a direct-to-consumer company, there won't be a local dealer to turn to if you encounter a problem that requires immediate service, so you will be dealing directly with the company for any warranty claims or support questions.

In the end, Retrospec is a fashionable, and convenient, induction into the electric bike market, and worth a look for the contemporary leisure rider.