I’ve been handed the keys to a new trike, the Retrospec Boca Rev, and while its name and colorway take my mind away to some tropical island, it’s got me wondering, “Are three wheels better than two?”
Well, as it turns out, it depends on who you ask.
For some, it’s the stable and safer answer they have been looking for in a bike. After all, life comes at you fast, and if (or when) life determines you might need some help with stability or balance, an electric trike might be calling your name.
So, with my new 3-wheeled steed in my review stable, I’ve set out to put myself in the shoes of someone who needs an electric tricycle with the goal of determining where this trike excels and where it could use improvement.
The Results? Better than expected. So, let’s talk shop around the new Retrospec Boca Rev Trike.
My Experience Riding The Retrospec Boca Rev Trike E-Bike
Riding the Retrospec Boca Rev starts by approaching it, and that’s an area I think Retrospec knocked out of the park. From the fun colors to the tan sidewalls on the tires, this trike just brings some style and fun to what feels like a typically drab segment in the electric trike market. So, on curb appeal alone, it gets my subjective nod of approval.
In terms of access, a strong point of the Boca Rev is the low stand-over height of just 17.5 inches, meaning you don’t need to worry about the dreaded leg swing over some high-top tube of a traditional bike. It also means in the event you need to stop suddenly or get off quickly, you should be able to do it much quicker (and safer) than a high bar frame.
The Boca Rev’s frame geometry put me in an upright and comfy position, with my hands falling naturally on the BMX-style handlebars in front of me. At 5′ 11″, the Boca Rev fit me very well, but if you’re north of 6′ 2″, I’m wary of the short stem length being able to accommodate a higher reach as it was already close to my 5′ 11″.
Another standout was the 500W motor, giving me surprisingly quick acceleration from a dead stop to the max speed of 14 MPH. While Retrospec does not market the torque rating, the power felt in acceleration and on hills tells me it is sufficient to get the job done, as I never thought I needed more power, which is a good sign.
The handling of the Boca Rev is an area I try to focus on when riding trikes. A poorly designed frame can lead to an increased tipping hazard, especially with any speed in corners. While you may be thinking, “Duh, that’s common sense,” not all trikes are created equal, and the width of the rear axle, along with the height of the saddle, can play a major role in making or breaking a trike riding experience. Make the width too narrow and the seat too high; it’s a tip-over nightmare; make it too wide, and sure, it’s stable, but you also won’t be able to fit it through a doorway.
The Boca Rev’s axle has sufficient width for a stable ride, but, like all trikes, I always recommend people reduce speed below 10 MPH for any corners and closer to 5 MPH for any tight turns. I think Retrospec did a good job of walking that line, as the trike never felt ‘scary’ tippy, and it can still clear a doorway without issue.
Between the super cushy (and wide) Comfort Saddle, the ergonomic platform grips, the frame geometry, and those plump 3″ wide tires, the ride on the Boca Rev is one of the most comfortable trikes I’ve tested yet. While Retrospec recommends the tire pressure to be 35 PSI, I found running closer to the upper 20s or low 30s gives a bit more cushion that has a big impact on comfort while not detracting from the ride. Also, often bigger saddles get in the way of effective pedaling; the lines in this saddle had a nice balance of comfort while still having room for me to pedal.
I was stopped twice on my test rides by passersby, who happened to be in their later years. Each person inquired about the Boca Rev based on its fun look, but both also mentioned how they never thought they would need a trike until that moment they finally did need it. I think that sentiment defines the market’s need for electric trikes pretty well.
Range
Estimated Range (from Retrospec):
- Up to 49 miles
Real World Range Test Results:
- MAX Range Test: 26 miles
Retrospec advertises the range of the Boca Rev to be ‘Up to 49 miles’. Once mine arrived for testing, I set out with the goal of seeing just how much range I could get out of the Boca Rev with some real-world riding.
I opted to do one test at the highest pedal assist level up against the trike’s max speed of 14 MPH. This would give me the best idea of what real owners (you) can reasonably expect to achieve. I headed out on a mostly flat community bike path, only stopping or slowing for the occasional street crossing or walker/jogger along my way.
Once the battery finally called it quits, I had covered 24 miles, which was not bad for a full power range test. Sure, had I put it in PAS 1 and stayed at 9-10 MPH, I would have come much closer (or potentially even exceeded) the estimated 49 miles, but I wanted a more realistic result.
While 24 miles isn’t a world record for e-bike range, I wouldn’t expect it to be. These electric trickles are built to move a heavy bike with a rider and their gear on a stable 3-wheel platform, and that’s exactly what it did. For most folks, the ability to head down to the grocery store or park and back home without any fear of range anxiety, and I think the Retrospec Boca Rev brings that to the table. Plus, if you keep speeds low, closer to 10 MPH, you can expect to push that range much closer to 50 miles.
Power (Motor & Battery)
The Retrospec Boca Rev is kitted with a 500W rear hub motor mounted in front of the rear axle, true to its trike design. Retrospec doesn’t advertise the peaking wattage or the torque output, so I was left to the old-school way of relying on the ‘feel’ of the trike based on many rides. After a few laps around town, it’s pretty clear the power and torque rating of the motor is sufficient, with quick acceleration and enough power to tackle moderate climbs with pedal assistance.
The motor on the Boca Rev is activated by a cadence sensor, which means the rotation of the pedals (cranks) sends a signal to the motor to be ‘on’ when the cranks are moving and ‘off’ when the cranks stop moving. It’s a simpler system and a good choice on a trike as it doesn’t need any pedaling speed or power modulation to get all the power you need.
Powering that 500W motor is the Boca Rev’s 10.4 Amp-hours (Ah), which gives us 500 Watt-hours (Wh) of juice for our rides. The 6.2 lb battery is UL 2271 safety certified, making it not only safe but easy to remove and carry outside the bike. The battery is secured in the bike’s frame via a supplied key for the Boca Rev, letting you lock that battery in place and reducing the risk of it walking away when you are not near your bike.
Overall, the Boca Rev is punchy and quick and feels like it has the muscle to tackle the task of lugging around the entire 500 lb max payload.
Components
Regarding components, the Boca Rev is equipped with a straightforward setup that gets the job done.
Starting with the cockpit, a BMX-style alloy handlebar lends to a more playful look. The telescoping adjustable stem supports that handlebar, which gives about 5 inches of range to help get a reach that fits you best. On each end, we have lock-on rubber ergonomic grips along with the Star Union hydraulic disc brake levers. On the left, we have a bell and the PAS control buttons in a single, easy-to-access unit, and finally, over on the right side is the push throttle.
All the wires and cables running from the handlebars to the frame are kept orderly and wrapped in two separate cable management sleeves. All in all, this setup works well for the bike, although, with the center-mounted display, there is little room for any additional accessories you might want to add (think phone holder or rearview mirror). While prepping for a ride, I found only about 1.5 usable inches of bar space on each side of the display. However, I could secure my phone mount without any real issues.
The drivetrain on the trike is a single-speed setup seemingly designed to keep things easy yet capable of handling most daily tasks. We have a 36T chainring mated to an 18T rear freewheel and then onward to a 17T rear cog. This gearing combination gives a good amount of power to feel confident on flat ground but still has a little room to help with moderate hills with the help of the pedal assist. I like the single-speed setup for a trike; it keeps things capable but doesn’t add a bunch of gears to complicate what should be a simple ride. The drivetrain is rounded out with all the essentials like a 3-piece crankset, alloy chain guard, and alloy cranks mated to aluminum flat pedals.
The Star Union hydraulic disc brakes handle braking on the Boca Rev. On the front end, there’s a 180mm rotor and a 2-piston caliper mounted along the fork. In the rear, center-mounted along the axle, an additional 180mm rotor and 2-piston caliper slows both rear wheels simultaneously. What’s all that translates to? Solid braking performance in all three wheels, and the trike always stopped confidently whenever I asked.
Unique to trikes, the Boca Rev also has a built-in parking brake feature that flips a switch up on the brake lever. This is especially handy on a trike design as it never ‘leans’ against a wall or bike stand like its two-wheeled cousins, meaning the trike can quickly roll away on uneven surfaces. So, parking brakes on the Boca Rev was a solid move that will save you some panicked moments….that is, unless you forget to set them before walking away. Panic moments aside, it’s nice knowing we still have it on this trike.
The saddle is a strong point for the Boca Rev, and it’s not uncommon for an e-trike to have a saddle with integrated back support. What is new is just how cozy this seat is. It’s a strong point for anyone who prioritizes comfort, and even better, it doesn’t interfere with pedaling like so many trike seats can do.
The Boca Rev wheels are 20 inches in diameter and wrapped in a 27.5 x 3″ tire. I gotta say, with tires, I’m always a sucker for gum walls (or tan sidewalls for non-bike nerds) with a mild knobby tread pattern like these Chaoyangs have. Its subtle design choices don’t add cost to the build but still go a long way in the overall aesthetic. This smaller tire size lends to a lower center of gravity that helps maintain stability when riding, even more noticeable in cornering. All three wheels are secured to the frame via bolted axles, so there is no quick-release or thru-axle. Just a heads up.
Oh, and as a bonus, the Chaoyang tires seem a bit more plush than I expected, as the ride on the Boca Rev is genuinely comfy.
Screen / User Interface / App
The center-mounted display of the Boca Rev follows its cues from the rest of the bike by giving you everything you need and nothing you don’t.
The display has a duo-tone black and white LCD screen with a font that mimics a calculator. It’s crisp, clear, and easy to read from nearly any angle, even in direct sunlight where some newer, full-color displays struggle, so that’s a win in my book.
The display has all the basic ride data you need at a glance, such as speed, battery level, PAS level, headlight indicator, odometer, and trip meter.
Retrospec does not mention (or clarify) if the display has any IP Water Resistance rating, so I can’t confirm this here, but I have yet to see one that can’t withstand a bit of rain. Just don’t mistake that for full submerging or pressure washers.
All in all, the display on the Boca Rev is an easy-to-use setup that doesn’t take a second manual to navigate. With that said, if you need to tweak any advanced settings (not standard), you will need the manual, as the advanced settings use a code system you can’t guess your way through; trust me, I’ve tried.
Retrospec Boca Rev Trike Model Options
Retrospec keeps things streamlined when it comes to options for the Boca Rev. Starting with the frame, there are only 3 colors, a Matcha Green like I was sent for testing, a Matte Graphite and a Limited Edition Grateful Dead colorway complete with Grateful Dead accent colors filled with nostalgic nods to the iconic band.
The one size fits ‘most’ sizing covers riders from 5’ 5” to 6’ 4”. At 5’ 11” I found the fit to be spot on, but a word of caution to those around 6’ 2” to 6’ 4”, I found I had very little room in the telescoping stem to make room for riders taller than myself. Just something to consider if you are north of 6’ 2”.
The Alloy step-Though frame has a nice low 17.5 inch standover height , plus it has the ability to fold, perfect for anyone looking to create a smaller footprint of the Boca Rev for storage or traveling.
Following and unfolding the trike is very straightforward and completed in about 3 quick steps. Simply fold down the stem, unlatch the center folding mechanism and swing the front handlebar and tire around to the bike’s left side and that’s it, you’re done! Folded dimensions are roughly 48”(L)x38”(W)x38”(H) when it’s all said and done. A nice additional feature if you plan to put your trike in a tight spot whether that be in storage or in the back of a truck on a road trip.
Accessories included at no extra charge are the Boca Rev ‘EverythingBin’, a large alloy basket for the rear cargo area to carry whatever you can think of to fill that 500 lb total max payload capacity. Optional accessories are typical for most bike offerings, a front basket, helmets, lights, bike locks, etc.
One shortcoming I came across was the lack of any water bottle cage mounting points, the Boca Rev only has the mounting points for the front and rear baskets. What this means for you is your water bottle must go in a basket which can be challenging to reach for a quick sip. It seems like an easy win for the company that wouldn’t change much to the price, just a thought if the brass over at Retrospec is reading this. Aside from that, the model options make sense for a trike, giving you what you need for cargo and some extras if you’re in the mood.
Is The Retrospec Boca Rev Trike Worth Buying?
When the dust settles from this review, I can’t help but remind myself about what those folks said on the trail, “You don’t think you will ever need an electric trike, until you do”. Fortunately, brands like Retrospec have stepped up and brought to market a good-looking, easy-to-ride electric tricycle with an approachable price.
Is it perfect? No, but nothing ever is, and that’s OK. I’d love to see a water bottle cage mounted on the frame, so water access isn’t just limited to the cargo baskets. I also think folks north of 6′ 2″ might find the handlebars to be too low. But those are small gripes in an otherwise pretty picture that affects a very small percentage of buyers.
Is this the right electric trike for you? Only you can answer that, but, at a minimum, it’s there if you need it and that’s a good thing for us all, even if we still think we will never need one.
Pros
- The 20×3″ Tan sidewall tires are not just great-looking accents; they add to the comfort and control of the trike’s ride.
- Thanks to the wide comfort saddle and plump 3-inch wide tires, it is the most comfortable trike I’ve ridden to-date.
- A simple display with no app connectivity makes riding the Boca Rev quick and fun at nearly any age.
- Star Union Hydraulic Disc brakes performed well using a 3-wheel braking power setup.
- Between the fun colors and limited edition Grateful Dead paint job, it’s nice to see a brand injecting some life into the seemingly boring e-trike scene.
Cons
- The narrow handlebar makes for limited space for any additional gear, like a cell phone holder or rearview mirror.
- No water bottle cage mounting points seems like an easy win that Retrospec missed the mark on. Fortunately, you still have the cargo basket areas that can hold quite a bit.
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