The moto-style e-bike segment gets crowded with lookalikes, but Retrospec’s Valen Rev Plus tries to stand out by keeping things straightforward. At $1,799, it’s positioned itself in the sweet spot between budget bikes and the more premium players.
This Class 3 fatty brings some interesting specs to the table: a 750W motor, integrated brake lights, turn signals, and those chunky 26×4″ tires that define the category. But specs only tell part of the story.
After putting some serious miles on the Valen Rev Plus through city streets and trail detours, let’s break down where this bike delivers and where it might leave you wanting more. No marketing fluff – just real-world insights on whether this moto-styled cruiser deserves your attention.
My Experience Riding The Retrospec Valen Rev Plus E-Bike
The Valen Rev Plus wears its influences on its sleeve – part cafe racer, part moped, all attitude. My test unit came in Matte Olive Drab (though there’s a stealthy matte black option), and between the moto frame lines and BMX bars, it nails that vintage-meets-modern vibe.
In terms of fit and geo, that stretched-out moto saddle is properly comfortable for long cruising sessions. While you can scoot back for slightly better pedaling position, let’s be real – this bike is built for throttle action. The upright riding position feels natural for this style of bike, and at 5’11”, I found the overall fit solid, even if proper pedal extension isn’t really in the cards.
The 750W motor and cadence sensor setup makes perfect sense here. The throttle gets you up to 20mph quickly, with enough punch to handle hills without drama. Want to go faster? The cadence sensor is actually a smart choice for this style of bike – you only need to spin the pedals lazily to unlock that Class 3 speed of 28mph. No need to put in serious effort like you would with a torque sensor.
Rolling on fat 20×4″ rubber, the bike stays surprisingly quiet despite those chunky tires. The puncture protection and reflective sidewalls are thoughtful touches, and the 8-speed Shimano Altus drivetrain, while not extensive in range, gives you enough gears for when you do feel like pedaling.
Between the comfortable cruise-all-day ergonomics, easy power delivery, and those passenger-friendly features like the long saddle and tie-down points, the Valen Rev Plus knows exactly what it wants to be – a fun, capable cruiser that prioritizes comfort and style over traditional bike metrics.
Range
Estimated Range (from Retrospec): 68 miles
Real World Range Test Results:
- Throttle Only Range Test: 35 miles
When it comes to range on the Valen Rev Plus, here’s what you need to know: running in max assist with plenty of throttle action (because that’s what this bike is built for), I consistently logged around 35 miles per charge. That’s a fair bit shy of Retrospec’s claimed 68-mile range, but it’s solid performance for a moto-style fatty being ridden the way most owners will use it.
I deliberately skipped testing the minimum assist range – partly because the moto saddle position isn’t made for long pedaling sessions, but mostly because it wouldn’t reflect how these bikes typically get used. Let’s be real: nobody’s buying this bike to barely use the motor.
For most riders looking to cruise around town or hit some light trails with liberal use of that throttle, 35 miles gives you plenty of room to play without constantly watching the battery meter.
Power (Motor & Battery)
The power system on the Valen Rev Plus hits the marks you’d expect for a moto-style fatty. A 750W rear hub motor pushing 65Nm of torque gives you plenty of grunt for both city cruising and trail exploring. The Class 3 designation means you can hit 28mph with pedal assist, though the throttle caps at 20mph to keep things legal.
Under the hood, you’re working with a 48V, 15Ah battery packing 720 watt-hours – pretty substantial juice for a bike in this class. The battery’s UL 2271 certified, which is always good to see for safety and peace of mind. Everything’s controlled through a center-mounted color LCD that gives you all the essential readouts without overcomplicating things.
The power delivery feels appropriate for what this bike wants to be. It’s not trying to win any races, but there’s enough torque to get you moving even on loose surfaces, and the throttle response is predictable without being twitchy. For a bike that’s likely to see more throttle action than pedaling, the setup makes sense.
Components
Up front, you’ve got a triple-clamp fork with 100mm of travel, complete with preload adjustment and lockout. It’s a setup that looks the moto part while actually providing some decent suspension action. Those 20-inch wheels are wrapped in chunky 4-inch rubber with puncture protection and reflective sidewalls, a nice touch for a bike that’s likely to see some night rides.
The drivetrain keeps it simple with a Shimano Altus 8-speed setup, running an 11-34T cassette paired with a 38T steel chainring. It’s entry-level Shimano, and that makes sense for a bike where the motor’s doing most of the work. Stopping power comes from Tektro hydraulic brakes with 2-piston calipers and 180mm rotors – a solid choice for handling this bike’s 80-pound curb weight.
The cockpit goes full moto-style with a BMX-inspired handlebar and stem combo, using a 22.2mm clamp diameter. Lock-on grips and a custom moto saddle complete the look, though those plastic pedals feel a bit budget for a bike at this price point.
Overall, the component mix shows Retrospec knows what these bikes are typically used for. While you won’t find any high-end bits, everything’s serviceable and chosen with actual moto-style e-bike use in mind rather than pure spec sheet marketing.
Screen / User Interface / App
The Valen Rev Plus keeps things old-school with its display setup – and honestly, that’s not a bad thing. You get a compact color screen (about 2 inches) that shows the essentials: current speed, pedal assist level, battery status, and power output. The screen’s got good visibility, and you won’t need a manual to figure out what’s what.
While there’s no companion app (again, not necessarily a bad thing), you do get access to some useful settings in the display menu. You can unlock the bike’s full Class 3 potential (it ships as Class 2), adjust wheel size settings, switch between metric and imperial, and dial in the screen brightness. The six levels of pedal assist give you decent granularity over how much juice you want the motor putting out.
For a bike in this category, the straightforward display makes sense. No apps to pair, no firmware to update – just hop on and ride. Sometimes simpler is better, especially when you’re more focused on the ride than fiddling with settings.
Retrospec Valen Rev Plus Model Options
The bike comes in one frame size that Retrospec claims fits riders from 5′ to 6’4″ – pretty ambitious range for a single-size frame. You get two color choices: Matte Black for the stealth look or Matte Olive Drab Green if you’re feeling tactical.
On the practical side, you’re getting plastic fenders standard (which makes sense given the likely splash from those fat tires), and the frame includes some thoughtful mounting points – four tie-downs under the saddle and two on the downtube for accessories. While there’s no rack included, those mounting points give you some cargo flexibility.
The display keeps things straightforward with speed, assist level (1-6), battery status, and current power output. With a Class 3 top speed of 28mph, you’ve got enough zip to keep up with traffic when needed.
Retrospec offers a decent spread of optional accessories: foot pegs for passengers, bar-end mirrors, a folding lock, and even a portable air compressor (which isn’t a bad idea with those fat tires). The battery warranty covers you for 2 years or 500 charge cycles, whichever comes first.
Is The Retrospec Valen Rev+ Worth Buying?
After putting some serious miles on the Valen Rev Plus, here’s the deal: if you’re shopping for a moto-style e-bike that prioritizes comfort and cruising over pedaling efficiency, this one gets the important stuff right. The 750W motor delivers power smoothly, those fat tires and suspension fork eat up rough roads, and the build quality feels solid for the price point.
Let’s be real though – this isn’t a bike for everyone. The fixed moto-style saddle means you’re mostly relying on the throttle, and at 80 pounds, you won’t be carrying this up any stairs. But that’s kind of the point – it’s built for cruising, not fitness riding or hardcore commuting.
Who’s this bike for? If you want a comfortable cruiser that can handle some light trail duty, don’t mind relying primarily on the throttle, and appreciate the moto styling, the Valen Rev Plus makes sense at $1,799. The UL certifications and hydraulic brakes show Retrospec didn’t cut corners on the important parts.
Bottom line: while it’s not trying to be an everything bike, it nails what matters for its intended use. Just be honest with yourself about how you’ll actually use it – if you’re looking for a proper pedal bike with electric assist, this ain’t it. But if you want a comfortable, capable cruiser that happens to have fat tires and moto style, the Valen Rev Plus delivers where it counts.
Pros
- The moto-style saddle, suspension fork, and fat tires create a plush ride that handles both urban terrain and trail chatter with ease.
- A punchy 750W motor with cadence sensor delivers quick throttle response and confident acceleration that matches this bike’s character perfectly.
- The moto-inspired 100 Lux LED headlight provides serious illumination for practical night riding.
- Tektro hydraulic brakes with 180mm rotors bring reliable stopping power that handles this bike’s substantial weight without drama.
- Dual UL certifications (2271 and 2849) bring legit safety credentials that many e-bikes can’t claim.
Cons
- The fixed-height moto saddle makes proper pedaling impossible, forcing this to be primarily a throttle-based ride.
- The one-size-fits-all frame means riders at either end of the height range might struggle with fit.
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