Retrospec Joe Rev 2 Review (2026): Putting the ‘Joy’ in Joyride Leave a comment
The entry-level Joe Rev was created on this identical spirit—a full-sized, BMX-inspired body with enjoyable shade choices (electrical blue, matte grey), 3-inch tan wall balloon tires, and people unmistakable handlebars. There aren’t any apps or fancy readouts, no lights, and no shocks. Simply 5 ranges of pedal help and a throttle hooked up to a single-speed drivetrain and 750-watt rear-hub motor.
{Photograph}: Kat Merck
“No cream, no sugar” is even printed on the chain stays, lest one neglect the minimalist doctrine. On the plus aspect, this lack of bones permits the Joe Rev 2 to weigh in on the lighter aspect at 56 kilos.
That is the second iteration of the unique Joe Rev, which remains to be obtainable (for now) on the sale worth of $1,200. The Rev 2 sports activities a much bigger 500 Wh battery with a listed 60-mile vary (up from 48 miles) and an up to date show. Particularly, a 2-by-2.5-inch LCD display screen on the left handlebar displaying energy degree, battery life, and pace, versus the unique’s bare-basic hub with buttons.
The battery will be shortly locked and unlocked from the underside of the body with a key and prices from pink to full inexperienced in a number of hours; it weighs about 7 kilos, so it’s straightforward sufficient to hold in a backpack, although at 18 inches lengthy, it may very well be a decent match in case your bag is already packed.
{Photograph}: Kat Merck
{Photograph}: Kat Merck
Teen Spirit
At one level in the course of the testing interval, my almost-14-year-old son, who’s 5’ 10” and 145 kilos, took the Joe Rev 2 out on a full battery to see how lengthy he may experience in our city of hills. We had been all shocked to search out he hit the pink “recharge” mild in about 20 miles. It should not have been an excessive amount of of a shock, provided that the hills had been steep, and he was utilizing the throttle primarily. However it’s a good reminder that, like all ebikes, the Joe Rev 2’s vary will differ dramatically relying on rider weight, pace, and situations.
Curiously, there’s an ominous warning sticker on the Joe Rev’s body that states nobody underneath 16 is to experience this bike. It does have pedals and a most pace of 20 mph, making it a Class 2 ebike—authorized in lots of, if not, most states for youths underneath 16.
