I’ve never really been into beach cruiser style bikes. Maybe it’s because I live in the middle of a continent, 900 miles away from the nearest ocean. Or maybe because they seemed slow and clunky. Then, I discovered the Chatham Rev+ from Retrospec, and I’m beginning to feel an ocean breeze, even here amongst the cornfields of Illinois!
Retrospec is a company known for their chill, retro vibe, and affordable pricing. There’s definitely nothing pretentious about their style. Their bikes are also budget friendly and unique. The Chatham Rev+ has a retro design but with some modern touches that keep the bike looking fresh.
The Rev+ is available as both a step-thru version and a high-step, for a his and hers pair, or if you just prefer one frame style over the other.
Both are outfitted with 26-inch by 3-inch wide tires with 3 mm of puncture resistant lining. The tires have smooth tread for a quiet ride on pavement. The bike features an aluminum frame and steel fork. The steel fork is stronger than aluminum and helps reduce vibrations for a more comfortable ride. Those 3-inch wide tires should also provide quite a bit of comfort. 26-inch tires also help bring the bike lower to the ground for a bike that is more approachable.
The Chatham Rev+ step-thru is available in four color combinations, while the high-step has three options. If you’re considering buying the Chatham Rev+, your biggest challenge might be deciding which color combination you like the best, since they all look so nice.
As far as the electrical components go, the Chatham Rev+ has a 500-watt rear hub motor and a 48-volt 10.4 Ah battery for 500 watt-hours. That translates to a range of about 35 miles, depending upon rider weight, and other factors.
There are 6-levels of pedal assist and a thumb throttle, with a 20 mph max speed, making this a Class 2 ebike.
The Chatham Rev+ is equipped with 180 mm Tektro mechanical disc brakes, a Shimano 7-speed transmission, integrated front light and a battery operated rear light. The bike is outfitted with mounting points for fenders and/or a rear rack, but doesn’t come with either. Since this is a brand-new model, I would expect accessories to follow. If not, many third-party racks would likely fit.
Quick Specs:
Retrospec’s Beach Cruiser Line-Up: Retrospec.com
As always, if you own or have experience with any bike of the week, feel free to leave your thoughts to help others. I’m not able to review every bicycle, but as a community, we can help each other make the best purchase decisions.
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