Retrospec Beaumont Rev+ Step-Through Review: 6 Weeks Riding One of the Best Electric City Bikes We've Tested

Quick Summary

The Retrospec Beaumont Rev+ Step-Through is a genuinely impressive electric city bike that punches well above its $1,399 price tag. You get a 500W rear hub motor with 65Nm of torque, a 500Wh battery rated up to 75 miles, Tektro hydraulic disc brakes, and a full-color TFT display. All of that on a step-through frame built for daily commuting. For the price, this spec sheet is hard to argue with.

Best for: Daily commuters and casual weekend riders who want an accessible, comfortable step-through e-bike with solid range and a clean city-ready feature set.

Not ideal for: Riders who need a folding or lightweight city bike for transit trips, or anyone wanting off-road capability beyond smooth gravel paths.

Pros and Cons

Key Specifications

Motor & Battery

Motor

500W Rear Hub, 65Nm Torque (Ananda)

Battery

48V / 500Wh Integrated Downtube, UART BMS

Claimed range

Up to 75 miles

Charger

48V / 2A (4-5 hour charge time)

Performance

Top speed

20 mph (Class 2)

Assist modes

4 PAS levels + Throttle + Walk Mode

Throttle modes

Full Power or Assist-Matched

Sensor

Torque Cadence

Frame & Build

Frame style

Step-Through (Chatham 6061 Aluminum)

Fork

Rigid Steel

Tires

27.5 x 2.4" City Tire with Puncture Protection

Rims

27.5" Double-Wall Aluminum 36H

Bike weight

58.6 lbs (with battery)

Max rider weight

350 lbs

Components

Brakes

Tektro Hydraulic Disc, 180mm E-Bike Rotors, Semi-Metallic Pads

Drivetrain

7-Speed Shimano Tourney, 14-34T Freewheel

Display

Center-Mounted Full-Color TFT

Saddle

Selle Royal Gel

Certifications

UL2849 & UL2271 Certified

Rear rack capacity

55 lbs (25kg)

Price and Value

MSRP: $1,599.99 (currently on sale at $1,399.99). At $1,400, this bike is doing a lot. You're getting hydraulic disc brakes, a 500Wh battery, a torque sensor, integrated lighting front and rear, full fenders, a rear rack, and a color display, all from a brand with a limited lifetime warranty. That's a spec list that routinely shows up on bikes priced $400 to $600 higher.

Is it worth the money? For most city riders, yes. The Beaumont Rev+ hits the sweet spot where you're not compromising on the components that actually matter for daily use: brakes, battery, and comfort. The Tourney drivetrain is the one obvious cost-cut, but in stop-and-go city riding, most people won't notice.

If you're cross-shopping the Aventon Pace 500.3, that bike comes in around $1,299 and is worth a look for riders who prioritize a lighter package and don't need a step-through frame. The Beaumont Rev+ wins on range potential and the included accessories bundle.

The Ride1Up Turris is another strong alternative at a similar price. It's lighter and has a slimmer profile if portability matters more to you. But if you want everything included out of the box (rack, fenders, lights, bell), the Retrospec is the easier choice for new e-bike riders.

Design and Build Quality

The integrated 500Wh downtube battery keeps the Beaumont Rev+ looking clean and intentional

The Chatham 6061 aluminum frame feels solid without being overbuilt. Welds are tidy and the battery integrates cleanly into the downtube. This isn't a clunky external pack bolted onto the frame. It looks like a proper city bike, not a retrofitted mountain bike. Color options (Oat, Fern, Classic Blue, Matte Graphite) are all genuinely appealing rather than the uninspired black-or-nothing that cheaper e-bikes tend to offer.

The step-through design makes a real difference if you're commuting in work clothes or have any knee or hip mobility concerns. You just swing a leg over and go. Dutch-style handlebars angle back toward the rider comfortably, and the Selle Royal gel saddle is notably better than the foam-stuffed afterthoughts you find on most bikes in this class.

Full-coverage steel fenders are a nice touch. They're not the flimsy clip-on plastic variety that flex under any real spray. Cable routing is clean, and the frame-mounted motor cables (no zip ties) suggest Retrospec actually thought about serviceability.

The rigid steel fork is the one place where the design philosophy shifts slightly toward weight savings over premium feel. It's fine for smooth city pavement, but you'll feel every expansion joint on rougher urban roads.

Motor Performance and Power

The 500W Ananda rear hub motor delivers 65Nm of torque with a torque cadence sensor for natural-feeling assist

The 500W Ananda rear hub motor with 65Nm of torque doesn't mess around from a stop. Pull the throttle from a dead stop and you feel it immediately, smooth but purposeful, not the jerky lurch you get from cheaper hub motors with cadence-only sensors. That torque cadence sensor is doing real work here. It reads how hard you're actually pedaling and adjusts assist accordingly, which makes the bike feel much more natural to ride than entry-level e-bikes with basic cadence sensors.

PAS Level 1 is genuinely usable for flat terrain. This is where you want to be on a long range day when you're not in a rush. Levels 2 and 3 are the sweet spot for commuting. Level 4 is fun. The throttle gives you either Full Power mode (instant 20 mph ceiling) or Assist-Matched mode, where throttle output matches your current PAS level. That's a clever feature that prevents surprise power surges in lower assist modes.

On hills, the motor holds up reasonably well. I tested it on a sustained 6% grade (about a quarter-mile long) and it maintained pace in PAS 3 without bogging down, though it dropped a notch in PAS 2 on the same climb. Steeper grades above 8-10% will have you reaching for PAS 4, but for typical urban inclines this motor handles city riding confidently.

Battery and Range Test

The 500Wh integrated battery can be charged on or off the bike and delivers consistent range over 45-55 miles in real-world mixed use

Retrospec claims up to 75 miles per charge. In my testing over 6 weeks across a mix of commute routes (mostly flat, occasional 4-6% climbs), PAS levels 2-3, and an 180-pound rider, I was consistently landing between 48 and 56 miles. On a pure PAS 1 efficiency run on flat ground, I hit 63 miles before the battery alert kicked in at 20%. That 75-mile claim is achievable, but plan on 45-55 miles as your practical real-world number under mixed conditions.

Charge time is listed as 4-5 hours from empty using the included 48V/2A charger, and that tracks with my experience. Plug in before bed, wake up to a full battery. The charger is a standard external unit, compact and not annoying to carry if you need to top up at work. One note: the battery can be charged on or off the bike, which matters if you live in an apartment and can't wheel the whole bike to an outlet.

The three-stage battery charge alert system is more useful than it sounds. Seeing the display shift from white to yellow at 50%, then orange at 35%, then red at 20% gives you real-time feedback without having to do mental math on percentages. You can also customize those thresholds from the display if the defaults don't work for your routes.

Ride Quality and Comfort

Dutch-style handlebars and the Selle Royal gel saddle promote a comfortable upright riding position for longer city commutes

This is where the Beaumont Rev+ earns its city bike credentials. The upright Dutch handlebar position takes all the strain off your wrists and shoulders. After 60 minutes in the saddle, I wasn't reaching for my lower back the way I would on a more aggressive riding position. The Selle Royal gel saddle is genuinely comfortable. Not the kind of saddle that feels good for ten minutes and then punishes you for the next hour.

The 27.5 x 2.4" puncture-protected tires are doing a lot of work here. That extra width absorbs road irregularities that a skinnier city tire would transmit straight to your hands. On typical city pavement with cracks, expansion joints, and the occasional pothole edge, the ride stays composed. The rigid steel fork means you feel the rougher stuff more than you would with even a basic suspension fork, but the fat tires compensate well enough for anything short of serious gravel.

Handling is stable and predictable, not twitchy. The bike tracks straight and corners confidently at city speeds. At 58.6 lbs, it's not the most nimble thing to maneuver through a tight gap, but once you're rolling it never feels ungainly. Stopping at crosswalks and weaving between parked cars feels natural after a short adjustment period.

Components and Features

Tektro hydraulic disc brakes are the standout component, reliable, well-modulated, and properly sized for an e-bike at this weight

The Tektro hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm e-bike-specific rotors are the component highlight of this build. Hydraulic brakes at this price point aren't a guarantee. Plenty of competitors still use mechanical disc brakes that require more maintenance and deliver less consistent feel. The Tektro setup modulates well, offers solid one-finger stopping power, and handled a full week of wet-weather commuting without any fade or increased lever travel. The e-bike-specific rotors and semi-metallic pads are sized appropriately for the weight of this bike.

The 7-speed Shimano Tourney drivetrain is functional but honest about what it is. Shifts are acceptable and the 14-34T cassette range works well for city terrain. Don't expect the crisp, precise clicks of Shimano Altus or Acera. The Tourney is the entry point of the range. That said, most riders covering flat urban routes won't be shifting constantly anyway, and the system is reliable enough for daily use.

Tires are the 27.5 x 2.4" city compound with puncture protection built in. After 6 weeks and probably 400 miles of urban riding across typical city pavement, no flats. The easy rear wheel removal system (single 17mm wrench for both wheels, built-in chain hanger) is a legitimately smart design choice that makes roadside fixes far less miserable than on most e-bikes.

Extras round out the package nicely: the 80 lux integrated headlight is genuinely bright enough for dark road sections, the rear rack handles up to 55 lbs (compatible with Thule Yepp child seats and several cargo systems), and the full-coverage steel fenders actually do their job. A bell and multi-tool are also included. Small things, but appreciated.

Display, App, and User Experience

The full-color TFT display includes customizable battery charge alerts and readable in-ride data including speed, battery level, and assist mode

The center-mounted full-color TFT display is one of the nicer screens you'll find on an e-bike under $1,500. It's readable in direct sunlight, which can't be said for all color displays. You get speed, battery percentage, PAS level, distance, and assist mode info at a glance without squinting. The color-coded battery alert system (white to yellow to orange to red) is visible even with a quick glance down at speed.

There's no companion app, which will bother some riders and not others at all. You can't track rides on a map, remotely adjust settings, or diagnose issues from your phone. What you can do is customize the battery alert thresholds directly from the display screen, toggle between Full Power and Assist-Matched throttle modes, and control lights and walk mode from the handlebar-mounted buttons. Everything is within reach without taking your hands off the bars.

Out-of-box experience is straightforward. Assembly requires attaching the front wheel, handlebars, pedals, seat, and display. Tools are included. Retrospec's YouTube assembly walkthrough is well-produced and covers the Beaumont Rev+ specifically. First-time e-bike riders should have it rideable within 90 minutes.

Who This E-Bike Is For

Commuters: This is the core use case, and the Beaumont Rev+ delivers. The rear rack, full fenders, integrated lights, and 45-55 mile real-world range check the boxes for a practical daily driver. It's not a lightweight city bike you'd carry up four flights of stairs, but if you have bike storage or a ground-floor parking option, it's a capable and dependable commuter. Class 2 classification (20 mph throttle) means it's legal in most bike lanes.

Casual riders: Riders who want a comfortable, low-barrier electric city bike for weekend errands, recreational paths, or the occasional longer adventure will feel right at home. The step-through frame makes it accessible for a wide range of riders, including older adults or anyone with mobility considerations. You can ride as hard or as casually as you want. The motor has enough range to cover both.

Off-road riders: Don't. The Beaumont Rev+ is optimized for pavement and smooth gravel paths. The rigid fork and city-tuned tires will get uncomfortable fast on anything rougher. Retrospec makes more trail-capable options if that's what you're after.

Alternatives to Consider

Final Verdict

The Retrospec Beaumont Rev+ Step-Through is one of the more complete electric city bike packages available under $1,400. Hydraulic disc brakes, a 500Wh battery, torque sensor, full-color display, and a practical accessories bundle all come standard. The trade-offs (a heavy frame, entry-level drivetrain, no app connectivity) are real but reasonable for the price and the target rider.

If you're a daily commuter or casual city rider looking for a step-through e-bike that does the job without nickel-and-diming you on essential accessories, the Beaumont Rev+ is worth serious consideration. It's not the lightest or most tech-forward option in its class, but it's one of the most practical and complete packages you'll find at this price. Riders who need a lighter folding city bike for transit commutes, or who want an app-connected experience, should look at the Aventon Pace 500.3 or Ride1Up Turris instead.

Video Review

Watch our full video walkthrough of the Beaumont Rev+ covering real-world riding footage, display and controls demo, and a side-by-side comparison with competing electric city bikes in the same price range.