Retrospec Chatham Rev+ ST Review, 2023 | Electric Bike Report

With a standover height of 21”, the bike’s step-thru frame design is easily mountable without the need to swing a leg over the saddle. The Chatham Rev+ is available in a single frame size that can accommodate riders from 5’-2” to 6’-1”.

The primary location of adjustment on the bike is its seatpost; it offers roughly 6.5” of adjustment in height. The forward/backward position of the saddle can also be adjusted slightly to change the rider’s reach; the saddle’s rails are roughly 2.25” long. With a stationary standard-style stem, the bike is limited in handlebar adjustment, but the curved handlebars can be rotated to adjust hand placement.

Comfort is again one of the primary elements of the Chatham Rev+. In addition to the bike’s relaxed riding position, cushy saddle, and natural-feeling hand placement on its grips, we appreciated the added comfort when riding over bumps from the 3” tires. This is especially important considering the bike’s rigid frame; with no suspension, the bike would otherwise have a much rougher ride.

The bike’s user interface is straightforward; we liked that the control panel was small and uncomplicated, and also that it nests overtop of the throttle lever to improve looks and save on space.

With the price point of the Chatham Rev+, we did not expect anything more than a simple black-and-white display, but during our testing we found that the battery display was relatively unreliable. With more time on the bike, we likely would have adjusted to the fact that the battery did not last for more than a few miles once the indicator was reduced to one segment (the indicator looks more like the marks on a ruler than a typical bar-based readout), but users should be aware that the charge level was never completely reduced to zero. We hope that Retrospec improves the accuracy and reliability of this display in the future and perhaps switches to a percentage-based readout.

Being nitpicky, we wouldn’t mind seeing an integrated taillight as well as improved cable management, but we appreciated that the bike included some useful essentials. We don’t often consider the included Shimano Tourney over-the-bar shifter to be a favorite, but in this case, it felt well-suited to the bike and the wrist positioning of its handlebars.

The Chatham Rev+ includes minimal accessories, such as a small integrated headlight, a battery operated tail light on the seatpost, and a chain guard. It has mounting points for a cargo rack, a basket, and fenders; at the time of writing, these optional accessories are not yet offered on Retrospec’s website, but our contact advised us that they will be coming soon.

In terms of handling and ride feel, we found the Chatham to be predictable, meaning that it felt intuitive and responded appropriately based on its design. We found the motor to be effective and quick to engage, though with the 7-speed drivetrain, we did experience some ghost pedaling. On a performance-oriented bike we would consider this a problem, but in the case of the Rev+, we think it fits the casual cruiser experience.

Overall, the ride quality of the Chatham Rev+ was solid and enjoyable, and we think it has mass appeal for riders seeking a comfortable and unique-looking e-bike.