Retrospec Chatham Rev+ 2: A Reliable Beach Cruiser Ebike

Plenty of companies look to impress with flashy specs at impressive prices. Retrospec took a different path with the Chatham Rev+ 2 by merging classic style with modern convenience. It features true cruiser ergonomics, premium comfort touchpoints, balloon tires, and a reliable brand-name electronic system from Ananda that outperforms its spec sheet, all at $1,499. It comes in both step-through and step-over frames. This review focuses on the step-through.

Does the Chatham Rev+ 2 perform as well as it looks? Below we cover the standout features, the frame and fit, the full spec sheet, every performance test, compare it to the competition, then close with the pros, cons, and who this cruiser is for. By the end, you should have a good feel for whether this beach cruiser is right for you.

If our review helps you land on the Chatham Rev+ 2, buying through our affiliate link supports content like this at no extra cost to you. Thank you!

Retrospec Chatham Rev+ 2 Video Review

Want to see the Chatham Rev+ 2 in action? Our full video review walks you around every component, runs through the color display and controls, and puts you behind the bars for our flat-road, hill climb, and gravel tests.

Standout Features | Retrospec Chatham Rev+ 2 Review

Customized Ananda E-System

The Chatham runs a complete Ananda system, which means the 500W geared rear hub motor, the 48V 10.4 Ah battery, the controller, and the color display all come from one source and are tuned to work together. At this price, plenty of bikes pull a generic motor and battery off the shelf, so a purpose-built system is a real step up. The battery uses LG 21700 cells and releases with a key for charging on or off the bike, and the included 2-amp charger fills it in about five to six hours. The battery is SGS tested to UL2271 and the complete bike is certified to UL2849.

Seamlessly Integrated Electronics

The modern hardware stays neatly out of the way. The battery slots into the down tube rather than bolting on top of it, while the headlight and brake-actuated taillight run off that same battery, with the taillight built right into the rear fender. It is a clean, up-to-date setup that hints at the technology underneath without taking anything away from the classic cruiser look.

Premium Comfort Touches

Comfort is where Retrospec spent its attention. The Selle Royal gel saddle is wide and well padded, the kind of seat you can stay on for a long ride. The lock-on grips have a soft, non-slip texture that holds up to sweaty palms, and together with the swept-back handlebars and adjustable quill stem, they set up an upright, hands-relaxed position. These are the touchpoints you feel on every ride, and they are a notch above what you usually get at $1,499.

Balloon Tires

The 26 x 3-inch balloon tires are the defining feature of a beach cruiser. The extra width and air volume soak up bumps and rough pavement, while the tread runs smooth and quiet on the road but still finds grip on looser ground. They also carry puncture protection to cut down on flats, and the brown sidewalls fit the retro look.

Retro Style

Style is baked into every detail. The alloy fenders and chain guard are paint-matched to the frame, and the hardware finish shows the attention to detail: the stem, handlebars, seat tube, cranks, motor, and kickstand are blacked out on the Matte Black model and finished in brushed silver on the other three colorways.

Frame, Sizing, and Options | Retrospec Chatham Rev+ 2 Review

Offered in a step-through and a step-over frame, both are built around the same relaxed, pedal-forward geometry. The step-through is the more accessible for shorter riders and the lower standover height makes getting on and off easy. Taller riders or anyone who prefers a traditional top tube should consider the step-over frame. Front and rear mounting points stand ready for an optional basket or rack. The step-through comes in Matcha, Eggshell, Mauve, and Matte Black, and the step-over is offered in Matte Olive Drab and Matte Graphite.

Fit is highly adaptable with the adjustable quill stem and generously swept-back handlebars. Retrospec lists the step-thru frame for riders from 5’2″ to 6’1″, and our testing found that range on point. We tested it with a 6’1″ rider with a 33-inch inseam who reached full leg extension even with the seatpost at its minimum insertion point, and a 5’4″ rider settled into a comfortable fit on the same bike. The step-over is rated up to 6’4″ for taller riders. See the geometry table below for the details:

Retrospec Chatham Rev+ 2 Full Specifications

Here is the full component breakdown for the step-through Chatham Rev+ 2 for anyone who wants to dig into the details.

Real-World Performance Testing

Throttle Acceleration

Our first test was a throttle-only run to the 20 mph cap, no pedaling, with a 200 lb rider aboard. Takeoff is gentle off the line, and the motor leans in harder once you cross 10 mph. From there it climbed through the high teens and settled at 20 mph on both the GPS and the display, holding steady at that speed. It is a smooth, predictable pull rather than a snappy launch, which fits the character of the bike.

Pedal Assist

Power here runs through a cadence sensor, so the motor responds to whether you are pedaling rather than how hard you push into the pedals. Assistance kicks in after about a half turn of the cranks, then offers consistent motor power like an on/off switch. Each level carries its own speed ceiling: eco tops out around 10 mph, tour around 14, sport near 17, and turbo opens up the full 20. This is a true Class 2 setup with no Class 3 override, so 20 mph is the limit in every mode. The seven-speed gearing kept pace with those speeds without any ghost pedaling.

Hill Climb, Throttle Only

Our test hill covers 174 ft of elevation over .4 miles (average grade: 8.2%). Using throttle-only, the Chatham held steady at 9 mph, dipping briefly to 8 mph before clawing speed back as the grade eased. Peak draw hit around 571 watts, and the battery readout slid from 85 percent down to 77 across the effort. The standout was how quietly the Ananda hub sounded. It stayed nearly silent and delivered power predictably the whole way up.

Hill Climb, Pedal Assist

Adding leg power changed the math. Starting in eco in a low gear, our rider held about 7 mph up the steep section while barely pushing on the pedals, a reminder that the cadence sensor hands out the same assist no matter the effort. Shifting up into tour brought a gentle nudge and a steady 8 mph at around 350 watts, and moving into sport and then turbo carried us over the top pulling close to 674 watts. The Mega Range cassette gives you a genuine bailout gear at the bottom for the steepest moments, and the spread was wide enough to find a comfortable cadence on the way up. With legs and motor working together, the climb was clearly easier than the throttle-only run.

Braking Performance

Stopping comes from Tektro Aries mechanical disc brakes on 180mm rotors. They brought the bike to a controlled stop coming down our test hill, though you pull the levers a little harder than you would with hydraulics. Squeezing the rear lever alone would not lock the wheel, so both brakes earn their keep when slowing a cruiser this heavy.

Ride Feel

The upright posture keeps weight off your wrists and lower back, and over the broken pavement and potholes of central Wisconsin, the wide balloon tires and gel saddle soaked up the worst of it. Those same tires add a bit of versatility. We pointed the Chatham down a washed-out gravel path, and they stayed quiet while finding enough grip to keep things planted.

Range

You may be able to reach the advertised 75-mile maximum with efficient riding in the lower assist levels. Our testing puts it closer to 20 miles on the most demanding rides and around 40-50 miles for an average ride. Our six-mile test loop was a hard one, with the full hill climb, heavy throttle use, and high assist levels, and it pulled the battery down to 59 percent.

Chatham Rev+ 2 vs. Aventon Pace 5 REC

Riders cross-shopping comfort cruisers will likely run into the Aventon Pace 5 REC, which lands at $1,799, or $300 more. That premium buys a lot of hardware and tech. The Pace runs a 750W motor that peaks far higher and reaches Class 3 speeds, hydraulic disc brakes, your choice of riding with a torque sensor or cadence sensor, and layers on smart security with a keyless battery, an electronic wheel lock, and 4G anti-theft features. It also brings regenerative braking and deep ride-tuning customization, features that are rare anywhere near this price. Backing it all up is Aventon’s network of more than 1,800 bike shops, so local test rides and in-person support are within reach for many riders.

Where the Chatham earns its spot is simplicity and value. It costs less, keeps the controls straightforward, and leans fully into classic beach cruiser styling rather than tech-forward commuting. The Pace asks you to manage an app, a subscription for the connected security features after the first year, and a longer feature list, while the Chatham just switches on and rolls. For a rider who wants relaxed cruising, easy operation, and a lower sticker price, the Chatham makes a strong case. For one who wants more power, stronger brakes, higher quality mechanical components, and connected security, the extra spend on the Pace is easy to justify. Our full Aventon Pace 5 REC review breaks it down in depth.

Pros and Cons | Retrospec Chatham Rev+ 2 Review

Retrospec Chatham Rev+ 2 Review

Electronics (Battery, Motor, Display)

8.6

Components (Shifter, Derailleur, Fork, Brakes)

7.6

Frame/Geometry/Sizing

8.8

Retrospec Chatham Rev+ 2 Pros

Classic Cruiser Styling: Paint-matched fenders and chain guard, color-matched hardware, and six colorways across two frames give it real visual cohesion at $1,499.

Comfort-First Touchpoints: The Selle Royal gel saddle, soft lock-on grips, swept-back bars, and adjustable quill stem add up to a genuinely relaxed ride.

Quiet, Predictable Ananda System: The 500W motor stayed near silent and delivered smooth, consistent power, even throttling a 200-pound rider up a steep hill.

Clean Integrated Electronics: The down-tube battery and the brake light built into the rear fender keep the modern hardware tidy and out of the way.

Balloon Tires: The wide 3-inch tires smooth out rough pavement and add grip on loose ground, with puncture protection to cut down on flats.

Retrospec Chatham Rev+ 2 Cons

Mechanical Disc Brakes: They stop well but ask for more lever effort than the hydraulics turning up elsewhere at this price.

Entry-Level Drivetrain: The Shimano Tourney 7-speed is reliable but basic for $1,500.

Cadence Sensor Only: Power is consistent but does not respond to how hard you pedal, and there is no torque-sensor option.

Smaller Battery: The 500 Wh pack covers casual rides but sits on the smaller side.

Rear Rack Costs Extra: Fenders are included, but a rack is a separate purchase.

8.3

Retrospec Chatham Rev+ 2

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Final Thoughts | Retrospec Chatham Rev+ 2 Review

Every cruiser at this price makes compromises, and the Chatham Rev+ 2 is clear about where it spends. The mechanical brakes, entry-level drivetrain, and mid-size battery are modest, but the budget clearly went to the parts you feel on every ride: the premium comfort touchpoints and a reliable Ananda electronic system. Those are sensible priorities on a bike built for relaxed cruising rather than high performance, and the Ananda system in particular stayed quiet and predictable through our hill and flat-road tests. For riders who want classic styling, an upright and comfortable position, and easy operation for $1,499, it is a solid pick.

If this review helped you decide on the Chatham Rev+ 2, using our affiliate link before you buy is a great way to support our work at no extra cost to you. Thank you, and happy riding.