Retrospec Judd Rev 2 Electric Folding Bike Review: Affordable, Simple, Easy to Store

The bike’s 36V/360-Wh lithium ion battery is certified to UL2271 and UL2849 safety standards for electric bicycles, which means the bike’s electrical systems are about as safe as it gets. The battery is also easily removable from the frame, meaning you can unlock it, unclip it, and charge it inside your home or office.

Heavy Weight

Photograph: Michael Venutolo-Mantovani

Now, no bike is perfect. Let’s step back a bit and talk about the fact that the Rev 2 weighs 60 pounds, which, yes, is a lot for an analog bike. For an ebike, it’s pretty average. In a strange way, the fun I had riding the Judd Rev 2 made it feel lighter than many comparably hefty ebikes.

While I do love a 20-inch wheel, it feels incompatible with a commuter, especially if you’re commuting in a city. As most American cities are littered with potholes, the 20-inch wheels, wrapped in 2.1-inch-wide tires, feel just a bit inadequate. (This is partly a matter of personal preference, as editor Adrienne So’s own ebike has 20-inch wheels.)

Don’t get me wrong! My ride never felt rough or uneasy—quite the opposite. The Judd Rev 2 offers a smooth ride. However, I live in a leafy college town with beautifully maintained greenways, tons of bike lanes (ahem … though we could always use more), and an abundance of relatively pothole-free streets. I would just love a wheel that’s a little bit bigger, especially if I’m cruising through a city. All that said, it’s far easier to build a folding bike on a smaller wheel than on a larger one. Imagine trying to snap together a 29-er to stuff in your closet?

Photograph: Michael Venutolo-Mantovani