WE DIG
WE DON’T
ABOUT THE REVEL RERUN
The ReRun is Revel’s introduction to the lightweight eMTB world. Powered by the Bosch Performance Line SX drive unit, this 165mm bike boasts mixed wheels, well-balanced geometry, and a CBF suspension platform we really liked.
DRIVE UNIT AND ELECTRONICS | Revel went with the Bosch Performance Line SX drive unit for their first e-bike. The drive unit outputs 600W of peak power and a recently updated 60Nm of max torque. The power comes from a 400Wh battery, with a range that can be bumped up with their 250Wh PowerMore range extender.
Mounted in the top tube is the Bosch LED System Controller, which displays battery and ride mode information. The controller has five light bars, each representing 20% of the battery, with battery life shown to the nearest 10% when a bar changes from blue to white. The controller also displays the current power mode via a green, blue, purple, or red — Eco, Tour, eMTB, and Turbo, respectively. Modes can be changed, and the walk function used, with Bosch’s Wireless Mini Remote mounted to the handlebars.
To read the battery percentage (a numeric value) on this light eMTB, you will need to add the Kiox 400C display after purchase, or use Bosch’s Flow App. In this app you can also fine-tune settings like assistance level across the different modes, perform updates, lock the bike in the event of theft, and access several other features.
FRAME AND FEATURES | Revel takes the utmost pride in designing and building phenomenal bikes. They stand behind the CBF (Canfield Balance Formula) suspension platform, and don’t cut corners when it comes to R&D. If it doesn’t work well, they don’t do it — simple as that.
This sentiment is very true of the ReRun. First and foremost, Revel needed to create a bike that met their expectations. Then – and only then – could they begin to figure out how to connect a motor to the bike for their first eBike on the market. Revel calls this their “Suspension First, Motor Second” philosophy.
Revel uses high-quality carbon manufacturing in the creation of the ReRun. The carbon frame looks sharp, something we’ve come to expect from Revel, despite being a smaller, boutique brand. This is a lightweight eMTB that sits comfortably amongst the competition when it comes to finish quality.
The frames are built with tidy tube-in-tube cable routing to eliminate noise and facilitate easy re-routing of lines. Ample downtube protection extends from the bottom bracket area, while the driveside chainstay is also protected, both top and bottom. Bosses for a water bottle cage or range extender are mounted inside the downtube, with two additional bosses on the underside of the top tube for a tool/bag mount. There’s no flip chip to change wheel size or geometry on the ReRun.
SUSPENSION | Revel Bikes emerged onto the scene a few years ago and has continued to grow since. A big part of the reason was the brand’s decision to license CBF suspension from the Canfield brothers. Revel continues to use this platform, with 165mm of CBF-tuned squish on the ReRun. CBF centres around a consistent centre of curvature, delivering consistent and predictable suspension characteristics.
GEOMETRY | Here, Revel did a good job creating a bike that will tackle rough trails while getting along with everyone. While the geo numbers aren’t conservative in any way, they also aren’t wildly extreme.
The ReRun has a 480mm reach, 635mm stack, and 442mm chainstays. The wheelbase is 1,266mm, with a BB drop of 29mm from its height of 348mm. Revel designed the head angle on the ReRun to sit at 64° while the effective seat tube angle is 77°.
Size-specific chainstays are technically seen across the four ReRun sizes offered, though the differences are minimal. The sizes are as follows: Small has 440mm stays, Medium increases to 441mm, Large is 442mm, and X-Large is 444mm.
BUILD SPEC | Revel has the two build options and a frameset option for the ReRun. Both builds feature SRAM components, with an Eagle 90 option and an XO Transmission option. For our SL shootout, Revel sent us the ReRun XO Transmission build.
This meant, of course, an XO T-Type drive train with 160mm cranks. The ReRun slowed down with the powerful SRAM Maven Silver brakes, with 200mm rotors. The build also features a RockShox Zeb and Vivid, both of the Ultimate persuasion.
Race Face handles the cockpit, with a Turbine stem, Era carbon handlebars, and Chester grips. Seating duties are handled by a 170mm Bike Yoke Revive 3 dropper topped by a SDG Bel-Air 3 saddle.
Crankbrothers Synthesis Enduro carbon wheels rounded out the build, wrapped in our Schwalbe control tires. A Schwalbe Magic Mary in the front and an Albert in the rear in Radial Gravity casing offered the traction and confidence we needed to push hard.
With these control tires fitted, the size large Revel ReRun X0 Transmission weighed in at 45.1 lbs (20.5 kg).
THE DIRT
SETUP | With Revel being a direct-to-consumer brand, the ease of setup is very important. Revel’s packaging was dialed, making sure this eBike arrived damage-free. Building the bike was simple, requiring only a multitool to put the front wheel and bars on the bike, and you are good to go.
Suspension setup on the ReRun was simple, too. The Vivid Ultimate’s sag markings made it easy to hit our preferred sag number, and the suggested air pressure chart was fairly accurate. We opted for the traditional 30% sag, with Drew trying out around 33% for increased small bump compliance. Both worked without any notable quirks as a result.
ELECTRONICS AND INTEGRATION | The Revel ReRun keeps it simple with their lightweight eMTB, with the standard Bosch LED display and their handlebar remote. We prefer the Kiox 400c display, and for those who demand this display, the top tube is compatible with it. Additionally, the SRAM Transmission uses a standard AXS battery, but we would have loved to see it being hardwired to the system. This is another small touch consumers would appreciate, but again, likely not a deal breaker.
The ReRun left some room for improvement for those looking for the most tech-forward bike, but the heart of the system – the Bosch SX drive unit – was nothing but dependable. Though there is the extra rattle compared to systems like the TQ HPR 60, which we’d love to see eradicated.
CLIMBING | While the main design of the Revel ReRun was to shred down the hill, the Canfield Balance Formula suspension platform is very special. It delivered great climbing traction without wallowing into the travel.
The “butt dyno” opinions were a bit mixed, with Cole finding it a touch on the harsh side over small chatter while Drew found it not to be noticeable. Cole did run 30% sag while Drew was at 33%, which will affect how the initial part of the travel feels. Drew noted that on technical climbs he did have more pedal strikes than on some of the other light eMTBs but said it did not hold him back from what he wanted to do.
Everyone agreed that the SX drivetrain had plenty of power for the steepest pitches, and it was only pipped by the more powerful Dyname system on the Rocky Mountain in this SL eBike Group Test.
Cole found the stack to be on the lower side, but noted his wildly tall saddle height to be something that amplified that issue. The lack of front wheel lift on steep sections of trail combined with an efficient rear suspension platform meant that our momentum stayed moving forward, with the lockout on the shock never required.
DRIVE UNIT RANGE TEST RESULT | We compared lightweight eMTB drive unit performance and efficiency with a standardized test. We created a 13-mile, 1,300-foot elevation “Battery Efficiency Loop” and rode every bike in its highest assist mode until the loop was done. Our test rider, Travis, is 193lbs and was diligent about his efforts and physical state for each ride.
We rode the Bosch SX drive unit on our Battery Consumption Test Loop both pre- and post- Bosch update, and noticed a large difference in battery consumption, as well as overall time of the loop.
Pre-update, the Bosch SX system completed the loop in 01:03:04 (5th/8), and used 300Wh of its 400Wh capacity (75%). This placed it mid-pack out of the SL eBikes for energy used, and 5th in capacity remaining (predicted range: 17.3 miles, 1,730 feet).
After applying the 60Nm update, the Bosch SX system completed the loop 2nd fastest at 00:59:28, but used 388Wh of its 400Wh capacity (97%). This placed it highest in this lightweight eMTB Shootout for energy used, and lowest in capacity remaining (predicted range: 13.4 miles, 1,340 feet).
DESCENDING | Going down the hill is where the smiles really began to form on the Revel ReRun. Both Cole and Patrick stated that the Revel was the most playful long-travel eBike on test, even competing with some of the shorter-travel trail bikes for pure fun factor. Drew said the CBF suspension platform might just be his all-around favorite and was caught off guard by how much he liked it.
The midstroke on the ReRun was soft and smooth without feeling sluggish and came alive when preloading and pulling for a gap. It stood out as one of the most dynamic feeling rear suspension platforms in this light eBike group test. The end of the stroke on big hits was managed well thanks to the combination of the frame’s mechanical ramp-up and the HBO on the Vivid Ultimate.
Charging into some of the faster rock gardens, the ReRun did not track as well as the Trek Fuel+ but still held its own. We found that this eBike landed more on the side of fun and playful than demanding all-out race pace. That said, it was no slouch when it came to going fast. Cole noted a great connection to the front end in flat corners, an area he can struggle with. Patrick spent almost an entire day on the ReRun, only stopping due to the battery being nearly drained. Which gets us onto our main complaint with the ReRun, one that is shared across all Bosch SX-equipped lightweight eMTBs.
FINISH AND VALUE | The Revel ReRun was put together very well, especially considering its lower price point than bikes with comparable builds. The bike was free of cable rattle and offered easy access to pivot bolts for on-trail check-ups.
At $8,999, it is hard to call the Revel a bargain. That said, you are getting some high-quality components throughout. While the drivetrain is XO (who really needs XX) and the Mavens are the Silver spec, you get full Ultimate suspension and carbon wheels. There are bikes on test at a higher price with much lower spec levels (looking at you, Yeti MTE). The value is no doubt one of the best on test, only losing out to the Propain Shresh SL and its slightly lower price point (albeit with an aluminum wheelset).
COMPARISON AND RANKING?
The Revel ReRun topped Cole’s list of bikes on test, thanks to its playful nature and active rear suspension feel. While others found it lose our to other SL eMTBs due to the Bosch drive unit rattle and smaller battery size. All riders loved how poppy and playful the bike was, but this did not do enough to top their lists. The battery size for our guest tester Patrick was the main thing that held the ReRun back from being his top pick. Here is what he had to say:
“The Joey Chestnut! This eBike just wants to eat whatever you put in front of it. It stays composed in the chunk and under braking, allowing you to stay in a good position over the bike in whatever terrain you are on. The Revel wouldn’t hold anyone back, unfortunately the Bosch system it comes with might. This is the deal breaker for me. The power delivery and feel is great, however the battery capacity is simply not enough for me. I would need to carry a range extender for most of my rides, including a post-work quick rip, which means you can’t toss a water bottle in the cage and burn some watts while not worrying about battery life.”
The Wolf’s Last Word
The Revel ReRun will take you down any trail you point it at. If you favor a bike that is more active vs planted, this lightweight eMTB is an excellent option. We would not be mad riding this in the bike park or on an alpine epic, so long as you brought a range extender – you’ll likely need it. 
Price: $8,999
Weight: 45.1 lbs
Website: Revelbikes.com
SHARE THIS REVIEW
Thanks again to our amazing sponsors who made this group test possible.
SUPPORT AND JOIN THE LOAM WOLF PACK
Did you find this review helpful? Would you like the chance to review (and keep) products? Are you interested in saving big bucks by getting exclusive Members Only discounts from industry brands all while helping support a small, rider-owned media crew? We have big plans for our members beyond big discounts and product giveaways! To learn more and help support small, independent media, visit our Member’s Page.