A Bosch Performance Line mid-drive motor with 75Nm of torque, combined with a 500Wh PowerTube battery.
Co-op Cycles DRT e1.1 E-Bike Review
Written by: Tom Fortune | September 13, 2026 | Time to read 5 min
REI’s in-house bike brand doesn’t get talked about as much as the big names, but the Co-op Cycles DRT e1.1 puts a Bosch motor into a hardtail mountain bike at a price that undercuts most of the competition.
More about the Author: Tom Fortune
Tom is a Brit living in the French Alps. When he's not creating written and video content for various brands, he's either pedalling or snowboarding around his local mountains. E-Bikes have unlocked the potential for Tom to explore Alpine terrain and get away from the crowded bike parks. He is only too keen to share his knowledge and experience with other riders.
Hardtail mountain bikes are underrated. Sometimes you don’t want or need the complexities and extra weight that come with a full-suspension mountain bike, electric or not. The lightness and simplicity make hardtail electric bikes fun, playful, and easier to look after. The Co-op Cycles DRT e1.1 is REI’s entry-level electric mountain bike, a hardtail built for light trails instead of serious downhill trails. It’s since been discontinued, but that’s made it a decent bargain on the secondhand market, most of all given that it has a Bosch motor.
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Co-op Cycles DRT e1.1 Specs
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Motor | Bosch Performance Line mid-drive, 75Nm torque |
| Battery | Bosch PowerTube 500 (500Wh), removable |
| Class | Class 1, pedal assist up to 20mph |
| Drivetrain | microSHIFT ADVENT, 9-speed |
| Brakes | Shimano hydraulic disc, 2-piston |
| Fork | SR Suntour XCM32, 100mm travel |
| Wheel size | 27.5in, tubeless-ready |
| Tires | Maxxis Rekon, 2.6in width |
| Weight | 55 lbs |
How It Rides
The Bosch mid-drive motor is an advantage over most other e-Bikes at a similar price point. The climbing power turns steep, sustained climbs into something manageable. Turbo mode gives a noticeable kick right after you start pedaling, while the milder eMTB mode spreads that assistance out more evenly. This mode suits twisty singletrack, where you might need a sudden burst of power.
The front suspension fork handles moderate bumps and roots well, but it’s not built for serious drops or jumps. Riders looking for that kind of terrain would need to step up to a full-suspension e-MTB instead. The Maxxis tires grip well on loose and mixed surfaces, a clear strength given how much budget e-Bikes tend to cut corners on tires.
At 55 lbs, this bike is heavy. Lifting it into a truck bed or onto a car rack can be tricky, even though you don’t really notice the weight once you’re moving and the motor is doing the work.
Motor and Battery
The Bosch Performance Line motor delivers 75Nm of torque and uses a mid-drive instead of a hub motor, which sends power through the drivetrain for more natural-feeling climbing performance. It connects to Bosch’s eBike Flow app, letting you track ride data, adjust ride modes, and sync with services like Strava, while a Bosch Kiox 300 display and LED remote handle everything you need mid-ride, including a smart Walk Assist function for pushing the bike up steep sections on foot.
The 500Wh PowerTube battery is removable for charging off the bike, secured with a key plus a secondary Allen-key retention point. Charging to 50% takes about 1.7 hours, and a full charge takes closer to 4.5 hours. As with any electric bike, the range varies enormously depending on terrain and how you ride.
Things to Know Before You Buy
- There’s no dropper post, which is a shame, but it is a budget bike.
- The seatpost uses a standard bolt clamp instead of a quick-release collar, so adjusting saddle height on the trail requires a hex wrench.
- The included kickstand is handy around town but can catch on obstacles on tighter singletrack.
Who Should Buy the Co-op Cycles DRT e1.1?
- Riders who want Bosch mid-drive performance without paying premium prices.
- Riders who commute by bike as much as they hit trails will likely appreciate this bike’s ability to cope with different surfaces.
Alternatives Worth Considering
Aventon has budget-friendly electric hardtail mountain bikes like the Aventon Ramblas, but expect to pay a bit more for better specs.
Co-op’s own DRT e3.1 steps up to full suspension and a more powerful Bosch Performance Line CX motor, worth a look if you specifically want to ride more demanding trails than the e1.1 is built for.
Find a Co-op Cycles DRT e1.1 on Upway
A mid-drive motor and hardtail frame both see plenty of trail wear over time, so check the motor, battery, and drivetrain closely on a used DRT e1.1, along with the fork seals for any signs of leaking. Every e-Bike on Upway goes through a 50-point inspection before it’s listed, covering exactly that.
Browse the current electric bike selection, the Class 1 range, or the sale collection to compare options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What motor does the Co-op Cycles DRT e1.1 use?
Is the Co-op Cycles DRT e1.1 still available?
REI has discontinued it, though remaining stock sometimes appears at a discount, and it shows up regularly on the secondhand market.
Does the Co-op Cycles DRT e1.1 have full suspension?
No, it’s a hardtail with only a front suspension fork, offering 100mm of travel. Riders wanting rear suspension should look at the DRT e3.1 instead.
Key Takeaways
- The Co-op Cycles DRT e1.1 has a Bosch mid-drive motor with a hardtail frame, delivering strong climbing performance at a price well below most comparable e-MTBs.
- At 55 lbs with no dropper post, it’s best suited to moderate trails and commuting rather than aggressive technical riding.
- Now discontinued, the DRT e1.1 tends to show up for less on the secondhand market, so you get the same genuine Bosch motor and battery for less than when it was a current model.
