A Bosch Performance Line Speed mid-drive motor rated at 75Nm of torque, delivering pedal assist up to 28mph as a Class 3 e-Bike.
REI Co-op Cycles CTY e3.1 E-Bike Review
Written by: Tom Fortune | September 22, 2026 | Time to read 5 min
REI calls the CTY e3.1 an “urban SUV,” with full suspension and a Bosch motor in a bike built for daily commuting, not just weekend trails.
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.
The REI Co-op Cycles CTY e3.1 is REI’s full-suspension electric bike, built more like a mountain bike underneath than a typical commuter. It’s a Class 3 e-Bike, so the assisted top speed goes up to 28mph, well past the 20mph cap on most city bikes in this lineup.
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Co-op Cycles CTY e3.1 Specs
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Motor | Bosch Performance Line Speed mid-drive, 75Nm torque |
| Battery | Bosch PowerTube 625 (625Wh), removable |
| Class | Class 3, pedal assist up to 28mph |
| Suspension | RockShox Recon Silver RL fork and Deluxe Select Plus RL shock, 120mm travel both ends |
| Drivetrain | microSHIFT Advent X, 1x10-speed |
| Brakes | Tektro Gemini SL, 4-piston hydraulic disc |
| Tires | Kenda Kwick, 2.4in, tubeless-ready |
| Seatpost | X-Fusion Manic dropper |
| Weight | 60 lbs |
How It Rides
Full suspension on a commuter bike sounds like overkill until you ride over a bad stretch of city pavement or through a cobbled street. The RockShox fork and shock take out potholes and expansion joints that would rattle a normal hybrid bike, shaking your teeth out.
The riding position is very mountain bike-like, with proper MTB handlebars, and you’re in a more aggressive stance than you would be on a regular commuter. It’s basically a mountain bike with city tires, fenders, and a rack bolted on.
The dropper seat post is an excellent addition, and something you wouldn’t expect on a commuter bike at all. This means you can drop the seat at a red light, raise it back up once you’re moving, and it makes stopping and starting noticeably less awkward.
Sizing runs on the larger side. REI’s own size chart puts the standover height higher than you’d expect for the stated height range, so sizing down from what the chart suggests is often the better call.
Motor and Battery
The Bosch Performance Line Speed mid-drive motor has 75Nm of torque, though a firmware update has pushed the actual output on some units to 85Nm. It’s unclear whether every unit has received this update, so treat 75Nm as the baseline and 85Nm as a possible bonus depending on your bike’s update history.
The 625Wh PowerTube battery charges to 50% in about 2.1 hours and fully in 5.4 hours. Pedal assist range is rated up to 60 miles, though that’s a best-case figure.
Things to Know Before You Buy
- The rear rack uses a non-standard mounting design, so typical panniers, including REI’s own, don’t fit without an adapter plate.
- This is a Class 3 e-Bike, which can come with some restrictions depending on where you live. Check your local rules before assuming it’s allowed everywhere a Class 1 or 2 bike would be.
Who Should Buy the Co-op Cycles CTY e3.1?
- Riders who want a comfortable ride on rough city streets, without going for a full mountain bike.
- Riders who specifically want a Class 3 e-Bike.
Alternatives Worth Considering
Cannondale’s Tesoro Neo X shares a similar Bosch Performance Line Speed motor and Class 3 top speed, though it only has front suspension instead of the CTY e3.1’s full suspension setup.
Co-op’s CTY e2.1 and e2.2 don’t have full suspension but are simpler city bikes. These more budget-friendly models are worth a look if you don’t need the extra suspension travel or Class 3 speed.
Find a Co-op Cycles CTY e3.1 on Upway
Because these bikes often have charging problems, it’s a good idea to fully test the battery before buying a used CTY e3.1, in addition to the usual motor and drivetrain checks. Every e-Bike on Upway goes through a 50-point inspection before it's listed.
Browse the current electric bikes selection, the Class 3 range, the used electric bikes collection, or check the sale collection to compare current options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What motor does the REI Co-op Cycles CTY e3.1 use?
Does the REI Co-op Cycles CTY e3.1 have a dropper post?
Yes, an X-Fusion Manic dropper post comes standard, unusual for a commuter bike and a genuine convenience at stops.
Is the REI Co-op Cycles CTY e3.1 a mountain bike or a city bike?
It’s built and marketed as a city bike, but the frame, suspension, and riding position are closer to a mountain bike than a typical commuter.
Key Takeaways
- The REI Co-op Cycles CTY e3.1 combines full suspension with a Bosch mid-drive motor, delivering a noticeably smoother ride on rough city streets than a standard commuter bike.
- Sizing runs larger than the chart suggests, and the riding position is closer to a mountain bike than a cruiser, both worth accounting for before buying.
- A dropper post comes standard, an unusual inclusion on a commuter bike that makes stopping and starting less awkward than a fixed seat height.
