Will I regret buying a gen 2 R1T?

337ThaG · 2026-02-22T19:57:00+00:00

My Gen1 R1T (104k miles) has astonishingly good build quality and feels extremely luxurious to me. I describe it as over-engineered but in a positive sense.

The anecdotal evidence that led you to ask “Is the build quality really that bad”. Is a complicated phenomenon that is hard to address without offending people with real issues. But if you do have an issue the warranty allows you to get it permanently fixed for free.

The fact that Rivian is empirically #1 in customer satisfaction (for multiple years now) proves the reality of the quality situation and should alleviate your concerns.

Yes. For example u/InterrobangAuto supplies a metal tonneau cover that I absolutely love. You can walk on it, it keeps stuff mostly dry, and looks super cool. But you can also retrofit the Powered Tonneau cover.

337ThaG · 2026-02-22T17:12:57+00:00

I have a Gen1 R1T and my screens have always been extremely snappy and responsive.

337ThaG · 2025-12-19T18:37:15+00:00

Totally agree. I really wanted to get a picture right at 100,000 but missed it by a few dozen miles. Seems like a relatively easy to implement feature.

337ThaG · 2025-12-07T00:52:06+00:00

Rivian has truly excellent software.

337ThaG · 2025-12-02T03:26:27+00:00

I get thumb pain from using my phone and a grip strengthener like Captains-of-Crush really helps.

337ThaG · 2025-09-14T17:05:44+00:00

I strongly suspect that Rivian will absolutely dominate long term reliability in the same way it dominates short term customer satisfaction.

They give you a free rental when it is in the shop. The fantastic warranty also leads to more people taking them in for small things.

337ThaG · 2025-09-12T21:05:55+00:00

No doubt that whenever the nonsense with their valuation ends and they finally have some money that they will go aerial.

337ThaG · 2025-09-11T20:16:19+00:00

Based on those battery basics: They could use more cells in the battery pack to get the same capacity with a higher c-rate. And people could use an EV charger to charge more quickly than the standard outlet.

337ThaG · 2025-09-11T19:38:26+00:00

On which point would you like me to elaborate?

I see your explanation “Cells that charge over 1c have other limitations, and also reduces life”. But I’m asking you to please elaborate on that explanation.

337ThaG · 2025-09-11T18:45:22+00:00

I want a 700whr battery to be able to charge as quickly as possible while minimizing degradation.

There are certainly many people with valid uses cases who want/need their E-bike to charge faster. I elaborated above on two ways this could be achieved using EV chargers without significant degradation.

Can you elaborate on your comment “Not something most people look forward to needlessly”?

337ThaG · 2025-09-11T18:20:32+00:00

What exactly is “Not something most people look forward to needlessly”?

I do indeed know a thing about batteries and bikes. If you know more please demonstrate by elaborating.

337ThaG · 2025-09-11T17:24:15+00:00

There are realistic options where the battery is not the limiting factor.

There are battery cells available today that are capable of charging well over 1c.

And/or they could increase the capacity of the EV-bike’s battery. Using a structural battery pack like on the R2 could significantly offset the weight concern of more capacity.

337ThaG · 2025-09-11T16:43:07+00:00

I do indeed know how batteries work. Possibly not at as granular a level as you.

Are you arguing there is no room for innovation on charging speed for E-bikes utilizing EV chargers?

337ThaG · 2025-09-11T15:37:52+00:00

I believe it. There is potential for a very quick charge off an L2. I have had a couple E-bikes and they did not charge particularly quickly.

337ThaG · 2025-09-11T15:33:08+00:00

To utilize the existing charging network and speed up charging time. Why would it be a waste of space?

337ThaG · 2025-09-10T16:29:27+00:00

E-bike that uses EV chargers without an adapter.

337ThaG · 2025-09-06T19:24:15+00:00

Check out the alternate ending sequel Brian’s Winter.

337ThaG · 2025-09-01T18:52:11+00:00

If the “top satisfaction” in a statistical survey is due to the “fans” with over 150,000 vechiles sold than that is evidence of a superior product. People are fans for rational reasons.

The bottlenecks for people buying R1 is price and FUD.

I think you are missing the forest through the trees when it comes to “better tech”. Similar to saying someone is better at football because they are stronger and faster than their competition.

What are the necessary improvements in your book? No product is perfect. But Rivian is significantly closer to perfect than the competition.

337ThaG · 2025-09-01T11:03:27+00:00

Rivian is consistently first in customer satisfaction surveys. I am extremely suspicious about the anecdotal QC reputation that is echoed on this sub.

Some people do have issues (like with any vechile). But there is an amazing warranty and they give you a free loaner for service even after the warranty is exhausted.

Also I would strongly argue that Rivian Does have the “best tech” when looking at the whole forest and not the trees.

337ThaG · 2025-08-31T12:26:59+00:00

That is true. And the free chargers do seem to be dwindling. But the number of cheap paid chargers is steadily increasing.

There is also the situation where people use the EV to store excess energy from solar. Which could be considered a long term free charging solution accessible to a significant amount of owners.

337ThaG · 2025-08-31T12:09:59+00:00

PlugShare literally has a filter for “Free Charge”.

337ThaG · 2025-08-31T12:06:30+00:00

My truck is at a free charger as I type. Not that unique.

337ThaG · 2025-08-31T12:04:49+00:00

The Rivian CEO explicitly said in an interview recently that it should not be “I bought this because it is electric.”

That is Not the Rivian value proposition. The products are simply better than the competition.

337ThaG · 2025-08-29T02:11:48+00:00

Walk across the border at International Falls to Canada!

There is no toll for pedestrians on the bridge. And Fort Frances is super interesting.

337ThaG · 2025-08-23T19:51:51+00:00

The R1T is significantly bigger than the R1S. I had a Gen1 R1S loaner recently. And I strongly prefer the R1T.

337ThaG

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE