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Ride1UP Roadster V2 Review: The Commuter E-Bike That Zips Under The Radar

It’s not often that a bicycle takes me by surprise as this commuter ebike has. Commuters, this Ride1Up Review is for you!

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The Roadster V2 is an e-bike from Ride1UP, that has been designed with the urban commuter in mind. For the most part, this electric bike looks like just like any other stylish non-electric commuter bike.

It’s only when you start to unleash the e-bike’s full pedal-assist speed, while effortlessly cycling uphill that onlookers (and other cyclists that you pass) may start to realize that this is no ordinary bike – this is a stealth commuter ebike.

In this Ride1UP Roadster V2 review, I’m going to share my experiences riding this ride1up electric bike, give an overview of its key features, what makes it stand out from the competition.

I’ll also share where you can buy it with some advice on sizing, and finally my review summary with pros and cons and a score out of 10.

Keep reading to the end of this post where I’ll answer some FAQs and leave you with some more photos of this beautiful commuter ebike to drool over.

Within the next couple of days, I will add be a hands-on video review demonstrating the ebike’s acceleration, top speed, and a walk-through of the features and how the handlebar digital dial works.

To read our other electric bike reviews go here: Trail Kale eBike reviews. Grab a drink, sit back, and enjoy this in-depth Ride1UP electric bike review.

What’s it like riding the Ride1UP Roadster V2 eBike

My first experience with an eBike was with the Rad Power Bikes eBike, the RadRunner. That experience put a huge grin on my face; it was so much fun and a truly exhilarating experience.

That first eBike ride set me on a path to review other electric bikes to see how the experience could differ from frame to frame, motor to motor, and wheel to wheel.

Skip forward to today, where I have the pleasure of reviewing the Ride1UP Roadster V2, a totally new electric bike riding experience for me due to the style of the bike.

This is a commuter e-bike that better resembles a standard bicycle that isn’t motorized in any way.

In fact, I’d go as far as saying that the Roadster V2 is a bit of a stealth eBike because the battery and motor are so well hidden in the 6061 Aluminum Alloy Frame (the 36V battery and electric components are integrated into it).

The motor is also joyously quiet, and the digital handlebar dial is so compact that it’s nice and discreet.

There’s no throttle on this e-Bike, which means the only electric boost you get comes from peddle-assist, meaning you have to be pedaling to get the motor to kick in. You can also ride it without any assisted power.

The Roadster V2 has a great riding experience when cycling on flat roads with 0% gradient, and downhills, but can provide a challenge when an uphill gradient surpasses 10 percent or so.

This is because the bike only has a 64/20T Single Speed Toptrans Belt Drive – or in layman’s terms a single gear bike with 64 teeth in the belt drive, and 20 on the rear cog.

What is a single-speed bicycle, and what are their advantages/disadvantages?

Single-speed bikes are really good for certain situations (and riders), but they also have some disadvantages when compared to geared alternatives.

Having only a simple gear operating on a simple mechanism makes them generally cheaper than geared bikes.

They also use fewer components which means there are fewer parts to break and wear out. This means fewer repair costs over time.

Single-speed bikes are generally the better option if you like a challenge and are happy to have to pedal with more power (and with a lower cadence) when gradients show up.

They are also more lightweight than geared bikes which makes them easier to maneuver on plain roads, and also easier to transport when you need to carry the bike onto a bus, train, or up to your work office.

Electric bikes are generally much heavier than non-motorized bikes, so anywhere there is an opportunity to reduce their weight, this is a good thing.

The disadvantages of single-speed bikes are that they cannot be pedaled efficiently due to their single gearing range.

That makes it harder for cyclists to maneuver around tight corners or cycle uphill. They are also limited in top speed due to the single gear being a limiter of sorts.

This is not to be confused with a fixie bike or ‘fixed gear’ bike where the pedals spin regardless of whether or not you are pedaling.

This is often problematic for riders so I’m thankful that the Roadster V2 is not a fixie!

BUT WAIT – Ride1UP has got around those disadvantages by adding a geared hub motor to do all the hard work for you when you need it.

The Roadster V2 really does have the best of both worlds when it comes to a lightweight design, a fixed gear riding experience on the flats with or without the assisted power, and then the geared motor to help you maneuver around tight corners, or ride uphill.

My experience so far with this Ride1UP model has been great – the bike holds battery charge well, is very responsive, easy to use, lightweight, and a lot of fun to ride.

That last point being one of the most important, in my mind.

The 36V 7.0ah Samsung 35e Cells battery lasts for a very long time (read on for more details on battery life, mileage, and charge time), and for daily usage around town, I haven’t been left worrying that I need to charge the battery.

A lot of the time I find myself using the pedal assist setting of 2 or 3 (it goes up to 5), as I find it’s a good balance between me wanting to do some exercise (without getting sweaty), and getting more than enough speed that feels like I’m respecting other bike path users when I pass them, by not riding too fast.

I mention being courteous because the Roadster V2 is a Class 3 electric bike, with pedal assist up to 24 mph – which is pretty fast when riding on flat roads/bike paths.

To learn more about electric bike laws around the world, and to see what power/speed options are allowed in your country, read this helpful Wikipedia article.

Speaking of speed, how well does the Roadster come to a standing stop? Well, even though the ebike doesn’t have disk brakes (it uses Tektro R315 Dual Pivot rim brakes) – it stops remarkably well when I need it to.

This I’m sure is in part due to the lightweight nature of the bike.

What’s the riding position like?

The Ride1UP Roadster V2 has a great riding position that is especially comfortable when using it as a commuter bike with a full backpack on your back.

There are two different frame sizes available, and as a quick way to know which one is for you, go for the 58cm frame if your height sits between 5’8″ and 6’3″.

For reference, I’m 5’8″ tall and have the 58cm frame in matte black. If you’re shorter than 5’8″, then go for the 52-inch frame.

The Ride1UP Roadster V2 product page has full details on things like handlebar height, reach, maximum/minimum seat height, stand-over height, and seat tube length.

The saddle is soft and ergonomic enough for your rear end not to feel sore after longer rides, which is important because as this bike does not have any suspension on it.

You can adjust the saddle up, down, forward, and back, as you would expect.

The handlebars can also be adjusted up and down, so this should give most people enough flexibility to get a riding position that works well for them.

Watch my video below to get a better understanding of what the ride position is like – and don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube Channel for more eBike and outdoor gear reviews you can trust.

I don’t have any accessories for the Roadster V2 yet but the phone mount looks like it would be useful to have, in case you need to quickly access your smartphone for a call, or you are using it to follow directions for example.

Other nice-to-have accessories would be lights, fenders, and a kickstand.

Are the handlebars comfortable?

Considering the simple handlebar design, they are pretty comfortable. I mean there’s no ergonomics here but the pattern on the rubber grips does make the handlebars, very grippy, and padded to the touch.

How stable is this electric bicycle when riding off-road?

Yeah, don’t go buying this bike expecting to have an enjoyable ride off-road because that’s just a unicorn you’re never going to catch.

But that’s ok, this commuter bike wasn’t designed for off-road use, and that should be obvious from the lack of gears, suspension, and fat tires.

If however, you’re looking to ride on a lot of gravel, then I definitely recommend going for the Roadster V2 ‘Gravel Edition’.

This alternative to the standard Roadster V2 features lower gearing (and a slightly lower top speed) to reduce the chances of spinning out when accelerating, a single-speed Gates belt drive, Tektro disc brakes, and WTB gravel tires.

Is the electric motor noisy?

The motor is super quiet while riding but not silent, no electric bike is, especially an electric bike that has a peak power of 500w.

To get an understanding of the level of noise, check out my video at the bottom of this review.

Key features and specifications that matter (and some that don’t exist)

It doesn’t look like an e-bike, and its relatively lightweight

As mentioned briefly earlier, the Roadster V2 really doesn’t look like a typical electric commuter bike – AND I LOVE IT FOR IT!

Having a discreet electric commuter bike is in my opinion, a fairly untapped market when it comes to real contenders.

So when an attractive stealthy commuter bike like the Ride1UP Roadster V2 comes along, for a smidge over 1000 I might add, suddenly my attention is caught.

E-bikes are notoriously more attractive to bicycle thieves, so the less you can make a bike look like an e-bike, the less likely you’ll be a target to the common street thief.

The bike itself only weighs in at 33lbs (and can take a total weight capacity of 275lbs), which to me is very impressive because most of my electric bike experience to date has been with more bulky-style bikes which are considerably heavier.

Check my video review out for a demonstration of me lifting the bike, if you have no reference point to how much 33lbs is.

Lightweight bikes have the advantage of being able to pick them up easily when mounting them, or lifting them onto public transport for example.

Battery power and life

You can get a lot of usage out of the Roadster’s 36V 7.0ah Samsung 35e Cells battery.

It takes from 2-4 hours to charge up the battery and you can typically go 20-30 miles on one charge, depending on rider weight, terrain, incline, and level of power assist being used.

The battery doesn’t appear to be removable, so that means you’ll either have to charge your Ride1UP Roadster V2 in the garage, or carry into your house and charge it there. Just as well it’s a lightweight bike, eh?!

4x Features that I wish the bike would ship with.

I don’t ask for much, and although the Roadster V2 is very reasonably priced for what you get, I would still like to see the bike ship with the 4 following features – who knows, maybe this will become an option for the Ride 1UP Roadster V3.

A kickstand – This would be all kinds of useful to have.
Lights – Having the bike ship with lights already connected up to the battery would be great.
Fenders – these would be great for riding in the wet so that I don’t end up covered in dirt. I guess Ride1UP must be encouraging its Roadster riders not to ride in very wet conditions, even though the bike is water-resistant, rated to IP65.
A backlight on the LCD screen – so that I can see things like the remaining battery charge, and the assist level I’m using while riding at night.

The Roadster V2 has a Gravel Edition – Here’s what you need to know about it

For those who are interested in a slightly more off-road version of this bike, the Roadster V2 Gravel Edition is the best choice – although it’s not designed for true off-road use, it will make riding on gravel much safer, and enjoyable.

The Gravel version of the Roadster v2 features lower gearing, a single-speed Gates belt drive, Tektro disc brakes, WTB gravel tires, internal Samsung Cells, a compact LCD display, and a fully smoothed alloy frame. Oh, it’s also 200 more expensive than the standard version.

Where to buy the Ride1UP Roadster V2 Commuter ebike

You can buy the Roadster V2 directly from ride1up.com for 1,045, which I think is excellent value for money for an electric bike that offers all that this one does.

If you ride a lot in urban environments and are looking for an ebike that offers great speed, good hill-climbing ability, and a stealth look that won’t draw attention to your bike then you really can’t go wrong with the Roadster V2 commuter ebike.

Frequently asked questions

Can you test a Ride1UP bike before buying it?

Ride1UP is a direct-to-consumer company both in pricing and strategy. You will generally pay a premium for the ability to test ride through a dealer.

However, their bikes have been thoroughly tested by top reviewers such as Electric Bike Review, Trail Kale, Electric Bike Report, Cycling Weekly, Clean Technica, Electrek, and many others who have published their reviews on YouTube.

Additionally, they are now supporting an independent network of owners offering their bikes for demos. Learn more here Locations

Can the battery be removed?

Yes, but not quickly. It is only designed to be removed when experiencing issues or for replacement purposes. Not for frequent removal.

Can I buy a replacement battery?

Yes! We plan to keep this model for years to come as well as stocking replacement batteries for years to come, so you can continue riding for decades.

Where does Ride1UP ship to?

They only ship within North America. The Continental United States is FREE. Hawaii and Alaska are 400.

Shipping to Canada is 100. They are not responsible for any additional tariffs charged by your local government which is oftentimes applied after importing.

Unfortunately, they are not able to ship their bikes directly to Europe. You can use a shipping forwarder like ShopUsa.com to reach your country if you wish.

Image Gallery

I hope you enjoyed this Ride1UP review, if you have any questions for me about the bike, please leave them in the Комментарии и мнения владельцев below. Happy riding!!

Hey, I’m Alastair and I’m totally obsessed with discovering the latest, greatest coolest gear for outdoor pursuits. Learn more about Trail Kale, and everything we stand for as an outdoor gear healthy foods publication.

4 Комментарии и мнения владельцев

Good review. I have this bike and cycled about 2,000 miles so far. I swapped out the handlebar for something a bit wider and put a suspension stem on it. Added clipless pedals and a seatpost with more setback and added a better saddle. It’s a bit rough riding but the suspension stem helps. It’s very difficult to get up any hills without assistance from the motor since it’s geared fairly high. The gravel version didn’t exist when I bought this bike but I would opt for the gravel edition for greater comfort with the wider tires and the disc brakes.

It’s a bit more involved due to the rear motor and you’ll have the belt drive to think about but it’s not that hard to do with the right tools.

Gear Test: Ride1Up Rift Fat Tire All-Terrain E-Bike. First Ride Impressions

We’re out there on forested biking trails and paved pathways with the all-new Ride1Up Rift, putting this fat tire all-terrain ebike to the test.

Meet the Ride1Up Rift Fat Tire E-bike.

Highlights of the Ride1Up Rift E-bike

An e-bike made to tackle the trail.

Initial Thoughts on the Ride1Up Rift E-bike

The Ride1Up Rift is a robust e-bike built for adventure. Visually, the Rift looks like an off-pavement beast and performs like one, too. The stout frame, super-thick Kenda tires, and adjustable 120mm front suspension inspire confidence over uneven terrain.

Robust XR frame. Classic Ride1Up quality.

I tested the Rift on valley and foothill trails, pushing it to its limits straight out the gate, and it didn’t disappoint. With 8 speeds to choose from and a 750w electric motor at my whim, the hills didn’t stand a chance. And those knobby tires provide excellent grip.

Easy to use mechanical and electrical controls.

Handlebar height isn’t adjustable.

5 speeds of pedal assist, plus a throttle for full-out electric power.

A passenger can ride along (pro!) but the weight limit is 150 pounds.

Notable Features of the Ride1Up Rift E-bike

While the Rift is meant for adventure, it has plenty of perks that make it fun on pavement. With 5 speeds of pedal assist and an electric throttle at the ready, this burly e-bike can move. It’s rated as a Class II e-bike out of the box, but Class III can be unlocked, reaching tested speed on flat ground up to 28 miles per hour.

Cruises well on pavement. Rides like the dickens on the trail.

Plus, the Rift borrows the passenger-hauling ability of the Cafe Cruiser. A 150-pound companion can ride on the Connect Rack with the right accessories. Just make sure you only invite your lightweight friends to join in on the ride.

Some e-bikes come to barebones upon arrival, but the Rift comes stacked with all sorts of extras like an integrated headlight and taillight, front and rear fenders, and the customizable Connect Rack. These are quality-of-life inclusions that simply make the ride better.

Electronic controls and screen. Knobby Kenda fat tires.

First Ride Review of the Rift E-Bike

The Rift gives a good first impression. It is a hefty e-bike (we weighed it at 85 pounds), but it can do a lot and do it well. This is an e-bike for adventure enthusiasts who want to tear down forest trails or race across stretches of desert during their weekend excursions. Its heft is a side effect of its sturdy construction and off-pavement abilities.

That said, it’ll do well as a cruiser or commuter, too. It is an e-bike, after all, just one that’s as ready to tackle any terrain you put in its way.

Riding the Ride1Up Rift. The electric pedal assist sure makes those inclines easy to ascend!

What do you think of the Ride1Up Rift E-bike? Have you tested it yourself? Share your thoughts in a comment below.

Arthur McMahon — Lead Editor

Arthur is Lead Editor of Backpackers.com. He loves to walk. It’s as simple as that. He believes walking is the best way to experience the world. Thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail was his first backpacking foray, and he hasn’t stopped since. Follow his adventures and stories on Instagram.

Backpackers.com Review Policy: We do not accept payments or gifts from brands and vendors, and strive to provide unbiased, independent advice. Brands typically provide review samples which we return, and in some cases we purchase the item so we can keep using it long after the review.

responses to “ Gear Test: Ride1Up Rift Fat Tire All-Terrain E-Bike – First Ride Impressions ”

So, you are promoting a Class 3 E-moped that will be on the same trails as pedaled bikes, hikers, and horses? Are you serious? I hope everyone who gets one of these has really good insurance. I’m guessing they are going to need it. Please take a LNT course and do a rewrite.

Hi David. The trails are for everyone. That said, e-bikes are only allowed on designated trails — the same can be said for horses and mechanical mountain bikes. E-bikes do not generally go any faster than mountain bikes on trails, they just make it easier and more accessible. Be safe and be respectful, and let people have fun.

Welcome to Backpackers.com. We are a small, independent team writing gear reviews and useful outdoor guides.

Our mission is to empower all walks of life to be ambassadors of the outdoors. Read our About page for more information, and check out our gear reviews, trip reports, and outdoor guides.

Review of Ride1UP Electric Bikes

The e-bike market is booming so it doesn’t come as a surprise that the number of brands is skyrocketing as well.

Ride1UP is a new e-bike company established in 2019, trying to snag a piece of the electric cake by doing things differently.

In a very short time frame, Ride1UP has established itself as one of the leaders in the budget e-bike category. It achieved this by offering high-quality and smartly designed e-bikes at reasonable prices, providing a 1-year warranty and accepting 30-day no-questions-asked returns.

If you’re looking for a daily commuter electric bike that can replace your short car trips or an affordable e-bike for recreation and exercise, you’re likely to find a suitable option in Ride1UP’s lineup.

Short Overview of the Ride1UP Brand

Kevin Dugger, the founder of Ride1UP, with his partners.

Ride1UP is a young e-bike company founded in 2019 by Kevin Dugger. The company is based just out of San Diego, California, though the product warehouse is located in Sparks, Nevada.

Like many other popular e-bike brands, Ride1UP started as a DIY project. Kevin Dugger, along with a few of his partners, started building their own e-bikes by hand, because they were not satisfied with the selection on the market.

When starting the company, Kevin Dugger’s motivation was to offer sleek, fast, and high-quality e-bikes that don’t cost as much as a car. As a direct-to-consumer company, Ride1UP can offer lower than the competition by eliminating third-party retailers.

Ride1UP will even give you a 40 off coupon if you pledge to replace at least 5 driving trips per month with their electric bikes. That sounds like a good deal to me!

Most Popular Ride1UP Electric Bikes

At the moment, Ride1UP manufactures seven individual models each of which is available in a few builds, with step-over and step-thru frames. However, the company keeps expanding its lineup gradually so we can definitely expect new models in the future.

Cadence sensors provide pedal assist on the following models: Roadster V2, Core-5, 500 Series, 700 Series, and LMT’d (CS- Cadence sensor version). The Prodigy LMT’D have torque sensors.

Most Ride1UP electric bikes can be described as hybrid, commuter, or city bikes since most come with sleek tires, fenders, lights, and a rear rack. The price ranges between 1,045 and 2,295, which puts Ride1UP in the budget category for e-bikes.

Ride1UP Turris

Ride1UP Turris is the ultimate daily commuter and touring ebike in the brand’s lineup. It’s powered by a zippy 750W rear hub motor supported by a 48V 12.8Ah battery integrated into the downtube. The motor delivers 60 Nm of torque and is capable of class 3 speeds, so it won’t have any problems tackling steep inclines.

The Turris is also equipped with hydraulic disc brakes, a 100 mm front suspension fork, and a 7-speed drivetrain. That’s a generous package for a price of just 1,295.

Ride1UP also equipped its newest commuter ebike with front and rear fenders, a front headlight, riser bars, 27.5″ x 2.4″ tires and a comfy saddle.

Get the Turris if you want a capable year-round commuting or adventuring class 3 ebike.

Revv 1

Ride1UP Revv 1 is a moped-style electric bike that’s modern, powerful, and quite affordable, selling for 1,895 (hardtail model) or 2,395 (full-suspension model).

It’s powered by a 750W rear hub motor that’s paired with a 52V 20Ah battery on the full-suspension model or a smaller 52V 15Ah battery on the hardtail model. Both provide an estimated range of 30-60 miles.

Other than that, this beast boasts spokeless wheels, front and rear lights, fenders, hydraulic disc brakes, and turn lights on the FS model.

Get it if you want a reasonably priced moped ebike that looks phenomenal and is capable of class 2 and class 3 speeds.

0 Series

The Ride1UP 700 Series is a smooth and elegant hybrid electric bike that can easily replace your car for all short errands and grocery shopping. It comes boasting a hydraulic 100mm front suspension, hydraulic disc brakes, lights, and handy accessories.

This urban beauty is powered by a 750W/60Nm motor and a 672Wh battery that give you a 28 MPH top speed and a 30–50-mile range. It’s by far one of Ride1UP’s most popular and best-looking bikes.

Café Cruiser

The Ride1UP Café Cruiser is an impressive hybrid electric bike with the versatility to take on two passengers. This bike is compatible with the plus-one cargo kit from Ride1UP which allows a passenger to sit comfortably behind the rider/driver. It also comes boasting a hydraulic 80mm front suspension, hydraulic disc brakes, integrated LED lights, and handy accessories such as a heavy-duty Kickstand.

This passenger e-bike is powered by a 750W/60Nm motor and a 720Wh battery which gives you a 28 MPH top speed and a 30–50-mile range. It is certainly one of the most intriguing and versatile Ride1UP e-bikes.

Core-5

Ride1UP Core-5 is a simple and clean city e-bike that gets things right without complicating them too much. It features a 750W rear hub motor and a fully integrated battery, so it’s hard to even notice it’s electric.

Core-5 is built for speeding up and down paved roads, but its all-terrain tires can deal with gravel detours as well.

Ride1UP gave it disc brakes and a 7-speed drivetrain as well, so there are few situations where Core-5 will feel out of its league.

Roadster v2

Ride1UP Roadster V2 is the sleekest and most badass-looking e-bike built by this Californian company.

This is an inconspicuous electric beast that hides all of its components and achieves a super-clean look. Roadster V2 sports a 350W rear hub motor and a discreetly integrated 250Wh battery. It also comes with a carbon belt drive instead of a chain, so maintenance is almost non-existent.

This setup will give you a 20–35-mile range that you can get for 1,000.

LMT’D

If all you think about is power and speed when it comes to e-bikes, Ride1UP LMT’D is the right choice for you.

This is by far the most powerful Ride1UP electric bike with a 750W (1000W Peak and 100Nm Torque) motor and a 672Wh battery. It will easily achieve 28 MPH with pedal-assist and 20 MPH with throttle and maintain it for 30–50 miles.

LMT’D also boasts 2.4″ Schwalbe Super-Moto X tires, hydraulic discs, and 80mm of air suspension. This bike means business!

For similar designs, see our review of Buzz Bikes and Royal Dutch Gazelle Bikes.

Prodigy

Ride1UP Prodigy is the only one from the Ride1UP electric bike lineup that comes with a mid-drive motor. This is a premium e-bike, with a budget price, available in three variations—step-over, step-through, and XC off-road. The XC build has beefy Schwalbe G-One 2.0″ tires and a capable suspension fork, but the other components are the same.

You’re looking at a serious Class 3 e-bike with a 90Nm motor, 28MPH max speed, and an integrated 504Wh battery.

Size Chart of Ride1UP Bikes

Most Ride1UP electric bikes are available with both step-over and step-through frames, each of which comes in a single size.

Therefore, shorter riders should go for a step-through frame, whereas those who defy gravity a bit more can opt for the step-over to get a better fit.

Check out the Ride1UP size chart that we’ve created below to find the correct size based on your height measurement. If you’re still in two minds after that, you can read Ride1UP’s guide on finding the right size bike.

Roadster V2 Small: 5’3″-5’8″ Large: 5’7″-6’2″

Core-5 ST: 5’0″-6’1″ XR: 5’6″-6’4″

500 Series ST: 5’1″-6’2″ XR: 5’5″-6’4″

700 Series ST: 5’0″-6’2″ XR: 5’5″-6’4″

Café Cruiser ST: 5’0″-6’4″ XR: 5’5″-6’4″

LMT’D ST: 5’1″-6’2″ XR: 5’6″-6’4″

Prodigy ST: 5’1″-6’2″ XR: 5’6″-6’4″ XC: 5’6″-6’4″

Ride1UP Warranty and Returns

Ride1UP stands behind their products and the build quality so you’ll get a 1-year warranty on any Ride1UP e-bike you get. The warranty applies to any manufacturing defect and the company will issue a replacement or refund if:

The bike was purchased directly from Ride1up.com.
You are the original and first owner of the bike (warranty is not transferable)
The bike has followed all intended use purposes
The electronics have not been repaired or modified.

In addition to the 1-year warranty, Ride1UP also offers a 30-day trial period during which you can try out the bike. If you’re not satisfied with it for whatever reason, you can return it within a month, no questions asked. The only conditions to be met are that the bike needs to be in original (perfect) condition and that the buyer is responsible for the cost of return shipping. This is a great chance to see if an e-bike is really the right choice for you without any commitments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Want to find out more about Ride1UP electric bikes? Check out the FAQs below.

Is Ride1UP worth it?

Ride1UP produces value-packed e-bikes with budget and solid components. All Ride1UP e-bikes feature powerful electric components that develop Class 3 speeds and provide a solid range. The company cuts a few corners to lower the price, but the final product is well worth the price.

What class are Ride1UP e-bikes?

Ride1UP builds class 3 e-bikes that can develop pedal-assist speeds of up to 28 MPH. The only exception is Roadster V2 that has a 24 MPH top speed. Most Ride1UP e-bikes also have a throttle with a 20 MPH top speed, which puts them in the Class 2 category as well.

Is Ride1UP legit?

Yes, Ride1UP is a legit e-bike company with headquarters in San Diego, California. It makes high-quality Class 3 e-bikes that come with a 1-year warranty and a 30-day return period. Therefore, it seems like the company is confident about the quality it provides.

How much is a Ride1UP e-bike?

Ride1UP e-bikes are pretty affordable considering the value you get. At the moment, the cheapest model (Roadster V2) costs just 995, whereas the most expensive one (Prodigy) costs 2,195. So, on average, you should expect to pay around 1,500 to ride a Ride1UP e-bike.

What is the best Ride1UP e-bike?

All Ride1UP bikes are the best in their unique ways. It all depends on what qualities you’re looking for. The LMT’D model is the most powerful one, whereas the Roadster V2 is the simplest and easiest to maintain. For commuters, 500 Series and 700 Series should be the top picks.

Final Thoughts About Ride1UP

Ride1UP has entered the e-bike market only a few years ago, but it has already caused a stir and brought some novelties and new trends. Its approach is different from the competition which makes it stand out from the pack—powerful Class 3 electronics, sleek appearance, simple modern design, and outstanding customer service.

Ride1UP e-bikes are not the best-equipped or the flashiest electric bicycles you can get, but they are packed with values and features that you won’t get elsewhere for the same amount of money.

If you’re looking to get an affordable and reliable electric workhorse for commuting, fitness, or leisure riding, Ride1UP is definitely a sound choice.

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Комментарии и мнения владельцев

I do not understand reviews that do not mention if the sensor are torque, cadence or both. All the articles I have read always point out how superior torque sensors are but professional reviewers don’t divulge that critical piece of in. So what kind of senors do they use?

Hey Ken! Thank you for your comment. Here’s the information you’re looking for: “Cadence sensors provide pedal assist on the following models: Roadster V2, Core-5, 500 Series, 700 Series, and LMT’d (CS- Cadence sensor version). The Prodigy LMT’D have torque sensors.” We’ve now included this information in our review as well.

BUYER BEWARE. I bought four bikes from Ride1UP as gifts for friends. One came with a deep gouge on the body of the bike. Is it rideable? Yes. Is it in the new condition I expected? Absolutely not. Patricia, the Ride1Up representative, suggested it was an “annoying blemish.” I insisted it was a deep gouge. My bike shop agreed with me. They wrote to Ride1Up as follows: While we are capable of fixing the gouge on the bike it is not cost effective or recommended to perform that task at a bike shop on a BRAND NEW bike. Very deep gouges on new bikes should be handled by the manufacturer. While I understand you believe that it is a very “cheap to fix” problem but to do it correctly is not in fact cheap, easy or fast for that matter. It is very time consuming. To fix it correctly would require a larger area than the gouge to be cleaned and degreased, then it should sanded with different grits and cleaned again, after that the large area needs to be abrased and etched and then rinsed so that the specialized aluminum epoxy can adhere. Once it adheres for 2 days then you can start the sanding and smoothing process, once again using multiple grits. After yet another cleaning you can then match the paint and repaint the MUCH LARGER area at this time. Then you can add the clear coat so that it matches the rest of the frame. You can not use just any epoxy to fix this issue. Aluminum reacts easily with oxygen, weakening the bond, therefore, if not fixed correctly you will have to redo the repair often. The photo you sent of the other 700 that was “repaired” did not go through this process. It was not sanded and it was not filled in with epoxy. The only area that was touched was the small scratch and it appears as if a little bit of paint was all that was used. It did not fix the scratch, it made it less noticeable from afar. As we have stated in multiple emails and the phone conversation this is not merely a small scratch. It is a deep gouge and needs to be addressed properly. Perhaps our photos did not show you the severity of the damage. Your disclaimer that you require customers to acknowledge before purchase states “minor scratches” but once again there is nothing minor about this. A minor scratch could be considered an “annoying blemish” as you are fond of calling it. The clear coat damage below the deep gouge is not concerning and would be considered normal problems with shipping, as would a light scratch. This is NOT a light scratch. I do have a body shop able to do the repair in the coming weeks and it is estimated about 500 to repair. Once again, to do it properly requires time and the appropriate materials to do so. This is one of those projects people see on and think “I can totally do that” and then realize half way through that there is a lot more to it than it appeared and fail at matching the desired end result. I applaud those individuals willing to give it a try, yet caution them that it will be more costly for a professional to fix if they do get the desired end result. RIDE1UP HAS BEEN A PAIN TO DEAL WITH. I HAVE FOUND THEM TO BE RUDE AND UNCOOPERATIVE. THEY FINALLY GAVE ME A 110 REFUND, BUT I’M LEFT WITH A DAMAGED BIKE TO GIVE AS A GIFT. I’VE SPENT BETWEEN 6,000 AND 7,000 ON FOUR BIKES. IT HAVE ONE OF THEM FAULTY IS MORE THAN “ANNOYING.” IT’S INFURIATING. I WILL NEVER BUY FROM THIS COMPANY AGAIN. THE BIKES MAY BE GOOD BIKES, BUT, FOR ME, THE JOY IS GONE.

What a total nightmare. Bought a Lmt’d for 2k. I’ve had it just over a year with 430 miles ridden. I took it to a local bike shop to get a full tune up. The shop contacted me shortly after I dropped it off and said they couldn’t tune it up because it was unsafe and told me not to ride it again. Long story short. The chain ring was installed too close to the frame and every time I rode it. It would grind or shave the frame. They told me that it wasn’t put together correctly (bad QC) and to contact Ride1up to see if they can help. Well, I contacted Ride1up and they wanted me to send pics, which I did. They told me to take it to another bike shop because the first bike shop might be “a little bias”. You know, since they are a bike shop that sells bikes. Strange, I know. I took it to a second bike shop and they said the same thing. Not good and there’s nothing they can do. It’s unfixable. Sent emails back and forth to Ride1up. Provided videos and quickly came to the conclusion that both bike shops must be pulling a quick one on me because, well. They are bike shops and they are there to sell bikes, and god forbid if it’s not a bike they sold you, then they must be dishonest. They recommended that I take it to a third bike shop that sells non ebikes, since my issue is mechanical components and not electronic related. That made no sense, but ok. I’m pretty sure almost all bike shops sell ebikes, but whatever. Short story long. I’m S.O.L. They won’t help me since I’m past the 365 day warranty window. I’m out 2k and will be out another 500 when I send them my broken bike back. I’m totally bummed my bike wasn’t built right, but I’m even more disappointed at the poor customer service and lack of concern on Ride1up’s part. I really loved riding my Lmt’d. I would think that a small business would care about the quality of their products, but they proved me wrong.

Hi Al, That sounds like a total nightmare. That is why I personally prefer to buy my bike where I can test ride it, that way, if there are issues, then they will be solved right there. It doesn’t make sense to me as well. As for the chain ring, is there no way to upgrade it to a much better version because, like one said the issue is mechanical and not electronic? An upgrade of components should fix it. Can you inquire about other bike shops and see if an upgrade is possible? Show them pics of the issue first. Ask the bike mechanic if changing some of the components can fix the issue of the chainring rubbing against the frame.

I do Echo Kyle L. on April 4 2022. Bought a Prodigy bike which came with a defective wheel. From the beginning it had a broken spoke and was wobbling. The following happened: I sent Ride1up a photo of the broken spoke and a video the way the wheel wobbled. They sent me a new spoke and told me to take it to a local bike shop for repair. The bike shop said the wheel has severe flat spots and the problem couldn’t be fixed. They said I’d need a new wheel. I told Ride1up what the bike shop said and explained that my new bike came with a defective wheel from the beginning and all I wanted was for them to replace it under warranty. They still didn’t want to just replace the wheel. Instead they asked more questions and asked me to go back to the bike shop so they could make a video of the problem wheel. I am in the process of buying a brand new wheel on my “brand new” Prodigy. When I first got my bike I was telling everybody about this bike, now I am telling everybody to spend a bit more and go with a reputable company. Ride1up NEVER AGAIN! I have gotten the total run-around from these guys and am very unhappy with the fact that they don’t want to make it right for me. I am writing this review to warn potential customers of the lack of service that this company provides. Beware!

Update: The company is working with me now on the issue and it seems like they’re going to make it right for me. I didn’t think it was going to happen but I’m surprised and grateful. I will consider buying from them in the future.

Good to hear that you got it running. Currently, it is a big mess in cycling industry and we all hope it settles!

I brought a bike and the led speed controller on handlebars just stopped working I call store and all about it filled out a warranty claim me and store and ride1 up just didn’t care terrible customer service and support none my people will be buying from you guys your a sad company that don’t care about their customers big zero rating from me and I’m gunna tell everyone

STAY CLEAR- and heed the warnings of horrible customer service. Rode the bike for 136 miles and now the bike is dead. They agreed to send a battery and now they are unsure if they will send battery. Would like me to spend another 30.45 mins – diagnosing the bike problem myself. Am I a bike mechanic., Carefully read the reviews. there service is NOT good at all. Again the bike lasted 5 trips. I have zero faith in this company. Respect the unhappy reviews of the other customers, this is not a company thats respects its clients

Purchased 2 500 series, both are falling apart and the warranty is bogus. Multiple calls to the so called warranty department just make you go through hoop after hoop and then when you actually do jump through the hoops they just say no.

Hi Lenard, That is unfortunate. Can you please provide us more details about your case, what happened, what customer department told? Also please send pictures to press@bicycle-guider.com? We shall have a look.

You’ll be hard pressed to find a better electric bike for the price

TechRadar Verdict

The e-bike market is booming, and Ride1Up’s Core-5 shows just how well they can be made for about 1,000. It’s fast, smooth, and versatile in ways similarly priced competitors aren’t, though that’s not to say it’s flawless.

Cons

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Two-minute review

The Ride1Up Core-5 is an enticing entry point into the e-bike market, largely undercutting the price of the best electric bikes. The company has been designing bikes that have a lot of appeal both in terms of looks and when considering all the hardware that’s on offer. The Ride1Up Core-5 is a great example of that.

The bike delivers a 500W rear-hub motor where many of its similarly priced competitors would likely have stuck to a 250-350W option. It goes for disc brakes where some cheaper models stick with the most basic rim brakes. It offers both pedal assist and throttle control for flexibility, and it’s even boasting a seven-speed drive train to make unpowered riding easier and powered riding more comfortable with more options for controlling cadence.

It’s all packed into a bike that can ride on city streets and trails alike. The ergonomics are decent, with an especially comfy seat for leisurely riding. And there are mounting points for water bottles and a rear rack, giving the option to gear the bike up for longer hauls. While it’s cruising at up to a top speed of 28mph, the Ride1Up Core-5 also flies under the radar with a stealthily integrated battery that slots into the downtube.

The range of the Ride1Up Core-5 is rated at 20-40 miles, and we see it living up to that claim, even when we’re asking it to do a lot of the work for us. One of the benefits of an easily detachable battery is that those who want to go for extra-long trips can just pick up extra batteries, like Ride1Up’s beefier option, though they add a lot more to the total price.

The bike isn’t perfect. It’s quite heavy, and that makes it less ideal for anyone who lives up a few flights of stairs, and it’s especially rough to ride if the battery dies. Some of the parts are also on the cheaper end, like the shifter and rather basic (though still effective) disc brakes. A bike like the BlueJay Sport shows how much room there is for improvement, but Ride1Up manages an enjoyable and high-utility ride for a quarter of the price. Perhaps the most compelling alternative is Ride1Up’s own Roadster v2, which is geared up more for the urban cyclist.

Price and release date

The Ride1Up Core-5 was introduced in the first half of 2020, and it runs 1,045 (about £780 / AU1,500) for both frame types. That makes it one of the most affordable e-bikes we’ve tested to date; for comparison, our current top-rated model, the Specialized Turbo Vado 4.0 (2020) will set you back 4,000 / £3,900 / AU5,000.

Design

The Ride1Up Core-5 is a thick bike, blurring the lines a bit between a cross bike and a simpler mountain bike. It’s 2.2-inch wide Kenda Kwick Seven.5 tires certainly give it that feel of an off-road-ready bike while it’s aerodynamic fork and simpler, shock-less geometry feel more meant for the road.

Ride1Up manages a pretty slick package for an e-bike that boasts a nearly 500Wh battery. It uses a Reention Eel case to hide the battery away into the down tube, where it locks into place with a key. Ride1Up sells a step-through model that omits the top tube, but the Core-5 XR model’s top tube angles down fairly aggressively providing decent standover clearance. As slick as it is, it’s still a bit of a tank, and weighs in at 52lb (about 23.5kg) without us attaching any racks or fenders. That weight does include a kickstand that does a decent job holding it all upright.

We can forgive some of the weight, as the Ride1Up Core-5’s battery was never going to be light unless it offered less range. We also wouldn’t want to miss out on the 500W Shengyi rear hub motor that boosts the bike along at up to 28mph. The bike offers both a thumb throttle that can speed the bike up to 20mph, or it can use a cadence sensor to provide pedal assist for its max speeds. Ride1Up has included a cheap, but effective, Shimano Altus rear derailleur and a seven speed cassette, though the shifter included feels especially cheap for a bike of this price.

Basic mechanical disc brakes handle stopping, though they’re the same single-piston style we’ve seen on a number of bikes — they’re effective but exceedingly fussy in getting set up without any scraping or too much play in the brake lever.

Ride1Up has gone for a cushy seat that’s easy on the sit bones over longer rides and has a good range of height adjustments, and it has ergo handlebar grips. The handlebar isn’t too hard to change the angle on, but the stem itself only offers height adjustments. The system also uses a large LCD screen for controlling the bike and viewing battery life, speed, and distance covered.

With all the brakes, gears, and electronics, it’s impressive how well Ride1Up bundled up the wiring and hid a lot of it away with internal routing through the down tube.

Here we should note that the Ride1Up Core-5 is a direct-to-consumer product, and it entails a good deal of assembly. The frame, chain, derailleur, and rear wheel all came assembled. But the fork, front wheel, seat, cranks, pedals, and handlebar all need to be attached. It’s not a harrowing task, but may be a bit more than novice riders have bargained for, especially since the instructions aren’t entirely complete. Even though the Ride1Up Core-5 has a compelling price, you may want to factor in the additional cost of setup at a bike shop.

Performance

The Ride1Up Core-5 is a comfortable ride, in part because of the ergonomics on offer combined with the aluminum frame and thick tires and in part because of all the power at hand. It’s easy to just sit back, hit the throttle, and get cruising along at 20mph without so much as putting our feet on the pedals. The 500W motor doesn’t struggle to accelerate even with a 225lb rider packing on an extra bag. It’s not chaotically powerful, and we never feel under threat of being thrown by the motor, but it doesn’t crawl out of a standstill either.

Still, the bike is better enjoyed pedalling. It has a decent gear range to get up from a stand still easily even without the motor helping, but it’ll zip out of intersections with our strength combined with the motor. It’s especially pleasing to push the bike up to its top 28mph, which does require a bit of effort pedalling to reach. We don’t feel like we’re giving it our all in a mad dash to maintain those speeds either, though it’s still more work than we experienced using the Bluejay Sport’s mid-drive motor, but that bike costs almost four times more. It also steps ahead of the similarly priced Propella e-bike.

The Ride1Up Core-5 handles bumpy roads well. The tires absorb a lot of the rougher patches while the frame, handlebars, and seat cushion all help minimize the vibrations that reach us. We’re comfortable taking this bike over speed bumps we normally approach with more care on a road bike sporting 700x28c or even thinner tires.

As easy as it is to get up and go on the bike, it’s just as easy to stop. The disc brakes readily bring us to a halt from 15-20mph in a single car length, though this maneuver can see the tires skid a bit.

We managed to get 19.9 miles of range out of the battery in less than favorable conditions. Cold weather saps longevity out of batteries, and we rode it in some near-freezing temperatures. We also spent a lot of time hitting that throttle or using the maximum assist to fly at 28mph. Ride1Up advertises 20-40 miles of range, and our experience lines up with that.

The battery can charge on or off the bike, but it’ll take a while to top up. The included charging brick should be able to fill the battery in about five hours.

When the battery is dead, it’s not so fun to ride the Ride1Up Core-5. Its gears help make it more manageable, but its heavy weight is something we’re constantly fighting against. And though some may say that an e-bike that’s turned off rides just like a normal bike, we still find there seems to be some added resistance that really forces us to work extra hard just to maintain speeds over 10mph.

First reviewed February 2022

Buy it if

You like speed The 28mph top speed of the Ride1Up Core-5 is easy to achieve and maintain. If you’ve got a lot of distance to cover and want to do it fast, the Core-5 is ready to help.

You want a versatile ride The Ride1Up Core-5 is ready to cruise around town, take a spin along trails, and haul some cargo if you add a rack. And it can do it all with pedal assist or simply relying on the throttle.

Your budget is capped There are definitely better bikes out there, but there are few that can offer as compelling a ride and build as the Core-5 for just about 1,000.

Don’t buy it if

You can’t handle heavy The Core-5 weighs over 50lb, and it’s not easy to carry (no thanks to the top tube angle). If you don’t have a garage or lower-floor apartment to store it in, you might start to regret it.

You won’t keep it charged up The Core-5 is good when it’s got a healthy, topped up battery inside, but it’s a gruelling ride when the battery is dead. There’s not much sense in riding an electric bike without power, but it’s doubly bad when they’re this heavy.

You want the slickest ride on the streets The Ride1Up Core-5 puts on a good show, but there are classier rides with higher-end components if your budget allows. The Core-5 is more suited for utilitarian riders.

Ride1Up Rift Review: Conquer Any Terrain with this Beastly and FAST Fat Tire Ebike

The Ride1Up Rift was a pleasure to ride and review. While there are plenty of fat tire ebikes on the market, the Rift has been able to set itself apart. Not only does it sell at the reasonable price of 1,895, it has higher-level specs than we would have expected for the price point. There is a powerful 750-watt rear motor, a 48V, 20 Ah battery, and high-quality 4-piston hydraulic brakes. Read ahead for more details, or check out the video below.

If we helped you decide that the Rift, or any other Ride1Up ebike, is right for you, do us a quick favor and use our link. It’s a free way to support Ebike Escape directly, and we greatly appreciate your support.

Ride1Up Rift Video Review

Click for a Larger Image

The Ride1Up Rift is a fat tire ebike that handles off-roading, riding in the woods, and other rough and tough trips. It also does just fine cruising on the streets.

Like many ebikes, it comes in step-over and step-through frame options. The standover height for the step-through is 19 inches, and for the step-through frame, it is 29.5″. The recommended rider height for the step-over frame is 5’6-6’4″.

The step-through frame is for a slightly shorter crowd and is recommended for riders between 5’1″ to 6’2″. I usually prefer the step-through for ease of mounting but to each their own. Both frame styles come in three colors: forest green, arctic white, and graphite gray.

Click for a Large Image

The front fork has a hydraulic lockout with 120mm of travel for increased comfort. This beast of a bike can carry up to 350 lbs. The bike itself weighs 84.5 lbs which is on the heavier side for most ebikes but certainly in line with what we tend to see for fat tire ebikes. The tires are Kenda Krusade puncture-resistant tires sized 26″ x 4.0″.

Ride1Up had cargo hauling in mind with the design of the Rift. The rack, welded right to the frame ensures that you’ll likely never have to worry about overloading it. It’s rated at 150 lbs and Ride1Up even includes bungees for keeping items in place. Pannier hangers are built in for side-storage. For those looking for people hauling as opposed to cargo, the Ride1Up passenger kit is compatible. This adds a wheel guard, pegs and a rear seat.

Ride1Up Rift Motor Power

On paper, the Ride1Up Rift seems comparable to many fat tire ebikes, but during our review, we were pleasantly surprised with how well it did on the hill test. This is one of the most powerful ebikes we’ve ridden in this class. A sustained 750-watt geared hub motor with 95Nm powers the bike. The battery is a 48V 20 Ah (960 watt-hours) pack using LG cells and is hidden nicely into the frame. Range quoted from Ride1Up is 45-60 miles per charge though if you’re traveling at high speeds you’ll hit the lower end of the range.

A small colored display shows speed, battery remaining, and pedal assist level. Like other Ride1Up ebikes, the Rift allows you to change how much motor power you receive in each pedal assist level. You choose how many levels from 0-9 you want and how much more power you get at each level. This underrated feature allows you to customize the bike to your liking.

The Rift uses a cadence sensor which means it provides power depending on what pedal assist it is in, regardless of how much effort the rider adds. Feeling a like you need a rest? A left-hand thumb throttle can power the Rift without any pedaling needed up to 20 mph. In the advanced settings the Rift can be changed into a Class 3 electric bike which allows for pedal assist up to 28 mph.

Ride1Up Rift Components

One of the higher quality features of this bike is the 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes with 180 mm rotors. Almost every other comparable fat tire ebike will only have 2-piston brakes. And that stopping power is important when you’re leveraging the full power of the motor. The Rift also features motor cut-offs, a helpful safety feature that cuts power to the motor when brakes are applied.

In the rear is a Shimano Altus derailleur paired with a better than average Shimano trigger shifter in the cockpit. You also get 8 gears, instead of the usual 7. The Rift also sports a 11-32T cassette where we normally see freewheels.

Integrated lights that run off the battery are included front and rear. These will do the job for a basic ride, especially the front light but we suggest upgrading the lighting if you plan to do much after-dark riding.

Alloy front and rear fenders are included to make a more pleasant ride in the rain or in the mud. Optional accessories include a quick connect basket for 60 or you can also add a front rack for 55.

The included is saddle is basic, so check out our list of accessories for more recommendations.

Concluding Remarks on the Ride1Up Rift

If you are in the market for a direct to consumer fat tire ebike, then the Ride1Up Rift is one that’s worth considering. At 1,895, it is a great price point for its features. Main differentiators are the ability to travel at 28 mph with ease, the 4 piston brakes and the sturdy rear rack.

While Ride1Up has traditionally focused on commuters, their Revv 1 and now the Rift are great additions to the market. Ride1Up continues to deliver on their goal of delivering the best value electric bikes. If you like Ride1Up but aren’t sure you want a fat tire ebike, check out our reviews of other Ride1Up ebikes.

If you want to look into similar ebikes, consider the Juiced RipCurrent S, the RadRover 6 Plus, the Biktrix Juggernaut, the Himiway Zebra, or the Aventon Aventure. Our list of best fat tire ebikes is also a popular resource.

Sources:

https://www.trailandkale.com/gear/ride1up-roadster-v2-review-ebike/
https://backpackers.com/outdoor-gear/reviews/gear-test-ride1up-rift-fat-tire-all-terrain-e-bike-first-ride-impressions/
https://www.bicycle-guider.com/brands/ride1up-review/
https://www.techradar.com/reviews/ride1up-core-5
https://ebikeescape.com/ride1up-rift-review/