Ride1Up Electric Bikes

Buying your first electric bike is not an easy task. Since you probably don’t have a lot of experience with e-bikes (if any) you are hesitant to spend thousands on something that is potentially not the right fit for you. So you are looking to “test the waters” with an entry-level bike that is not too expensive. Most of the cheaper electric bikes usually come with lots of shortcomings, and something always tends to go wrong pretty quickly. Sure, if you want quality, it’s a no brainer to spend $5k and get yourself a real powerhouse. But what if you are just not able to spend that much on an e-bike? There are some pretty decent options you can buy for under $1k, we have just recently come across the absolutely best deal for a price around $1000.

We are always suspicious and cautious when a new brand approaches us looking to be featured on our blog. Our reviews and recommendations are always based on our personal experiences, on personal experiences of our friends, or on lots and lots of careful research. But there was something about Ride1Up electric bikes that was an instant hit for us. The owner, Kevin Dugger, seemed so enthusiastic about his bikes, it was obvious there is more to it than just a desire to profit from this skyrocketing industry. The mission to offer sleek, fast, and quality e-bikes that will last, for a price that won’t burn a hole in your budget resonated with us, so we decided to give these bikes a chance.

And we loved them! There are currently three bikes in the Ride1Up line-up, designed for different types of riders and riding conditions. They’re all powered by 500W motors, and, as you can see here, the specs are on par with all the popular entry-level bikes, that are way more expensive. Here are short reviews of each of the models, as they are definitely worth considering as a fun and ultra-efficient alternative to driving a car.

What we liked

• Sleek, minimalistic design
• Lightweight
• Affordable

What we didn’t like

• Pedal-assist only, no throttle
• No kickstand

Sleek, minimalist and affordable, this is the Roadster V2. If you like the idea of the electric bike that doesn’t look like one, this bike is the perfect e-bike for you. There is not a thing unnecessary on this e-bike. It comes only with pedal assist, no throttle. The small but efficient 350W motor will get you to top speed of 24mph. The battery, which is completely integrated in the frame, has a capacity of 252Wh, and enough juice to assist your pedaling for 25+ miles.

Roadster v2 provides riders with five modes of pedal assist. The single-speed belt drive is easy to maintain and it is one of the reasons this bike is pleasantly quiet. There is no hand throttle, so the only thing on the minimalist handlebar is the small LCD display that shows current speed, battery life, and distance and brake levers that engage good old classic dual-pivot V-brakes. Yes, the Roadster has these instead of disc brakes that most e-bikes have. Despite being simple, they are functional, and also one of the things that keeps the weight of the bike at lightweight 32 lbs. There are no fenders, but there are eyelets for them, so you can mount the fenders in case you need them.

What we liked

• High-quality construction
• Great value for the money
• Very comfortable

What we didn’t like

• Heavy, weighing over 55 lbs

The guys from Ride1Up ebikes aimed to create a sleek, fast, quality electric bike that will still be affordable, and they managed to do just that with their 500 Series. This is definitely the best bike you can get at this price. It is solidly built, comfortable, rides beautifully. It features 500W motor, and more than decent 48V LG lithium battery, which will give you enough power to get to the top speed of 26 mph in PAS mode, and plenty of juice to go 50+ miles on a single charge. It’s got all the features you would expect from your commuter bike, and then some.

Ride1Up 500 series City is a high quality, classy and stylish electric city bike with great features at a really great price. It is designed for the everyday long-distance rider and it features very nice frame geometry that promotes a comfortable upright riding position. Swept-back cafe style handlebars also provide better comfort over longer distances. You can choose between two throttle options – a twist or a thumb throttle, and there are also 3 levels of pedal-assist, or 9 levels if you get an optional LCD screen. Other features include an integrated LED headlight, removable battery with two keys, and a heavy duty kickstand. Also we have to commend the amazing customer service – the guys that are behind this brand are very passionate about what they do, and really motivated to change the way we get around our communities, by providing high-quality bikes at an unbeatable price. We recommend that you get the optional upgraded display (which is easy to plug in instead of the stock one) with 9 levels of pedal assist.

What we liked

• Stealthy design, with integrated battery
• Maximum speed of 28 mph

What we didn’t like

• The battery cannot be easily charged off the bike, and a key is required to remove it.

Neat and simple Core-5 is the commuter bike with fantastic performance. Featuring the 48V 500W rear Bafang motor, with peak power of 750W and 52Nm torque, this bike is capable of easily reaching 20 mph in throttle mode and 28mph with pedal assist, which is the maximum allowed speed for a Class 3 bike. Concealed in the downtube is the 500Wh battery pack based on LG battery cells and it is removable for easier charging. The maximum range is anywhere between 20 and 40 miles depending on multiple factors: rider’s weight, terrain, incline, level of assist and more. The Core-5 features a 7-speed drivetrain with a Shimano Altus derailleur, and a pair of Tektro mechanical disc brakes with 160 Nm rotors.

Out of the box, this e-bike comes pretty plain; besides two frame types and two color options, there is no anything else to add to it. The core-5 has no lights, fenders, or rack, but all of that can be added as extra accessories. The lack of even suspension hints that this e-bike is designed as an urban city commuter. Kenda Kwick Seven.5 2.2 inch tires are perform great on the pavement. This bike is a little over the $1000 mark, it is on par with the bikes that cost twice as much. So in terms of value, you get a lot for the money.

What we liked

• Two different frame options
• Rack and fender included
• Comfortable wide saddle

What we didn’t like

• Very heavy
• Assembly required

The 700 Series is the Ride1Up higher-end e-bike option for biking enthusiasts. We’ve already reviewed it and we were impressed. It comes with a stronger hub motor, better hydraulic brakes and other features that you’d usually find on far more expensive bikes. The 700 Series has two frame size and handlebar options that can accommodate a wide range of riders. The battery pack is removable for easy recharging.

This e-bike rides like a dream and we often have to remind ourselves that it’s not a dedicated off-road bike; the speed shifters and the soft front suspension really inspires confidence, it makes you jump curbs and take shortcuts over grass and dirt. Its top speed is a big surprise, as it can reach 28 mph on level ground. Despite the high top speed, this bike’s controller is very gentle and beginner-friendly.

This rugged bike comes out of the box with a fixed rear bike rack and aluminum fenders, which was a nice surprise too, as most of the time you have to buy aftermarket ones. In short, this is one of the best options out there for beginners and e-bikers with a commute.

What we liked

• Five levels of pedal assist + throttle
• Great fork suspension
• Hydraulic brakes

What we didn’t like

• No built-in lights
• Assembly required

The LMT`D is the most powerful of Ride1Up bikes, featuring the 750W motor with 100Nm of torque. The extra power in the motor and the amazing torque do not matter when it comes to top speed as it is still limited to 28mph in pedal-assist and 20 mph in throttle mode, but you will surely notice this when you go up an incline. Battery is the same one used on Series 700, a 48V 14AH battery using Samsung 35e 18650 cells. The biggest upgrade of this moment is the bottom bracket torque sensor, which will make riding experience on this bike a whole another level.

There is a lot of really nice features on this bike, air suspension fork, LCD color display, bottom bracket torque sensor. The brakes have been upgraded to dual-piston Tektro Auriga hydraulic disc brakes with 180 mm rotors. The frame type is a classic diamond, and there are two handlebar types to choose from. One thing missing on this bike is a rack, and according to the guys at Ride1Up the rack from the 500 and the 700 series doesn’t fit this model. But everything else that is on this e-bike offers so much performance-wise, that you can hardly get anywhere else for well under $2000.

So is it really possible that bikes this good can actually be this cheap? Well, apparently it is. Ride1Up claim to have one of the most effective supply chains of parts and assembly. The owner has worked hard for over a year towards making the most efficient supply line that could possibly be created without sacrificing on the product.

Also, as we mentioned earlier, this brand is a product of passion, completely self-funded, keeping the margins low, and providing the best deals to customers. And as they decided to keep the price low, by not pouring insane amount of money into the marketing, and what they offer is a real deal, here we are, helping spread the word! :)

To sum things up, here is a list of reasons to take a step towards improving your daily commute with Ride1Up electric bikes:

• Unbeatable price – you will hardly find a better e-bike for around $1000.
• 1 Year Warranty with every bike – they stock replacement items.
• Amazing customer service – all you emails and calls will be answered quickly, and you can be sure you will get all the help you need.
• Quick and FREE shipping – in some cases they ship same business day, and shipping within the continental United States is free.
• Each bike will come with an attached front headlight, a set of keys for the battery (for 500 series), a charger, a kickstand, a user manual in English, and safety instructions.