Ride1Up Roadster V3 Review

Ride1Up has been building functional, value-oriented e-bikes since 2018. Focused on selling directly to the consumer, they're able to offer a bit more bike for the dollar but you're not able to test ride their bikes in a local bike shop. The third version of their Roadster is the focus of this review, which prioritizes low weight, simplicity, and value for the commuter. The Roadster V3 is a slick-looking cafe-style commuter that doesn't look much like an e-bike. With a 360Wh battery stashed inside the downtube, a small 500W motor, and a simple, single-speed belt drivetrain, the bike has a clean aesthetic.

Performance Comparison

Ride

This minimalist offering has more features than you might expect and offers a compelling alternative to big, heavy e-bikes. Using an aluminum frame/fork, 700c wheels, and a small 360Wh battery, the Roadster keeps the weight down. The bike can be had in several configurations; we tested the single-speed belt-driven step-through model. The reason we chose the single-speed version of this bike for testing, even though we planned to test it on steep mountain roads, is that most of our staff admits to using their e-bike's throttles more than their shifters. This version of the bike saves several pounds of drivetrain weight while also eschewing the metal chain for a lightweight, maintenance-free belt.

A 500W motor sits in the center of the rear wheel, providing quiet assistance that ranges from subtle to sporty. On the road, the bike's assistance gave it just enough help that we never missed having gears. The bike doesn't feature much adjustability, but it's available in three frame sizes, which should work for a wide range of riders. Our positioning on the bike felt good for spirited commuting and fun trips, but this bike doesn't have the hybrid upright feel you may want for longer rides. Comfortable touch points do a great job of giving the bike a high-quality feel without adding much weight or complexity.

Schwalbe G-One gravel tires measuring 45mm provide all of this bike's vibration dampening. While the traction is good on a variety of surfaces and the rolling resistance is low, there isn't much air between the rider and bumps in the road. The upside is that these tires are lightweight and capable and give the bike a sporty demeanor. The Roadster doesn't prioritize comfort, but it isn't uncomfortable; its geometry is fairly conventional, but its ride quality is decidedly modern. Our testers all commented on how quiet the bike is and how well the torque sensor modulated its power assist.

The Roadster V3 can be had in step-through (ST) and step-over (XR) frame styles. The ST is the smallest frame for riders 5'1" to 5' 10", and the medium and large frames are XR for riders between 5'3" and 6' 3". Whether you choose the single-speed belt drive or 10-speed Shimano Deore drivetrain, all cables are routed through the headtube and preserve the bike's clean aesthetic. Our test bike had a 23" step-through height, which made it easy to get on and off of, especially once we mounted a rack and bags on the rear.

The parts spec on the RoadsterV3 is impressive at this price point. Flat mount Tektro hydraulic disc brakes that pair with 160mm rotors offer responsive stopping power up to the bike's 300lb weight limit. A Selle Royal Vivo saddle sits atop an alloy seat post, giving this commuter a quality perch that doesn't feel as minimal as most of the bike looks. A 15-degree stem holds a 680mm alloy bar with 15 degrees of back sweep, while Ergotec grips and a VeloFox display round out the cockpit. Testers loved how simple and user-friendly the cockpit was; riders with smaller hands struggled to use the throttle for extended periods, but swapping the position of the throttle with the brake lever solved that issue.

Range

Every rose has its thorn, and the downside to the Roadster's lightweight and clean lines is its lackluster range. However, Ride1Up has a range-extending battery that packs 250Wh of extra juice that they sell for $290. This should be a great option for riders wanting the occasional long ride but want to avoid a heavy bike. When we test the range of Class 2 bikes, we only use the throttle and refrain from pedaling the entire ride. We also ride a hilly course and use the bike's most powerful setting, so the figure we produce gives you a worst-case scenario for range.

Using exclusively the throttle in the Boost setting, we were able to ride the Roadster 18.9 miles while climbing just shy of 1000 feet. This range test was performed using a 180-pound tester (rider and gear) with the tires inflated to their maximum pressure of 55psi. The small 500W motor struggled on our steepest grades but persevered until the bike crested each peak.

Power

The 500W MIVICE hub motor delivers enough support to ride without pedaling, but you'll get there much quicker if you add some leg power. We ascertain each bike's power in numerous ways, but none are quite as scientific as testing on a dynamometer. In this test, we strapped the roadster into the machine with its battery charged to capacity and the rear tire at maximum inflation. Using the throttle in the bike's most powerful setting, we accelerated to top speed while measuring the power and torque at the wheel. You can see the resulting figures in our test data below.

Generating a peak power of 638 watts, the Roadster isn't big on its output, but it's propelling less weight than most e-bikes to a top throttle speed of 20mph. The throttle on this bike is integrated into the controller, which gives it a pleasing aesthetic, but reading some of the data on the 43mm screen can be difficult while riding. In our acceleration test, the Roadster V3 sped to a top throttle-assisted speed of 20 mph in 13.1 seconds. In our hill test, the Roadster accelerated to 13.6 mph while slowing to 6.8 mph in the hill's steepest section.

The bike has four levels of pedal assist and rides just fine without any assistance at all. The four ride modes are ECO, TOUR, SPORT, and BOOST, with the latter producing the most power. This bike uses an Untui-Drive torque sensor built into the bottom bracket to detect how much force you're exerting on the cranks and add power proportionally. Testers appreciated how smooth and precise the torque sensor felt, never leaving the bike accelerating beyond our input or lurching forward.

Interface

The Velofox OLED display is a remarkable little unit that is low profile and filled with data. The color of the graphics changes with each mode, making it easy to see which assist mode you're in at just a glance. At 19 x 39mm, the screen isn't very large, so gleening data beyond current speed, state of charge, and mode felt like an activity to do while sitting still. The top of the all-in-one unit has a power button, while the face of the display has the +/- buttons to adjust the level of assistance. There is another small button on the left side of the display that allows you to change screens and see additional data like an odometer, maximum speed, and wattage.

We've generally preferred bikes with a central display in the bike's mid-line, but we found this Velofox display so useful and easy to use that we wouldn't move it. Depressing the + button for two seconds turns on the bike's headlight, and depressing the - button for two seconds turns on the “walk-mode,” which allows the bike to self-propel at walking speed while you hold the button down. This feature can be handy when pushing the bike up a steep incline or up a loading ramp. The 360Wh battery locks into the downtube and can be removed for easy charging away from the bike. The 36V battery weighs 4.6 pounds and is made of Samsung 21700 cells. A light on the battery shows its state of charge, so you don't need to install it into the bike to see how much juice remains. The battery and electronics are IP-65 water resistant, which is sufficient for use in the rain.

Assembly

With a total assembly time of less than 22 minutes, the Roadster V3 was quite easy to get on the road. You can see in the time-lapse below that the steps involved in getting the bike road-ready are relatively few and considerably easier than other models we've tested. Ride1Up includes an assembly manual and all of the necessary tools for assembly, including a nice set of ball-end Allen wrenches.

If you're a visual learner, Ride1Up has an assembly video on its website that walks you through each necessary step and explains the process. Once you have the bike together, you'll need to inflate the tires to the proper pressure and charge the battery to capacity. Nothing about building this bike was difficult, but we always recommend using a bike shop if you're not comfortable with the mechanical aspect of assembly.

Should You Buy the Ride1Up Roadster V3?

There is an abundance of low-priced e-bikes on the market, many of which are of questionable quality and have poor ride dynamics. We spend a tremendous amount of time not only testing bikes but also figuring out which ones are worthy of testing. We hope that by following our recommendations on which bikes to buy, you'll be rewarded with a quality piece of equipment that will serve you well for years to come. The Roadster V3 isn't likely a bike for everyone, but it's well executed and an incredible value. We loved this bike's simplicity and lightweight, but it can also be quite utilitarian. In some ways, we'd say that it's an e-bike for someone who doesn't need an e-bike. The electrified aspect of this bike is subtle and doesn't dominate its weight or handling. The Roadster feels at once sporty and chill; the handling is quick and agile, but it doesn't feel unstable within its speed limits. Based on the part spec, this bike will likely have very low maintenance costs (and needs) with no drivetrain to service and readily available service parts. If you prioritize comfort and convenience, there's likely a better bike for you out there, but if keeping it simple is your flavor, the Roadster V3 deserves your attention.

What Other Electric Commuter Bikes Should You Consider?

If the Roadster feels too expensive, check out the spiffyNakto Camel 250. It's simple in a different way with older technology, more weight, and a lower price tag. If you want a low-priced bike with impressive utility, the Lectric XP Step-Thru 3.0 is hard to beat. It's comfortable with excellent range, has a rack capable of carrying a passenger, and it's value-priced. On top of all that, it can fold up and fit in the trunk of your car. This is a bike that we recommend often and for a wide array of uses. If comfort is your guiding light, the Ride1Up Turris XR should be at the top of your list with its hybrid feel and knobby tires. The Turris uses 27.5" wheels and the most powerful motor in our budget electric bike review; you can pedal or sit back and let the throttle guide your exploration.