Ride1UP Core 5 Review

The electric bike market is awash with a rich plethora of different takes on this convenient and eco-friendly form of transport. It can be rather dizzying and headache-inducing trying to pick out the best model for your needs. You need to have a good idea, first, of what you are looking for from an e-bike. What you expect and the kind of features and style of bike you’re interested in will help you to whittle the multitude of variety down.

For instance, if you are interested in a lightweight bike with a strong enough motor that still offers great pedaling experience when you are not relying on the PAL, you may want to consider the Ride1UP Core-5. To help you make a more informed decision, that is the bike I am going to be looking at in this review.

The Core-5’s Speed

First things first, I wanted to discuss the speed of the Core-5 e-bike from Ride1UP. There is no denying that this bike was designed to go fast. The large 44t chainring, the fast-rolling tires and the juicy 750W rear hub motor have all been developed and installed onto this bike to give it speed. If you are looking for a true e-bike riding experience, this will give it to you, trust me. Thanks to that powerful motor and the quick engagement the bike offers, getting above the 20mph mark is no mean feat.

While I have ridden other Ride1UP bikes and reviewed them for this site, the Core-5 is definitely a speedy cut above the rest.

The Battery and Motor

As with any e-bike, a large part of what influences the speed the Core-5 is able to achieve comes down to the combination of the battery and motor. This model is equipped with a 48v 10.4ah Reention Eel Pro battery that uses LG cells and relies on a smart battery management system for power moderation and battery life and performance optimization. It may not be the biggest battery on the market, but it still offers a lot of quality despite its size.

The battery delivers power to the motor which is a 48v Shengyi rear hub and geared motor which can get you to 28mph. I have to say that it was a real joy riding this bike with this motor because the power was delivered where it was needed, when it was needed, without much in the way of delay.

While the motor was rumbling away and making its presence and hard work known, it never sounded like it was stretched beyond its capabilities. Even when using the throttle and the high PALs.

Pedal Assist

Speaking of the pedal assist, I was very happy with this bike’s system. Although the difference between PAL 1 and PAL 2 was nominal, I didn’t mind this because typically when I am riding at those levels, I am not looking to reach a massive speed increase.

Everything from PAL 2 to PAL 5 jumped up at least by 2 to 3mph, which was very acceptable in my opinion.

A lever throttle has been installed on the Core-5 on the left handlebar. While the throttle can sometimes be a troublesome addition, it was a pleasant experience using it on the Core-5. It really felt like it was designed to get me to the full speed I was looking for, as quickly as it possible could.

The one thing I think you need to be aware of though when it comes to the throttle is that because it is so powerful, it will use a lot of your battery life up. While this is not really a dealbreaker, it is something you need to think about when you’re going to use the Core-5 for a longer ride.

The Ride

When it came to actually riding the Core-5, I was expecting a reasonably good experience. I was not disappointed. While testing it on the highest pedal assist level, which I can guarantee is higher than most 750W motor e-bikes, it was capable of reaching and maintaining around 28mph.

As noted above, there is a distinct difference between the higher power assist levels, most notably when shifting up from PAL 3 to 4 or 5.

Each PAL accepted the way I expected them to, which meant I didn’t really need to worry about the numbers and could concentrate on enjoying the ride.

The Handling

Every aspect of the Core-5 has been designed to reach those top speeds safely and easily, and its geometry is no exception. When sat in an upright position, I felt like I had control over the pedals, regardless of how fast you are going. I was enamored with the fact that I felt like I was properly behind the handlebars, because I was. Rather than being over them. This reduced, almost eliminated, the chance of falling forwards over the front of the Core-5.

I was able to distribute my weight across the bike from this position which helped to make riding it feel stable and natural.

The Frame

As is the trend with so many modern e-bikes, you would be hard pushed after one quick look at the Ride1UP Core-5 to identify it was an e-bike if you were not told prior to seeing it. This is because of the manufacturer’s decision to go with a very stealthy and streamlined frame. It is nothing short of beautiful and when you think about the budget price this bike is on the market for, it makes it all the more impressive.

From an aesthetics point of view, the Core-5 will suit anyone that does not want to ride on a bike that looks like an e-bike or that is looking for something that is more streamlined than the average e-bike. In terms of its performance, I liked how the frame felt and the fact that the battery is integrated into the design made it feel the weight was distributed naturally.

Robust but Simple Fork

Along with the streamlined frame design, Ride1UP have equipped the Core-5 with a relatively simple but well-constructed fork. Made from smooth welded 6061 aluminum alloy, it continues the attractive look and feel that the frame establishes and offers you a very consistent, ridged, and reliable steer path. There is not a lot to it, but that’s not a bad thing!

Overall Ride Comfort

I found the Core-5 to be a truly comfortable bike. This is undoubtedly due to the impressive swept back 640mm handlebars and a truly luxurious Selle Royal Freeway Plush Gel saddle. This does not take away from the fact that the Core-5 is an extremely fast and aggressive e-bike. What it does mean is that while you are hitting those fast speeds, you have comfortable seats to sit on during longer rides.

While the comfort the saddle provided was definitely welcome, I’m personally think this bike would have been even better with a more aggressive type of saddle. Many of the consumers likely to buy this will be those interested in performance-based and spritely riding rather than comfortable commutes.

It’s that upright positioning that helps to make it a comfortable ride. Weight is evenly distributed between both wheels, which means the bike responds well when riding at speed and takes corners with predictability. This positioning meant that you never feel like the bike is out of control.

The Tektro 160mm Mechanical Disc Brakes

If you know a little about electric bikes already, you may wonder if the 160mm Tektro mechanical disc brakes that are installed on the Core-5 are enough to stop it at the top speed of 28mph. The simple answer is yes, there is more than enough stopping power.

Hydraulic brakes will always be more powerful and have more bite, but the brakes on this bike are very impressive. In addition to the well-designed, robust, and reliable brakes, there is also an electric cut-off sensor fitted that makes sure the motor shuts off when you start to slow down.

Accessories and Extras

With the Core-5 you get a high-quality chain stay mounted kickstand. Other than that, Ride1UP has a plethora of accessories available that you can add to your bike when you buy it, so you have all you need for your preference and lifestyle.

Summary – Should You Ride Off on the Ride1UP Core-5 Electric Bike?

It really is up to you whether you invest in the Ride1UP Core-5. However, if you are looking for an affordable e-bike that offers a fast and reliable ride, where comfort and safety are priorities, without compromising the aesthetics either, this could be the bike for you. It can achieve high speeds, has powerful brakes, a comfortable sitting position and saddle, and is on the market for a very reasonable price. Ride1UP has a great reputation in the industry and this bike does nothing but cement their position. I really enjoyed the time I spent on the Core-5, and I hope if you choose to invest in this model, that you will have as much fun.