Ride1UP Roadster V2 Review

Over the last couple of decades there has been a real surge in the number of different options available when it comes to electric bikes. It may be that you perhaps think there are far too many different models to choose from and you are unsure which is best for you.

That is where I come in, with this site, I want to lift the lid on the good, the bad, the beautiful and the ugly when it comes to e-bikes on the market. In this review, I will be focusing my attention on the rather fabulous Roadster from Ride1Up. I understand that it is a big commitment as many e-bikes cost many thousands.

The good news is that at just over $1k, this model is on the more affordable side of things. Does that mean, though, that there are compromises? Well, yes, of course it does, but I don’t believe there are terrible compromises being made if you invest in this e-bike, especially if you are on an incredibly tight budget, but still want to benefit from having a more cost-effective and eco-friendly way to get around town.

Ride1UP Roadster V2 Overview

In terms of its styling, the Roadster owes a great deal to a traditional fixed-gear urban commuter style cycle. It has a relatively short and snappy wheelbase and narrow bars that make it ideal for taking into busy city areas. Its frame feels more like a road bike though than a commuter bike and is perfect for anyone looking for that attractive bike that will get them to where they need to be quickly and in style.

I found it to be a real pleasure to ride and thanks to the modest, but powerful enough 350W motor, it was even great ok hills, despite it only having one gear. Before you decide whether it is right for you, I want to discuss this bike in greater detail.

The Speed

As a member of the family of very swift Class 3 electric bikes, it is among the quickest and most powerful of the street legal bikes available right now. Interestingly, Ride1UP decided to not limit the 350W motor to the all-too-common speed of 28mph. Instead opting for giving the motor assistance a limit of just 24mph. They also decided to forgo including a throttle, something I have seen on many affordable and entry Class 3 bikes.

This means that the motor is only controlled by your pedaling. While it may sound like a drawback, I think it was a winning decision. The Roadster is a very lightweight and fun bike that will cruise comfortably just above the 20mph mark without motor assistance interruptions at the higher speeds. Sure, it’s not nearly as meaty in the torque department, but it provides you with enough power to make light work of even the biggest hills.

Another great advantage this model has many of its competition is the fact that the bottom bracket cadence sensor is exceptionally sensitive. Rather than requiring a full crank rotation, it will engage the motor after just a half pedal turn.

It’s Battery

The Roadster’s motor is powered by a 36V 7.0ah Samsung 35e battery. Although a modest battery by modern standards, because it is not required to deliver a lot of power to a humungous motor, it is fine. The smaller battery also means that it is a lot lighter than other e-bikes with bigger batteries and bigger motors. Which is another reason why it is so inexpensive comparatively, in addition to the fact that it is a single speed.

It’s Motor

I was very impressed, as I have already noted, that the 350W Zhengyi hub motor was able to produce the level of power it could. Despite its size, which is modest to say the least compared to even other rear hub models, it was still torquey enough to handle the 64×20 gear ratio smoothly and quickly. The best way to sum up the Roadster based on the size of the motor is that it is a bike designed with bike riders in mind.

What does that mean? It means, rather than favoring those who are looking to nip around town without engaging in the pedals often at all, it is for those who don’t mind putting their legs to work. Thanks to its smaller and more compact size, it is also a lot quieter. When it engages it produces a simple and even pleasant electrical hum. A hum that disappears as you accelerate.

The Pedal Assist

A real highlight of this bike, as aforementioned, is the extremely sensitive cadence sensor found on the bottom bracket. It makes the Roadster, in many ways, feel like a more expensive bike, as it consistently and quickly reacts. Just a half pedal stroke is enough to engage the motor and it just as quickly switches off when you stop pedaling. I have found that on other bikes around the same price tag as the Roadster, the lag is bigger and more noticeable.

The Tektro R315 Caliper Rim Brakes and Alloy Levers

Compared to many bikes around the same price point and across other price points, I was fascinated and pleasantly surprised that the Roadster did not feature the predictable disc brakes. Instead, it benefits from the inclusion of Tektro R315 caliper rim brakes and excellent alloy levers to provide the necessary stopping power for such a lightweight e-bike.

Discreet But Functional Display

The tech that has been paired with this e-bike is very discreet and in keeping with the streamlined look and feel. There is a very small screen and only a simple number of buttons, that makes it very easy to cycle through a small number of screens and adjust the PAS setting. The alternative screens tell you helpful metrics like how far you have travelled, the duration of your trip and the speed.

That may not seem like a lot but given that the concept of this bike is that it should be as simplistic and easy to use as possible, it makes a lot of sense. You don’t need it to do a whole lot more than it already does.

Fork and Frame

The Roadster V2’s frame is made from corrosion-resistant and very strong 6061 aluminum. As there is no suspension in the fork, you will feel a lot of bumps and vibrations on the road, but an advantage of the lack of suspension is that it gives you a closer connection to the surface you are traversing and greater control over the bike. I also found it to be much stiffer when taking on corners, which was a great blessing.

Overall Comfort

The final piece of the puzzle, as far as I am concerned, when it comes to choosing an e-bike, especially one as simplistic and inexpensive as this one, is the overall comfort it provides when you ride it. The Roadster has been given a sports bike-like geometry that means you are positioned more bent over and aggressively than other bikes. All cycling enthusiasts will recognize this positioning as being more beneficial for efficient and effective pedaling and greater control over the bike in general.

This is another reason why I and others will refer to this bike as a “cyclist or bike rider’s e-bike”. It is not so good for the casual rider that does not want to do any work. A lot about the handling a bike offers can be found in the positioning of the rider. So, what does this mean for comfort, well that is where there is somewhat of a compromise. It is not as comfortable as other bikes on the market, for sure. However, the discomfort you are likely to feel riding this is still not necessarily as bad as some I have ridden.

The saddle has a comfortable amount of padding and a much needed slit that allows for blood and air flow around those crucial areas. When you consider the Welgo pedals that provide a sturdy feel underfoot and the comfortable rubber grips on the handlebars, you have a nice and pacy, lightweight bike that feels good to ride.

Summary – Should You Invest in the Ride1UP Roadster V2?

As is the case when choosing any e-bike, or any product in general, you need to consider what you are looking for and not just take my word for it. If you want an easier to ride, that involves less active work on your part, then the Roadster is unlikely to suit your riding style. However, if you don’t mind pedaling and like the idea of having a nippy lightweight bike that will get you from a to be in no time at all, without breaking much of a sweat, the Roadster might be what you are looking for.

I had a lot of fun riding this bike and would definitely recommend it to cyclists. It is affordable, a great investment and will deliver what you need when you need it, without fail.