Electric Bike Review

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Pedego Ridge Rider Review

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Summary

  • A delightfully capable and refined 27.5" hardtail electric mountain bike with powerful 500 watt motor and 48 volt battery pack
  • Nice upgrades on the adjustable air fork with lockout, 15 mm thru-axle, locking grips, hydraulic disc brakes and composite pads
  • Solid year long warranty with excellent dealer support and availability, only available in one size and color, no quick release on rear wheel
  • Offers four levels of responsive torque sensing pedal assist which compliment the 20 speed drivetrain nicely, you also get one level of cadence sensing assist for relaxed pedaling, a throttle override in any assist level and a throttle-only drive mode

Video Review

Introduction

Make:

Pedego

Model:

Ridge Rider

Price:

$3395

Body Position:

Forward

Suggested Use:

Trail, Mountain, Urban

Electric Bike Class:

Throttle on Demand (Class 2)
Learn more about Ebike classes

Warranty:

1 Year Comprehensive + 2 Year Pro Rated Replacement on Battery

Availability:

United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Europe

Model Year:

2016

Electronic Details

Motor Brand:

Dapu

Motor Type:

Rear-Mounted Geared Hub
Learn more about Ebike motors

Motor Nominal Output:

500 watts

Motor Peak Output:

864 watts

Motor Torque:

60 Newton meters

Battery Brand:

Samsung

Battery Voltage:

48 volts

Battery Amp Hours:

11.6 ah

Battery Watt Hours:

556.8 wh

Battery Chemistry:

Lithium-ion

Charge Time:

6 hours

Estimated Min Range:

20 miles (32 km)

Estimated Max Range:

35 miles (56 km)

Display Type:

Fixed, Monochrome, Backlit LCD with USB Charging Port

Readouts:

Speed, Torque Sensing Assist (1-4), Cadence Sensing Assist (5), Throttle Mode (6), Battery Charge Percentage, Battery Charge Cycles, Battery Voltage, Time, Odometer, Trip Meter

Drive Mode:

Twist Throttle, Advanced Pedal Assist

Top Speed:

20 mph (32 kph)

Bicycle Details

Total Weight:

56 lbs (25.4 kg)

Battery Weight:

8.1 lbs (3.67 kg)

Motor Weight:

6 lbs (2.72 kg)

Frame Material:

6061 Aluminum Alloy

Frame Sizes:

18.5 in (46.99 cm)

Geometry Measurements:

18.5" Seat Tube, 23.5" Reach, 31" Stand Over Height, 73" Length

Frame Types:

High-Step

Frame Colors:

Matte Black

Frame Fork Details:

SR Suntour XCR-Air LO-R 15QLC32 Suspension with 100 mm Travel, Rebound Adjustment and Lockout, 15 mm Thru Axle

Frame Rear Details:

142 mm Dropout Width

Attachment Points:

Rear Rack Bosses

Gearing Details:

20Speed 1x11 Shimano RD-RX817 GRX Di2 Derailleur, Shimano CS-M8000 11-42 Tooth Cassette

Shifter Details:

Trigger Shifters on Left and Right

Cranks:

203 mm, 3 Piece Aluminum Alloy

Pedals:

Wellgo, Aluminum Alloy Platform, Black

Headset:

VP Sealed Bearing

Stem:

70 mm Length

Handlebar:

22 mm Rise, 720 mm Width, Low-Rise Aluminum Alloy

Brake Details:

Magura MTe Hydraulic Disc with Magura Storm 180 mm Rotors, Integrated Motor Inhibitor and Ball-End Levers

Grips:

Flat Rubber with Lockers

Saddle:

MTB Brand, Black

Seat Post:

Aluminum Alloy, Black

Seat Post Length:

350 mm

Seat Post Diameter:

30.9 mm

Rims:

Alex MD19, 32 Hole Front, 36 Hole Rear

Spokes:

Stainless Steel, 13 Gauge Front, 12 Gauge Rear

Tire Brand:

Kenda, 27.5″ x 2.10″

Wheel Sizes:

27.5 in (69.85cm)

Tube Details:

Shrader Valve, Pre-Slimed

Accessories:

Sturdy Oversized Kickstand, Neoprene Slap Guard on Right Chain Stay

Other:

Locking Removable Battery Pack, Shimano HG 62-10 Cassette, Dapu Torque and Cadence Sensing Bottom Bracket with 11.75" (29.845 cm) Drop, Quick Release Seat Post and Front Axle, Shimano SLX M678 Front Hub Centerlock Disc, KMC Chain with 116 Links, Air Fork Settings: 115 – 135 lbs (60 – 80 PSI), 135 – 155 lbs (80 – 100 PSI), 155 – 175 lbs (100 – 120 PSI), 175 – 195 lbs (120 – 140 PSI), 195 – 215 lbs (140 – 160 PSI), 215+ lbs (160 – 180 PSI), 180 PSI Maximum

Since late 2014 I’ve seen Pedego secretly working on an electric mountain bike and this first generation Ridge Rider is the culmination of that effort. To be honest, it’s far more capable and technical than I was expecting… my preconception of the brand has been built around their wide selection of comfort-oriented cruisers with fun colors aimed at more casual riders. Pedego basically invented the beach cruiser electric bike in the USA and they’ve done very well as a leader in that category, furthering their reputation with excellent dealer and warranty support. So I went into this review with an open mind, perhaps expecting the Ridge Rider to be a less technical, heavier and less refined version of other e-mountain bikes I’ve tested like the EVO 27.5″ from Easy Motion.

To be fair, the EVO 27.5″ is indeed lighter than the Ridge Rider but that’s partially because it has a much smaller and weaker battery pack. Both bikes are hardtails with bosses for adding a rear rack (perfect for weekend warriors that commute via ebike during the week) but only the Ridge Rider has bottle cage bosses, both have decent suspension forks and both offer a nice drivetrain with 30 speeds on the EVO vs. just 20 on the Ridge Rider… though it offers an SLX component group which is more premium than Deore. My goal isn’t to overemphasize Easy Motion vs. Pedego or the Ridge Rider vs. the Evo 27.5 here, especially because the EVO 27.5″ is a 2015 model, I’m just genuinely impressed that the first generation electric mountain bike from Pedego can hold its own compared with a longstanding leader, a second generation ebike from a European company… Actually, it’s more like a third or fourth gen if you count the bikes sold overseas by BH and these two models just have a lot in common. Both only come in one size ~18″ Evo and ~18.5″ Ridge Rider, both use Dapu motors, both have throttles and pedal assist, both have custom downtube integrated battery packs and both cost a similar amount of money.

So the Pedego Ridge Rider gives you a 500 watt internally geared hub motor from Dapu running at 18 Amps and the battery offers 48 volts with 11.6 amp hours for a 556.8 watt hour capacity. That’s a lot of power and it’s extremely satisfying to zip around with in throttle mode. I’ve long been a fan of twist throttles in addition to pedal assist because it’s fun and just plain handy when passing other riders or topping hills. I prefer to spend most of my time riding in assist level 2 using the torque sensor to get a workout and extend my range but the throttle can instantly override this lower power output all without looking down or changing hand position. It’s wonderful, though it could lead to accidental power surge on bumpy terrain if you bear down on the grip for balance and accidentally engage. One other consideration here is that the torque sensing assist is active at standstill… so there were a couple of times where I had braked into a stop, put one foot down and rested the other on my pedal with some force being applied. I loosened my grip on the brakes and the motor started to activate. This has also happened with Easy motion and other ebikes I’ve tried that use torque sensors so I’m mostly sharing to create awareness. This is a more advanced design and with responsiveness comes a higher level of operation and awareness.

Some of the other upgrades and technical features I loved about the Ridge Rider are the Magura hydraulic disc brakes with large 180 mm rotors and composite pads! They didn’t squeak during my test rides and they are supposed to work better in extreme temperatures and damp conditions as well. I loved the quick release 15 mm thru axle on the front wheel because it makes alignment of the disc brake rotor easier and adds stiffness for off-road riding (though I wish the rear wheel also had a quick release feature and I can’t wait for the updated motor design with tighter cable integration). The XCR suspension fork from Suntour is wonderful, surprisingly satisfying and capable. You can adjust the air pressure to accommodate your weight (guide listed above in the specs under Other) and there are several portable pumps for this sold online so you can make changes based on the load you’re carrying. I also just really like the display Pedego uses on all of their new bikes because it has great readouts, swivels to reduce glare and has an integrated USB charging port for portable electronics. It would be perfect if it was also removable, but it’s still pretty great :)

All things considered, I loved the RidgeRider and could see this performing well on trails, light mountain coditions or around town as a more aggressive commuter bike. The 27.5″ wheel size is a great compromise between speed and stability offered on something like a 29er and nimble speed offered on a 26″. The larger 2.1″ diameter of the tires adds some cusion and when combined with the 100 mm of travel on the fork it makes for a very enjoyable ride, even at speed and over longer distances. This is the kind of electric bike I have had the most fun commuting to work with because it can take on any sort of terrain you encounter around town and while you don’t get lights or a rack stock, those can be added pretty affordably… Just make sure you get a disc brake compatible rack like this and consider rechargeable lights like these from Cygolite. The rear rack will work as a fender to keep you clean but something like this could help keep mud out of your eyes on the front and this will protect the battery a bit more. Mucky Nutz also offers a short rear fender that should work if you don’t use a rack.

Pros:

  • I like that this hardtail could easily be used for commuting thanks to the rear rack bosses, be sure to get a disc brake compatible rack
  • There are two threaded eyelets on the seat tube so you can add a bottle cage, mount a portable pump or carry along a folding lock
  • Great power from the Dapu motor, I appreciate the larger 500 watt design and powerful 48 volt battery, the controller sends 18 amps through the system
  • The on/off switch for the battery is easy to reach and deters tampering with the display if you turn it off when parked, I like that the display is backlit
  • The integrated USB charging port at the base of the display is right where you’d want it to be, easy to access but out of the way (great for powering a GPS, lights or portable music player while riding), I also like that you can see how many charge cycles have been used, battery percentage and voltage along with the more traditional readouts like speed and assist level
  • I love that you get responsive torque sensing assist with this ebike because it’s actually useful for technical riding but they also pack in a cadence sensing mode for when you don’t want to strain your legs or knees and the throttle can override everything as well as a throttle-only mode
  • Sturdy 15 mm thru axle on the front wheel adds strength for rougher conditions and ensures alignment for the disc brake when the wheel is taken off and then re-attached
  • I like the 27.5″ wheel size for a balance of handling vs. speed and stability but the tubes and tires can be more expensive so it’s nice that Pedego pre-Slimed them to add durability
  • The suspension fork is very comfortable with 100 mm of travel, it’s adjustable according to your weight (recommended settings listed above in the “Other” section and the rebound and lockout setting reduces bob for on-road efficiency
  • Overall, good balance with the battery low and center on the frame, it blends in, locks and can be charged on or off the frame
  • I appreciate the custom programming that the Pedego design/engineering team did for the display and pedal assist modes, it’s responsive and feature complete in my opinion
  • The hydraulic disc brakes are powerful but smooth and the levers are ebike specific with ball-end features to improve safety, the ceramic pads are quiet and work better in a wide range of conditions, replace with something like this as they wear out vs. standard pads
  • Even though this is a more technically capable electric bike, I appreciate the inclusion of a high quality kickstand for easier storage and parking if used as a commuter or urban ride

Cons:

  • Quick release is great on the front wheel but there isn’t an easy way to get the back wheel off, you’ll need extra tools and this can be a bummer on the trail or mountain
  • Due to the more powerful motor, larger battery and aluminum frame this isn’t the lightest electric mountain bike weighing in at ~56 lbs
  • At the time of this review the Ridge Rider was only available in one frame size ~18.5″ medium and one color matte black, I’d love to see a larger frame for taller riders
  • The suspension fork had lockout but didn’t offer much in the way of stiffness, travel or rebound adjust that you might find on a Fox CTD
  • The power cable for the hub motor is currently run through the axle and may be easier to snag or bump if the bike is tipped, in the future I believe Pedego is switching to a more integrated cable design tucked behind the disc brake rotor
  • The display panel is fixed which means you cannot easily take it off the bike for storage, leaving it with increased exposure to sunlight or harsh weather elements or potential vandalism; however, it does swivel up and down to help reduce glare

Resources:

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cameron Newland says

    I couldn’t agree more with the findings of your review. When I tested this at Interbike, I was actually riding it inside of a carpeted convention meeting room with little room to run, but still, in that small area, I discovered that this bike is VERY fast and torquey (500W is certainly seems to be a modest power rating for this thing!), and quite well-built. Great brakes. I’d love to own one of these bikes.

    Reply

    • Court Rye says

      Yeah, I think it’s 500 nominal with maybe 850+ peak? The 18 Amp flow of power and 48 volt pack really empower the motor to perform. By the way, I enjoyed your website Overvolted :)

  2. Dan says

    Super review Court. I’m kind of in the market due to my Trek DS8.4+Falco getting plowed by a car.

    I like the sturdy frame, air shock, Hyd brakes, 15mm axel, brazons, and the 6 modes are well done to offer a mix of riding options.

    500W w/ a geared hub is equal to a ddhub of 750W, you think? Less weight, better torque. A bit noisier, and no regen, but the torque and weight reduction /small profile is super.

    dan

    Reply

    • Court Rye says

      Ouch! Sorry to hear about your Trek :/ are you alright?! the Ridge Rider really impressed me, they went beyond a basic trail capable ebike and added some great rugged features. The motor and battery power were solid and while most customers will probably still stay on easy terrain it’s nice to have a sturdy build under you and yeah, I agree that a geared hub with higher amps flowing offers more torque. I tend to lean towards lighter weight builds myself and this one isn’t super light but I think that’s due in part to the sturdy frame and more dense battery here.

  3. Gus says

    I’ve got over 200 miles on this bike, a lot of it in the mountains here in Utah and it’s been great so far. One issue with using this as a mountain bike is coming down the mountain there’s a lot of weight so it’s real easy to get going fast and I’m glad it has good brakes. It rides very comfortably, I had a Pedego City Commuter before this which was good but I love being able to climb over any obstacles in the city and then take it off road when I want to. It is a fast bike, the top speed it can be set to is 25 mph but with a fully charged battery it’ll go above 26 mph on throttle only. The one thing I love the most about this bike is that I can ride it like a motorcycle since it has that throttle on demand. So much fun

    Reply

    • Court Rye says

      Hi Gus! Great feedback, thanks for the warning about riding down trails with loose dirt (I’ve noticed that with e-mountain bikes as well… solid brakes are important). Your thoughts on twist throttle align with my own, it’s a fun feature and kind of neat that this model can go a bit above 20 ;)

  4. jacob says

    trying to decide between the easy motion evo nitro city and the specialized turbo x and then rode this bike. now i’ve got 3 bikes that i can’t decide between. this bike was surprisingly awesome! so much torque and speed, and the throttle makes it extra fun. not considering cost, which would you lean toward as a commuter bike (on rough nyc roads)? thanks!!

    Reply

    • Court Rye says

      I love how quiet the Turbo is but the hub is much larger… I’m thinking from a stealth perspective where everything blends in. Having front suspension is nice, integrated batteries etc. they could all work. The Ridge rider is great in that it does have a throttle and the hub motor is smaller in size. You’ll get a bit of whirring but not too much. If there’s a Pedego dealer nearby you’ll get excellent support :)

  5. Douglas Wever says

    I did a 31 mile general ride Wednesday and then a 28 mile loop on this bike both as a rental in Nashville (Franklin). After the second rental, I bought their in stock new Ridge Rider, and they applied my rent to purchase.

    It would appear perhaps at this time of ebike technology, that mountain bikes are able to take better advantage of the power assists provided by ebikes – this owes largely to the fact that the things that made mountain bikes harder to achieve on the road and that road bikes shined at, such as motion efficiency are gone as the mountain bikes inferior motion efficiency on roads has been overcome by 500 watts of power. and we can now benefit on the road from mountain bikes suspensions and toughness in ways unimaginable in our leg-power only days.

    1. The general ride is superior. I did not lock-out the front air suspension, I just had it set for 200 lbs. (I am 190), and between the wide tires, the 100 mm of travel at the front forks and my BodyFloat, just a great road set up to eat up ruts and bumps that my road bike can not approach.
    2. I went 28 miles Saturday on my two hour plus test ride mostly on full torque assist (4) and then full cadence assist (5) on some big grades. I had 26% battery left! Wow. Pedego’s upcoming release of a higher capacity battery for a Ridge Rider just makes it sweeter.
    3. You have the feeling of something that is very solid with great industrial design. I still love my road ebike. Just not as much.
    Reply

    • Court Rye says

      I am completely with you Douglas! The feel of mountain bikes has always appealed to me… just more comfortable and fun and capable than road but the speed has and extra work was always a factor. Now with assistive technology you get the best of both worlds. Thank you so much for sharing your experience with the Pedego Trail Tracker! Enjoy the ride :D

  6. Kris says

    I bought a Pedego Ridge Rider a few months ago from Practical Cycle in Sacramento, California (they shipped the bicycle to me in Spokane, WA). At this point, I have put almost 500 miles on the Ridge Rider and here are my findings:

    Pros:

    • Once I put the bike together and did my first ride, I immediately got really happy because I knew I had made a great choice – sight unseen.
    • Very fast bike – goes to 25 MPH max from electric motor
    • Suspension and brakes work amazing!
    • Battery life is great. I can go 33 miles (I weighed around 230 lbs when I tested this – I have lost 10 lbs since then) before battery starts dying too bad. If you get to 40% battery life, you will notice it starting to get weaker – time to charge it up. This is a really long ride so not likely going to be an issue for anybody.
    • I am 5′-11″ tall and the bike fits me great
    • Bike looks great. Gets lots of compliments.
    • I can maintain 20 mph up 7% mile-long grades with the bike if I really push the motor and myself. I fly up hills.

    Cons:

    • Problem 1: On my first ride, I noticed the chain would rub the front derailleur a bit. I did some adjustment which fixed it for the most part, however it will rubs in higher gears. It appears the chain rings were not (or were improperly) hardened, causing them to be soft enough to fold. Prepare to swap at least the large chain ring out with something better. I went with Shimano and it’s much better now.
    • Problem 2: The front large chain ring got a little bent up – I think due to the cadence sensor (the “crank” part that the pedal arms are bolted to) having some minor play which caused the chain to fall off. I had Practical Cycle send me a new cadence sensor (crank piece) and it wasn’t too bad to replace. This problem of a loose crank is now solved.
    • Problem 3: I weighed about 230 lbs and had to come to a very hard stop while on a road as a car ran through a stop sigh. The brakes worked VERY well, however my front wheel turned side ways and folded. Because this wasn’t necessarily (or provable) a bike defect, I built my front wheel with better (yet lighter) spokes and a better, lighter rim (using the existing hub as it was just fine).
    • Problem 4: The tires that came with the bike are pure crap. I blew one out within 15 miles of getting the bike. I replaced them with Continental X-King Protection tires (German version — NOT crappy asian version) and they have held up beyond expectation.

    I know the above issues sound like a big deal (they really were more minor issues or else great dealer support solved the issues), however once they were resolved, the bike is like new again and I am glad I have it.

    My rides:

    • About 50/50 road / trail biking
    • Lots of rocks and sand (stock tires failed, but Continental X-King Protection are champs)
    • Lots of up and down steep hills on all terrain
    Reply

    • Court Rye says

      Awesome! I’ve been to Practical Cycles, glad they provided good support for you… Neat to hear about your rides and how fast and far the bike would go. You sound pretty handy rebuilding the wheel and fixing the chainrings. Rock on!

  7. Douglas Wever says

    Just a couple of follow up comments from my first post above. I am 6’1″ 190 lbs and after my first hundred miles or so I was can’t-stop-smiling happy with the Ridge Rider, but not optimally dialed in as the bike was a bit small for me. Subsequently, the Pedego only dealer in Franklin, TN installed 4″ risers to bring the handlebars up and moved the BodyFloat fore/aft adjustment to it’s most rear setting bringing of course the seat with it. Now this bike fits just about perfect. No compromises. Pictures of these changes on my bike are in the forums here.

    I met with the management of our area non-profit Land Trust which has a serious network of bike trails. I got permission to use the Ridge Rider before buying it; I am very glad for the integrated down-tube battery as the bike is obviously electric but not screaming it with an external mounted battery. I also have a large electric road ebike, only mod is another BodyFloat. Unexpectedly, the Ridge Rider is supplanting my road bike on the road. Here’s why:

    1. Range. I’m often using more assistance in the Summer to avoid needing an arrival shower after say a six or twelve mile ride to a restaurant in the heat. My road bike gets me about 19-22 miles – less than the advertised minimum 25, and no upgrade from the company available. My Ridge Rider gives me 38 – 45 miles of range (I do not use the 25 mph as I want to get out of the hospital the same day). Somehow the guy I ride with who outweighs me does better with his slightly older RidgeRider as he always has more battery left than me. Aside: The Pedego community keeps hearing a 17 ah battery is about to be released (current is 11.6 with a handful of 14’s out there).
    2. Ride. The Ridge Rider’s wide tires, 120mm travel air forks (set a bit stiff for the road) are perfect for absorbing the road along with a BodyFloat and gel seat (my springs are tuned orange over black).
    3. Power. The Ridge Rider really flattens hills if you’re not working out and just getting somewhere.
    4. Work outs. I like the Pedego’s four torque sensor modes for hard work outs over the cadence sensor modes on my road bike.
    5. Build. Nice industrial design and build quality. As a mountain bike of course you deal with curbs and such much differently than on your road bike.

    To be fair, my Ridge rider retailed for more cost more than my road bike, and it may be that if I road a similarly priced road bike such as the Trek XM 700+ my tune might be altered.

    Reply

    • Court Rye says

      Awesome update! I just checked out your forum post too, love the pictures :D hopefully Pedego will offer higher capacity batteries in the future, your setup looks great.

  8. Vijay Judge says

    I credit my recent purchase to the reviews you’ve laid out Court – I thank you for that.

    I just recently tested the Stromer ST1, E Motion EVO 500W. I was settled on the Stromer but what changed my mind was the Ridge Rider. Unbelievable torque and the common theme I’d like to share is I can’t stop smiling when I’m on it and I can’t wait to get on it to do my chores, groceries, etc.

    This bike supports my large frame and it is exhilarating! My only con: is the 11.6 ah battery and I’m glad to hear there is an upgrade coming because I’m 6’0″ and tip the scales at 260lbs which apparently is 10lbs more than the bike max weight. I don’t see any negative effects other than the motor have to work harder to carry me and the battery draining faster maximizing my distance to 30 miles. On some reviews I hear that the max weight capacity the Ridge Rider is 300lbs. Can anyone verify that? Love this bike!!!

    Reply

    • Court Rye says

      Hi Vijay! Glad you’re enjoying the bike… I think Pedego did an excellent job with the Ridge Rider. Since you were curious about weight I just called the PR rep at Pedego who helped get us an answer from the bikes designer, Paul Auclair who said “We advertise 250 lbs max weight, but we have had riders up to 350 on the bikes. Broken spokes is generally the biggest issue.”

      Pretty sweet! I have heard about broken and loose spokes being an issue for riding with heavier loads before, not just on this bike. I love that Pedego offers the cast aluminum and magnesium mag wheels for some of their bikes. This can solve the spoke issue but I hear other people use Loctite Blue to keep them from coming loose. Haven’t tried it myself :)

    • Vijay Judge says

      Thanks for the max weight follow-up Court, its very reassuring. If the spokes become an issue I’ll give the Loctite Blue a go.

  9. Vijay Judge says

    Court, I have tried emailing you but it seems this is the only way I can get you a message. Have any of your website followers have any difficulty using the “Show All Filters” feature? It does not appear to work any more?

    Reply

    • Court Rye says

      Thanks for the feedback Vijay! Sorry for the difficulty… I’ve been out of country then traveling to Interbike and beyond. Will look into the show all filters, seems to be working on my end right now, what exactly were you experiencing? Like the button didn’t work or searching didn’t work once you had shown the filters? What Internet browser are you using?

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Written Review

Since late 2014 I’ve seen Pedego secretly working on an electric mountain bike and this first generation Ridge Rider is the culmination of that effort. To be honest, it’s far more capable and technical than I was expecting… my preconception of the brand has been built around their wide selection of comfort-oriented cruisers with fun colors aimed at more casual riders. Pedego basically invented the beach cruiser electric bike in the USA and they’ve done very well as a leader in that category, furthering their reputation with excellent dealer and warranty support. So I went into this review with an open mind, perhaps expecting the Ridge Rider to be a less technical, heavier and less refined version of other e-mountain bikes I’ve tested like the EVO 27.5″ from Easy Motion.

To be fair, the EVO 27.5″ is indeed lighter than the Ridge Rider but that’s partially because it has a much smaller and weaker battery pack. Both bikes are hardtails with bosses for adding a rear rack (perfect for weekend warriors that commute via ebike during the week) but only the Ridge Rider has bottle cage bosses, both have decent suspension forks and both offer a nice drivetrain with 30 speeds on the EVO vs. just 20 on the Ridge Rider… though it offers an SLX component group which is more premium than Deore. My goal isn’t to overemphasize Easy Motion vs. Pedego or the Ridge Rider vs. the Evo 27.5 here, especially because the EVO 27.5″ is a 2015 model, I’m just genuinely impressed that the first generation electric mountain bike from Pedego can hold its own compared with a longstanding leader, a second generation ebike from a European company… Actually, it’s more like a third or fourth gen if you count the bikes sold overseas by BH and these two models just have a lot in common. Both only come in one size ~18″ Evo and ~18.5″ Ridge Rider, both use Dapu motors, both have throttles and pedal assist, both have custom downtube integrated battery packs and both cost a similar amount of money.

So the Pedego Ridge Rider gives you a 500 watt internally geared hub motor from Dapu running at 18 Amps and the battery offers 48 volts with 11.6 amp hours for a 556.8 watt hour capacity. That’s a lot of power and it’s extremely satisfying to zip around with in throttle mode. I’ve long been a fan of twist throttles in addition to pedal assist because it’s fun and just plain handy when passing other riders or topping hills. I prefer to spend most of my time riding in assist level 2 using the torque sensor to get a workout and extend my range but the throttle can instantly override this lower power output all without looking down or changing hand position. It’s wonderful, though it could lead to accidental power surge on bumpy terrain if you bear down on the grip for balance and accidentally engage. One other consideration here is that the torque sensing assist is active at standstill… so there were a couple of times where I had braked into a stop, put one foot down and rested the other on my pedal with some force being applied. I loosened my grip on the brakes and the motor started to activate. This has also happened with Easy motion and other ebikes I’ve tried that use torque sensors so I’m mostly sharing to create awareness. This is a more advanced design and with responsiveness comes a higher level of operation and awareness.

Some of the other upgrades and technical features I loved about the Ridge Rider are the Magura hydraulic disc brakes with large 180 mm rotors and composite pads! They didn’t squeak during my test rides and they are supposed to work better in extreme temperatures and damp conditions as well. I loved the quick release 15 mm thru axle on the front wheel because it makes alignment of the disc brake rotor easier and adds stiffness for off-road riding (though I wish the rear wheel also had a quick release feature and I can’t wait for the updated motor design with tighter cable integration). The XCR suspension fork from Suntour is wonderful, surprisingly satisfying and capable. You can adjust the air pressure to accommodate your weight (guide listed above in the specs under Other) and there are several portable pumps for this sold online so you can make changes based on the load you’re carrying. I also just really like the display Pedego uses on all of their new bikes because it has great readouts, swivels to reduce glare and has an integrated USB charging port for portable electronics. It would be perfect if it was also removable, but it’s still pretty great :)

All things considered, I loved the RidgeRider and could see this performing well on trails, light mountain coditions or around town as a more aggressive commuter bike. The 27.5″ wheel size is a great compromise between speed and stability offered on something like a 29er and nimble speed offered on a 26″. The larger 2.1″ diameter of the tires adds some cusion and when combined with the 100 mm of travel on the fork it makes for a very enjoyable ride, even at speed and over longer distances. This is the kind of electric bike I have had the most fun commuting to work with because it can take on any sort of terrain you encounter around town and while you don’t get lights or a rack stock, those can be added pretty affordably… Just make sure you get a disc brake compatible rack like this and consider rechargeable lights like these from Cygolite. The rear rack will work as a fender to keep you clean but something like this could help keep mud out of your eyes on the front and this will protect the battery a bit more. Mucky Nutz also offers a short rear fender that should work if you don’t use a rack.

Pros:

  • I like that this hardtail could easily be used for commuting thanks to the rear rack bosses, be sure to get a disc brake compatible rack
  • There are two threaded eyelets on the seat tube so you can add a bottle cage, mount a portable pump or carry along a folding lock
  • Great power from the Dapu motor, I appreciate the larger 500 watt design and powerful 48 volt battery, the controller sends 18 amps through the system
  • The on/off switch for the battery is easy to reach and deters tampering with the display if you turn it off when parked, I like that the display is backlit
  • The integrated USB charging port at the base of the display is right where you’d want it to be, easy to access but out of the way (great for powering a GPS, lights or portable music player while riding), I also like that you can see how many charge cycles have been used, battery percentage and voltage along with the more traditional readouts like speed and assist level
  • I love that you get responsive torque sensing assist with this ebike because it’s actually useful for technical riding but they also pack in a cadence sensing mode for when you don’t want to strain your legs or knees and the throttle can override everything as well as a throttle-only mode
  • Sturdy 15 mm thru axle on the front wheel adds strength for rougher conditions and ensures alignment for the disc brake when the wheel is taken off and then re-attached
  • I like the 27.5″ wheel size for a balance of handling vs. speed and stability but the tubes and tires can be more expensive so it’s nice that Pedego pre-Slimed them to add durability
  • The suspension fork is very comfortable with 100 mm of travel, it’s adjustable according to your weight (recommended settings listed above in the “Other” section and the rebound and lockout setting reduces bob for on-road efficiency
  • Overall, good balance with the battery low and center on the frame, it blends in, locks and can be charged on or off the frame
  • I appreciate the custom programming that the Pedego design/engineering team did for the display and pedal assist modes, it’s responsive and feature complete in my opinion
  • The hydraulic disc brakes are powerful but smooth and the levers are ebike specific with ball-end features to improve safety, the ceramic pads are quiet and work better in a wide range of conditions, replace with something like this as they wear out vs. standard pads
  • Even though this is a more technically capable electric bike, I appreciate the inclusion of a high quality kickstand for easier storage and parking if used as a commuter or urban ride

Cons:

  • Quick release is great on the front wheel but there isn’t an easy way to get the back wheel off, you’ll need extra tools and this can be a bummer on the trail or mountain
  • Due to the more powerful motor, larger battery and aluminum frame this isn’t the lightest electric mountain bike weighing in at ~56 lbs
  • At the time of this review the Ridge Rider was only available in one frame size ~18.5″ medium and one color matte black, I’d love to see a larger frame for taller riders
  • The suspension fork had lockout but didn’t offer much in the way of stiffness, travel or rebound adjust that you might find on a Fox CTD
  • The power cable for the hub motor is currently run through the axle and may be easier to snag or bump if the bike is tipped, in the future I believe Pedego is switching to a more integrated cable design tucked behind the disc brake rotor
  • The display panel is fixed which means you cannot easily take it off the bike for storage, leaving it with increased exposure to sunlight or harsh weather elements or potential vandalism; however, it does swivel up and down to help reduce glare

Resources:

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Comments

  1. Cameron Newland says

    I couldn’t agree more with the findings of your review. When I tested this at Interbike, I was actually riding it inside of a carpeted convention meeting room with little room to run, but still, in that small area, I discovered that this bike is VERY fast and torquey (500W is certainly seems to be a modest power rating for this thing!), and quite well-built. Great brakes. I’d love to own one of these bikes.

    Reply

    • Court Rye says

      Yeah, I think it’s 500 nominal with maybe 850+ peak? The 18 Amp flow of power and 48 volt pack really empower the motor to perform. By the way, I enjoyed your website Overvolted :)

  2. Dan says

    Super review Court. I’m kind of in the market due to my Trek DS8.4+Falco getting plowed by a car.

    I like the sturdy frame, air shock, Hyd brakes, 15mm axel, brazons, and the 6 modes are well done to offer a mix of riding options.

    500W w/ a geared hub is equal to a ddhub of 750W, you think? Less weight, better torque. A bit noisier, and no regen, but the torque and weight reduction /small profile is super.

    dan

    Reply

    • Court Rye says

      Ouch! Sorry to hear about your Trek :/ are you alright?! the Ridge Rider really impressed me, they went beyond a basic trail capable ebike and added some great rugged features. The motor and battery power were solid and while most customers will probably still stay on easy terrain it’s nice to have a sturdy build under you and yeah, I agree that a geared hub with higher amps flowing offers more torque. I tend to lean towards lighter weight builds myself and this one isn’t super light but I think that’s due in part to the sturdy frame and more dense battery here.

  3. Gus says

    I’ve got over 200 miles on this bike, a lot of it in the mountains here in Utah and it’s been great so far. One issue with using this as a mountain bike is coming down the mountain there’s a lot of weight so it’s real easy to get going fast and I’m glad it has good brakes. It rides very comfortably, I had a Pedego City Commuter before this which was good but I love being able to climb over any obstacles in the city and then take it off road when I want to. It is a fast bike, the top speed it can be set to is 25 mph but with a fully charged battery it’ll go above 26 mph on throttle only. The one thing I love the most about this bike is that I can ride it like a motorcycle since it has that throttle on demand. So much fun

    Reply

    • Court Rye says

      Hi Gus! Great feedback, thanks for the warning about riding down trails with loose dirt (I’ve noticed that with e-mountain bikes as well… solid brakes are important). Your thoughts on twist throttle align with my own, it’s a fun feature and kind of neat that this model can go a bit above 20 ;)

  4. jacob says

    trying to decide between the easy motion evo nitro city and the specialized turbo x and then rode this bike. now i’ve got 3 bikes that i can’t decide between. this bike was surprisingly awesome! so much torque and speed, and the throttle makes it extra fun. not considering cost, which would you lean toward as a commuter bike (on rough nyc roads)? thanks!!

    Reply

    • Court Rye says

      I love how quiet the Turbo is but the hub is much larger… I’m thinking from a stealth perspective where everything blends in. Having front suspension is nice, integrated batteries etc. they could all work. The Ridge rider is great in that it does have a throttle and the hub motor is smaller in size. You’ll get a bit of whirring but not too much. If there’s a Pedego dealer nearby you’ll get excellent support :)

  5. Douglas Wever says

    I did a 31 mile general ride Wednesday and then a 28 mile loop on this bike both as a rental in Nashville (Franklin). After the second rental, I bought their in stock new Ridge Rider, and they applied my rent to purchase.

    It would appear perhaps at this time of ebike technology, that mountain bikes are able to take better advantage of the power assists provided by ebikes – this owes largely to the fact that the things that made mountain bikes harder to achieve on the road and that road bikes shined at, such as motion efficiency are gone as the mountain bikes inferior motion efficiency on roads has been overcome by 500 watts of power. and we can now benefit on the road from mountain bikes suspensions and toughness in ways unimaginable in our leg-power only days.

    1. The general ride is superior. I did not lock-out the front air suspension, I just had it set for 200 lbs. (I am 190), and between the wide tires, the 100 mm of travel at the front forks and my BodyFloat, just a great road set up to eat up ruts and bumps that my road bike can not approach.
    2. I went 28 miles Saturday on my two hour plus test ride mostly on full torque assist (4) and then full cadence assist (5) on some big grades. I had 26% battery left! Wow. Pedego’s upcoming release of a higher capacity battery for a Ridge Rider just makes it sweeter.
    3. You have the feeling of something that is very solid with great industrial design. I still love my road ebike. Just not as much.
    Reply

    • Court Rye says

      I am completely with you Douglas! The feel of mountain bikes has always appealed to me… just more comfortable and fun and capable than road but the speed has and extra work was always a factor. Now with assistive technology you get the best of both worlds. Thank you so much for sharing your experience with the Pedego Trail Tracker! Enjoy the ride :D

  6. Kris says

    I bought a Pedego Ridge Rider a few months ago from Practical Cycle in Sacramento, California (they shipped the bicycle to me in Spokane, WA). At this point, I have put almost 500 miles on the Ridge Rider and here are my findings:

    Pros:

    • Once I put the bike together and did my first ride, I immediately got really happy because I knew I had made a great choice – sight unseen.
    • Very fast bike – goes to 25 MPH max from electric motor
    • Suspension and brakes work amazing!
    • Battery life is great. I can go 33 miles (I weighed around 230 lbs when I tested this – I have lost 10 lbs since then) before battery starts dying too bad. If you get to 40% battery life, you will notice it starting to get weaker – time to charge it up. This is a really long ride so not likely going to be an issue for anybody.
    • I am 5′-11″ tall and the bike fits me great
    • Bike looks great. Gets lots of compliments.
    • I can maintain 20 mph up 7% mile-long grades with the bike if I really push the motor and myself. I fly up hills.

    Cons:

    • Problem 1: On my first ride, I noticed the chain would rub the front derailleur a bit. I did some adjustment which fixed it for the most part, however it will rubs in higher gears. It appears the chain rings were not (or were improperly) hardened, causing them to be soft enough to fold. Prepare to swap at least the large chain ring out with something better. I went with Shimano and it’s much better now.
    • Problem 2: The front large chain ring got a little bent up – I think due to the cadence sensor (the “crank” part that the pedal arms are bolted to) having some minor play which caused the chain to fall off. I had Practical Cycle send me a new cadence sensor (crank piece) and it wasn’t too bad to replace. This problem of a loose crank is now solved.
    • Problem 3: I weighed about 230 lbs and had to come to a very hard stop while on a road as a car ran through a stop sigh. The brakes worked VERY well, however my front wheel turned side ways and folded. Because this wasn’t necessarily (or provable) a bike defect, I built my front wheel with better (yet lighter) spokes and a better, lighter rim (using the existing hub as it was just fine).
    • Problem 4: The tires that came with the bike are pure crap. I blew one out within 15 miles of getting the bike. I replaced them with Continental X-King Protection tires (German version — NOT crappy asian version) and they have held up beyond expectation.

    I know the above issues sound like a big deal (they really were more minor issues or else great dealer support solved the issues), however once they were resolved, the bike is like new again and I am glad I have it.

    My rides:

    • About 50/50 road / trail biking
    • Lots of rocks and sand (stock tires failed, but Continental X-King Protection are champs)
    • Lots of up and down steep hills on all terrain
    Reply

    • Court Rye says

      Awesome! I’ve been to Practical Cycles, glad they provided good support for you… Neat to hear about your rides and how fast and far the bike would go. You sound pretty handy rebuilding the wheel and fixing the chainrings. Rock on!

  7. Douglas Wever says

    Just a couple of follow up comments from my first post above. I am 6’1″ 190 lbs and after my first hundred miles or so I was can’t-stop-smiling happy with the Ridge Rider, but not optimally dialed in as the bike was a bit small for me. Subsequently, the Pedego only dealer in Franklin, TN installed 4″ risers to bring the handlebars up and moved the BodyFloat fore/aft adjustment to it’s most rear setting bringing of course the seat with it. Now this bike fits just about perfect. No compromises. Pictures of these changes on my bike are in the forums here.

    I met with the management of our area non-profit Land Trust which has a serious network of bike trails. I got permission to use the Ridge Rider before buying it; I am very glad for the integrated down-tube battery as the bike is obviously electric but not screaming it with an external mounted battery. I also have a large electric road ebike, only mod is another BodyFloat. Unexpectedly, the Ridge Rider is supplanting my road bike on the road. Here’s why:

    1. Range. I’m often using more assistance in the Summer to avoid needing an arrival shower after say a six or twelve mile ride to a restaurant in the heat. My road bike gets me about 19-22 miles – less than the advertised minimum 25, and no upgrade from the company available. My Ridge Rider gives me 38 – 45 miles of range (I do not use the 25 mph as I want to get out of the hospital the same day). Somehow the guy I ride with who outweighs me does better with his slightly older RidgeRider as he always has more battery left than me. Aside: The Pedego community keeps hearing a 17 ah battery is about to be released (current is 11.6 with a handful of 14’s out there).
    2. Ride. The Ridge Rider’s wide tires, 120mm travel air forks (set a bit stiff for the road) are perfect for absorbing the road along with a BodyFloat and gel seat (my springs are tuned orange over black).
    3. Power. The Ridge Rider really flattens hills if you’re not working out and just getting somewhere.
    4. Work outs. I like the Pedego’s four torque sensor modes for hard work outs over the cadence sensor modes on my road bike.
    5. Build. Nice industrial design and build quality. As a mountain bike of course you deal with curbs and such much differently than on your road bike.

    To be fair, my Ridge rider retailed for more cost more than my road bike, and it may be that if I road a similarly priced road bike such as the Trek XM 700+ my tune might be altered.

    Reply

    • Court Rye says

      Awesome update! I just checked out your forum post too, love the pictures :D hopefully Pedego will offer higher capacity batteries in the future, your setup looks great.

  8. Vijay Judge says

    I credit my recent purchase to the reviews you’ve laid out Court – I thank you for that.

    I just recently tested the Stromer ST1, E Motion EVO 500W. I was settled on the Stromer but what changed my mind was the Ridge Rider. Unbelievable torque and the common theme I’d like to share is I can’t stop smiling when I’m on it and I can’t wait to get on it to do my chores, groceries, etc.

    This bike supports my large frame and it is exhilarating! My only con: is the 11.6 ah battery and I’m glad to hear there is an upgrade coming because I’m 6’0″ and tip the scales at 260lbs which apparently is 10lbs more than the bike max weight. I don’t see any negative effects other than the motor have to work harder to carry me and the battery draining faster maximizing my distance to 30 miles. On some reviews I hear that the max weight capacity the Ridge Rider is 300lbs. Can anyone verify that? Love this bike!!!

    Reply

    • Court Rye says

      Hi Vijay! Glad you’re enjoying the bike… I think Pedego did an excellent job with the Ridge Rider. Since you were curious about weight I just called the PR rep at Pedego who helped get us an answer from the bikes designer, Paul Auclair who said “We advertise 250 lbs max weight, but we have had riders up to 350 on the bikes. Broken spokes is generally the biggest issue.”

      Pretty sweet! I have heard about broken and loose spokes being an issue for riding with heavier loads before, not just on this bike. I love that Pedego offers the cast aluminum and magnesium mag wheels for some of their bikes. This can solve the spoke issue but I hear other people use Loctite Blue to keep them from coming loose. Haven’t tried it myself :)

    • Vijay Judge says

      Thanks for the max weight follow-up Court, its very reassuring. If the spokes become an issue I’ll give the Loctite Blue a go.

  9. Vijay Judge says

    Court, I have tried emailing you but it seems this is the only way I can get you a message. Have any of your website followers have any difficulty using the “Show All Filters” feature? It does not appear to work any more?

    Reply

    • Court Rye says

      Thanks for the feedback Vijay! Sorry for the difficulty… I’ve been out of country then traveling to Interbike and beyond. Will look into the show all filters, seems to be working on my end right now, what exactly were you experiencing? Like the button didn’t work or searching didn’t work once you had shown the filters? What Internet browser are you using?

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