This review was provided for free, but Ride1Up did provide a temporary demo bike for me to test. My goal is to be transparent and unbiased with you, this video and writeup are not meant to be an endorsement of Ride1Up products. I welcome your corrections, additions, and feedback in the comments below, and the Ride1Up electric bike forums.
Observations:
- This is one of the most expensive models that Ride1Up currently offers, because it uses a more sophisticated drive system from Brose. All of the previous generations of ebikes used hub motors. Ride1Up began in September 2018 and has grown quickly with their range of affordable electric bicycle products.
- The Prodigy comes in three versions including the ST and XR which are step-thru and high-step versions of the road city setup (they have smooth tires, a swept back handlebar, rigid fork, nice alloy fenders, a rear rack, and integrated lights, and then the XC which only comes in high-step and is specced for cross country off-road use (it has knobby tires, an air suspension fork, a headlight only, and flat handlebar).
- Ride1Up is based in San Diego, California but has a warehouse in Sparks, Nevada where products are shipped from. The bikes have been designed to fit in small boxes for easier shipping and require more assembly than a lot of the other models I’ve tested. You need to put the fork onto the frame, assemble the headset and mount the stem, mount the front wheel, and add the seat post and saddle. It would help to have a bike stand, but they do include a basic toolkit and have good tutorial videos in the support section of their website.
Pros:
- This is one of the most affordable ebikes I’ve seen with a premium European mid-drive. I personally like the Brose drive system because it’s compact, fairly quiet, and very efficient. The TF Sprinter ALU motor is particularly interesting because it offers 90 newton meters of torque and is a speed drive. That means it can support 28mph 45km/h top speeds! I think this electric bike would make for an excellent commuter platform.
- The motor controller listens for rear wheel speed, pedal cadence, and pedal torque. This allows it to deliver very natural and efficient power. I never felt surprised, and felt more connected when riding compared to a basic cadence sensor. I also found that it seemed to offer 120+ RPM pedal support, so I never outpaced the motor when downshifting.
- One of the trade-offs that all mid-drive motors face is that they can put a lot of strain on the chain and sprockets, especially when shifting gears. Ride1Up resolved this by adding a physical shift sensor that completely cuts motor power any time you shift gears. It works perfectly, I did not mash gears at all while riding!
- I appreciate that the chainring has a thick aluminum alloy bash guard to protect the motor, chainring, and keep your pant or dress from touching the greasy chain. The clearance from the chainring to the motor casing is also very tight, so the result is that you almost have a chain guide that will prevent drops. It’s a nice clean setup.
- Weighing in at 56.3lbs (according to my scale), the bike is on target considering it has thick tubular aluminum alloy fenders, a rear rack, and premium lights. I took the bike on a gravel trail and did not notice the fenders, rear rack, or kickstand rattling. It’s tight, which is even more important on a Class 3 speed pedelec.
- The battery pack only weighs 6.6lbs, can be charged on or off the frame, uses a proprietary interface that seems very durable. I appreciate that the charge port on the frame is high up on the left side of the frame vs. low down. I also appreciate that the battery cover is built onto the pack vs. being a separate part that could get stolen or lost.
- Great attention to detail with matching black hubs, spokes, rims, and other hardware. The shifter cables, brake lines, and electrical wires are all internally routed through the frame. I like the locking ergonomic grips, and appreciate the name brand Selle Royal saddle, even though it isn’t my favorite model from them because it just doesn’t fit my body right. I also noticed that Ride1Up has switched to a two-bolt clamp for their saddle, is using wide and sturdy Wellgo platform pedals, and has two bottle cage mounts right where you want them!!
- Excellent job with the kickstand positioning and hardware choice. I was told that it’s made by Wellgo, just like the pedals, and saw that it offered adjustable length. It has a large endpoint so it won’t sink in, and is positioned to support any additional weight loaded on the rear rack.
- I care about reliability and safety a lot, so the puncture resistant tires are appreciated. Notice the super bright Buchel headlight with side windows for greater visibility. This thing is bright, offering 80 lux output, and is mounted with an adjustable arm that positions it well above the fender. It points wherever you steer. The rear light is equally impressive because it’s very bright and wraps around the sides of the rack. Great job!
- Another little upgrade is that the rims use reinforcement eyelets and thicker 13 gauge spokes. They also use 36 spokes vs. 32, so you get extra strength at the expense of weight and some flex for comfort.
- The bike comes with hydraulic disc brakes, and uses larger 180mm rotors that offer better mechanical advantage and better cooling. Standard dual piston calipers and three-finger levers work as expected, and are a good choice for this faster slightly heavier equipped ebike. The three-finger levers offer adjustable reach to fit many hand sizes.
- I found the display to be easy to use, and especially liked the settings menu! Just hold the circle “set” button for a few seconds once it’s on, and you get lots of options including brightness, battery percentage, units, and inverted colors (white background vs. black). This display is color, has a dedicated light button, and a dedicated walk mode button… though it confused me a bit at first. Hold walk mode, then hold the minus button to get the bike going. Also, to power the display on you must hold the power button for a few seconds vs. just pressing it.
- The geometry of the bike is quite good, I like the swept back handlebar and overall feel. I let a friend ride the bike and he also felt that it was designed well and just felt “right” when riding. I also think it looks nice, and appreciate how the black accents tie into the dark gray frame. If you ever decided to replace the rigid fork with suspension, it would be easy to find a black one to match.
- Ride1Up started in late 2018 and has been growing steadily. I’ve met the founder, Kevin, and visited their space in San Diego. As far as direct to consumer brands go, they seem to offer some of the best prices and still have a decent one year comprehensive warranty.
Cons:
- In order to hit that low price point, the Prodigy XR only comes in one size (medium 19″) and one color… sort of. You can actually pay $50 extra for the fancy metallic green color if you prefer. I was also told that the ST (step-thru version of the Prodigy, which is the same price) might be a little smaller. So in that sense, there are some sizing options.
- This is a Class 3 speed pedelec that doesn’t come with any suspension. I have found that the little bumps can feel harsher at high speed, so I’d probably swap the rigid seat post with a suspension post or experiment with a suspension stem or suspension fork. An alternative is to simply run the tire pressure a bit towards the lower end of their 35 to 60 PSI, 2.5 to 4.1 BAR recommended range.
- The locking cylinder for the battery pack is positioned pretty far down on the left side of the frame, directly in the path of the crank arm. Technically, they don’t collide! But, it’s still a bit close and trickier to reach. I also found that securing the battery pack to the frame required extra force, and it occasionally clicked back out.
- This is a minor consideration, but the seat post clamp and front wheel attachment use quick release and the rear wheel does not. I feel like they should have gone all the way and put quick release on both wheels or neither. Some people prefer to use security hardware so people won’t tamper with their bikes at public racks… and you could swap all of these out with a standard set because it’s a mid-drive vs. the other Ride1Up models that are mostly hub motor driven and require a permanent rear axle with nuts.
- I really like the look of the tubular alloy fenders and rear rack, but it seems that you need both installed. What I mean is that you cannot remove just the rack or just the rear fender because they are bolted together and rely on each other for strength. Also, the rear rack weight rating is a bit low at 20kg vs. 25kg on most aftermarket racks.
- The Shimano Alivio derailleur is two steps up from the base (Tourney, Altus, Alivio) and works alright, but does not have a clutch system for reducing chain bounce. Also, the trigger shifter uses a one-way high lever vs. two-way. This means that you need to use your right pointer finger to shift to high gears vs. your right thumb. I like to keep my right pointer finger free to use the right brake at a moment’s notice… so I prefer the higher-end Shimano Deore shifters.
- The Ride1Up business model is direct to consumer. Aside from their warehouse store in San Diego, California, the company mostly sells online. This means you have a bit of unboxing and assembly to do. Thankfully, they offer free shipping in the lower 48 US states, and this particular model is easier to assemble than their others because the fork comes installed.
- Minor consideration, the display is kind of small and does not have any USB charging ports to maintain a phone or other portable electronics. It’s not a huge deal, especially given the standard 504 capacity battery pack, but I think there is a Brose smartphone app… so it kind of makes sense to be able to charge your phone to use it. Some of the other Brose displays do have Micro-USB charging on them and are removable. This one is more basic.
- The gear range of 11 to 34 tooth is kind of limited for a high speed ebike. I think it’s just enough, but the bike seemed to be geared high to account for the faster 28mph top speed vs. having an 11 to 42 tooth cassette or something similar. The nine gears were really nice, and I loved the physical shift detection!
- The battery charger is kind of basic, only putting out 2 amps vs. 4+ amps. This means it takes a bit longer to fill the bike from empty, but I hear that slower charging is easier on the cells. At least it’s not super large or heavy at just 1.4lbs.
Dan says
You tested a XC not a XR. The XR does not have fenders. It does have a suspension fork and a different handle bar. Also only the XR is limited in color, you can get white for the XC. When testing a bike, at least read the companies website.
Court says
Hi Dan! Thanks for your input. I spoke to the founder, studied their website extensively, and even helped them make some corrections there. The ST and XR are both rigid frames with fenders and a rear rack. The XC is their “Cross Country” model that has front suspension, no fenders, and no rear rack. It has knobby tires, a flat handlebar vs. swept back, a mountain saddle, and a narrow-wide chainring. If you see a portion of this review or the video that contradicts what I’m saying here, please point it out so I can make a fix!
Fred H says
Not sure I see the point of R1Up adding a mid drive to their predominantly hub drive line up. It has no throttle, it has a rather small battery, there is basically only one size and one color, and while you do have a form of torque sensing, there is nothing else on the bike that screams its worth that price. Does Ride1up make people aware that mid drives require regular service intervals, and that the service is more expensive than it would be for a hub drive ebike? Do people realize that a replacement motor for a mid drive is 2 to 3 times the cost of a hub drive replacement?
A fair number of hub drive ebikes already have torque sensing, and that number is growing regularly. And you can get throttles with those hub drives. Throttles are what everyone asks for when shopping for an ebike, just go ask any ebike shop owner. Their benefits and purposes are many, and for some invaluable. Much easier to get the ebike going with a throttle, if you are pulling a heavy load, carrying kids in child seats, or pulling trailers. Also much easier to get going on a steep hill if you are stopped, and possibly in the wrong gear when you got stopped. Or if you are out of shape, which most people who buy ebikes are, the throttle makes a huge difference, especially as those riders tend to tire more quickly.
I’m guessing the other co-founders left the company if Kevin is the ‘founder’, a former real estate broker. Wonder what happened to them, as they seemed to be the brains of the company, as I can’t imagine a real estate broker having a design background in ebikes, or mechanical skills etc? Seems a lot different background than Tora of Juiced. Maybe these companies who are importers, don’t need any mechanical background, and just need to know how to choose colors, and some components and the factory they hire will do all that for them?
Court says
Hi Fred, you make some interesting points and I’ll add my two cents. Mid-drives tend to be more efficient than hub motors, but they do produce additional strain on the chain, cogs, and derailleur. Ride1Up does a great job addressing this with their physical shift detection system. I’d say this setup is better than most competing mid-drives I’ve ridden recently. Some mid-drives do provide throttles, including many from Bafang that you can see on EVELO products. The Prodigy series comes in multiple colors, though the premium color costs $50 more, and my understanding is that the step-thru is smaller than the high-step, so that’s similar to having two frame sizes. Yes, this model is a departure from their other designs. It’s nice that they still offer those, which tend to be less expensive. I see this as a very affordable entry into a different category of bikes… and they are offering something unique because it’s a Class 3. Your explanation questioned the price, but this is much more affordable than comparable products, even ones using the exact same Brose motor. I think Kevin was one of the original founders, and they transitioned away from skateboards because ebikes were catching on more and had better margins. Perhaps he’s got the business smarts, savings, and work ethic to make this a successful company. Engineering is nice, but it’s clear that most companies are outsourcing production since all of the parts are made overseas. Some of the most successful companies are the ones listening to customers and addressing price, so Ride1Up is doing very well from that perspective. Other leaders I see include Rad Power Bikes, Juiced Bikes, Aventon, and Trek (although Trek leads using a different strategy). I respect your opinion, and hope this perspective adds some value.
Ben says
I’ve been in the market for a commuter bike for a while, on a semi-limited budget. I’ve been looking at the Surface604 Colt for a bit, but this is interesting. It’s the first mid-drive I’ve seen that’s in this price range. Would you lean a particular way? This would be my first e-bike purchase, so I don’t really have a reference to go from. I’m a long time bike commuter, but recently developed some physical limitations that have pushed be toward getting something electric.
Court says
Hi Ben! That’s actually how I got interested in electric bikes too, I had a knee injury. Anyway, I like most things about the Prodigy XR for the price, but the battery not seating properly gave me pause. That’s the kind of thing that is difficult to fix if it becomes worse over time… without using duct tape. I only had the bike for a short time, and I had a bike shop help build and prep it so things would work perfectly. Even they expressed some concerns about the battery not staying in. Now, I don’t think it would tumble all the way out, but it could interrupt your ride. In fact, that happened to me once while pedaling when I hit a bump. I wanted to be fair to Ride1Up, so I didn’t overemphasize this point. Perhaps it was just my model? I’ll be keeping an eye out for other comments on the topic. In the meantime, if I was in your shoes, I would consider any of the nicer mid-drive ebikes because they will feel more natural. Surface 604 is a great alternative with a simpler torque sensor and hub motor. The big benefit is that they also have throttles. I hope this helps!
Craig says
Hi Court, when I heard about this new mid drive your site was my first stop. No one does reviews better. Thank you!
Quick question… my biggest concern is that it only comes in one size. Did you have any issues on the XR? I am 5’10”
Thanks!!!
Court says
Hey Craig, thanks! The XR worked pretty well and since I’m 5’9″ it fit me perfectly. I suspect it would be a good fit for you as well. It’s always possible to adjust the seat post, saddle position, handlebar angle, and even the stem if needed. I think it would work as-is though, and I was impressed with the build and price. Good luck, and please chime in down the line with your thoughts if you do get one!
Craig says
Hi Court…very helpful! Sincerely appreciate the reply and feedback. Any chance you will be reviewing the Serial 1 RushCity? Thanks again!
Court says
Hi Craig! I’d sure like to, lately I’ve been focusing on some design and development updates for the site. Thanks for letting me know what you’re interested in :)
Ed says
I am looking to purchase my first ebike. I am interested in a mid-drive as I live near the Cascades and I understand that the mid-drives are better climbers. HOWEVER, I am retired and in failing physical health, in particular my leg muscles are weak and I don’t have great endurance. I was therefore looking for something with a throttle to get me home just in case my legs fail me. From my reading it seems that mid-drives and throttles are mutually exclusive. My question is, with a mid-drive such as the Prodigy with peddle assistance, how much exertion is needed to get it moving and keep it moving (and at what cadence) at the highest assistance setting? Will I need to impart a certain amount of effort to keep it going or will the motor do most of the work as long as I am able to spin the pedals?
Thank you for your thoughts and any suggestions you may have.
Court says
Hi Ed! You’re correct that a mid-drive can be more effective at climbing steep grades, as long as you shift gears appropriately. It’s a lot like pedaling a bike, lower gears make it easier to climb but also lower the speed. The Prodigy XR was a good ebike, and it uses a European mid-drive motor from Brose (a German company) that does not have a throttle, indeed most do not. There are a few brands that do have mid-drives with throttles, and one that I trust is called DOST. They use nicer parts, have good customer support, and even offer a dual battery setup so you can get long range even if you rely on the throttle a lot (which tends to require more energy). They have a high-step, step-thru, and either a cassette with derailleur or a fancy internally geared hub. Here’s a list of their bikes that I have reviewed, so you can compare them to this Ride1Up. One thing that really stood out to me is that they use shift-detection so the drivetrain is more protected than on a lot of other mid-drive motors. This is very important when the motor is powerful and especially with a throttle.
Rick W. says
Hi, I think this is an incredibly exciting bike, especially for the price. I disagree completely with Fred H. I have test driven many different makes and models of e-bikes with Yamaha, Bosch, Shimano, Bafang, and Brose mid drives. I own a Brose mid drive bike (iZip Moda e3) and it is the best mid drive system out there (by a lot) in my opinion. It feels just so darn natural and is quiet as well. Normally you pay a lot of money for a Brose system as it is used in Specialized and Harley Davidson and other high end bikes. This is just SO much better than many hub drive bikes that there is no comparison. Just my 2 cents.
Court says
Thanks for sharing your opinion and experience with the Brose drive system, Rick! I agree that they are special, and tend to perform well. It’s actually amazing to have such high quality from Brose, Bosch, Yamaha, and Shimano all competing. Brose does some unique things with the Gates Carbon Drive inside, it’s quite and smooth. Ride1Up has been a leader in the lower cost segment, so having a higher quality custom build like this with a mid-drive that is also more affordable is really great :)