An affordable, electric powered bike pushing trailer with integrated LED light, USB charger and locking lid for hauling groceries or other items around town
Keeps weight low and separate from the bicycle which improves handling, easy and fast to disconnect for storage or transport, integrated metal loop locking point, quick and easy to swap between different bikes (optional extra mounts)
Excellent choice for recumbent bikes, solid year long warranty, several battery options for extended rangeor reduced weight, louder than most purpose-built electric bikes
Extra Quick Release Hitch Plate and Throttle $50, Replacement SLA Battery $125 (Estimated 400 Charge Cycles), Replacement LiFePO4 Battery $795 (Estimated 1,500 Charge Cycles), Built-in UL Certified 1.5 Amp Smart Charger with LED Status and USB Port for Charging Electronics and Upgrading Firmware, Removable Locking Lid (3 Digit Combination), Optional Additional Hitch Plates (For Use with Multiple Bikes), Integrated LED Rear Light
Other:
Cargo Volume: 41.8 Liters Up to 75 lbs, 300 RPM Motor, Scrolling Diagnostic Display, 15 Minute Automatic Power Off
Electronic Details
Motor Type:
Rear-Mounted Gearless Motor (1" Brushed Design, Drives the Left Axle/ Wheel with a Short Chain)
Elite Power Systems from Arizona for LiFePO4 Prismatic Cells
Battery Voltage:
24 volts
Battery Amp Hours:
12 ah
(Optional 20 ah LiFePO4)
Battery Watt Hours:
288 wh
(Optional 480 wh LiFePO4)
Battery Chemistry:
Sealed Lead Acid (Optional Lithium Iron Phosphate)
Charge Time:
5.5 hours
(3.5 for LiFePO4)
Estimated Min Range:
10 miles (16 km)
Estimated Max Range:
15 miles (24 km)
Display Type:
LED Console and Readout
Readouts:
On/Off, Alert, Scrolling Diagnostic Display
Display Accessories:
Fuse, USB Power Outlet
Drive Mode:
Trigger Throttle
(Mounts with Velcro Straps to Either Bar, Variable Speed Digital Throttle that Stops on Release)
Top Speed:
19 mph (31 kph)
Written Review
The first time I saw a Ridekick Power Trailer was at Interbike 2012 but the company has actually been in business since 2010. The founding team, Dee and Mark Wanger, wanted to built an alternative ebike system that could be shared easily between the different bikes in their family, from parents to kids or even friends. They purchased the rights to an existing ebike trailer design called the Bidwell Pusher and engineered something truly unique and professional of their own. the Pusher was basically an instructions kit for converting an electric kick scooter into a platform that could “push” a bike with the option of adding a simple plastic storage tub on top. What Ridekick has done with the Power Trailer design is leverage Mark’s mechanical, electrical and software engineering skill set (forged at CSU, UCSB and MIT) to deliver a ready-made, great looking and affordable machine. The Ridekick will work with nearly any bicycle (road, mountain, tandem or recumbent), offers a three-combination lock for securing cargo and an integrated USB charger and LED safety light. You get all of this for well under $1,000 plus a one year warranty. It’s not as quiet as most purpose-built electric bikes I’ve tested, due in part to the plastic shell and chain-drive motor system, but it’s surprisingly strong and effective with a top speed of ~19 mph and 10+ mile range depending on the battery option you choose. For those who have been following the company, in 2014 they paused manufacturing to improve supply chain logistics and refine the controller board which had failed for some users on previous generations. All faulty controllers were replaced free of charge by Ridekick, even those out of warranty :)
Driving this unique electric bike pusher “trailer thing” is a 500 watt brushed DC motor. Many people recoil with the mention of “brushed” motors but Mark assured me that the motor they chose has long, durable brushes and is an ideal choice for powering the unit. He and Dee both have original Ridekicks with over 2,000 miles each… The motor is inset along the bottom of the plastic shell for protection and one end protrudes just enough to turn a chain that connects directly to a sprocket on left axle. The gearing is designed to “step down” RPM so the motor can spin quickly (which is more efficient) and generate power for zippy starts and hill climbing. It’s simple but well executed and seems to be very durable, even in wet conditions (which we saw in while filming the video review above). Over time, the left tire will wear more quickly because that’s where all of the power is being applied to the concrete but it’s fairly easy to swap with the right wheel, just like rotating the tires on cars.
Powering the Ridekick is a 24 volt battery system that comes in 12 amp hours or 20 amp hours depending on the chemistry you go with. The smaller Sealed Lead Acid option comes standard and is much less expensive, the MSRP of the Ridekick with this battery is $699 and replacement packs are just $125! Weighing in at ~18 pounds, the SLA pack is much heavier than other electric bike batteries I’ve tested but the additional weight serves to increase traction and “pushing power” through the wheel. With this basic pack you get about 10 miles of range and if you add a second pack in parallel it just about doubles. With 75 pounds of cargo hauling capacity to work with, even if you bought two extra batteries for a ~30 mile range you’d still have 35 pounds to work with for groceries, books or a laptop in the cargo hold area. The alternative premium battery option uses Lithium Iron Phosphate cells and offers a ~20 mile range. This pack is physically larger than a single SLA but weighs just 13 pounds. This pack sounds awesome in terms of performance but at $799 (or $1,365 with the unit) it may not be worth it for some. Frankly, the SLA works great and even though it will get fewer charge cycles (estimated 400 vs. 1,500) you could still buy four of these and come out ahead on charges and cost savings. The one caveat here is in cold weather environments where SLA will only output ~40% capacity while LiFePO4 will offer more like 60%+ just based on how the different chemistry performs. Sealed Lead Acid batteries are very recyclable, often made from 60%+ recycled material to begin with, and use materials that are not mined and shipped from politically sensitive areas of the world like Lithium often is. I really like the custom fabric bags (with carry straps) that Ridekick uses for their packs to make them easier to transport and charge separately from the main unit. When you take the battery out of the Ridekick, the trailer itself only weighs ~20 pounds and is modular so you can take the hitch arm and lid completely off for easy storage or transport. Another little extra from Ridekick is that the LiFePO4 batteries are designed with an integrated fuse to reduce premature failure. Both batteries are designed to have zero draw when unplugged from the unit which helps them maintain a high state of charge during long periods of disuse.
Operating the Ridekick electric bike trailer is very simple but the feedback you get while riding is extremely limited. Basically, one wire runs from the controller inside the trailer to your handle bars where the throttle is mounted. There’s a quick disconnect point where the trailer mates with the hitch plate at the bike axle which is nice. to secure the wire and variable speed trigger system you get several velcro straps that are pretty sturdy. Once it’s all plugged in and the unit is powered on (in the rear by the battery) the spring loaded throttle must be compressed and held to make the bike go. While it doesn’t take much effort to pull, it may require some adjustment in hand positioning and some good thought in how you mount it can really pay off. Most thumb throttles on traditional ebikes are little paddles that must be pushed along a semi-circular mounting plate with your thumb. The Ridekick throttle by comparison is more of a little squeeze system that could be activated with a thumb, forefingers or even your palm. It’s about the size of a large paperclip. The downside, as alluded to earlier, is that there aren’t any LED battery indicators or a speedometer or trip distance readout on the throttle, it’s just a black piece of plastic. To get any sort of feedback from the battery and electronics systems you need to open up the Ridekick and look at the display panel inside. Here you’ll find a fuse and an LED readout that reports any errors. There’s an on/off button, a battery light, charging port and a USB port that can be used with portable electronics devices! I actually used this while filming (because the video went very long) and it worked great. Another neat feature here is a 15 minute timer that automatically beeps and shuts the Ridekick down to conserve batteries if the throttle has gone inactive.
The Ridekick product and company are unique and special to me. The Power Trailer itself, much like other electric bikes, is not suited to every application and probably not ideal for most. It’s a compromise of utility, convenience and affordability. You can build a quieter, more powerful recumbent electric bike with an aftermarket BionX kit like this one and enjoy throttle mode, four levels of assist and regeneration with greater range while still carrying a Burly trailer (or similar) loaded with more gear… but you won’t be able to swap it as easily between bikes and it will cost a fortune by comparison.
I love how easily this thing connects, the tilt-up parking feature and integrated lock loop. A full year warranty is solid for any electric bike but seeing how well the team has supported this thing and how happy customers has been inspiring. If you’re a recumbent cyclist who needs to carry along some gear or maybe just a regular cyclist who wants to use their existing bike and still take it out un-electrified at times, then this could be an excellent option. It’s full of possibilities and that’s why the video I shot went so long. It’s over-engineered for strength, handsome and sleek in terms of design and surprisingly zippy and fun to ride with.
Pros:
Thick rubber tires should resist flats and the cast aluminum rims won’t go out of true like spoked wheels often do over time, they can support a lot of weight (as shown in the video)
Convenient locking storage space offers enough room for two medium sized grocery bags, the weight of stored items is kept separate from the bike which improves handling for riders and doesn’t introduce the same back and neck stresses of wearing a backpack
Impressive control unit (updated for improved reliability for 2015) features scrolling diagnostic readout, replaceable fuse and a USB charging port
Very affordable, less expensive than many electric bike kits which don’t look as good, aren’t as easy to switch between bicycles and don’t offer integrated storage features
May different battery options for extending range (one additional SLA for just $125) or reducing weight and saving space (one additional LiFePO4 for $799)
Responsive customer service, Ridekick is a family owned and operated business in Colorado that has been around since 2012 and has often delivered beyond their stated warranty
Decent power and speed for an untraditional setup, range goes from 10 miles up and the top speed of 19 mph is easy to reach with the 500 watt motor
Hitch system takes under one minute to connect or disconnect and has a nice metal spring for easy flex when turning, the added safety leash is a quality touch
Very easy to transport and store, the battery comes in a fabric bag that can be taken out on its own, the unit itself can be tipped upright for vertical storage or to keep out of the way at bike racks
Surprisingly durable, holds up well and keeps the internal systems (and your gear) safe and dry even in snowy and wet conditions
Variable speed trigger throttle is intuitive and simple to use, can be mounted nearly anywhere on any type of bike for optimal comfort (standard flat bars, cruiser bars, vertical bars on recumbents, drop bars etc.)
Works with most electric bikes including hybrid, mountain or recumbent and can even be used with some kick scooters
Two of the SLA or two of the LiFePO4 batteries can be connected in parallel for increased range
Impressive 75 pound cargo weight capacity, ~42 Liters of space inside the shell (with the standard SLA battery)
Handy 15 minute “auto shutoff” feature keeps the Ridekick from running out of batteries or being activated accidentally
Very stealthy design, if you aren’t activating the throttle most people probably wouldn’t know you were on an electric assist bike
Cons:
At the time of this review the Ridekick was only available in a standard gray and orange color scheme, some riders paint them by hands
The integrated LED light is a nice extra but isn’t super visible because it’s mounted so low on the unit which is already very low to the ground
Whether the unit is powered on or not, it rattles and creates more noise than some trailers due to the smaller wheels and plastic lid system
Only the left wheel receives power which means the left tire wears down faster than the right, it’s pretty easy to swap or “rotate” the wheels by hand and Ridekick does sell replacements
Wires have to be run across the frame and look a bit tackier than a purpose built solution (often routed through tubing) but the included velcro strips are strong
May be more difficult to ride your bike up or off curbs, across trails or through narrow gates and corners when using the Ridekick as compared with a stand alone ebike with no trailer
Delta style recumbent trikes (one wheel in front, two in the back) may require an adapter to use the Ridekick
No integrated LCD display or battery readout on the throttle, you will need to add your own after market cycle computer and you can check battery level inside the Ridekick
Electric powered bike trailer that connects to rear axle and pushes rider with a trigger throttle. Less expensive and more portable than buying a complete electric bike...
Me too, the Ridekick folks are genuine but also very smart and business savvy. They offer a product that’s affordable, versatile and effective and even though it isn’t perfect, it really does a good job for what it is in my opinion :D
Me too, the Ridekick folks are genuine but also very smart and business savvy. They offer a product that’s affordable, versatile and effective and even though it isn’t perfect, it really does a good job for what it is in my opinion :D
I’ve ordered one. Was waiting to make sure I could complete the repairs on my bike first. Bad move. Now they are sold out. I thought one purpose of the long shutdown was to sort out the supply situation.
Bummer! They’re a smaller operation and you get quality and good support but sometimes volume must be difficult : if you’ve placed an order did they say how long it will be to ship? Are you on a waiting list now?
They did notify constantly since Feb 2015 about the need to pre-order.
Ron
10 years ago
I’ve ordered one. Was waiting to make sure I could complete the repairs on my bike first. Bad move. Now they are sold out. I thought one purpose of the long shutdown was to sort out the supply situation.
Bummer! They’re a smaller operation and you get quality and good support but sometimes volume must be difficult : if you’ve placed an order did they say how long it will be to ship? Are you on a waiting list now?
I just heard back from Dee and she says they are not quite sold out, so maybe I will get the unit in June. Was supposed to be April but the West Coast dock strike screwed things up. My record of bad luck with ebikes is still intact.
Nice, hopefully it will arrive in short time. The dock strikes in California have been a mess… I’ve been traveling out here and lots of smaller companies are suffering. It’s a bummer just seeing the boats parked out there. I’m sure you’ll love the unit once it arrives and I know Ridekick will take good care of you :D
I just heard back from Dee and she says they are not quite sold out, so maybe I will get the unit in June. Was supposed to be April but the West Coast dock strike screwed things up. My record of bad luck with ebikes is still intact.
Nice, hopefully it will arrive in short time. The dock strikes in California have been a mess… I’ve been traveling out here and lots of smaller companies are suffering. It’s a bummer just seeing the boats parked out there. I’m sure you’ll love the unit once it arrives and I know Ridekick will take good care of you :D
How would this compare or to which bike would the Ride Kick be comparable in terms of performance? For example, does Ride Kick make your regular bike feel like a bike with a 250W 36V rear hub motor or something like that?
That is a great question Mark… it rides different than most of the other purpose built or converted electric bikes I’ve tried because hardly any of the motor or battery weight is on the frame. There’s definitely start/stop feeling because the trailer is pushing the bike and adding weight or momentum horizontally. The noise is a bit greater but different… you can hear the zippy sound in the video and sometimes that makes me feel self conscious but on the other hand, the trailer is so stealth that it almost doesn’t seem like an electric bike and people seem to put their guard down and become interested instead. I guess if I had to compare the feeling of power and speed on the Ridekick to another ebike I’ve tested recently I’d go with the Blix Komfort Plus (you can skip to ~6:50 for the ride test there). In the video you can see that the geared motor on this ebike produces a bit more noise but that it’s also zippy and gets me up the hill. The Blix has a claimed top speed of ~15 mph but it felt faster and this is similar to the Ridekick which has a top speed of ~19 mph :)
How would this compare or to which bike would the Ride Kick be comparable in terms of performance? For example, does Ride Kick make your regular bike feel like a bike with a 250W 36V rear hub motor or something like that?
That is a great question Mark… it rides different than most of the other purpose built or converted electric bikes I’ve tried because hardly any of the motor or battery weight is on the frame. There’s definitely start/stop feeling because the trailer is pushing the bike and adding weight or momentum horizontally. The noise is a bit greater but different… you can hear the zippy sound in the video and sometimes that makes me feel self conscious but on the other hand, the trailer is so stealth that it almost doesn’t seem like an electric bike and people seem to put their guard down and become interested instead. I guess if I had to compare the feeling of power and speed on the Ridekick to another ebike I’ve tested recently I’d go with the Blix Komfort Plus (you can skip to ~6:50 for the ride test there). In the video you can see that the geared motor on this ebike produces a bit more noise but that it’s also zippy and gets me up the hill. The Blix has a claimed top speed of ~15 mph but it felt faster and this is similar to the Ridekick which has a top speed of ~19 mph :)
Thanks for all the great reviews. So professional yet simple! Have you ever reviewed the electric bike solutions products and if not, why? I’ve been considering Doug’s kit and would like to have any feedback. Thanks, Kevin
Hi Kevin! I try to review every kit and bike that I come across. Some of this is random and other times I drive to company headquarters and meet with the founders or management and get the “inside scoop” before taking bikes out to ride. I’ll keep an eye out for the Electric Bike Solutions company you’re referencing here, could you share a URL or some more info on where you’ve seen them?
Thanks for all the great reviews. So professional yet simple! Have you ever reviewed the electric bike solutions products and if not, why? I’ve been considering Doug’s kit and would like to have any feedback. Thanks, Kevin
Hi Kevin! I try to review every kit and bike that I come across. Some of this is random and other times I drive to company headquarters and meet with the founders or management and get the “inside scoop” before taking bikes out to ride. I’ll keep an eye out for the Electric Bike Solutions company you’re referencing here, could you share a URL or some more info on where you’ve seen them?
Latest update on my order from Ridekick: they are no longer even projecting a ship date. (My e-bike jinx is growing in power.) Their re-design is still in progress and they are still seeking component suppliers! I feel bad for them, but I feel worse for me! By the time this arrives, I may be too old and decrepit to even ride an e-bike.
Hi Ron! That’s such a bummer… I’m so sorry to hear that Ridekick hasn’t been able to deliver. I like the folks who work there and admire the creative product they’ve built but the position you’re in obviously isn’t any fun. Thanks for the update… hang in there :(
Latest update on my order from Ridekick: they are no longer even projecting a ship date. (My e-bike jinx is growing in power.) Their re-design is still in progress and they are still seeking component suppliers! I feel bad for them, but I feel worse for me! By the time this arrives, I may be too old and decrepit to even ride an e-bike.
Hi Ron! That’s such a bummer… I’m so sorry to hear that Ridekick hasn’t been able to deliver. I like the folks who work there and admire the creative product they’ve built but the position you’re in obviously isn’t any fun. Thanks for the update… hang in there :(
Ouch… Such a bummer! I was really excited for Ridekick in 2015 because they updated their supply chain and refined the design a bit. It was awesome meeting with Dee and Mark and hearing their updates but I’m sorry that this content has lead you to the current position… of waiting forever. Thanks for checking in, it will help others and I’d love to hear if/when you finally do get it. So sorry :(
Ouch… Such a bummer! I was really excited for Ridekick in 2015 because they updated their supply chain and refined the design a bit. It was awesome meeting with Dee and Mark and hearing their updates but I’m sorry that this content has lead you to the current position… of waiting forever. Thanks for checking in, it will help others and I’d love to hear if/when you finally do get it. So sorry :(
I hadn’t even had a passing thought to a ‘powered trailer’ approach but was drawn to this review because of the excellent electrical discussions Court & Mark had on Youtube. (You’ll find the one on motors here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgWzGdg1POk) I’ve had to develop a strong understanding of battery technology for off-grid living, and Mark’s at the top of that game IMO.
For folks like me, who are new to ebikes and sorting options, Court’s written review didn’t mention two benefits of a Ridekick I think can really matter to ebike shoppers who are motivated by environmental concerns and have a limited budget. First is Ridekick’s principle goal: Get folks out of their cars when doing shorter drives to local stores, cross-town visits and such. Gas engines are least efficient providing that kind of transportation, that’s when they produce the highest pollution per mile, and such trips are hard on gas engines, too. Second, if you’re just not sure the ebike option is for you – or are hesitant about this method of electrifying bike transportation – the entry price point is amazingly low. Go with a SLA battery and, for a low cost by ebike standards, you’ll have more than a year to see how well it works and how well it works for you. If it wins on both accounts, you can then opt for the LiFePO4 battery pack, knowing the higher cost is justified.
I can’t help but be impressed with Mark’s & Dee’s infectious, positive style and practical design approach. They offer a real-time conversation option at ridekick.com. For those (like me) who want a production update, that’s probably the simplest, quickest way to get one.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Jack! Mark and Dee are wonderful and I’ve enjoyed meeting with them and testing out their product during visits to Colorado. Do you have a Ridekick? I’d love to hear more about your off-grid lifestyle, are you in Colorado?
Court, no Ridekick…but it’s an interesting option I hadn’t considered. I’m the guy moving to Bozeman, MT where both the city and the surrounding USFS lands offer lots of bike paths & trails. So picking the best compromise of those diverse types of riding – and especially wanting to have the bike replace a car – is a challenge. (That’s why I appreciated your interview with Greg so much. Similar circumstances). About your off-grid Q: We’ve spent many years sailing the oceans, where one’s battery bank is the local power company and sole source of one’s electrons. The evolving battery technology we see infiltrating the ebike choices really is the invisible but significant element in making the right choice, as you already know. That’s why, at some point as time permits, you would do a great service if you offered a review of BMS choices that go beyond the inexpensive chargers offered with ebikes. There’s great potential there for increasing owner satisfaction and lowering long-term ebike costs by avoiding more frequent battery replacements.
I agree that batteries and BMS are playing a greater role in differentiating models and was impressed with the Satiator from Grin in Canada, it’s a charger that provides deeper feedback and control. Here’s a video I did with Justin where we geek out about all of this stuff, you might enjoy it! Your boating trips sound fun, I lived on an island off the coast of Bermuda for a summer and spent time sailing and swimming, getting an appreciation for that self sufficiency and exposure to the elements.
Fascinating, Court! You’re like peeling an onion. A new topic surfaces in one’s mind and – Voila! – there’s already a video about it, either within the All Bike Update youtube channel, the EBR channel, or on the EBR website. Obviously bright, Justin ‘downloads’ at a pace that’s hard to keep up with…but listening to things twice is worth the effort. Grin Tech, yet another amazing resource for those willing to dig deep on the learning curve. Thanks, Court. Now…when will we see you review one of those e-Unicycles?
Ha! That’s one product I don’t have a video for… I did practice riding unicycles when I was working downtown in Austin and that experience gave me a lot of respect for people who can do it without the aid of a shopping cart or wall. Outside of ebikes and such I’m also a fan of virtual reality as jokingly mentioned with Justin.
Hey Court, love your sight and have read so many of your reviews and videos I am more confused then ever. Being new to the ebike world I just don’t know what to buy. I thought I was close to fat tire or maybe one I don’t think you really like the Prodeco outlaw. They I came across your review on this very cool thing called a ridekick and everything changed. I love my trek pure. What do do you think about just adding a ridekick to my trek pure? And should I go with the larger battery? Thank you for the great reviews. Jeff
Hi Jeff! I really love the Ridekick as a concept but it does produce more noise than a lot of ebikes. There’s a definite trade-off in that sense but it hauls cargo, keeps weight low and is quick and easy to install/uninstall… For all of those reason’s it’s unique and worth considering :)
James Hendrix
10 years agoBrilliant. I am really impressed with the package and preformance.
ReplyCourt Rye
10 years agoMe too, the Ridekick folks are genuine but also very smart and business savvy. They offer a product that’s affordable, versatile and effective and even though it isn’t perfect, it really does a good job for what it is in my opinion :D
ReplyJames Hendrix
10 years agoBrilliant. I am really impressed with the package and preformance.
ReplyCourt Rye
10 years agoMe too, the Ridekick folks are genuine but also very smart and business savvy. They offer a product that’s affordable, versatile and effective and even though it isn’t perfect, it really does a good job for what it is in my opinion :D
ReplyRon
10 years agoI’ve ordered one. Was waiting to make sure I could complete the repairs on my bike first. Bad move. Now they are sold out. I thought one purpose of the long shutdown was to sort out the supply situation.
ReplyCourt Rye
10 years agoBummer! They’re a smaller operation and you get quality and good support but sometimes volume must be difficult : if you’ve placed an order did they say how long it will be to ship? Are you on a waiting list now?
ReplySkymax
8 years agoThey did notify constantly since Feb 2015 about the need to pre-order.
Ron
10 years agoI’ve ordered one. Was waiting to make sure I could complete the repairs on my bike first. Bad move. Now they are sold out. I thought one purpose of the long shutdown was to sort out the supply situation.
ReplyCourt Rye
10 years agoBummer! They’re a smaller operation and you get quality and good support but sometimes volume must be difficult : if you’ve placed an order did they say how long it will be to ship? Are you on a waiting list now?
ReplyRon
10 years agoI just heard back from Dee and she says they are not quite sold out, so maybe I will get the unit in June. Was supposed to be April but the West Coast dock strike screwed things up. My record of bad luck with ebikes is still intact.
ReplyCourt Rye
10 years agoNice, hopefully it will arrive in short time. The dock strikes in California have been a mess… I’ve been traveling out here and lots of smaller companies are suffering. It’s a bummer just seeing the boats parked out there. I’m sure you’ll love the unit once it arrives and I know Ridekick will take good care of you :D
ReplyRon
10 years agoI just heard back from Dee and she says they are not quite sold out, so maybe I will get the unit in June. Was supposed to be April but the West Coast dock strike screwed things up. My record of bad luck with ebikes is still intact.
ReplyCourt Rye
10 years agoNice, hopefully it will arrive in short time. The dock strikes in California have been a mess… I’ve been traveling out here and lots of smaller companies are suffering. It’s a bummer just seeing the boats parked out there. I’m sure you’ll love the unit once it arrives and I know Ridekick will take good care of you :D
ReplyMark DT
10 years agoHow would this compare or to which bike would the Ride Kick be comparable in terms of performance? For example, does Ride Kick make your regular bike feel like a bike with a 250W 36V rear hub motor or something like that?
ReplyCourt Rye
10 years agoThat is a great question Mark… it rides different than most of the other purpose built or converted electric bikes I’ve tried because hardly any of the motor or battery weight is on the frame. There’s definitely start/stop feeling because the trailer is pushing the bike and adding weight or momentum horizontally. The noise is a bit greater but different… you can hear the zippy sound in the video and sometimes that makes me feel self conscious but on the other hand, the trailer is so stealth that it almost doesn’t seem like an electric bike and people seem to put their guard down and become interested instead. I guess if I had to compare the feeling of power and speed on the Ridekick to another ebike I’ve tested recently I’d go with the Blix Komfort Plus (you can skip to ~6:50 for the ride test there). In the video you can see that the geared motor on this ebike produces a bit more noise but that it’s also zippy and gets me up the hill. The Blix has a claimed top speed of ~15 mph but it felt faster and this is similar to the Ridekick which has a top speed of ~19 mph :)
ReplyMark DT
10 years agoHow would this compare or to which bike would the Ride Kick be comparable in terms of performance? For example, does Ride Kick make your regular bike feel like a bike with a 250W 36V rear hub motor or something like that?
ReplyCourt Rye
10 years agoThat is a great question Mark… it rides different than most of the other purpose built or converted electric bikes I’ve tried because hardly any of the motor or battery weight is on the frame. There’s definitely start/stop feeling because the trailer is pushing the bike and adding weight or momentum horizontally. The noise is a bit greater but different… you can hear the zippy sound in the video and sometimes that makes me feel self conscious but on the other hand, the trailer is so stealth that it almost doesn’t seem like an electric bike and people seem to put their guard down and become interested instead. I guess if I had to compare the feeling of power and speed on the Ridekick to another ebike I’ve tested recently I’d go with the Blix Komfort Plus (you can skip to ~6:50 for the ride test there). In the video you can see that the geared motor on this ebike produces a bit more noise but that it’s also zippy and gets me up the hill. The Blix has a claimed top speed of ~15 mph but it felt faster and this is similar to the Ridekick which has a top speed of ~19 mph :)
ReplyKevin
9 years agoThanks for all the great reviews. So professional yet simple! Have you ever reviewed the electric bike solutions products and if not, why? I’ve been considering Doug’s kit and would like to have any feedback. Thanks, Kevin
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoHi Kevin! I try to review every kit and bike that I come across. Some of this is random and other times I drive to company headquarters and meet with the founders or management and get the “inside scoop” before taking bikes out to ride. I’ll keep an eye out for the Electric Bike Solutions company you’re referencing here, could you share a URL or some more info on where you’ve seen them?
ReplyKevin
9 years agoThanks for all the great reviews. So professional yet simple! Have you ever reviewed the electric bike solutions products and if not, why? I’ve been considering Doug’s kit and would like to have any feedback. Thanks, Kevin
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoHi Kevin! I try to review every kit and bike that I come across. Some of this is random and other times I drive to company headquarters and meet with the founders or management and get the “inside scoop” before taking bikes out to ride. I’ll keep an eye out for the Electric Bike Solutions company you’re referencing here, could you share a URL or some more info on where you’ve seen them?
ReplyRon
9 years agoLatest update on my order from Ridekick: they are no longer even projecting a ship date. (My e-bike jinx is growing in power.) Their re-design is still in progress and they are still seeking component suppliers! I feel bad for them, but I feel worse for me! By the time this arrives, I may be too old and decrepit to even ride an e-bike.
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoHi Ron! That’s such a bummer… I’m so sorry to hear that Ridekick hasn’t been able to deliver. I like the folks who work there and admire the creative product they’ve built but the position you’re in obviously isn’t any fun. Thanks for the update… hang in there :(
ReplyRon
9 years agoLatest update on my order from Ridekick: they are no longer even projecting a ship date. (My e-bike jinx is growing in power.) Their re-design is still in progress and they are still seeking component suppliers! I feel bad for them, but I feel worse for me! By the time this arrives, I may be too old and decrepit to even ride an e-bike.
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoHi Ron! That’s such a bummer… I’m so sorry to hear that Ridekick hasn’t been able to deliver. I like the folks who work there and admire the creative product they’ve built but the position you’re in obviously isn’t any fun. Thanks for the update… hang in there :(
ReplyRon
9 years agoUpdate: Still patiently waiting for mine (since March).
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoOuch… Such a bummer! I was really excited for Ridekick in 2015 because they updated their supply chain and refined the design a bit. It was awesome meeting with Dee and Mark and hearing their updates but I’m sorry that this content has lead you to the current position… of waiting forever. Thanks for checking in, it will help others and I’d love to hear if/when you finally do get it. So sorry :(
ReplyRon
9 years agoUpdate: Still patiently waiting for mine (since March).
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoOuch… Such a bummer! I was really excited for Ridekick in 2015 because they updated their supply chain and refined the design a bit. It was awesome meeting with Dee and Mark and hearing their updates but I’m sorry that this content has lead you to the current position… of waiting forever. Thanks for checking in, it will help others and I’d love to hear if/when you finally do get it. So sorry :(
ReplyJack
9 years agoI hadn’t even had a passing thought to a ‘powered trailer’ approach but was drawn to this review because of the excellent electrical discussions Court & Mark had on Youtube. (You’ll find the one on motors here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgWzGdg1POk) I’ve had to develop a strong understanding of battery technology for off-grid living, and Mark’s at the top of that game IMO.
For folks like me, who are new to ebikes and sorting options, Court’s written review didn’t mention two benefits of a Ridekick I think can really matter to ebike shoppers who are motivated by environmental concerns and have a limited budget. First is Ridekick’s principle goal: Get folks out of their cars when doing shorter drives to local stores, cross-town visits and such. Gas engines are least efficient providing that kind of transportation, that’s when they produce the highest pollution per mile, and such trips are hard on gas engines, too. Second, if you’re just not sure the ebike option is for you – or are hesitant about this method of electrifying bike transportation – the entry price point is amazingly low. Go with a SLA battery and, for a low cost by ebike standards, you’ll have more than a year to see how well it works and how well it works for you. If it wins on both accounts, you can then opt for the LiFePO4 battery pack, knowing the higher cost is justified.
I can’t help but be impressed with Mark’s & Dee’s infectious, positive style and practical design approach. They offer a real-time conversation option at ridekick.com. For those (like me) who want a production update, that’s probably the simplest, quickest way to get one.
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoThanks for sharing your thoughts Jack! Mark and Dee are wonderful and I’ve enjoyed meeting with them and testing out their product during visits to Colorado. Do you have a Ridekick? I’d love to hear more about your off-grid lifestyle, are you in Colorado?
ReplyJack
9 years agoCourt, no Ridekick…but it’s an interesting option I hadn’t considered. I’m the guy moving to Bozeman, MT where both the city and the surrounding USFS lands offer lots of bike paths & trails. So picking the best compromise of those diverse types of riding – and especially wanting to have the bike replace a car – is a challenge. (That’s why I appreciated your interview with Greg so much. Similar circumstances). About your off-grid Q: We’ve spent many years sailing the oceans, where one’s battery bank is the local power company and sole source of one’s electrons. The evolving battery technology we see infiltrating the ebike choices really is the invisible but significant element in making the right choice, as you already know. That’s why, at some point as time permits, you would do a great service if you offered a review of BMS choices that go beyond the inexpensive chargers offered with ebikes. There’s great potential there for increasing owner satisfaction and lowering long-term ebike costs by avoiding more frequent battery replacements.
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoI agree that batteries and BMS are playing a greater role in differentiating models and was impressed with the Satiator from Grin in Canada, it’s a charger that provides deeper feedback and control. Here’s a video I did with Justin where we geek out about all of this stuff, you might enjoy it! Your boating trips sound fun, I lived on an island off the coast of Bermuda for a summer and spent time sailing and swimming, getting an appreciation for that self sufficiency and exposure to the elements.
ReplyJack
9 years agoFascinating, Court! You’re like peeling an onion. A new topic surfaces in one’s mind and – Voila! – there’s already a video about it, either within the All Bike Update youtube channel, the EBR channel, or on the EBR website. Obviously bright, Justin ‘downloads’ at a pace that’s hard to keep up with…but listening to things twice is worth the effort. Grin Tech, yet another amazing resource for those willing to dig deep on the learning curve. Thanks, Court. Now…when will we see you review one of those e-Unicycles?
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoHa! That’s one product I don’t have a video for… I did practice riding unicycles when I was working downtown in Austin and that experience gave me a lot of respect for people who can do it without the aid of a shopping cart or wall. Outside of ebikes and such I’m also a fan of virtual reality as jokingly mentioned with Justin.
ReplyRettig
9 years agoBitte um ein Angebot MoreTraler Model 2015 in Deutsch
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoGrüße , ich bin nicht sicher, dass dieses Produkt in Deutschland verfügbar ist? Sie könnten auf der offiziellen Website hier kontaktieren.
ReplyJeff
9 years agoHey Court, love your sight and have read so many of your reviews and videos I am more confused then ever. Being new to the ebike world I just don’t know what to buy. I thought I was close to fat tire or maybe one I don’t think you really like the Prodeco outlaw. They I came across your review on this very cool thing called a ridekick and everything changed. I love my trek pure. What do do you think about just adding a ridekick to my trek pure? And should I go with the larger battery? Thank you for the great reviews. Jeff
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoHi Jeff! I really love the Ridekick as a concept but it does produce more noise than a lot of ebikes. There’s a definite trade-off in that sense but it hauls cargo, keeps weight low and is quick and easy to install/uninstall… For all of those reason’s it’s unique and worth considering :)
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