Name: Riide V1.1 Electric Bike Review
Item: Riide V1.1 Electric Bike
Author: Court Rye

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Riide V1.1 Electric Bike Review

Riide V1 1 Black Tdcm Hub Motor 350 Watt

Riide V1 1 Avid 160 Mm Disc Brakes Schwalbe Energizer Plus Tires

Riide V1 1 Fyxation Plastic Platform Pedals

Riide V1 1 Hanging Bottle Cage Bosses On Top Tube

Riide V1 1 Metropolis Cranks Bash Guard 45t Chainring

A tough, near-silent, single speed electric bike that's designed for urban use, clean all-black frame, motor, spokes, wheel set and accessories look cool
Only available in one "medium" frame size but the angled top tube improves fit for shorter riders, rack and bottle cage bosses add utility, nice upgraded pedals, saddle and grips
Throttle-only electric drive system, no fancy LCD displays or battery level indicator just a simple on/off switch on the downtube
Unique financing option includes a folding lock and year of bicycle insurance, stiffer frame, battery is not removable for separate charging

Make:

Riide

Model:

V 1.1

Price:

$1,999 (Or $299 One Time Payment and $79 Per Month)

Body Position:

Forward

Suggested Use:

Urban

Electric Bike Class:

Throttle on Demand (Class 2)

Learn more about Ebike classes

Warranty:

2 Year Comprehensive

Availability:

United States

Model Year:

2016

Rating:

Total Weight:

43.5 lbs (19.73 kg)

Frame Material:

6061 Aluminum Alloy

Frame Sizes:

18 in (45.72 cm)

Geometry Measurements:

18" Seat Tube, 28" Standover Height, 68" Length

Frame Types:

High-Step

Frame Colors:

Black

Frame Fork Details:

Rigid Steel

Attachment Points:

Rear Rack Bosses, Fender Bosses, Bottle Cage Bosses

Gearing Details:

1 Single Speed

Cranks:

Metropolis Cranks, 45T Chainring with Metropolis Aluminum Bash Guard

Pedals:

Fyxation Plastic Platform

Handlebar:

Ritchey Design, Flat

Brake Details:

BB7 Mechanical Disc with 160 mm Rotors, Tektro Ebike Levers with Motor Inhibitor

Grips:

Flat Rubber, Black, Locking

Saddle:

SDG Multi-Color, Riide Branded

Seat Post:

FSA XC-255, Aluminum Alloy

Seat Post Length:

400 mm

Seat Post Diameter:

27.2 mm

Spokes:

Stainless Steel, Black, 14G Front 13G Rear, Custom Arrangement

Tire Brand:

Schwalbe Energizer Plus, 26" x 1.75"

Wheel Sizes:

26 in (66.04cm)

Tire Details:

GreenGuard Puncture Protection, Reflective Sidewall Stripe

Tube Details:

Schrader Valve

Accessories:

Free Folding Lock if Leased, Free Year of Bicycle Insurance if Leased

Other:

ASI Controller, Water Resistant Screw Style Disconnect on Motor Power Cable

Motor Brand:

TDCM

Motor Type:

Rear-Mounted Gearless Direct Drive Hub

Learn more about Ebike motors

Motor Nominal Output:

350 watts

Motor Peak Output:

500 watts

Battery Brand:

AllCell

Battery Voltage:

36 volts

Battery Amp Hours:

8.7 ah

Battery Watt Hours:

313.2 wh

Battery Chemistry:

Lithium Manganese

Charge Time:

3 hours

Estimated Min Range:

20 miles (32 km)

Estimated Max Range:

30 miles (48 km)

Display Accessories:

Power Button on Downtube (On/Off)

Drive Mode:

Twist Throttle

Top Speed:

20 mph (32 kph)

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Make or Model

Model Year

Body Position

Suggested Use

Frame Type

Drive Mode

Availability

Price Range

$0 (0 €)$18,000 (16,920 €)

Total Weight

0 lbs (0 kg)227 lbs (103 kg)

Top Speed

0 mph (0.0 km/hr)50 mph (80.5 km/hr)

Battery Watt Hrs

0 watt3,456 watt

Frame Size

0 in (0.00 cm)432 in (1,097.28 cm)

Motor Power

0 Newton meters250 Nm

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At first glance, the 2016 Riide V1.1 resembles the crowd-funded prototype I reviewed in 2014. Since that time aesthetics have been improved with a black casing on the hub motor, black spokes and black wheelset. I love the locking grips and Riide branded saddle and appreciate the fun multi-color design. This is a single speed city-tuff electric bike with one drive option… twist and go throttle mode. The bars are free and clear of LCD displays and shifters and there wasn’t even a front or rear reflector on the unit I tried so definitely consider lights if you cycle at dawn or dusk. The ride quality can be jarring at higher speeds but the aluminum frame is responsive and keeps weight down. There are bottle cage bosses for a drink or the folding lock they provide free if you lease the bike. At $2k this bike is an alright deal for someone who doesn’t mind slower acceleration (due to the smaller controller and average motor and battery size) but it really shines with the leasing plan that goes fro $299 up front and $79 per month for two years after. At the two year mark you can get their “latest and greatest” for free and continue paying $79/mo for another two years etc. It’s a neat idea and one that can help people who need transportation immediately get onto a solid electric bike.

My favorite part of the bike is just how simple it is while still looking cool. It’s not as convenient to charge since the battery is semi-permanently screwed into the frame and I did miss a multi-speed cassette when starting because it’s geared kind of high but the throttle helps and I’m sure you don’t need to get tuneups as frequently. The tires are upgraded with puncture protection and reflective sidewalls for utility and safety respectively and I liked the quick release option on the front wheel and quality connectors on the electronic cables (making rear-wheel service easier). Riide has been around now since 2014 and is expanding from the East Coast to the West (I met up with the founders Jeff and Amber in San Francisco) so support and demo rides are now easier to come by. The Riide V1.1 is an improvement over the prototype and V1 models but stays true to the niche concept of city commuting. I’d feel very comfortable locking this up outside at a rough rack and that could lead to more frequent use vs. a more precision ebike with fancy displays, derailleurs and multi-color gloss paint job. This is a one size, all black utility bike that’s more enjoyable than a city share bike and similar weight but actually powered vs. pedal only.

Pros:

The motor and spokes are now black to match the frame, grips, bash guard, wheelset, cranks, pedals and seat post… I also like the custom branded Riide saddle and grip lockers
I love the bottle cage bosses under the top tube, this bar is angled enough that bottles won’t bounce out (though there may be some dribble), by not putting the holes on the seat tube they ensure that the post can slide way down to accommodate shorter riders
Unique pricing model, $2k is decent for an electric bike but the $299 up front plus $79 per month leasing model is much easier for people who need transportation now but might not have money saved up, I also love the continual upgrade option they offer (after two years get the latest version free)
This ebike is pretty rugged, considering the direct drive motor has no moving gears inside and the pedal drivetrain is a single speed with no derailleur to go out of tune it should hold up well in rough environments
I appreciate the fun colors on the saddle, upgraded oversized platform pedals, puncture resistant tires with reflective sidewall stripes but I would love to see front and rear reflectors and integrated LED lights at some point (which would further simplify the bike vs. clip-on independently powered lights)
The integrated battery and controller are well protected and keep weight low and centered on the bike for improved handling, the ride feels solid but a bit jarring at times given the stiff aluminum frame with no suspension
I like the quick release front wheel for easier transport of the bike and relatively light overall weight (especially since you can’t take the battery out easily) and it’s nice that they include a folding lock and year and a year of bicycle insurance if you lease, consider a seat leash for the saddle since the seat tube is also quick release or get locking hardware for the wheels etc.
While it’s still technically a high-step frame the angled top tube brings the standover height down making it more accessible to short riders, only one frame size here ~18″ medium
The cockpit handlebar area is extremely clean, I like the grips and the half-grip style twist throttle seems like an upgrade with rubberized pattern vs. the usual flat smooth plastic
The Riide electric bike is extremely quiet, the gearless motor hardly makes a sound even at full power and the chain and sprockets don’t go out of tune as easily or click like multi-speed bikes
Thicker and wider tires than the older version (for improved comfort and durability), updated frame geometry for improved strength

Cons:

There is no display so you can’t tell how fast you’re going, how far you’ve gone or how much battery capacity remains… this minimal design keeps the bike tough and cheap and you could add a cycle computer or use Strava
The battery pack is not easily removable (it’s designed to be hidden and theft resistant) which means you have to bring the entire bicycle near a charging outlet to fill it and this may be difficult in some work environments
There’s no key to power the bike on and since it uses a throttle only power system people could mess with it when parked or ride it away more easily
No pedal assist or power options to conserve energy, it’s your choice to twist more gently and pedal along, I felt that the single speed drive train was a bit high and I wasn’t spinning as comfortably until getting to the ~20 mph speed
Slower acceleration from start due to a smaller controller sending 10 to 15 Amps of current vs. 20+ on some other e-bikes I’ve tested
The motor is larger and heavier than a geared hub but doesn’t offer the benefits of power regeneration, acceleration from zero was smooth and quiet

Resources:

Official Site: http://riide.com/
More Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/kJzdR72mpU4Ba45h6

January 29, 2024 (10 months ago)

2014 Riide Electric Bike Review

MSRP: $1,799
MODEL YEAR: 2014

Urban style single speed electric bike that's extremely light weight, nearly silent to operate and very well balanced. Quality components that don't rattle, matching all-black frame and motor design, regenerative braking...

Read Review

VB Ebikes

9 years ago

I like the looks of this bike but a single speed ebike just doesn’t make sense to me, particularly in a hilly environment like SF. Battery gauge would be nice… even if it were on the battery somewhere.

Court Rye

I agree, room for improvement with the battery level indicator. I’m okay with single speed but would like it to be less expensive and maybe use a smaller chainring for faster starts and spinning (personal opinion on that of course). I’m sure they’re refining the product and we may see something lighter and even more dialed in as time goes on.

Jonathan Villaverde

I’m considering this or backing the Sonders Thin. Previous distribution issues are what worry the most about the Sonder bike really, despite it seeming to have more features at a lower price. Which would you recommend more?

I think Riide is the better product, not just because you get support and will have it sooner. I like the Thin and have ordered one to review but the last Sondors ebike I bought came in the wrong color and the shipping notifications were confusing… That’s more of a comment about all crowd funding vs. just them. Spring is coming and I love to ride so even paying hundreds more might be worth it and the motor on the Riide is more powerful and I think it looks better and is easier to mount on racks and stuff to actually take places and do rides. I’ve done a pre-review of the Sondors Thin based on what I know from the campaign and initial videos from their media event. I hope this helps, either one should deliver a decent experience and I hope you have a blast! Note that the Riide is likely heavier.

Yeah I read the pre-review and everything. Not worried about the Riide being heavier. Thanks for your input. I’ve pre-ordered a Riide now. I hope I like it, it’ll be my first electric bike!

Scott

8 years ago

Ordered a riide 6 months ago and still no bike. Avoid a Riide if you plan on cycling in 2017.

Ouch, thanks for the feedback Scott! I hope you get your Riide very soon and am sorry to hear it hasn’t come yet :/

My Riide arrived! Unfortunately it was in the middle of winter so I wasn’t able to do any riiding when I got it. With the weather improving I was finally able to take it out for a few a spins so I thought I would share my first impressions. As I had mentioned in a previous comment, the bike took over 6 months to arrive. I had ordered it in July for the “August production run” assuming it would ship some time in September or October. The bike eventually arrived in February. That sort of delay is unacceptable, even for a small startup. The only reason I didn’t cancel my order is because this bike is the sharpest-looking ebike I’ve seen at a reasonable price and I had my heart set on it.

The bike arrived with some assembly required. The handlebars, front wheel, pedals and the front wheel quick release assembly to be specific. The quick release was rolling around in the box along with an allen key, the only tool included despite the instruction manual claiming otherwise. I assembled what I could but scratched my head for far too long when it came time to use the missing pedal wrench. Since I was taking the bike to the local shop anyway, I asked them to put the pedals on for me. All of the components of the bike seem to be of good quality. The brakes are a little noisy for now but that should sort itself out. The grips are comfortable and the throttle is fairly comfortable to operate. You have to twist your wrist or pinch the throttle with your thumb and finger which can be awkward at times. A thumb rest on the throttle and a shorter travel would be an improvement. The saddle looks and feels great. The down tube is unobtrusive and the whole bike looks fairly discreet as far as ebikes are concerned.

It’s not the most powerful bike but it’s enough to get you to a speed where the single gear is a breeze. It’s not going to climb steep hills all on its own for you either but it’ll sure help. The motor is relatively quiet too, comapred to the wind. I haven’t been on any extended rides so I can’t vouch for the longevity of the battery but I haven’t noticed much degredation of power for the short rides I’ve been on so far. The power connector is awkward to plug into the bike with it being on the bottom and the connectors don’t feel very robust but at least that location won’t put stress on the wire or connection. The dust cover on the bike connector feels a little too brittle and will likely not age well. A more rubberized, heavy duty plastic is requried. The plastic casing for the power supply feels cheap as well and it’s not passively cooled but cooled by a small, noisy fan. Be careful where you place it so it doesn’t suck in cat hair and dust bunnies!

I know I have pointed out mostly negative things but I’m actually very happy with the bike so far. Hopefully none of it scared you away, aside from the shipping time, which they’ve hopefully sorted out after some expected growing pains, I don’t really have much to complain about.

Hi Scott! What a great update, thanks for sharing your experience so thoroughly (perhaps the Riide folks will see it and learn from your experiences to refine their product). It’s great that you’re enjoying the bike, I wish it could have arrived there sooner for you but you’ve got the right attitude!

Christian wilson

4 years ago

What types of battery of the bike.

Court

Hi Christian, I’m not sure that I understand your question here, but the batteries are likely Lithium-ion 18650 cells. I try to ask the product managers and engineers whenever conducting a review like this, and I was told that they actually use Lithium Manganese cells and AllCell is the producer… but that’s for the Riide V1.1 and is likely out of date now for any of their newer products. I’m betting that they use Samsung, LG, or Panasonic and have switched to Lithium-ion due to higher availability and standardization :)

Mario Jarquin

2 months ago

Hi I lost my charger and I need a replacement someone can help me

Mike East

7 days ago

Try reaching out to the company you bought it from and they should be able to help! -Mike