Prodigy

Douglas D.

It is a little early to rate this bike, but they asked for one, so I like the bike so much that I decided to give a preliminary rating. I bought this for my wife. We are both avid bike riders and used to participate in 100-mile ride events, etc. We rode several thousand miles per year. However, we are now in our mid-seventies and my wife has had some medical difficulties. I decided it was time for her to try an ebike. Not only are they easier to ride, they are safer. Lights, fenders, luggage rack, etc. We would never have a bike that you can just turn the throttle and it goes. What's the point? Just get a scooter. So when we got on the bike and started riding, we were thrilled to feel that gentle assist kick in (at the lowest level). When it was turned to a higher number, the assist is more pronounced, but still not violent. We love how it rides and how it still makes you pedal to earn your keep. So it remains our chief avenue of exercise. Beyond this, I bought a little cart that attaches to the rear spindle and put our two mini-Australian shepherds in it and ride around the neighborhood. It is a blast. When we do this, we usually bump up the assist level one or two notches. I have a $10,000 road bike and I like this bike just as much. I hope this bike holds up as well as my road bike. We shall see. It appears to be well-built and sturdy. It is also pleasing to the eye. And the price was considerably below other brand-name bikes. Have I said enough good things? The only minor thing is that I had a little difficulty putting the bike together, which was a little odd since I do all my mechanical work on our four road bikes. It wasn't big, it was just that the handlebars, with cables attached were tucked in behind the down tubes and I couldn't figure out how to get them out. I called customer service and they made some suggestions. I ended up removing the mini-computer (with cable attached) from the handlebar and that allowed me to untangle the handlebar. Put the mini-computer back on and it was good to go.

Shawn M.

Order arrived in less than a week. There were a few cuts in the box, but contents were undamaged. Assembly was about as straightforward as I hoped. Had the bike assembled in about 20 minutes. It looks like a very solid product, and a great complement to my 25 year old Specialized bike. I added a seatpost suspension early on. My Specialized had one, and I didn’t realize how much it did until it was missing. I still need to get the suspension tweaked in, but it that is pretty low priority. I mostly ride on pavement anyway. I bought this bike without ever having ridden an ebike of any kind. I was sold on the torque sensing mid drive pretty early on in my research. My early comment would be...yes...the torque sensing drive feels very natural. There is not any sort of learning curve associated with riding this bike. I have not taken it out for any long rides yet, it has been too hot here in Texas for that. I look forward to a 25 mile plus ride when things cool off. I would recommend this bike to anyone looking for a ebike.

Shawn M.

Order arrived in less than a week. There were a few cuts in the box, but contents were undamaged. Assembly was about as straightforward as I hoped. Had the bike assembled in about 20 minutes. It looks like a very solid product, and a great complement to my 25 year old Specialized bike. I added a seatpost suspension early on. My Specialized had one, and I didn’t realize how much it did until it was missing. I still need to get the suspension tweaked in, but it that is pretty low priority. I mostly ride on pavement anyway. I bought this bike without ever having ridden an ebike of any kind. I was sold on the torque sensing mid drive pretty early on in my research. My early comment would be...yes...the torque sensing drive feels very natural. There is not any sort of learning curve associated with riding this bike. I have not taken it out for any long rides yet, it has been too hot here in Texas for that. I look forward to a 25 mile plus ride when things cool off. I would recommend this bike to anyone looking for a ebike.

Shawn M.

Order arrived in less than a week. There were a few cuts in the box, but contents were undamaged. Assembly was about as straightforward as I hoped. Had the bike assembled in about 20 minutes. It looks like a very solid product, and a great complement to my 25 year old Specialized bike. I added a seatpost suspension early on. My Specialized had one, and I didn’t realize how much it did until it was missing. I still need to get the suspension tweaked in, but it that is pretty low priority. I mostly ride on pavement anyway. I bought this bike without ever having ridden an ebike of any kind. I was sold on the torque sensing mid drive pretty early on in my research. My early comment would be...yes...the torque sensing drive feels very natural. There is not any sort of learning curve associated with riding this bike. I have not taken it out for any long rides yet, it has been too hot here in Texas for that. I look forward to a 25 mile plus ride when things cool off. I would recommend this bike to anyone looking for a ebike.

Shawn McStay

I have owned this bike for about a month now, and it fits my riding style and skill level perfectly. Assembly was pretty straightforward. I had no difficulty with that. I think I need to dial the suspension in a little better, that will simply be a matter of trial and error. Build quality seems very good. I have just over 140 miles on it so far. Very happy with my choice. Would recommend to anyone.

Shawn McStay

I have owned this bike for about a month now, and it fits my riding style and skill level perfectly. Assembly was pretty straightforward. I had no difficulty with that. I think I need to dial the suspension in a little better, that will simply be a matter of trial and error. Build quality seems very good. I have just over 140 miles on it so far. Very happy with my choice. Would recommend to anyone.

Nealson F.

Thank-you ride 1up 5000 dollar bike for half the price. Thanks

D

Great bike - powerful and fun to ride. Disappointing Shipping. Long time roadie here and this is essentially my first mountain bike (XC model), though it's the second Ride1Up bike we've ordered as it complements my partner's Cafe Cruiser which we've likewise enjoyed well enough to lead me to buy the Prodigy. Pros: - Power and feel. The mid-drive is a different beast to a hub drive bike and is a beast with power in its own right. It really feels like an extension of your own pedaling I'd best compare to the days you have great legs (but it turns out you just had a stiff tailwind pushing you). You feel the effect once you shift gears and the motor briefly cuts out. - Handling: Handles pretty well with a low center of gravity, even if the XC handlebars feel comically wide coming from the road bikes. I'm not leaning into corners though the bike handles so much like my gravel bike I've decided to sell off the gravel bike. - Value: I'm not sure it's possible to beat this bike on equipment and capabilities at this price point. - Look: The paint looks great, and I like the geometry of the frame and the double bottle mount bosses. Of course the paint is also a con as seen below. Cons: - Packaging and shipping: I pre-ordered well before the bike was in stock and thrilled when it arrived. Imagine my disappointment when I saw the bad packaging lead to clear damage on the paint straight of the box (see pic). I reached out to support with pics without any offer to make it right. My first and only negative experience with Ride1Up support as I've otherwise gotten quick help with the Cafe Cruiser. etc: - I wish I had the option of the more road-friendly tires on the XC and probably will switch them out at some point, ironically to the tires they put on the XR. But I understand that this makes logistics and stock levels much more challenging. - In case you're looking for how to secure a trailer to the rear hub, the rear wheel is secured by M10x1 bolt (thanks to Ride1Up support here). With an inexpensive add-on from the Robert Axel project I'm able to tow the kid trailer (and kids) with power to spare. tl;dr - Bike's a real blast to ride and based on all of my research a great value for a mid-drive bike. I'd take half a star for shipping mishaps but there's no way I'm shipping this thing back so I'll take it in stride.

D

Great bike - powerful and fun to ride. Disappointing Shipping. Long time roadie here and this is essentially my first mountain bike (XC model), though it's the second Ride1Up bike we've ordered as it complements my partner's Cafe Cruiser which we've likewise enjoyed well enough to lead me to buy the Prodigy. Pros: - Power and feel. The mid-drive is a different beast to a hub drive bike and is a beast with power in its own right. It really feels like an extension of your own pedaling I'd best compare to the days you have great legs (but it turns out you just had a stiff tailwind pushing you). You feel the effect once you shift gears and the motor briefly cuts out. - Handling: Handles pretty well with a low center of gravity, even if the XC handlebars feel comically wide coming from the road bikes. I'm not leaning into corners though the bike handles so much like my gravel bike I've decided to sell off the gravel bike. - Value: I'm not sure it's possible to beat this bike on equipment and capabilities at this price point. - Look: The paint looks great, and I like the geometry of the frame and the double bottle mount bosses. Of course the paint is also a con as seen below. Cons: - Packaging and shipping: I pre-ordered well before the bike was in stock and thrilled when it arrived. Imagine my disappointment when I saw the bad packaging lead to clear damage on the paint straight of the box (see pic). I reached out to support with pics without any offer to make it right. My first and only negative experience with Ride1Up support as I've otherwise gotten quick help with the Cafe Cruiser. etc: - I wish I had the option of the more road-friendly tires on the XC and probably will switch them out at some point, ironically to the tires they put on the XR. But I understand that this makes logistics and stock levels much more challenging. - In case you're looking for how to secure a trailer to the rear hub, the rear wheel is secured by M10x1 bolt (thanks to Ride1Up support here). With an inexpensive add-on from the Robert Axel project I'm able to tow the kid trailer (and kids) with power to spare. tl;dr - Bike's a real blast to ride and based on all of my research a great value for a mid-drive bike. I'd take half a star for shipping mishaps but there's no way I'm shipping this thing back so I'll take it in stride.

D

Great bike - powerful and fun to ride. Disappointing Shipping. Long time roadie here and this is essentially my first mountain bike (XC model), though it's the second Ride1Up bike we've ordered as it complements my partner's Cafe Cruiser which we've likewise enjoyed well enough to lead me to buy the Prodigy. Pros: - Power and feel. The mid-drive is a different beast to a hub drive bike and is a beast with power in its own right. It really feels like an extension of your own pedaling I'd best compare to the days you have great legs (but it turns out you just had a stiff tailwind pushing you). You feel the effect once you shift gears and the motor briefly cuts out. - Handling: Handles pretty well with a low center of gravity, even if the XC handlebars feel comically wide coming from the road bikes. I'm not leaning into corners though the bike handles so much like my gravel bike I've decided to sell off the gravel bike. - Value: I'm not sure it's possible to beat this bike on equipment and capabilities at this price point. - Look: The paint looks great, and I like the geometry of the frame and the double bottle mount bosses. Of course the paint is also a con as seen below. Cons: - Packaging and shipping: I pre-ordered well before the bike was in stock and thrilled when it arrived. Imagine my disappointment when I saw the bad packaging lead to clear damage on the paint straight of the box (see pic). I reached out to support with pics without any offer to make it right. My first and only negative experience with Ride1Up support as I've otherwise gotten quick help with the Cafe Cruiser. etc: - I wish I had the option of the more road-friendly tires on the XC and probably will switch them out at some point, ironically to the tires they put on the XR. But I understand that this makes logistics and stock levels much more challenging. - In case you're looking for how to secure a trailer to the rear hub, the rear wheel is secured by M10x1 bolt (thanks to Ride1Up support here). With an inexpensive add-on from the Robert Axel project I'm able to tow the kid trailer (and kids) with power to spare. tl;dr - Bike's a real blast to ride and based on all of my research a great value for a mid-drive bike. I'd take half a star for shipping mishaps but there's no way I'm shipping this thing back so I'll take it in stride.

Robert C.

The Prodigy XC is a great bike for on and off-road. Only issue is the hole in the down tube directly above front tire where the head lamp wire comes out. There is no port cover to hold wire in place and prevent water/mud from entering. This is easily fixed by rerouting through side port with cover; see pics. I do not understand why Ride1Up customer support refuses to see this as an issue. Pre 2023 model did not have this problem. Here are some pics of rides this year that the prodigy XC has made possible. Looking forward to riding Going to the Sun road in Glacier NP when it opens to bikes next month...

Robert C.

The Prodigy XC is a great bike for on and off-road. Only issue is the hole in the down tube directly above front tire where the head lamp wire comes out. There is no port cover to hold wire in place and prevent water/mud from entering. This is easily fixed by rerouting through side port with cover; see pics. I do not understand why Ride1Up customer support refuses to see this as an issue. Pre 2023 model did not have this problem. Here are some pics of rides this year that the prodigy XC has made possible. Looking forward to riding Going to the Sun road in Glacier NP when it opens to bikes next month...

Robert C.

The Prodigy XC is a great bike for on and off-road. Only issue is the hole in the down tube directly above front tire where the head lamp wire comes out. There is no port cover to hold wire in place and prevent water/mud from entering. This is easily fixed by rerouting through side port with cover; see pics. I do not understand why Ride1Up customer support refuses to see this as an issue. Pre 2023 model did not have this problem. Here are some pics of rides this year that the prodigy XC has made possible. Looking forward to riding Going to the Sun road in Glacier NP when it opens to bikes next month...

Robert C.

The Prodigy XC is a great bike for on and off-road. Only issue is the hole in the down tube directly above front tire where the head lamp wire comes out. There is no port cover to hold wire in place and prevent water/mud from entering. This is easily fixed by rerouting through side port with cover; see pics. I do not understand why Ride1Up customer support refuses to see this as an issue. Pre 2023 model did not have this problem. Here are some pics of rides this year that the prodigy XC has made possible. Looking forward to riding Going to the Sun road in Glacier NP when it opens to bikes next month...

Steve

Ride1Up Prodigy ST review. Bottom-line-up-front: after riding 200 miles on my Prodigy ST, I am very happy with the bike and believe it is a perfect fit for my typical use cases - running errands and short rides with my grandchildren without breaking a sweat. I think the bike is good value for the money and I recommend it to my friends who ask about my satisfaction with my purchase. Background: I am a life-long bicycle rider who is 68 years old (retired), 6 ft (1.83 m), and 170 pounds (77 kg). I checked online reviews, particularly on Electric Bike Review (Ride1Up Prodigy XR Review), and did test rides on several brands of eBikes before deciding to order a Prodigy Step-Through frame. I wanted an eBike that would give me the “feel” of riding a regular bike, with assistance from the motor to allow me to make short trips comfortably. I also wanted fenders and a cargo rack. I mainly use the Prodigy ST for running errands around town (1-5 miles), or short rides (10-15 miles) with my grandson on bike paths. [I have a Specialized carbon-fiber road bike for longer rides.] Note that the Atlanta area where I live is fairly hilly - a recent 6.7 mile (10.8 km) ride to run several errands involved 407 feet (124 m) of vertical gain. Receipt and assembly: I received the Prodigy via FedEx seven days after placing my order. There was some visible damage to the box, so I recorded the unboxing to document any damage to the bike within. There was visible damage to the plastic spacer protecting the front fork dropouts, suggesting impact to the fork. I was able to assemble the bike without issues by following the YouTube video linked from the Ride1Up website. On my first test ride I realized that the steering was extremely stiff because the fork was “grinding” on the bottom of the front tube of the frame. At this point I suspected that the fork was damaged during shipping, so I contacted Ride1Up support via email. After multiple back-and-forth emails with support, including sending photos documenting the damage, and a mis-directed replacement fork, due to incorrect address, I finally received a replacement fork 15 days later. The replacement fork was slightly different from the original, due to a design change, and so required a minor modification to the front fender attachment bracket. For my trouble, Ride1Up provided a partial credit and paid for a tune-up by my local REI bike shop. One issue that I didn’t discover during the assembly was that the rim strip on the front wheel was not fully centered, resulting in a tube puncture into one of the spoke holes. I recommend that anyone buying an eBike online check that the rim strips are fully centered during assembly. Accessories/upgrades: I added a bell, phone holder, milk crate (for cargo), and rear blinky light. I upgraded with a suspension seatpost and puncture-resistant tubes. Total cost = $174. I attached a water bottle cage and a U-lock with cable that I had from a previous bike. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1W4QJT8AMimpzCj5uGThjBWuBiytIN_Wy/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=102619265909827699881&rtpof=true&sd=true I also bought a 1UP-USA super-duty bike rack ($680) for carrying the extra weight of the Prodigy on my car. Brose eBike app (android). The prodigy uses a German-made Brose TF-Sprinter mid-drive motor. Brose has an eBike app that is not currently available from the official Google Play or Apple App stores in the US, but I was able to find a link to download and install the android apk file from: https://apksos.com/app/com.brose.ebike.app.system The current version is 1.23.4 (17 March 2023). The app provides: status information about the drive, battery, and display; modifications of the drive and display settings (including adjusting the assist levels); real-time display of power, distance, altitude, etc; and recording of trip data, including connecting to Strava or Komoot accounts. Note that while the on-bike display records distance in miles, the data provided in the app are all metric and there is no way to switch to English units. I particularly like that after each ride is finished, the app provides information on how much average power I provided and how much power the motor provided (It’s typically ⅓ my power and ⅔ motor power). I have used the app for several months, including several manual upgrades, without problems, but I caution that Google recommends only using apps available from the Play Store. To my knowledge, the iOS version is not available in the US. Negatives: This is a heavy, aluminum frame bike without any suspension (there is an off-road version of the Prodigy that comes with a suspension fork, but no fenders) - the ride is stiff and bumpy. One of my earliest upgrades was to install a suspension seatpost. I still feel the bumps in my hands and arms through the handle bars and any cargo tends to rattle a bit in my milk crate. Running the tires as lower pressure may help cushion the ride. A minor complaint is that the taillight does not function as a brake light, as is the case on many other brands of eBikes. Positives: I should caveat my comments by acknowledging that the Prodigy is the only eBike I have ridden for more than just a short test ride. That said, I find the bike a joy to ride and use it for errands around town whenever I can. At the time of my purchase there was a GoGreen22 promotion for $40 off if you pledged to ride the bike at least once a month to replace a trip in your car. I have easily met that pledge. The 200 miles I have logged to date have been spread over more than 40 rides, the longest of which was 15 miles on a rails-to-trails path. During the research for my purchase, I decided that I wanted a mid-drive bike for the better weight distribution and more natural bike riding experience. The Brose motor is rated at 90 nm of torque and is powerful and quiet. Having not owned an eBike with a throttle, I might not know what I’m missing, but by shifting to a lower gear and setting the motor on higher assist, I’ve always had enough power to start off from a dead stop in traffic, even when heading uphill. One potential issue with mid-drive eBikes is the additional strain on the drivetrain, especially when shifting. The Brose motor includes an automatic shift cut-out to prevent damage to the chain while shifting under stress. As for range, the Brose app tells me that I have charged the battery 7 times for my 200 miles ridden. Since I typically charge from 20% to 90%, that works out to 29 miles per partial charge, or 40 miles for a full charge. Over several charging cycles, I get an average of 13.5% increase in battery capacity per hour of charging, or just over 5 hours to charge from 20% to 90%. Conclusion: The components on the Prodigy, especially the mid-drive Bose motor, are a good value for the money. The mid-drive combined with the integrated torque sensor provides a “natural” riding experience. The bike is a joy to ride and a perfect fit for my needs.

Steve

Ride1Up Prodigy ST review. Bottom-line-up-front: after riding 200 miles on my Prodigy ST, I am very happy with the bike and believe it is a perfect fit for my typical use cases - running errands and short rides with my grandchildren without breaking a sweat. I think the bike is good value for the money and I recommend it to my friends who ask about my satisfaction with my purchase. Background: I am a life-long bicycle rider who is 68 years old (retired), 6 ft (1.83 m), and 170 pounds (77 kg). I checked online reviews, particularly on Electric Bike Review (Ride1Up Prodigy XR Review), and did test rides on several brands of eBikes before deciding to order a Prodigy Step-Through frame. I wanted an eBike that would give me the “feel” of riding a regular bike, with assistance from the motor to allow me to make short trips comfortably. I also wanted fenders and a cargo rack. I mainly use the Prodigy ST for running errands around town (1-5 miles), or short rides (10-15 miles) with my grandson on bike paths. [I have a Specialized carbon-fiber road bike for longer rides.] Note that the Atlanta area where I live is fairly hilly - a recent 6.7 mile (10.8 km) ride to run several errands involved 407 feet (124 m) of vertical gain. Receipt and assembly: I received the Prodigy via FedEx seven days after placing my order. There was some visible damage to the box, so I recorded the unboxing to document any damage to the bike within. There was visible damage to the plastic spacer protecting the front fork dropouts, suggesting impact to the fork. I was able to assemble the bike without issues by following the YouTube video linked from the Ride1Up website. On my first test ride I realized that the steering was extremely stiff because the fork was “grinding” on the bottom of the front tube of the frame. At this point I suspected that the fork was damaged during shipping, so I contacted Ride1Up support via email. After multiple back-and-forth emails with support, including sending photos documenting the damage, and a mis-directed replacement fork, due to incorrect address, I finally received a replacement fork 15 days later. The replacement fork was slightly different from the original, due to a design change, and so required a minor modification to the front fender attachment bracket. For my trouble, Ride1Up provided a partial credit and paid for a tune-up by my local REI bike shop. One issue that I didn’t discover during the assembly was that the rim strip on the front wheel was not fully centered, resulting in a tube puncture into one of the spoke holes. I recommend that anyone buying an eBike online check that the rim strips are fully centered during assembly. Accessories/upgrades: I added a bell, phone holder, milk crate (for cargo), and rear blinky light. I upgraded with a suspension seatpost and puncture-resistant tubes. Total cost = $174. I attached a water bottle cage and a U-lock with cable that I had from a previous bike. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1W4QJT8AMimpzCj5uGThjBWuBiytIN_Wy/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=102619265909827699881&rtpof=true&sd=true I also bought a 1UP-USA super-duty bike rack ($680) for carrying the extra weight of the Prodigy on my car. Brose eBike app (android). The prodigy uses a German-made Brose TF-Sprinter mid-drive motor. Brose has an eBike app that is not currently available from the official Google Play or Apple App stores in the US, but I was able to find a link to download and install the android apk file from: https://apksos.com/app/com.brose.ebike.app.system The current version is 1.23.4 (17 March 2023). The app provides: status information about the drive, battery, and display; modifications of the drive and display settings (including adjusting the assist levels); real-time display of power, distance, altitude, etc; and recording of trip data, including connecting to Strava or Komoot accounts. Note that while the on-bike display records distance in miles, the data provided in the app are all metric and there is no way to switch to English units. I particularly like that after each ride is finished, the app provides information on how much average power I provided and how much power the motor provided (It’s typically ⅓ my power and ⅔ motor power). I have used the app for several months, including several manual upgrades, without problems, but I caution that Google recommends only using apps available from the Play Store. To my knowledge, the iOS version is not available in the US. Negatives: This is a heavy, aluminum frame bike without any suspension (there is an off-road version of the Prodigy that comes with a suspension fork, but no fenders) - the ride is stiff and bumpy. One of my earliest upgrades was to install a suspension seatpost. I still feel the bumps in my hands and arms through the handle bars and any cargo tends to rattle a bit in my milk crate. Running the tires as lower pressure may help cushion the ride. A minor complaint is that the taillight does not function as a brake light, as is the case on many other brands of eBikes. Positives: I should caveat my comments by acknowledging that the Prodigy is the only eBike I have ridden for more than just a short test ride. That said, I find the bike a joy to ride and use it for errands around town whenever I can. At the time of my purchase there was a GoGreen22 promotion for $40 off if you pledged to ride the bike at least once a month to replace a trip in your car. I have easily met that pledge. The 200 miles I have logged to date have been spread over more than 40 rides, the longest of which was 15 miles on a rails-to-trails path. During the research for my purchase, I decided that I wanted a mid-drive bike for the better weight distribution and more natural bike riding experience. The Brose motor is rated at 90 nm of torque and is powerful and quiet. Having not owned an eBike with a throttle, I might not know what I’m missing, but by shifting to a lower gear and setting the motor on higher assist, I’ve always had enough power to start off from a dead stop in traffic, even when heading uphill. One potential issue with mid-drive eBikes is the additional strain on the drivetrain, especially when shifting. The Brose motor includes an automatic shift cut-out to prevent damage to the chain while shifting under stress. As for range, the Brose app tells me that I have charged the battery 7 times for my 200 miles ridden. Since I typically charge from 20% to 90%, that works out to 29 miles per partial charge, or 40 miles for a full charge. Over several charging cycles, I get an average of 13.5% increase in battery capacity per hour of charging, or just over 5 hours to charge from 20% to 90%. Conclusion: The components on the Prodigy, especially the mid-drive Bose motor, are a good value for the money. The mid-drive combined with the integrated torque sensor provides a “natural” riding experience. The bike is a joy to ride and a perfect fit for my needs.

Steve

Ride1Up Prodigy ST review. Bottom-line-up-front: after riding 200 miles on my Prodigy ST, I am very happy with the bike and believe it is a perfect fit for my typical use cases - running errands and short rides with my grandchildren without breaking a sweat. I think the bike is good value for the money and I recommend it to my friends who ask about my satisfaction with my purchase. Background: I am a life-long bicycle rider who is 68 years old (retired), 6 ft (1.83 m), and 170 pounds (77 kg). I checked online reviews, particularly on Electric Bike Review (Ride1Up Prodigy XR Review), and did test rides on several brands of eBikes before deciding to order a Prodigy Step-Through frame. I wanted an eBike that would give me the “feel” of riding a regular bike, with assistance from the motor to allow me to make short trips comfortably. I also wanted fenders and a cargo rack. I mainly use the Prodigy ST for running errands around town (1-5 miles), or short rides (10-15 miles) with my grandson on bike paths. [I have a Specialized carbon-fiber road bike for longer rides.] Note that the Atlanta area where I live is fairly hilly - a recent 6.7 mile (10.8 km) ride to run several errands involved 407 feet (124 m) of vertical gain. Receipt and assembly: I received the Prodigy via FedEx seven days after placing my order. There was some visible damage to the box, so I recorded the unboxing to document any damage to the bike within. There was visible damage to the plastic spacer protecting the front fork dropouts, suggesting impact to the fork. I was able to assemble the bike without issues by following the YouTube video linked from the Ride1Up website. On my first test ride I realized that the steering was extremely stiff because the fork was “grinding” on the bottom of the front tube of the frame. At this point I suspected that the fork was damaged during shipping, so I contacted Ride1Up support via email. After multiple back-and-forth emails with support, including sending photos documenting the damage, and a mis-directed replacement fork, due to incorrect address, I finally received a replacement fork 15 days later. The replacement fork was slightly different from the original, due to a design change, and so required a minor modification to the front fender attachment bracket. For my trouble, Ride1Up provided a partial credit and paid for a tune-up by my local REI bike shop. One issue that I didn’t discover during the assembly was that the rim strip on the front wheel was not fully centered, resulting in a tube puncture into one of the spoke holes. I recommend that anyone buying an eBike online check that the rim strips are fully centered during assembly. Accessories/upgrades: I added a bell, phone holder, milk crate (for cargo), and rear blinky light. I upgraded with a suspension seatpost and puncture-resistant tubes. Total cost = $174. I attached a water bottle cage and a U-lock with cable that I had from a previous bike. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1W4QJT8AMimpzCj5uGThjBWuBiytIN_Wy/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=102619265909827699881&rtpof=true&sd=true I also bought a 1UP-USA super-duty bike rack ($680) for carrying the extra weight of the Prodigy on my car. Brose eBike app (android). The prodigy uses a German-made Brose TF-Sprinter mid-drive motor. Brose has an eBike app that is not currently available from the official Google Play or Apple App stores in the US, but I was able to find a link to download and install the android apk file from: https://apksos.com/app/com.brose.ebike.app.system The current version is 1.23.4 (17 March 2023). The app provides: status information about the drive, battery, and display; modifications of the drive and display settings (including adjusting the assist levels); real-time display of power, distance, altitude, etc; and recording of trip data, including connecting to Strava or Komoot accounts. Note that while the on-bike display records distance in miles, the data provided in the app are all metric and there is no way to switch to English units. I particularly like that after each ride is finished, the app provides information on how much average power I provided and how much power the motor provided (It’s typically ⅓ my power and ⅔ motor power). I have used the app for several months, including several manual upgrades, without problems, but I caution that Google recommends only using apps available from the Play Store. To my knowledge, the iOS version is not available in the US. Negatives: This is a heavy, aluminum frame bike without any suspension (there is an off-road version of the Prodigy that comes with a suspension fork, but no fenders) - the ride is stiff and bumpy. One of my earliest upgrades was to install a suspension seatpost. I still feel the bumps in my hands and arms through the handle bars and any cargo tends to rattle a bit in my milk crate. Running the tires as lower pressure may help cushion the ride. A minor complaint is that the taillight does not function as a brake light, as is the case on many other brands of eBikes. Positives: I should caveat my comments by acknowledging that the Prodigy is the only eBike I have ridden for more than just a short test ride. That said, I find the bike a joy to ride and use it for errands around town whenever I can. At the time of my purchase there was a GoGreen22 promotion for $40 off if you pledged to ride the bike at least once a month to replace a trip in your car. I have easily met that pledge. The 200 miles I have logged to date have been spread over more than 40 rides, the longest of which was 15 miles on a rails-to-trails path. During the research for my purchase, I decided that I wanted a mid-drive bike for the better weight distribution and more natural bike riding experience. The Brose motor is rated at 90 nm of torque and is powerful and quiet. Having not owned an eBike with a throttle, I might not know what I’m missing, but by shifting to a lower gear and setting the motor on higher assist, I’ve always had enough power to start off from a dead stop in traffic, even when heading uphill. One potential issue with mid-drive eBikes is the additional strain on the drivetrain, especially when shifting. The Brose motor includes an automatic shift cut-out to prevent damage to the chain while shifting under stress. As for range, the Brose app tells me that I have charged the battery 7 times for my 200 miles ridden. Since I typically charge from 20% to 90%, that works out to 29 miles per partial charge, or 40 miles for a full charge. Over several charging cycles, I get an average of 13.5% increase in battery capacity per hour of charging, or just over 5 hours to charge from 20% to 90%. Conclusion: The components on the Prodigy, especially the mid-drive Bose motor, are a good value for the money. The mid-drive combined with the integrated torque sensor provides a “natural” riding experience. The bike is a joy to ride and a perfect fit for my needs.

Jared P.

Got the XC a few days ago and had a few small issues right out of the gate. The bikes front shifter housing was snapped and broken and the bike was unable to shift properly. Also, one if the screws on the bike stem is stripped. But the good news is customer service was prompt and quick to help me solve my issues. A new shifter is on its way. The brose motor is smooth and quick! Looking forward to some trails and gravel adventures once the parts are fixed! Maybe just need to be sure QC is on top of the bikes before being sent out.

Jared P.

Got the XC a few days ago and had a few small issues right out of the gate. The bikes front shifter housing was snapped and broken and the bike was unable to shift properly. Also, one if the screws on the bike stem is stripped. But the good news is customer service was prompt and quick to help me solve my issues. A new shifter is on its way. The brose motor is smooth and quick! Looking forward to some trails and gravel adventures once the parts are fixed! Maybe just need to be sure QC is on top of the bikes before being sent out.

Dan Lubben

I bought my Prodigy XC late last year and have been waiting for spring since. Now that things are warming up, I have been enjoying riding it around Denver and highly recommend it. I made some minor changes like the seat which was a bad fit for me. I can't wait for our Colorado spring to warm the mountains so I can enjoy this bike on those roads and paths. It is a quality ride and takes the stress off of hill climbing. I make a point in using as little power as needed to get the job done and on the flats don't need the motor.

Edward Gross

Love the bike and the mid-drive motor is like gliding. Makes me smile everytime I ride it.

Chip

Just took delivery of the Prodigy and the mid-drive motor is excellent. Coming from a hub driven e-bike its so much smoother and feels like gliding. The bike is more maneuverable and the torque is ample for hills in my area. I did upgrade the tires to smoother rolling hybrid ones and added end-bars for convenience. Looking forward to more rides!

Mike G.

I bought the XC and love the smoothness and torque of the drive unit. The area I live in ranges in elevation from nearly sea level to 500' and I appreciate the 90 Nm of torque from the Brose TF-sprinter drive unit to flatten the hills. It doesn't hurt that it is a class 3 e-bike meaning it will provide assist up to 28 mph/45 kph. Or if you are willing to ride in the lowest power level, it will go 80 miles on a charge. I've customized my XC by adding fenders and a bike powered taillight. I partially disassembled the battery connection in the bottom tube to run the taillight power internally through the frame. I'm contemplating converting the rear hub and derailleur to a Kindernay VII internal hub in the future which would provide both additional low-end and high-end gear range while improving maintainability with reduced chain wear. Fender parts: SKS Bluemels STYLE Bicycle Fender Set - 27.5-29" Wheels SKS Fork Adapter for Suntour/Rockshox Straight Busch and Muller Secula Plus (eBike version - DC 6v)

Mike G.

I bought the XC and love the smoothness and torque of the drive unit. The area I live in ranges in elevation from nearly sea level to 500' and I appreciate the 90 Nm of torque from the Brose TF-sprinter drive unit to flatten the hills. It doesn't hurt that it is a class 3 e-bike meaning it will provide assist up to 28 mph/45 kph. Or if you are willing to ride in the lowest power level, it will go 80 miles on a charge. I've customized my XC by adding fenders and a bike powered taillight. I partially disassembled the battery connection in the bottom tube to run the taillight power internally through the frame. I'm contemplating converting the rear hub and derailleur to a Kindernay VII internal hub in the future which would provide both additional low-end and high-end gear range while improving maintainability with reduced chain wear. Fender parts: SKS Bluemels STYLE Bicycle Fender Set - 27.5-29" Wheels SKS Fork Adapter for Suntour/Rockshox Straight Busch and Muller Secula Plus (eBike version - DC 6v)

Mike G.

I bought the XC and love the smoothness and torque of the drive unit. The area I live in ranges in elevation from nearly sea level to 500' and I appreciate the 90 Nm of torque from the Brose TF-sprinter drive unit to flatten the hills. It doesn't hurt that it is a class 3 e-bike meaning it will provide assist up to 28 mph/45 kph. Or if you are willing to ride in the lowest power level, it will go 80 miles on a charge. I've customized my XC by adding fenders and a bike powered taillight. I partially disassembled the battery connection in the bottom tube to run the taillight power internally through the frame. I'm contemplating converting the rear hub and derailleur to a Kindernay VII internal hub in the future which would provide both additional low-end and high-end gear range while improving maintainability with reduced chain wear. Fender parts: SKS Bluemels STYLE Bicycle Fender Set - 27.5-29" Wheels SKS Fork Adapter for Suntour/Rockshox Straight Busch and Muller Secula Plus (eBike version - DC 6v)

Michael

I've had my XC only for a couple of days, but I'm definitely in love :). I've owned a 500 XR for a while and like it enough, especially on paved, relativelt flat roads, but I have a fabulous very steep and partly rocky fire road near my house, and the 500 could not do it (or I could not on it). The Prodigy climbs up there perfectly in first and secong gear. What fun!

Michael

I've had my XC only for a couple of days, but I'm definitely in love :). I've owned a 500 XR for a while and like it enough, especially on paved, relativelt flat roads, but I have a fabulous very steep and partly rocky fire road near my house, and the 500 could not do it (or I could not on it). The Prodigy climbs up there perfectly in first and secong gear. What fun!

Nemanja P.

I've been researching for months looking for the best fit for me and at the end decided to get Prodigy XC. This is my first e bike and I have to say that I'm thrilled with it. It was delivered within a week since I bought it. Unpacking and assembly was simple enough. I live in NYC and so far I only used it for commute. I normally ride on tour (2/4) but I also use sport (3/4) level of support on bigger incline and with that being said battery range is arround 45 miles per charging. Can't wait to try it off road. The only thing I would change is the seat. Being a mountain bike, I wasn't expecting it to be the most comfortable one to begin with. All in all, I'm really happy I chose this bike and I'm looking forward to new adventures.

Nemanja P.

I've been researching for months looking for the best fit for me and at the end decided to get Prodigy XC. This is my first e bike and I have to say that I'm thrilled with it. It was delivered within a week since I bought it. Unpacking and assembly was simple enough. I live in NYC and so far I only used it for commute. I normally ride on tour (2/4) but I also use sport (3/4) level of support on bigger incline and with that being said battery range is arround 45 miles per charging. Can't wait to try it off road. The only thing I would change is the seat. Being a mountain bike, I wasn't expecting it to be the most comfortable one to begin with. All in all, I'm really happy I chose this bike and I'm looking forward to new adventures.

Mike

About 750 miles on the odometer as of writing this review, and can honestly say it is a solid bike (and it rides great with or without power assist). There is only 1 negative thing I can mention. The battery that came with the bike has a small amount of play and can slide down a slight amount. When this happens, it disconnects and the bike shuts off. Note that it does not rattle. I did not dock the bike a star for this, because I have a second battery and that battery has no issues with fit and I think a small set of felt washers will fix the issue with the first battery. The second item of note is that there are 2 sets of water bottle cage bosses. A full size water bottle can't fit inside a cage mounted onto the bosses on the seat post. But, a short bottle can, or those can be used for a pump or lock. Just worth a mention. With that said, I've ridden this bike on asphalt, on crushed gravel and packed dirt paths, and even in the rain (all while loaded with gear on the rack). It hasn't let me down yet, and the paint color looks much better in person than in photos. I tend to ride in lower power assist modes, and in ECO am getting ~80+ miles of range on mostly flat terrain. It seems like it would get 20-25 miles on the highest power assist (I haven't actually done a 100-0% battery test at that level). I was specifically looking for a bike that would feel and ride like a regular bike but give some help if my knee started bothering me. This bike feels very natural to ride with or without power assist.

Jeff M.

Very impressive bike. Quality parts and is getting me back into cycling once again.

Tristan H.

Amazing bike, and unbeatable price! This German motor is amazing, you can’t find a better ride for that kind of money.

Tristan H.

Amazing bike, and unbeatable price! This German motor is amazing, you can’t find a better ride for that kind of money.

James H.

Loving my Prodigy XC - Great performance, range, value and natural feel!

Bob Schwartz

The hits keep coming... Ride1UP's Prodigy like all other Ride1UP eBikes is an exceptional value, fun to ride, with super smooth acceleration from a well balanced mid-drive motor, including solid components in a hot ? package and frame worthy of any comuter's daily journey... or just to feel the j♡y of Biking on a Ride-1UP on the competition.

Greg Stein

The Prodigy is simply a blast, so fun, and fast! I am a lifelong rider, but this is my first E bike, and I just love it. I will not rehash all the excellent points already made, I will just say what a bad ass beautiful bicycle, very happy owner here.

Michael W.

Awesome bike. I was worried at first about spending that much money on a bike without being able to physically ride it. I waited several weeks before purchasing the bike , my only regret is that I did not get it sooner.

S Thomas

I had an E bike which was a conversion kit for a regular bike. It worked well but was very noisy and the motor was the front wheel hub. All that weight on the front wheel made it a little squirrely The Prodigy is a very stable platform with the motor mounted in the frame. It is also very quiet, almost soundless. It does not jump on the first pedal motion as my other did, the application of power is very smooth and steady. I particularly like the ability to adjust the amount of assistance for each level. All in all, it is a very pleasant ride and fills the need for me to have a little assistance after six plus decades of riding bicycles. The only evaluation I can't provide yet is it's durability. Time will tell but it seems very well thought out and built.

Kai

The bike overall is great. One thing that took me a while to realize is that the motor assist is much stronger when you are in a lower gear. So make sure to shift down before you stop at a light or when going up a hill. I had three major issues with this bike so far, which would make me hesitate from recommending it even though its a great value. First, the rack is nice but does not have hooks or latches at the bottom to secure your bags easily. There is no easy way to swap the rack for another as it has a built in light and is custom fit for the bike... Second, the gap between the crank set and the motor is small but when your chain comes loose while the motor is running it might still get stuck in there. In addition the shifter is pretty bad, so eventually your chain will probably get stuck in there. It took me a lot of force to pull the jammed chain out again. See the first attached picture. Third, the derailleur and shift sensor are full exposed. I wish there was some kind of p

Kai

The bike overall is great. One thing that took me a while to realize is that the motor assist is much stronger when you are in a lower gear. So make sure to shift down before you stop at a light or when going up a hill. I had three major issues with this bike so far, which would make me hesitate from recommending it even though its a great value. First, the rack is nice but does not have hooks or latches at the bottom to secure your bags easily. There is no easy way to swap the rack for another as it has a built in light and is custom fit for the bike... Second, the gap between the crank set and the motor is small but when your chain comes loose while the motor is running it might still get stuck in there. In addition the shifter is pretty bad, so eventually your chain will probably get stuck in there. It took me a lot of force to pull the jammed chain out again. See the first attached picture. Third, the derailleur and shift sensor are full exposed. I wish there was some kind of p

Matthew

I’m very satisfied with my purchase. This bike has been a big game changer for me. My goal was to have a fun way to get into better shape which this bike has lived up to and more. In addition to going on joyrides I run most of my errands with this bike as long as I can fit everything into the pannier bags (also bought from ride1up.) Just today I went to the laundromat, grabbed lunch, dropped by the hardware store, then REI and then rode around for another 15 miles just for fun. I think the value is very good for what you get with this bike. Pros: The Brose drive system is excellent. I typically leave it in eco our tour unless I need to navigate heavy traffic or climb hills, chase down cars, or if I’m just pooped. It feels very natural like my legs are just alot stronger than they actually are. I like how it looks and feels like a regular bike. It’s also not too heavy. Brakes and gears seem to be good quality. Shifts smoothly (after I got things adjusted properly) Cons: The stock

Link Lavey

Very happy so far. Enough power to make riding enjoyable and enough endurance to keep me out for 50 mile rides.

Robert

Love it. Very well built. Brose motor has more than enough power for on and off road riding. Bike just cruises at an easy 20 MPH but I have had it up to the 28 MPH limit a few times and you're really moving at that pace. It is very stable at any speed. They give you a lot on the Prodigy. Thank you thank you thank you for putting regular air valves on the wheels and not those pesky Presta Valves. The air forks are pretty good at smoothing the bumps and chatter.

Robert

Love it. Very well built. Brose motor has more than enough power for on and off road riding. Bike just cruises at an easy 20 MPH but I have had it up to the 28 MPH limit a few times and you're really moving at that pace. It is very stable at any speed. They give you a lot on the Prodigy. Thank you thank you thank you for putting regular air valves on the wheels and not those pesky Presta Valves. The air forks are pretty good at smoothing the bumps and chatter.

Bruce H.

This mid-drive Prodigy is perfect for our western North Carolina hills. Great design and plenty of power to tackle the steepest hills and stylish to boot. I felt so sorry leaving my wife at home, I bought the Core-5 ST for her. We're big time, Ride1Up fans!

peter

I bought this for my wife but I love it too!

Bob Conder

Overall, Prodigy is 5-star - lots of fun. Some issues: 1) Quality control on pre-assembly - fork and derailleur were way off, not a big issue, but something to watch for. 2) Brose controller - light switch is inoperable (light always on), Bluetooth app is inoperable (no sync), both should be supported. Ride1Up support blames Brose for both issues. Minor, but disappointing. 3) Prone to flat tires - I have had four already with only a little over 100 miles. I do primarily travel on rocky logging roads, but this is a little irritating. Solution TBD. 3a) Rear wheel requires 15mm socket/wrench which is larger than what is typically included with bike tools. Just a FYI. I pack a small crescent wrench in my repair kit. 3b) Rear disc brake adjustment bolts have star instead of hex insert and is prone to stripping. I had to drill out bolt and replace. Overall, I have really enjoyed this bike. Range may be a little limited. Longest ride so far has been 20 mi with 4500 ft gain which went throu

J. Nelson

Ride1Up Prodigy XC Review TLDR SUMMARY +Great, Solid Choice for a class 3, 5 stage pedal assist mid drive E MTN Bike. +Solid Build, quality enginering. +Excellent Power and Range. +If the Prodigy XC fits your needs, I don't think you'll find another option where you'll get more for your money. -Range as displayed by the Brose controller/computer is wildly incorrect (pessimistic). -A fair bit (5 lbs, or 10%) Heavier than claimed. -High cross bar: Riders with much less than a 32" inseam may want to look elsewhere. A Couple Of Opinions To Start: This E MTN Bike delivers a LOT for your money. Being that this is my first E Bike (to own, not ride), I personally like the philosophy that Ride1Up apparently subscribes to: * No Brick and mortar - Leverage the Web and Fedex. * Go with quality components - But shun any particular component brand loyalty. * Allow the purchaser to trade off some time and effort to unbox and perform (reasonably straightforward) assembly to facilitate additional $avings. Be safe: Especially if you are unfamiliar with bicycles and/or mechanics, have someone qualified assemble or check out your assembled bike for you. Get and install a red flashing light to help make you visible from the back (online search "NiteRider Omega 300 Lumens USB Rechargeable Bike Tail Light Powerful Daylight Visible Bicycle LED Rear Light". I also ordered a water bottle and cage at the same time. You may also need a 15mm pedal wrench [read "Install the pedals" in the installation section section below]). Through ride1up when ordering/purchasing the bike I included (and very much like) the available handlebar mount Smart Phone holder. I use this for trail and road Navigation, and it works wonderfully. THE GOOD Happily, there's Lots. Value: Game Changing. I'm sure this bike has competitors scrambling to try and reduce costs. Packaging Quality: Despite some box rash, mine came through unscathed. Build Quality: Yes. Relative ease Of Assembly: My assembly notes below. Front Light Brightness. Good. Brose Drive and Controller: Great... as long as you are ok having motor assist ONLY when you are actually pedaling. The +/- toggle switch for motor assist level is easy and intuitive... Nice. Gearing: Always a trade off; The 8 speeds cover a very reasonable and practical range of speed at one end and gear reduction for hills at the other. Speed: This bike can get you there! Big Battery: Yields an enviable range. Tires: I initially thought I would replace the tires with more streetable "gravel road" tires, but after using am now not feeling the need as they seem surprisingly good (and light) for knobbies. Good Seat (particularly for Middle Aged Men;) IMO. THE NOT SO GOOD Actual Availability Based on my personal experience, expect shipment about a week to 10 days beyond the listed shipping date when ordering. Paint The grey finish on my bike seems a bit too easy to blemish. When starting to thread in one of the pedals, I dropped it and it marred the underside of the crossbar paint. I was a little surprised that the paint was not more durable. It made more of a blemish than just a small chip like a more durable finish typically would. My priorities are clearly function over looks, so this bothered me very little, but for some more astheticly valued customers, accumulation of paint belmishes may be more upsetting. Front Light Control The link says there is supposed to be a button on the Brose controller that allows shutting the front light off. Nuh uh. Front light is on when the Brose computer is turned on, and off when it is off... Period. Front light Mounting The light mount kind of works, but it's not very solid. The plastic light attachment bracket is slightly ramped, so tightening the mount screw slides it upward until it runs out of travel to keep sliding. I don't believe it's harzardous or anything, but then again I don't ride at night. I was actually able to use some of the cable routing in the front light area to help keep it in place... But NOT ideal. This XC bike frame is Tall! I have approximately a 32" inseam, and have almost no clearance between the cross bar and my groin when standing flat footed over the bike. I need to stand with my back pretty much touching the front of the seat... standing any further forward than that and I have insufficient clearance when flat footed. THE BAD Brose Controller, Computed Range The Brose controller screen is not the same as what I found in the supplied link (see uploaded picture). The controls and information are all there, but it takes a little intuition to figure out. I must particularly mention that the "Range" as computed and displayed is less than worthless, and I don't say that lightly. Remaining Range in Miles (M) started off in the 60's, then quickly dropped to 40s, 30s and said 21M at my half way point. I was a bit concerned. Then it dropped from 21M to 14M Range (remaining) after three minutes (less than a mile) of pedaling on Eco (minimal) assist mode. Ugh. It dropped over time but with minimal connection to reality. Unfortunately, on my first long ride I felt like I had to take it seriously because I have a long climb at the end, and would frankly be walking if I had to pedal this bike up that section without assist. But SURPRISE, in the end I got up the hills and home with over half of my battery remaining (as indicated in the picture by 3 out of 5 bars on the left edge of the Brose display), but not being any wiser pedaled up a lot of the hills with minimal assist (until my quads felt to be on fire) simply because of the aforementioned "Range" bug. Word to the Wise... Totally Ignore the Brose computed and displayed "Range" on the Brose display. THE UGLY Well, ugly for me personally anyway. This bike feels heavy. Some would say it's not very heavy for an E MTN Bike, but I want to pedal without motor assist fairly often to get exercise and save the battery. For me, weight was one of my tippety-top criteria whan selecting an E Bike. As it turns out, the bike doesn't just feel heavy, it IS heavy: Heavier than published on the ride1up website by some 5+ pounds. That may not sound like much to some, but the ride1up website says the bike weighs 48 lbs (see picture), and my scale says 53.2 lbs. That's slightly more than a 10% increase from the listed weight. And before anyone asks; No, there were no installed racks, fenders, water bottle or lights - other than the one front light that came with the bike. If I wasn't so otherwise impressed by the Prodigy XC, I would have dropped my rating 1 star for this, but I can't... not based on this discrepancy alone. UNKNOWNS Durability: Personally, I don't feel overly concerned as this bike seems solid and very well engineered, and exudes those traits. MY ASSEMBLY NOTES FOR THE PRODIGY XC. DISCLAIMER: All assembly information are strictly my opinions, based on my singular assembly experience; ALWAYS defer to ride1up company instructions or a cycling professional for safety purposes. General Ensure the appropriate allen wrench is fully inserted into the each allen bolt head before tightening to avoid stripping. Do not overtighten or undertighten bolts - enlist qualified help if this is unfamiliar. Process: Carefully Team Lift the bike out of the box; Go Slow; Particularly protect the front wheel brake disc, and make sure that none of the cables are getting bent, folded or yanked. Once out of the box, carefully clip all of the zip ties (there are a lot of them). One large zip tie compresses the fork spring(s) for shipment. When you cut this zip tie the fork will pop up into it's unsprung position suddenly. Install the seat post. Install the handlebars, but FIRST rotate the fork so the fork tubes are maximally out in front of the bike. When initially installing the handlebars, DO NOT fully tighten the handlebar clamp bolts, just snug the four bolts that clamp the bars in place - you will almost certainly want/need to adjust and/or center the bars before fully tightening, and remember when later fully tightening that the gaps at the top and bottom of the handlebar clamp should be very close to equal in size, and the 4 bolts should be slowly/evenly tightened in a criss-cross pattern (again, tighten securely, but don't overtighten). Flip the bike upside down on cardboard down so it rests on the bars and seat BEING CAREFUL NOT to stress the little square Brose controller/display mounted to the handlebar. Remove the black plastic front brake pad gap keeper - Once removed, do NOT squeeze the front brake lever before the front wheel is installed. Remove the front axel bolt from the front forks and carefully install the front wheel (again, paying close attention to the front brake disc). Tighten the front axel bolt securely. Install the pedals (left pedal threads in counter clockwise; right pedal goes on the DRIVE CHAIN side of the bike). [Note: You will need a 15mm wrench to tighten the pedals, and though I searched exhaustively, my XC E bike did not come with a 15mm wrench. I'm not sure if that was just a packing oversight, but I was able to find one in my old bike toolbox. I you need one it can be found online by searching for "Pedal Wrench Double Sided Bicycle Pedal Removal 15/16/17mm Bike Spanner Home Mechanic Pedal Repair Tool With Long Hand Comfortable"]. Flip the bike back onto it's wheels and put down the kickstand. The XC model has no fenders, rack or rear light. Install the front light under the bolt at the back of the lower fork brace with the washer against the bolt head. Loosen the little front brake cable retaining guide (between the forks) and retighten with the front brake cable routed through the cable guide. Carefully make the electrical connection to the Brose computer/controller. The connection is keyed, and it takes reasonably significant force to seat the connectors, but the two connectors FIRST MUST be precisely aligned (or pin damage will occur). Take some time/care to route the cables under/over/behind the front light. Repeatedly turn the handlebars 45 degrees left and then 45 degrees right and observe the cable movements and reroute if necessary until cabling stays put, and doesn't foul, move or block the light. Flip the bike back over to rest on the handlebars and seat. Spin the front wheel. The wheel should spin true (not wobble or drag), and the brake rotor should spin freely within the brake pads. Spin it again harder and then reach down and squeeze the front brake lever to check the front braking operation (I did this several times to help center and seat the pads). Repeat the above process for the rear wheel. Return the Bike to upright. My handlebars and front wheel were not in alignment as shipped, but this was easy to adjust: (Do ONLY if necessary) Below the handlebar clamp is a steering stem clamp that has an upper and lower bolt that face in opposite directions. I loosened but did not remove the two bolts, held the front tire between my knees and then gently adjusted (turned) the bars until the wheel was pointing exactly straight when the handlebars were straight; then retightened the two bolts. If you do this and the handlebars and wheel don't turn independently, DO NOT force this adjustment - if the correct bolts are loosened the handlebars should turn independent of the front wheel/forks with very low force. If this adjustment is made or attempted, make sure to properly tighten the two steering stem clamp bolts or a serious crash will be virtually certain. RELATED/OTHER There is also an available adjustment to raise the steering stem in order to raise the bars, but I did not choose to perform this adjustment. Based on my experience, the deraileur cable and/or other adjusters will almost certainly need to be adjusted after your first ride of any significant length. Make sure to do this in a timely fashion - particularly if you find that the chain is on the verge of going beyond the necessary range of travel for shifting, or if the bike is shifting gears unexpectedly. One of the most overlooked adjustments is proper seat hight, but many people are unwilling or unable to ride with the seat at the correct height in order to pedal ergonomically, and usually suffer knee pain or worse as a result - but that is outside the scope of this writing. Talk to your local bike shop if you have questions regarding to adjust the seat height to the optimal position, and/or how to ride safely using the correct seat height. Happy Riding.

J. Nelson

Ride1Up Prodigy XC Review TLDR SUMMARY +Great, Solid Choice for a class 3, 5 stage pedal assist mid drive E MTN Bike. +Solid Build, quality enginering. +Excellent Power and Range. +If the Prodigy XC fits your needs, I don't think you'll find another option where you'll get more for your money. -Range as displayed by the Brose controller/computer is wildly incorrect (pessimistic). -A fair bit (5 lbs, or 10%) Heavier than claimed. -High cross bar: Riders with much less than a 32" inseam may want to look elsewhere. A Couple Of Opinions To Start: This E MTN Bike delivers a LOT for your money. Being that this is my first E Bike (to own, not ride), I personally like the philosophy that Ride1Up apparently subscribes to: * No Brick and mortar - Leverage the Web and Fedex. * Go with quality components - But shun any particular component brand loyalty. * Allow the purchaser to trade off some time and effort to unbox and perform (reasonably straightforward) assembly to facilitate additional $avings. Be safe: Especially if you are unfamiliar with bicycles and/or mechanics, have someone qualified assemble or check out your assembled bike for you. Get and install a red flashing light to help make you visible from the back (online search "NiteRider Omega 300 Lumens USB Rechargeable Bike Tail Light Powerful Daylight Visible Bicycle LED Rear Light". I also ordered a water bottle and cage at the same time. You may also need a 15mm pedal wrench [read "Install the pedals" in the installation section section below]). Through ride1up when ordering/purchasing the bike I included (and very much like) the available handlebar mount Smart Phone holder. I use this for trail and road Navigation, and it works wonderfully. THE GOOD Happily, there's Lots. Value: Game Changing. I'm sure this bike has competitors scrambling to try and reduce costs. Packaging Quality: Despite some box rash, mine came through unscathed. Build Quality: Yes. Relative ease Of Assembly: My assembly notes below. Front Light Brightness. Good. Brose Drive and Controller: Great... as long as you are ok having motor assist ONLY when you are actually pedaling. The +/- toggle switch for motor assist level is easy and intuitive... Nice. Gearing: Always a trade off; The 8 speeds cover a very reasonable and practical range of speed at one end and gear reduction for hills at the other. Speed: This bike can get you there! Big Battery: Yields an enviable range. Tires: I initially thought I would replace the tires with more streetable "gravel road" tires, but after using am now not feeling the need as they seem surprisingly good (and light) for knobbies. Good Seat (particularly for Middle Aged Men;) IMO. THE NOT SO GOOD Actual Availability Based on my personal experience, expect shipment about a week to 10 days beyond the listed shipping date when ordering. Paint The grey finish on my bike seems a bit too easy to blemish. When starting to thread in one of the pedals, I dropped it and it marred the underside of the crossbar paint. I was a little surprised that the paint was not more durable. It made more of a blemish than just a small chip like a more durable finish typically would. My priorities are clearly function over looks, so this bothered me very little, but for some more astheticly valued customers, accumulation of paint belmishes may be more upsetting. Front Light Control The link says there is supposed to be a button on the Brose controller that allows shutting the front light off. Nuh uh. Front light is on when the Brose computer is turned on, and off when it is off... Period. Front light Mounting The light mount kind of works, but it's not very solid. The plastic light attachment bracket is slightly ramped, so tightening the mount screw slides it upward until it runs out of travel to keep sliding. I don't believe it's harzardous or anything, but then again I don't ride at night. I was actually able to use some of the cable routing in the front light area to help keep it in place... But NOT ideal. This XC bike frame is Tall! I have approximately a 32" inseam, and have almost no clearance between the cross bar and my groin when standing flat footed over the bike. I need to stand with my back pretty much touching the front of the seat... standing any further forward than that and I have insufficient clearance when flat footed. THE BAD Brose Controller, Computed Range The Brose controller screen is not the same as what I found in the supplied link (see uploaded picture). The controls and information are all there, but it takes a little intuition to figure out. I must particularly mention that the "Range" as computed and displayed is less than worthless, and I don't say that lightly. Remaining Range in Miles (M) started off in the 60's, then quickly dropped to 40s, 30s and said 21M at my half way point. I was a bit concerned. Then it dropped from 21M to 14M Range (remaining) after three minutes (less than a mile) of pedaling on Eco (minimal) assist mode. Ugh. It dropped over time but with minimal connection to reality. Unfortunately, on my first long ride I felt like I had to take it seriously because I have a long climb at the end, and would frankly be walking if I had to pedal this bike up that section without assist. But SURPRISE, in the end I got up the hills and home with over half of my battery remaining (as indicated in the picture by 3 out of 5 bars on the left edge of the Brose display), but not being any wiser pedaled up a lot of the hills with minimal assist (until my quads felt to be on fire) simply because of the aforementioned "Range" bug. Word to the Wise... Totally Ignore the Brose computed and displayed "Range" on the Brose display. THE UGLY Well, ugly for me personally anyway. This bike feels heavy. Some would say it's not very heavy for an E MTN Bike, but I want to pedal without motor assist fairly often to get exercise and save the battery. For me, weight was one of my tippety-top criteria whan selecting an E Bike. As it turns out, the bike doesn't just feel heavy, it IS heavy: Heavier than published on the ride1up website by some 5+ pounds. That may not sound like much to some, but the ride1up website says the bike weighs 48 lbs (see picture), and my scale says 53.2 lbs. That's slightly more than a 10% increase from the listed weight. And before anyone asks; No, there were no installed racks, fenders, water bottle or lights - other than the one front light that came with the bike. If I wasn't so otherwise impressed by the Prodigy XC, I would have dropped my rating 1 star for this, but I can't... not based on this discrepancy alone. UNKNOWNS Durability: Personally, I don't feel overly concerned as this bike seems solid and very well engineered, and exudes those traits. MY ASSEMBLY NOTES FOR THE PRODIGY XC. DISCLAIMER: All assembly information are strictly my opinions, based on my singular assembly experience; ALWAYS defer to ride1up company instructions or a cycling professional for safety purposes. General Ensure the appropriate allen wrench is fully inserted into the each allen bolt head before tightening to avoid stripping. Do not overtighten or undertighten bolts - enlist qualified help if this is unfamiliar. Process: Carefully Team Lift the bike out of the box; Go Slow; Particularly protect the front wheel brake disc, and make sure that none of the cables are getting bent, folded or yanked. Once out of the box, carefully clip all of the zip ties (there are a lot of them). One large zip tie compresses the fork spring(s) for shipment. When you cut this zip tie the fork will pop up into it's unsprung position suddenly. Install the seat post. Install the handlebars, but FIRST rotate the fork so the fork tubes are maximally out in front of the bike. When initially installing the handlebars, DO NOT fully tighten the handlebar clamp bolts, just snug the four bolts that clamp the bars in place - you will almost certainly want/need to adjust and/or center the bars before fully tightening, and remember when later fully tightening that the gaps at the top and bottom of the handlebar clamp should be very close to equal in size, and the 4 bolts should be slowly/evenly tightened in a criss-cross pattern (again, tighten securely, but don't overtighten). Flip the bike upside down on cardboard down so it rests on the bars and seat BEING CAREFUL NOT to stress the little square Brose controller/display mounted to the handlebar. Remove the black plastic front brake pad gap keeper - Once removed, do NOT squeeze the front brake lever before the front wheel is installed. Remove the front axel bolt from the front forks and carefully install the front wheel (again, paying close attention to the front brake disc). Tighten the front axel bolt securely. Install the pedals (left pedal threads in counter clockwise; right pedal goes on the DRIVE CHAIN side of the bike). [Note: You will need a 15mm wrench to tighten the pedals, and though I searched exhaustively, my XC E bike did not come with a 15mm wrench. I'm not sure if that was just a packing oversight, but I was able to find one in my old bike toolbox. I you need one it can be found online by searching for "Pedal Wrench Double Sided Bicycle Pedal Removal 15/16/17mm Bike Spanner Home Mechanic Pedal Repair Tool With Long Hand Comfortable"]. Flip the bike back onto it's wheels and put down the kickstand. The XC model has no fenders, rack or rear light. Install the front light under the bolt at the back of the lower fork brace with the washer against the bolt head. Loosen the little front brake cable retaining guide (between the forks) and retighten with the front brake cable routed through the cable guide. Carefully make the electrical connection to the Brose computer/controller. The connection is keyed, and it takes reasonably significant force to seat the connectors, but the two connectors FIRST MUST be precisely aligned (or pin damage will occur). Take some time/care to route the cables under/over/behind the front light. Repeatedly turn the handlebars 45 degrees left and then 45 degrees right and observe the cable movements and reroute if necessary until cabling stays put, and doesn't foul, move or block the light. Flip the bike back over to rest on the handlebars and seat. Spin the front wheel. The wheel should spin true (not wobble or drag), and the brake rotor should spin freely within the brake pads. Spin it again harder and then reach down and squeeze the front brake lever to check the front braking operation (I did this several times to help center and seat the pads). Repeat the above process for the rear wheel. Return the Bike to upright. My handlebars and front wheel were not in alignment as shipped, but this was easy to adjust: (Do ONLY if necessary) Below the handlebar clamp is a steering stem clamp that has an upper and lower bolt that face in opposite directions. I loosened but did not remove the two bolts, held the front tire between my knees and then gently adjusted (turned) the bars until the wheel was pointing exactly straight when the handlebars were straight; then retightened the two bolts. If you do this and the handlebars and wheel don't turn independently, DO NOT force this adjustment - if the correct bolts are loosened the handlebars should turn independent of the front wheel/forks with very low force. If this adjustment is made or attempted, make sure to properly tighten the two steering stem clamp bolts or a serious crash will be virtually certain. RELATED/OTHER There is also an available adjustment to raise the steering stem in order to raise the bars, but I did not choose to perform this adjustment. Based on my experience, the deraileur cable and/or other adjusters will almost certainly need to be adjusted after your first ride of any significant length. Make sure to do this in a timely fashion - particularly if you find that the chain is on the verge of going beyond the necessary range of travel for shifting, or if the bike is shifting gears unexpectedly. One of the most overlooked adjustments is proper seat hight, but many people are unwilling or unable to ride with the seat at the correct height in order to pedal ergonomically, and usually suffer knee pain or worse as a result - but that is outside the scope of this writing. Talk to your local bike shop if you have questions regarding to adjust the seat height to the optimal position, and/or how to ride safely using the correct seat height. Happy Riding.

Kris H.

I am totally impressed with the Brose drive system on the Prodigy. It's quiet and provides the right amount of power for a great pedaling experience. You can also customize how much power you want from each pedal assist level, but I'm happy with the default settings. The motor is also great on hills! Satisfied with all the other components on the bike too. Nothing is disappointing. The frame is built well with great tracking. I dont miss having a throttle since the motor is so responsive. Takeoffs are smooth and safe. Without front suspension it's best for pavement, but I'll be adding a suspension stem for added comfort. Love the design of the bike and the custom rear rack with an integrated light. Front light is bright too. If you love pedaling a bike with the right amount of assistance, and a quiet ebike, you'll love the Prodigy.

Kris H.

I am totally impressed with the Brose drive system on the Prodigy. It's quiet and provides the right amount of power for a great pedaling experience. You can also customize how much power you want from each pedal assist level, but I'm happy with the default settings. The motor is also great on hills! Satisfied with all the other components on the bike too. Nothing is disappointing. The frame is built well with great tracking. I dont miss having a throttle since the motor is so responsive. Takeoffs are smooth and safe. Without front suspension it's best for pavement, but I'll be adding a suspension stem for added comfort. Love the design of the bike and the custom rear rack with an integrated light. Front light is bright too. If you love pedaling a bike with the right amount of assistance, and a quiet ebike, you'll love the Prodigy.

Bruce Heckelman

My village has lots and lots of hills, so my hope was that the mid-drive Brose would do the job. Today, I took it on it's maiden drive into the hills and I can't believe the power and quiet that this bike produces. I completed some hills and didn't realize I just went up them. I came back home and as excited as a kid with a new toy. Fit and finish is superb. Assembly takes a half hour and figured out the gear shifting quickly. I'm in love! I'm also 75 year old so this is a new lease on life for me. Thank you, Ride1Up.

Daniel

The Ride1up Prodigy XC seems solid and has good value for money. It took me 37 minutes to assemble it. All tools were provided. The trickiest part was the front wheel - you might want a second person to help. I wish they had included Loctite for the screws of the handle bar. It is easy to ride with good stability. The weight comes in around 53.6 lbs (of which roughly 6.8lbs are the removable battery). The Brose motor has lots of torque. However, it feels as if Ride1up tamed it considerably. I rode a Brose motor on another MTB and it had a lot more punch. Nonetheless, it offers plenty of power to get up hills. The shifters are okay and the hydraulic brakes are just sufficient. My hope is that the paint is not as thin and flimsy as on my Ride1up Roadster V2 Gravel (where the coated brake cables completely rubbed off the paint). Compared to the Roadster V2 Gravel, the Prodigy XC offers a much more solid and powerful riding experience. The front shock absorber is great and adds a lot to the stability when riding at higher speeds over uneven surfaces. The only problem I have had with both bikes is that the front wheel needs truing. As with my Roadster V2 Gravel, my Prodigy XC's front brake makes a rasping sound and the tire does not spin evenly. I hope Ride1up will be as generous as before and refund the truing at the local bike store. Bottom line: Lots of Bike for a (relatively) slim budget!

Daniel

The Ride1up Prodigy XC seems solid and has good value for money. It took me 37 minutes to assemble it. All tools were provided. The trickiest part was the front wheel - you might want a second person to help. I wish they had included Loctite for the screws of the handle bar. It is easy to ride with good stability. The weight comes in around 53.6 lbs (of which roughly 6.8lbs are the removable battery). The Brose motor has lots of torque. However, it feels as if Ride1up tamed it considerably. I rode a Brose motor on another MTB and it had a lot more punch. Nonetheless, it offers plenty of power to get up hills. The shifters are okay and the hydraulic brakes are just sufficient. My hope is that the paint is not as thin and flimsy as on my Ride1up Roadster V2 Gravel (where the coated brake cables completely rubbed off the paint). Compared to the Roadster V2 Gravel, the Prodigy XC offers a much more solid and powerful riding experience. The front shock absorber is great and adds a lot to the stability when riding at higher speeds over uneven surfaces. The only problem I have had with both bikes is that the front wheel needs truing. As with my Roadster V2 Gravel, my Prodigy XC's front brake makes a rasping sound and the tire does not spin evenly. I hope Ride1up will be as generous as before and refund the truing at the local bike store. Bottom line: Lots of Bike for a (relatively) slim budget!

Daniel

The Ride1up Prodigy XC seems solid and has good value for money. It took me 37 minutes to assemble it. All tools were provided. The trickiest part was the front wheel - you might want a second person to help. I wish they had included Loctite for the screws of the handle bar. It is easy to ride with good stability. The weight comes in around 53.6 lbs (of which roughly 6.8lbs are the removable battery). The Brose motor has lots of torque. However, it feels as if Ride1up tamed it considerably. I rode a Brose motor on another MTB and it had a lot more punch. Nonetheless, it offers plenty of power to get up hills. The shifters are okay and the hydraulic brakes are just sufficient. My hope is that the paint is not as thin and flimsy as on my Ride1up Roadster V2 Gravel (where the coated brake cables completely rubbed off the paint). Compared to the Roadster V2 Gravel, the Prodigy XC offers a much more solid and powerful riding experience. The front shock absorber is great and adds a lot to the stability when riding at higher speeds over uneven surfaces. The only problem I have had with both bikes is that the front wheel needs truing. As with my Roadster V2 Gravel, my Prodigy XC's front brake makes a rasping sound and the tire does not spin evenly. I hope Ride1up will be as generous as before and refund the truing at the local bike store. Bottom line: Lots of Bike for a (relatively) slim budget!

Nancie

Beautiful bike that comes well packed. FedEx even killed the box, and there was one minor blemish where the fork was out of the box. There were no instructions on assembly however it was very easy to figure out. Everything on this bike seems very high quality. Unfortunately the test ride will have to wait until maybe this afternoon. Also, an issue still waiting for resolution is that my chain is off of the front sprocket when I received it. The sprocket is so close to the motor that it cannot clear to put back on the sprocket. I am awaiting instructions from tech support.

Nancie

Beautiful bike that comes well packed. FedEx even killed the box, and there was one minor blemish where the fork was out of the box. There were no instructions on assembly however it was very easy to figure out. Everything on this bike seems very high quality. Unfortunately the test ride will have to wait until maybe this afternoon. Also, an issue still waiting for resolution is that my chain is off of the front sprocket when I received it. The sprocket is so close to the motor that it cannot clear to put back on the sprocket. I am awaiting instructions from tech support.