234 reviews for Roadster v2
Customer Images
Jennifer D.
Price to value is super good, for the components that come with the bike. The rim v-breaks are more than effective and work very well. Shipping to Hawaii is expensive but it is to be expected considering current events. My brother in TX shipped me my bike via fed-ex for a cheaper rate. Battery range 27 miles on single charge flat lands with head wind, and some level 2 use to get up small inclines. The saddle is comfortable even without bib-shorts. I am 182 lbs. I got a size small and I'm 5'8". I installed a shock absorption seat post for more comfort on bumpy roads. Bike weight is light which is good. I have taken it 24 mph with level 5 pas. Biking level 1 feels comfortable and good to ride in. I am a injured athlete and this has made my bicycling dreams come true again because the PAS is very responsive. I am a 10+ year avid cyclist and I enjoy the looks and geometry a lot. I got the silver colorway. I can honestly say it is a wonderful tool to have in the quiver and makes bicycling fun again! Don't knock-it before you try it.
Jennifer D.
Price to value is super good, for the components that come with the bike. The rim v-breaks are more than effective and work very well. Shipping to Hawaii is expensive but it is to be expected considering current events. My brother in TX shipped me my bike via fed-ex for a cheaper rate. Battery range 27 miles on single charge flat lands with head wind, and some level 2 use to get up small inclines. The saddle is comfortable even without bib-shorts. I am 182 lbs. I got a size small and I'm 5'8". I installed a shock absorption seat post for more comfort on bumpy roads. Bike weight is light which is good. I have taken it 24 mph with level 5 pas. Biking level 1 feels comfortable and good to ride in. I am a injured athlete and this has made my bicycling dreams come true again because the PAS is very responsive. I am a 10+ year avid cyclist and I enjoy the looks and geometry a lot. I got the silver colorway. I can honestly say it is a wonderful tool to have in the quiver and makes bicycling fun again! Don't knock-it before you try it.
Jennifer D.
Price to value is super good, for the components that come with the bike. The rim v-breaks are more than effective and work very well. Shipping to Hawaii is expensive but it is to be expected considering current events. My brother in TX shipped me my bike via fed-ex for a cheaper rate. Battery range 27 miles on single charge flat lands with head wind, and some level 2 use to get up small inclines. The saddle is comfortable even without bib-shorts. I am 182 lbs. I got a size small and I'm 5'8". I installed a shock absorption seat post for more comfort on bumpy roads. Bike weight is light which is good. I have taken it 24 mph with level 5 pas. Biking level 1 feels comfortable and good to ride in. I am a injured athlete and this has made my bicycling dreams come true again because the PAS is very responsive. I am a 10+ year avid cyclist and I enjoy the looks and geometry a lot. I got the silver colorway. I can honestly say it is a wonderful tool to have in the quiver and makes bicycling fun again! Don't knock-it before you try it.
GEORGE POURSANIDIS
Great simple bike. Easy to customize. Changed out the belt drive to a chain drive. I know I know why do that but I wanted the gearing to be a little easier for the pedaling. Also added a 20ah rear rack mount battery for almost 3x the range.
Dan
The best E-Bike for true riders. This isn't a electric motorcycle it's a true riders bike. It is light enough to travel with in a RV and a great ride for everyday riders. I also tow my dog around in a dog carrier. You have to use your legs but it gets you up any hill. It is simply the best!!!
Rob
When I opened the box and got a look at that red, that was it! very high-end finish. Assembly is fun and easy. The battery was at about full charge and everything tested perfect. Riding this is like a dream! It's so quiet I sneak up on squirrels! The power is way more than enough and it takes a long time to put a dent in the battery. I'm so in love with this bike, I'm telling everybody!
Bob Cass
My Roadster V2 works much better than I had expected! Note: I have almost 200 miles on it and nothing has surfaced that bothers me. Bike is smooth, quiet and does not rattle, I bought the Kricket belt tensioner gage that Gates has produced and the belt on my bike tested between 45 and 50 lbs which is about what it should be. The Kricket gage is a little on the vague side so you need to make multiple test and find the average. My bike arrived well package for the most part, nothing seemed to be rattling around in the box. When assembling I found a 1 inch slice in the very bottom of the seat covering, I decided to try it for a while... the seat turns out to be very comfortable for me. I weigh 130 lbs with my back pack on so the electric motor has a pretty easy time with me on the bike, but modes 1 and 2 really get me up the hills that I used to dread. You still have to work but you find yourself at the top of a hill in one half to one third the amount of time. I am very impressed with the ultra light Ride1up V2 Roadster. Photo shows the cruiser bars I added for a more upright seating position. These bars will lighten steering and make the bike a little slower to respond because it shifts your weight more onto the rear wheel, but you simply ride accordingly, it has worked well for me on several bikes. So far I would highly recommend this ebike... do pay attention to the frame sizes, my bike (a small) is taller than some other small frames.
Monica
I really love this bike! Though my legs are a tad short I'm able to straddle the top bar just enough. As a 70ish senior I had to learn the proper way of stopping and starting, which was best in the long run as now my pedal reach is more comfortable and beneficial. It's amazing- I can go faster with less effort now, which I'm sure is not only due to proper pedaling but also with such a light and sleek bike. With park trails close to me I can usually keep it in #1 assist, except for higher grade hills when I need to go to #2 or 3. I go about 20miles and still have two bars of the battery left when I got home. SWEET!
Brandon Smith
I bought the Roadster v2 a couple months ago and I LOVE IT!!!! I've Road over 200 miles on it in Tucson, AZ. It is a great bike, I got the small one as I'm 5'10" and about 160. It's gets me everywhere fast. The level assist is programmed well th the geared hubs motor, I've gotten up to 25 mph before. It's great on hills too. Has plenty of torque to get me up very steep inclined streets here. The bikes super silent, I mean silent! Can't even here the motor, I love the belt drive, it's a geared to a higher ratio, but its fine on level ground and if you have assist on, there's no problem at all getting it rolling. I get at least about 30 miles before it's low on charge. I've had other ebikes but this one is super well built. I don't regret spending 1k for it as its now the only bike I ride, I gave my other one away with a 1000 watt hub motor to my girlfriend. It's nice too, but I love the roadster, its got more than enough range for me, its silent, fast, and a pleasure to ride. I find myself not even using the assist that much because on flat ground it easy to pedal do to its light weight. Most pleased with my purchase. It doesn't need disk brakes either, the factory brakes lock up the tires just as easy. Not like my heavy 1000w ebike that weights about 25 pounds more and really needs disk brakes to stop. It gets a bit more range, but its got a 19 Amp hour 48v battery that weights a ton! I would recommend this to anyone. And the paint job is really nice. I used some ceramic car wax on it and now it cleans up beautifully when I hose it down. I love it
Jim S.
This has got to be the best, most sleek e-bike on the market ! Everywhere I go people see me just effortlessly cruising along....it looks/feels like I'm gliding :). I have a lot of friends who have ordinary bikes, wear all the Lycra, gloves, special helmets etc. and they get amazed when I tell them it's electric....after I blow them away, over a cold Beer
Ivonne
Okay, so this review is going to be long. Here's the executive summary, for those who prefer a cut to the chase: my Roadster makes me feel young, cute, and fit. It is also already getting me out riding more regularly than I have in years, which I expect will do much to streamline fitness for the foreseeable future. Except for some initial and not very significant hiccups, my experience has been stellar. I recommend this bicycle to anyone looking for a lithe, lovely, and lush ride with all the ebike pluses and few minuses. For those who want the full story, my fabulous husband gifted me a Roadster v2 for our tenth anniversary (traditional gift: aluminum!). Being the intelligent fellow he is, he had waited for me to choose the ebike I wanted after my own research ('cause I'm that kind of buyer). After one hundred miles on the bike, I feel equipped to post this initial review. In particular I am motivated to share my experience because, when I was making my decision, I found very few reviews by women, and even fewer by women with a history of riding (long distance road bikes in my case) who either had lapsed from the sport (that would be me) or just hadn't tried ebikes yet (I'd spent a whopping 30 minutes on a few models at a local Pedego dealer). So, get yourself a cup of tea, and here we go... First things first: the Roadster drew me because, well, just look at it! In the midst of researching, I was directed to the Ride1Up website for one of the other bikes (I forget which) and was greeted by the burgundy matte sleekness of the Roadster v2. Transfixed, I wondered what a regular road bike was doing on a site for an ebike company, and longed for the days of youthful rigor ample enough to jump on a road bike for hours on end. When I realized this bicycling goodness was in fact an ebike, I was already sold. Viewing some reviews on YouTube (particularly those on Ride1Up bikes by Electric Bike Report) clinched it. All the colors looked beautiful in their way, and despite my marked preference for red, I was continually drawn by the stealthy matte black, so went with my intuition and chose that. I have never enjoyed the tinkering side of bike ownership, so I sent the bike to REI for assembly. Very glad I did. Even with some glitches during shipping (see below), the bike arrived entirely unscathed. The REI bike shop even commented on the packaging quality as well above average. Less than $60 and a day later, everything was in place, checked, double checked, and delivered in pristine condition, with one year's worth of tweaks and adjustments thrown in. One thing I want to highlight, because I never could figure it out until I received my bike: the small frame, at 52 cm, is more of a medium than a small to my mind. I am 5'5" with a somewhat longer than average 31" inseam to the ground, and I can just straddle the top tube with minimal clearance. I would not recommend this bicycle for anyone with a shorter inseam. In fact, my 6'2" husband with somewhat shorter 33" inseam than usual for his height rides it quite comfortably. If you are not sure about size, you might want to try some conventional 52 cm bikes to get a sense of proportion (even though seat tube angle and other variables will differ). I am fine with dismounting the bike on an angle and other adjustments I needed to adjust to the size, but do keep this in mind when buying. Now for the nitty gritty: This bicycle is a thing of beauty. Not only visually, but functionally. I don't know what the opposite of a lemon is (pineapple? cherry?) but I got it. Everything works as expected on my bicycle (which I call Lilith). The learning curve was nonexistent for me. My first test ride around the REI neighborhood felt like reuniting with an old beloved friend. Sure, the geometry is less aggressive than the forward, flat road bike posture of olden days, but it was close enough to feel familiar. As a single speed, I use the pedal assist settings instead of gearing, which feels intuitive for me. The carbon belt drive is a fabulous addition, and I have had no issues thus far. For me, this bicycle is about recreation, fitness, and light commuting. It checks all the boxes. Living in Santa Fe, New Mexico, at about 6500-7200 feet altitude, most of my rides have an elevation gain of 500-700 feet on average, mostly in rolling hills rather than single steep climbs. The first few days, I went nuts trying all the assist levels and tackling all the hills I could find. None of the hills in my vicinity were too much for Lilith, though I expect some up in the mountains would be. Even so, I averaged about 18-20 miles per charge. Speeding past my husband as he struggled uphill on his hybrid bike was pure joy. A week in, I found I already needed much less pedal assist, even on hills, and my miles per charge average quickly started increasing. The gear is big big big, so yes, riding without power is a challenge, but, hey, it is an ebike. I can count to 20 (or so miles per charge) and read the controller, so running out of power just hasn't happen to me, and I don't expect it will except for extraordinary circumstances. One hundred miles in, I have settled into mostly 1-2 PAS on my rides, with occasional 3, a bit of 4, and the rare 5, mostly for fun. I am getting about 25-27 miles per charge with this use. Takes about 3.5 hours to charge fully. My max speed so far is 24.8 mph. Lilith just glides on up there--she aches to race, and leans into speed like nobody's business. She is nimble, too, so I always feel confident in my rides, aided by the supportive saddle, handlebars, and cockpit positioning. Despite the standover height issues, the frame geometry in these areas feels comfortable after I adjusted the fit to my body and preferences. I have only ever had rim brakes, so I can't say how these compare to mechanical or hydraulic discs. I have to believe reports that those are more efficient, but my rim brakes are very efficient, and I never worry about stopping on a dime when needed. The controller is minimal, and works well. I don't have the issues others report with difficulty seeing it except in very bright sunshine (possibly because I don't use polarized sunglasses). It took no time to get used to adjust PAS by touch rather than needed to see where I was every few seconds. I am jealous of the other R1U controllers that allow adjustments to the settings and actually provide a battery level percentage, but nothing to be done about that. The tires are actually a tad wider than my customary 25mms, so I am okay with them, but yes, the ride is stiff and bumpy. A new saddle is on the way (see below), and that may affect the experience. I am not much of a gravel enthusiast, so I am not torn by the new Gravel edition, which I had heard mentioned when I purchased. I would rather put my extra bucks into a replacement battery, as I have more interest in riding longer distances on roads than access to rough terrain. Downsides? Even at the high end of battery range, I yearn for more. All well within Ride1Up estimates, but I am keeping an eye on the availability of the much touted, yet to be seen replacement battery. Also, the process from purchase to delivery was a mixed bag. Ordering itself was as smooth as to be expected. Shipping, less so. I was quoted 1-2 business days to ship from the warehouse, but by the end of that time, crickets. An email to customer service yielded no explanation for the delay, but led to a shipping label printed the following day. Then nothing again. Another email, and the warehouse got the bike to FedEx. So double the time to get it out the door, and it is hard for me to know how much longer it would have taken had I not contacted them. To be fair, though, four days to ship is not unreasonable. After that, the bike was stalled in a FedEx hub because of an error on the shipping label the warehouse printed. Another couple of days and few emails to get that resolved. FedEx delivered the bike the day after the warehouse rep corrected that goof. All in all, it took about a week and a half and multiple emails to get the bike delivered. Not my favorite way to start a relationship with a new company, but the experience since then is doing a lot to wash the bitter taste away. Since receiving the bike, I have found customer service generally, and Steven in support especially, to be remarkably responsive and helpful. A defect in the saddle caused it to tear along a seam a couple of weeks in, and I was reimbursed for the price of a replacement right away. I have a new Brooks Cadmium and a Selle Italia Turbo on the way to compare. Assistance with general questions and after-market goodie recommendations were spot on. Overall, I am delighted by the bike and the support from customer service since I received it. It suits my use case perfectly, and other similar bikes offer much less for the money or push up the price with upgrades that don't matter to me. I would recommend it to anyone who has similar interests to mine. Take-aways: be careful of sizing, as it seems both frames run large. If you are on the low end of large, consider the small. If on the low end of small, test similar sizes before committing to a bike you may not be tall enough to ride comfortably. Also, if gravel riding and disc brakes matter to you (not to mention the upgrade to a Gates-branded belt drive), and you have time to spare, consider the Gravel edition. I couldn't be happier with my Roadster v2, and expect to enjoy her for a long time to come.
Aniruddha Anjana
Bike is great but shipping was not so great. The box it came has a whole and the front wheel was poking out, knew that they might has messed up the front wheel. Had to take it to bike shop to re-align the front wheel and pay extra before running the bike. Bike is running great, getting 16-18 miles range on level 2-3 which is what ride-one claim.
Edward L.
This is the second R1Up Roadster that I own and they are awesome ebike! There are couple of things that needs to be addressed though. The way they package the front wheel is bad, I had to bring it to a shop for truing the spokes. And then the bracket of the display is weak, it breaks after few weeks of using it. Although they paid the cost for truing the wheel and gave me a new display for free, still, these needs to be corrected. I have Lectric and Aventon Level ebikes that we no longer use because the Roadsters are not bulky, they are lightweight and easier to bring when traveling. They now have 7AH Add-on battery pack for longer ride! I highly recommend this ebike!
Rob Wilson
Love the look and ride of the bike buuuuut my bike missed some needed QA at the factory it seems. Wheels came out of the box badly out of true especially the front. I've assembled a lot of bikes shipped in a similar manner and hadn't seen that before. The rubber grommet surrounding the wire leading from battery to motor wasn't seated properly. Hopefully no crimping or other damage to it. And lastly the display ring hinge was cracked. Looking at the back panel of the display, it's not really surprising that it was cracked. Seems like it will easily crack with use and exposure to the elements with no way to replace without buying a new one unless you 3D print your own casing. Using metal or just a stronger plastic would go a long way especially since it's a pretty important part not to skimp on. I hope at least the display issue can be addressed. Only one issue with the design of the bike itself. I knew well ahead of time there was no kickstand, and I've never been a huge kickstand fan anyways. However, since it's a little more fragile than my old commuter single speeds, I planned to use a double-leg stand since that's my preference if using a stand at all. However, on receiving it's clear that type of stand wouldn't fit due to the the above mentioned lead from battery to motor and just a general lack of space. I could live with settling for a one-leg stand. However, placement is basically limited to a tube chain stay clamp style stand, but the tube chain stay isn't oval or rectangular, so finding a stand that will properly clamp is probably going to be difficult. It would be really nice if Ride1Up either offered one as an added accessory or recommended a few from via third parties. Perhaps the gravel edition addresses some of these issues. I look forward to following future models and accessory options. Really like what ride1up is doing, and the Roadster v2 is absolutely perfect for my commute and flat geographic area. Just hope none of what I've experienced is experienced by others.
Rob Wilson
Love the look and ride of the bike buuuuut my bike missed some needed QA at the factory it seems. Wheels came out of the box badly out of true especially the front. I've assembled a lot of bikes shipped in a similar manner and hadn't seen that before. The rubber grommet surrounding the wire leading from battery to motor wasn't seated properly. Hopefully no crimping or other damage to it. And lastly the display ring hinge was cracked. Looking at the back panel of the display, it's not really surprising that it was cracked. Seems like it will easily crack with use and exposure to the elements with no way to replace without buying a new one unless you 3D print your own casing. Using metal or just a stronger plastic would go a long way especially since it's a pretty important part not to skimp on. I hope at least the display issue can be addressed. Only one issue with the design of the bike itself. I knew well ahead of time there was no kickstand, and I've never been a huge kickstand fan anyways. However, since it's a little more fragile than my old commuter single speeds, I planned to use a double-leg stand since that's my preference if using a stand at all. However, on receiving it's clear that type of stand wouldn't fit due to the the above mentioned lead from battery to motor and just a general lack of space. I could live with settling for a one-leg stand. However, placement is basically limited to a tube chain stay clamp style stand, but the tube chain stay isn't oval or rectangular, so finding a stand that will properly clamp is probably going to be difficult. It would be really nice if Ride1Up either offered one as an added accessory or recommended a few from via third parties. Perhaps the gravel edition addresses some of these issues. I look forward to following future models and accessory options. Really like what ride1up is doing, and the Roadster v2 is absolutely perfect for my commute and flat geographic area. Just hope none of what I've experienced is experienced by others.
Trenton Brothers
I watched hours of YouTube video reviews on the Ride1Up Roadster V2 before committing to a purchase. I have now had it for 3 weeks and have put about 300 miles on it and my thoughts are; It's a true game changer for me and my long commute to work and back! This battery is more than adequate as far as range and the multiple pedal assist levels are quite convenient. I find that assist level 2 works for me 90% of the time. I'm quite pleased with the carbon belt drive as well. I can recommend this bike to anyone looking for an e bike for casual riding or commuting.
Trenton Brothers
I watched hours of YouTube video reviews on the Ride1Up Roadster V2 before committing to a purchase. I have now had it for 3 weeks and have put about 300 miles on it and my thoughts are; It's a true game changer for me and my long commute to work and back! This battery is more than adequate as far as range and the multiple pedal assist levels are quite convenient. I find that assist level 2 works for me 90% of the time. I'm quite pleased with the carbon belt drive as well. I can recommend this bike to anyone looking for an e bike for casual riding or commuting.
Trenton Brothers
I watched hours of YouTube video reviews on the Ride1Up Roadster V2 before committing to a purchase. I have now had it for 3 weeks and have put about 300 miles on it and my thoughts are; It's a true game changer for me and my long commute to work and back! This battery is more than adequate as far as range and the multiple pedal assist levels are quite convenient. I find that assist level 2 works for me 90% of the time. I'm quite pleased with the carbon belt drive as well. I can recommend this bike to anyone looking for an e bike for casual riding or commuting.
Al Janis
For my review, I'm copying my thoughts after Micah Toll from Electrek reviewed the Tenways CGO-600, a bike with an 'early bird' price of $1299 thru a crowdfunding campaign, delivery 'starting' next month, with no mention of delivery cost (which I couldn't find on the Tenways site). He wrote about the upgrades over bikes such as the Ride1Up Roadster V2, and then asked for comments on his take on the Tenways, to which I posted: So, if "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery", then Tenways is indeed flattering the Ride1Up Roadster V2...which I bought a couple of months ago, and absolutely love...due in large part to actually getting a bike to ride in just 3 business days after ordering! The two look virtually identical, except for the horizontal top tube on the V2, vs the slightly angled top tube on the Tenways. Is it a coincidence they both weigh just 33 lbs? I researched the differences between 'torque' sensing and 'cadence' sensing, and I think 'torque' sensing may be a bigger deal on electric bikes typically weighing twice what these two 'stealthy' bikes weigh. I find the Roadster V2 to be so light and nimble, that even the less-sophisticated 'cadence' sensor brings on the power assist smoothly the instant I make a pedaling motion...and I weigh 215. While I understand a 'torque' sensor might be more useful at the bottom of a hill, upping the assist automatically with heavier pedal exertion, I just make sure to dial up more assist BEFORE I start up a hill, and I get the boost immediately. The V2 has 5 vs 3 pedal assist levels, and even has a slightly larger motor, for a bit more observable speed, 24mph vs 20. For brakes, I believe the discs would be more important on a heavier bike, but at only 33 pounds on the V2, the rim brakes feel plenty strong, even going downhill. I don't have a Gates belt drive, but the belt drive provided seems flawless and quiet. I'm not writing an ad here for Ride1Up, I'm just betting the overall riding experience is likely pretty much the same, and saving money isn't even the biggest part...it's actually getting a bike of this caliber NOW. Mine was $1,082.89 including California tax, shipped free from Sparks, Nevada to San Diego. I had to add lights, but got a .great set from CECO-USA for under 60 bucks on Amazon, with brilliant and varied strobe modes for getting attention during the day, and a powerful headlight for avoiding the potholes at night. Not as many color choices, but the Matte Burgundy is stunning in person. Just sayin'
John Burney
This bike not only met, but exceeded every expectation I had for it. The bike gets quite a few compliments whenever I ride it. I would highly recommend the Roadster V2 for anyone who wants to have an electric bike that will still ensure that will still give you a good workout. Kudos to Ride1Up for coming up with such a nice bike!
Scot Sherbine
This is my 3rd electric bike in the past few years. The first one I bought (350w eGlide) and it was a good solid bike it just looked electric. The second one I built out of a fat tire Cannondale and 1000w crank drive and it's a lot of bike and over the top. As for this Roadster and speaking from my experiences this is all you will ever need, especially if you want to ride around on a bike that doesn't look electric. I'm 6'2" and 250. With the bike on a setting assist of 2 I went just over 10 miles and only used 1/4 of the battery. The Roadster is the quietest bike I have ever ridden. 350w is all you will ever need if you plan to pedal. If you did run out of power this bike is one that you could go at it with out the juice and have no problem. Shipping was about a week (coast to coast), well packaged, and they sent some swag along too. There is a lot to be said about a bare bones cruiser like the Roadster. It is possibly the best looking stealth electric bike on the market today.
Alex Mason
I LOVE this bike! I weigh like 145lbs and this little beast easily reaches 26mph no problem! This bike is beautiful and weighs so little! The motor is silent but packs a mean punch! If you are planning to buy an e-bike that is great for urban riding, then the Roadster V2 is meant for you!
George Presley
I am loving this bike! I wanted an e-bike that would still allow me to get a manageable workout. This bike is perfect for that. I choose exactly the amount of assistance that I need and I do the rest. What I wanted was a trainer bike, not a free ride and this is perfect for that. The range is good even with the hilly terrain where I live and it’s pretty cool looking too! Super pleased with choosing the Roadster V2.
James M.
This is an amazing stealth electric bike (E-Bike). For an E-Bike, the Roadster V2 is light and looks like your typical urban trekking bike instead of an E-Bike. The focus on affordable quality from Ride1Up is evident in its well-balanced product offerings. This $1K E-Bike has a 20-30 mile range and a low maintenance belt-drive system. The belt-drive system is super smooth and quiet. As a class three E-Bike, it can reach speeds of 24 MPH. It has five (5) pedal assist levels (PAL) controlled from a simple onboard computer located on the left side of the handlebars. I try to use the bike within a 5-mile radius for any commute that doesn't require carrying more than lunchbox-sized cargo. I was thrilled and surprised by how effortless it is to cover 20 miles, thus requiring a charging break. I made a few modifications and additions to the bike for comfort and convenience: I added a kickstand, stem riser, ergonomic grips, new saddle, foldable lock, Airtag, and a handlebar bag for small/light storage. I live in an area made up of rolling hills, so the electric assist has brought a lot of joy back into riding for me.
Paul Euwer
I decided to pull the trigger on the Roadster after a few years of on again/off again research on a friction drive for an existing road bike. The price between a good friction drive (as good as they can be) and this bike was a few hundred $. My only reservation was the single speed and small battery otherwise it seemed like the perfect bike, fairly aggressive geometry, light weight and it didn't look like an e-bike. I arrived on the third business day after ordering, nice fast fulfillment, and the packaging was well done and robust. I work on bike and so assembly is simple. If you've never worked on a bike then go slow and watch the videos. I swapped tires and the front wheel to something much lighter, a different saddle and pedals and installed an old Redshift suspension stem with some bullhorn bars and 2 finger levers and a rack. I love the way it rides, like any nimble 'sport' type road bike. As far as commuting, I have an 18 mile roundtrip with some mild uphill on the return trip. I weigh 180 and have about 10-15lbs in a pannier. The full commute, largely on level 3, results in 1-2 bars of battery left but voltage reads around 35.5v so probably only another mile or 2 is in the tank. I think Ride1up has done a great job and come up with a solid build for such an inexpensive bike. In a perfect world, I would want a bit more battery capacity, lighter components and wheelset would be great but then it would be a $3,000 bike and I probably wouldn't buy it. It is a perfect stealthy e-bike if you live and or commute in a place with few inclines. I am very happy with my purchase.
Dennis Puetz
I have been a life long bike rider at different levels along the way of my 75 years. I became semi - retired 15 years ago, and worked from home. Then I had a lot more time to ride. I have been riding mostly in town of Portland Or, and weekly rides of 25 miles (longest ride 43 miles), and 2400 miles/yr. I ride commuter bikes, going to grocery store, movies, appointments; I hate parking and live one mile from downtown, and an area that is extremely bike friendly. Enough about me. I have been watching eBikes for about 5 years, but to young to think about them. In the last year, the Covid year, I have watched the development of eBikes ... to make the story short, I was attracted to Roadster: clean, sleek, unassuming and doesn't look like an eBike. I spent about 5 weeks reading the Road1Up info, and thinking about the bike itself (note I'm an engineer in life, and technical). I asked a few questions and then became stuck on the gear-ratio of the Roadster. After a dozen emails to Apollo in customer service he calmed my concerns (I wanted to lower the gear ration to max speed of 17mph). I received the box with my bike in it, Roadster v2. I was able to assemble it on my own, being mechanical, but I did have my bike mechanic (7-Corners, Portland Or) check out my work, and re-true front wheel since it didn't meet my standards. My first ride was terrific and erased all my concerns, and confirmed my hopes. First, the gear ratio problem was not a problem, and the engineers/designers did a great job creating this eBike. I couldn't have asked for better gearing. I have two other daily riders: Specialized Sirrus, RedLine 9-spd commuter. This bike looks COOL, people want to know what it is; it's as unassuming as I hoped for; think old roadster with a hopped up engine that fools people. The ride was great, transition of assist levels perfect, and I found I can ride almost all the time in assist 1, or 2. I did test it on a 3 mile 8-10% grade and used 5 level of assist and I was able to maintain 14mph, with effort. Riding an assist eBike has a small learning curve, because the assist is like having another person pedaling and you don't both pedal at the same time, causing a little coordination (small issue). I have ridden the bike with no assist just to see what would happen if I ran out of battery, and it is totally doable. The big advantage is on roads that rise or are hills ... what a pleasure to have that assist. I passed 100 miles today, 9 days after getting the bike. I have not noticed any weakness in the components, and can confirm that. I'm now realizing I will want to ride in the Oct-Apr months, and might want fenders since I live in Portland, and it rains a lot from Oct-Apr, but I'm ok with that. Oh, the brakes are ample and not need for disk brakes, they work excellent. I probably didn't mention something, but I would give this bike and my experience a sold "A" If you want to contact me, I think my email is available, see below.
Dan
This bike is a lot of fun. I’m 5’10” and bought the 52cm and it fits me just fine. Plus I can lower the seat easily and my 5’4” daughter can also ride it. Here are some things I really like. The fame is well made and doesn’t look like an e-bike. Having a belt drive is fantastic for work commuting as it’s clean and easy to maintain. The Ride1Up service has been responsive to all my questions or problems (see below). Assembly was very easy and the bike arrived very well packaged. Plus they sent a hipster 1UP skullcap and Allen tool set which was a nice touch as well. The control screen is tiny and a bit hard to look at while moving but conveys enough information. I actually prefer the small size as I use a Wahoo head unit if I’m really going to track a ride. It would be nice when you change pedal-assist levels if the screen would light up with a large number for a few seconds to indicate which level you’re on. The assist level indicator lights are tiny. The saddle is comfortable if you’re used to road bike saddles (versus a cushy beach cruiser type.) The built in bell in the left brake mechanism is a nice touch. The battery holds a charge for plenty of distance, or at least for as long as I need, even if I use the higher levels of assist. I usually leave it on 1 or 2 and that is plenty for 20+ miles on flat roads. The Roadster is nimble and just fun to ride. Here are the challenges I’ve had. First the saddle arrived with a small tear on the nose. Rather than replace it Ride1Up gave me a reasonable credit and I fixed it myself. While it’s cool that the model I received has bosses on the seat stays to mount a rear rack the placement of them means a rear rack install could interfere with the rear brake caliper. If you want to put on a rack just be very careful about compatibility. I went with a seat post mounted rack which is better in the end because I don’t need it all the time so it’s easier to remove. The Kenda tires are terrible. I had two rear flats on two separate rides before I’d even put 20 miles on the bike. And changing a rear flat is a huge chore. Even with the help videos and instructions it still took a lot of work to change the flats, and I did it in my garage. I can’t imagine having to do it in the wild. For reference I ride Conti 5000 tubeless on my road bike and tubeless on my gravel bike as well. I know how to avoid road debris. Flats just suck as do the Kenda tires and factory grade tubes. I put Tannus solid tires on the Roadster and have been very happy with that change. For a hub motor e-bike I highly recommend them. Plus they add a bit of cool color. The pedals are a bit cheap but good enough. I’m on the fence about a kickstand. I’ve stopped a few places where I could see the utility of it but ultimately I think it would take away from the look of the bike. In the end I’m very happy with this stealth e-bike purchase and I’m looking forward to many miles.
thomas kirby
Bike works for me simple design good battery (25 miles on full charge level one with one bar left) I ride 10 miles three times a week in Florida 2 good bridges and weigh 220 pounds 6 feet tall. Bike has 200 miles on it since new. I went 25 miles just to test range one day. Put airless Tannus tires on to prevent flats (700x28) love em!! I am 80 years old in fairly good condition. This replaced my trek road bike. Highly recommend for u old guys that want to keep riding and keep up with the younger set !!! Tk
Lou Taloumis
Buy this bike. It’s fun to ride. All of the refereed reviews and videos are spot on for this bike. I’m sharing my first ride stats in the photos attached. 12.5 miles in 44 minutes, average speed 16mph with up to level 3 assist and two hills at 10% grade. You’ll see minimal battery drain. Yes, I stood on my pedals for a few revolutions. Next time, I’ll take it easy and use more assist on this particular ride. A great ride. I’m 5’11” age 64. You can do this if I can. Additionally, the bike is easy to put together. I’ll be looking for a pedal assist for my wife and the small size may be for her. Great smooth ride. Keep it up Ride1Up.
Lou Taloumis
Buy this bike. It’s fun to ride. All of the refereed reviews and videos are spot on for this bike. I’m sharing my first ride stats in the photos attached. 12.5 miles in 44 minutes, average speed 16mph with up to level 3 assist and two hills at 10% grade. You’ll see minimal battery drain. Yes, I stood on my pedals for a few revolutions. Next time, I’ll take it easy and use more assist on this particular ride. A great ride. I’m 5’11” age 64. You can do this if I can. Additionally, the bike is easy to put together. I’ll be looking for a pedal assist for my wife and the small size may be for her. Great smooth ride. Keep it up Ride1Up.
Lou Taloumis
Buy this bike. It’s fun to ride. All of the refereed reviews and videos are spot on for this bike. I’m sharing my first ride stats in the photos attached. 12.5 miles in 44 minutes, average speed 16mph with up to level 3 assist and two hills at 10% grade. You’ll see minimal battery drain. Yes, I stood on my pedals for a few revolutions. Next time, I’ll take it easy and use more assist on this particular ride. A great ride. I’m 5’11” age 64. You can do this if I can. Additionally, the bike is easy to put together. I’ll be looking for a pedal assist for my wife and the small size may be for her. Great smooth ride. Keep it up Ride1Up.
Esteban Quiroz
My first e bike ,my first ride was absolutely great,obviously i was running late to work that i used pedal assist and made it to work not on time ,but got there fast 4 miles in 10 minutes ,Love the feel the speed ,the comfortable seat,very happy with it ,the only thing is i will change is the tires for puncture resistance tires don't like flats who does ,as advertised 100% thank you ride 1up
Jeffrey Beck
Controller snapped free from the handlebar - very common with this model controller on other brands using this type of controller as well, it uses a plastic bracket and is overly stressed to fit around the handlebar and normal use causes it to stress further resulting in a cracked bracket that can not easily be fixed.
Jeffrey Beck
Controller snapped free from the handlebar - very common with this model controller on other brands using this type of controller as well, it uses a plastic bracket and is overly stressed to fit around the handlebar and normal use causes it to stress further resulting in a cracked bracket that can not easily be fixed.
Olvin Smith
Very nice bike... Real head-turner. I added front back fender plus rack. Lights air pump bottle holder. Looks real good. Only issues... slop in the front gooseneck I tightened it down once already I'll do it again. And I'm starting to hear the gear belt. But keep up the good work. for that price point I can't complain too much
Eleanor
This is a great electric bike. I'm using it as a way to quickly get around town. The bike arrived early and my 12 year old granddaughter put it together with my guidance. Amazing to watch her figure it out. As I was advised to do in the manual, I took it to a local bike shop and had them check it out. The wheels were true, brakes worked properly and their wasn't anything to correct. The bike fits me perfectly.
Eleanor
This is a great electric bike. I'm using it as a way to quickly get around town. The bike arrived early and my 12 year old granddaughter put it together with my guidance. Amazing to watch her figure it out. As I was advised to do in the manual, I took it to a local bike shop and had them check it out. The wheels were true, brakes worked properly and their wasn't anything to correct. The bike fits me perfectly.
Eleanor
This is a great electric bike. I'm using it as a way to quickly get around town. The bike arrived early and my 12 year old granddaughter put it together with my guidance. Amazing to watch her figure it out. As I was advised to do in the manual, I took it to a local bike shop and had them check it out. The wheels were true, brakes worked properly and their wasn't anything to correct. The bike fits me perfectly.
Tom Flaherty
Love my Roadster V2. I live in flat southwest Florida and this bike rises to every occasion. I have replaced a good few car rides with a bike rides without being tired and super sweaty. I got good customer support with various details. Others are surprised that this is an electric bike. I raised the handle bars to get an upright riding position and added a rack, kickstand, front basket, bottle holder and blinky lights.
Ryan
The Roadster V2 is one stealthy ebike! I like the gearing as it never feels like you are spinning the pedals even in pedal-assist 5. The LCD display is small but simple and the maintenance-free belt drive is a dream. There is certainly a target market Ride1Up is catering to with this bike and in my opinion it hits the mark. Check out my full review here: https://ebikeescape.com/ride1up-roadster-v2-revoew/
Ryan
The Roadster V2 is one stealthy ebike! I like the gearing as it never feels like you are spinning the pedals even in pedal-assist 5. The LCD display is small but simple and the maintenance-free belt drive is a dream. There is certainly a target market Ride1Up is catering to with this bike and in my opinion it hits the mark. Check out my full review here: https://ebikeescape.com/ride1up-roadster-v2-revoew/
Ryan
The Roadster V2 is one stealthy ebike! I like the gearing as it never feels like you are spinning the pedals even in pedal-assist 5. The LCD display is small but simple and the maintenance-free belt drive is a dream. There is certainly a target market Ride1Up is catering to with this bike and in my opinion it hits the mark. Check out my full review here: https://ebikeescape.com/ride1up-roadster-v2-revoew/
Brian Brock
I received this bike today and, let's just say, I pushed it to the limit. First of all I'm 6'4" and weigh 255 pounds, with a 36 inch inseam. With gear that's probably 265 pounds, so that right there is within 10 pounds of the weight limit of the bike! Keep this in mind. I've also been road and mountain bike riding for over 10 years. Assembly was easy. Another reviewer mentioned the fork is on backwards - its not, its just turned around for smaller shipping. Put the handlebars on after turning the fork around. I had a Park Tools pedal tool to attach the pedals, but I did notice the included wrench wasn't the right size for the pedals. Odd. I adjusted the brakes so that they were only touching the rims and not the tires. The brakes came tight and ready to go. My neighborhood is pretty hilly, and this bike is not designed to haul you up hills! It's a single speed with no throttle, but that's why I wanted it; I want my share of exercise. Saddle felt great, even without padded bike pants. The belt drive is very smooth, I could tell a difference from the usual chain drivetrains I'm used to. I ordered a large frame and I find it is quite adequate, given my measurements above. I may buy a part to extend the handlebars out just a bit, but I can say it is comfortable out of the box. Then I went for a ride. On a couple extremely steep hills I did notice the belt slipping at the maximum exertion (mine and bike's, once your climbing speed drops down to about 5 mph), but these are hills that are very steep and I should not be expecting this kind of bike to haul a 265 pound rider up them. I picked these particular hills just to "torture test" the bike and I would say the bike performed exactly as expected. I should mention that the motor is very quiet; all I could hear was the wind in my ears. If it wasn't for the gentle boost with the pedal assist I wouldn't know it was working! That's a good thing. I went a total of 18.3 miles, with elevation change of 1235 ft, over 1 hour and 7 minutes. I had the bike on assist level 5 for a lot of the ride, but not all of it. The gearing is great with no power assist for flat areas and slight downhills, so just turn it off if you're on a downward incline. My top speed (do not do this!) was 41 miles an hour going downhill, and I was able to gradually brake in time to make a turn onto my street. This is a maneuver I have done hundreds of times before in this exact spot, so do not try this unless you are experienced! But I can vouch for the brakes - they will stop effectively. I finished up with 1 bar of power left, but by the end I was trying to see if I could run the power out and I had been testing hills (and the weight limit, of course). Perhaps I lucked up with the attachment position of the handlebars, but I find the up/down power assist to be easy to operate and feel without looking. The display has exactly all of the information I want to think about while riding, and has a few more stats (this bike does not measure elevation - I was using a 3rd party app for that). I plan on using this bike to commute to work on favorable days, and to get in quick rides in the mornings I'm not commuting. Even though I live in a hilly area, I can still recommend this bike! I'm glad I purchased this model and would purchase it again.
Paul
I LOVE my roadster! Build quality is great. It's very quiet and I really enjoy the single gear. I was worried about this, but it turns out that a single gear is totally compensated by the electric drive. I only have 2 minor beefs: The bike looked WHITE on the ride1up pics... but it's GREY. The cover for the charge port broke within an hour of use. Perfect complement to my collection ;)
Ryan B.
This bike looks great! I have had a ride1up 500 for about 6 months and I bought this one because it looks great and I wanted to ride with my wife. To be honest it doesn’t compare to the 500. My town has some moderate hills, that’s why we wanted bikes. We use these more for stress relief and transportation than exercise. After two rides I’m not that impressed. On a full charge it completely died at 8 miles, the 500 will easily do twice that. This bike has no suspension where as the 500 is a super smooth ride. It only has one gear so when the battery died at 8 miles making it home was brutal. Again this bike looks great but lacking when it come to performance.
Des Boylan
Very happy with my new Roadster V2. It is exactly as I expected.. Light weight, minimalist and looks just like a regular commuting bike. It performs very well.. very smooth, silent and powerful. I use my bike to commute to work every day. My commute is a 25 kilometre round trip and I can easily get 2 days commuting on a single charge. I’ve made some slight modifications.., just adding front and rear mudguards, a rear pannier rack and toe-clips. Photos attached..
Des Boylan
Very happy with my new Roadster V2. It is exactly as I expected.. Light weight, minimalist and looks just like a regular commuting bike. It performs very well.. very smooth, silent and powerful. I use my bike to commute to work every day. My commute is a 25 kilometre round trip and I can easily get 2 days commuting on a single charge. I’ve made some slight modifications.., just adding front and rear mudguards, a rear pannier rack and toe-clips. Photos attached..
Alfonso Paredes
Excellent bike, perfect for urban commute, which is why I purchased it. Looks great, very stealth. Love the color. Wish list: would be great to be able to add a second battery which would fit on a water bottle cage and extend the range of the ride. Doesn’t seem that hard to do in my opinion. That’s it, I like it, keep it up Ride1Up!
Alfonso Paredes
Excellent bike, perfect for urban commute, which is why I purchased it. Looks great, very stealth. Love the color. Wish list: would be great to be able to add a second battery which would fit on a water bottle cage and extend the range of the ride. Doesn’t seem that hard to do in my opinion. That’s it, I like it, keep it up Ride1Up!
Alfonso Paredes
Excellent bike, perfect for urban commute, which is why I purchased it. Looks great, very stealth. Love the color. Wish list: would be great to be able to add a second battery which would fit on a water bottle cage and extend the range of the ride. Doesn’t seem that hard to do in my opinion. That’s it, I like it, keep it up Ride1Up!
Alfonso Paredes
Excellent bike, perfect for urban commute, which is why I purchased it. Looks great, very stealth. Love the color. Wish list: would be great to be able to add a second battery which would fit on a water bottle cage and extend the range of the ride. Doesn’t seem that hard to do in my opinion. That’s it, I like it, keep it up Ride1Up!
Alfonso Paredes
Excellent bike, perfect for urban commute, which is why I purchased it. Looks great, very stealth. Love the color. Wish list: would be great to be able to add a second battery which would fit on a water bottle cage and extend the range of the ride. Doesn’t seem that hard to do in my opinion. That’s it, I like it, keep it up Ride1Up!
Sorry, no reviews match your current selections
Hugh (verified owner) –
I’ve just finished my first 100 miles on my 52cm model. I decided pretty quickly to add a 720mm flat bar for slow corner stability and a torsion spring below the saddle for the surprise bumps. I’m overall satisfied with the range and performance as a local commuter. I’ve recommended this model to many friends as well.
I did find that as the belt needed tension after less than 2 weeks, mine was shipped with a stripped tensioner bolt. Customer service told me it’s my problem as it was not detected in the first 3 days after delivery since it must be “shipping damage” (read your fine print before buying. I see any warranty claim being potentially problematic if this is the standard practice) and sold me 2 bolts for $25 to replace this. I’d consider a problem that had to occur in manufacturing as a manufacturing problem, but this would assume the FedEx driver just opened my package, destroyed the interior of one screw, repackaged it, and delivered to me. You know, as you do.
In summation, I’m happy with the bike, but afraid of problems down the road if they wish to wipe their hands of mistakes they made during assembly so quickly. Time will tell. I want to love it, but don’t love their approach to brand responsibility surrounding customer service experience. That being said, the representatives I’ve interacted with are pleasant, just the policy was surprisingly disheartening. One bad experience can really hurt customer retention.
John D. (verified owner) –
For the last 2 1/2 years, I used a class 2 mountain-bike (350W, 7 speed mountain bike with a battery of 400Wh) for my daily commute of 2×9.5 miles with many hills with a typical 4-6% gradients (70ft elevation difference but 650ft up and downs according to google map). The mountain bike worked great for some 5850 miles with the usual wear (brake disks & pads, tires, chain, …) when the hub failed and reminded me that a backup bike with similar specs would be nice. I was looking for a bike and not an electrical moped with 5 .. .700+ W. The roadster seems to fit the bill with the downside of a small battery and lack of the much needed gears. All youtube review were very positive and easily got 20…50+ miles on level 1 but performed by slim fellows some 30-40 years younger with a physique unlike mine (235lb + 25-30lb laptop, repair gear, books, lunch etc.).
After three round-trips, the speeds of the roadster and mount bike are very similar (moving average 17.8 vs 18.1 m/h, top 32.8 vs. 33.1 m/h downhill),
as are the estimated battery range (20-23m base on the discharge curve for Samsung 25e on level 3 average vs. 25 miles on level 4-5).
On the roadster, the hills are easier when using the power level as substitute of the shifter. A positive surprise: Starting uphill from
a red light, the motor gives almost immediate push rather than the 1 1/2 turns mentioned in the review. It takes a little bit effort
to ride the roadster (average heart rate 115 vs. 107) but this may be positive as a weight reducing measure.
The brakes are ok but the front brake vibrates when used with little pressure to slow down, I switched the
right lever to operating the front to be consistent with the other ebike and all bikes I used over the years.
Shortcomings for a commuter bike needs: Back- and front lights, a mirror, a back rack, better handgrips to avoid numb hands.
It would be great if Bike1up would offer these items or provides links.
Overall, the roadster seems to be a capable commuter bike even for average Joe, and the slightly more effort may be welcome
to reduce weight, or it is balanced by the benefit of an oil-free right leg of your pants.
If the roadster turns out as durable as the mountain bike, I found a great primary commuting bike rather than a backup bike.
Carl (verified owner) –
Love this bike. Elegant design and perfect town ride. Quiet, fast and efficient. Increasing pedal assist as the terrain gets hilly is intuitive and helps keep cadence comfortable.
Timothy N. (verified owner) –
Great bike, it’s much better than higher priced ebikes I have purchased. Very light and nimble
Jennifer D. (verified owner) –
Price to value is super good, for the components that come with the bike. The rim v-breaks are more than effective and work very well. Shipping to Hawaii is expensive but it is to be expected considering current events. My brother in TX shipped me my bike via fed-ex for a cheaper rate. Battery range 27 miles on single charge flat lands with head wind, and some level 2 use to get up small inclines. The saddle is comfortable even without bib-shorts. I am 182 lbs. I got a size small and I’m 5’8″. I installed a shock absorption seat post for more comfort on bumpy roads. Bike weight is light which is good. I have taken it 24 mph with level 5 pas. Biking level 1 feels comfortable and good to ride in. I am a injured athlete and this has made my bicycling dreams come true again because the PAS is very responsive. I am a 10+ year avid cyclist and I enjoy the looks and geometry a lot. I got the silver colorway. I can honestly say it is a wonderful tool to have in the quiver and makes bicycling fun again! Don’t knock-it before you try it.
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David M. (verified owner) –
You guys rock. Thank you for making an affordable electric assist commuter bike. I ride it 3 times a week, 11 miles in and 11 miles home. In the late fall with 32 deg days, and my size the battery only lasts 11miles at level 2 or 3, not much elevation gain, but it has me riding, and cuts my ride from 1 hour plus to 40 minutes.