Ride1Up Cafe Cruiser E-Bike Review

The Ride1Up Cafe Cruiser is a refreshing take on the classic beach cruiser. This casual electric bike combines an upright riding posture with laid-back attitude that’s perfect for spins around the boardwalk or neighborhood paths. But has Ride1Up successfully reimagined a traditional cruiser or is this bike something else entirely? Mountain Weekly News recently hopped on this ebike and put it to the ultimate test.

About Ride1Up

The Ride1Up brand is one of the most popular names when it comes to ebikes in North America, offering a diverse range of electric bikes between $1,000 and $3,000. Currently, the company has 10 models in the fleet, each available in a couple of frame, size, and color options— an impressive spectrum of choice that isn’t too common across the industry. Here at Mountain Weekly News, we’ve tested several of the brand’s bikes in the past such as the LMT’D and Rift models.

Beach Cruiser Inspired

The Cafe Cruiser ebike embraces an unmistakably cruiser-inspired design, but isn’t like many of the other electric cruisers on the market. Often, brands simply add a rear hub motor and external battery to an otherwise conventional cruiser frame, preserving the thin, curved tubing that’s typical of beach cruisers. Ride1Up, however, gives the cruiser style a facelift with more modern tube shapes and a frame integrated battery inside the downtube. The wide 26” balloon tires, long wheelbase, and swept back handlebars confirm this bike is still a cruiser, only with a much sleeker 21st century appearance.

Maybe it’s because of the upgraded look or powerful motor, but this model reminds me more of a café racer motorcycle than a beach cruiser bicycle— and that’s a good thing. This bike isn’t caught between the two worlds of vintage design and modern electronics, but rather takes advantage of the latest tech to make a fast commuter and daily rider.

Ride1Up Cafe Cruiser Frame Sizes

The entire bike weighs 65 lbs. and is available in both step-through and step-over versions. Ride1Up claim the step-through model fits riders from 5’ to 6’4” and 5’5” to 6’4” for the step-over model. There’s no beating around the bush that this model is a large bike, even with those sizing recommendations. I suggest that beginner riders, smaller cyclists, and kids should opt for a lighter setup with more agile riding characteristics.

• Recommended Rider Height Step-Through: 5′ – 6’4
• Recommended Rider Height Step-Over: 5’5 – 6’4

750W Motor

The Cafe Cruiser is propelled by a Bafang 750W rear hub motor with Class 3 speeds, meaning a top pace of 28 mph with pedal assist and 20 mph on the throttle. The motor produces 60 Nm of torque to make it up moderate hills without strain. While not built to fly up steep gradients, the ebike will be able to make it up 15° inclines, albeit slowly. The cadence sensor isn’t as responsive as a fancier torque sensor (which is starting to become the norm on budget ebikes) but the acceleration feels fine. I appreciate that the bike gradually works through its 5 pedal assist levels as well as throttle speeds rather than jumping off the line too quickly— relaxed cruisers are all about, well… cruising.

Ride1Up Cafe Cruiser Battery

The 15 Ah battery is neatly tucked inside the downtube and should deliver a range of between 30-50 miles of battery life depending on factors like rider weight and terrain. The black strip along the underside of the downtube is a clever design choice utilized by many manufacturers to give the appearance of a slimmer downtube, and my eyes are definitely buying it. Trek and Specialized have done the same thing on several of their premium hybrid ebikes.

Components

In terms of mechanical components, there is a Shimano Acera 8-speed drivetrain so riders can always find the right pedaling ratio when receiving assistance. The trigger shifter is a premium touch that feels much better to use than low-cost SiS shifters that often outfit ebikes at this price range. Another premium touch are the Zoom hydraulic disc brakes with a motor cut-off sensor so that the motor immediately stops when brakes are engaged.

How’s the Ride1Up Cafe Cruiser Ride?

Ride1Up has opted to equip the cruiser with front suspension for a more cushioned ride. During testing, we noted that the plush 80mm suspension fork in the front really moves with the bike and responds well to small bumps in the road. The front fork is also easily lockable via the stanchion dial if you want a more rigid and efficient ride feel. The 26” wheels are paired with wide 3” tires with a huge air volume to absorb road buzz and even float over patches of sand if you happen to be rolling around the boardwalk. The front and rear wheels are both outfitted with black metal fenders.

The integrated tech on the Cafe Cruiser won’t blow you away, but its functional accessories get the job done. There are integrated front and rear lights that are bright enough so you are visible at night, but you may want to upgrade them to increase your own field of view. The simple black-and-white display is small and shows your standard ride metrics, also revealing the current wattage which is a cool feature.

Rounding out the ebike is the comfortable saddle that’s the cherry on top of an already pleasantly upright riding position. It’s made out of some sort of plush memory foam and feels great due to the integrated springs. The cruiser handlebars have a generous 40° backsweep and 50mm rise to encourage an upright sitting posture that’s easy on the body.

And you don’t have to keep all the comfort to yourself— the Cafe Cruiser rear rack works with Ride1Up’s compatible seat pad to carry a passenger. There’s even a pre-drilled section in the chainstays to install foot pegs for the rear riding partner (those accessories aren’t included, though). To me, riding around with a friend on the back is the true spirit of a cruiser, so you might as well give them a cushy spot to sit.

The Cafe Cruiser’s motorcycle-forward vibe means its a beast on the bike path. The 3” wide tires and large frame can feel cumbersome to navigate for some riders. During testing, we noticed that the turning radius of the ebike is fairly large so it’s difficult to execute sharp turns. After all, this bike is a cruiser rather than a commuter-style ebike that delivers a more natural-feeling ride. But if you do want to commute or do deliveries, the sturdy welded rear rack can support up to 150 lbs. and has supports for installing panniers.

Ride1Up Cafe Cruiser E-Bike Pros:

• Modern Cruiser Design: Sleeker look with integrated battery and modern components compared to other cruisers.
• Comfortable Ride: Wide tires, plush saddle, front suspension, and upright riding position offer a smooth and comfortable ride.
• Powerful Motor: 750w Bafang motor with 60Nm torque gets you up moderate hills with ease and reaches speeds up to 28mph.
• Hydraulic Disc Brakes: Provide strong stopping power with motor cut-off sensor for safety.
• Functional Tech: Integrated lights, easy-to-read display with current wattage, and phone charger in the battery.
• Passenger Capability: Rear rack can hold up to 150 lbs and has pre-drilled spots for footpegs (sold separately).
• Affordable: Priced at $1295, it offers good value for the features.
• Multiple Colors: Available in carbon, indigo, and latte light gray.

Ride1Up Cafe Cruiser E-Bike Cons:

• Heavy: At 65 lbs, it can be difficult to maneuver, especially for smaller riders.
• Large Size: May not be suitable for small apartments or tight storage spaces.
• Limited Range: Advertised range is 30-50 miles, which may be less depending on conditions.
• Large Turning Radius: Not ideal for tight spaces or sharp turns due to its cruiser design.
• Basic Display: Lacks features found on higher-end e-bikes.
• No Turn Signals: A safety feature missing on this model.
• Not Ideal for Beginners: The weight and size may be challenging for new riders.

Overall Impression

The Ride1Up Cafe Cruiser ($1,295) brings the classic beach cruiser into the modern era, boasting a stable ride with up-to-date features. Recreational riders looking for a smooth cruiser can snag it for just $1,295 and it’s available in carbon, indigo, and latte light gray. Whether your rolling into town for a smoothie or commuting across the city, you’d be hard pressed to find a better value than this relaxed cruiser.

Related Cruiser E-Bikes

1. Magicycle Cruiser Pro E-Bike
2. Flyer Cruiser E-Bike
3. Denago Cruiser E-Bike