Ride1Up Core 5 Review

Today we’re testing the Ride1Up Core 5 e-bike. This battery powered electric bike is ideal for both commuting and recreation. But how does it perform in our ride tests? Find out now!

Pros

• Easy to use
• Max. speed of 20 mph or 28 mph when assisting
• 20-40 miles of run time
• Solid construction

Cons

• A bit pricey, but cheaper than some other electric bikes
• Handlebar height not adjustable

Scoring

In This Review

Performance | Design | Assembly | Specs | Summary

Performance

The Performance on the Ride1up Core 5 electric bike was great. It was a joy to ride and felt similar to a standard bike.

Handling

The handling on the Core 5 was great. While using the manual throttle or assisted mode to accelerate the bike during a turn it can be more tricky. When making a tighter turn it’s best to let the momentum of the bike carry you through the turn (just like you would with a motorcycle).

Accelerating with manual or assisted mode during a turn can be more dangerous. Otherwise, the bike turned well, and handled bumps in the road well.

Weight

While riding the Core 5, it felt heavier than I was used to. The Core 5 e-bike weight 49 lbs. I have used a bike throughout my life and the Core 5 felt considerably heavier than my standard non-e-bike.

While it isn’t overly heavy it is something to keep in mind if you plan on carrying the bike up stairs. However, the Core 5 is lighter than other popular electric bikes on the market. 

Manual & Assisted mode

The Ride1Up Core 5 comes with two different modes to use while riding the bike. In either manual or assisted mode, you can use the throttle to accelerate the bike. 

When on assisted mode, the Core 5 will accelerate as you pedal, making pedaling easier. There are 5 different modes to choose from while using the assist feature. These modes range from 1-5 and will increase the amount of electronic assistance as the number increases.

On the other hand, when in manual the bike will not assist you as you pedal. Instead it will rely on your pedaling or the manual throttle for acceleration. 

While I liked the assisted mode, it took some time getting used to it. Most notably, I found the assisted mode to feel weird while I was turning.

When turning, I sometimes would pedal and get a burst of unexpected speed from the bike. Over time I can see myself getting used to the feeling, but make sure to keep that in mind when starting to use the bike. 

Gear shift

Shifting gears on the Ride1Up was easy and I didn’t experience any issues with sticking. The gear shift has a 2-button operation that either increases or decreases the resistance as you pedal. 

Speed & Braking

The Core 5 has a top speed of about 20 mph while using the throttle exclusively, which is similar to other electric bikes on the market. While using the assisted feature, the bike can reach up to 28 mph.

In our tests, I was able to hit an unassisted max of 22 mph. However, Ride1Up specs say it’s a max of 20 mph.

We tested how long it takes to reach this top speed, as well as how long and far it takes to come to a complete stop.

• Time to top speed (0 to 22 mph): 10 sec.
• Time to complete stop (22 mph to 0; rear brake only): 3 sec.
• Length of complete stop (22 mph to 0, rear brake only): 38 ft.

Our tests showed the Core 5 takes 10 seconds to reach top speed from a stopped position. 

While the brakes feel responsive, I was surprised by the distance needed to stop from the top speed. This felt a little longer than I would have liked. In general, make sure to be aware of your surroundings and give yourself ample time to decelerate and stop. 

Battery

The battery is large and clicks in flush to the body of the bike. It requires the use of the included keys to be removed from the frame for charging. According to Ride1Up, the battery has a range of 20-40 miles.

This variance is due to the rider weight, terrain, incline, level of assist, and other factors that affect battery life. 

Charging time of the battery can also vary depending on different factors. In general, Ride1Up estimates charge time can take between 3-6 hours. 

If you do want increased riding time, an additional battery can be purchased to be swapped in as needed. 

Design

The Ride1Up has a simple design that, while slightly bulkier, looks like a standard bicycle. We tested the XR black frame. The Core 5 also has a standard frame for smaller riders. Additionally, there are 2 other color options including blue and green. 

The bike feels sturdy and can withstand pressure while riding. Ride1Up states the weight capacity of the bike is 275 lbs.

Handlebars & Controls

The handlebars have a solid design, with good grip and easy to reach hand brakes. While there is no way to raise the handlebars, they should be comfortable for most heights.

Included on the handlebars is an LCD and trigger shifter. The LCD conveys current information about your ride such as:

• Current speed
• Trip distance
• Trip time
• Maximum speed
• Average speed
• Battery life
• Assist level

On the display are 3 buttons that control the functions of the Core 5. The “M” or mode button powers the device and toggles between the different display modes. 

The “+” button can increase the level of assist, as well as turn on/off the back display.

The final button, “-”, can decrease the level of assist. Additionally, when pressed down for 2 seconds, it toggles an assisted walking function. The assisted walk will use the motor to move the bike forward as you hold down the button. While this is a nice feature, I found the walking speed to be a little fast. It’s more of a light jogging pace.

Seat

The seat on the Core 5 felt like your standard bike seat. While it isn’t amazingly comfortable, it isn’t completely uncomfortable either. The seat can be raised and lowered.

Assembly & Setup

The Ride1Up Core 5 comes in various parts that need to be assembled before use. The main body of the bike and back wheel came connected, but the pedals, handlebar, seat, and front wheel all needed to be attached. 

Here are all the parts that come in the box:

• Core 5 frame and back wheel
• Handlebars
• Seat
• Front wheel
• Pedals
• Reflectors
• Battery
• Charger and power cable
• Keys
• Manual

The process took a single person 30 minutes to complete and did require some tools. Luckily, Ride1Up includes a full set of Allen wrenches to complete the setup. 

Overall, the setup experience was good, however, I did have a few moments of difficulty. In some cases the setup instructions seemed to be missing steps and/or steps weren’t clear. 

Additionally, I found the pedals difficult to screw on with the provided tools. I ended up using a pair of pliers to get a better grip and completely screw them in. 

The most notable complication with the setup was the handlebars. Out of the box, they came to us backwards. Meaning the brakes, LCD display, throttle, and gear shifter were on the wrong side. We had to remove these pieces and switch them to the correct side, which was not in the manual. 

This was frustrating to deal with and alone took 30 minutes to complete. Furthermore, this required additional tools. Luckily we had the necessary tools, but they weren’t provided with the bike. 

Otherwise the rest of the setup was simple. Make sure to carefully read the manual in order to correctly set up the bike.

Specifications

Specifications
Manufacturer	Ride1Up
Model	Core 5 gen 2
Seat Height	32-40″
Total Length	70″
Weight	49 lbs.
Weight Capacity	275 lbs.
Top Speed (assisted)	28 mph.
Top Speed (unassisted)	20 mph.
Battery Life	20-40 miles
Assisted Mode	Yes
Returns	Varies by retailer
Warranty	1-Years
Price	Check Price

Should you buy the Ride1Up Core 5?

I would recommend the Ride1Up Core 5 if you’re looking for the following features:

• Easy to use: The Ride1Up Core 5 has few controls, but that makes it easy to get used to while learning. While setup takes some time, it was relatively simple even with one person. The controls are easily accessible while riding and the bike handles well. 
• 20-40 miles of run time: The Core 5 can run up to 40 miles depending on external factors. At its lowest you can still expect about an hour of riding out of a single battery charge. Additionally, if you are looking for longer rides an additional battery can be purchased to double the length. 
• Manual or assisted modes: The Ride1Up Core 5 offers an assisted mode, which accelerates the bike as you pedal. This is great if you are still looking for a classic biking experience with some help. When assisted the Core 5 can reach up to 28 mph, while without it, it maxes out at 22 mph (in our tests). Whether in manual or assisted mode, you can use the throttle to increase the speed without the help of the pedal.

For more information or to buy the Ride1Up Core 5, click here.