Tom's Guide Verdict
A truly excellent bike, the Ride1Up Roadster V3 improves upon its predecessor with a torque sensor, minimalist design, and a 10-speed drivetrain. It’s best for commuters who want to get there fast rather than carry everything with them.
Pros
- +
Fast, fun, and sharp steering
- +
Feels solidly built
- +
Looks like an analog bike
- +
Torque sensor makes for a smooth and intuitive assist experience
Cons
- -
Not ideal for carrying cargo
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Ride1Up’s Roadster V3 follows in the footsteps of its predecessor, the Roadster V2, pretty closely. Yet key differences set it apart, including its torque sensor and the addition of a 10-speed drivetrain option.
Overall, the Ride1Up Roadster V3 is more versatile, powerful, and more fun to ride than the Roadster V2, which we've also reviewed, and it’s a top choice for a fast and sleek commuter bike that can handle light dirt roads as well as it can handle pavement.
Picking up a 5-star review definitely puts this e-bike in contention for one of the best electric bikes around, so here are my thoughts during testing.
Ride1Up Roadster V3 review: specifications
| Battery | Samsung GB50, 10Ah, removable |
| Max advertised range | 40 miles |
| Max assist speed | 28 mph |
| Motor | 500-watt Mivice hub motor, 50Nm torque |
| Drivetrain | Shimano Deore, 10-speed |
| Weight | 39 pounds |
| Max weight capacity | 300 pounds |
Ride1Up Roadster V3 review: price and availability
The Roadster V3 costs $1,295 and is available for purchase now on Ride1Up’s website. Shipping is free and Ride1Up offers 30-day returns. The bike comes with a one-year warranty. Ride1Up also offers financing through Affirm at checkout.
There are two versions of the Roadster V3 available: the single-speed belt-drive version and the 10-speed chain-driven versions cost the same, and both are available in low-step, medium, or large frame sizes.
Ride1Up Roadster V3 review: design
Like its predecessor, the Roadster V2, the Ride1Up Roadster V3 features a sleek and minimalist design for commuters looking to get to work or play fast. It rolls on 700 x 45c tires, which bridge the gap between speed and stability. The bike comes standard with fenders and front and rear lights and weighs under 40 pounds.
Complementing the already sleek design is the integrated stem and bright Velofox OLED display. The battery is integrated cleanly into the downtube of the frame, and it’s removable. Notably, Ride1Up says the battery has double gas vents that help lower fire danger.
The Roadster V3 comes in two configurations: a single-speed belt drive system or a 10-speed version with a Shimano Deore drivetrain. Both bikes come stock with Tektro hydraulic disc brakes for consistent braking in all conditions.
The hub motor is mounted in the rear wheel and works with a Samsung battery. All told you’ll get 50Nm of torque from the motor and an advertised range of 20 to 40 miles per charge.
The assist kicks in based on the Intui-Drive Torque sensor, which delivers smooth and responsive power based on your pedaling input. You can set the Roadster V3 operational as a class 1 to 3 bike, and depending on which mode you choose, you can get assist speeds up to 28mph.
Ride1Up Roadster V3 review: performance
The Roadster V3 shares a lot of its ride quality DNA with the previous version, the V2. Solid, sharp handling makes it feel fast and responsive, and ultimately very fun to ride. This feels like a performance bike dressed up as a commuter.
The motor assist makes it even more capable. The motor is very powerful and fast in turbo mode, and you’ll reach the maximum assist speed quickly. But the ramp-up in power feels natural too, thanks largely to the torque sensor that implements the assist based on your pedaling input.
The 700c wheels offer an easy ramp-up to speed, but the 45mm tires also give you plenty of stability on pavement and mellow dirt roads. That makes the Roadster V3 an ideal choice for city commuters, or those who find themselves on easy dirt roads on the way to the coffee shop.
Shimano’s 10-speed Deore drivetrain works well and gives you a wide range of gears to help you get up the steps. The Roadster V3 is easy to start up from a dead stop on hills, though you’ll still want to shift into easier gears to make the process quicker.
The Roadster V3 also looks great. The simple lines and clean colors make it an attractive ride and give it a high-end appearance despite the affordable price compared with some competitors.
Ride1Up Roadster V3 review: Battery life
The 500Ah battery is removable. It’s integrated cleanly into the downtube of the frame, and at a glance, you’d be hard-pressed to see it at all. The Roadster V3 looks (and feels) like a non-motorized bike until you start pedaling with assist turned on.
However, the battery seemed to drain quicker than I expected throughout the first few rides. After five miles of riding, using the highest assist level, the battery had gone down to 80%.
That’s still in keeping with the lower range of the advertised battery life of 20 miles, though. Using lower assist levels would probably conserve more battery and give a longer range.
Ride1Up Roadster V3 review: competition
The Roadster V3 has a few close competitors, though few are as stripped down and simple as the V3.
The Propella 9S Pro V2 comes at a similar price, though slightly more expensive, and includes fenders. It’s a simple bike as well, with a 9-speed drivetrain and a torque sensor. But it's set up for class 1 operation only, so it won’t reach the maximum speeds that the Roadster V3 is capable of.
Aventon‘s Soltera.2 also hits a similar price but is slightly cheaper, and features a simple design. It’s not nearly as sleek and fun to ride as the Roadster V3, and it feels underpowered in comparison. If you're looking to save some money, this could be an option.
Should you buy the Ride1Up Roadster V3?
The Roadster V3 is a fun and fast commuter bike that looks an awful lot like a non-motorized bike. It’s sleek and practical for commuters looking for a simple bike that handles well and is versatile enough for pavement riding and light dirt roads.
It’s not ideal if you’re carrying a lot of cargo daily, though Ride1Up does sell accessories like a rear rack and panniers should you need some storage space.
Overall, Ride1Up has created an excellent commuter bike with a wide gear range, lots of stopping power, and a natural pedal assist that feels smooth and powerful. In my opinion, it comes in at a good price, too, so it’s an excellent choice for commuters.
