Ride1Up Core-5 Review In 2022: Buy Or Not To Buy

Let’s discuss the subject: Ride1Up Core-5 Review.

The Ride1Up Core-5 is a stylish, entertaining bike with throttle and pedal-assist options. It is best for riders looking for a straightforward commuter on mainly flat terrain.

A good e-bike doesn’t have to be expensive or fancy, as demonstrated by the Ride1Up Core-5. A bike also doesn’t have to be expensive to look great.

Let’s read on.

Overview Of Ride1Up Core-5 Review

The Ride1Up Core-5 impressed our testers and easily bested the competition in our test of affordable e-bikes. This Class 3 model has a strong 750W motor that easily supports speeds up to 20 mph when using the throttle and 28 mph when using the pedal assist. In the downtube of the stylish frame, the 500 Wh battery is neatly integrated and offers a sizable range of travel. The Core-5 rides comfortably with excellent handling and stability at high speeds thanks to the 27.5-inch wheels and girthy tires. Additionally, it is available in three colors, two frame designs—XR (step-over) and ST (step-through), depending on your requirements and preferences. However, we believe it to be the best we’ve tested in this price range. Our only complaint is that it lacks many included features.

Motor Of Ride1Up Core-5 Review

The 48V Shengyi geared rear hub motor has a nominal rating of 500w and a top speed of 28 mph. Since its power was almost immediately available, we had a positive experience using this motor. When using the throttle and higher pedal assist levels, we could hear the motor working hard, but never to the point where we felt it was trying to go beyond what it was capable of.

Design Of Ride1Up Core-5 Review

There are two different frame arrangements for the Core-5: standard or step-thru. The top tube is completely removed in the latter, making mounting and demounting simpler. Riders between the heights of 5’6″ and 6’4″ can use the Core-5, which comes in just one size, according to Ride1Up.” Three color choices are available.

While it is immediately apparent that the Core-5 is an e-bike—in large part because of the large down tube that houses the removable battery—the bike itself is reasonably stylish. The Core-5 has a sleek top tube/head tube junction that elevates its appearance despite the fact that it is priced and constructed to be an entry-level e-bike.

The 27-5-inch wheels on the Core-5 help to keep the standover height low so that a wider range of riders can use it. With the 2.2-inch wide tires that my test bike came with, you can increase comfort and compliance by operating the tires at a low tire pressure.

If you’re going to be loading the bike with cargo or a child carrier, the Tektro mechanical disc brakes provide plenty of stopping power.

Unbranded and located in the rear hub, the motor’s manufacturer is listed on Ride1Up as Shengyi. Together with a Shimano 7-speed drivetrain, it offers you a wide range of options for riding both with and without motor assistance.

A Class 3 e-bike is what the Core-5 is categorized as. You can get up to 28 mph of pedal assistance, and 20 mph of throttle assistance, with these features. On a black and white LCD head unit mounted on the handlebar, buttons are used to operate the pedal-assist modes. You can also view your current speed, the odometer, and other ride-related data here.

The kickstand, which is stable and simple to use, is attached to the chainstay. However, the Core-5 lacks integrated front or rear lights, unlike many other e-bikes even in this entry-level price range.

Pedal Assist / Throttle Of Ride1Up Core-5 Review

With the exception of levels one and two, which had the smallest difference in feel, the pedal assist levels on the Ride1UP Core-5 can be distinguished from one another. On our circuit test, the average speed increase between PAS1 and PAS2 was only 1 mph.

Every other PAS level increased by 2 to 3 mph. The slight difference between levels one and two didn’t bother us much because we weren’t trying to pedal quickly in those ranges.

On the left side of the handlebar, the Core-5’s throttle lever is situated. It was a good experience using the throttle because it turned out to have a lot of power when engaged. We had the impression that the throttle was working as efficiently and quickly as it could to get us up to top speed.

With regard to power output and acceleration, the Core 5’s throttle performs significantly better than the majority of others. The one drawback of such a strong throttle is that it will consume a significant amount of battery life when used for extended periods of time. However, if you are planning a long riding day on the Core-5, you should be aware of this. We don’t necessarily see this as a con.

Display Of Ride1Up Core-5 Review

The Ride1UP KD21C Adjustable Speed LCD Display is straightforward, but it provides all the data you’ll need to know while riding. We don’t mind that this display won’t win any beauty contests because it serves its purpose just fine.

The display has a very straightforward user interface and is situated on the left side of the handlebars. The Core-5 is priced at around $1000, which is simply not enough money to justify a boutique tier display, even though we would prefer a slightly more vibrant color range on the display.

A KD218 Display with a wider color range is also available from Ride1UP if you prefer a higher quality display. See more about Senada Ebike Review

Battery Life And Range Of Ride1Up Core-5 Review

The Core-5’s battery is a 48V, 10.4ah Reention Eel Pro battery with LG cells and a Smart Battery Management System, according to the Ride1Up website. The only brand that can be seen on the battery is Tian Fu Li, which is probably where Reention got its batteries.

According to Ride1Up, depending on the assist level you use, among other things, the battery range ranges from 20 to 40 miles. This is about average for most e-bikes in terms of battery range.

I was able to use up more than half of the battery life on my first ride, which was about four miles long, by primarily relying on the throttle. To test how it would affect the battery, I used the throttle much more frequently on this ride than I would on any other ride.

The battery life indicator added a bar when I stopped using it and set the pedal-assist to the third level (out of five). Ride1Up’s prediction of 20 to 40 miles appears to be accurate with careful use of the throttle and the pedal assist set at 3 or 4.

The battery was almost completely discharged after 8.5 miles of primarily using the throttle. Of course, in actual circumstances, I wouldn’t use the throttle nearly enough. However, it serves as a useful reminder that the throttle should only be used occasionally.

Brakes Of Ride1Up Core-5 Review

Can a bike that travels 28 mph be stopped by mechanical disc brakes? Yes, that is sufficient. While Hydraulic disc brakes are always going to have more stopping power and “bite,” the Tektro 160mm mechanical disc brakes held their own and impressed our team with their performance

Additionally, these brakes have an electric cut-off sensor to make sure the motor won’t keep propelling you forward as you slow down. The 160mm rotors are about the smallest we’d want on a bike this fast, but they feel like the right size for the Core-5. A bigger rotor would have more stopping power, but the Core-5 wouldn’t have the same stopping feel that we’ve grown to enjoy. We didn’t mind the brakes much despite being a little bit noisy because of the stopping power they provided.

Frame Of Ride1Up Core-5 Review

The Core-5’s stealthy, sleek frame design by Ride1UP is largely to blame for the fact that it takes more than one glance to even recognize it as an e-bike. When you take into account the price point the Core-5 is offered at, this frame is even more impressive.

With its low profile, eye-catching design, and obvious amount of thought that went into it, the way Ride1UP created this frame makes us think of a stealthy fighter jet. A feature not found on every e-bike (or fighter jet) is water bottle bosses, but the Core-5 has them.

If you want something covert or don’t want to appear to be riding an e-bike, you’ll probably like this frame design. The frame performed admirably in our opinion, and the internal battery made the weight distribution beneath us seem more natural. We all agreed that Ride1UP did a fantastic job designing the Core-5 frame.

Fork Of Ride1Up Core-5 Review

The Core-5’s fork, which is made of a smooth-welded 6061 alloy, improves its overall aesthetics and gives the rider a smooth, even steerpath. There wasn’t much to test in terms of performance because this fork is relatively straightforward; it feels stiff and predictable in its steer path. No issues from us!

Drivetrain Of Ride1Up Core-5 Review

The Core-5’s overall aesthetic is enhanced by the smooth, welded 6061 alloy fork, which also gives the rider a rigid, even steerpath. Due to the fork’s simplicity, there wasn’t much performance to test; however, it feels stiff and predictable in its steer path. We have no issues to report.

We think an under the bar shifter would solve this issue and improve the drivetrain’s overall performance because the over the bar shifter forces riders to push their thumbs into the shifter a little more than is comfortable and convenient.

Price And Availability Of Ride1Up Core-5 Review

Both the standard and step-through versions of the Core-5 cost $1,195. Through the Ride1Up website, you can buy the Core-5, and within the lower 48 states, bicycle shipping is free. (Delivery to Canada costs $100.) On the Ride1Up website, there is no dealer locator.

You’ll need to assemble the bike once it’s delivered. In order to do that, the handlebars, front wheel, pedals, and a few adjustments must be mounted. Tools for the majority of that are included in Ride1Up. Simple bicycle repair knowledge is necessary for this. Consider taking the bike to a nearby bike shop if you don’t feel confident assembling it yourself to make sure it is put together correctly and safely.

Additionally, Ride1Up provides a 30-day return policy with a 100% money-back guarantee during that time. Additionally, the Core-5 has a one-year warranty.

The Competition Of Ride1Up Core-5 Review

The Core-5 is closely rivaled by Aventon’s Soltera. The Soltera’s larger 700c wheels will probably fit taller riders more comfortably.

Both bikes have a hub-mounted motor, and both bikes feel similarly underpowered up hills. However, the Core-5 performs better overall, and the Core-5’s assist engages much faster than it does on the Soltera.

The $999 Swft Volt is another bike in the class of affordable electric bicycles. The battery on the Volt is not detachable and it is a single-speed bike.

The Core-5 comes standard with a 7-speed drivetrain; the Soltera offers this as an upgrade.

I thought the Core-5 was a little bit small. I had to adjust the seat quite high because I am 5’11” with a 30-inch inseam. Although Ride1Up claims that the Core-5 is suitable for riders up to 6’4″, I wouldn’t suggest this bike for anyone who is taller than 6 feet.

The Core-5 feels cozy and simple to steer once I’ve found my riding position. In order to make the wide tires more comfortable and useful on bumpy roads, I reduced their PSI by a few.

On flat surfaces, the motor provides plenty of assistance, and when you begin pedaling, it turns on fairly quickly. It is much simpler to start moving from a standstill because there is very little time between the application of the pedal and the assistance starting.

But the motor also feels weak, especially when attempting to ascend steeper inclines. The Aventon Soltera, which is also unbranded, has a hub-based motor that is visually identical to it. Additionally, despite the Core-5 getting off the line much quicker, both bikes felt similarly sluggish on hills.

When starting up hills from a complete stop, I discovered that the throttle worked best. But even then, the bike has trouble starting. The assist level felt adequate in all other riding circumstances, but if you live in a region with a lot of hills, you might find the power level disappointing.

However, Ride1Up made a wise decision by incorporating a 7-speed Shimano drivetrain into the Core-5. If the assist level isn’t quite powerful enough, you can spin more easily up steep hills if you have a low bailout gear.

With a sizable lever to move in one direction and a sizable button to move in the opposite direction, the shifter is simple to use.

I was pleased to see that the Core-5 has disc brakes. Instead of hydraulic disc brakes, you’ll get mechanical disc brakes at this price point. Although mechanical disc brakes aren’t as effective or reliable as hydraulic disc brakes, I thought the Core-5’s braking power was quite strong, especially in wet conditions.

The chainstay of the Core-5 also houses a kickstand. This is a nice feature; the kickstand feels sturdy and stable and tucks neatly out of the way when not in use.

Does The  Ride1Up Core-5 Review Make Sense To Buy?

The Core-5 is hands down the best bike we’ve ridden in the budget category, and we feel it is the best option for anyone seeking a powerful A class 3 model that is affordable. The other bikes in this price range are easily outperformed by this bike, which also performs far better than many much more expensive models. Its 500 Wh battery gives it a great range in addition to its 750 W motor’s power, and its sleek design and excellent battery integration make it a beauty. Despite the lack of included features, we believe its performance is far superior to that of the competition.

What Other Electric Bikes Should You Think About?

If you’re on a budget, we think the Core-5 is the best of the bunch, but there are a few other models that may better suit your needs or preferences. The Lectric XP 2.0’s small folding design makes it a better choice if you don’t have much storage space. This robust bike can travel at Class 3 speeds of up to 28 mph, but it folds up small enough to be stored or transported. Its handling isn’t quite as controlled as the Core-5, which is a compromise for the ease of folding. The Aventon Soltera might be your best option if an electric city bike is more your style. The Soltera is equipped to handle your commute or the concrete jungle in style thanks to its sporty handling, 700c wheels/tires, and svelte design with in-frame battery integration. This Class 2 model is slightly less powerful and has a slightly shorter range, but it weighs less as a result and is easier to carry from your office or apartment up or down stairs.

Conclusion

The Core-5 provides a stylish, comfortable ride that is appropriate for flat terrain. While the motor feels underpowered on steeper pitches, it provides plenty of assistance when navigating mostly flat city streets. (Check out the more potent models on our best electric bike list if you live in a hillier area.) As soon as you begin pedaling or depress the throttle, the motor quickly turns on.

Taller riders may feel more comfortable on the Aventon Soltera among electric bikes that cost around $1,000; however, if you want a 7-speed drivetrain with that bike, it will cost you extra. The Core-5, however, is a good option if you’re under six feet tall and need an inexpensive, basic e-bike to get you around town.

Regarding your reading, I thank you.