CleanTechnica Examined: The Ride1Up Prodigy XC Electrical Bike

Ride1Up set itself aside on the earth of e-bikes by delivering premium elements and performance at extraordinarily reasonably priced worth factors for full measurement electrical bikes. They bundle this enticing bundle in superbly designed bikes with approachable frames wrapped in fashionable paint schemes.

Most of Ride1Up’s e-bikes are aimed on the lots however in its quest to proceed disrupting the e-bike area, Ride1Up got here up with a mid-drive bike that actually takes the sport to a brand new degree. Ride1Up despatched us their newest creation, the Prodigy, to tear round on and boy, have been we blown away.

Picture credit score: Kyle Area, CleanTechnica

The Prodigy packs the identical core elements onto three completely different configurations We examined out the cross nation (XC) construct of the Prodigy, which is setup for gentle path use, with an aggressive entrance suspension fork and knobby Maxxis Forekaster tires. In addition they provide a extra commuter targeted construct known as the XR with the usual triangle body and a Step By means of body for straightforward entry and exit.

Each of those choices come configured with rear racks, fenders, and extra street-appropriate commuter tires for decrease rolling resistance. Commuter e-bikes proceed to be one among our favourite classes on the subject of throughout utility and the commuter construct of the Prodigy is an especially enticing choice on that listing.

Picture credit score: Kyle Area, CleanTechnica

Beginning below the hood, the Brose mid-drive motor is the core of the Prodigy household of e-bikes. It’s a premium motor that’s usually solely discovered on the bikes tipping the scales at twice that of the Prodigy. Ride1Up was someway capable of pull this clean, intuitive mid-drive motor into their lineup with out blowing the financial institution.

Up high on the handlebars, the small Brose show reveals the rider what’s taking place down below and permits the using model to be tuned with a spread of help modes. All ship an especially pure, intuitive using expertise.

Picture credit score: Kyle Area, CleanTechnica

The one draw back of mid-drive motor setups is the shortage of a throttle and that is true on the Prodigy as properly. Alternatively, class 3 e-bikes just like the Prodigy aren’t presupposed to have throttles on them, relying solely on the motor and pedal energy to get the as much as their assist-only high velocity of 28 mph. That’s shockingly quick in actual life, which is why they don’t seem to be allowed on most bike paths and even in bike lanes in most elements of the nation.

On the vary entrance, the Ride1Up Prodigy is rated on paper to ship between 30 and 50 miles of help. In our testing, we largely discovered this vary to be achievable. As with every e-bike, vary will likely be impacted by the next elements:

1) Help mode. Driving the complete route in pedal help degree 1 alone interprets to a 50 mile vary (or extra) whereas using in pedal help degree 5 leads to a spread of roughly 30 miles per cost. This baseline estimate should then be coupled with a number of extra variables.

2) Cargo weight straight impacts the quantity of labor the motor has to do to get shifting. Use 150 kilos of cargo, human or in any other case, because the baseline for rated vary, adjusting vary estimates up or down for kind of weight being carried.

3) Elevation acquire. The extra elevation acquire, the decrease the vary as most e-bikes would not have the potential to recuperate vary on downhill sections with regeneration.

4) Climate. Cooler temperatures zap capability from the battery, with reductions of 10-20% in vary at decrease temperatures. In keeping with the user manual for the Prodigy, its lithium-ion batteries (and most e-bikes) ought to by no means be charged at or beneath freezing temperatures.

Picture credit score: Kyle Area, CleanTechnica

In our testing, it was simple to attain the rated 30 mi of help with quite a lot of help modes getting used on a 20 mile experience from up within the mountains all the way down to the seashore and again. Alternatively, we additionally had a number of take a look at rides the place we achieved decrease than the rated vary after we have been completely slamming the motor and battery with help spiking up massive hills and blasting round corners as solely an e-bike can do.

That is extra of a testomony to only how enjoyable and succesful the Prodigy is than a dig on its vary. The Brose motor and controller present a variety of help choices to assist riders get essentially the most out of their e-bike. You may squeeze out a ton extra vary by being tremendous environment friendly and cruising in a decrease help degree, however you too can flip them into absolute battery consuming machines while you take them out onto grime trails within the mountains or simply ripping round city on them.

The commuter builds of the Prodigy boasts a extra ergonomic, swept again handlebar that makes it attainable to experience in a extra upright place. That is the normal Dutch model and positively makes for a extra pleasurable expertise in your again when using. As e-bikes enhance in functionality, they’re evolving into one thing way more just like the autos of yesteryear than the bicycles we grew up using. Extra vary, extra peak energy, extra torque, extra options, and higher ergonomics are all indicators of this march ahead.

Picture credit score: Kyle Area, CleanTechnica

On the mechanical facet of the bike, the Ride1Up Prodigy boasts hydraulic disc brakes which pack a really good punch when it’s time to decelerate. That is particularly good contemplating simply how enjoyable this bike is. We put it to the take a look at when blasting down the hills on our take a look at route and the strong response of the brake lever coupled with the 180mm rotors was at all times in high type and able to assist.

The drivetrain of the Prodigy is comprised of an 8-speed chain pushed derailleur system with set off shifters up high. It’s a pleasant sufficient system although it most likely received’t win any awards for high quality, nor do you have to count on it to at this worth level, however it’s a good contact in an area largely dominated by shifters sitting on high of the bars which might be exhausting to get at and never terribly ergonomic to make use of. It’s a truthful compromise, particularly given the price range worth the Prodigy comes with.

Picture credit score: Kyle Area, CleanTechnica

Ride1Up was clearly thrilled by the element set and motor bundle of the Prodigy, as evidenced by its packaging in a cross nation and commuter format. Each choices can be found in all kinds of trims and paints, with out of the field, fashionable choices all through.

For these in search of a extra edgy design, the Prodigy can be configured with Ride1Up’s attractive new chameleon paint, as featured on our evaluate bike. This new paint job is much like many high-end automotive paint jobs that change coloration relying on the angle and the sunshine. It shifts from inexperienced to blue to purple, all with metallic undertones that make it a pleasure to take a look at and actually makes it stand out from the pack. Scroll by the pictures on this article and see the way it shifts from one coloration to the subsequent. It’s the proper paint job in the event you can’t decide only one coloration to go along with.

The Ride1Up Prodigy XC with entrance suspension will set you again $2,395. The attractive chameleon paint job featured on our evaluate bike is an additional $50, bumping the configuration as reviewed as much as $2,445. The Prodigy XR is extra tailor-made for round city efficiency and does away with the entrance suspension, including in a rear rack, fenders, and a set of hybrid tires as an alternative. It is a little more price range pleasant at $2,345.

Lastly, the Prodigy Step By means of gives the identical options as because the XR, however in a neater to entry low step body. It’s the most reasonably priced within the household, at $2,295. Step-By means of bikes proceed to be our best choice round right here on the subject of packing in as a lot utility as attainable right into a single bike. As enjoyable because it may be to swing your leg over a excessive step bar, that enjoyable shortly diminishes with a rear rack loaded up with groceries is added to the combination.

Whereas the Prodigy isn’t as reasonably priced as a number of the decrease priced economic system bikes on the market, it doesn’t try to be. It brings premium options beforehand usually solely obtainable for twice the worth to a very new section of riders. That’s noteworthy and can certainly pull in loads of patrons on specs alone.

A a direct to client product, meeting is required to get it out of the field and up and working round your neighborhood. This consists of easy duties like attaching the handlebars airing up the wheels and attaching the entrance wheel to the entrance fork. Anybody comfy with altering a flat tire ought to be capable of assemble it, however for these intimidated by the bike or not accustomed to fundamental upkeep might wish to have the bike direct shipped to a neighborhood bike store for meeting.

For extra details about the Ride1Up Prodigy or to buy one, head over to Ride1Up’s site.

Disclaimer: Ride1Up supplied the Prodigy to the creator for the needs of this evaluate.

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