Ride1UP Core-5 Review: Fun & Affordable Entry-Level Electric Bike
A fun and surprisingly affordable urban commuter that gets high marks for its beautiful design and solid performance, the Ride1UP Core-5 offers riders an enjoyable riding experience at a budget-friendly price point...
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What is the Ride1UP Core-5?
Ride1UP is well-known in the e-bike industry as a brand that delivers outstanding value, and the Core-5 is no exception. One of Ride1UP’s most affordable electric bikes, the Core-5 is a Class 3 ride that provides impressive power, componentry, and value for money.
In this review of the 2023 Ride1UP Core-5, we’ll take a look at this popular model’s features, specs, and real world performance. We’ll also tell you what type of rider this e-bike is ideal for, as well as the main reasons why it should be on your shortlist if you’re shopping around for a reliable, well-built electric bike in this price range.
PRODUCT DETAILS
| COMPANY | Ride1UP |
| MODEL | Core-5 |
| CATEGORY | Entry-level, urban commuter |
| RANGE | 45 miles |
| RECHARGING TIME | 4 to 6 hours |
| WEIGHT | 49 lbs |
| MAX RIDER WEIGHT | 300 lbs |
| WARRANTY | 1-year |
| CUSTOMER RATING | 4.8/5 (254+ reviews) |
| COUPON CODE | See below |
| PRICE | Click here to see best price |
COMMUNITY RATING
PHOTOS
About Ride1UP
Ride1UP was founded by Kevin Dugger in 2018 and is officially headquartered in San Diego, CA. Ride1UP is one of the leading manufacturers of electric bikes today and well-known for delivering great value for the money. The company has a robust lineup of e-bike models for 2023, with 7 models plus a range of e-bike parts and accessories.
All Ride1UP electric bikes come with a 1-year warranty as well as a 30-day money-back guarantee. Ride1UP provides good customer service, and the company has a fast, friendly, and easy-to-navigate website and a helpful online community where customers can ask questions and share their experiences.
Specs
Components
- Beautifully crafted 6061 aluminum alloy frame
- SHIMANO 7-speed shifting
- SHIMANO ALTUS derailleur
- Comfortable rubber ergonomic grips
- KMC Chain
- Selle Royal Freeway saddle
- Black 13 gauge stainless steel spokes
- 27.5″ x 2.2″ Kenda Kwick Seven tires
- Tektro 160mm mechanical disc braking
Electronics
- 750W Shengyi geared hub motor
- 48V 12.8Ah lithium-ion battery (LG cells)
- 2.0 A smart charger
- 2.2″ LCD display
- Cadence sensor
- Pedal-assist plus throttle mode
- 60 Lux headlight
Ride1UP Core-5 Review: E-Bike Overview
The Core-5 from Ride1UP is an e-bike that’s perfect for first time e-bike owners and anyone on a tight budget. This bike features a beautifully designed aluminum alloy frame that looks great on the street, and the bike is available in both XR (step over) and ST (step-through) configurations. The Core-5’s sleek frame is paired with good quality components, including a SHIMANO 7-speed shifter, Tektro brakes, and a 750W Shengyi rear hub motor.
Designed with a clean, minimalist aesthetic, Ride1UP’s Core-5 doesn’t come across as a budget e-bike. This is a nicely put together package that provides riders with a perfect blend of value, features, and performance.
Powered by a 750W rear hub motor and a 48V 12.8Ah LG battery, the Core-5 packs the power needed for challenging hill climbs while delivering a respectable range of up to 45 miles on a single charge.
A Class 3 e-bike, the Core-5 also comes with 5 pedal-assist levels (PAS) as well as throttle mode (something we really missed on Ride1UP’s Prodigy model). The throttle’s power delivery is smooth and predictable, resulting in a ride that’s both comfortable and confidence-inspiring.
One of the better values currently on the market, it’s hard not to fall in love with the Core-5.
Size and Weight
Weighing in at only 49 lbs, the Ride1UP Core-5 is lightweight electric bike that can support a max payload of 300 lbs. It measures 70″ long and has a 43-inch wheelbase. The Core-5’s standover height is 28.5″, and the frame geometry is more comfortable than Ride1UP’s Roadster V2.
Features
1-year warranty
1 of 1148V 12.8Ah LG battery
2 of 1127.5″ x 2.2″ Kenda Kwick Seven tires
3 of 11Shengyi 750W hub motor
4 of 112.2-inch LCD display
5 of 11Thumb throttle (left side)
6 of 11Tektro 160mm mechanical brakes
7 of 1160 Lux headlight
8 of 11KMC chain
9 of 11SHIMANO 7-speed gearing
10 of 11Corrosion-resistant 6061 aluminum alloy frame
11 of 11*click on hotspots for additional details
Performance and Ride
The Ride1UP Core-5 is a top-shelf entry-level commuter that ranks highly in both the comfort and performance categories. While this bike obviously doesn’t ship with suspension and delivers a riding experience that feels quite a bit stiffer than the Ride1UP 700 Series and 500 Series, it’s not uncomfortable. On the contrary, the Core-5 is a responsive ride that’s easy to control and inspires rider confidence.
The Core-5’s swept-back, 640mm wide handlebars are superb, and the bike is well-balanced and stable.
In the power department, the included 750W hub motor delivers plenty of off-the-line acceleration, speed (20 mph with throttle, 28 mph in pedal-assist mode), and power — especially considering the bike’s price point. It performs surprisingly well during uphill climbs, and stopping power is also impressive, despite the fact that the Core-5 only comes equipped with 160mm Tektro mechanical disc brakes. While some may be disappointed with the fact that the Core-5 doesn’t ship with hydraulic disc brakes or even larger, 180mm rotors, the bike’s lightweight build makes this a non-issue in our opinion.
Build Quality
Since Ride1UP’s 2018 beginnings, the brand has enjoyed a good reputation for providing high-quality bikes at super reasonable price points. Ride1UP’s bikes come with well-made frames, solid components, and a warranty that covers customers in the event of a manufacturing defect.
Like the company’s other rides, the Core-5 is a well-built bike and it has a track record of holding up well for customers. Having said that, issues are bound to arise from time to time and whenever that happens, Ride1UP has shown itself to be very responsive in resolving customer issues.
Appearance
Ride1UP’s Core-5 is a beautiful electric bike. We love how the battery is integrated into the downtube, keeping things clean and minimal. While aesthetics is a category that’s always subjective, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more stylish, well-designed ride in this price range.
Included Accessories & Optional Add-ons
The Ride1UP Core-5 includes a heavy-duty kickstand, 48V charger, and two keys to securely lock the removable battery into place. Additionally, Ride1UP sells a growing line of high-quality accessories that can be purchased to customize your ride, including cargo racks and baskets, fenders, accessory mounts, and more.
Warranty & Customer Support
The Core-5 comes with a rock-solid 1-year warranty which covers purchasers in the event of a manufacturing defect. Ride1UP also throws in a 30-day money-back guarantee for additional peace of mind, but customers are responsible for return shipping costs.
There are a few different ways to get in touch with the company, including telephone and the company’s website contact form. Recharged Rides always tests the responsiveness of each brand’s customer support department during our e-bike evaluations, and we were impressed with the same-day reply we received from Ride1UP’s customer service…
Reader Reviews
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Ride1UP Core-5 Unboxing & Assembly (VIDEO)
Price and Where to Buy it
The Ride1UP Core-5 currently has an MSRP of $1,195, and the bike can be purchased directly from the company through the official Ride1UP website. Shipping is free to the contiguous 48 states, and Ride1UP offers $100 flat rate shipping on all Canada orders.
FAQs
Ride1UP's electric bikes are manufactured in China.
Ride1UP's Core-5 is a Class 3 electric bike.
The Ride1UP Core-5 comes with an IP65 water resistance rating.
Pros and Cons
PROS
CONS
- Great-looking design
- Battery is stealthily integrated into the frame
- 3 attractive color options (Midnight Gray, Mint, and Azure Blue)
- 2 frame configurations (standard XR and step-thru ST)
- Unbeatable value
- Powerful 750W rear hub motor
- Good hill climbing ability
- Decent battery life
- Good handling and stability
- Comfortable ride
- Surprisingly good braking performance from the 160mm Tektro brakes
- Good cable management
- 1-year warranty
- 30-day return policy
- Free shipping to lower 48
Final Thoughts
The Core-5 is an e-bike that’s pretty hard to beat considering the price point and all you get for your money. It’s an enjoyable ride for daily commutes and city cruising, and the stealthy design doesn’t scream to the world that you’re riding an e-bike. Ride1UP is also a brand that enjoys a great reputation for after-sales support, and the company is quick to resolve issues whenever they arise.
The overall riding experience of this bike is excellent, and it delivers plenty of speed, power, and comfort for the average, everyday rider. We think the Core-5 is one of the best value e-bikes on the market at the moment, and it’s a good fit for new riders and anyone who is on a tight budget.
We also love the fact that this bike is so lightweight, weighing in at only 49 pounds. This is another reason why city commuters will love the Core-5 — it’s an easy e-bike to push up stairs or carry into an apartment.
Bottom line: If you’re shopping around for an e-bike in this price range that delivers outstanding quality and performance for the money, Ride1UP’s Core-5 is one of the best options available.
