Ride1Up Portola Folding Electric Bike Review: Fun and Foldable Transportation with a Budget-Friendly Price

Ride1Up, the San Diego-based electric bike company that produces the REVV1 (AKA, my daily driver), recently released their first folding bike, the Ride1Up Portola. It is impressive on its own, and when you take into account the fact that it is under $1000 yet doesn’t feel like a “budget” electric bike, it is a truly compelling offering.

Ride1Up has long offered a range of affordable commuter bikes and recently expanded into offering offroad adventure bikes and my moped-like Revv1. Releasing their first folding bike moves the company into another category, and after spending some time with it, I can say they knocked it out of the park.

As you can see, the Ride1Up Portola arrives almost entirely assembled, and here is a first look.

The Ride1Up Portola is available in Glossy Charcoal, Sea Turquoise, and Matte Indigo; it ships in Class 2 mode, which means it has a maximum speed of 20mph. Buyers who want more speed can unlock the bike and convert it into a Class 3 bike that can reach up to 28 miles per hour.

The Ride1Up Portola has a 750W continuous-rated read hub motor that delivers significant power. It’s not the torquiest electric bike I’ve ridden, but it powers through all but the steepest of hills.

Many folding electric bikes with a similar design have 20″ X 4.0″ tires that offer a smooth ride, whether on or off the road. The Ride1Up Portola ships with 20″ X 3.0″ low-tread tires that are better suited for urban settings but can still be used for off-road use and offer reasonable comfort. The comfort piece is especially important since the bike doesn’t have rear shocks or a suspension seat.

I’m a fan of their choice of tires as I think it gives the bike a sleeker look without losing the smooth ride the slightly wider tires provide.

The Ride1Up Portola has a low-step frame that looks refined but, more importantly, makes it easy to get on and off.

At 59 pounds, the Portola isn’t light, but it isn’t so heavy that a single person can’t get it into the trunk of their car; it just might take a bit of effort.

And the locking mechanism is second to none.

The Ride1Up Portola is available with two different batteries: the smaller, 48V 10.4Ah battery offers 500Wh of power for an MSRP of just $995, and for just $100 more, you can get a larger 643Wh battery that increases the bike’s range by 30%.

Regardless of the battery you choose, it sits in the top tube and adds to the sleek look of the Portola.

The Ride1Up Portola has a cadence sensor with 24 magnets. Cadence sensors aren’t as smooth or responsive as a sensor, but it’s the only option if you want to keep the price of an electric bike down. The good news is that Ride1Up’s cadence sensor design yields a surprisingly smooth ride.

The Ride1Up Portola’s 8-speed Shimano drivetrain is one of Shimano’s more “affordable” offerings, but it does quite well for those who choose to pedal their bike.

I am one of those riders who prefer using the throttle most of the time, so the choice here is of less concern than it might otherwise be. [My Ride1Up Revv1 is a single-gear bike, and I have never pedaled it.]

Even when an electric bike is “just” a Class 2 bike, having robust and effective brakes is an important safety feature. The good news is that while Ride1Up may have opted for cost-effective components like the shifter, they didn’t skimp on the brakes; the included 180mm rotors are effective and bring the bike to a stop quickly and smoothly.

The Ride1Up Portola’s 80mm front suspension fork does an effective job of smoothing out the bumps and ruts on the road. This isn’t the smoothest bike I’ve been on, but it is a pleasant experience on all but the bumpiest of roads.

I knew Ride1Up was sending me the Portola. I knew the bike was under $1000. I didn’t realize that the bike would include several features one doesn’t often find in a bike at the price.

For example, the Ride1Up Portola’s robust, integrated rear rack is part of the design rather than an after-market add-on bolted to the back. This adds to the bike’s sleek design, giving you a stable platform that can hold up to 130 pounds.

I was also pleased to find that this “budget” bike includes fenders, front and rear lights, and brake lights in the price. Many companies keep the initial cost of their bike down by making these additional purchases; that means a $900 bike can quickly become $1300 or more.

The final “surprise” was that, other than needing to attach the handlebars, the Ride1Up Portola ships fully assembled. That’s an excellent convenience for someone like me, lowering the “barrier to entry” for someone looking to purchase their first bike.

Sure, the bike’s display is a simple, black-and-white offering. But who cares? So long as it gives you the information you need, why would that matter? After all, It’s not like I’m going to watch videos on it.

And I LOVE using a thumb throttle on the left side!!

I’m impressed by the Ride1Up Portola, but there is a context for just how impressed I am. Let me explain.

My first electric bike was the Lectric XP2.0; the company now offers a 3.0 version. The bikes have similar specs and features and are effectively head-to-head competitors. Both are good, but I prefer the Ride1Up Portola.

The Portola has a sleeker design and comes in a range of fun colors. Its battery is easily removable, while the XP2.0’s battery is “hidden” in the frame and can only be accessed when the bike is folded. And, unlike the integrated rack on the Portola, the XP2.0’s rear rack is an afterthought that got bolted to the finished product.

For most people, the decision will primarily come down to the bikes’ aesthetics, but even with the riding experience, the Ride1Up Portola edges out its competitor.

Ride1Up has impressed me again. When the Revv1 came out as their first moped-style bike, it didn’t feel like a “first effort.” The same applies to the Ride1Up Portola; it may be the company’s first folding electric bike, and it may be under $1000, but it looks and feels like a far more mature and expensive product.

The Ride1Up Portola sells for $995; it is available directly from the manufacturer.

Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample

What I Like: Looks great; Under $1000; Class 2 but converts to Class 3; Powerful brakes; Includes integrated rear rack, front and rear lights, and brake lights; Folding mechanism is excellent; Ride is smooth and comfortable; Battery sits in the frame and is easily removed

What Needs Improvement: It’s got a powerful 750W motor, but I would love to see a bit more torque for conquering the hills in my area