Ride1Up Cafe Cruiser Electric Bike Review: A Stylish and Comfortable Ride for Cruising Around Town

The Ride1Up REVV1 I purchased last March is my daily commuter when the weather allows. It is a fantastic moped-style e-bike. The Ride1Up Portola, the company’s first foldable, is a superb bike, especially considering its sub-$1000 price tag; it’s now Raina’s bike. And now we have the Ride1Up Cafe Cruiser, which offers style and comfort in step-over and step-through designs.

The Ride1Up Cafe Cruiser arrived nicely packaged in a single, large box with each bike part nicely wrapped, and I was thrilled to find that the bike was largely assembled. The “hardest” part of the unboxing and assembly was removing all the protective packaging.

As you can see in this video, all that was required was to install the front wheel, including the front fender (the rear fender was already in place), attach the handlebars, and insert the seat. After that, all that was left was inserting the pedals and ensuring the tires had the proper pressure.

The battery came fully charged, so the bike was ready to go quickly. The fact that the rack is integrated into the frame means there is one less assembly step; more on that in a bit.

The Ride1Up Cafe Cruiser is available in a Step-Over and a Step-Through design. I was happy to be sent the Step-Over version; I think it looks just a bit cooler.

The design of the Cafe Racer is a departure from previous Ride1Up bikes I’ve reviewed. While it doesn’t have the in-your-face Moto style of the Revv1, the low stance of the handlebars and the slight bump in the upper bar still remind me a bit of a motorcycle.

Available in a Gloss Latte, Matte Carbon, or Matte Indigo finish, just looking at the bike makes you feel relaxed. Everything about this bike screams “gentle cruise along the beach,” and I love it.

Ride1Up describes the Cafe Cruiser this way:

Blissful comfort and plus-one cargo capabilities blended together for one of the most versatile and functional eBikes money can buy. Install our passenger kit and add a passenger on the back of the electric bike while cruising around your town. You no longer have to sacrifice style or comfort to have all the features you want on electric bikes, the Cafe Cruiser blends them all into one ebike.

The Ride1Up Cafe Cruiser sells for $1595 but is currently on sale for just $1395. For that price, you get a solid, well-built, great-looking Class 3 electric bike that can reach speeds of up to 28mph.

The frame is made from an impressively solid lightweight alloy that weighs just 65 pounds. This isn’t the lightest electric bike we’ve seen, but it isn’t too heavy to move, or if your vehicle is large enough, throw it in the back to take on your next trip.

The large 48V15aH battery is integrated into the frame. That maintains the Ride1Up Cafe Cruiser’s clean lines and adds some degree of protection to it and the connected electronics.

Speaking of the battery, depending on speed, the weight of the rider, and the amount of pedal assistance you are willing to put in, you can expect anywhere from 30 to 50 miles. For those worried about electric bike battery issues, Ride1Up uses high-quality Samsung cells.

A 750W rear hub motor powers the Ride1Up Cafe Cruiser. That’s plenty of power, but it only delivers 60nM of torque. That’s perfect if you are riding along a beach or live in a flat area like the Florida coast or Tel Aviv, but it isn’t quite enough for the hills where I live without putting in some effort with the pedals.

Still, I love the bike enough that I’m willing to do some work!

A Class 3 electric bike can move quickly, and at speeds of up to 28mph, you need some serious braking power for safety. Thankfully, Ride1Up used 180MM Zoom hydraulic brakes, which do a great job quickly and smoothly bringing the bike to a stop.

For added safety, they also added an electric cut-off sensor that stops the motor when the brakes are activated.

The Shimano Acera 8-speed derailleur and shifter are entry-level components, but they get the job done and help keep the price of the Cafe Cruiser down. I have no complaints!

The sloping Zoom handlebars add to the casual riding stance of the bike; it’s as comfortable a ride as I have encountered.

A thumb throttle sits on the left side, making it comfortable to hang back and let the motor do the work. Sitting next to it is a basic but functional display that provides the necessary information and gives you some control over the bike’s various settings, although I did need to consult the manual to learn how to change the settings and get the most power from the motor.

The 26″ by 3″ SandStorm tires hold the road nicely and offer a lot of cushion. I’m glad they didn’t go with 4″ tires, as they would have overwhelmed the bike’s clean lines.

The front hydraulic fork with 80mm of travel helps smoothen the ride further.

The final touch is the plush, comfortable cruiser saddle. It’s wide, it’s cushy, and its angle can be adjusted. It is, by far, the most comfortable saddle of any electric bike I have tried.

All in all, it’s a nice package, especially when you consider the price. Adding to the value is the fact that Ride1Up included fenders, a front and rear light for safety, and an integrated rear rack.

I previously mentioned the Ride1Up Cafe Cruiser’s rack, but it deserves more attention.

Most electric bikes have racks that get bolted to the frame. They do the job but have a limited weight capacity and always look like an afterthought. The Ride1Up Portola was the first bike I’ve encountered where the rack is part of the frame. This adds strength to the frame and delivers a cleaner look than most racks offer. Because the rack is part of the frame, it can hold up to 150 pounds.

Add the $60 Ride1Up Panniers or basket, and you’ve got a bike ready for running errands around town. Or you could add the $125 Passenger Kit, which includes a passenger seat, wheel guards, and footpegs, and you can take anyone who weighs 150 pounds or less along for the ride.

That flexibility makes the Ride1Up Cafe Cruiser a bike that can easily meet anyone’s needs.

As I delve more deeply into e-bikes, I’ve come to appreciate that different bikes meet different needs. My Revv1 is excellent for going fast and taking fun, exhilarating rides. The Portola is a great all-around bike for moving around town, and thanks to its foldable design, it can easily be transported. The new CF Racer1 is for people who take street biking seriously but want the added help of a 250W motor.

The Ride1Up Cafe Cruiser meets a different set of needs. It’s ideal for people who want a bike to take them on long, relaxing rides. Sure, with a top speed of 28mph it can move and, with the addition of one of the available accessories can be used as a utility or a family bike, but this bike is most ideal for getting out and chilling.

And, thanks to the quick-release front wheel, it can fit in a large SUV.

The Ride1Up Cafe Cruiser looks amazing, is nicely equipped, and its riding position is comfortable enough for long, relaxing spring and summer rides. At  $1595, I think it is an excellent value, but at the current discounted price of $1395, I think it’s a steal.

I love the look. I love the ride. I love this bike.

The Ride1Up Cafe Cruiser sells for $1595; it is available directly from the manufacturer. 

Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample

What I Like: Looks amazing; Available in step-through or step-over design; 750W rear hub motor; Powerful hydraulic brakes; 8 Speed Shimano shifter; Easily assembled; Front hydraulic shock; Wide, adjustable seat is comfortable; Integrated rear rack that can hold up to 150 pounds; Includes fenders and lights; An excellent value

What Needs Improvement: With only 60nM of torque, it isn’t ideal for climbing larger hills