Ride1Up has spent years earning a well-deserved spot at the front of the pack for commuter e-bikes. But now the San Diego-based electric bike company is branching out into a new class of rides with a more beach cruiser-esque model known as the Cafe Cruiser.
The new e-bike is likely to help expand Ride1Up’s reach beyond its existing urban-oriented market, with the brand now expanding further into comfort and lifestyle-type electric bikes.
Similar to nearly all of Ride1Up’s existing electric bikes, the Cafe Cruiser will be a fast and powerful e-bike. A 750W hub motor and top speed of 28 mph (45 km/h) ensure that it will keep up with or surpass every other legal e-bike on the road in the US.
But unlike the rest of the brand’s offerings, the Cafe Cruiser takes on a much more feel-good cruiser vibe.
Available in either a step-through or step-over frame, the bike rolls on big ol’ three-inch balloon tires and mounts a sweptback cruiser-style set of handlebars. There’s even that top tank design that we’ve occasionally seen on moto-inspired cruisers.
The geometry of the bike is more upright, with a laidback riding style that is designed more for enjoying a comfortable cruise than for getting to work in a rush.
And to ensure that riders will be able to enjoy the cruise with a friend along for the ride, the rear rack has been designed to be extra rugged for supporting the weight of an additional passenger (as long as that passenger weighs 130 lb or less). The entire bike has a weight rating of 300 lb.
The rack features Ride1Up’s Connect+ system, which allows for quick snap installation of multiple accessories such as a bench seat or kiddie seat. Word on the street is there may also be a basket option that can quickly connect into the rack system.
A clear rear wheel skirt and a set of foldout footpegs give the rear passenger a safe and comfortable ride.
Even with the cruiser DNA, Ride1Up still couldn’t totally deny its roots with some good old-fashioned commuter equipment to ensure the Cafe Cruiser still works well on the rough and tumble roads.
Features such as fenders, front and rear integrated lighting, eight-speed Shimano drivetrain, Mozo hydraulic fork with 80mm of suspension travel, and Zoom hydraulic disc brakes make the bike a potent commuter as well.
The frame-integrated 48V 15Ah battery offers 720 Wh of capacity. Ranges vary considerably based on a number of factors, but the cadence-based pedal assist can probably help riders eke out a good 30-40 miles (50-65 km) of range easily, though throttle riding may cut into those numbers a bit.
The Ride1Up Cafe Cruiser is currently taking pre-orders with a promotional price of $1,595. That number almost seems like a typo to me, especially considering that nearly the same price at other companies often nets you much lower performance and lower-spec components.
Source: electrek