Electric bikes that fall into Class 1 are pedal-assist only, which means that power is only delivered when the rider is moving the pedals, and most of the time, there is no throttle on the handlebar. If there is one, it offers an extra power boost, but it only works when the rider is pedaling. Motors on class 1 bikes support top pedal-assisted speeds up to 20mph, and they are typically allowed in bike lanes and multi-use trails, essentially anywhere a regular bike can go.
Ride1Up used to offer the 500 Series, which was a little lighter, more agile, and less expensive. However, it was also slower, had a shorter range, and wasn’t so much less expensive than the 700 Series that, ultimately, Ride1Up discontinued it. The Blix Packa Genie looks identical to the original Packa but comes with upgrades like a more powerful motor and a larger battery. The 750W motor brings it up to speed and has no problem pushing Class 2 speeds up to 20 mph using the throttle or pedal assist. While it isn’t a class leader for its range, the 614Wh battery provides enough juice for most purposes, and this bike’s unique dual battery capability (optional for an additional fee) can double your range.
With a robust 500W motor, the XP 2.0 packs a lot of power in a small package and can speed up to 28 mph using pedal assist and 20 mph with the throttle. A 500Wh battery integrates into the folding frame, which provides a respectable range given its smaller capacity (a long-range battery is also available for an additional fee). With 3-inch wide knobby tires and a suspension fork, it provides a relatively smooth ride and can be ridden on a range of surfaces.
For a smooth ride, an easy-to-use 18-speed indexed derailleur is integrated with a Shimano rear derailleur. The shifting is smooth, and the beginner finds the right gear to ride in terrain with varying gradients without feeling like she’s pedaling too softly or too hardly. Other great performance features include the easy-to-use 18-speed index shifters integrated huffy cruiser with the Shimano rear derailleur for a smooth performance ride. Front and rear alloy linear pull brakes provide consistent, dependable control. Pedal-assisted power delivery options include a torque sensor or a cadence sensor. Torque sensors measure how hard you pedal using a strain gauge and deliver the appropriate power for the rider’s chosen setting.
It comes almost completely assembled and takes little time and effort to set up and start riding. The Ride1Up 700-Series is a quality bike with sleek looks and performance that exceeds the huffy cruiser asking price. This bike rides smoothly on high-volume tires and 100mm of front suspension. We frequently used this bike for longer-distance commutes and found it quite comfortable.
The Cafe Cruiser has a burlier rear rack with an optional kit to carry a kid (up to 130 lbs) and comes with more stylish and comfortable handlebars. As with traditional road bikes (and gravel bikes too), their motorized counterparts have sporty forward-leaning geometry, narrow tires, and lightweight frames, all with performance and efficiency in mind. Keeping that in mind, many analog road bikes can exceed the 20mph power cutoff of e-bike motors when on flats and downhills. E-road bikes are inevitably heavier due to the battery and motor, so you may end up hauling dead weight through these sections of your ride. However, if you ride in an area with many hills, you’ll probably appreciate a little pedal assist occasionally.