Ride1Up CF Racer Gravel Review: Is It The Best Gravel Ebike For The Money?

Ride1Up CF Racer: go.ride1up.com/SH4O
In this video, I review the Ride1Up CF Racer, a gravel electric bike. I cover its components, performance, pros and cons, and how it compares to other gravel ebikes. Overall, it's a great value with a lightweight design, affordable price, and quality components, but with limited size options and a cadence sensor.
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00:00 Introduction
00:44 Why Did Ride1Up Make The CF Racer?
01:24 Price, Sizes, Colors, and Specs
02:47 Brakes, Tires, and Fork
03:38 Carbon Handlebars, Drop Levers, and Controls
04:33 CF Racer Display Overview and Walkthrough
05:50 Frame Design and Battery Specs
06:33 Pedals, Seat post, and Seat
07:08 Motor and Drivetrain
07:41 Shipping, Assembly, and Accessories Box
09:22 CF Racer No Power Riding
11:54 CF Racer PAS Riding
16:25 Top Speed Run!
19:14 Range Test
26:47 How Does the CF Racer Compare to The Competition?

[@EbikeEscape]

What do you think about Gravel Bikes? Is a Budget Carbon eBike in your future? go.ride1up.com/SH4O If you do decide to purchase a CF Racer, or any Ride1Up model, please consider doing so after clicking our link. It is a free and easy way to help support me here at Ebike Escape. Thank you for the Support!

[@robertsmart5600]

My first electric bike was a cheap mountain bike that I added a BionX 250 Watt torque sensor back wheel to. All my e-bikes since then have had 250 Watt motors with torque sensors. I've tried friends' bikes with cadence sensors, I hate them! In 2024 there is no excuse for not using a rear motor with a torque sensor, cadence sensors are primitive! Even mid drive motors have torque sensors. I'm now 84 & looking for a cheap light e-bike to blast around a local park for exercise, guess I'll just have to get used to a cadence sensor? Best review I've seen :)

[@pddellow]

Nice review, except for I think you are missing the point as to who or what this bike is designed for. There are plenty of pure Ebikes out there that will propel you to where ever you want to go, with bigger motors and batteries and fatter tires and weight. This is not that sort of bike. The road version and or gravel version CF Racer are designed for cyclists. Those avid riders that just need that extra help to keep up with the pack, or their partner and or want to increase their range or speed. IMHO, it is truly in a class by itself.

[@EbikeEscape]

I 100% agree with you

[@lowb35]

Connecting to this market is going to be interesting, since riders in this segment aren't necessarily going to be looking at a DTC ebike company. They may buy from DTC like Canyon or Lauf but not ebike specific companies like Ride1Up. I am in this market having previously owned a Mahle X35 equipped carbon fiber bike from a premium brand, and I just got the CF Racer1 to replace my old and much more expensive bike which I sold. There are benefits to torque sensing bikes but cyclists in this segment are often just as well served by cadence sensor bikes because experienced road and gravel cyclists ride at higher cadences than other types of cyclists and are used to providing their own power which is just supplemented by the bike. I can't tell you how many debates I've had with ebike riders on social media who don't "get" this bike, say they wish it was torque sensing, had more power, had more range, etc. who don't understand that the much more expensive bikes in this segment have almost exactly the same power and range because the smaller stealth battery and motor is also what contributes to their low weight! The X35 is no longer the latest and greatest thing - it's a mature and proven technology still used in current production bikes - and Bafang does a nice job with their take on the X35 with the same range, power, and an even smaller and more stealth rear hub. The cadence sensor in the R1U is a little more refined than the X35 too. The cyclists in this segment will definitely be looking at bike quality, particularly the frame (the one year warranty may be a turn off), whether it can be made tubeless (it can but it's not tubeless ready), quality components (big win here!) and fit. The integrated cockpit is super nice IF IT FITS YOU. A lot of gravel cyclists are using suspension stems because most of the competition are full carbon fiber bikes with alloy stems/bars which often transmit chatter to the hands. The CF bar in the CF Racer1 is so comfortable that extra suspension isn't necessary. It's almost impossible to be fitted to this bike though since there's not a lot that can be adjusted - saddle height and fore/aft, some brifter adjustment, and that's about it. Unlike the Canyon version of a similar integrated CF cockpit it's not adjustable. Supposedly you can swap out the cockpit if you really want to but that would be a lot of work and for many people best done by a bike shop (that may complain about yet another integrated cockpit!). R1U's decision to drill the gravel bike rims for Schrader valves was probably not the best decision, mainly in the message it sends to this market (budget bike! more weight!), not because they're inherently bad. This bike is a screaming deal IF IT FITS YOU though I do wonder if they're going to be able to reach out of their typical ebike market toward cyclists who want a quality CF gravel/road e-bike for $3000 MINIMUM less than the true competition, which isn't the Kona Rove or even the Cannondale which are alloy bikes, but more like the Orbea Gain CF, Scott eAddict, Wilier Triestina Jena Hybrid, Argon 18 Subito, etc.

[@V8-friendly]

I needed one with pedal-assist after my heart attack to be able to enjoy life outside again. A foldable one with 22” wheels does just fine and fits in the trunk of my car, so I can take it to parks also. Now, I am not worried anymore, when a hill shows up, in front of me. And if I get too exhausted on the way back, I can use the throttle feature only. Works great for me. Different people, different bikes. So much variety out there nowadays. Enjoy your rides, everybody! 🚲

[@user-ho9hx4tq8o]

I think I’m just about to pull the trigger on this ebike. I’m an aging avid roadie at 65 years old. There’s hardly a flat road here in Atlantic Canada so the hilly terrain here feels like I’m climbing Alpe d’Huez now. An ebike will help me continue enjoying the sport I truly love instead of just reminiscing on the rides my Bianchi, Colnago, Ridley and Giant road bikes have given me. I still admire them displayed on my man cave which are getting lower and lower mileage. Thanks for the nice comprehensive video.

[@V8-friendly]

@@user-ho9hx4tq8o Once you got one, you will never look back. I have four of them and enjoy them all, so much fun. The pedal assist feature seamlessly integrates and guarantees an enjoyable ride. The throttle only feature is great when you run out of steam. 58 years old, male, major heart attack 2021, and I am back enjoying the outside. Some now do offer double battery packs option which allow you to go 50+ miles. So no range anxiety either. I particularly like the planetary geared hub motors for their torque and the newer 48V technology. I would stay away from those that require smart phone apps to activate/lock/unlock. If company goes under, you could be screwed. Recommend to look into batteries from Samsung/Panasonic/LG. A serious bike manufacturer will not use cheap crap batteries made in China and disclose what batteries they use when called.

[@84imreplica]

A very informative review-well done! I've been waiting for a comprehensive review on this bike. I don't think upgrading the wheels would be an easy option. The front wouldn't be a problem but the rear would be, as one would have to purchase just the rim and have a shop re-spoke the new rim with the motor. I also wish this bike was offered with a torque sensor. I'd gladly pay more for that option. Lastly, I"d prefer a separate handlebar/stem combo, with exposed cabling. This would allow me to change the stem length, if needed, and install my favourite handlebar. That bar looks very nice, but mounting any accessories, (light, bell, phone mount) would be a problem. Overall, this bike is an outstanding price for what you get.

[@marcellocapone4925]

Thorough review, thank you.

[@davidjodye22]

Very impressed with this bike

[@chow-chihuang4903]

Nice, light ebike, but my body no longer tolerates this riding posture, and between me and cargo I typically carry (tools, first aid kit, locks), I’m already over the 225lb weight capacity!

[@trekkeruss]

For me, the pros are its very light weight, and its very attractive price. But I have an e-bike, and for my riding, the range is a huge letdown. Of course I realize they sell a range-extender battery. The other bike that interests me is the Yamaha Wabash RT. It is a lot more money, although at this moment they are throwing in an $800 gift card and an extra 500Wh battery. Not carbon and quite a bit heavier, but fantastic range, and the mid drive motor is more powerful. My current bike is Yamaha powered, so I know it is great. So $2600 for the R1up (with the extra battery) vs $3400 for the Yamaha. Not really equal bikes, but both compelling.

[@Roxlimn]

I would go with the Wabash. The Ride 1Up is really for folks who intend to ride it something like 30-70% of the time unpowered. The relatively light weight is so it still feels good and responsive in that state. Theoretically, it has infinite range since you are intended to ride it without power as a design goal. The Wabash looks like it’s more up your alley, because if you’re worried about range, then you intend to ride the bike on some level of power all the time. I have a Giant Yamaha-powered bike as well, and the response and power is just an entire class above something like this.

[@xfoxtrotwiskeykilo995]

Sold out

[@geminic5983]

Your review is the best and most detailed one of all on YT. Thank you for the close up of the display and explanation. Can you help me understand if the stem and handlebar can be completely removed and replaced with non-integrated parts. I think it is possible, but don't know if the display is integrated with the handlebar or not. If not, can it be mounted again on a different handlebar?

[@EbikeEscape]

Thanks - that was the goal! That is a good question - my concern is the cable management. Best to ask Ride1Up.

[@dpbill]

​@@EbikeEscape Some helpful discussions about raising the handlebar on Ride 1Up's Facebook and Reddit pages. I love the bike but this issue was a dealbreaker for me. I need a more upright position and raising it up appears to be pretty much impossible. I'm betting that the next version will address that problem.

[@kristge7273]

Tire pressure & aerodynamics are very important for wattage output in non-assisted cycling, so I would presume that would affect the range as well. In fact, I suspect those two factors might be more important than weight.

[@MrMysteriousB]

Thanks for range test especially. This bike looks fantastic, but the very limited range for a carbon road/gravel bike ( especially considering the flat trail and your lighter weight) combined with a cadence sensor really misses the mark for me.

[@chow-chihuang4903]

Range tests are of interest as some brands post overly-optimistic estimates whereas others are more conservative, putting them at a marketing disadvantage. However, to do them right, you have to minimize variation in test conditions, such as path surface conditions & terrain, rider effort, rider weight & condition, wind speed, temperature, tire tread & pressure, etc., many of which affect average speed, which is also a meaningful and informative result.

[@scottrichards3587]

Factor not mentioned in range? Suspensions reduce range due to absorbing some of the bike's forward momentum😢

[@tomribaudo6040]

I love the idea of this bike but am torn on sizing, at 5'-8" I fall right into the sweet spot max small min large. They have a reach dimension of 376" (sm) and 384 (Lg) measured from the center of the crank to who knows where (assume the handlebar?). No mention of stem length (or the ability to change it) so even with the top tube its hard to determine how it would fit. Care to comment? It does not seem a long stretched out bike but more upright would you agree?

[@jwright24153]

I got a roadster v2 from ride1up. I got it in large. My height was on the high end for the small recommended range and on low end for the large. If I were to purchase again I would go for the small. Im no expert in bike fitting but I would recommend a small for you.

[@troywalt4834]

Bro the black version looks so much better

[@investormamu3087]

Thank you for a nice review, I would use this bike to go farther, may be not using the pedal assist at all till I am tired on my way back home ! If you do not mind could you please let me know the brand of your helmet, really appreciate !

[@EbikeEscape]

Thanks! Absolutely, it's the XNITO and you can pick one up at shop.ebikeescape.com 😉

[@marcusgilliam3269]

what is the handlebar width?

[@jayesh5131]

It's wider than the Road version for better handling in the offroad terrain but the Road version is lighter due to the tyres and smaller handlebar 😊

[@Ilovethisaccount500]

31 miles is my guess

[@V8-friendly]

Price point is surprisingly okay for what it is. For what some ebikes are priced nowadays, I’d rather buy a scooter 🛵 or an entry-level motorcycle 🏍️. Some ebikes must have fantasy markups. This one is interesting though. I have four ebikes, so one word of caution: The one I bought from Prodeco for $2,200.- seven years ago is mechanically still top notch. But with the company out of business you now can’t get any replacement battery, especially if 36V technology. 🪫 So all I have now, is an expensive yard ornament.

[@redakteur]

i had an electric bike shop strap on a couple of generic batteries to my prodeco after its original battery died. still going, with more range than ever.

[@V8-friendly]

@@redakteur Thanks, I will look into this suggestion. Mechanically, my Prodeco Phantom X3 is still perfect. Just recently put on two new tires and new break pads, and that was all. Original battery is pretty much end of life though, since acceleration (torque) has gotten so much lower over the past two years, which tells me there is less current available.

[@redakteur]

@endly You're welcome. The Prodeco Phantom is also pretty good as an ordinary bike. Just put it in gear five and you can pedal it at a fair speed forever. It's not like one of those extraordinarily heavy ebikes that are too hard to pedal manually. (But you did overpay a bit for it. I bought mine at the same time, new, from a bike shop, and paid $1,300. It served me as a car replacement for a coupe of years, so I remain quite fond of it.)

[@V8-friendly]

@@redakteur Well, it was my first ebike, and I was not experienced enough about that whole pricing thing. Shouldn’t have ordered from Ama### without any additional research. Anyway, installed new tires, new break pads and a new chain for this season. Only got to figure out this battery thing. This year, I added a foldable one from blix to my collection, so I can take it with me in my car’s trunk to visit parks and ride there, 22” wheels. Was $1,600.- including tax and shipping. Few test rides so far, love it! 5-level pedal-assist feature is very cool, besides having the regular throttle. Let’s enjoy our bikes in 2024! Happy riding and lots of sun, Marco