If you're an avid cyclist, the cost of electric bicycles has historically been a major barrier. Thankfully, Ride1Up is helping to break that trend with their LMT'D model - bringing premium specs and high-end features at a surprisingly reasonable price.
This urban e-bike makes it easier than ever before to enjoy all the modern bells and whistles without breaking your budget.
Ride1Up LMT’D at a Glance
The LMT’D comes with the profile to guarantee a pleasant urban cycling experience. However, it won’t limit your ride to the city roads; you’ll still be able to take it on gentle off-road terrains thanks to a nice mix of practical and rugged features.
But I’ll let you be the judge of that! Let us consider how the individual features on the bike perform:
FRAME
The Ride1Up LMT’D is built using an aluminum alloy frame and paired with a high-quality front air suspension 80mm travel fork to get you over bumps and potholes more smoothly. Unlike basic spring fork suspension, this unique design lets you adjust the air pressure so that the suspension is in sync with both your weight and riding style.
Two variants are available for the frame design; you can either choose between a step-through and a cross-over build. The picture below shows the difference between the two designs.
Step-over LMT'D in Midnight Gray
Step-thru LMT'D in Sand Brown
The same is true for the color options, which come in a charming Midnight Gray and Sand/Brown combo.
The cross-over frame features a slanting top tube, which reduces the stand-over height to just 29”. This makes for easy on and offs for both choices. We like the feeling you get when riding this e-bike; a credit to the riser handlebar and the adjustable saddle.
As a result, you find yourself in an almost upright seating position that enhances your comfort when rolling on the beefy 27.5” Schwalbe tires. Meanwhile, ergonomic rubber grips on the bars ensure you are always in control of the ride.
Also, the quick-release seat is easily adjustable and features rubber bumpers on the underside to offer a slight level of cushioning on bumps. With a weight of 53lbs, the LMT’D is generally manageable and can support riders weighing as much as 275lbs.
The bike's frame-integrated battery helps it maintain a sleek look that is further improved by the internal cable routing and water bosses. If you're feeling adventurous, there are pre-drilled bosses for racks and fenders to accessorize your ride.
During our tests, we found this model delivers exceptional handling but does require some assembly - something that may be difficult if you don't have any bike mechanics expertise so hiring an expert might not be such a bad idea after all.
MOTOR
Ride1Up made no reservations when it came to the motor of the LMT’D. The manufacturer slapped this e-bike with a powerful 750W geared hub motor with 1000W peak power. With this, you get a punchy engine performance that will push you to a top speed of 20mph on throttle mode.
But for speed demons who want to go even faster, the pedal-assist mode enables you to peak at 28mph. The geared hub motor produces 100nm of torque, which should make it a breeze for you when climbing hills or cycling against headwinds.
Enjoy the freedom of nine different power-assist levels on your e-bike, with a torque sensor which delivers an incomparably smooth and realistic riding experience. Torque sensors are not common on e-bikes, especially not ones in the Ride1Up LMT'Ds price range, so a couple of bonus points are awarded here.
At a glance you can access vital info like wattage output from the motor, battery capacity and status - all nicely packaged in a crisp 2.2” color display. For those times when more effortless navigation is key, easily switch between regular pedal cycling mode or activate its convenient thumb throttle for zero sweat rides!
BATTERY
As a complement to the powerful motor, the manufacturer fitted this bike with a high-capacity 672Wh battery pack. Unlike the mounted batteries you see on most e-bikes, this is nicely incorporated into the downtube, resulting in a cleaner and more seamless appearance.
The battery is also removable and comes with a lock and key to secure it whenever you leave your bike unattended. This also means you don’t have to cut your ride short after the 45 miles range that the battery will allow.
If you have a backup, simply replace it to extend your playtime and charge the used battery. This is made easy by the included charger and cable, which you’ll find when unboxing the package.
BRAKES
With top speeds of up to 28mph, you need reliable braking power if you have to whizz through crowded city streets. Ride1Up made sure of this by equipping the LMT’D with front and rear Tektro 180mm Dual Piston Hydraulic Disc brakes.
These come with reliable stopping performance that you’ll need on wet and slippery roads. Unlike basic mechanical disc brakes, hydraulic discs are pretty responsive and don’t require much maintenance.
Aside from the effortless braking, we also enjoyed smooth shifting between the 8 available gears. Elsewhere, the brake levers are adjustable and you can push them either outwards or inwards depending on the size of your hands for a more comfortable grasp.
WHEELS AND TIRES
The Ride1Up LMT’D rolls on a pair of Schwalbe Super Moto-X tires. The 27.5 x 2.4” rollers are a significant upgrade to the Kendas used on the Roadster V2. These are slightly beefier than your typical road tire bike, so you won’t even notice those occasional potholes and bumps on the road.
A decent amount of treading allows you to maintain riding confidence, especially when turning corners. You’ll even be able to venture off-road on those light trails without hassle.
Lastly, the tires are designed with Green Guards, which allow them to roll over cracked city pavements more smoothly.
What Do I Like?
It seems like the manufacturer chose just the right assortment of components to fit on the LMT’D! There’s so much to go around for anyone looking for a pleasant city commute.
For one, the 750W motor is pretty powerful at this price range, and the 100nm of force it can produce ensures you’re never slowed down on hilly climbs. Furthermore, there is no way you’re going to run behind schedule with a top speed of 28mph.
The overall geometry of the bike is pleasantly comfortable with the riser handlebars and adjustable seat height. But the inclusion of a front air-suspension fork makes the riding experience even smoother, which is why the LMT’D will take on gentle off-road trails without showing any struggles.
Charging the empty battery takes no more than 4 hours and as little as 2 hours, which is among the fastest charging times in the industry. You won’t have to wait too long before continuing with your ride.
You won’t have to worry about braking when you decide to test the speed limits of this bike. This is a credit to the high-performance hydraulic disc brakes, which not only respond smoothly but also stop the bike in its tracks whenever you need them to.
There are so many high-quality parts on this bike, but the Shimano Alivio derailleur can easily be overlooked. This is quite the upgrade and ensures you enjoy smooth shifting between gears.
A highly advanced 2.2” display ensures that you have ready access to riding information such as speed, distance covered, and battery level. This spares you the risk of running out of battery life in the middle of your commute.
As if all the high-grade components are not enough, the manufacturer still offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. So, if you feel the bike isn’t for you after weeks of testing (highly unlikely), you can still return it and get back your money.
Although the LMT’D comes with a relatively stripped-down design, the manufacturer made sure to include bosses for water bottles, racks, and fenders along the frame, giving you the option of accessorizing after acquiring the bike.
Overall, the value offered by this bike is simply absurd. You get a high-grade mix of components you’d ordinarily find on more premium electric bike models on the market. Not to mention that they come with a 1-year warranty, allowing you to enjoy free replacements and repairs for anything that goes awry.
PROS
What I Don’t Like?
At a glance, the first thing you’ll notice about the Ride1Up LMT’D is that it lacks some basic features that are synonymous with urban commuter bikes. The missing lights and fenders mean you’ll have a hard time trying to ride this bike in dark conditions or when it rains.
The range of the battery is acceptable at 45 miles, but we feel that Ride1Up could have added some extra miles given that this is one of its more expensive offerings.
Also, the bike needs to be assembled once delivered, and this is a process that will require a lot of patience. If you don’t like rolling up your sleeves, you might have to get a professional to do it for you.
Finally, the positioning of the LCD on the handlebar is a little bit slanted and can easily get knocked off if you bump into something accidentally. We would have preferred it to be better secured on the handlebar.
Cons
Advice to Buyers
In summary, the Ride1Up uses a range of well-selected components to raise the profile of a decently-price electric bike by a mile. It is fast, pleasant to ride, and delivers more range than you’ll need for your daily urban commute.
If you are looking to upgrade from your first e-bike and your budget allows, the LMT’D will offer you more than you bargained for.
Conclusion
Overall, the Ride1Up LMT’D is a couple of steps above your average city e-bike. Almost every feature has been upgraded to offer you a more fulfilling riding experience. It rides good, feels great, and offers reliable performance; precisely just what you expect from a commuter.
But the icing on the cake is that you will get all this for less than $1800; a great bang for the buck if you ask us!
Our Rating - 84/100
Ride1Up LMT’D
The Ride1Up LMT’D is a nicely outfitted electric bike that will favor city dwellers. If you’re tired of blowing your budget on premium models just to enjoy high-grade features, this e-bike allows you to spend a little less. With its careful selection of high-quality specs, you can look forward to a satisfying ride without clearing your bank account balance.