Bike review: The Cafe Cruiser from Ride1Up

Introducing Ride1Up and the Cafe Cruiser.

Back in the 1880s, early cyclists often described the experience of riding a bicycle as “flying.” Nothing short of a locomotive could travel so fast, and newly paved roads added a smoothness to the experience that few could hitherto imagine. We all tend to feel this way, usually as children, when we first learn to balance. We float through space. We are free.

With time, we forget that flying feeling — until we encounter something like the Cafe Cruiser from Ride1Up, an e-bike so swift and accommodating, so powerful and pleasant, we may very well flashback to those early days of pedaling a Huffy around the block. Ebikes are cool and convenient; for many, they are a relieving substitute for cars. But on a Cafe Cruiser, you never forget how fun it is to pedal around. After a couple of weeks of test-riding, I have had actual dreams about this bike. Waking up each morning, I’ve looked for any excuse to push it out of the garage and hit the roads.

Ride1Up is a fairly young company, founded in 2018 and based in San Diego. Their mission is to create high-quality e-bikes that are competitively priced. If you have budgeted a reasonable $1,600 for a new set of wheels, the Cafe Cruiser is worth every penny — assuming it suits your lifestyle.

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With pedal assist, this Class 3 e-bike can accelerate to 28 miles (40 km) per hour, which is luxuriously fast on city streets. You feel the 750w motor the second you press down on the pedals. The Cafe Cruiser is so fast, in fact, that speedsters may consider upgrading their helmets.

Ride1Up is proud of its well-constructed alloy frame and ergonomic geometry, claiming it’s “the most comfortable ride ever.” It sounds like hyperbole, but I can’t argue: The plush saddle and wide handlebars encourage an upright posture, and the ride feels as carefree as a beach cruiser over a boardwalk, even up steep inclines. The frame is also muscularly built, giving it a bold, motorcycle-like presence on the road. Never have so many cars willingly yielded to me at intersections. The mahogany paint job adds to its macho demeanor.

The electronic display takes about one full minute to figure out, and the disc brakes and sturdy wheelset give the rider a sensation of complete control. The industrial-grade luggage rack is built seamlessly into the frame, and you can carry up to 130 lbs. of luggage. Alternatively, you can purchase a separate passenger kit, consisting of a soft seat and pair of foot pegs, and carry a human of comparable weight.

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My one quibble has nothing to do with the bike itself, which checks every intended box, but with the paper instructions. The photos are fuzzy and hard to interpret, and I felt like the text glossed over some essential steps. YouTube was helpful, as several people have already filmed themselves unboxing the bike and putting it together. When in doubt, take your bike to a mechanic and have it fine-tuned professionally.

One other bit of advice: If you do buy the passenger kit, which is a worthy investment, you may also find yourself a seat-post handle, which is not included. The cushion and pegs are helpful, but second riders should still grab hold of something to keep themselves upright, especially at higher speeds. Hugging the operator’s torso will work in a pinch, but it can also get awkward.

Ideal User

In theory, this bike is designed to be an urban commuter that doubles as a cargo bike. The name “Cafe Cruiser” hints at an urbane demographic, and the Ride1Up catalog describes it as “blissful comfort,” which is quite true. This bike is actively marketed to people who do grocery runs by bike. The passenger option will appeal to car-light households.

But the Cafe Cruiser can handle far more than a trip to the market. The three-inch-wide tires can roll over fairly rugged terrain, and the front shocks and durable frame open a world of possibilities. No one will confuse the Cafe Cruiser for a mountain bike, but with 30 to 50 miles at your disposal, you’re free to roam almost any paved road.

Summary

These days, there are e-bikes of every kind and purpose, and you could easily spend thousands more dollars on a dream bike with all the bells and whistles. But it’s hard to imagine bells and whistles that will noticeably outperform the Cafe Cruiser, at least where flagship cargo commuters are concerned. The riding experience is fluid and fun, and you can cross almost any metropolitan area at a satisfying (and just legal) velocity.

If the Cafe Cruiser looks a little heavy-duty for your needs, Ride1Up also sells a bike on the opposite side of the spectrum, the Roadster v2. This model, which is designed to look like a traditional hybrid, looks too lean to be an e-bike at all – and yet it is. The motor is far less powerful, but at 33 lbs (14 kg) it’s easier to throw onto a generic bike rack and drive off. Ride1Up has two additional models as well, equipped for different types of riding. If the Cafe Cruiser is any indication, they’re all worth a look.

For more information on the Cafe Cruiser, hit up Ride1Up’s website.

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