2023 Ride1Up Rift Review

Video Review

Written Review

Introduction:

This right here is the Rift from Ride1Up, an Ebike that's as fun as the name implies! This electric stallion boasts a beefy 750W AKM motor with 95Nm of torque, an LG 48V 20Ah battery, and a pair of 4-piston hydraulic brakes that grab onto the 180mm rotors and refuse to let go! After a few minutes, I realized I just had to let go of the handle…so…learn something new every day. With Green, Gray, and White color options, you'll be turning heads as you cruise in style and comfort. Plus, with a 1-year warranty and a price tag of $1,895 USD, this is a value-packed Ebike!

Motor:

Powered by an AKM rear-hub motor with a whopping 750W output and 95Nm torque, the Rift is more than ready to take you on those uphill battles. It's a Class 3 Ebike, so you'll be zooming up to 28 MPH! The Rift offers both throttle and cadence pedal assist, so you can choose how to conquer the road, or trail, ahead.

Battery:

The Rift is equipped with an LG 48V 20Ah lithium-ion battery, packing a hefty 960Wh. With around a 5-hour charge time, you'll be back on the road before you can say "I love my new bike!" If you take five and a half hours to say that phrase. The estimated range is between 30 to 55 miles, to do the math on it: with 960Wh, you can expect an average distance of 48 miles, which is pretty darn impressive, and right on par with what Ride1Up claims.

Frame:

The Rift's frame is made from 6061 aluminum alloy and comes in an upright body position for a comfortable ride. This bad boy weighs in at 85 lbs and has a standover height of 19 inches, with a reach length of 15 inches. It also features attachment points for fender bosses and the Integrated Connect+ System for the rear rack, making it a versatile machine for all your adventures. Also, we are reviewing the step-through version of the Rift, and they also offer it in a standover version as well.

Suspension:

The Rift's front fork features 120mm of travel and a lockout feature, which paired with the fat tires makes this thing very comfortable on flat roads, and absorbs a ton of the roots and such from off-road trails. Speaking of those fat tires, the tires we have here are Kenda 26’ x 4” tires with an aggressive tread that handles dirt and gravel well. It would be cool to see some sidewall reflective stripes here, but if you’re not riding at night, that shouldn’t be a big deal. The saddle was comfortable and fit my sit bones pretty well, so no complaints here.

Brakes:

When it comes to stopping power, the Rift doesn't mess around. It's equipped with LBN 4-piston hydraulic brakes and 180mm rotors on both front and rear, ensuring you can come to a quick and safe stop whenever you need to. Trust me, these brakes will have you stopping on a dime and giving nine cents change. I’m not sure what that means, but when I wrote it I committed to putting it in the review, so there it is.

Drivetrain:

The Rift features an 8-speed Shimano Altus gearing system operated by Shimano trigger shifters, giving you the versatility to shift gears easily while still having a firm grip on the handlebars. During my rides, I found the gears to be smooth and responsive, allowing for quick and easy gear changes. Sometimes you have to make a few minor adjustments when you assemble a bike, but right out of the box it was lined up and ready to roll.

Extras:

This Ebike comes loaded with extras, including integrated front and rear lights. The rear lights have brake light integration, so the taillight turns on when the brake levers are depressed. This is an excellent safety feature to see, and we wish we saw it on more Ebikes across the board. It also comes with front and rear fenders, a 4-amp charger, and a rack bungee. The rack bungee had metal hooks on the bottom, and although this looked awesome, we would recommend going with strong plastic, to avoid scratching this awesome rack. With the Connect+ integration, you can add seats, baskets, and all sorts of cool stuff to customize it for your exact use case, and that’s pretty dope!

Cockpit:

Let's talk about the Rift's cockpit, where all the action happens! The handlebars feature a comfortable, ergonomic design that keeps you in control during your ride. The grips are double-locking rubber ergonomic grips, ensuring a secure and comfy hold.

The colorful KD218 display is easy to read and provides all the essential information you need, such as wattage, battery, speed, PAS level, trip, odometer, max speed, and average speed. This is my first time using this display, and I really like it. Simple enough to not feel overly complicated, but shows tons of useful information. I think this is a solid display and I’m glad to see it here. As for the controls and other attachments on the handlebars, they're designed to be user-friendly, so you can keep your focus on the road (or trail) ahead while making adjustments on the fly.

Who Is This Ebike For?

The Ride1Up Rift is perfect for riders looking for an urban, off-road, and adventure Ebike. Its versatile nature makes it suitable for various types of terrain and riding conditions. With its comfortable geometry measurements (15" reach, 19" stand-over height, 27" minimum saddle height, 36” maximum saddle height, 48" wheelbase, and 73" length), the Rift accommodates a wide range of riders.

Whether you're a daily commuter, weekend warrior, or an off-road explorer, the Rift has got you covered. If you’re looking for a high-performance Ebike that can effortlessly transition between urban streets and off-road trails, the Ride1Up Rift might be the Ebike for you.

Final Thoughts:

In summary, the Ride1Up Rift is a versatile, powerful, and stylish Ebike that offers an exceptional riding experience for urban and off-road adventurers alike. With its powerful motor, long-lasting battery, and top-notch components, the Rift is a great value at $1,895 USD.