Ride1Up’s Carbon Fiber CF Racer1 Ebike Slims Down To Under 30 Pounds

Similar to Aventon's surprise move earlier this year with its sport-specific Ramblas electric mountain bike, popular e-bike maker Ride1Up has decided to explore new markets with its ultra-lightweight CF Racer1 road and gravel model. Up until recently, the company has mostly focused of more accessible and fun-focused fat-tire and commuter e-bikes.

The CF Racer1 changes that approach somewhat. It is a high-performance, niche-specific bike based around a carbon-fiber frame and top-tier components from brands like SRAM. At $2,295, it ranks as the second most expensive model the company offers, following the Revv1 DRT at $2,495. Ride1Up has positioned the CF Racer1 as a sleek performance bike with two build options: gravel and road.

Gravel bike racing (a close cousin to cyclocross) is very popular, and the versatile bikes allow riders access to both street and unpaved routes for fun and fitness. Add some fenders and a backpack, and the CF Racer1 becomes a practical commuting bike. In fact, the road model might be the ideal pick for urban commuters. It offers slightly different handlebars, wheels, and tires — all designed for road riding. Both options have the same overall dimensions, performance, major components, and list price. They also both look very much like analog bikes.

Tech Overview

Neither CF Racer1 model has suspension, they are pure hardtails. The entire frame, from the fork to the seat post, is carbon, making this Rid1Up's first all-carbon e-bike. The carbon aero-style bars are proprietary to the CF Racer1. The only downside is that if the bars get damaged years from now, replacement may be difficult. Small buttons on the inside of the brake lever housings allow riders to change assist level and the display metrics on the VeloFox DM02 color LCD screen positioned at the front of the handlebars (below).

Basing the CF Racer1 around a carbon-fiber frame brings numerous benefits, primarily very low weight. The lightweight frame means other components can be smaller and lighter since there's less weight to move. The CF Racer1 has a small 252 Wh battery (36 Volt 7 Ah) sealed inside the frame. While you can't regularly remove and charge it, a dealer or shop mechanic can still service it. The motor is also small but effective, helping boost the overall efficiency and maintain a low weight. It produces 250 Watts and 42 Nm of torque, which might seem a bit low. However, that's plenty for this more pedal-focused drivetrain.

The CF Racer1 uses double-walled aluminum rims with Sapim 14G spokes. On the gravel model, the wheels are 16.5 mm deep with a 17.5 mm internal width. The road wheels measure 40 mm deep with a 17 mm internal width. Total weight ready to ride comes in just under 30 pounds.

Ride1Up is a direct-to-consumer (DTC) company and typically, its bikes arrive 90% assembled, needing only the front wheel, handlebars, seat, and pedals attached. The CF Racer1, however, is quite a bit more involved. The tool kit even includes a torque wrench, so we strongly encourage having a bike shop build it for you if you have any doubts. Cracking a carbon fiber frame can really ruin your day.

If you do build it yourself, make your first ride to a bike shop and get it checked over by a professional, especially torque values and to confirm that everything is within specification.

I reviewed a press model of CF Racer1 in gravel trim with Continental Terra Trail 700 x 40c tires. It first passed through the hands of a professional Portland-area rider/mechanic who built it before i received it. Platform pedals are included with the bike when purchased, but for this review, I used my personal SPD-type clipless pedals and cycling shoes. I didn't use any racks, bags, or other cargo systems with the CF Racer1. The CF Racer1's extremely light weight makes it easy to portage up steps or onto a commuter train. I also popped it into the rear of my car with the seats folded down.

Of note, Ride1Up does not offer a dedicated app for the CF Racer1. However, the VeloFox DM02 display connects to smartphones via Bluetooth to work with fitness apps like Strava and bicycle diagnostic tools. It's small but concise, showing speed, assist level, and motor output by default. Tapping either button on the handlebars changes the assist level while tapping both simultaneously brings up a data screen showing distance, time, and performance metrics.

My review bike arrived in what appeared to be a glossy black finish (above), but once in sunlight, the paint erupts with a rainbow of metal flake glitter (below).

Riding Experience

Due to its very light weight, the CF Racer1 delivers an initial riding experience closer to an analog bike than an e-bike. It mixes in just enough power to add some speed over long distances or a welcome push up a hill for tired legs.

My hill test is a mile-long climb that gains about 700 feet in elevation on paved but bumpy two-lane public roads. My first climb was with the power systems turned on but set to no pedal assist (Level Zero). The CF Racer1's ultra-low weight and wide rear gear ratios made climbing the hill in analog mode an easy affair. Speeds usually stayed at about 10 mph, only sinking to 8 mph on steeper sections where I stood on my clipless pedals.

Using assist Level 1, the pace picked up to 13 mph. With the motor set to assist Level 5 and some concerted pedaling, the speed peaked at 17 mph. The CF Racer1 doesn't have a throttle or boost function, although the motor will jump to 450 Watts of peak output power for short stretches.

In the flat, the CF Racer1 is swift, and since it's a Class 3 e-bike, top speed with pedal assist is 28 mph instead of 20 mph, so commuters can make extremely good time if they choose to use it in that way. Fortunately, the way the bike is designed, it's perfectly comfortable switching roles from an exercise and even a club racing platform to a commuter role as needed. Just add lights, a rack and fenders if need be.

Since I had the gravel version, I also took the CF Racer1 off the pavement several times. With no suspension, the ride is rough and best done using the legs and arms as shock absorbers. The frame has little flex, and any flex it might have is undetectable while riding — including off-road. That said, the tires had good grip in dirt and gravel, and it was fun to ride off-road. Just don't expect it to perform like a mountain bike.

The CF Racer1 was reasonably comfortable for fairly long rides on city streets, but it was still a bit small for this tester, who typically rides a 58 cm road frame instead of the Racer's 56 cm maximum size frame. Riders shorter than myself (6 foot 1/185 cm) will likely fare better.

It's great to see e-bike companies like Ride1Up start to develop more focused performance models like the carbon CF Racer1. That tells me that other more general market models are selling well, allowing some room to experiment. The CF Racer1 wasn't the best gravel bike I've ever ridden - but for the price, it certainly is.

That the company can produce this bike and make it as beautiful and functional - and fun - as it is bodes well for the future of the company and e-bikes in general. I'd say it's mission accomplished for the Ride1Up CF Racer1 — a fast, fun and exciting e-bike with an unexpected splash of color and style.