I tried taking the budget-priced Ride1Up Roadster V3 e-bike off-roading. Here’s what happened next — SkimNews
Get the Energy newsletter
Daily energy & climate — solar, EVs, oil, the policy fights and tech bets shaping the transition. Free.
- Ride1Up Roadster V3 is a $1,295, 40-lb urban e-bike that the reviewer rode 38 km (24 miles) off-pavement through gravel roads, hard-packed dirt, loose sandy trails, muddy puddles, and rocky climbs after taking it on a train to the trailhead
- MiVice torque sensor in Eco mode delivered natural-feeling assist; the reviewer pedaled hard throughout, with a Garmin watch estimating 696 calories burned over 1 hour 50 minutes
- Continental 700x45c tires struggled in loose sand, causing the bike to wander sideways, but handled hard-packed dirt, gravel, and rocky sections well with careful line selection
- The hidden throttle was used sparingly as a 'get-out-of-jail-free card' — blipping it to maintain momentum while downshifting on climbs or powering through deep sand sections
- After the full loop, the 360Wh battery still held roughly a third of its charge, extrapolating to about 57 km (35 miles) off-road range versus 70 km in typical city commuting
- Fenders proved unexpectedly useful off-road, letting the rider blast through post-rain puddles without painting a muddy stripe up their back
- The reviewer would not recommend the Roadster V3 as a dedicated gravel e-bike — narrower tires, modest power, and urban geometry limit it — but called the mixed-terrain experiment a success for a $1,295 daily driver
Why it matters: At $1,295 with a 40-lb frame that carries easily onto trains, the Roadster V3 offers off-pavement capability most buyers wouldn't expect from a budget urban e-bike, but with a clear caveat: the 360Wh battery and narrow 700x45c tires demand real rider input and penalize loose sand. Buyers weighing this against purpose-built gravel e-bikes trade dedicated off-road components for a versatile commuter that handles occasional dirt, gravel, and trail use — just not throttle-only riding.
Ask SkimNews
