Ride1UP CF Racer 1 Review, 2024

In our Range Test, the CF Racer performed well for its specs, which we largely attribute to the bike’s lightweight frame.

We tested the capabilities of the bike’s internal battery in both its highest and lowest PAS settings by riding until all charge was depleted. We traveled 15.3 miles in PAS 5 and 47.6 miles in PAS 1 when testing the bike on a network of local bike paths.

Our contact at Ride1UP advised us that weight was a primary concern when developing the CF Racer. This is apparent both in its use of lightweight materials, but also its aesthetic; the bike’s slender frame maintains an analog look.

As such, the bike’s battery size is limited, but based on our results, this approach paid off; its results in our PAS 1 test exceeded our expectations based on those of other models with similar specs and rear-hub motors (these were primarily in the city/urban category of e-bikes). Its PAS 5 results were exactly on par with our expectations based on its 250W motor and 252 Wh battery.

Prospective owners should be aware that the bike’s range will differ based on its environment. The paved paths where we performed our testing offered much less resistance for the rider and motor to overcome than a gravel route would have. With this in mind, dedicated gravel riders should expect less range than we achieved in our testing.

We believe that the bike’s range is practical in its current state, but it is possible to double the bike’s range for a relatively minimal cost; Ride1UP offers a 36V, 252 Wh external range extender battery that can be added to the CF Racer 1 for roughly an additional $300.

This optional battery was designed specifically for the Ride1UP Roadster V2 (which, incidentally, is also available in a gravel version), but is also compatible with the CF Racer. The brand is currently developing what we anticipate will be a more sleek range extender for the carbon fiber bike, though we do not yet have details on its release date.

Test results aside, It is worth noting that the range extender is not an essential addition for one reason in particular: the CF Racer 1 can be pedaled easily without assistance. Due to its lightweight frame and effective gearing range, it is a functional analog bike when the battery is depleted.

The CF Racer 1 performed well in our hill test considering its specs and style. We largely attribute its results to its peak motor output and performance-oriented riding position.

We tested the bike at Hell Hole Trail (our standard Hill Test location), which is a steep, paved path roughly one-third of a mile in length. With the maximum level of pedal assist in PAS 5, our tester Justin managed the climb with an average speed of 10.0 miles per hour in 1 minute, 48 seconds.

The most apt comparisons for the CF Racer in this test are city/urban e-bikes we have tested with similarly low-output rear-hub motors. Ride1UP’s road/gravel bike demonstrated above-average performance for a 250W rear-hub; its results were more in line with what we have measured from 350W drive units. The bike’s specs reinforce this placement, as its motor’s peak wattage of 540W and 42 Newton-meters (Nm) of torque are slightly above average.

The CF Racer 1’s geometry also gave it an advantage in this test. When compared to most city/urban e-bikes with a more upright riding position, its more aggressive and aerodynamic geometry/positioning reduced drag and allowed Justin to pedal up the hill faster.

The CF Racer 1 is intended to have an analog feel, and in our opinion, it succeeds at this goal. Any e-bike with a 250W rear-hub will require effort from the rider when approaching hills – but we found that the CF Racer’s output was enough to make the task noticeably easier.

The CF Racer 1’s brakes performed effectively in practical applications and firmly within our range of expectations despite appearing slightly below average when considering only our data. We gathered three sets of results using the process explained above, then calculated the bike’s average stopping distance to be 23’7”.

Once again, the city/urban category of e-bikes is the most useful for comparison – primarily due to their similar size and weight. At the time of writing, our current average for this category is 22’10”, which shows a relatively minimal difference of 9 inches. For perspective, this distance can be traveled in a literal blink of an eye when riding at 20 mph.

The CF Racer 1 is equipped with a SRAM Rival 1 hydraulic brake system with 2-piston calipers and 160mm rotors. We are confident in stating that the bike is well-specced with this system, which is clearly powerful enough for this lightweight bike and our test rider who weighs roughly 230 lbs.

When testing the bike on dirt/gravel roads with significant elevation changes and a myriad of hazards (large rocks, washed-out trenches, etc.), I felt that the brakes were extremely effective. They allowed me to control my descents on steep hills and avoid/maneuver through tricky areas appropriately – as I expected from a SRAM brake set.

The quality of the CF Racer 1’s ride was generally great – especially when factoring in its quality components, lightweight frame, and simple interface. This portion of our review contains the greatest amount of our critique, though for the most part, these points are more considerations to be aware of instead of things that need to be corrected.

Starting off on a positive note, the bike’s overall handling and feel was fantastic. I found that the lightweight frame felt noticeably agile and energetic, allowing for fast acceleration and quick maneuvering. The carbon fiber construction also significantly improved comfort by absorbing vibrations from the environment, though with a fully rigid frame bumps were still noticeable.

In terms of fit, I found the CF Racer 1 to be relatively comfortable, though its fit is limited for purposes of efficient manufacturing. The bike is offered in two frame sizes – 50cm and 56 cm – with a general fit for riders between 5’3” and 6’3”. There are spec/geometry differences between the road/gravel version of the bike, though we can only speak specifically about the gravel version we tested.

The 50cm frame includes 400mm handlebars (467mm at the flared drops), while the larger 56cm version is equipped with 420mm/487mm drop bars. Regardless of width, these are custom monocoque (single-piece) units with an integrated stem. This construction means that any precise adjustments to handlebar height or reach will likely be costly, as customization would require the unit to be replaced with a standard stem and separate set of handlebars. As such, we would encourage the brand to expand the number of frame sizes to a minimum of 3 (4 would be even better, but as we understand, significantly more costly) so as to offer a more precise fit with each size.

We give credit to Ride1UP for the CF Racer 1’s sleek and stylish design; its smooth frame is another benefit of carbon fiber construction. Without close study, it’s likely that most passers-by would think it to be an analog bike, as its motor is only slightly larger than a standard wheel hub, its battery is completely hidden, and its cables are internally routed. This last detail is another thing to be aware of, however, as routine maintenance (bearing replacements, etc) will require more steps – and likely increased labor costs when relying on a mechanic.

To go into detail on the user interface, the CF Racer uses a single SRAM Rival DoubleTap shift lever on the right bar, with only the front brake lever on the left. I found that this shifter took some time to get used to, but it was ultimately quite intuitive and functional. The bike’s on/off button is on the color display unit which sits forward of the handlebar/stem unit. The bike’s PAS adjustment buttons are placed on the inside/top of the drops, which I found easy to use when gripping the drops, but somewhat awkward to reach when using the hoods.

In my opinion, the bike’s range is a contributing factor to its ride quality, though I found it to be appropriate for my 90-ish-minute test rides in the desert, and it should be fine for short training rides. I used PAS 3 most often and reserved the power of PAS 5 for steep inclines or picking up speed on my return trips to the office.

The CF Racer 1’s rear-hub motor uses a cadence sensor, though this was not initially apparent in our testing; Ride1UP uses a “current-based system” that dictates the output of the motor without limiting speed. I appreciated the motor’s responsive, smooth engagement and natural feel. I also found it to be remarkably quiet with a nearly undetectable hum.

So ultimately, while there is some room for improvement, we feel that there is much to appreciate about the CF Racer and Ride1UP’s approach to this affordable gravel bike.

In our testing, the CF Racer 1 proved to be a practical entry point to gravel (or road) riding for those who want the light, nimble feel of carbon fiber. We have continuously been impressed by Ride1UP’s ability to release affordable – but still very well-specced and capable – bikes, and the CF Racer 1 follows this consistent pattern.

The bike performed well across the board in our testing; we found that it had a spirited and nimble feel, and a practical level of power for both of its intended environments. It features a balanced pedal assist system, impressive climbing ability and a practical amount of range for its specs, and solid braking from the SRAM hydraulic system.

We encourage Ride1UP to expand the number of frame sizes so that the bike can offer a more precise fit to its respectable range of riders. And we think it’s important to consider that the bike’s clean and tidy appearance is likely to have some tradeoffs in terms of maintenance costs.

With those things in mind, we think the CF Racer 1 is well-suited to budget-conscious shoppers seeking an affordable means of entry for gravel riding, as well as aging gravel cyclists who may want a subtle boost from an electric motor.

The CF Racer 1 earned our stamp of approval, and we look forward to seeing what Ride1UP offers next!.

Happy Riding! Make sure to let us know if you have any questions or if you think we left anything out in this review of the Ride1UP CF Racer 1 down in our comments section.