ALL Electric 
In the full review (17 sections)
Should you buy one?
If you want a comfortable beach-cruiser-style commuter with a rear rack, the Ride1Up Cafe Cruiser is hard to beat for the price. I tested it for several weeks and put about 20 to 30 miles on it. The 750W Bafang rear hub motor got me (about 200 lb) up hills, the 3 inch tires and wide seat are comfortable, and it comes with an integrated headlight and tail light, fenders, a super-duty rear rack and hydraulic disc brakes. When I reviewed it, it was $1,195 on Ride1Up’s site, down from almost $1,600.
The small gripes: the display is a simple black and white unit, there’s no rear suspension, and I wish the chain slap guard had been integrated instead of added on. My testing was limited to 20 to 30 miles, so I can’t speak to long-term durability from my own riding.
Quick specs
| Spec | Ride1Up Cafe Cruiser |
|---|---|
| Motor | 750W Bafang rear hub |
| Pedal assist | 5 levels |
| Throttle | Thumb, works from zero (and in PAS 0) |
| Gears | 1 front, 8 rear |
| Brakes | Hydraulic disc |
| Tires | 26 x 3 in |
| Suspension | Front fork, no rear |
| Battery | Removable with a key, hidden in the frame |
| Lights | Front headlight, integrated tail light |
| Rack | Super-duty rear rack (passenger kit and foot pegs sold by Ride1Up) |
| Fenders | Front and rear |
| Display | Black and white, left side |
| Price at review | $1,195 (down from almost $1,600) |
Sources: my Ride1Up Cafe Cruiser video, about April 2024.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Strong 750W Bafang motor that got me up hills at about 200 lb
- Comfortable at my height (about 6’1”), with a beach cruiser vibe
- Wide, cushioned seat with rubber spacers that add some shock absorption
- 3 inch tires add comfort and look sleek
- Excellent index finger and thumb shifter
- Hydraulic disc brakes
- Integrated tail light and wiring routed inside the frame
- Super-duty rear rack, with a passenger kit available
- Removable battery for apartment charging
Cons
- Basic black and white display
- No rear suspension
- Add-on chain slap guard instead of something integrated
Controls
On the left: grips that feel like leather, the hydraulic front brake, a thumb throttle that works from zero, and the display. The display is a super simple black and white unit with five levels of pedal assist. The throttle still works in level 0, so keep that in mind. Holding the plus button turns on the front headlight and the integrated rear tail light.
On the right: the same style of grip, a little wider so your palm rests comfortably, the hydraulic rear brake, and one of the best shifters out there. You use your index finger and thumb to shift up and down. It feels super natural and makes shifting while riding really easy.
Tires, gears and motor
These are 26 inch tires, but look closely and they’re not traditional 4 inch fat tires. They’re 3 inches wide, a little narrower and sleeker. I really enjoy the look and feel of this hybrid size.
There’s a single gear in front and eight in the rear, which I thought was plenty with the powerful name-brand Bafang motor. The 750W Bafang rear hub has plenty of juice to get me up a hill.
Details
A lot of the wiring is integrated inside the frame, including the wire for the tail light. That adds a nice design element. There’s also a chain slap guard to keep the chain from scratching the paint. I wish they’d integrated it; I’ve seen other companies use paint protection film there. But it’s doing its job protecting the frame.
Rack and passengers
The integrated tail light sits right below the super-duty rear rack. Ride1Up sells a passenger kit that goes on the back, and you can mount foot pegs too. A powerful e-bike that can carry a passenger is phenomenal.
Battery and charging
To charge, pull the rubber cap and plug in the included charger. The battery is hidden in the frame and removes too: on the other side, unlock it with the key, pull the lever and it drops out. That’s really nice if you live in an apartment and can’t take the bike up with you.
Comfort and suspension
For what this bike is, the front fork provided plenty of shock absorption and durability. I mostly rode concrete trails and some gravel. There’s no rear suspension, so the thick 3 inch tires do a lot of the work in back, and they add real cushion.
The seat is very comfortable, with plenty of cushion. It’s rather wide, so it fits a lot of people, and the rubber spacers underneath add some shock absorption. At about 6’1”, I found it really comfortable.
What I’d use it for
Mostly commuting. That’s what I think most people will use it for. The front fork is plenty for gravel or light off-road like a dirt trail.
A long-term owner review
In the video I shared a customer review from Ride1Up’s website: the owner said he’d had two of these bikes for over two years, with over 2,500 miles on one and over 1,000 on the other, needing only brake pads and tube replacements, commuting about 50 miles round trip between Fort Lauderdale and Miami. That’s his experience, not mine, but it’s why I feel confident about the parts quality.
What the specs mean on the road
750W Bafang rear hub. Enough power to climb hills with a 200 lb rider without much effort.
26 x 3 in tires. A middle ground between regular and fat tires: more cushion than a commuter tire, sleeker than a 4 inch fat tire.
Front fork only. It handles gravel and light dirt. The tires and seat take care of the rear.
1x8 drivetrain. Simple shifting with enough range when paired with this motor.
Hydraulic disc brakes. Light lever feel and consistent stopping.
Removable battery. Charge on the bike or carry the battery inside, which helps in an apartment.
Who it’s for
- Commuters who want comfort and a rack
- Riders who like the beach cruiser look
- Anyone who wants to carry a passenger with the add-on kit
Who should look elsewhere
- Riders who want a color display
- Riders who need rear suspension
How it compares
- Ride1Up 700 Series: a Ride1Up commuter I’ve profiled from specs.
- Ride1Up Portola: Ride1Up’s folding option, also profiled from specs.
Price
It was $1,195 on Ride1Up’s website when I reviewed it, down from almost $1,600. I couldn’t confirm a current listing on ride1up.com as of Oct 23, 2026, so check Ride1Up for current availability and price.
