Ride1Up Goes Big With New Cargo-Capable ‘Rift’ Fat Tire E-bike

E-bikes are available in a nearly infinite number of configurations today, from compact folding models to fat-tire urban bombers to mountain bikes to long-tail cargo carriers and other designs that often sit at the center of some complicated bicycle Venn diagrams. The newest bike from California-based Ride1Up, the $1,895 Rift, is one of those bikes, a fat-tire heavyweight bruiser that can cover a lot of ground over most any type of ground, but will also work as a cargo carrier, commuter or fun machine for most any level of cyclist.

I received a Rift step-through model ahead of the official release, and thank goodness it includes fenders as most of my riding days were filled with a chill Oregon rain (or snow) that seemed to not know it was almost May in the Northwest, and not March. But decked out in rain gear and a few layers, I was able to get the Rift rolling on several occasions (and test how water resistant it is).

Rift Tech Overview

As noted, Ride1Up is not going for a slim and light approach with the new Rift, which is a 20 mph Class 2 e-bike as delivered, with a throttle and a user-settable Class 3 top speed of 28 mph using pedal assist. Top throttle-only speed is 20 mph. Weighing in at a stout 85 pounds, it is a good fit for bigger (6 foot 1) riders like myself who may have ridden to the local taco truck a few more times than recommended (but they’re so good!). I received a size Large “ST” step-though frame version for review in highly visible Arctic White.

A very stout and removable 48-Volt 20 Amp-hour battery feeds power to a 750-Watt geared rear hub motor that makes a burly 95nm of torque. A Shimano SL-M315 derailleur provides pedal power across eight ratios.

Dual-piston hydraulic calipers (above) grip 180mm brake discs front and rear to slow the Kenda Krusade anti-puncture 4-inch wide 26-inch fat tires that feature dirt-ready knobby tread.

A small color LCD on the left bar shows relevant ride data. A front LED headlight and rear LED tail/brake light are standard, as are wide alloy fenders (thankfully). The generic adjustable front suspension fork features 120mm of travel and lockout capability.

The frame is aluminum and the large rear “Connect +” rack is integrated and not removable. It’s rated for 150 ponds of cargo and you can get a seat and pegs for a lucky passenger. Standard panniers will also fit the rear rack, while a front rack and basket are available options.

Ride Experience

In the short time I had the Rift ahead of the announcement, I was able to ride it in several challenging environments, including muddy off-road trails, soaked urban streets and bike lanes, and open grass fields. After some adjusting of the rear derailleur to smooth out shifting, I found the Rift to be easy to ride – as long as power was flowing to the rear hub motor. I rode it a short while with no assist and the bike’s weight quickly becomes apparent, but it’s still possible to make progress on pedal power alone, as long as no major hills are involved.

For pavement riding, I aired the fat Kendas to 25 psi (30 is the max) and that sped up things up on hard ground, but for some single-track in a nearby forested park, 10 psi seemed like the best mix of bump absorption, traction and control. On pavement, 10 psi seems to be a bit too squishy for this heavier rider.

With the white finish, the Rift is highly visible, but I was thankful for the LED headlight and tail light, which also works as a brake light. However, I’d like to see Ride1Up bump up the power of the front headlight, as it was barely adequate in my dark streets test and I added a Traveler light by Thousand to add some lumens and keep drivers on alert.

I wasn’t brave enough to do a range test during our long stretch of wet and cold weather, but the battery is rated for 45-60 miles of range in mixed use and several hours of riding only knocked a couple nits off the level indicator so if riders pitch in on the pedals, that seems like a reasonable range estimate.

Brakes are a bright point as the dual-piston calipers definitely bring more power to the party and decrease stopping distance and lever effort. On a big, heavy bike that could be carry two people or over 100 pounds of cargo out back, it’s good to see Ride1Up upgrade the stoppers for the Rift as it needs the extra power.

I also did some domestic duties on the Rift, including fitting soft panniers and loading them down with groceries and such. One of the strengths of a heavy-duty bike like the Rift is that it can function as a car replacement in many cases, saving money on gas, wear and tear, and at the same time raising your pulse rate as long as you’re pitching in on the pedals. Even on a slight uphill, loaded with cargo, it’s great to have that full 750 Watts and nearly 100 nits of torque to power up a grade.

Conclusions

This is a lot of bike for the money, with a wide range of capabilities. It’s a comfortable and capable bike to ride, with those go-over-almost-anything tires and stout motor enabling a high fun factor. It also makes commutes and errands less stressful since it can essentially bulldoze over most bike lane detritus or give a soft landing off a curb (trust me).

That power, combined with the carrying capacity (including for a passenger with OEM options) and decent range make the Rift a solid option to keeping your car parked. It’s a practical mix of cargo bike and everyday driver as it were. I rode the ST step-through model and while it has a bit of frame flex under hard pedaling, it’s minimal and the lack of a top spar makes it accessible to those whose joints might not be as flexible as they once were. It also makes getting going easier as well.

As I noted, for under $2,000, this is a lot of e-bike. Simple panniers further expand its capabilities, and besides it being a capable commuter, light-duty cargo hauler and great everyday ride to keep the miles off your car, it’s also just good fun to ride. Just add a better headlight and whatever other bits you need, and you should be set for years of e-bike enjoyment.

Recommended.