I’ve become completely hooked on the delightful experience of riding lightweight electric bikes. The agility and ease they offer have transformed my daily commutes and weekend explorations. Currently, I own both a lightweight e-bike and a traditional lightweight bicycle, each serving its unique purpose but both bringing immense joy.
My lightweight electric bike of choice is the Ride1UP Roadster v2. For those in Canada, it’s worth noting that Ride1UP does ship there. With a starting price of just around $1100 and a weight of approximately 33 lbs, it represents incredible value in the lightweight electric bike market. My personal experience with the Roadster v2 has been overwhelmingly positive, and their customer support has consistently impressed me.
Side view of Ride1UP Roadster v2 lightweight electric bike
Roadster v2 – Ride1UP | Best Lightweight Electric Bike
The Roadster v2 is advertised as a single-speed, lightweight electric bike featuring a minimalist stealth design. It’s engineered for agility and can effortlessly reach speeds of 15mph, making it an ideal choice for urban environments and beyond. If you’re searching for the best lightweight electric bike that combines performance and affordability, the Roadster v2 deserves serious consideration.
Since purchasing my Roadster v2, I’ve accumulated over 7000 miles. Remarkably, the only maintenance required has been replacing the carbon belt at around 5000 miles. For proactive maintenance, especially for high-mileage riders, purchasing a spare carbon belt (around $50) to keep on hand is a wise precaution. The original model I acquired didn’t include a throttle, but newer versions might. However, if you prefer a throttle-less experience, Ride1UP offers a “gen 2 display” for $50, allowing for a simple swap.
To further extend the range of the lightweight e-bike, an external battery extender is available for $370, nearly doubling the riding distance. I opted for this upgrade, though the internal battery alone still provides a respectable range of approximately 20 miles, depending on factors like rider weight, fitness level, and pedal assist usage.
In my search for a lightweight electric bike, I found the Roadster v2 to be unmatched in terms of value for money. For me, it was an easy decision, well worth the perceived risk of buying an online-only bike. I absolutely love it and have completed numerous metric and even an imperial century rides on it. As you can probably tell, I’m a huge advocate for this lightweight e-bike.
For those with a higher budget and seeking premium lightweight electric bike options, Lemond bikes are frequently praised for their incredibly light builds and artistic designs. Similarly, the Specialized Turbo Creo is another excellent lightweight contender, offering the added advantage of being available through local bike shops, assuming a dealer is conveniently located.
