Have you always wanted to own a mid-drive electric bike but still haven’t been able to find the perfect one for your budget? Well, don’t be discouraged because in this Ride1up electric bike review we’re going to take a look at one of the most inexpensive mid-motor electric bikes on the market; the Ride1Up Prodigy XC.
The Prodigy XC is one of the three models designed by Ride1Up for the Prodigy line. It comes with a powerful Brose mid-drive motor, a plush suspension system, and knobby tires.
This e-bike is suitable for almost all types of terrain, including rough roads and trail riding, however, it doesn’t feature a throttle-assist function. We’ll now analyze our field test results and look at some of the specs of this electric bicycle. Make sure you read to the end to find out if this e-bike is a good match for you.
Testing Evaluation
Tested against similar models within the same category
Main Features:
- Riders Weight Limit | 300 lbs (136 kg)
- Motor | 250W Brose TF Sprinter Mid-drive Motor
- Range | Up to 30-50 Miles per Charge
- Battery | 36V, 14Ah Phylion BN21 Battery
- Speed | 28 MPH
A Comprehensive Prodigy XC Ride1Up Electric Bike Review
Motor and Power
The Ride1Up Prodigy XC comes with a 250W Brose TF Sprinter mid-drive motor. What’s most impressive about this motor is that it is capable of putting out up to 90Nm of torque.
That’s almost 20% more power than what we’re used to seeing on most production mid-drive e-bikes (especially those with 250-Watt motors).
Range
The Ride1Up Prodigy XC is equipped with a 36V14Ah Phylion battery that guarantees up to 30 miles (48km) of range on every full charge.
The e-bike has an advertised range of up to 50 miles (80km) but we were able to cover around 40-ish miles under mixed riding conditions. Included in the bike’s packaging is a 48V2A charger with LED indicator lights.
This charger should get the bike’s battery fully juiced up in under 5 to 7 hours.
Speed
The Ride1Up Prodigy XC ships to customers as a Class 3 electric bike. This means it is capable of reaching a top pedal-assisted speed of 28mph.
Unlike most e-bikes, the Prodigy XC comes with just four motor-assist levels; Eco, Tour, Sport, and Boost modes. In Eco mode, riders should be able to reach speeds of up to 11 miles an hour.
Tour and Sport modes provide enough electric boost to attain speeds of up to 20mph (32 kph) while Boost mode propels the bike to its top speed of 28mph (45 kph).
Performance and Acceleration
One thing we found dissatisfying about this e-bike is that it doesn’t come with a throttle. Throttles make it easy to engage an electric bike’s motor.
If, for instance, you’re stopped at a traffic light and the light turns green, using a throttle will get you up to speed quicker than if you had to pedal. This is generally why most people prefer throttle-assisted e-bikes to pedelecs.
Nevertheless, the bike does come with a torque-sensing system that provides assistance based on how much pressure is being applied to the pedals. So, instead of having to turn the cranks at a quicker rate (like in cadence-sensing systems), you’d just have to apply more pressure to the pedals and the motor will amplify your output.
This won’t beat the experience of throttling an e-bike, but it should get your bike up and running quicker.
Climbing Ability
The Ride1Up Prodigy XC is a great hill climber. In its lowest pedal-assist level — Eco mode — the bike was able to travel up an 8.2% grade hill with an average speed of 6mph.
We were able to achieve this speed while pedaling at a leisurely cadence so you might be able to exceed our average if you pedal hard enough. It comes with a 9-speed Shimano cassette (11-34T) that guarantees smoother power transitions as riders shift between gears.
You also won’t have to worry about the motor wearing the chain because the bike is equipped with an Electric Shift Assist Sensor that cuts power to the motor as riders switch gears.
Weight Limit and Net Weight
The Ride1Up Prodigy XC is one of the sturdiest electric bikes you can get for under $2500. It can support up to 300 pounds (136 kg) of weight and it weighs just 50 lbs (23 kg).
Most of the e-bikes that can support that much weight usually weigh between 60 and 70lbs (check the table below).
|
E-bike Model |
Weight Limit |
Net Weight |
Motor Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
|
300 lbs |
76 lbs (34 kg) |
1000W (1300W peak) | |
|
300 lbs |
54 lbs (24 kg) |
500W (750W peak) | |
|
300 lbs |
65 lbs (29.5 kg) |
750W | |
|
300 lbs |
64 lbs (29 kg) |
500W (850W+ peak) | |
|
300 lbs |
50 lbs (23 kg) |
250W (Mid-drive motor) |
Display and Controls
The LCD device on this bike is a bit small but it boasts some pretty impressive specs. It displays the bike’s speed, assist level, mileage, and even has a battery percentage readout (it also displays battery blocks in 20% increments)
Riders can also tweak each assist level to give them a custom percentage of support. So if, for instance, Eco mode delivers only 10% of the entire motor’s capacity, accessing the bike’s advanced settings would allow riders to increase — or decrease — the motor’s output in that particular mode.
All Ride1Up models, except the Roadster V2, come with this feature. It gives bike owners more control over their e-bikes and how they ride.
Testing Evaluation
Tested against similar models within the same category
Main Features:
- Riders Weight Limit | 300 lbs (136 kg)
- Motor | 250W Brose TF Sprinter Mid-drive Motor
- Range | Up to 30-50 Miles per Charge
- Battery | 36V, 14Ah Phylion BN21 Battery
- Speed | 28 MPH
Water Resistance
Ride1Up designs some of the most water-resistant electric bikes in the industry. All their bikes are built to the IP65 water-resistance standard.
This means that they are protected against ingress from dust (dust-tight) and water jets projected from any angle. The Prodigy XC is no different.
The bike is not completely waterproof but it can be hosed down with a low-pressure nozzle. Riding in the rain is just fine as long as you avoid submerging any of its components in water.
Suspension and Tire
The Ride1Up Prodigy XC comes with an air suspension fork that allows up to 120mm of travel. Air suspension forks offer several advantages over other types of suspensions such as coil springs.
They are more versatile than coil spring forks and are easier to maintain because they don’t require regular lubrication. The XC is the only version in the Prodigy series that is equipped with suspension. It also comes with 27.5″ by 2.4″ Maxxis Forekaster tires.
Upgrades and Accessories
It comes with a headlamp and a kickstand but doesn’t have a tail light (Other Prodigy versions — the ST and the XR — both come with tail lights). It also doesn’t come with fenders or a rear rack. If you need a taillight and/or rear rack, you would be better off going with the ST or XR configuration.
Warranty and Shipping
Ride1Up typically ships in-stock items within 24 hours. However, depending on your location, it might take up to six business days for your package to get delivered.
The brand ships to addresses in the Contiguous United States for free and charges an extra $400 per bike for shipments to Hawaii and Alaska. People ordering from Canada will have to pay $100 to get their e-bikes shipped to them.
It’s also worth noting that all their e-bikes come with a 1-year limited warranty that only provides cover for manufacturing defects.
The Ride1Up Prodigy XC versus Other Mid-drive Electric Bikes
|
E-bike Specifications | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Motor Rating |
250W (90Nm) |
250W (40Nm) |
250W (50Nm) |
500W |
750- and 1000-Watt variations |
|
Battery Capacity |
36V14Ah (504Wh) |
36V11.6Ah (418Wh) |
36V11Ah (400Wh) |
2 x 48V 10.4Ah batteries |
48V 17.4Ah, 19.2Ah, 21Ah, or 25Ah |
|
Suspension |
Front air suspension forks with 120mm of travel |
Front suspension with 75mm of travel |
No suspension |
Front suspension forks with 80mm travel |
Front air suspension forks with 100mm of travel |
|
Brakes |
180mm hydraulic disc brakes |
Hydraulic disc brakes |
Tektro hydraulic disc brakes |
160mm hydraulic disc brakes |
203mm front & 180mm rear hydraulic disc brakes |
|
Tires |
27.5″x2.4″ air-filled tires |
27.5” x 1.9” pneumatic tires |
26” x 2.35” puncture-resistant pneumatic tires |
20” x 4” pneumatic tires |
26” x 4” pneumatic tires |
|
Drivetrain |
9-speed drivetrain with Shimano Allivio derailleur |
9-speed drivetrain with Shimano Allivio derailleur |
5-speed drivetrain |
7-speed drivetrain |
9-speed drivetrain with Shimano Alivio derailleur |
|
Payload Capacity |
300 lbs |
300 lbs |
275 lbs |
300 lbs |
300 lbs |
|
Net Weight |
50 lbs |
50.5 lbs |
55 lbs |
55 lbs |
68 lbs |
|
Standard accessories |
Headlamp and kickstand. |
Front & rear lights, a kickstand, and a rear rack. |
Front and rear LED lights, frame-mounted lock, rear rack, 4-amp charger, and full-length fenders. |
Integrated front & tail lights, full-length fenders, a rear rack, and a kickstand. |
Integrated headlamp, rear rack, and a kickstand. |
Pros & Cons of the Ride1Up Prodigy XC
Pros
- It comes with a removable battery
- It is equipped with a powerful motor.
- The bike is lightweight.
- It comes with hydraulic brakes.
- It has a system that disengages the motor when you switch gears, thereby protecting the cogs and the chain and extending their longevity.
Cons
- It doesn’t come with a tail light however it’s available with other configurations ( ST and XR)
- It doesn’t come with a throttle however the motor great responsiveness compensates very well for the lack of on demand power.
Who’s the Ride1Up Prodigy XC For
The Ride1Up Prodigy XC is a great option for anyone looking for a budget-friendly mid-drive eMTB. It is powerful, sturdy, and comes with a lot of high-end components.
If you’re in the market for an electric bike that rides and feels like a premium mountain bike, the Ride1Up Prodigy XC might be the best option for you.
Who’s the Ride1Up Prodigy XC Not For
If you’re looking for an electric bike with motor assist on demand, this bike is not for you. It doesn’t come with a throttle and its drive system provides assistance based on the amount of pressure that is applied to the pedals.
Also, as mentioned earlier, it’s not the best electric bike for short riders. It has a standover height of 18” which might be a bit uncomfortable for riders under 5’9” to straddle.
Testing Evaluation
Tested against similar models within the same category
Main Features:
- Riders Weight Limit | 300 lbs (136 kg)
- Motor | 250W Brose TF Sprinter Mid-drive Motor
- Range | Up to 30-50 Miles per Charge
- Battery | 36V, 14Ah Phylion BN21 Battery
- Speed | 28 MPH
