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Ever since I began riding electric bikes from Ride1Up back in 2018, I’ve found that the company does two things very well. First, it makes classic-looking e-bikes that perform even better than they look. And secondly, it does so for a price that leaves me scratching my head wondering how they can sell it for that little. The Ride1Up 700 Series is a perfect example on both counts.

Right out of the box, this urban-assault commuter e-bike has everything a rider needs for a potent city e-bike.

Perhaps most importantly of all, it’s got the speed and power to hang with the cars on the road.

While I don’t mind a Class 2 e-bike, I often feel like I hit a wall at 20 mph (32 km/h) when the motor assist cuts out.

The Ride1Up 700 Series is a Class 3 e-bike and thus can send me right up to 28 mph (45 km/h), as long as I give it some honest pedal-assist above Class 2 speeds.

While that rear hub motor may claim a continuous rating of just 500W, it is paired with a 22A controller and 48V battery to provide just over 1,000W of peak power draw. That results in powerful acceleration, whether you’re relying on the throttle or going halfsies with the pedal assist.

Before I dive too deep into this review, be sure to check out my testing video below. There you’ll see me putting the Ride1Up 700 Series through some real-world commuting-style riding. Then read on for the rest of my thoughts!

Ride1Up 700 Series video review

Ride1Up 700 Series tech specs

  • Motor: 1,000W peak (500W continuous) hub motor
  • Top speed: 28 mph (45 km/h)
  • Range: 30-50 miles (50-80 km)
  • Battery: 48V 14Ah (672Wh) with Samsung cells
  • Weight: 62 lb (28 kg) with rack, fenders
  • Load Capacity: 275 lb (125 kg)
  • Frame: Aluminum alloy
  • Brakes: Tektro dual-piston hydraulic disc brakes
  • Extras: Color LCD display with speedometer, battery gauge, PAS level indicator with five-speed settings, odometer, trip meter, Shimano 8-speed transmission, front and rear LED lights, included high-quality rack and fenders, choice of step-over or step-thru frame
  • Price: $1,695

Outfitted for riding, right out of the box

I always get a bit annoyed when I see e-bikes that are obviously designed for city riding but don’t include important city-specific accessories like lights, fenders, or racks.

I know there’s an argument to be made that not everyone needs the last two (though the belief that all e-bikes should come with included lighting is a hill I’m prepared to die on).

But fenders and racks are so useful that I believe they are basically required equipment for commuter e-bikes. Even if you live in a low rain area, the occasional puddle from irrigation or the errant hose can still leave you with unexpected tire spray. And even when I’m backpacking it instead of loading gear onto a rear rack, the fact that it is there often helps keep my bag from hanging down close the wheel.

In the case of the Ride1Up 700 Series, this e-bike offers the trifecta. Bright lights, high-quality hardened alloy fenders, and a pannier-ready rear rack that is rated for a robust 50 lb (23 kg).

In addition to those three key accessories that come as standard equipment, other commuter-friendly components include the Schwalbe SUPER MOTO X 27.5 x 2.4 tires (one of my favorite on-road tires), powerful dual-piston hydraulic disc brakes, and a Shimano Acera derailleur on an eight-speed cassette.

Are there better transmissions than the Acera? Yes. But is it good enough for 95% of us.

And between those big Schwalbe tires and the 100mm of travel in the front fork (complete with hydraulic lockout), the ride is urban jungle-ready. Potholes and curbs sometimes simply have to be taken head-on, so big tires and bigger suspension are a godsend in those cases. There’s no rear suspension on the Ride1Up 700 Series, as that would be a big ask for a commuter bike (though not unheard of). But at least the Selle Royal gel saddle adds a bit more comfort in the rear.

I’m pretty jazzed about the commuter loadout here, though there is, of course, room for improvement. The cadence sensor is fine, but I got spoiled by the nicer torque sensor on the Ride1Up LTM’D. If they had included a torque sensor on the 700 Series, that would have been sweet! Though considering the bike is priced at $1,695 and includes accessories like lights, fenders, and a rack as standard equipment, I can see how a torque sensor didn’t make it into the budget on this one.

And what’s with that left side throttle? Call me old-fashioned, but I much prefer a right-side throttle. I know the trigger shifter means you can’t have a thumb throttle on the right side, but why not go with a half-twist throttle? Not only is it my favorite style, but it also happens to be the best style as well (according to me).

But what about the electrical side?

So the bike is well-spec’d, sure. But what about the electronics?

Ride1Up pretty much nailed it there too.

The powerful motor and fast top speed of 28 mph (45 km/h) combine to give confidence-inspiring performance. I have no qualms about taking the lane in a city scenario, since I know I have the power to back it up. But when the traffic gets tight, I can easily slide back into the bicycle lane and be a cyclist (traveling at reasonable speeds based on the scenario, of course).

And the 48V 14Ah battery offers sufficient range, though I can’t say it’s the largest battery I’ve seen. With 674 Wh of capacity, the battery is rated for between 30-50 miles of range. The standard disclaimer of “you’ll only get the max range on the lowest pedal assist setting” certainly applies here, and you should know that getting throttle happy really eats into your range. But few commutes are going to be longer than 30 miles – and the ones that are rarely get performed by bicycle anyways. So the battery seems sufficient for the role.

The fact that the battery is also integrated into the frame is another plus for the Ride1Up 700 Series. Not only does it look slick, but it also helps cut down on theft, being much harder to steal.

It’s those little details that all seem to add up on this e-bike: The nicely designed and integrated components, the beautiful cable management to prevent a rat’s nest of wires on the bars, the color LCD screen, the gel saddle. The little extra pieces here and there go above and beyond what we typically see in this mid-level price range for e-bikes.

At $1,695, you really get a lot for your money here. At this price, it’s a great deal for a fast, powerful road-ready bike with all of the necessary commuting equipment.

The small complaints I had were few and far between. Ride1Up did an excellent job with the design and execution of the 700 Series, and it shows.


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Manchester Pride put into voluntary liquidation – as money owed to artists

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Manchester Pride put into voluntary liquidation - as money owed to artists

Manchester Pride has been put into voluntary liquidation – and the future of the event is now in doubt.

Artists and suppliers are owed money following this year’s event, according to an Instagram statement issued by Pride’s board of trustees.

Pride’s organisers cited rising costs, declining ticket sales and an unsuccessful bid to host Euro Pride as factors behind the decision.

The organisation is a charity and limited company that campaigns for LGBTQ+ equality and offers training, research, policy analysis, advocacy and outreach activities, as well as putting on the annual parade and live event.

The statement said: “It is with enormous sadness that we announce that Manchester Pride has started the legal process of voluntary liquidation.

“A combination of rising costs, which are affecting the entire events and hospitality industries, declining ticket sales and an ambitious refresh of the format aimed to challenge these issues, along with an unsuccessful bid to host Euro Pride, has led to the organisation no longer being financially viable.

“We regret the delays in communicating the current situation; however, we were keen not to jeopardise financial opportunities while our discussions were ongoing.

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“We were proactive and determined to identify solutions to the financial issues. We’ve been actively working with several partners, including legal and financial advisors, to do everything we could to find a positive solution.

“We had hoped to be able to find a way to continue, and, most importantly, to support our artists, contractors and partners.

A scene from Manchester Pride 2024. The future of the event is in doubt. Pic: AP
Image:
A scene from Manchester Pride 2024. The future of the event is in doubt. Pic: AP

“Despite our best efforts, sadly, this has not proved to be possible. We are sincerely sorry for those who will now lose out financially from the current situation.

“The volunteer board of trustees are devastated at this situation and sad to share that our staff team will be made redundant.

“We, along with the team, have put our hearts and souls into the celebration and community activities over two decades and are very distressed at the position in which we find ourselves.”

“The Manchester Pride team have now handed over the details of suppliers and artists who are owed money to the liquidators who will be handling the affairs of the charity and contacting everyone.”

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Manchester Pride’s financial difficulties were first reported by The Mill last week.

Last year, industry experts warned that without urgent intervention the UK looks set to see “the end of a clubbing era that has defined generations”.

Research found that in the last four years the UK had lost 37% of its clubs, which works out at about 10 clubs closing each month.

Sky News has previously reported how small, independent music venues have been closing at the rate of one per week and pubs have been shutting at a rate of one per day.

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White House responds to report Trump is considering commuting Diddy’s prison sentence

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White House responds to report Trump is considering commuting Diddy's prison sentence

A White House official has said there is “zero truth” to a report that Donald Trump is considering commuting Sean “Diddy” Combs’s prison sentence as early as this week.

On Monday, US entertainment site TMZ reported the US president was “vacillating” on whether or not to reduce the music mogul’s sentence, citing a “high-ranking White House official”.

Combs was sentenced to 50 months in prison and given a $500,000 fine at a hearing on 3 October, after being found guilty of prostitution charges relating to his former girlfriends and male sex workers at the end of his high-profile trial in the summer.

Earlier this week, the 55-year-old’s legal team filed a legal document officially signalling their intention to appeal.

Combs was in tears during his sentencing hearing. Pic: AP/ Elizabeth Williams
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Combs was in tears during his sentencing hearing. Pic: AP/ Elizabeth Williams

Now, a White House official has pushed back on TMZ’s report about a possible commutation.

There is “zero truth to the TMZ report, which we would’ve gladly explained had they reached out before running their fake news”, the official told NBC, Sky News’ US partner.

Mr Trump, “not anonymous sources, is the final decider on pardons and commutations”, the official added.

Casey Carver, a spokesperson for TMZ, said in a brief statement: “We stand by our story.”

In an update to the story on the outlet’s website, the news site said: “The White House Communications Office is saying our story is not true. We stand by our story. Our story is accurate.”

Lawyers for Combs did not immediately return a request for comment about the disparity between the White House statement and TMZ’s reporting. However, they previously told NBC News they had been pursuing a pardon.

Pardons and commuting – what is the difference?

In the US federal system, commutation of sentence and pardons are different forms of executive clemency, “which is a broad term that applies to the president’s constitutional power to give leniency to persons who have committed federal crimes”, according to the justice department.

Neither signifies innocence, but a pardon is an expression of a president’s forgiveness and can be granted in recognition of acceptance of responsibility and good conduct, reinstating rights such as the right to vote.

A commutation reduces a sentence either totally or partially but does not remove civil disabilities that apply as a result of criminal conviction.

What has Donald Trump said?

In August, before Combs’s sentencing, Mr Trump said in an interview that he had been approached about a possible pardon but implied he would not be granting one.

“You know, I was very friendly with him. I got along with him great and he seemed like a nice guy. I didn’t know him well,” the president said. “But when I ran for office, he was very hostile.”

When asked if he was suggesting he would not pardon Combs, he replied: “I would say so.”

“When you knew someone and you were fine, and then you run for office, and he made some terrible statements. So, I don’t know, it’s more difficult,” Mr Trump said. “Makes it more – I’m being honest, it makes it more difficult to do.”

The president has issued several pardons and commutations in his second term – including to around 1,500 criminal defendants in connection with the attack on the US Capitol in January 2021.

Last week, he commuted the sentence of disgraced former Republican congressman George Santos.

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Combs was found guilty of two counts of transportation for prostitution in July, but was cleared of more serious charges of racketeering conspiracy and sex-trafficking, which carried potential life sentences.

Ahead of his sentencing, he told the court he admitted his past behaviour was “disgusting, shameful and sick”, and apologised personally to Cassie Ventura and “Jane”, another former girlfriend who testified anonymously during the trial.

He told the court he got “lost in my excess and lost in my ego”, but since his time in prison he has been “humbled and broken to my core”, adding: “I hate myself right now… I am truly sorry for it all.”

The rapper is serving his sentence at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center, where his team has said conditions are “inhumane”.

He has asked to be moved to a low-security federal prison in New Jersey, but the Bureau of Prisons has yet to approve the request.

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Police should focus on ‘tackling real crime’, No 10 says, after Met Police halts non-crime hate probes

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Police should focus on 'tackling real crime', No 10 says, after Met Police halts non-crime hate probes

Officers should focus on “tackling real crime and policing the streets”, Downing Street has said – after the Metropolitan Police announced it is no longer investigating non-crime hate incidents.

The announcement by Britain’s biggest force on Monday came after it emerged Father Ted creator Graham Linehan will face no further action after he was arrested at Heathrow Airport on suspicion of inciting violence over three posts he made on X about transgender issues.

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Sir Keir Starmer’s spokesman said police forces will “get the clarity they need to keep our streets safe” when a review of non-crime hate incidents by the National Police Chiefs’ Council and College of Policing is published in December.

“The police should focus on tackling real crime and policing the streets,” he said.

“The home secretary has asked that this review be completed at pace, working with the National Police Chiefs’ Council and the College of Policing.

“We look forward to receiving its findings as soon as possible, so that the other forces get the clarity they need to keep our streets safe.”

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He said the government will “always work with police chiefs to make sure criminal law and guidance reflects the common-sense approach we all want to see in policing”.

After Linehan’s September arrest, Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said officers were in “an impossible position” when dealing with statements made online.

File pic: iStock
Image:
File pic: iStock

On Monday, a Met spokesperson said the commissioner had been “clear he doesn’t believe officers should be policing toxic culture war debates, with current laws and rules on inciting violence online leaving them in an impossible position”.

The force said the decision to no longer investigate non-crime hate incidents would now “provide clearer direction for officers, reduce ambiguity and enable them to focus on matters that meet the threshold for criminal investigations”.

Justice minister Sarah Sackman said it is “welcome news” the Met will now be focusing on crimes such as phone snatching, mugging, antisocial behaviour and violent crime.

Asked if other forces should follow the Met’s decision, she said: “I think that other forces need to make the decisions that are right for their communities.

“But I’m sure that communities up and down the country would want that renewed focus on violent crime, on antisocial behaviour, and on actual hate crime.”

The Met said it will still record non-crime hate incidents to use as “valuable pieces of intelligence to establish potential patterns of behaviour or criminality”.

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