Ride1Up Prodigy V2 review: An affordable Brose mid-drive e-bike for the common man!
When Ride1Up launched the Prodigy V2, they kept all the parts that made this Brose-powered mid-drive great and added even more components (like a Gates belt drive system!) to make this e-bike one of the best deals in mid-drive electric bicycles.
Sure, it’s not going to kick a Specialized’s tail, but it’s going to get you surprisingly close for around half the cash, and that’s impressive!
Though perhaps it shouldn’t come as a total surprise, as that’s been Ride1Up’s game plan for as long as I’ve been riding their bikes – which is roughly as long as they’ve been making bikes. The company has always sought to provide most of what you can get from higher-priced electric bike models, yet at a much more affordable price.
When it comes to the Ride1Ip Prodigy V2, I’d say they’ve just about nailed it. Don’t believe me? Watch my testing video below to see it in action!
Ride1Up Prodigy V2 video review
Ride1Up Prodigy V2 tech specs
- Motor: Brose TF Sprinter mid-drive (90 Nm of torque)
- Top speed: 28 mph (45 km/h)
- Range: 30-50 miles (50-80 km)
- Battery: 36V 14Ah (504Wh)
- Weight: 58 lb (26.3 kg)
- Load capacity: 300 lb (136 kg)
- Frame: Aluminum alloy
- Brakes: Tektro quad-piston hydraulic disc brakes
- Extras: Brose color display, front and rear LED lights, included high-quality rack and fenders, 100mm air suspension fork, Maxxis tires, kickstand
Even better than before!
Ride1Up describes the Prodigy V2 as “The successor to the industry-disrupting Prodigy mid-drive e-bike,” and that’s pretty darn accurate. The original Prodigy entered the market as a disruptor by offering the same mid-drive motor and several of the same level components seen on much pricier bike shop e-bikes. Now the second generation of the Prodigy is here to do the same thing again, just better.
And now there are actually two versions of the Ride1Up Prodigy V2. The main difference is the drivetrain, with the $2,395 version featuring a microShift Advent 9-speed chain drive and the $2,695 version including a Gates Carbon Drive and Eniovlo hub to create a belt-drive CVT drivetrain.
Both are available in a step-over or a step-through. I tested the belt drive in a step-over frame, which is known as the LX model.
This is probably more bike than most Ride1Up customers are used to, especially since the price tag is twice what most of Ride1Up’s models cost. But then again, it’s half the price of the bikes it is actually competing against, and that’s the real message here.
With a Brose TF Sprinter motor that features 90 Nm of torque and a built-in torque sensor, you’re getting a powerful motor that not only climbs hills and accelerates quickly, but also pedals beautifully. That torque sensor creates a better feeling pedal assist – as if the bike isn’t actually electric but rather just an extension of your own pedaling.
Because I was on the belt drive version, the bike was also super smooth and and even quieter. There’s no chain noise or derailleur clicking. There’s just you and the wind rushing past your ears. The Enviolo CVT hub handles the shifting, though I find that the gear range is a bit wide, meaning I have to lift my hand off the shifter and take a new grip on it to shift the range from low to high. The good news is I’m almost never doing that, since I find that the upper half of the shifting range is all I really use. That lower range is probably good if you’re going to climb up the side of a mountain, but that’s not my typical riding.
The bike is also plenty fast, too. As a Class 3 e-bike, it can hit speeds of up to 28 mph (45 km/h), which is the maximum legal limit for e-bikes in most jurisdictions in the US. There’s no throttle, so you’re on your own to hit that 28 mph with your own feet guiding the way (or even 20 mph, if you leave it in Class 2 mode). But the bike is a pleasure to ride and so you’ll likely find that you don’t miss the throttle as much as you might think. At least, that’s exactly how I felt.
The 504 Wh battery isn’t particularly large, and I’d even say it’s a bit smaller than most batteries in the direct-to-consumer electric bike market right now. But then again, there’s no throttle here and so you’re going to be riding more efficiently anyway.
That means you’ll probably feel like you’ve got a 750 Wh battery instead, resulting in that impressive range rating of 30-50 miles. Of course, if you ride at 28 mph the entire time, you could dip below that figure. But it’s going to be hard to get less than 30 miles of range during most real-world scenarios. Folks that have enough self-control to leave it in lower power pedal assist will find that they get considerably more range, too.
Now, the bike did seem to get a bit heavier with this update. Compared to the V1 Prodigy, this new version gained between 8 to 11 pounds depending on the model.
The new 58 lb or 61 lb weights are a bit more portly than the original 50 lb semi-svelte offering from a couple years ago. That’s chunky, but not unmanageable. If you’ve been around the e-bike industry as much as many of us have, you’re used to a 60 lb e-bike.
And one other area that seemed weirdly lower-shelf to me was that the front axle uses a quick-release skewer axle, as opposed to a full thru-axle (which can also be sourced in quick-release, if folks want that style). Skewer axles are fine, but they’re not as robust as thru-axles. That’s why they are usually found on more budget-friendly bikes.
I would have expected to see a thru-axle like they had on the previous generation Prodigy XC. But alas, the quick-release skewer axle will have to suffice.
Axles aside, what really makes this bike standout isn’t just the Brose motor, Gates carbon drive, or even the CVT transmission. It’s all the other fine touches. That rear rack floats over the rear wheel and looks like it belongs on a bike shop quality bike – not a direct-to-consumer bike. It even has a slickly integrated tail light right in the rack’s deck, ensuring there’s one less thing to bash on a bike rack. The quad-piston disc brakes are punchy and quick to bring you to a silent, controlled stop. The 100 mm travel air fork is fun for off-road riding and will also help absorb any errant potholes you fail to shimmy around.
To sum it up, you’ve got a lot of bike for your money. That German-made motor isn’t cheap, and neither are the quad-piston disc brakes, the Enviolo CVT hub, nor the long travel air suspension fork. But you’re also not paying the property taxes of your local bike shop either, meaning you’re getting the benefits of direct-to-consumer pricing combined with higher-end kit.
To me, the Ride1Up Prodigy V2 feels like a major win. It’s more than many people will need, but for folks that want the higher performance and more natural feel of a quality mid-drive motor combined with higher-shelf bike components, this is probably the most affordable way to get there.
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![It's time to start recommending some Tesla Powerwall alternatives [update]](https://i0.wp.com/electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/05/Tesla-Powerwall.jpg?resize=1200,628&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1)
For years, Tesla Powerwall has been the go-to recommendation for “normals” looking for a painless, low-effort experience from their first home solar and battery backup solutions. Its CEO’s recent involvement in controversial politics, however, means that people are now distancing themselves from the once-trailblazing company.
It begs the question: what other home solar battery solutions are there?
UPDATE 26JUL2025: added more options, put everything in alphabetical order.
Electricians and contractors often praise the sleek, energy-dense Tesla Powerwall, for good reasons. But the Powerwall isn’t the only top-shelf home battery on the market, but long wait times, Elon’s antics, and the proliferation of really good integrated alternatives from legacy EV brands might have you shopping for Tesla alternatives already. If that’s you, the next logical step is to re-think the brand’s solar battery offerings as well – here are some of the best options out there.
As I was putting this list together, I realized there were plenty of ways for me to present this information. “Best batteries ..?” Too opinion-based. “Cheapest batteries ..?” Too much research and a quick descent into Temu-grade nonsense. In the end, I went with the same solution I’ve been using on my 0% EV financing lists: alphabetical order, by brand. Enjoy!
Bluetti EP800 + B500
If you’re in a smaller space or renting and can’t (or don’t want to) add a hardwired battery solution to your home, Bluetti’s EP800 + B500 modular system is a sweet “middle ground” option that combines the Bluetti EP800 off-grid inverter and the company’s B500 battery packs in a floor-standing unit that can be used without a solar roof but also plays well with most rooftop PV options.
The basic EP800 + B500 package offers about 9.9 kWh of capacity for under $9,000 as I type this, and the system can scale up to nearly 20 kWh by adding more B500 packs. The system puts out 7.6 kW of power – more than enough, in other words, to keep some lights on and your fridge and foods (and meds) cold.
What’s more, it works great with Bluetti’s AC300 or AC500 gear if you want an option that’s a bit more portable if you move a lot or plan on moving soon.
EG4 14.3 kWh PowerPro
Two of the home solar installers I talked to in preparing this post mentioned the EG4 14.3kWh batteries, and its specs (on paper, at least) compare nicely with the Powerwall 3.
| Battery | Usable capacity (kWh) | Continuous power output (kW) | Roundtrip efficiency | Average price per kWh* | Coupling |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Powerwall 3 | 13.5 | 11.5 | 97.5% | $926 | DC or AC |
| EG4 14.3kWh PowerPro | 11.44 | 10.24 | 99% | $786 | DC |
“The EG4 PowerPro solar battery from EG4 Electronics is the strongest alternative to the Tesla Powerwall,” writes Kristina Zagame, from the home solar experts at EnergySage. “(The EG4) has a similar capacity, meaning it’ll last a similar amount of time, and a slightly lower power output, which means it won’t be able to power quite as many devices at the same time. And, based on quotes through EnergySage, EG4 batteries tend to be a bit more affordable compared to Tesla.”
Enphase IQ Battery 10
If you’re looking for a one-brand solution for EV charging and whole-home battery backup but don’t want to be “locked in” to GM or Tesla’s ecosystem, Enphase offers a full line of Made-in-the-USA solutions that could be right for you.
“Energy systems developer Enphase Energy is providing an even more holistic approach to managing home power usage with the introduction of new EV charger technology called the IQ line,” wrote Scooter doll, when the brand first introduced its EV charging solutions back in 2023. “The Enphase IQ is Wi-Fi enabled and integrates seamlessly into a customer’s existing home system that can be controlled with your phone.”
Franklin WH aPower 2
If you love the sleek, minimalistic styling of the Tesla Powerwall 3 but still prefer to spend your money elsewhere, the Franklin WH aPower 2 offers similarly sleek styling and beats the Tesla offering on usable energy storage capacity by 1.5 kWh. That’s nearly a full day of keeping a modern refrigerator running.
The Franklin is also designed to be easily retrofit into an existing solar system, but it loses out to the Powerwall on price per kWh, at $1,176 (vs. $926 for the Tesla unit).
GM Energy Home System
Arguably the most fully integrated EV + battery backup + solar option out there outside of Tesla, the GM Energy Home System promises to do everything a conventional home solar battery does, plus work seamlessly with your GM EV to provide even more flexibility – whether that means using the electric fuel stored in your EV to hold out that much longer in an emergency, or using the energy stored in your home’s solar battery to power an escape in your EV is up to you.
GM Energy and GM’s car dealers list Qmerit as their installation partner, and they’re great, but if you “already have a guy,” you can order the Home System directly from GM Energy’s website for $12,700 (as I type this).
The GM Energy Home System system includes:
- GM Energy PowerBank
- GM Energy PowerShift Charger
- GM Energy Home Hub & Inverter
StorEn vanadium flow BESS
If lithium-ion’s ten-year cycle life or overhyped fire risk makes you nervous, StorEn Technologies is developing a consumer-focused battery solution based on vanadium flow chemistry. Their system promises to last 25 years or more with no capacity loss, so you can charge and drain the battery fully each day and without stressing about wear … but there are a couple of downsides.
First, they’re not yet available to the general public – only to StorEn’s early investors in (what I understand to be) a sort of quasi-Kickstarter deal.
Second, the StorEn batteries are significantly bulkier than a Powerwall. That said, if you’ve got the room and you’re old enough to realize that 25 years isn’t actually a super long time, the StorEn solution might to be a super compelling, nearly maintenance-free setup that might outlast both your solar panels and the roof they’re mounted on.
So, remember how I started this off saying that I wouldn’t turn this into a “best batteries” post? That’s partly driven by the fact that I’m neither an electrician, a chemical engineer, or someone who’s researched thousands of end-user experience surveys to come up with whatever metrics I’d need to confidently and correctly call one battery “the best.”
Our friends and solar industry experts at EnergySage, though? They’ve got all three of those things on staff, and they really, really like the Villara VillaGrid+.
“The Villara VillaGrid+ stands out as the best battery on the market, scoring highest in EnergySage’s rigorous Equipment Rating System, explains EnergySage’s Kristina Zagame. “That said, (the Villara VillaGrid+) is not necessarily the best Tesla Powerwall alternative. It’s a very different (and much pricier) battery.”
What puts the VillaGrid+ on top? According to Zagame, it all comes down to the battery’s lithium-titanium-oxide, or LTO chemistry. “Unlike more traditional lithium-ion batteries, LTO has better recharge capabilities for longer life cycles, and doesn’t contain any carbon, which makes it extra safe. The only downside is you’ll definitely shell out more money upfront for the VillaGrid+.”
That extra money will also buy some additional peace of mind, as Villara backs its LTO batteries with a 20-year warranty compared to Tesla Powerwall and its (and just about everyone else’s) 10-year deal. I couldn’t find a price, but Villara’s other products, like VillaGrid 5.75 kWh battery, come in at nearly double Powerwall’s per kWh cost. Check out the specs, below, then let us know if you think the novel chemistry and additional warranty are worth it in the comments.
| Battery | Usable capacity (kWh) | Continuous power output (kW) | Roundtrip efficiency | Average price per kWh* | Coupling |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Powerwall 3 | 13.5 | 11.5 | 97.5% | $926 | DC or AC |
| Villara VillaGrid+ | 11.5 | 10 | 98.5% | Get quote | DC or AC |
Original content from Electrek.
If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
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Air taxi startup Vertical Aerospace achieved a world’s first this week, completing the first flight between two airports through public airspace for an eVTOL at the Royal International Air Tattoo in Gloucestershire, England.
The Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) is the world’s largest military airshow, held every July and serving as a public showcase for the latest advancements in aviation technology. It’s fitting, then, that RIAT served as setting for the Vertical VX4 prototype’s first piloted public flight.
The eVTOL aircraft flew 17 miles from the company’s Flight Test Centre at Cotswold Airport to RAF Fairford, a Royal Air Force station used by the US Air Force. The Vertical VX4 reached speeds of 115 mph, and an altitude of 1800 ft, and also marked the first landing at a public location for an aircraft of this type.
The Vertical Aerospace entry was the only battery-electric aircraft present at RIAT 2025, and the flight served as a demonstration of the company’s broader strategy to unlock new hybrid-electric applications for defense, logistics, and special/close support missions where the eVTOL’s (relatively) quiet operations could give it a tactical advantage.
“RIAT is a global stage for the most advanced, mission-ready aerospace technology, and we’re proud to showcase how electric aviation will support the future of defense,” says Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace. “Our hybrid-electric roadmap unlocks new capabilities for military operations, and Vertical’s RIAT presence reinforces our commitment to playing a meaningful role in the future of military and special mission aviation.”
Vertical’s VX4 debuted last year, with a 20% increase in the power-to-weight ratio that enables a top cruising speed of 150 mph and transports four passengers plus a pilot up to 100 miles on a single charge.
The inaugural VX4 flight was witnessed by several thousand UK aircraft enthusiasts, and showed how an eVTOL aircraft could integrate with real-world airport operations, building momentum toward more regular, certified deployment.
Electrek’s Take
Archer, BETA, EHang, Joby, XPeng – the list of eVTOL manufacturers seems to be as long as the list of new electric car brands that didn’t exist back when I first started working with EVs back in ::gulp:: the 1990s. The future of regional point-to-point air travel certainly seems to be vertical, and electric.
SOURCE | IMAGES: Vertical Aerospace.
If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
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Say what you will about Elon Musk, but Tesla has changed the way that millions of people buy cars and, by extension, car insurance. Now, Honda is taking a page from Tesla’s successful playbook and launching its own in-house insurance business. Enter: Honda Insurance Solutions.
Honda Insurance Solutions is being launched as a fully licensed insurance agency serving the insurance needs of Acura and Honda customers, but it’s not stopping at competitive pricing and coverage options for Honda cars and motorcycles. Honda Insurance Solutions promises to go several steps beyond Tesla’s offering with coverage for trailers, RVs, homes, and even pets.
“Honda Insurance Solutions offers customers access to coverage through a brand they know and trust,” says Petar Vucurevic, President, American Honda Insurance Solutions, LLC and Senior Vice President, American Honda Finance Corporation. “Insurance is a key touchpoint in the vehicle ownership journey, and we aim to deliver a superior experience tailored to the unique needs of each customer, while promoting safer driving and increased peace of mind on the road.”
The company says the launch of its new insurance business is just part of Honda’s broader digital vehicle sales platform strategy, with future plans to integrate insurance offerings into new products.
Electrek’s Take
It’s important to note some of the key differences between Honda’s insurance offering and Tesla’s. Honda isn’t offering discounts, they’re not bundling insurance premiums into the vehicle financing, and they’re not building their insurance offerings into their dealerships’ checkout/F&I offices. Not yet, anyway.
What Honda is doing right now is deepening relationships with its existing customers and finding ways to make money on products it hasn’t sold them – whether that’s the Harley parked in the garage next to their Prologue or the garage itself.
It’s a smart play. And, once Honda figures out a way to cut franchise dealers out entirely and go to a direct sales model, it’ll look even smarter.
SOURCE | IMAGES: Honda.
If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.
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