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ride1up CF Racer1 gravel e-bike

In the world of electric bikes, the words “carbon fiber” usually means big bucks. Actually, it’s the same in the pedal bike industry, it’s just that e-bikes already start out more expensive. That means carbon fiber electric bikes have always commanded premium prices – at least, until now. When Ride1Up rolled out the new CF Racer1 e-bike, it shook up the electric gravel bike market with a reasonably priced direct-to-consumer model that can scratch that lightweight e-bike itch for more hardcore riders.

Priced at $2,295, the CF Racer1 is around half the price that most other carbon fiber gravel e-bikes start at, let alone the even nicer models whose prices head even further north.

But just because it’s a lower-cost bike doesn’t mean it’s cheap. It may not have the most insanely top-shelf components on it, but it’s got a great mix of quality parts and features to fit the needs of the majority of enthusiast riders. If you’re a pro rider, you’re going to be looking at different bikes entirely.

And since Ride1Up focuses on that larger swath of recreational, commuter, and enthusiast riders, the direct-to-consumer sales model means you aren’t paying a big bike shop markup, either.

See the CF Racer1 in action in my video review below, then keep reading for even more info!

Ride1Up CF Racer1 video review

Ride1Up CF Racer1 tech specs

  • Motor: 250W continuous rear hub motor (42 Nm of torque)
  • Top speed: 28 mph (45 km/h)
  • Range: 16-40 miles (25-64 km)
  • Battery: 36V 7Ah (252Wh) with Samsung cells
  • Weight: 28.6 lb (19.2 kg)
  • Load Capacity: 225 lb (102 kg)
  • Frame: Carbon fiber
  • Brakes: SRAM Rival 1 hydraulic disc brakes on 160 mm rotors
  • Extras: Color LCD display with speedometer, battery gauge, PAS level indicator, two frame sizes available in either road or gravel variants, Rival 1 11-speed doubletap shifters
  • Price: $2,295

A different kind of riding

The CF Racer1 is a different kind of electric bike intended for a different kind of rider. If you’re familiar with most direct-to-consumer e-bike companies out there, Ride1Up included, then you’ll know the typical D2C e-bike. We’re talking chunky tires, robust (i.e. heavy) frame, throttle activation, budget shifters, etc. You won’t find any of those parts on this e-bike.

That’s because the CF Racer1 is more of a cyclist’s bike. Those drop bars are par for the course in road bikes, but we almost never see them on common budget-minded electric bikes. Same goes for the SRAM Rival 1 shifters, which you press sideways to upshift or press even harder in the same direction to downshift. They certainly feel new to most casual riders (I find myself on bikes with these types of shifters usually just once or twice a year, for example), but they’re easy to use and give you that quality feel that the cheap Shimano stuff on entry-level fat tire bikes just doesn’t have.

The drop bars allow you to lean more forward and get a tighter tuck, which is useful when you’re trying to maintain that top speed of 28 mph and not fight against your own body’s meat sail. However, I find I’m usually up on the horns to sit taller, as I’m not a huge fan of super tucked riding. And when I really want a taller view of the road, I grip the middle portion of the bars for the most comfortable ride. The three positions are a big plus, though I basically never drop down into the lowest position, so it’s more like a two-position bar for me.

The biggest reason I hang out on the horns most of the time is because I also like knowing those brake levers are ready for me, both in city riding in case of unexpected car behavior, and while trail riding in case I come across an obstacle I wasn’t expecting.

ride1up CF Racer1 gravel e-bike

ride1up CF Racer1 gravel e-bike
ride1up CF Racer1 gravel e-bike

ride1up CF Racer1 gravel e-bike

ride1up CF Racer1 gravel e-bike
ride1up CF Racer1 gravel e-bike
ride1up CF Racer1 gravel e-bike

ride1up CF Racer1 gravel e-bike
ride1up CF Racer1 gravel e-bike

Ultra-light, but at a cost

And then of course there’s the carbon fiber frame, which, along with the modest battery and motor specs helps to reduce the weight of the bike to a mere 28 pounds! That’s a featherweight in the e-bike world, believe it or not.

That low weight means you won’t get crazy power or super long-range riding, though you can still get up to 30-40 miles if you keep the pedal assist in a very low power level. And while the 250W motor is fairly low power compared to most of the e-bikes I ride, it’s not meant to be a hot rod. It’s a modest torque motor designed for folks who actually want to pedal and get a workout. It will still take you up to 28 mph – it sure did for me. But you’ve got to be a part of that process, giving your own muscle assist as well in order for the pedal assist to take you to that top speed. In other words, it’s taking the pain out of the ride but it’s not doing all the work for you.

It feels like a good balance of power though, especially on such a lightweight e-bike.

One more part I wish I could have seen added to the electrical system would be a torque sensor. As it stands now, the cadence sensor works fine for riding, but has a bit of sensor lag when you first get rolling – especially if you don’t downshift low enough at stops. That impacts you more in stop/start riding, but for folks who spend long periods of time at constant speed – which is a lot of what this e-bike is designed for – then you won’t notice the cadence sensor very much.

More than paint deep

There are two colors available on the Ride1Up CF Racer1, known as Clouded Gray and Rainbow Black. The bike I’m testing is the Rainbow Black, which may sound like an oxymoron until the sun comes out. As soon as you get some bright light on the paint, it illuminates with a rainbow array of metal flakes, producing a beautiful spectrum of light reflecting off the glossy surface.

It’s hard to capture in photos and videos, though I did my best in the photo above. You can also see a few good shots in my video review at the top of this page. Just know that in real life, the effect is even more pronounced and is truly beautiful to look at.

On the flipside though, when you’re riding in overcast weather, you’ll find that the paint basically just looks like glossy black.

ride1up CF Racer1 gravel e-bike

ride1up CF Racer1 gravel e-bike
ride1up CF Racer1 gravel e-bike

The take-home message

Here’s the thing: The Ride1Up CF Racer1 is a great e-bike, but it’s not for everyone. In fact, it’s not for most people. Most of us are more at home on a Portola fat tire e-bike or a Turris trail bike. You’ve got to be someone who already enjoys riding road bikes (meaning you like to pedal), who doesn’t mind the lack of throttle, and who is comfortable with a tucked ride. But if you’re in the market for a gravel e-bike, that’s probably already you.

In that case, this is a killer deal for a super lightweight carbon fiber electric bike. With options for road or gravel (basically different handlebars and tires), you’ve got all of your bases covered.

So yeah, if you’re a pro rider, this isn’t going to cut it for you. But if you’re like most of us – just someone who enjoys riding and wants to get that electric gravel bike experience without shelling out $5k, then this is the bike for you.

ride1up CF Racer1 gravel e-bike

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Ford won’t give 2026 Mustang Mach-E buyers a frunk for free

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3 hours ago

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December 11, 2025

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Ford won't give 2026 Mustang Mach-E buyers a frunk for free

Ford-Mustang-Mach-E-2026

The 2026 Mustang Mach-E will not come with a standard frunk, but Ford says you can pay for it.

Ford drops free frunk from 2026 Mustang Mach-E

Because electric vehicles don’t require a massive internal combustion engine, the frunk, or front trunk, is an added bonus.

Nearly every EV has a frunk, but Ford reportedly won’t offer one for the 2026 Mustang Mach-E, at least not for free.

Speaking with The Electric Duo on YouTube recently, Teddy Ankeny, Ford’s new Mustang Mach-E brand manager, said drivers were not using it as much as the company expected.

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To save buyers a little money, Ford made it optional. Ankeny explained that Ford revised pricing across the Mach-E lineup to better align with what buyers were looking for. As a result, the 2026 Mustang Mach-E GT is about $1,000 cheaper than the outgoing model, starting at $53,395.

The 2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E Select starts at $37,795, the same as the outgoing model. A new California Edition joins the Mach-E lineup for the first time, starting at $55,890.

Ford-Mustang-Mach-E-free-frunk
The 2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT California Special (Source: Ford)

To give it its own identity, separate from the two-door Mustang, Ford gave the Mach-E California Edition a distinct Rave Blue color scheme.

The special edition model is built on the Mach-E GT with 280 miles of EPA-estimated driving range, 480 horsepower, and 700 lb-ft of torque.

Ford-Mustang-Mach-E-frunk-2026
Ford-Mustang-Mach-E-California-Special

The 2026 Mustang Mach-E is available to pre-order online and will begin arriving at dealerships in early 2026. Just how much the frunk will cost has yet to be announced.

In terms of specs, the 2026 model year is about the same as the 2025 Mustang Mach-E, but Ford is looking to cut costs anywhere it can, hence the optional Frunk.

Ford-Mustang-Mach-E-California-Special-interior
The interior of the 2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT California Special (Source: Ford)

Ford is offering other ways to save for those looking to go electric, including through its Ford Power Promise initiative.

The offer includes a free Level 2 home charger (plus standard installation), 24/7 live electric vehicle support, roadside assistance, and an 8-year, 100,000-battery warranty. If you already have a home charger, you can opt for a $2,000 cash bonus.

Interested in a test drive? With the 2026 models coming, Ford is heavily discounting 2025 Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning models with leases starting as low as $219 per month. You can use the links below to find the 2025 and 2026 models in your area.


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Jackery Christmas Sale takes up to 57% off power stations, Rad Power e-bikes up to $500 off, Exclusive refurbished Anker SOLIX, more

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5 hours ago

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December 11, 2025

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Jackery Christmas Sale takes up to 57% off power stations, Rad Power e-bikes up to 0 off, Exclusive refurbished Anker SOLIX, more


This week’s Thursday edition of Green Deals is following the trend of being headlined by another power station brand, as Jackery has launched its Christmas Holiday Sale with up to 57% discounts on units, complete with two extra savings codes starting from $79. Right behind it, we also have Rad Power Bikes’ Christmas e-bike sale with up to $500 discounts and new low prices starting from $1,399, as well as $1,280 exclusive savings on a refurbished Anker SOLIX F3800 Portable Power Station at a new $1,399 low, several Mammotion robot lawn mower deals, Goal Zero’s multi-purpose Torch 500 Light low, two unique cordless electric pressure washer deals from Fanttik, and much more waiting for you below. And don’t forget about the hangover deals collected together at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s Bluetti power station Christmas sale with up to 55% initial discounts and up to 8% exclusive bonus savings, Anker’s SOLIX 72-hour flash deals that end tonight, and more.

Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

Jackery Christmas Holiday power station sale banner

Save up to 57% on Jackery power stations + bonus savings during its Christmas Holiday Sale – deals start from $79

Jackery has officially launched its Christmas Holiday Sale with up to 57% discounts, and two different thresholds to receive extra savings, as we saw during Black Friday. The brand’s newest HomePower 3600 Plus Portable Power Station can be scored during this event at $1,614.05 shipped, after using the code OFFER5 at checkout for an additional 5% off, which beats out Amazon’s pricing by $85. Only on the market since September, we’ve been getting plenty of deals bringing costs down from its $2,799 full price, with today’s rate matching its Black Friday pricing and only being beaten out by the $1,599, $1,519, and $1,499 rates that all popped up in various stages of Prime Day savings over one week in October. You’re getting the next-best price outside of those Prime Day deals here, with $1,185 total savings. Head below to learn more about it and browse the full lineup of Christmas Holiday savings.

As we saw during Jackery’s Black Friday events, we’re seeing the continuance of the two bonus savings codes that turn on once your cart reaches certain pricing thresholds. The code OFFER5 provides an extra 5% savings on orders of $1,500 to $2,499, while orders over $2,500 can use the code OFFER7 to score 7% extra savings.

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Jackery’s newest HomePower 3600 Plus station came along to fill the gap between the previously released HomePower 3000 station and the brand’s Explorer 5000 Plus station, which boasts the most expansive capabilities amongst the bunch. It does so with a 3,584Wh LiFePO4 starting battery capacity that can climb up to 21kWh with expansion accessories added on, and delivers up to 3,600W of power (surging as high as 7,200W) through its 10 output ports.

Like its predecessor, this new model has also been given an expanded tally of recharging options, with a standard AC outlet putting it back to full capacity in around 2.5 hours. You can also use both AC and DC charging simultaneously, connect a gas generator to take advantage of its bypass charging feature, plug into your car’s auxiliary port, or connect up to 1,000W of solar input.

***Note: None of the prices below have had any extra savings factored into their costs, so be sure to use one of the two above codes when your cart becomes eligible to get the absolute best deals during Jackery’s Christmas Holiday Sale!

Jackery’s Christmas Sale HomePower 3600 Plus offers:

Jackery’s other Christmas Sale critical load offers:

Jackery’s Christmas Sale appliance backup offers:

Jackery’s Christmas Sale outdoor adventure offers:

Jackery solar panel/expansion battery offers:

Jackery’s other device deals:

man and woman riding Rad Power e-bikes through forest

Rad Power’s Christmas Holiday Radness sale drops Radster Trail & Road e-bikes to new $1,599 lows (Save $400), more

Rad Power Bikes has officially launched its Christmas Holiday Radness Sale with up to $500 savings across multiple e-bikes – plus, a shipping deadline of December 16 to receive your order ahead of Christmas. Among the bunch, we spotted the latest Radster Trail Off-Road e-bike at $1,599 shipped, with its counterpart Radster Road Commuter e-bike also down at $1,599 shipped. Part of Rad’s new wave of e-mobility solutions, these e-bikes saw a permanent price cut from their original $2,199 MSRPs to $1,999 back in August, with discounts since having taken costs as low as $1,699 during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Now, you’re looking at an even greater $400 markdown while supplies last, landing these models down at new all-time lows.

If you want to learn more about these particular e-bikes, or browse the full lineup of deals, be sure to check out our original coverage of this Christmas sale here.

family walking towards RV with Anker SOLIX F3800 power station

Get a refurbished Anker SOLIX F3800 power station with $1,280 exclusive savings at a new $1,399 low

We have secured an exclusive deal from Wellbots on a refurbished Anker SOLIX F3800 Portable Power Station for $1,399 shipped, after using the exclusive code 9TO5XMAS100 at checkout for an additional $100 savings. This deal already starts off lower than ever, as the usual $2,679 price tag has been cut down to $1,499, but the exclusive savings our readers are getting take things even further. In our previous early Black Friday exclusive deal on this unit, the cost was taken down to $1,597, but today’s deal goes lower by $98 ($1,280 total savings) and marks a new all-time low for this renewed backup power solution.

If you want to learn more about this power station, be sure to check out our original coverage of this exclusive deal here.

father and dauther planting tree in yard with Mammotion robot lawn mower tending to grass

Gift autonomous lawn care support with up to 35% off Mammotion robot mowers – all starting from a $649 low

By way of its official Amazon storefront, Mammotion is offering up to 35% discounts across a collection of its robot lawn mowers, with most down at their next-best rates since Black Friday, while the YUKA Mini 500H Robotic Lawn Mower has returned to its best price of $649 shipped. Coming down from its $999 price tag here, we saw costs taken down to this same low rate back during the brand’s Black Friday sale event two weeks ago. For those who didn’t jump on the deal then, you’re getting another chance here today, thanks to the 35% markdown cutting $350 from the going rate to land back at the all-time lowest tracked price.

If you want to learn more about this robot lawn mower’s capabilities, or browse the full lineup of discounts on other models, be sure to check out our original coverage of these deals here.

man using Goal Zero Torch 500 multi-purpose light while working on car

Pick up Goal Zero’s solar-charging 500-lumen Torch Light and 5,200mAh power bank at $36 annual low

Through its official Amazon storefront, Goal Zero is offering the best price of the year on its Torch 500 Multi-Purpose Light at $35.89 shipped. It goes for $50 at full price, which we’ve been seeing regularly drop down to $38 over 2025, even during both Prime Day events. While it did go lower in 2024, you’re looking at the best price that we have tracked this year, giving you a multi-functional tool with $14 savings.

You can learn more about this handy tool by checking out our original coverage of this deal here.

man using Fanttik cordless electric pressure washer to clean patio furniture

Save up to 50% on Fanttik’s unique NB8 Fold and Ultra cordless electric pressure washers starting from a $130 low

Through the official Fanttik Amazon storefront, you can pick up the unique NB8 Fold Cordless Electric Pressure Washer for $129.99 shipped. It’s dropping down from its $210 full price, which we saw go as low as $150 in the first half of 2025, while the latter half has seen drops to $140, as well as the one-time previous fall to this same rate during Black Friday events two weeks ago. It’s coming back around for the second time here today, giving you $80 in savings to the best price that we have tracked. If you’re looking for something with a little more power, but still providing unique portability, the brand’s NB8 Ultra 4-gallon Cordless Pressure Washer is down at its second-lowest price of $199.99 shipped, too.

If you want to learn more about this unique electric pressure washers, be sure to check out our original coverage of these deals here.

Best Winter EV deals!

Best new Green Deals landing this week

The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.


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Trump willing to seize more oil tankers off Venezuela coast, White House official says

Published

5 hours ago

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December 11, 2025

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Trump willing to seize more oil tankers off Venezuela coast, White House official says

U.S. preparing to seize more ships transporting Venezuelan oil: Reuters

President Donald Trump is willing to seize more oil tankers off the coast of Venezuela, a White House official told CNBC on Thursday.

The U.S. seized a tanker on Wednesday that had allegedly transported oil from Venezuela to Iran. The action comes as Trump escalates pressure on President Nicolás Maduro.

The White House official told CNBC that the Trump administration is always looking to enforce the law.

The oil market has been focused on Ukraine peace talks and so far is not indicating a risk of a major supply disruption. U.S. crude oil fell 86 cents, or 1.47%, to close at $57.60 a barrel. Global benchmark Brent settled at $61.28, down 93 cents, or 1.49%.

Sources told Reuters earlier that U.S. is expected to target more ships transporting Venezuelan crude in the coming weeks. The Treasury Department updated its Venezuela sanctions list on Thursday to include more than a dozen additional people, companies and tankers.

The tanker seized on Wednesday was a Very Large Crude Carrier, or VLCC, identified as the Skipper, Matt Smith, head U.S. analyst at energy consulting firm Kpler, told CNBC. It was loaded covertly with 1.1 million barrels in mid-November and appeared on course for Cuba, Smith said.

The tanker will be taken to a U.S. port and the oil will be seized, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Thursday. “However, there is a legal process for the seizure of that oil, and that legal process will be followed,” Leavitt said.

The tanker seizure comes amid a major U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean. The Trump administration has launched a series of deadly strikes in recent months on boats that it says were trafficking drugs to the U.S. Those strikes have been the subject of intense scrutiny in Congress over their legality.

Venezuela is a founding member of OPEC and has the largest proven oil reserves in the world. It is exporting about 749,000 barrels per day this year, with at least half that oil going to China, according to data from Kpler.

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