Ride1Up CF Racer1 review: Testing the lowest cost quality carbon fiber gravel/road 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.
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.
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.
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Veteran bicycle brand and e-mobility innovator Huffy is joining the Black Friday sales festivities with an exclusive deal for Electrek readers on its 36-volt Electric Green Machine drift trike. Use the promo code below for 30% off your purchase.
Huffy puts over 130 years of experience into its products
Huffy is easily a household name in bicycles. The company is celebrating over 130 years in the segment and has shown no signs of slowing down. The brand is sold across thousands of retail locations and ships millions of bikes to customers throughout the US and 40 additional international markets each year.
The Huffy name is known for products that deliver riders comfort, style, and durability. Whether on a bike, trike, scooter, or ride-on, there’s something for every member of the family to enjoy. Since 2019, Huffy has been calling riders together with its rally cry, “Live the Ride,” which encourages families to celebrate togetherness by exploring the outdoors atop its products.
Whether that means leisurely rides through local parks with friends, family outings, traversing local trails, or exploring new cities during a summer getaway, Huffy strives to remind riders of the simple youthful joy that riding can bring.
Since Huffy launched the 20” Green Machine in 2023, teens and adults have been asking for a version that would allow them to experience the same adventure, fun, and thrill of each spin and drift. Huffy answered the call with their new Electric Green Machine, a nostalgic and electrified version of the classic drift trike Huffy fans know and love. This powerhouse drift-trike is packed with 36 volts of electric power and a 250-watt front hub motor that lets riders reach exhilarating speeds of up to 15 miles per hour. Perfect for thrill-seekers ages 14 and up, the Electric Green Machine reignites the fun and excitement of childhood rides.
All of Huffy’s products, including the Electric Green Machine seen below, are thoughtfully crafted for the moments that happen when you pop up your kickstand and see where the path takes you. In the case of the E-Green Machine, Huffy wants riders to unleash a whirlwind of thrilling drifts and slides right when they climb into the cockpit.
To help even more riders experience holiday thrills this season, Huffy is offering an exclusive discount on the Electric Green Machine for Electrek readers. Whether buying it for yourself or friends and family, the Electric Green Machine is the perfect gift to put under the tree this holiday season. If you’re ready to start drifting, use the promo code below to save some “green” on your purchase⎯but only for a limited time!
Don’t miss Huffy’s Black Friday deal on the Electric Green Machine
The new Electric Green Machine is available on Huffy.com for $599.99. However, you can use promo code “ELECTREKGM” at checkout for 30% off your purchase (valid on the Electric Green Machine only).
Huffy’s Black Friday deals are available now, but only until 11:59 PM on December 8, 2024, so act quickly while supplies last. This year, holiday thrills start with red and green at Huffy. Be sure to take advantage of this limited-time offer and check out the other limited-time deals on Huffy’s site this week (offering up to 55% across a range of products).
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Environment
Watch Hyundai’s massive $7.6B Georgia EV plant go up in just 2 years in this video from space
Hyundai’s new EV plant in Georgia is now up and running. The massive $7.6 billion facility was built in just two years as the company preps for new US-made electric models like the upgraded 2025 IONIQ 5 and its new three-row IONIQ 9. A cool new video from space shows just how quickly Hyundai worked to open the facility.
Watch Hyundai’s new EV plant go up from space
Production officially began at the new Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) in Bryan County, Georgia last month.
The accomplishment comes after Hyundai broke ground at the site in October 2022. In May 2022, Hyundai announced plans to build its first dedicated EV plant in the US to meet new requirements for the federal EV tax credit, which provides up to $7,500 for clean car purchases.
Hyundai fast-tracked construction at the plant as it looked to gain an edge in the US, its most important market. The company’s initial $5 billion investment turned into a whopping $7.6 billion.
According to a study from the Center for Automotive Research, Hyundai’s EV plant will help create over 58,200 new jobs while attracting over $12.6 billion in investments in Georgia. Last month, the company secured its 18th supplier as it builds out an extensive US network.
A new video from space-based intelligence company BlackSky shows an impressive timelapse of the construction.
You can see the massive facility go up in just two years as Hyundai looks to secure a leadership role in the US auto industry.
Hyundai’s new EV plant will directly employ 8,500 workers to build up to 300,000 EVs per year. The first vehicle that rolled off the assembly line was the refreshed 2025 IONIQ 5.
The upgraded 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 now features even more range (318 miles), a sleek new style, and it even comes with an NACS plug so you can charge at Tesla superchargers. The base, 2025 IONIQ 5 SE RWD Standard Range model, starts at just $42,500.
Last week, after unveiling its first three-row electric SUV, the IONIQ 9, Hyundai confirmed it would also be built at its Georgia facility.
Despite President-Elect Trump’s transition team reportedly planning to end the $7,500 EV tax credit, Hyundai is confident in the company’s future.
At the LA Auto Show, the company’s newly electric CEO, Jose Munoz, said in an interview, “Hyundai did not build our investment plan based on incentives; the plan was even made before Trump’s term.” Munoz explained even without the credit now, Hyundai is still gaining market share.
Ready to check out Hyundai’s best-selling electric SUV for yourself? With the new 2025 IONIQ 5 arriving, Hyundai is offering closeout deals on 2024 models. You can use our link to find the best deals on 2024 and 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 models at a dealer near you.
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The world’s first electric muscle car is finally here, and Dodge is already sweetening the deal for buyers. The Dodge Charger Daytona EV is launching with 0% APR, making it even cheaper to finance than the outgoing gas-powered model.
Dodge Charger EV launches with 0% APR offer
The first all-electric Dodge Charger has arrived, and surprisingly, it’s already becoming more affordable. In March, Dodge unveiled the Charger Daytona EV, kicking off “the next generation of Dodge muscle.”
According to Dodge brand CEO Tim Kuniskis, the electric Charger “delivers Hellcat Redeye levels of performance.” That’s for the Scat Pack model, which comes with a Direct Connection Stage 2 upgrade kit straight from the factory.
The upgrade delivers up to 670 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque for a 0 to 60 mph sprint in just 3.3 seconds. It can also cover a quarter mile in around 11.5 seconds.
In comparison, the 807 hp Dodge Charger SRT Redeye Jailbreak edition, powered by a Supercharged 6.2L HEMI SRT V8 engine, takes 3.6 seconds to get from 0 to 60 mph.
With a Stage 1 upgrade, the base R/T trim has up to 456 hp and 404 lb-ft of torque, good for a 0 to 60 mph time in 4.7 seconds.
Dodge opened orders for the 2024 Charger Daytona EV in September, starting at $59,995. The High-performance Scat Pack trim starts at $73,190.
According to a new dealer note viewed by online auto research firm CarsDirect, all 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona EV models are now eligible for 0% APR financing for up to 72 months.
| 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona EV trim | Horsepower | 0 to 60 mph time | Starting price |
| Dodge Charger Daytona R/T | 496 hp | 4.7 seconds | $59,995 |
| Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack | 670 hp | 3.3 seconds | $73,190 |
The offer makes the electric Dodge charger even cheaper to finance than the outgoing 2023 Dodge Charger at 5.9% APR for the same 72 months. However, this is an individual offer and cannot be combined with other deals. Based on CarsDirect analysis, the 0% APR offer is limited to the Northeast, Southern, and Central US regions.
Dodge is also offering a $1,000 loyalty bonus for Stellantis (Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Chrysler) lessees that trade in for the electric Charger.
With the $7,500 EV tax credit incentive, eligible customers can save up to $8,500 on the 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona EV. You may want to act fast, as these deals expire on December 2, 2024.
Jeep, another Stellantis brand, launched lease prices at just $599 per month for its first luxury electric SUV last week, the Wagoneer S. Jeep’s electric Wagoneer is also available with 0% financing.
Ready to check out the world’s first electric muscle car for yourself? We can help you get started today. You use our link to find deals on 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona models at a dealer near you.
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