Ride1Up Prodigy V2 LX XR CVT Review

Ride1Up has been building value-oriented, consumer-direct electric bikes since 2018, many of which we've tested and recommended over the years. Their mission was to bring affordable electric bikes built with quality components and materials that would last. The Prodigy V2 takes the quality components aspect of its mission to another level. This electric commuter bike combines a host of cutting-edge, higher-end components with Ride1Up value and consumer-direct convenience. Powered by a German-engineered Brose mid-drive motor, the Prodigy eschews the typical geared hub motor and keeps its weight centered around the bottom bracket. The torque-sensing motor can provide up to 90Nm of assistance with 4 separate ride modes. The Prodigy V2 is available with a step-thru or step-over style frame and can be had with a standard drivetrain or an Enviolo Trekking Internal gear hub with a Continuous Variable Transmission like our test bike. With the CVT hub, there are no external gears, which gave Ride1Up the opportunity to replace the standard chain with a Gates Carbon drive belt. The belt requires significantly less maintenance than a chain and provides a smooth connection between the motor and the drivetrain, but you can still catch your pant leg.

Performance Comparison

Starting with the mid-drive Brose motor, which is housed and sealed into the frame of the bike, it's complete with a built-in torque sensor. Hence, it detects the pressure you exert on the pedals and almost instantly sends complimentary power to the drivetrain. This system is revered for being smooth and instantaneous, which is a definite upgrade from a geared hub motor. The power engages rapidly, and it is smooth, but to a rider who doesn't spend their entire life riding, testing, and writing about bikes, it doesn't feel much different. This bike is available with two different drivetrains: a conventional 9-speed microSHIFT drivetrain on standard models, while the LX and LS models get the Enviolo CVT hub with “internal gearing.” On LS and LX models, the chain has been replaced with a high-tech Gates carbon belt. Gates is a huge company that has built an empire replacing chains in everything from cars to washing machines. Belts have numerous advantages, being stronger and lighter than chains while never needing lubrication. The belt can't be used with a typical externally geared hub, so the bicycle industry has found limited use for the drivetrain simplifier. The belt is also more efficient than a chain, but again, it doesn't feel remarkably different from riding a bike with a properly lubricated chain.

The Enviolo hub is a tremendous feat of engineering, the result of decades of research and development. We're accustomed to talking about bikes “shifting gears,” but the Enviolo neither shifts nor has gears. Sliding through the continuously variable resistance, the ball-bearing internals can be adjusted to infinite positions, providing a smooth resistance curve. It's a remarkable feeling, and being able to adjust the resistance while sitting still is a neat feature of the design.

Ride

Testing the bike's ride quality involves more than just riding it. Here, we'll look at the parts most responsible for the Prodigy's performance. As mentioned above, the CVT hub is incredibly high-tech and a new paradigm for bicycle “gearing.” Twisting the “step-less shifter” is smooth and fluid; no detents or resistance is encountered. When relying solely on leg power, being able to fine-tune your resistance allows you to keep a steady cadence, lessening your fatigue. Making those micro adjustments feels far less important on a bike with ample electrical assistance. It's still an amazing feeling to twist through the resistance, but the motor power pulsing through the drivetrain means you're generally less reliant on gearing. The Brose TF Sprinter motor that is the centerpiece of this bike provides up to 90Nm of torque at speeds up to 28mph. Power adjustments are made through a one-piece display/control unit placed next to the rider's left hand.

27.5" wheels with 2.25" Maxxis Rekon Race tires give the bike a sporty look and a bit of capability off the pavement. These semi-slick XC race tires provide a nice ride but don't have any puncture resistance to protect the tubes; while we appreciate their versatility, we'd prefer more durable rubber. We got two flat tires during testing, which is quite rare. We would have converted them to tubeless and used sealant, but neither the rims nor tires were tubeless compatible. The tan sidewalls give the bike a classic look, but reflective sidewalls found on commuter tires would have been more sensible and potentially safer.

The front end is suspended with a 100mm travel, air-sprung fork that features a lockout, and while it gives the Prodigy a mountain bike vibe, this fork works to enhance comfort more than traction. If you prefer efficiency over comfort, switching the fork off requires just a quick twist of the lockout. The bike's alloy handlebar has a 45mm rise and a gentle 9-degree back sweep, giving your wrists a neutral bend that is quite comfortable for long rides. The stem is not adjustable in height or length, which limits the adjustability of this bike to seatpost movement. So many of the parts on this bike feel high-quality and look great, but they don't necessarily increase its comfort or versatility.

As a hybrid bike, the Prodigy V2 has a fairly upright seated position and short reach. The rider looks like someone yelled “Posture!” as they were riding past. The bike comes with an impressively nice Selle Royal Viento saddle with an ergonomic channel down the center that we found reasonably comfortable, but saddles can be a personal choice. The Prodigy's aluminum frame looks overbuilt in places as it houses a 504Wh battery and the German-made Brose TF Sprinter motor. It also feels overbuilt; the large diameter tubes and support for the motor create a stiff bottom bracket juncture that transmits a bit more shock and vibration than other models. While one of the main benefits of the mid-drive motor is its smooth power delivery, the rigidity of the frame leaves you feeling some of the motor's vibration in the saddle. Additionally, the motor sits slightly off-center; it's not something you notice until trying to cruise without hands on the handlebars; the bike has a distinct lean toward its right side.

The Prodigy (XR) frame we tested has a step-over height of 27.6 inches, but it can also be had as a step-through (ST) with a 21.7" step-over height which is a bit more user-friendly. Neither model features much adjustability, Ride1Up recommends the XR for riders between 5' 6" and 6' 4" but our 5' 10" lead tester with a 30" inseam had the seatpost extended to its maximum height to find his proper saddle height. The ST model is recommended for riders 5' 1" to 6' 3" but consider us dubious. The measured maximum saddle height from the ground is 38.2" which is by no means tall. In some cases, taller riders could replace the seatpost with a longer model, but that would likely put the saddle above the handlebars. The bike's short reach also felt much better for our smaller testers than anyone above 5' 10".

The parts chosen for the Prodigy are all pretty impressive. Tektro Orion 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes provide ample stopping power as they connect to 180mm rotors. The saddle and grips are high-quality touch points that feel impressive. The front belt ring is quite large, giving the bike plenty of top-end speed; pedaling at a standard 90-100 cadence put us up just over 40 mph. We wished for lower gearing for low-end torque, but the motor's abundant power generally bailed us out. A smaller belt-ring would have felt more appropriate for commuting or riding around town. Not having an external drivetrain and, specifically, a spring-loaded derailleur means this bike is much quieter than most, especially when riding over bumpy surfaces. The Enviolo twist shifter could hardly be easier, featuring an incline and rider that moves with your wrist. Shifting is a long continuous curve; the bike is never out of gear or between gears, and if you find yourself with too much resistance, you can shift while sitting still.

An 80 lux headlight uses the built-in 504Wh battery, so you won't be caught without lights. The bike's battery also powers a tail light integrated into the rear rack. The high-tech lights operate more as lights to be seen with than to see with. Those wanting a nighttime riding experience would benefit from more illumination. The bike's included rack is capable of carrying 40 lbs and is compatible with standard panniers, but due to its square tubing and inset pannier mounts, it's not compatible with Ride1Up's panniers. The rack has a Connect+ interface, allowing for the addition of a quick-release basket.

Range

We usually test the e-bike range using the bike's throttle; it helps eliminate the variable of rider-added power, but the Prodigy (as with most mid-drive bikes) is incompatible with a throttle. In order to test the range on this bike, we had to rely on an imperfect test, but it gave us a pretty good idea of the motor's power consumption. We pedal the bike using just enough input to trigger the built-in torque sensor but attempt to contribute to its propulsion minimally.

Using our e-bikes test course, we soft-pedaled the Prodigy through our course 4 times, once in each power setting. In the bike's most powerful “Boost” setting, we were able to ride 19.34 miles of our course with an elevation gain of 1224 feet before exhausting the battery's power. In the second most powerful “Sport” mode, we soft-pedaled the bike 22.91 miles with an elevation gain of 1411 feet. Using “Tour” and “Eco” modes, we hit the 25-mile mark with only slight differences in range. A threshold amount of torque is required for the motor to engage and keep it activated; as such, we didn't find much difference in feel or range in the lowest two modes.

Power

The mid-drive Brose motor delivers power that can be mistaken for a tailwind in the lower settings. In the Boost setting, the motor can generate up to 90Nm of torque, leaving the rider twisting the shifter to catch up to the drivetrain speed.

The four levels of power assist have some overlap and we found the level of support between the lowest two to be very similar. The Brose motor's built-in torque sensor gauges your input; its quick response is a highlight.

Interface

The Brose Allround all-in-one control/display unit is on the handlebar's left side. The power button faces the front of the bike, and the remainder of the controls are at a thumb's reach. The current speed, state of charge, and pedal assist (PAS) mode are featured prominently, while the odometer, trip distance, cadence, average cadence, average speed, max speed, power, and clock are accessible by clicking through screens. The color screen has great resolution, but it's only 1.5 inches (about the size of an Apple watch) from corner to corner, and that can make it hard to glean all of its info at a glance. There is an app to connect your smartphone, but it's not currently available in the US, Canada, or Mexico.

The integrated 504Wh battery locks into the underside of the bike's frame but can be removed for storage or charging away from the bike. Removal is simple, and charging your battery off of the bike has many advantages. An e-bike without a battery is significantly less attractive to would-be thieves. The bike is much lighter without the battery and can likely be hung up or lifted for storage. Additionally, keeping the battery out of extreme temperatures will lengthen its lifespan. The bike and battery are certified to IP-65 weather resistance, which makes commuting in the rain no problem.

Assembly

Assembling the Prodigy didn't require much time or mechanical aptitude. The provided instructions were clear, and the tools included are nicer than one might expect with an entire set of ball-end Allen wrenches. Ride1Up shipped this bike with eco-friendly packaging, and aside from a few zip ties, the packaging was free of plastic and styrofoam.

The Prodigy is a bit lighter-weight than other e-bikes we've assembled, and as such, it's a bit easier to move and assemble. Ride1up has a comprehensive build video on their website that will guide you through the assembly process. There are many important bolts and adjustments on bicycles that can put the rider in danger if not torqued or adjusted properly. If you don't feel competent or confident in your abilities, utilizing the knowledge and help of your local bike shop is highly recommended.

Should You Buy the Ride1Up Prodigy?

This premium e-bike has awesome technology, but we can't recommend it to everyone. Our foremost concern is the inability to make sizing adjustments. Putting aside the company's recommended user height range, we'd recommend this size of bike for people between 5' 5" and 5' 10". Users in this height range can expect a comfortable ride typical of a hybrid bike's positioning. We'd recommend most users swap the tires out for more durable rubber, as flat tires aren't worth the reduced weight or sporty looks.

What Other Electric Commuter Bikes Should You Consider?

There is no shortage of awesome electric bikes on the market. If the Prodigy doesn't seem ideal after reading this review, check out the Ride1UP Turris XR for a very similar-looking bike with more adjustability at half the price. If you want a bit more versatility and comfort, the Aventon Aventure.2 Step-Through comes highly recommended for its power, range, and value.