What do you think about the Core-5? Planning to buy a Ride1Up ebike? Using our link helps support the channel: go.ride1up.com/aff_c?offer_id=1&aff_id=1005&source=youtube (affiliate link)
After a year and a half of utterly trouble free use on my V2 and heavily modifying it, I decided I wanted a bigger motor and a step through, and ride1up was just the only choice. Their customer service has always been beyond stellar and their technical service even moreso. Ordered my core 5 this evening. They also sell spare parts basically at cost. A new motor without needing to buy the whole wheel is $150. It's awesome. I just cannot see any reason to get another brand of bike, these guys are truly something special. They're built amazingly, they're reliable, the parts are all very solid, the designs are really nice and thoughtfully designed. I only wish they sold the core 5 with a torque sensor. I don't want a sprung fork and I don't want hydraulic brakes. But the v2's cadence sensor was just ridiculously sensitive and easy to work with compared to cheaper stuff.
Let me make a few comments about Ride1Up. First of all, I recently bought a 700 ST. Based on the webpage, I thought it had a 750 watt motor. It does not, but the 500 watt motor it does come with supposedly can sustain 750 watts. Why they don't tell you that is a mystery that they cannot explain. I think the mention of the 750 watt motor is deceiving. Second, I get that because you do a lot more work to assemble the bike, they can charge less, however, no bell/horn and no integrated brake light? I don't get that. Both are safety features. The rear light works with the headlight, so how much extra by them would it take to integrate the rear light with the braking system? Third the chainring that you have to install should be double sided. There is room for that. Fourth my bike is noisy and when I raised this with customer service they claim that once the motor is broken in the noise will subside. I have 150 miles on the bike and there is still noise. Fourth, I have a pedal vibration between 15-18 mph that I cannot figure out as to its cause. In one of the forums, the response was possible loose spokes, which apparently plagues other models in addition to the 700. This could mean that production is a bit shoddy. That having been said, I like the bike a lot. These little things bug me though.
I have the 2nd gen LMT’d, which has a very similar frame and uses the same battery case design as the Core 5. One feature I like about these two is they weigh much less than similar hardtail MTB frame commuter ebikes, being 49-53lbs with batteries installed. The main downside I’ve noted is the frame-matched paint on the battery scrapes off easily, but that’s typical for painted plastic. I’d prefer they simply leave it unpainted black plastic, like the extra batteries they sell for these models.
Ride1Up makes nice bikes and I thought about buying this bike for $1,200. however right now Rad Power Bikes has their 750 watt Rad Rover 6 Plus with suspension fork, fenders, and hydraulic brakes included for $1,299. ($700 off $1,999.) The price is way too good to pass up on a name brand bike and I ordered one immediately. The Core 5 has mechanical brakes and fenders cost $60. more. Rad also has the Radmission for the unbelievable price of $499. so I ordered one as well.
Due to the ebike discounts/codes page on the ebike escape website, I was heavily leaning towards the LMT'd since it showed on the page that it was $150 off and a free extra battery. Considering the usual prices on the batteries, this deal looked great. However, they seem to have changed the deal to $200 off, but no free extra battery. Might be time to run through the deals/codes and make sure they are up to date, as many of them seem to be expired or changed. Either way very happy you put the work into listing them, makes shopping around much quicker, especially for budget restrained people such as myself. :) I've never owned an ebike, but really need one to ride as my knees get worse each year. Just moved to a relatively hilly area, so need to assist even more. hehe I have noticed that my new state (Missouri) seems to be pretty relaxed when it comes to ebikes which is great. Even seems many trails are open to even class 3, but maybe I read wrong. ;)
Always appreciate the heads up. Brands don’t always let us know when deals change, so without constant attention or helpful comments, it is difficult to keep it up to date. Ebikes are super accessible and helpful in situations just like yours. Ride1Up has wide spectrum of ebikes, so you should be able to find one that fits your needs
@@EbikeEscape I figured as much, it isn't like I'm paying for it to be updated every 15 minutes or something. :) I'll keep my research going, your channel and at least a few others I found recently have been a huge help. :) Especially with these D2C ebikes.
Laying it on its side I definitely do. Standing you might be difficult depending on the vehicle. But on it’s side there shouldn’t be a issue getting this ebike in.
I'm really interested in getting a Core5; how often/much do they go on sale for? I'd be happy to get one even at it's usual price but if they go on sale every now and then, maybe I'll just wait for that.
I would guess they might have a Spring sale but they do run sales a little less frequently than other brands. Appreciate it if you use our link when you do decide to buy.
@@EbikeEscape Well, after waiting and looking around at other models (thanks for a lot of your other review videos btw) similar to the Core 5, I decided to just go ahead and get it. Used your link and subbed as well. Now to eagerly await my delivery.
@@EbikeEscape That means that it is a 500W motor, RAD does the same crap, lists the max wattage as if it was the nominal power. Kind of deceptive, but even at 500 w it is still quite a bargain, no need to exaggerate that number. My bike lists as 400 w but the motor itself says 350. I've called them out on it, but they still list it as 400W. BTW there is no such thing as 400 Watt.
We would love to. The price of mid-drive ebikes makes them a bit less accepted by a lot of people. As avid cyclists here at Ebike Escape, we love mid-drive ebikes and hope to be able to get out and ride more in the future.
What do you think about the Core-5? Planning to buy a Ride1Up ebike? Using our link helps support the channel: go.ride1up.com/aff_c?offer_id=1&aff_id=1005&source=youtube (affiliate link)
Think you'll be reviewing the Vvolt Centauri soon?
I'd like to but with winter upon us it's going to be a challenge. On the list though.
After a year and a half of utterly trouble free use on my V2 and heavily modifying it, I decided I wanted a bigger motor and a step through, and ride1up was just the only choice. Their customer service has always been beyond stellar and their technical service even moreso. Ordered my core 5 this evening.
They also sell spare parts basically at cost. A new motor without needing to buy the whole wheel is $150. It's awesome. I just cannot see any reason to get another brand of bike, these guys are truly something special. They're built amazingly, they're reliable, the parts are all very solid, the designs are really nice and thoughtfully designed.
I only wish they sold the core 5 with a torque sensor. I don't want a sprung fork and I don't want hydraulic brakes. But the v2's cadence sensor was just ridiculously sensitive and easy to work with compared to cheaper stuff.
Your Core 5 review is the best I've seen so far and I've watched many, good job !!
Let me make a few comments about Ride1Up. First of all, I recently bought a 700 ST. Based on the webpage, I thought it had a 750 watt motor. It does not, but the 500 watt motor it does come with supposedly can sustain 750 watts. Why they don't tell you that is a mystery that they cannot explain. I think the mention of the 750 watt motor is deceiving. Second, I get that because you do a lot more work to assemble the bike, they can charge less, however, no bell/horn and no integrated brake light? I don't get that. Both are safety features. The rear light works with the headlight, so how much extra by them would it take to integrate the rear light with the braking system? Third the chainring that you have to install should be double sided. There is room for that. Fourth my bike is noisy and when I raised this with customer service they claim that once the motor is broken in the noise will subside. I have 150 miles on the bike and there is still noise. Fourth, I have a pedal vibration between 15-18 mph that I cannot figure out as to its cause. In one of the forums, the response was possible loose spokes, which apparently plagues other models in addition to the 700. This could mean that production is a bit shoddy. That having been said, I like the bike a lot. These little things bug me though.
Thank you for sharing your opinion!
Glad you guys did a review again on the core 5.
We are to. It has evolved quite a bit since our old review.
Thank you for doing the throttle-only! I was looking for this lol
No problem!
I love this bike, Core-5! Discontinued, but shouldn't be.
We love the Core-5 too. The Turris is at least a comparable replacement.
I have the 2nd gen LMT’d, which has a very similar frame and uses the same battery case design as the Core 5.
One feature I like about these two is they weigh much less than similar hardtail MTB frame commuter ebikes, being 49-53lbs with batteries installed.
The main downside I’ve noted is the frame-matched paint on the battery scrapes off easily, but that’s typical for painted plastic. I’d prefer they simply leave it unpainted black plastic, like the extra batteries they sell for these models.
Great information and insight. Thank you for sharing!
Ride1Up makes nice bikes and I thought about buying this bike for $1,200. however right now Rad Power Bikes has their 750 watt Rad Rover 6 Plus with suspension fork, fenders, and hydraulic brakes included for $1,299. ($700 off $1,999.)
The price is way too good to pass up on a name brand bike and I ordered one immediately.
The Core 5 has mechanical brakes and fenders cost $60. more.
Rad also has the Radmission for the unbelievable price of $499. so I ordered one as well.
This is an interesting time. We are interested to see how this effects things in the future
Well I have to check that bike out. I was thinking seriously of ordering tomorrow, but will review the Rad Rover 6 now. Thanks, Dave
Due to the ebike discounts/codes page on the ebike escape website, I was heavily leaning towards the LMT'd since it showed on the page that it was $150 off and a free extra battery. Considering the usual prices on the batteries, this deal looked great. However, they seem to have changed the deal to $200 off, but no free extra battery. Might be time to run through the deals/codes and make sure they are up to date, as many of them seem to be expired or changed. Either way very happy you put the work into listing them, makes shopping around much quicker, especially for budget restrained people such as myself. :)
I've never owned an ebike, but really need one to ride as my knees get worse each year. Just moved to a relatively hilly area, so need to assist even more. hehe
I have noticed that my new state (Missouri) seems to be pretty relaxed when it comes to ebikes which is great. Even seems many trails are open to even class 3, but maybe I read wrong. ;)
Always appreciate the heads up. Brands don’t always let us know when deals change, so without constant attention or helpful comments, it is difficult to keep it up to date.
Ebikes are super accessible and helpful in situations just like yours. Ride1Up has wide spectrum of ebikes, so you should be able to find one that fits your needs
@@EbikeEscape I figured as much, it isn't like I'm paying for it to be updated every 15 minutes or something. :)
I'll keep my research going, your channel and at least a few others I found recently have been a huge help. :) Especially with these D2C ebikes.
We are here to help if you have any questions in the future. Good luck on the "ebike hunt"
I have problems when my shoes keep catching on the kickstand. Any recommendations?
Nice review on this bike. Do you think it could be put into an SUV with folding rear seats without taking off front tire? Thanks for all your reviews.
Laying it on its side I definitely do. Standing you might be difficult depending on the vehicle. But on it’s side there shouldn’t be a issue getting this ebike in.
@@EbikeEscape Laying it on its side is what I was after so thanks.
Awesome! You should be good to go then.
I'm really interested in getting a Core5; how often/much do they go on sale for? I'd be happy to get one even at it's usual price but if they go on sale every now and then, maybe I'll just wait for that.
I would guess they might have a Spring sale but they do run sales a little less frequently than other brands. Appreciate it if you use our link when you do decide to buy.
@@EbikeEscape Well, after waiting and looking around at other models (thanks for a lot of your other review videos btw) similar to the Core 5, I decided to just go ahead and get it. Used your link and subbed as well. Now to eagerly await my delivery.
Have you reviewed the Ride1up Gravel v2 yet ?
We have not yet, That is on our list for sometime this year.
This is an excellent choice for those older, shorter riders than cannot spend 2 grand on an e bike. Is the motor 750 max or nominal?
They list it as sustained but at least from my glances at the display I never saw it at or above 750.
@@EbikeEscape That means that it is a 500W motor, RAD does the same crap, lists the max wattage as if it was the nominal power. Kind of deceptive, but even at 500 w it is still quite a bargain, no need to exaggerate that number. My bike lists as 400 w but the motor itself says 350. I've called them out on it, but they still list it as 400W. BTW there is no such thing as 400 Watt.
The max is 880. 500 nominal. 750 sustained.
You guys should review more mid drive bikes... maybe?
We would love to. The price of mid-drive ebikes makes them a bit less accepted by a lot of people. As avid cyclists here at Ebike Escape, we love mid-drive ebikes and hope to be able to get out and ride more in the future.