Electrek.co
by Micah Toll
When it comes to mid-drive electric bikes – or e-bikes with the motor mounted near the pedals – you’re generally looking at a group of higher quality but also higher priced e-bikes.
But with theRide1Up Prodigy, though, we’ve finally discovered the best of both worlds: A high quality mid-drive electric bike complete with German-made motor yet that is still available at an affordable price.
Ride1Up Prodigy Tech Specs • Motor: Brose TF Sprinter mid-drive • Top speed: 28 mph (45 km/h) • Range: 30-50 miles (50-80 km) • Battery: 36V 14Ah (504Wh) • Weight: 50 lb (22.7 kg) • Load capacity: 300 lb (136 kg)
The downside of mid-drive motors is that they are more expensive, which means that low-cost mid-drive electric bikes (under $2.5k or so) generally use lesser known Chinese motors instead of the costlier European mid-drive motors like Bosch and Brose. To get those nicer Euro motors, you usually have to spend well north of $3.5k or more.
Yes it’s pretty darn natural feeling, but when you crank the power meter up into higher power modes, you’ll remember it’s electric because you’ll really start flying!