The Ride1Up Portola: A Folding E-Bike Made for Everyday Riders
For years, I thought e-bikes were kind of lame. I mean, I can pedal myself around town just fine, right? But when my husband and I sold our dual sport motorcycles, we started thinking of ways we could include the whole family on two-wheeled adventures.
Years ago, my brother got a fixie e-bike from this brand he claimed was good quality with a low price-point. And years later, he gave this “Ride1Up” bike to me! I rode it here and there around town, then realized: this might be our motorcycle compromise.
My parents followed in my brother’s example and each got themselves a Ride1Up e-bike. When we decided to go for it, we trusted the family research and experience and went with that brand ourselves.
Literally thousands of miles later, we’ve never looked back.
Our family has fully embraced the e-bike life bringing them on camping trips, long day trips around Utah, and every day riding to events in our small town.
This year, we added the Ride1Up Portola to the mix, and let me tell you — it’s a game-changer.
Initial Thoughts on the Ride1Up Portola
Unlike our larger e-bikes, the Ride1Up Portola shows up right at your doorstep without having to make an appointment with freight. It was a big, bulky box but definitely maneuverable to where I needed for set up. It took my husband 24 minutes with a toddler at his feet to put it together and the directions were simple.
He says the only tool he had to use that wasn’t included was scissors to cut the zip ties.
Things We Love
What we love most about the Portola is that she doesn’t require a bike rack! It folds down into the size of a large cardboard box and can be placed into virtually any car trunk: no worries about theft here!
Another thing we are thrilled about is the upright feel and mounting/dismounting ease. When riding it, I almost feel like I’m on a moped. I can ride around town without feeling like I’m on some intense mountain biking adventure in the woods. It feels very relaxed and natural, taking pressure off my back and wrists.
My husband’s 5’2″ mother had a hard time riding our other step-through bikes because the height made her feel uneasy. But when she tried the lower frame of the Ride1Up Portola, she immediately started zooming around the neighborhood with ease.
Extra Fun Things
The welded cargo rack on the Portola’s frame is super sturdy. Designed with Ride1Up’s Connect+ system, it fits a variety of useful accessories for everyday life. We love using the insulated cooler and large cargo basket. As my kids get older, the Revv1 Passenger Kit is at the top of my wishlist.
All the Nerdy Specs of the Ride1Up Portola
For those of you who want to know the nitty gritty numbers, here are a few highlights:
Folding design: Stores and transports easily without a bike rack.
Battery options: We went with the bigger battery (13.4Ah), which gives plenty of range for family rides. There is a more affordable 10.4Ah option too.
Motor: The 750W motor with 28 mph pedal assist gives you plenty of pep for hauling gear, people, or tackling hills.
Range: One charge of the battery should last up to 40 miles. But if you run out, don’t worry because you can still pedal it around with 8-speed regular bicycle gears.
Payload: 342 lb capacity.
Other Fun Things: The Ride1Up Portola is a class 2 e-bike, so it does have a throttle when you need that extra boost. There’s also front-suspension forks with 80mm travel. Ride1Up’s Connect+ accessories easily click on to the cargo rack.
In Sum
If e-bikes have sparked your curiosity, but you have yet to make the leap, consider the Ride1Up Portola. It’s a great place to start for a budget e-bike with all you need and more. Whether on solo or family adventures, it’s versatility will have you confidently riding for miles and miles.
Tell me: Have you considered the e-bike world? What are your favorite places to ride?
