Starting off on a positive note, the bike’s overall handling and feel was fantastic. I found that the lightweight frame felt noticeably agile and energetic, allowing for fast acceleration and quick maneuvering. The carbon fiber construction also significantly improved comfort by absorbing vibrations from the environment, though with a fully rigid frame bumps were still noticeable.
In terms of fit, I found the CF Racer 1 to be relatively comfortable, though its fit is limited for purposes of efficient manufacturing. The bike is offered in two frame sizes – 50cm and 56 cm – with a general fit for riders between 5’3” and 6’3”. There are spec/geometry differences between the road/gravel version of the bike, though we can only speak specifically about the gravel version we tested.
The 50cm frame includes 400mm handlebars (467mm at the flared drops), while the larger 56cm version is equipped with 420mm/487mm drop bars. Regardless of width, these are custom monocoque (single-piece) units with an integrated stem. This construction means that any precise adjustments to handlebar height or reach will likely be costly, as customization would require the unit to be replaced with a standard stem and separate set of handlebars. As such, we would encourage the brand to expand the number of frame sizes to a minimum of 3 (4 would be even better, but as we understand, significantly more costly) so as to offer a more precise fit with each size.
We give credit to Ride1UP for the CF Racer 1’s sleek and stylish design; its smooth frame is another benefit of carbon fiber construction. Without close study, it’s likely that most passers-by would think it to be an analog bike, as its motor is only slightly larger than a standard wheel hub, its battery is completely hidden, and its cables are internally routed. This last detail is another thing to be aware of, however, as routine maintenance (bearing replacements, etc) will require more steps – and likely increased labor costs when relying on a mechanic.
To go into detail on the user interface, the CF Racer uses a single SRAM Rival DoubleTap shift lever on the right bar, with only the front brake lever on the left. I found that this shifter took some time to get used to, but it was ultimately quite intuitive and functional. The bike’s on/off button is on the color display unit which sits forward of the handlebar/stem unit. The bike’s PAS adjustment buttons are placed on the inside/top of the drops, which I found easy to use when gripping the drops, but somewhat awkward to reach when using the hoods.
In my opinion, the bike’s range is a contributing factor to its ride quality, though I found it to be appropriate for my 90-ish-minute test rides in the desert, and it should be fine for short training rides. I used PAS 3 most often and reserved the power of PAS 5 for steep inclines or picking up speed on my return trips to the office.
The CF Racer 1’s rear-hub motor uses a cadence sensor, though this was not initially apparent in our testing; Ride1UP uses a “current-based system” that dictates the output of the motor without limiting speed. I appreciated the motor’s responsive, smooth engagement and natural feel. I also found it to be remarkably quiet with a nearly undetectable hum.
So ultimately, while there is some room for improvement, we feel that there is much to appreciate about the CF Racer and Ride1UP’s approach to this affordable gravel bike.
