Officially, Ride1Up is making a major splash on the trails. Known for its commuter-focused electric bikes that give great value, the San Diego-based business has just introduced the new Ride1Up TrailRush: a trail-ready electric mountain bike that represents Ride1Up’s first full step into the harsh world of eMTBs.
Indeed, Ride1Up has expanded beyond its commuter roots by previously providing trekking-style bikes and mopeds. Even its much-praised Prodigy line has had an XC version. However, the new TrailRush is designed to hit the dirt and wind through those trails, whether they are uphill or downhill, thanks to its Brose mid-drive motor, MTB geometry, dropper seat post, and other trail-focused features.
Furthermore, this isn’t just a fancy-named token hardtail. At a price that could make some traditional mountain bike companies shiver, the TrailRush boasts a genuine, highly engineered German mid-drive motor, name-brand suspension, appropriate trail geometry, and a component list that reads more like a wish list.
The German-made Brose TF Sprinter motor, which generates a robust 90 Nm of torque, is the engine at the heart of the TrailRush. Up to 28 mph, it is combined with an integrated torque sensor in the bottom bracket to deliver seamless, user-friendly pedal assistance. A 1.5-inch colour display on the bars provides you with quick access to ride statistics, and the controller is neatly nestled inside the mid-drive motor housing. According to the most rigorous definition, this fast trail bike is a true Class 3 ride because it lacks a throttle, in keeping with European design.
A sophisticated BMS and a 36V 14Ah battery made with Samsung cells power that fancy mid-drive motor. Although it’s not the biggest pack in the eMTB game, its 504 Wh capacity should allow for some modest cross-country riding and reasonably long-range touring—especially without a throttle that would quickly drain the battery. Based on local topography, rider weight, power level, and other variables, Ride1Up’s estimated real-world range is 30 to 50 miles (50 to 80 km) per charge.
The drivetrain is equipped with Shimano’s Deore M6000 10-speed configuration, which includes a wide-range 11-36T cassette, a Rapidfire Plus shifter, and a clutch-fitted derailleur. For trail riders who prefer longevity over the hassle of continuously adjusting a low-end derailleur, that is a solid workhorse configuration. In contrast to what we typically see from direct-to-consumer (D2C) electric bike brands, it is also a step up in the Shimano gearbox hierarchy, which is a welcome change.
A 120mm RockShox Judy Silver TK air suspension up front represents yet another significant improvement over the standard parts seen on D2C bikes. These are not the standard spring forks found on a lot of low-cost eMTBs.
Additionally, Ride1Up chose Tektro’s Orion HD-M745 quad-piston hydraulic disc brakes to help control your ride on the descents. A recurring element here is that all of these areas are far nicer than you may anticipate. These parts go on e-bikes from the bike shop rather than something the FedEx guy brings to your front door.
Continuing around the bike, a 150mm Exaform dropper post is included as standard, allowing you to swiftly pop back up for climbs or get low on descents. The TrailRush rides on the well-liked Maxxis Minion DHF/DHR 29×2.6″ tubeless-ready tyres, which should give you plenty of confidence on a range of surfaces.
Back in the cockpit, riders will discover a Selle Royal SRX saddle and 780mm wide mountain bike handlebars with a 28mm rise and 6° sweep. Wheel upgrades and replacements won’t require any specialised jargon because the bike employs normal 110mm/142mm hub spacing (with thru-axles instead of skewers for more durable construction).
According to Ride1Up, the TrailRush was designed for “long-range touring and light XC riding”, but judging by its build, it can also perform well on tough singletrack. At slightly over $2k, this is probably the greatest pricing on a high-end German mid-drive on a high-quality electric mountain bike available on the market.