It’s possible you’ll be conversant in Ariel Rider from the Seattle-based firm’s widespread high-power and high-speed electric bicycles. However additionally they just lately unveiled a decidedly mid-power e-bike that’s overflowing with worth. The brand new Ariel Rider Rideal borrows from most of the e-bike business’s favourite components and options, then delivers in an affordably priced electrical commuter bike.
Not like the high-power electric mopeds that Ariel Rider is often identified for, the Rideal is a way more low-key electrical bicycle.
It’s designed as a commuter e-bike and thus sports activities a motor that’s highly effective sufficient for robust begins and hill climbs, however doesn’t reduce into the bike’s effectivity too closely.
Constructed with an emphasis on city rideability, the Ariel Rider Rideal packs within the options most-demanded by commuters.
And at just $999, it does it for a tune.
To see the bike in its true atmosphere, try my testing video beneath. Then preserve studying for my full evaluate.
Ariel Rider Rideal video evaluate
Ariel Rider Rideal tech specs
- Motor: 750W rear hub motor
- Prime pace: 20 mph (32 km/h)
- Vary: Claimed as much as 60 miles (100 km), much less when using on throttle
- Battery: 48V 14Ah (672 Wh), detachable/lockable
- Weight: 52 lb (23.5 kg)
- Tires: 27.5 x 1.95 in
- Brakes: Tektro mechanical disc brakes (180 mm rotors)
- Extras: LED show, LED headlight and tail/brake gentle, kickstand, Shimano Tourney 6-speed drivetrain, mounting factors for entrance and rear rack equipment

A easy bike that doesn’t skimp… an excessive amount of
The structure of the Ariel Rider Rideal is your primary metropolis e-bike.
Which means it doesn’t have fancy suspension. It doesn’t have huge, plush tires. And it doesn’t have any built-in excessive tech options like cameras or connectivity.
However by saving various bucks with a shortened characteristic listing, the Ariel Rider staff was capable of spend money on making all the pieces remaining only a bit nicer.
The Velo seat is definitely fairly comfy with out getting in the best way of pedaling, and I really like that seize deal with beneath for transferring the bike across the storage. The fake leather-based handgrips are stylish and really feel good within the fingers. And even the paint has a slight steel flake look to it, giving it a delicate shimmer that provides a higher-quality sense with out going excessive with a tacky glitter end.
The 750W motor is extra highly effective than you discover in comparable metro e-bikes, the 624 Wh battery is bigger and thus gives extra vary, and the bike even features a 6-speed transmission – a feature that is becoming increasingly less common in budget-oriented e-bikes.
The pinnacle and tail lights aren’t going to compete with fancy European-built lights on higher-dollar electric bikes, however they work higher than the lack of lights we’re also seeing more of in this space.
In reality, whereas we’re making comparisons to different e-bikes, let’s go forward and examine the bike to its most comparable competitor: the single-speed RadMission.
Is the Rideal a RadMission clone?
We’ve seen loads of firms attempt to tackle Rad Power Bikes, the chief (by far) in North American e-bike gross sales. Some firms have made blatant rip-offs and clones of Rad’s bikes, inevitably with a lot decrease high quality.
On this case, the Rideal feels extra like an “inspired-by” than a clone. In reality, it even has a number of benefits. Whereas the body fashion and show scream RadMission, the bike’s efficiency specs really shine a bit brighter. The Rideal has a bigger battery, extra highly effective motor, and gives a multi-speed transmission that may assistance on different terrain/hills.
That doesn’t imply it might probably ever match the added worth of an organization like Rad, comparable to the superb repute for nationwide help and Rad Mobile service that may ship an e-bike technician on to your storage for repairs. However evaluating bike to bike, this doesn’t really feel like a kind of low cost clone conditions. And since Rad has by no means competed on efficiency, this appears extra like a high-performance e-bike firm making use of their penchant for greater motors and batteries to a distinct segment that Rad exploited first.
Both approach, what’s the purpose of a motorbike like this?
The lengthy and in need of it’s that not everybody wants an over-the-top fats tire electrical bike or an extended tail cargo e-bike. Some individuals merely need a primary, gentle(ish) weight electrical bike for zipping right down to campus or the native espresso store.
The flexibility so as to add some utility, comparable to swapping in a entrance rack like I finally added, means you possibly can even get a little bit of light-duty cargo carrying in as nicely.
I want a number of the Ariel Rider Rideal’s equipment got here normal, such because the fender set that prices an additional $59. However when the bike is only priced at $999, I perceive that they’ve received to attempt to pad the income with a couple of equipment.
However for a normal goal, easy e-bike that’s designed for no-frills using, the Rideal undoubtedly scores excessive marks. Every part about it seems like a particular step up from the cheaper Amazon e-bikes. The low-dollar Amazon e-bikes sometimes have plastic pedals and light-weight mounts, gentle or rickety-feeling brakes, unforgiving saddles, and different cost-cutting measures. However the Rideal feels such as you’re sitting on one thing nearer to a $1,500 e-bike than a $750 e-bike.
It doesn’t simply really feel good although, it additionally has the efficiency to match. Although it’s received a easy LED show to examine the pedal help (PAS) stage, the cadence-based sensor works nice and gives something from a light-weight help on the low finish throughout a exercise journey to a robust help on the excessive finish that principally means your toes are simply throttles related to your shins.
The principle criticism I’ve about e-bikes with LED shows is that there’s no odometer. I can reside with out figuring out my present pace (and I suppose not figuring out my mileage received’t kill me both, if I’m being lifelike) however I actually like having the ability to see the odometer tick up over time. It’s each a enjoyable characteristic to benefit from the sense of accomplishment while you go huge milestones, and in addition a great reminder for mileage-based upkeep like checking spoke stress each few hundred miles.
However once more, at this worth I received’t gripe too laborious concerning the lack of an actual LCD show.
I knew this was going to be a easy e-bike, and that’s precisely what I used to be searching for. It really works nice, has loads of energy, greater than sufficient vary, and even is available in two body types (high-step or mid-step) to permit a little bit of customization for shorter and taller riders.
Whereas it might at all times be fancier, I’m fairly darn pleased with the Rideal. I truthfully assume it’s value greater than $999 based mostly on the efficiency and high quality really feel of the journey, however don’t inform Ariel Rider I mentioned that!
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