Ride1Up Lmtd 2 Review: Strong Hill-Climbing Power at 28 MPH for $1,595
A $1,595 daily commuter with enough motor for real hills, a throttle for no-pedal cruising, and a class you can dial to fit local rules.
The Ride1Up Lmtd 2 is the kind of bike you grab every morning without thinking twice. It has the power to climb a hill with a bag of groceries on the rack, the range to cover a normal commute, and wide tires that take the edge off rough pavement. At $1,595, that balance of capability and price is what earns it a Genius Score of 83 out of 100.
The part most buyers will care about is how it rides. It ships as a bike, which means you can leave it in the setting with a and ride without pedaling up to 20 mph, or switch it to Class 3 and get help all the way to 28 mph. Behind that is a strong motor that handles starts and climbs without drama, so the bike feels capable in the situations that usually make a commuter feel underpowered.
Pros & cons
What we like
- Strong and a 750W motor that pull away from stops and handle hills without straining
- A plus a switchable Class 2-3 setting, so you choose between no-pedal cruising at 20 mph and pedal-assist up to 28 mph
- A lot of commuter for $1,595, which is where this bike really stands out against its rivals
- that stop confidently in traffic and wet weather
- A 300 lb , so it carries a rider plus panniers and errands with room to spare
Worth weighing
- To stay legal on many shared bike paths and multi-use trails, you'll want to keep it in the 20 mph mode; the 28 mph Class 3 setting is really for roads and bike lanes
- On steep, sustained climbs the 8-speed's limited low-gear range means you'll lean on the motor's assist to keep a comfortable cadence rather than out-pedaling it
Key specs
The motor & power
The motor is the Lmtd 2's strongest feature. Its puts out 750W with a stout , and that pairing is what gets a loaded bike off the line and keeps it climbing without bogging down. If your commute has a hill or two, that's the number that matters.
The 750W hub delivers its power in a steady, even push, so pulling away in stop-and-go traffic stays smooth instead of jumpy. With 90 Nm on tap, you won't get caught flat-footed at a light or on a short, sharp incline.
You also get a , and it's genuinely useful here: it helps you launch from a stop and gives your legs a rest on a long climb. The trade-off is that riding on the throttle drains the battery faster than pedaling does, and it's the throttle that keeps the bike in when you set it there. Ride1Up doesn't publish a , so the 750W sustained figure is what you plan around.
Range & battery
The 672Wh (a 48V, 14Ah pack with LG cells) is a healthy size for a commuter and enough to cover most daily riding with charge left over. Ride1Up quotes a of 30 to 50 miles, and that spread is honest about how much your riding style matters.
At the faster Class 3 setting, on hilly routes, or with frequent throttle use, real range sits nearer the 30-mile end of that window. Stick to a lower assist level on flat ground and 50 is within reach. For a normal round-trip commute with an overnight charge, either way you've got room to spare.
This is one bike you can reconfigure, not two different models. In the display settings you move it between . In the Class 2 setting the is active and top assisted speed is 20 mph, which is usually what gets a bike allowed on shared bike paths and multi-use trails. Switch it to Class 3 and extends to 28 mph, which is faster for road and bike-lane commuting but often not permitted on those same trails. So pick the setting for where you're actually riding that day.
Ride & components
The 27.5" x 2.4" WTB tires strike a nice middle ground: wide enough to take the sting out of rough pavement and cracks, but not so knobby that they slow you down on smooth roads. It's a sensible setup for city and light-path riding.
Stopping is handled by Tektro HD-M285 with 180mm rotors, and hydraulics matter on a bike this quick, especially when you're braking from 28 mph in traffic or in the rain. The Shimano 8-speed drivetrain is where the budget shows a little; it shifts reliably and does the job, just don't expect it to be a highlight.
At 55 lb the Lmtd 2 is on the lighter side for a full-power commuter, so wheeling it around or lifting it onto a rack is manageable. And with a 300 lb , a heavier rider plus a loaded rear rack or a child seat still leaves margin to spare.
Price & value
At $1,595 the Lmtd 2 is priced very well for what it delivers, and value is its strongest suit against the competition. You're getting a 750W motor, a big battery, hydraulic brakes, and a switchable class for a number that a lot of similar bikes can't match.
The way to read that price is simple: Ride1Up spent the money on the parts that shape how the bike performs and kept the finishing kit modest. That's a smart split if you care more about how the bike climbs and how far it goes than about the shifter on the bars.
Who it's for
The hilly-commute rider
If your ride home includes a climb or two and you often carry a bag or groceries, the 90 Nm motor is the reason to look here. It pulls away from stops easily and gets a loaded bike up a grade without bogging down, which is where cheaper commuters tend to feel weak.
The 'I don't always want to pedal' commuter
If some days you want a workout and other days you just want to get home, the gives you both. Leave it in the Class 2 setting to cruise up to 20 mph without pedaling, and bump it to Class 3 when you want pedal-assist help up to 28 mph on the road.
The long-haul commuter
If you're covering 40-plus miles a day or riding hard at the faster setting, plan around the lower end of the 30-to-50 mile estimate. The range is fine for most commutes, but a very long daily loop may mean charging at work or dialing back the assist.
The rider who wants premium parts
If you care about a higher-end drivetrain and top-shelf components, the basic 8-speed setup here will feel like a compromise. The motor and battery are the stars; the shifting and finishing kit are just solid, get-it-done gear.
Frequently asked
Does the Ride1Up Lmtd 2 have a throttle?
Yes. It has a , so you can ride without pedaling up to 20 mph when it's set to Class 2.
Can you ride the Ride1Up Lmtd 2 without pedaling?
You can. In its Class 2 setting the throttle lets you cruise up to 20 mph without pedaling. Keep in mind that riding on the throttle uses more battery than pedaling, so your range will be on the shorter side.
How far does the Ride1Up Lmtd 2 go on a charge?
Ride1Up claims 30 to 50 miles on the 672Wh battery. Expect the lower end if you ride at the faster setting, climb a lot, or use the throttle often, and closer to 50 with lighter pedal-assist on flat ground.
How fast does the Ride1Up Lmtd 2 go?
It depends on the setting. In Class 2 the throttle and pedal-assist top out at 20 mph; switched to Class 3, pedal-assist reaches 28 mph.
Can you change the class on the Ride1Up Lmtd 2?
Yes. You switch it between in the display settings. Class 2 keeps the throttle active with a 20 mph limit, which is usually what allows it on shared bike paths, while Class 3 raises pedal-assist to 28 mph for faster road and bike-lane riding.
How much does the Ride1Up Lmtd 2 weigh?
It weighs 55 lb, which is fairly light for a full-power commuter and makes it easier to lift onto a rack or carry up a step.
What kind of brakes does the Ride1Up Lmtd 2 have?
Tektro HD-M285 with 180mm rotors, which give confident, consistent stopping in traffic and wet weather.
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Read the reviewHow we score: the Genius Score blends a bike's capability against same-price peers with its value for the money, weighted for what this commuter buyer prioritises. Specs are pulled from the manufacturer's live page and normalised (nominal vs peak watts, true weight with battery). Ratings are our estimate from specs, not a lab test.