Ride1Up Prodigy V2 ECO: specs and AEB Score

Not ridden by Will yet. I haven’t ridden, filmed or tested the Ride1Up Prodigy V2 in any version. This page is a research profile, not a review. Every number on it comes from Ride1Up’s official product page, manual and policies, the CPSC, or independent reviews that I summarize in my own words and link at the bottom. All prices and checks on this page are as of Oct 26, 2026.

Which bike this is. The Prodigy V2 has been sold in several versions: a chain-drive model and LX models with a Gates belt and an Enviolo CVT hub. As of Oct 26, 2026, Ride1Up’s old Prodigy V2 link redirects to a single current model, the Prodigy V2 ECO, at $1,295. That’s the bike this page covers. Most of the well-known independent reviews tested the more expensive LX belt-and-CVT version, so I’ll say clearly when a number comes from that bike instead. For context, Electrek reported launch prices of $2,395 for the chain version and $2,695 for the belt-drive LX in January 2024. The reviewed LX bikes used a belt and CVT hub the ECO doesn’t have, so don’t assume every review compliment carries over.

The Prodigy V2 ECO puts a Brose mid-drive with 90 Nm of torque into a commuter with a fork, hydraulic brakes, a rack, fenders and lights, for $1,295 shipped. The catch is everything a low price usually leaves out: a short warranty, home assembly, a modest battery and no throttle.

Should you buy one?

On paper, the Prodigy V2 ECO is the cheapest way I’ve found to get a name-brand mid-drive with a torque sensor in a fully equipped commuter. For $1,295, Ride1Up lists a Brose TF Sprinter mid-drive with 90 Nm, a 504Wh battery, Class 3 pedal assist to 28 mph, a 9-speed drivetrain, 180mm hydraulic brakes, a 100mm fork with lockout, a 40 lb rear rack, alloy fenders, an 80-lux headlight, a tail light and a 1.5-inch color display. It comes in two frames, a step-through (ST) and a high-step (XR), and weighs 58 lb.

The trade-offs on paper:

• No throttle. It’s pedal-assist only.
• A modest battery. 504Wh is smaller than many hub-motor bikes at this price.
• 1-year warranty, for the original owner only, and labor is on you after the first 30 days.
• Home assembly. It ships to your door in a box.
• The “ECO” chain version. The belt-drive and CVT versions that reviewers praised aren’t listed now.

Who it fits on paper: budget-minded commuters who want a natural, bicycle-like ride, people who ride hills, and riders who are comfortable with basic bike maintenance.

Who should look elsewhere: riders who want a throttle, riders over 300 lb with cargo, and anyone who wants a local shop and a long warranty.

Legal check before you buy: Ride1Up lists the Prodigy V2 ECO as a Class 3 e-bike with pedal assist to 28 mph. Class 3 bikes have more rules in many places, such as a minimum age (often 16), helmet requirements and bans on some bike paths. Check your state on my e-bike laws hub.

Quick specs

Sources for every row are at the bottom of the page.

Pros and cons (from the specs and sources)

Pros

• Brose mid-drive with 90 Nm and a torque sensor for $1,295
• Class 3, with pedal assist to 28 mph
• Hydraulic brakes, 100mm lockout fork, rack, fenders and lights included
• 58 lb, light for a fully equipped commuter
• Step-through and high-step frames
• Free shipping to the contiguous U.S.
• 30-day returns
• Independent range tests on the LX version beat Ride1Up’s own claim

Cons

• No throttle
• 504Wh battery
• 1-year warranty, not transferable; labor is yours after 30 days
• Returns cost $250 to $350 for shipping
• Home assembly
• No suspension seatpost in the base price
• An LX owner says holding 28 mph takes hard work
• I can’t speak to the ride, because I haven’t ridden it

The Brose motor and what a torque sensor feels like

The Prodigy’s motor is the Brose TF Sprinter, rated at 250W and 90 Nm.

It’s a mid-drive. The motor sits at the cranks and drives the chain, so it uses the bike’s gears. On a steep hill, you shift down, and the motor gets the same mechanical advantage your legs do. That’s why a 250W mid-drive can climb better than a 750W hub motor on paper. Ride1Up’s own page puts it in plain terms: hub motors sit in a wheel; a mid-drive powers the crank.

It’s torque-sensing. A torque sensor measures how hard you push on the pedals and adds power in proportion. Push lightly, get a little help; push hard, get a lot. It feels like a strong bike rather than a scooter you pedal. Cheaper hub bikes, including Ride1Up’s own 700 Series, use a cadence sensor, which turns the motor on when the cranks spin, with less regard for how hard you’re pushing.

90 Nm is a lot. For comparison, the Vado 2 4.0 lists 70 Nm, and Specialized’s newest Turbo Vado 3 is 105 Nm, at more than three times the price as of Oct 26, 2026.

What independent testers found, all on the more expensive LX version, which uses the same Brose motor:

• Electric Bike Report called the LX “Ride1UP’s best Prodigy yet” and described “smooth, consistent power” from the Brose motor and 504Wh battery.
• ElectricBikeReview.com called the motor “smooth, silent, and powerful” with “natural-feeling power.”
• Electrek said a quality mid-drive like this, at Ride1Up’s price, is “probably the most affordable way to get there.”

The one recurring critique: holding 28 mph takes real effort. A verified owner of the LX on Ride1Up’s page wrote that it “will NOT propel you to Class 3 speeds (28 mph)” without “an unsustainable amount of effort,” and that normal effort gives “between 22 mph and 24 mph.” That fits how a 250W torque-sensing motor works. It multiplies your effort; it doesn’t replace it. If you want to cruise at 28 mph with little effort, a more powerful bike, or one with a throttle, is the better match.

No throttle, and why some riders won’t miss it

The Prodigy V2 ECO has no throttle. The Brose system is pedal-assist only, with four levels on the display.

For some riders, that’s a deal-breaker. A throttle helps you start at a stoplight on a hill, rest your legs, or get moving when your knees hurt. For others, it’s a plus. Without a throttle, the bike is Class 3 everywhere that recognizes the class system, rather than a Class 2 or Class 3 hybrid, which can make the legal picture simpler. Some trails and parks allow pedal-assist bikes but not throttles, though Class 3 bikes are often restricted on trails too.

My take on paper: if you’ve never ridden a mid-drive, test a torque-sensing bike at a shop before ordering one online. If you like it, you probably won’t miss the throttle.

Battery, range and charging

Ride1Up lists a 36V 14Ah battery, which works out to 504Wh. Watt-hours (Wh) are the size of the fuel tank: more Wh, more range at the same effort. The pack is from Phylion with Samsung cells, sits in the down tube, and is removable for charging. Ride1Up rates range at 30 to 50 miles, depending on rider weight, terrain, incline and assist. The charger is a 36V 2A unit with auto shut-off. Ride1Up doesn’t list a charge time on the page.

What independent range tests found, again on the LX, which Ride1Up listed with the same 504Wh battery:

Those are strong numbers from a small battery, and they show why mid-drives are efficient: the motor works in the gears, at its best speed. The spread also shows how much range depends on mode, speed, rider weight and terrain. OutdoorGearLab’s 19-mile result, also in the top mode, is a useful worst case; it scored the LX just 4.9 out of 10 for range and said it’s best for riders about 5’5” to 5’10”, given the limited fit adjustment.

The owner quoted above said he used about half his charge riding 10 flat miles in Boost. That’s a lot lower than the tests. Your result depends on how hard you ride, but planning on 20 to 30 miles in the top mode and 40-plus in the middle modes is a fair reading of the evidence on paper.

Gears, brakes, fork and tires

Gears. A MicroShift Advent 9-speed derailleur and trigger shifter, a Shimano Alivio 11-34T cassette, a 48T alloy chainring and a KMC 9-speed mid-drive chain. A mid-drive puts more force through the chain and cassette than a hub motor, so they wear faster. Plan on replacing the chain more often than on a regular bike, and ease off the pedals for a split second as you shift. The 48T chainring and 11-34T cassette are geared for speed, which suits a 28 mph bike. The lowest gear isn’t very low, but with 90 Nm you probably won’t notice.

Brakes. Ride1Up lists “180mm Hydraulic Brakes,” without naming the brand on the page. Hydraulic discs with 180mm rotors are right for a 58 lb bike that can go 28 mph. The manual covers basic brake care.

Fork. A 100mm suspension fork with lockout. That’s enough to take the sting out of potholes and curbs. Lock it out for smooth roads and climbing.

Tires. The two frames get different tires. The ST lists a 27.5 x 2.10-inch MTB tire; the XR lists a WTB Ranger 27.5 x 2.25-inch. Neither is a fat tire. These are efficient, mountain-bike-style tires that suit pavement and gravel. If you plan to ride a lot of rough ground, the XR’s slightly wider Ranger is the better pick.

Seatpost and comfort. The stock post is a rigid Zoom 350mm x 28.6mm. Ride1Up sells a bundle with a helmet, a folding lock and a Zoom suspension seatpost. A suspension post is one of the cheapest comfort upgrades for any commuter. The saddle is foam with springs, and the bars have a 35mm rise and 25-degree sweep for an upright position.

Fit, frames and weight

Two frames:

• ST (step-through): rider height 5’0” to 6’0”.
• XR (high-step): rider height 5’5” to 6’1”.

Ride1Up’s size chart also lists a stand-over height of 30.7 inches and a maximum seat height of 38.2 inches for the XR. Riders over about 6’1” should look at other bikes. The LX owner above, at 6’1”, said it “just fits me.”

Weight. Ride1Up lists 58 lb for the chain-drive bike. That’s light for an e-bike with a fork, rack and fenders. The Velotric Discover 3 lists 61 lb, and Specialized’s Turbo Vado 3 EVO 4.0 lists 63 lb. Electric Bike Report listed its LX test bike at 62.3 lb.

Load. Ride1Up lists a 300 lb weight capacity and a 40 lb rear rack. If you’re a heavier rider who carries a lot, check the total.

Assembly, shipping and support

Ride1Up ships free to the 48 contiguous states. Like most direct-to-consumer brands, the bike comes in a box, mostly assembled. You’ll attach the handlebars, front wheel, pedals and maybe the fenders. Ride1Up has a user manual for the Prodigy V2 with the steps.

Inspect it right away. Ride1Up asks you to report shipping damage or a defective component within 3 working days of delivery. Take photos when you unbox it.

If you’re not comfortable with a wrench and a torque setting, budget for a local shop to check the build. Some shops charge more to work on bikes not sold there. Call ahead.

Warranty and returns

Warranty. Ride1Up gives a 1-year warranty against manufacturing defects only, to the original owner, who must be 18 or older. It isn’t transferable. In the first 30 days, Ride1Up will cover parts and labor if you contact them before the work is done. After that, through the end of the year, Ride1Up ships replacement parts free in the U.S., and you pay for labor. That’s much shorter than a big-brand dealer bike. Specialized, for example, gives a lifetime frame warranty for registered original owners and 2 years on the motor.

Returns. Ride1Up offers 30-day returns on its e-bikes, with some model exclusions; the Prodigy isn’t one of them. The conditions:

• The odometer must read less than 20 miles.
• You must contact Support first and send photos of the odometer, the bike before disassembly and the packed bike.
• You pay return shipping. If Ride1Up approves a prepaid label and you use the original box, $250 to $350 is deducted from your refund, depending on model and shipping cost.
• You get a full refund if the bike comes back in the condition it was delivered.

Cancellations. Cancel before shipping and you pay a 3% processing charge. Cancel after the order starts processing, or refuse delivery, and it’s $250 per bike. Accessory and parts returns are accepted within 14 days, unused, with a 25% restocking fee.

What that means. The 30-day return window is good, but 20 miles isn’t much riding. Use it to test your commute right away. The $250 to $350 shipping cost means returns aren’t free.

Recalls

I searched the CPSC’s recall database for Ride1Up on Oct 26, 2026, and found no recalls. Check again before you buy.

How it compares

None of these have been tested by me. All columns are spec-only, from each brand’s official page.

Against the Ride1Up 700 Series. For $300 more (as of Oct 26, 2026), the 700 Series swaps the mid-drive for a 750W hub motor and adds a throttle, a bigger 720Wh battery and wider 2.4-inch tires. It’s 4 lb heavier and uses a cadence sensor. If you want a throttle and more range, the 700 is the pick. If you want a natural ride and better hill-climbing per watt, the Prodigy is. See my 700 Series profile.

Against the Velotric Discover 3. The Discover 3 costs $704 more as of Oct 26, 2026, and gives you a throttle, a 730Wh battery, a switchable torque or cadence sensor, a suspension seatpost, a bigger display, Apple and Google tracking, and a 5-year frame warranty. The Prodigy is lighter and has the mid-drive. See my Discover 3 profile.

Against the Specialized Turbo Vado 3 EVO 4.0. As of Oct 26, 2026, the Vado costs about $3,200 more. It’s a mid-drive too, with more torque, a much bigger battery, a longer fork, wider tires, a suspension seatpost, IP67 water resistance, Find My, dealer support, and a far longer warranty. The Prodigy covers the core mid-drive specs for less than a third of the price. See my Vado 3 EVO 4.0 profile.

Who it’s for, on paper

• Budget commuters who want a mid-drive and torque sensor without paying bike-shop prices.
• Hilly-city riders who’ll use the gears and 90 Nm.
• Fitness riders who want help, not a scooter.
• Riders between 5’0” and 6’1” who can handle basic assembly and maintenance.

Not a great fit for: riders who want a throttle, riders who need more than 300 lb of capacity, long-range riders who’d rather not carry a charger, or anyone who wants a long warranty and a local dealer.

What I’d check before buying

1. A test ride on any torque-sensing mid-drive, to be sure you like pedal-assist without a throttle.
2. Your frame, ST or XR, against the height ranges.
3. Your commute distance against 504Wh, especially if you’ll ride in the top mode.
4. Your state’s Class 3 rules, on my e-bike laws hub.
5. Assembly. Whether you’ll do it or pay a shop.
6. The return math. 30 days, under 20 miles, $250 to $350 off for shipping.
7. The warranty. 1 year, and labor is yours after 30 days.

FAQ

Has Will ridden the Prodigy V2?

No. This page is built from Ride1Up’s official pages, manual and policies, the CPSC, and independent reviews, all linked below. I haven’t ridden any version of the Prodigy.

Is the Prodigy V2 ECO the newest version?

As of Oct 26, 2026, it’s the only Prodigy V2 listed on Ride1Up’s site; the old Prodigy V2 link redirects to it. The LX belt-and-CVT version that many reviewers tested isn’t listed now.

Does the Prodigy V2 have a throttle?

No. It’s pedal-assist only, with four levels.

How fast does it go?

Ride1Up lists Class 3 pedal assist to 28 mph. An LX owner says normal effort gets you into the low-to-mid 20s.

How far does it go?

Ride1Up says 30 to 50 miles. Independent tests of the LX version, with the same 504Wh battery, ranged from about 19 miles in the top mode to 73 miles in Tour mode.

How much does it weigh?

58 lb, per Ride1Up.

What’s the warranty?

1 year against manufacturing defects, for the original owner only.

Sources

All accessed Oct 26, 2026.

• Ride1Up Prodigy V2 ECO product page (price, specs, sizing, owner reviews)
• Ride1Up Prodigy V2 user manual (PDF)
• Ride1Up warranty
• Ride1Up return and pre-order policy
• Ride1Up shipping
• Electric Bike Report, Prodigy V2 LX review
• ElectricBikeReview.com, Prodigy V2 review
• Electrek, Prodigy V2 review (launch prices)
• OutdoorGearLab, Ride1Up Prodigy V2 LX review
• Ride1Up 700 Series product page
• Velotric Discover 3 product page
• Specialized Turbo Vado 3 EVO 4.0 product page
• CPSC recall search

Related

• Ride1Up 700 Series profile
• Velotric Discover 3 profile
• Specialized Turbo Vado 3 EVO 4.0 profile
• E-bike laws by state

“Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it.” Proverbs 15:16 (ESV)