Ride1Up unveils new and improved $895 Portola 02 folding e-bike – and I tested it

This story is about a folding electric bike, not a home energy upgrade, but it may interest anyone weighing transportation options that cut driving and fuel costs. Ride1Up has released the Portola 02, an updated version of its compact folding e-bike, starting at $895. It has a 750-watt motor, 20-inch by 3-inch wheels, and can go up to 28 mph, which classifies it as a Class 3 e-bike.

The bike comes in two battery sizes. The base $895 "Lite" version has a smaller 10Ah battery and weighs 52 pounds. For $995, you get a larger 15Ah battery that adds 50 percent more range, up to 60 miles on pedal assist, but brings the weight to 59 pounds. A fully equipped version with a built-in cargo rack and the bigger battery costs $1,095. The new model also adds a more responsive pedal-assist system that reacts to both pedaling motion and effort, a redesigned frame with an optional welded-on cargo rack, a color display, and a built-in tracking feature similar to Apple's Find My, which can help locate the bike if it's lost or stolen.

For homeowners thinking about ways to reduce car trips or add an efficient way to get around a property or neighborhood, this update shows continued competition in the affordable folding e-bike market, with more choice between range, weight, and cargo capacity depending on how the bike would actually get used.