A budget urban electric bicycle delivered steadier-than-expected performance on unpaved roads. Ride1Up's Roadster V3 was shown to retain about one-third of its battery even after riding about 38 km on a mix of gravel and dirt roads, sand, mud puddles and rocky sections.

On Oct. 3, local time, EV outlet Electrek reported that the Roadster V3 is a lightweight electric bicycle designed mainly for urban riding such as commuting. It is not a dedicated gravel bike, but the test checked how far an everyday e-bike could be used by riding across various unpaved sections. The price is $1,295 (about 1.74 million won).

The first thing that stood out was the bike's weight. It is about 18 kg in the base specification, making it relatively less of a burden when combining it with public transport. It was also an advantage when wheeling the bike at a station or loading it onto a train.

Most of the riding used eco mode. The mid-drive torque sensor provided electric assistance in line with the force applied to the pedals, helping pedalling naturally rather than having the motor dominate the ride.

Off-road riding put more emphasis on balance and control than power. On steep sections and rocky climbs, a hidden throttle function was used as an auxiliary option. It is meant to add brief power on deep sand or sharp inclines after riding mainly by pedalling.

The most challenging section was sand. Continental tyres in 700x45c size had limits in passing stably over sand like fat tyres. Some sections felt like the bike was slipping sideways, but the ride could continue by adjusting speed and steering.

By contrast, it was relatively stable on gravel and hard-packed dirt. Rocky sections could also be passed without major issues if the riding line was chosen carefully. In puddles formed after rain, the stock fenders proved practical.

Battery efficiency also stood out. After riding 38 km for about 1 hour and 50 minutes, about one-third of the battery remained. Converted on the basis of a 360Wh battery, that corresponds to a riding range of about 57 km. In the city, it can travel about 70 km on a single charge, meaning it still covered a considerable distance even in power-hungry conditions such as sand.

That does not mean the Roadster V3 can replace a dedicated gravel electric bicycle. Its limitations are clear compared with dedicated models with wider tyres, more aggressive geometry and components optimised for unpaved riding.

Still, the test is significant in showing that the Roadster V3 offers versatility beyond a simple city commuter bike. It was assessed as being able to ride in the city in normal use and handle light off-road riding when needed, thanks to its light frame, natural electric assist and practical equipment such as fenders.