Ride1Up has finally released a folding ebike to cater to the demands of the US market. So far, Lectric XP 3.0 has been regarded as the best budget folding ebike in the US. In this Ride1Up Portola vs Lectric XP 3.0 comparison, we’ll find out which folding ebike offers more value for money.
Before the release of Ride1Up Portola, Lectric XP 3.0 could claim to be the cheapest folding ebike with hydraulic disc brakes. However, things have changed and Lectric XP 3.0 has a new rival in the same price bracket.
The Ride1Up Portola, like the Lectric XP 3.0, also comes with hydraulic disc brakes. The rear rack can support up to 130 lbs and there is an option to add a passenger kit as well. Sounds familiar? It does. But what’s different in the Ride1Up Portola then?
When compared to the Lectric XP 3.0, the Ride1Up Portola comes with a more powerful 750W motor. However, the Lectric XP 3.0 offers a better range in the pedal-assist mode than the Ride1Up Portola.
But when it comes to after-sales support, Lectric is the brand you can rely on. With a one-year warranty and an extensive service network, any potential issues with your ebike can be easily resolved.
Ride1Up’s customer service is poor and they would need to stand by their word to compete with established brands like Lectric.
We’ll go into more detail in the next sections of this comparison.
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Best Alternatives to Portola and XP 3.0
1. Velotric Fold 1
Velotric’s Fold 1 is the best value-for-money option that you must consider if you are shopping for a foldable ebike in 2024. Take a look at the impressive specs below:
Key Features:
- Powerful 750W Hub Motor
- UL-2849 Safety Certified
- Shimano 7-speed Drivetrain
- Dual Hydraulic Disc Brakes
- 55 Miles of Max Range
- 28 mph Top Speed
- 440 lbs Payload Limit
- 48V 608Wh, Detachable Battery
- 20″ x 3″ Puncture-resistant Tires
2. Heybike Mars 2.0
With a 750W powerful motor and an improved rear rack, the new Heybike Mars 2.0 is a great folding ebike on a budget.
Get a Special Discount of $50 on any Heybike ebike using our Discount code “Mag50”
Key Features:
- 750W Rear Hub Motor
- 48V 12.5Ah Battery
- 45 Miles of Max Range
- 28 mph Top Speed
- USB Charging Port
- App Support
- Rear Rack with Pegboards
- Front Fork Suspension
- 20″ x 4.0″ Fat Tires
- Shimano 7-speed Drivetrain
Best Accessories for Ride1Up Portola and Lectric XP 3.0:
Ride1Up Portola and Lectric XP 3.0 are both value-for-money ebikes. But you don’t have to get accessories from these brands. You can find a lot more durable accessories from Amazon at much more affordable prices.
Whether you go for Ride1Up Portola or Lectric XP 3.0, we suggest adding our hand-picked accessories to your bucket. Our suggestions are not exhaustive and we have included only those accessories which we think you must get to get a comfortable and safe riding experience.
Still, you don’t have to get all of these as this would further increase the overall expense. Let’s break down this list so that you can select the ones you need without a hassle.
A comfortable seat is a must-have. Most of the brands install cheap seats to keep the ebikes affordable. So, you can’t skip this one. However, you can decide to skip the suspension seat post.
A suspension seat post absorbs most of the bumps and acts as your rear suspension. Since both Portola and XP 3.0 don’t have rear suspension, adding a suspension seat post can make your rides a lot more comfortable.
Now, let’s talk about the lock. If you already have a Kryptonite lock, then you don’t need this. But don’t go for a lock offered by an ebike brand as they are cheaply built and easier to break. Sadly, you can’t compromise here as well.
Not every phone mount is durable and you don’t want your expensive phone dropped during a ride. By going for this durable phone mount, you’ll be joining thousands of people who already trust their phones with this accessory.
If you prefer a phone bag, you can go for this option instead of the phone mount. A strong bottle holder will keep you hydrated on the way. Finally, if you don’t have a portable air pump, we recommend this electric air pump.
Ride1Up Portola vs Lectric XP 3.0: Electrical Specs & Key Features
| Electrical Specs & Key Features | Ride1Up Portola | Lectric XP 3.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Motor Power | Rear Hub Motor Nominal Power: 750W | Rear Hub Motor Nominal Power: 500W |
| Top Speed | 28 MPH | 28 MPH |
| Battery | Standard: (500Wh) 48V, 10.4 Ah Long-range: (643Wh) 48V, 13.4 Ah | Standard: (500Wh) 48V, 10.4 Ah Long-range: (672Wh) 48V, 14 Ah |
| Maximum Range (Pedal-Assist) | Standard: 40 Miles Long-range: 45 Miles | Standard: 45 Miles Long-range: 65 Miles |
| Sensors | Cadence Sensor | Cadence Sensor |
| Pedal Assist | 5 Levels | 5 Levels |
| Throttle Mode | Thumb Throttle | Half-twist Throttle |
| Charging Time | 4-5 hours | 4-6 hours |
| Charger | 48V 2 Amp | 48V 2 Amp |
| Ebike Class | Class 3 | Class 3 |
| Headlight | Integrated Headlight | Integrated Headlight |
| Taillights | Integrated Rear Light | Integrated Rear Light |
Ride1Up Portola has a 750W Motor:
The Ride1Up Portola is fitted with a motor that can offer you a sustained power of 750W. The peak motor power is not mentioned by the Ride1Up yet.
But the motor is definitely more powerful than the 500W motor that comes with the Lectric XP 3.0. On flat terrain, you may not feel much difference between the torque offered by these two folding electric bikes.
However, the Ride1Up Portola will take you much faster on roads with moderate to steep slopes. So, Ride1Up Portola definitely has the upper hand when it comes to the motor power.
Both of these folding ebikes are shipped as Class 2 ebikes but you can tweak the settings easily to go up to 28mph.
There are very few folding ebikes available in the US that come with a 750W motor. And in this price bracket, we can only think of the new Heybike Mars 2.0 which also has a 750W rear hub motor.
Heybike Tyson and Heybike Ranger S are two other folding ebikes we can think of that also feature a 750W rear hub motor. But these two are priced closer to the $1500 price tag.
So, Ride1Up has done a great job by releasing a folding ebike with such a powerful motor with an affordable price tag.
Thumb Throttle vs Half-twist Throttle:
Another subtle difference between these two folding electric bikes is in the throttle system of these two folding ebikes. The Ride1Up Portola features a thumb throttle on the left side of the handlebar.
On the other hand, the Lectric XP 3.0 comes with a half-twist throttle. You may find either of these comfortable but we are more inclined towards the twist throttles.
And these throttles are not difficult to replace either. If you are new to the world of ebikes and don’t want the hassle of replacing them yourself, you can easily get it done from your nearest ebike repair shop. But it will increase the overall cost of the ebike.
No Torque Sensor in either of these Folding Ebikes:
Both Ride1Up Portola and Lectric XP 3.0 come with a cadence sensor to assist you with your pedaling efforts. We don’t expect such affordable folding ebikes to have a torque sensor.
Aventon Sinch 2 is the only folding ebike we can recommend that comes with a torque sensor. But the price of the Aventon Sinch.2 is higher than these two budget folding ebikes. And the Sinch.2 comes with a less powerful 500W motor.
So, unless Heybike, Ride1Up, or Lectric release a budget folding ebike with a torque sensor, you have to be content with a cadence sensor. However, we do expect one of these ebike brands to release such an ebike. Until then, these two ebikes are your best options.
Lectric XP 3.0 offers a Better Range:
Ride1Up has released the Portola folding ebike with pretty much the same battery options as the Lectric XP 3.0.
The standard model of both folding ebikes has a 48V, 10.4 Ah battery. The stated range of Lectric XP 3.0 is 45 miles on the pedal-assist just 5 miles more than the Ride1Up Portola.
However, the difference is significant between the long-range model of these two folding ebikes. The Lectric XP 3.0 long-range model offers you a maximum range of 65 miles in the pedal-assist mode. The Ride1Up Portola, however, offers just 45 miles of maximum range even with the 13.4Ah battery.
The batteries in these folding ebikes are pretty much similar. So, why is there such a big difference in range? This is because the Ride1Up Portola has a more powerful motor that consumes the battery at a much faster rate.
In the throttle-only mode, you can expect a range of around 20 miles from both of these folding ebikes. The long-range model of these ebikes can offer you 25-30 miles of range in the pure-electric mode.
Ride1Up Portola vs Lectric XP 3.0: Dimensions, Design & Weight Limits
| Dimensions, Design & Weight Limits | Ride1Up Portola | Lectric XP 3.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Frame | Step-Through | Step-Through Step Over |
| Color Options | Sea Turquoise Charcoal, Gloss Indigo, Matte | Black White |
| Bike Weight | 60 lbs | 64 lbs |
| Max Payload Capacity | 300 lbs | 330 lbs |
| Rear Rack Load Capacity | 130 lbs | 150 lbs |
| Rider Height | 4’10”-6’4″ | 4’10″ – 6’5″ |
| Stand Over Height | 18.2” | SO: 24” ST: 18.5″ |
| Min Seat Height | 30.2″ | 32” |
| Max Seat Height | 38.2″ | 42” |
Ride1Up Portola has a Step-through Frame Only:
The most notable difference in the design of these two foldable ebikes is that the Ride1UP Portola comes in only a step-through frame.
However, the Lectric XP 3.0 comes with both step-thru and step-over frames. Since these are 20″ tire ebikes, the difference in stand-over heights is not big.
For short people or anyone with health issues, a step-through frame is generally more comfortable. You can easily get on this frame without lifting your legs a lot. So, both of these folding ebikes have at least a step-through frame.
Ride1Up Portola’s Battery is Easier to Remove:
This is another area where the Ride1Up Portola has surprised everyone. Normally, you’ll see that either the battery is housed inside the main frame tube or it is placed just below the seat without any extra protection.
But Ride1Up has an easily detachable battery and you don’t need to fold the frame to remove the battery. Unlike other models like Ride1Up 700 and Ride1Up Cafe Cruiser, the battery is removed in the upward position. So, it’s a lot easier to detach this battery.
You’ll see this design mostly in more expensive folding ebikes like the Aventon Sinch 2. But Ride1Up has managed to include this convenient design with an affordable price tag.
Lectric XP 3.0, however, has a traditional approach and you need to fold the frame completely before you can take out the battery. This is not a deal-breaker but Ride1Up definitely has the better design in this case.
Lectric XP 3.0 has a Higher Payload Capacity:
Lectric XP 3.0 is slightly ahead of the Ride1Up Portola when it comes to the payload capacities. The Lectric XP 3.0 offers an overall maximum payload capacity of 330 lbs, 30 lbs more than the Ride1Up Portola.
Both of these folding ebikes are designed to carry a passenger and you can get a passenger kit for each of these ebikes. However, the Lectric XP 3.0 has a rear rack capacity of 150 lbs, again slightly higher than the Ride1up Portola.
We really like the fact that these passenger kits are really convenient to attach and remove from the rear rack. And you can easily give a ride to anyone without crossing these weight limits.
Ride1Up Portola vs Lectric XP 3.0: Other Components
| Other Components | Ride1Up Portola | Lectric XP 3.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | Hydraulic Disc Brakes | Hydraulic Disc Brakes |
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano Altus RD-M310 | Shimano Tourney |
| Shifter | Shimano Altus 8-speed trigger shifter | Shimano 7-speed SIS-Index Shifter |
| Tires | 20” x 3” Fat Tires | 20” x 3” Fat Tires |
| Fork | Front Suspension with 80 mm travel | Front Suspension with 50 mm travel |
| Seatpost | Standard | Standard |
| Rear Rack | Included | Included |
| Fenders | Included | Included |
If we talk about the mechanical components of these two folding ebikes, there are a lot of similarities.
Both Lectric XP 3.0 and Ride1Up Portola have hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm rotors which is a luxury to have in such affordable folding ebikes.
Likewise, both folding ebikes have 20” x 3” tires which we do consider fat tires and they can handle all types of terrain comfortably.
The rear rack and fenders are also included in both of these folding ebikes. But there are a few differences as well which we are going to highlight next.
Ride1Up Portola has better Shimano Components:
Although both Lectric XP 3.0 and Shimano Portola come with Shimano components, the XP 3.0 has the Shimano Altus derailleur and trigger shifter which we rarely see in affordable ebikes.
In fact, we cannot think of any ebike available in the US market that offers the Shimano Altus components at this price point.
Nevertheless, the Lectric XP 3.0 also offers a decent transmission experience with the Shimano tourney derailleur and SIS-index shifter. Getting name-brand components like these is really a big deal and we respect that.
Better Suspension in the Ride1Up Portola:
Let’s talk about the suspension now. The front suspension is better in the Ride1Up Portola as it offers 80mm of travel. In comparison, the Lectric XP 3.0 offers a front suspension with 50mm of travel.
As for the rear suspension is concerned, none of these two folding ebikes has it. We don’t expect rear suspension in such affordable folding ebikes. The Heybike Tyson is the only folding ebike that we can recommend that comes with a rear suspension. But again, the price tag on that ebike is much higher.
The seat post is standard one in both of these folding ebikes. We understand the fact that adding a suspension seat post to either of these ebikes would have increased the price tag.
And you can find some good quality suspension seat posts in the market for a reasonable price. You can also replace the saddle to get a more comfortable riding experience.
Ride1Up Portola vs Lectric XP 3.0: Price
| Ride1Up Portola | Lectric XP 3.0 | |
|---|---|---|
| Ebike Cost | Standard: $995 Long-range: $1095 | Standard: $999 Long-range: $1199 |
| Shipping | Free | Free |
The standard models of both Ride1Up Portola and Lectric XP 3.0 are priced close to $999. However, the long-range model of Lectric XP 3.0 is $100 pricier than the Ride1Up Portola.
Shipping is free for both of these folding ebikes so you don’t have to pay anything extra. So, which one should you go for? Let’s find out.
Lectric XP 3.0 vs Ride1Up Portola: Which is the best budget folding Electric Bike?
After comparing all the specs of these two folding ebikes, we can comfortably say that the Lectric XP 3.0 is an overall better-folding ebike than the Ride1Up Portola.
In comparison to the Lectric XP 3.0, the Ride1Up Portola offers a more powerful 750W rear hub motor. The battery is also more convenient to remove and you get a better front suspension. Finally, the rear derailleur and shifter also perform better than the Lectric XP 3.0.
The Lectric XP 3.0, however, offers a better range, higher payload capacity, and better accessories for versatile uses. And, the customer support offered by Lectric is too important to ignore here. So, we would always go for Lectric XP 3.0 over Portola, hands down!
