Ridgeback Arcus 3
£2,999.99 A go-anywhere capable commuter
Weight 27.09kg (L) Frame Aluminium Fork RST air sprung, 80mm travel Gears Microshift Mezzo 9-speed (38, 11-36t) Brakes Alhonga hydraulic discs Wheels WTB SX19 rims, Shimano hubs Motor system SportDrive MD250S 250W motor, 500Wh battery, display, remote Finishing kit Ridgeback Alloy stem & bar; ONE1 Alloy suspension seatpost, WTB Ninelinne 29x2.25in tyres
The Ridgeback Arcus 3 is aimed at commuters who want a versatile ebike that can also handle light off-roading and woodland trails at the weekend. The components aren’t from familiar brands, but this helps to keep the price down.
Its stylish aluminium frame has a removable 500Wh battery in the downtube, while the angular hydroformed tubing and a low-slung shape give the Arcus a hardtail mountain bike aesthetic – and lots of standover height. The ride position is fairly upright: comfortable yet commanding, but without upsetting the handling. The bike’s very well equipped, with bespoke aluminium mudguards, a rear rack with integrated light, a front light, plus a kickstand and AXA frame lock that uses the same key as the battery.
Plenty of oomph
SportDrive’s MDS250S mid-drive motor provides a claimed 95Nm of torque – one of the most powerful ebike motors you’ll find (on paper). You can change modes via a remote control on the bar and view information on an LCD display. In Level One, the assistance is minimal and ideal for flat, smooth roads. Level Two gives a gentle push and I hung out in this mode for 90 per cent of my riding. Level Three gave me a boost on climbs. I only used Level 4 offroad, where I needed the torque for loosetraction steep climbs while in a light gear.
Up front sits a tuneable RST air-sprung suspension fork, with a remote lock-out trigger for its 80mm of travel for more efficient tarmac riding. A short stem and wide riser handlebar with ergonomic grips combine with a generously padded
saddle and a suspension seatpost for a comfortable ride position, and WTB/ Shimano wheels are shod with wide tanwall WTB tyres.
Bump smoother
On the road, the Arcus is a very pleasant place to be. The Microshift 1x9 drivetrain works impressively well for a budget option. The twin push-triggers have a defined click, so shifting is a little noisier than you get from Shimano or SRAM, but just as accurate. The Arcus didn’t feel out of its depth on proper off-road trails either. The 80mm-travel fork is quite basic, but with the right air pressure, its bump response is good, and it handles vibrations well.
WTB’s broad tyres have a tightly packed tread pattern, giving a good balance of efficiency on the road and grip on woodland trails and bike paths. The SportDrive motor is user-friendly and the four modes offer a good spread of assistance. The long levers and large rotors of the Alhonga brakes offer ample power and progressive feel, inspiring confidence.
Ridgeback claims a range of up to 96.5km. I achieved between 49.9km with 617m of climbing and 60km with 569m of ascent on mixed surfaces during a cold snap, so you should have ample range.
The accessories add versatility: the mudguards do their job well, the integrated lights (which are powered by the battery) are powerful enough for unlit suburban roads, and the kickstand and framemounted lock are ideal for short stops.
The Arcus 3 brings everything I’d want from an urban commuter ebike. The ride is comfortable, the motor has ample power and range, and if you want to get off the beaten track a little, you can. It also comes with all the equipment and accessories you need for commuting and looks great too.
Verdict Value-packed, goodlooking bike that’s fun to ride and versatile enough to take off road at the weekend too
“A short stem and wide riser handlebar plus a well-padded saddle and suspension seatpost give a comfortable ride”