CF Racer1
$2,295
MSRP
The CF Racer1 is the value lightweight drop-bar e-bike — a full carbon frame, a hidden battery and a ~28 lb weight that reads like a bike costing twice as much.
ElectricBikes.com may earn a commission on purchases made through brand and dealer links. Pricing and availability are set by the brand.
Full specifications
- MSRP
- $2,295
- Category
- Road / Gravel
- Class
- Class 3
- Top Speed
- 28 mph
- Motor
- Bafang rear hub (Hub)
- Motor Power
- 250W nominal
- Torque
- 42 Nm
- Battery
- 252Wh, Samsung Li-Ion, in-frame
- Range
- up to 47 miles
- Weight
- 28.6 lbs
- Frame
- Full carbon fiber
- Brakes
- SRAM hydraulic disc, 160mm
- Drivetrain
- SRAM 1×11
- Suspension
- None
- Tires
- 700×40c (gravel) / road option
- Max Payload
- 275 lbs
- Warranty
- 1 yr
What we love
- Full carbon frame and ~28 lb weight at a direct-to-consumer price
- Hidden in-frame battery looks like a normal road bike
- Available in road or gravel build
What we'd change
- Small 252Wh battery limits long rides
- Hub motor and thin support vs. premium SL systems
Our verdict
By Sean Lupton · May 22, 2026 · Scored 8.6/10 against how we test
The CF Racer1 is the value pick for the rider who wants a stealthy, sub-30-lb drop-bar e-bike that looks like a normal road or gravel bike. At $2,295 for a full carbon frame with a hidden in-frame battery, it dramatically undercuts premium SL systems. Riders who want long range, a torque-sensor mid-drive, or dealer hand-holding should skip it — this is a lean, direct-to-consumer bike built around price and looks.
The 8.6 is carried by value and ride feel: a full carbon frame and ~28.6-lb weight at this price genuinely read like a bike costing twice as much, and the hidden battery keeps the disguise complete. SRAM hydraulic discs cover the brakes-and-safety criterion at Class 3 speed. The honest weak spots the whatWedChange flags are range and support — a small 252Wh battery limits long rides, and a rear hub motor plus a 1-year warranty and thin support can't match premium SL platforms on build and serviceability.
The compromise is capacity and support for an astonishing price-to-weight ratio. If you want the lightweight drop-bar look without spending five figures, few things touch it. If range and a natural mid-drive feel matter more, the Specialized Creo 2 delivers both with dealer backing — at roughly triple the price the CF Racer1 was designed to undercut.
Ride smart
The safety essentials, in one place.
Helmet safety
Which certifications actually protect you at e-bike speeds.
Read moreBattery fire safety
UL certification, charging habits, and current recalls.
Read moreCrash & injury data
What the numbers say — and what to do if you're hurt.
Read moreSafety statistics
Sourced figures on injuries, fires, and recalls to cite.
Read moreE-bike laws by state
Class rules, age limits, and where you're allowed to ride.
Read moreInjured? Your options
How e-bike injury claims work and where to get help.
Read more