Ride1Up Vorsa, Portola, Revv 1, 700 Series and others: display on but no motor power, or power cuts in and out

The display is on, the battery is charged, but the rear wheel gets no power from the throttle or pedal assist, or the motor cuts in and out on its own while you ride. Often error 25 shows. These are exactly the symptoms of brake sensor problems on the Vorsa, Portola, Revv 1, 700 Series, Cafe Cruiser, Turris and Rift (Ride1Up brake sensor issues). Short answer: one brake lever's cut-off sensor is telling the controller you're braking when you aren't, usually because the lever isn't returning fully, the brakes were just serviced, or the sensor has drifted out of adjustment.

Most likely cause

Each lever has a sensor that cuts motor power when the lever is pulled (brake sensor issues). The causes are a lever held during power up, a damaged lever or one that doesn't return to rest, recent caliper work such as new pads or a bleed, a sensor that needs adjusting or replacing, or another electrical fault. On the Revv 1, code 25 means a brake sensor that needs adjusting (Revv 1 codes). On the 700 Series with Tektro brakes, 25 often follows a crash or drop (LMT'D display codes).

Other causes to rule out

• On the Portola and Cafe Cruiser, a display setting that turned off pedal assist or the throttle can also leave you with no power. Ride1Up's fix is a display reset (Portola and Cafe Cruiser throttle issues).
• On the Revv 1, Ride1Up's electrical troubleshooting connects parts back to the controller one at a time to find which one kills motor power, with the brake sensors as one step (Revv 1 electrical troubleshooting).

How to confirm

1. Make sure both levers sit at rest. Power the bike off and on, then pull and release each lever a few times (brake sensor issues).
2. Check the brakes themselves first. Inspect and service the brakes before touching the sensors. See e-bike brakes.
3. Find each sensor wire's connector. On the Vorsa, 700 Series and Cafe Cruiser it sits just inside the frame under a rubber grommet. Ride1Up shows the others in photos (brake sensor issues).
4. As a stationary test only, unplug both sensors and try the motor with the rear wheel lifted clear. The connector shows red when unplugged, or yellow on the Portola. If the problem goes away, plug in one side at a time to find the bad lever (brake sensor issues).
5. Plug both sensors back in before riding.

Fix options

Service the brake or lever (easy to moderate)

Recent caliper work such as new pads or a bleed is among the causes, so check each lever returns fully after any brake service. See bleed hydraulic disc brakes and replace disc brake pads.

Adjust the brake sensor (moderate)

Ride1Up's levers have a small locking set screw, a sensor position adjuster and the reach adjuster. The adjuster is turned in half turn steps until the fault clears, then the set screw is locked again. Some models have a tiny spring under the adjuster that's easy to lose (brake sensor issues). Follow Ride1Up's article and video for your model. Afterwards, take a short test ride and confirm the motor cuts the moment you pull each lever. If it doesn't, the sensor isn't working correctly.

Replace the lever or sensor (moderate)

Replacing the sensor is a fix. Contact Ride1Up support for the right part (brake sensor issues).

Parts

• Brake lever with cut-off sensor (through Ride1Up support)

Videos

When to get a pro

• Spongy brakes, a bleed, or a hydraulic lever swap.
• If adjusting the sensor doesn't give a clean cut-off when you pull the lever.
• Wire damage inside the frame or at the controller. See check brake cut-off and throttle, motor cuts out and no pedal assist.

Sources

• Ride1Up brake sensor issues, support.ride1up.com
• Revv 1 codes, support.ride1up.com
• Revv 1 electrical troubleshooting, support.ride1up.com
• LMT'D display codes, support.ride1up.com
• Portola and Cafe Cruiser throttle issues, support.ride1up.com
• Brake Sensor Test, youtube.com

Stuck after these checks? Find a shop near you.