To run the forums, host the website, and travel, I charge a universal service fee for my reviews. This review was sponsored by Rad Power Bikes. My goal is to be transparent and unbiased with you, this video and written review are not meant to be an endorsement of Rad Power Bikes.
In late 2017, I was invited to Seattle, Washington for some reviews with Rad Power Bikes, including the first version of the RadBurro, which you can see here. I was impressed with the power, versatility, durability, and price point of the electric trike, but came away with the understanding that it was designed more as a commercial/industrial tool than a consumer-grade electric tricycle. I was told that it could be used as an electric pedicab, mini truck, or protected cargo mover, depending on the attachment or attachments ordered. The base unit is priced at $5,799 and each attachment adds between $700 and $1,200… In many cases, customers have ordered additional attachments so they could use the RadBurro for multiple processes. Now that it’s 2019, and the company has a couple of years of sales under their belt, I was invited back to check out the improved RadBurro and discover some of the most popular and unexpected applications that it’s being used for! As someone who lives in Canada, I was delighted to learn that Rad Power Bikes has sold RadBurro e-trikes to two libraries, including one in Burnaby and Quebec, that are being used as mobile libraries within the community. Another heartwarming application is zoos, which have replaced gas burning golf carts and mini trucks with the lightweight, affordable, clean, and quiet RadBurro. This creates less pollution for guests, less noise for the animals, and fits the conservation mission that many sanctuaries and zoos align with. Another exciting use case is bike and scooter share programs, which use the RadBurro to re-balance their units daily. Sometimes, riders will leave a bike or scooter in a park or way out on a trail, and that’s difficult to reach with a traditional vehicle. As this is a review, I’ll be discussing each aspect of the bike in more detail below, and trying to express the trade-offs or cons that this product brings, as compared to similar competing platforms. That said, it’s kind of unique and off on its own compared to many of the other products reviewed here. With a powerful but adjustable motor, this is technically a Class 2 electric bicycle, meaning that it can be ridden most places that bicycles are allowed. It uses a few motorcycle parts like upgraded hydraulic disc brakes with thick 7-inch rotors, a sturdy double-crown suspension fork, and moped tires… but the 7-speed Shimano Altus derailleur, Wellgo platform pedals, and conveniently placed bottle cage bosses, all had me feeling comfortable and confident as a cyclist. I wasn’t required to get a special driver’s license to use it, and charging was done using a standard wall outlet.
Weighing in at 227lbs (103kg), the base RadBurro platform is made from steel, which provides strength and stability. The main beam of the trike is thicker for 2019 and several gussets have been added to reinforce the mid-step design. These gussets or extra metal plates connecting the frame bars reduce frame flex, which builds confidence when hauling a heavy load! The RadBurro is rated to carry up to 700lbs (318kg) of cargo! Additionally, two triangular protector bars have been added in front of both wheels, so the trike will slide away from walls and other obstacles that might otherwise “hang up” or damage the trike and its operator… these bars reminded me of rock sliders built onto 4×4 trucks that go over rocks, logs, and other obstacles, and they seemed like a great idea for safety and toughness. Other safety points include reflective stickers and reflectors placed on all of the box, bed, and pedicab attachments, thick plastic fenders, integrated lights that run off of the main high capacity battery pack, an electronic horn, and extra-thick 6-ply moped tires that won’t get punctured as easily as traditional bicycle tires. Looking at the RadBurro from 2017 and 2019 back to back was cool, because it really highlighted the frame differences that I think would go unnoticed by most people at first glance. Rad Power Bikes has also upgraded their software, so owners can adjust the top speed down from 20mph for safety, change the throttle profile so it ramps up quick or smoothly, and turn off the reverse function if they wish. The display unit looks like a traditional e-bike display from Bafang or King Meter, but offers some deeper settings and a password feature that could be very useful for safety. I could imagine this trike being used by elementary, and primary schools for maintenance crews, and in fact, Rad Power Bikes did tell me that many universities had purchased them for this very purpose! Again, it’s quiet, clean, and relatively affordable. When I was a young man attending high School in Loveland, Colorado, the maintenance team used golf carts to haul tools around… and it wasn’t always attended. I remember seeing a student tampering with the ignition and actually getting the cart to start up for a little joyride. That’s the kind of situation where a password could really come in handy… along with the two parking brakes built into each brake lever, and the override off-switch on the battery box. These three lines of defense will help keep the RadBurro from turning into an accident, but there is still a little risk that a rider could hop on and disable the brake locks and then pedal around without power, unless the front fork is turned and locked into place. This fourth and final level of defense would be incredibly useful for parking overnight unsecured or in high-risk areas like middle schools and high schools ;)
Driving the bike is a canister style 750 watt motor that uses a 10x reduction gear to generate higher torque. It comes on smooth but feels very capable (I hauled a 160lb individual as well as a large load of metal cans through Seattle without issue, while filming) and it’s not super loud… but definitely louder than the smaller electric hub motors used on most of the other Rad Power Bike products. The video overview above has a shot towards the end of the ride test where I actually lean over the back of the pedicab and show the motor in action. I love that it can be operated through the 12-magnet cadence sensor as well as the full-grip twist throttle, so you can pedal to extend range and get a workout. The throttle is critical for starting out with a heavy load, or if you forgot to shift down to lower gears before coming to a stop. Being able to click through seven gears feels nice and allows you to hit higher top speeds or get back to a charging point if the battery is completely spent. That said, pedaling without assist, even in the lowest gear, has you moving very very slowly unless there’s a decline. I have seen some pedicabs that only have one gear and the rider has to stand up and really work to get started. Having 7 gears here means that starting is easier and continuing to pedal is comfortable vs. too fast. This is a bicycle… but the way that Rad Power Bikes setup the drivetrain is very reliable and sturdy. There’s a double sided aluminum alloy chain guide that keeps the chain from jumping off on bumpy terrain, while also protecting your pant or dress ends. There’s a short section of chain leading to the cassette, and then another chain leading back to the rear differential. This two-section design allows for shorter, quieter chains, and the differential allows both rear wheels to be powered by the motor and turn at different speeds as the bike turns around sharp corners. This thing is really well built, from what I can tell. The trade-off might be that this drivetrain is more complex and possibly less durable than a single speed with just one super thick chain, but I’m not completely sure on that, and Rad Power Bikes is known for their high level os customer service and overbuilt products… given the new gussets and upgraded controller, I suspect that this drivetrain is working very well, and that’s why it remains largely unchanged since the original model. The Altus derailleur and shorter front pedal-chain should work reliably and is easier to reach and service than many of the consumer grade trikes I’ve tested from other companies. It’s mounted further forward on the chassis and is accessible if you tip up or remove the box, pedicab, or truck bed attachment. I absolutely love this tilt feature because it also exposes the controller box, battery box, and would make cleaning the bed much easier. I show this feature in the video review when we look at the battery.
The battery pack on this bike is pretty intense, offering 48 volts and 52.5 amp hours (compared to 11.6 or 14 amp hours on most standard sized ebikes) it can assist from 40 to 80 miles depending on the terrain, cargo load, and rider input. Charging is easy with the onboard 25 amp system (a standard ebike charger is usually 2 to 4 amps) and the built-in retractable cord won’t get lost or broken the way a separated charger might. It’s amazing to think that in just 2.5 hours this ebike could be back on the job, because I’m used to much smaller batteries taking 4 to 6 hours for a full charge. Rad Power Bikes also sells a stand-alone charger, so the battery can be filled when off the bike, and the charger was designed to be able to replace the onboard charger if it were to ever break. Very cool and thoughtful design. And, for those who are really in a hurry, the battery box can be unplugged and swapped out easily for a fresh pack. Unplugging the pack takes a bit of reaching, but the ports have spring covers which should keep them from getting damaged or wet, it feels industrial and well thought out, but accessible. It’s best to store Lithium-ion battery packs in cool, dry locations when possible. Extreme heat can limit the number of full lifecycles they get and extreme cold will limit how much range you get for any particular charge. For driver, the large battery means that a bright color LCD, integrated lights, and even their own accessories can all be used without any separate accessories or adapters. Just below the display panel there’s a USB Type A port which offers 5 Volts at 1 Amp, and Rad Power Bikes sells a handlebar mount phone holder, so you could use your phone for GPS or messaging during the job. I was able to use the display effectively, but felt that the screen was a little hard to read at moments when the sun was really bright. It can be angled a bit to adjust glare but is not removable. I mentioned the integrated front and rear lights before but want to call out that the headlight is very bright and adjustable with two beams, and the rear lights have brake light activation so they go bright whenever you pull either of the brake levers! The left lever activates the single front brake while the right activates both rear brakes. And, because the brakes are hydraulic, they are easier to activate and the two rear brakes apply pressure very evenly. Please note that the extra long levers have brake latches to secure the trike when parked, and this is what I was referring to as a parking brake earlier in the review. I had to use two hands when locking the bike with these “parking brakes” this way but it stayed put with a heavy load, even on slanted ground. Again, the final step is to turn and lock the front wheel using the key.
Activating this electric utility bike is a two-step process. There’s an override breaker switch on the battery box that must be turned on before the display can be activated through the control pad near the right grip. This is a good safety measure, which could reduce tampering, but takes some extra time to do. I hopped on a couple of times without remembering to turn the trike on and then had to get off and walk back and around. Part of me wanted a keyed ignition up front for this first step, just to be more convenient, but that would add even more clutter to the handlebars. I’m not used to having so many buttons up front like this, at least on bicycles, but they are positioned well and feel intuitive once you’ve been introduced… the buttons are well labeled. Once the trike is turned on, the control pad on the left will turn on the lights and activate the left or right turn signals. Press once to turn them on and then again to turn them off. I wouldn’t mind a chirp for the turn signals or when you go in reverse, and frankly, I would like to have brighter rear lights and larger brighter turn signals. The rear light units each have a single yellow LED inside for turn signal use, and and are mounted to the fenders. They stick out just barely enough to really be seen when the big box is being used and I feel like they could be higher up. The headlight is aimable and fairly bright, but it’s mounted to the suspension bridge vs. the handlebar or headset, which means it’s not as high up and could bounce if you’re driving over rough terrain. The housing for all of the lights is plastic, and seems less industrial than some of the other parts used here. Since I’m a safety nut, I feel like the lights are one area where the trike could be improved in the future, but at least the ones they currently use would be cheaper and easier to replace if they were damaged at some point. The fenders are also plastic and offer good coverage. They will bend slightly if bumped and then snap back into position, they won’t get permanently bent or rust like aluminum or steel, but this is a great time to remind you about the steel frame and keeping an eye out for scratches over time. I’ve heard that clear nail polish can be used to coat damaged sections or some orange automobile touch up paint. So the display panel itself can be explored by clicking the up and down buttons on the right side button pad. This allows you to go from zero to 1-5 pedal assist for more speed and power. The high resolution 12-magnet cadence sensor doesn’t measure how hard you push, just that you’re pedaling. This is nice for such a large and heavy vehicle because it means that the rider can get some exercise but not strain themselves excessively, trying to get the motor controller to respond. I do feel like Rad Power Bikes could upgrade from the exposed 12 magnet sensor to a sealed 14 magnet sensor as used in some of their newer consumer models. Both brake levers do have motor inhibitors so you won’t ever be fighting the motor when stopping, even if you keep moving the pedals. Overall, the cockpit is functional and the display is easy to read and navigate, despite being a bit more complex than the other Rad Power Bikes products. The display is not removable but can be angled a bit to reduce glare. Same thing with the high-rise bars, you can loosen the mount and tip them forward or back to increase or decrease reach, and that should make riding more comfortable for tall and short people. You can even swap out the stock rigid seat post for a suspension post with 27.2mm diameter, or get an extra large comfort saddle if you wish… it’s all compatible with traditional bicycle hardware.
Well, I have done my best to record all of the specs and post-ride insights here, I hope it has helped you to understand and appreciate this unique light electric vehicle that happens to qualify as a bicycle! The RadBurro is one of the only utility trikes I have ever ridden, and I came away feeling impressed and excited… even more-so with the 2019 upgrades and refinements. The guys showed me how each attachment bed could be used for different activities like food delivery, cargo hauling, or people moving and it inspired me to think how we might see this sort of thing delivering mail or getting people around congested city neighborhoods more quietly and efficiently in the future. Given the size and weight, it could still require an automobile or other RadBurro to get to a mechanic for service… but that shouldn’t really be necessary if you’re just changing a flat tire. And again, Rad Power Bikes has a great customer support team that is now open seven days per week to help guide you and get spare replacement parts sent out. Depending on my own use case for the RadBurro, I would probably apply some additional reflective stickers, and maybe skin the cargo box with vinyl stickers to match my brand. We got a lot of positive attention and interest when riding the bike around Seattle, and I felt comfortable both pedaling and riding in the back while a member of the Rad Power Bikes team gave me a tour. I actually stayed at a hotel nearby and was picked up from there to visit the office in a RadBurro! There was plenty of room below the plastic-coated seat for my backpack and jacket, so there’s room for several passengers and their cargo. I must admit, it can get a little bumpy on the back seat when the road isn’t super smooth, so the 20mph top speed seemed like fast enough to be taken seriously by cars but not so fast that it felt uncomfortable or out of control. I haven’t ridden in the back of many pedicabs, so I cannot say whether it’s better or worse… but the seat is padded on the bottom and back. The cargo box under the seat could be useful for blankets or extra seat pads and a first aid kit or second battery pack depending on the use case. All in all, it’s a very cool product, and one I hadn’t expected to see from Rad Power Bikes because their main focus had always been on the recreational market. I have seen DIY converted electric pedicabs before, but to have one this nice, that could double as a truck or food truck, is pretty amazing. Big thanks to Rad Power Bikes for partnering with me on this post and providing all of the different bed options to explore. It was neat to see all of the more traditional electric bicycles alongside the RadBurro, and to consider how this and the RadWagon, which is also great for moving cargo and even a second passenger.
Pros:
- The 2019 RadBurro can be fine tuned for lower speeds, different motor power settings, disabled reverse, and has an upgraded frame with thicker main section and additional gussets to reduce frame flex
- It’s one of the only electric bicycles that I’ve seen which seems tough enough for regular use delivering parcels, cargo, books, tools, and other “stuff” rated up to 700lbs of carrying capacity. It’s clean, quiet, sustainable, and can qualify for congestion pricing on roads vs. an internal combustion vehicle, it can be parked almost anywhere and is allowed on more paths than a full sized automobile
- I’m not super experienced with pedicabs and lightweight utility electric vehicles and e-bikes, but this thing seems relatively affordable given the industrial parts upgrades and many useful configurations, it’s much cheaper than a golf cart or gas powered mini-truck
- The fact that you can swap the flat bed for an enclosed truck bed or get an insulated food box or use it as a pedicab people-mover is very neat, the platform is versatile and adaptable, many customers buy multiple batteries and accessories
- The fenders worked well on wet streets, I stayed fairly dry under the pedicab awning during my first review of the bike in 2017, and I love that it has integrated lights, bright brake lights, and turn signals
- The drivetrain is a seven-speed Shimano Altus (a step up from entry level) which worked well enough, and the chain wasn’t as long as I thought, which keeps it quieter, I love that the chainring has an alloy guide to reduce drops and keep the driver’s pants clean and that the derailleur is so easy to reach vs. being way back under the bed
- The motor is definitely audible during operation, but produces a soft whirring noise that did not bother me as much as gas engines, it’s impressively capable when climbing, and can hit 20 mph with a bit of runway, the 10 to 1 gear reduction works very well to produce power while maintaining a legal 750 watt motor (to be classified as a Class 2 electric bike which does not require a license)
- I love that Rad Power Bikes offers a seat post suspension upgrade that would work with this bike, because it would make a big difference for the operator on long or bumpy rides
- The display panel provides lots of options and settings so fleet managers can limit top speed and power output, including the ability to change the motor controller profile so it starts quick or more smoothly, I like that it also has a USB Type A port built in to the lower edge so you could charge a smartphone and use it for GPS (and they also sell a decent smartphone handlebar mount holder)
- The onboard main battery charger is a 52 Amp design vs. most standard electric bikes that use just 2 Amp or 4 Amp, it can fill the battery pack in just ~2.5 hours or you can hot-swap a fresh battery for situations where time is limited
- Rad Power Bikes uses Samsung 35E Lithium-ion cells which are a more premium higher energy density cell (saving space and weight)
- The bike comes with a one year comprehensive warranty and Rad Power Bikes is now operating in Europe and Canada as well as the USA with a full time support staff (they are one of the fastest growing electric bike companies in the USA)
- The range is estimated between 40 and 80 miles depending on the cargo load, if you use pedal assist and actively switch gears, the range can be very good but it’s nice to have throttle on demand too, and I really appreciate the throttle on/off switch
- The throttle is a full-grip twisty style that’s more like a motorcycle, it’s much easier to use with gloved hands than a half-grip twister
- The brake lever housings have standard sized threaded mounting points for side mirrors, like you’d use on a motorcycle, which is a great safety option for operators who plan on riding in traffic
- The base unit weighs 227 lbs, which is light for something like this, and can fit within a standard bike lane, so it feels comfortable riding on the side of most streets, the steel frame is stiff and sturdy but also provides some vibration dampening quality vs. aluminum alloy, I like that they made it a mid-step vs. high-step so that the rider can get on and stand over more easily
- I was super excited to see that they managed to squeeze in a bottle cage mounting point on the downtube so the driver can stay hydrated!
- There’s a primary on/off switch that can be activated or de-activated before the control pad up front will work, this switch is hidden under the bed and can be used to prevent tampering, I believe that the battery box locks in with a key for security here as well
- Rad Power Bikes includes shipping in the order price, I was told that the cargo box is the most popular attachment and 30% of customers buy with multiple attachments, the truck bed and flat bed can be used with a trailer to pull additional cargo behind the RadBurro!
Cons:
- This electric trike product is intended for commercial and industrial customers, there’s a minimum order quantity of two units and that might upset some individual consumers who don’t have access… that said, there are many other cargo trikes that are lighter, smaller, and perfect for everyday use which I’ve covered in the electric trike reviews section of the site
- The utility beds and pedicab have some reflective stickers, and the bike does come with integrated lights, but I feel that the lights could be bigger, brighter, mounted higher up for some applications where this is being used around cars
- I love that this thing has a suspension fork for the driver but found that the pedicab rear seat could get uncomfortable when traveling over large bumps, the seat is padded, it’s just a little rough when the tires are fully inflated and that may be due in part to the smaller wheel diameter (I’m not sure it’s much different than other pedicabs)
- The larger fork and heavier front wheel and tire require more energy to turn, I struggled a bit when filming with one hand and steering with the other and would recommend both hands on the grips for safest use
- The brakes are heavy-duty and work well for stopping heavy loads but require a bit more hand strength to lock in (for the parking brake), I think this is not unique to the RadBurro compared to similar light EV’s but I had to use two hands to lock them
- The suspension fork doesn’t offer lockout or preload adjust, it’s more like a motorcycle where they tuned it to the weight of the vehicle vs. allowing the passenger to make adjustments… this isn’t a huge con, just something I noticed
Resources:
Tom
5 years agoHello Court, I have an incredibly “out of the box” question for you based on your experience. My imagination has me thinking that with some personal modifications, the RadBurro equipped with the flatbed accessory could make a very interesting base platform for an ebike RV. Using the flatbed as a base, you could design and build up a fairly small but cozy sleeping quarter for one person. I would, of course, not ask you to endorse such an idea, but I would be interested as to whether or not you think the RadBurro might be capable of such a concept given its specifications. I mean, wouldn’t you like a nice, small, electric RV to tour the US/Canada? :-)
ReplyCourt
5 years agoThat is a super cool idea, Tom! I’ve seen a couple of other non-electric bicycle RV build-outs, done on trikes, and they were inspiring! Wow, if you have the money, time, and drive to do this, it would be cool to see it come together, maybe with some pictures and discussion in the EBR forums. Rad Power Bikes does have that two order minimum, but maybe you could convince them to sell a single one (as they may do for independently operated pedicab drivers) and then make it happen!
ReplyTom
5 years agoHey Court, glad to hear you think this is a cool idea! I am not too sure I have the smarts or know-how to make such a vehicle, but I am sure there are others who would. I am even willing to bet that CEO Mike Radenbaugh would be willing to consider making a RadRV. A length of 76″ by the current 35″, with a small storage unit above the driver’s head similar to a Class C RV motorhome would get it done, I think. An accordion-type design similar to the Hitch Hotel would probably make the most sense. I would totally buy one of these!
Jonathan
5 years agoIt would be pretty easy to take a number of brands and types motorcycle tent trailers and modify them (suspension removal) then mount to the flat bed.
Most have been designed to be very rugged (sustained highway speeds) yet super light. Certainly within the capacity of this cargo configuration.
ReplyLuci Barros
5 years agoOi boa tarde! onde posso comprar bicicleta de levar pessoas? gosteii muito
ReplyCourt
5 years agoOi! Eu não vendo nenhuma dessas motos aqui, apenas as revendo. Talvez você possa enviar um para você? A Propella vende on-line e vinculei o site oficial no final da seção prós / contras :)
ReplyTodd
3 years agoI am wondering how well this performs on hills. The 200nm of torque seems like it would be sufficient, but are there any in-the-wild tests?
ReplyCourt
3 years agoHi todd! Great question, maybe someone will chime in. My own experience with the bike was limited, and this review is a bit dated now compared to their latest generation of bikes. You can also ask the same question in the Rad Power Bikes forums I setup here. The bike was designed to be very strong, but if it’s fully loaded and you try to climb a steep hill, it might go a bit slower.
ReplyJason Harder
3 years agoI bought my Burro in 2018 for my gardening business Cycle Driven Gardening and it does slow down on hills, but it does not stop! Slow and also steady. I’ve carried various loads in it. Natural stone, concrete, sand, soil, large wooden pallets and am always amazed at how well it does. My speed is of course impacted by the how much I carry but it’s made my little business possible.
I have the open box version and am looking at redesigning the box. The gate at the back opens down which does easily allow for the contents to get dumped out (like soil etc). I have to hold the gate open with a foot, reach over and lift the one end of the box to dump. It isn’t great biomechanics for the user so I’m looking into what can be done about that. And on this version the turn signal lights can’t be seen – at all really. They get washed out by the other lights.
theodore mendez
3 years agoI wish to purchase a Rad burro for my own personal use, but I can only afford to buy one. Will they break up my purchase?
ReplyCourt
3 years agoHi Theodore! That’s a great question, and something I’ve wondered myself. My impression is that they are only selling to companies and might require multiple bikes vs. just one… but I have also seen that Rad offers above-average customer service, and has quick replies. So, I suggest reaching out to them directly through their official website :)
ReplyJohn Smith
3 years agolooking at the rad burro do yous have a dealer in australia or can you send one to me down here with A pedicab thanks John Smith Brisbane Australia
ReplyCourt
3 years agoHi John! Perhaps you could contact Rad Power Bikes directly to ask about availability of the RadBurro. They seem to be very helpful, but I don’t know much about Austrailia… aside from wanting to visit someday to go surfing and exploring. Hope you’re well :D
Replydavid fullerton
3 years agoHi, I work as a gardener and I use a mountain bike and a bike trailer to carry my tools and it’s hard work going up hills, it’s all pedal power. I would love to have one of these and it would make job albeit easier. David Fullerton England
ReplyCourt
3 years agoHi David, it sounds like this sort of utility trailer electric bike could be a good fit for your work. I’m not up to speed with the status of RadBurro and how Rad Power Bikes is selling them, but I seem to remember them saying you needed to buy more than one at a time. Might be worth asking about, the company has good customer support that tends to respond quickly. Here’s their official site.
Reply