Total Weight:
75.5 lbs (34.24 kg)
Battery Weight:
7.7 lbs (3.49 kg)
Motor Weight:
8.7 lbs (3.94 kg)
Frame Material:
6061 Aluminum Alloy
Frame Sizes:
18 in (45.72 cm)Geometry Measurements:
17.5" Seat Tube Length, 22.25" Simulated Top Tube Length, 13" Reach, 17.25" Stand Over Height, 32.25" Minimum Saddle Height, 42" Maximum Saddle Height, 29" Width, 46.5" Wheelbase, 67.5" Length
Frame Types:
Step-Thru
Frame Colors:
Satin Charcoal
Frame Fork Details:
RST Spring Suspension, 60mm Travel, Preload Adjust, Progressive Lockout, 135mm Hub Spacing, 9mm Axle with Release Skewer
Frame Rear Details:
167mm Hub Spacing, 12mm Threaded Slotted Axle with, 18mm Nuts, Steel Torque Arm Washer
Attachment Points:
Fender Mounts, Front Rack Mount, Rear Rack Mounts, Bottle Cage Mount
Gearing Details:
7
Speed 1x7, Shimano Altus MD310 Derailleur, DNP LY- 1107MFN 11-34 Tooth FreewheelShifter Details:
Shimano SL-TX50-7R Thumb Shifter with Optical Gear Window
Cranks:
ProWheel Ounce Aluminum Alloy, 170mm Length, 48 Tooth Steel Chainring with Prowheel Aluminum Alloy Guide, Square Tapered Spindle
Pedals:
Aluminum Alloy Platform with Reflectors, CrMo Axle, Black
Headset:
Press-In, Semi-Integrated, Sealed Cartridge, 1-1/8" Straight
Stem:
Aluminum Alloy, 50mm Length, 30º Rise, 31.8mm Clamp Diameter, One 5mm Spacer (Orange), One 52mm Tapered Base Spacer
Handlebar:
Custom High-Rise, Aluminum Alloy, 710mm Width, 220mm Rise, 20º Sweep, 22mm Crossbar Diameter
Brake Details:
Tektro HD-E350 Hydraulic Disc with 180mm Rotors, Three-Finger Levers with Motor Inhibitors and Brake Light Activation
Grips:
Ergonomic, Stitched Imitation Leather, Non-Locking, Black
Saddle:
Custom Rad Power Bikes Comfort Version by Velo, 7mm Rail Diameter
Seat Post:
Aluminum alloy, Single Bolt Clamp, 90mm Minimum Insertion
Seat Post Length:
390 mm
Seat Post Diameter:
27.2 mm
Rims:
Aluminum Alloy, Double Wall, 57mm Outer Width, 36 Hole
Spokes:
Stainless Steel, 12 Gauge, Black with Nipples
Tire Brand:
Rad Power Bikes by Kenda Custom K-Rad, 20" x 3.3" (84-406)
Wheel Sizes:
20 in (50.8cm)Tire Details:
20 to 30 PSI, 1.4 to 2.1 BAR, 30 TPI, Reflective Sidewall Stripe, K-Shield Puncture Protection
Tube Details:
Schrader Valve
Accessories:
Rear-Mount Adjustable Length Kickstand, Steel Derailleur Guard, Rad Power Bikes Integrated LED Front Light (Outer Light Ring, Focused Beam, Aluminum Alloy Heat Sink, 100 Lumens), Integrated Fender Mounted Rear Light (Solid, Brake Activation, 1 LED), Neoprene Velcro Cable Wrap for Front Wires, Neoprene Slap Guard, Custom Plastic Fenders (90mm Width), Rear Rack Accepts Yepp! and Standard Basket Platform and Pannier Accessories from Rad Power Bikes, Optional Front Rack, Optional Small Basket, Optional Large Basket, Optional Platform, Optional Large Pannier Ballard Bags, Optional Small Pannier Fremont Bags, Optional SR Suntour NCX Seat Post Suspension, Optional RAM Torque Handlebar Phone Mount X, Optional Small Basket Bag, Optional Large Basket Bag, Optional Small Insulated Delivery Bag, Optional Large Insulated Delivery Bag, Optional Yepp! Maxi Child Seat, Optional Replacement or Additional Rad Range Extender Battery Pack (Mounts Under Rear Rack), Optional Passenger Package (Rear Deck Seat, Foot Pegs, Side Mounted Wheel Guards), Optional Passenger Hand Hold (Requires Passenger Upgrade Kit), Optional Rad Trailer
Other:
Locking Removable Semi-Integrated Downtube Battery Pack, 1.3lb 2 Amp Charger, Fully Potted Motor Controller, 18.4 Amp Draw Direct Current, Stainless Steel Torque Arm, 350lb Maximum Total Payload Capacity, 120lb Rear Rack Capacity, 30lb Optional Front Rack Capacity, 22lb Optional Front Basket Capacity, 22lb Optional Center Console Capacity, 30lb Optional Individual Foot Peg Capacity, Adjustable LCD Brightness, Adjustable Clock, Adjustable Units
Aaron
2 years agoThanks for the review!
We bought our first Rad bike way back in 2017, and I’ve been waiting for them to update the RadRunner for a couple of years. It looks great, but I’m a little surprised by the price. I know there are some upgrades here, but Aventon’s new cargo bike has hydraulic brakes and a 440 lb weight capacity at $2.2k, and Lectric just released theirs at $1.4K. Rad was always head and shoulders above the mainstream alternatives in terms of value for price, and I assumed they would use their higher volumes to keep their prices attractive. What’s your read on where they stand now on that spectrum? Are they moving towards a mid-tier? Do the components justify the price?
(Also, any plans to review the other cargo bikes that have dropped lately?)
Thanks as ever!
ReplyCourt
2 years agoHi Aaron! Yeah, I’ve noticed some competition from Aventon, Lectric, and others in the space recently. It seems like Rad is offering more options by continuing the other RadRunner models alongside this 3 Plus (at least for the time being). To me, this is a very polished product that uses nicer hardware (though still value at times, like the Altus derailleur). Their accessories are excellent, the support is on point, and the overall ride experience is very good. I do hope to cover some of the competitors, but am backed up with other premium product reviews. I’ve seen a bunch of YouTubers and other sites focusing on the lower end, and using affiliate codes etc. so I’m trying to expand coverage by looking at BULLS, Bianchi, Trek, Specialized, Giant, CUBE etc. who do not offer affiliate or do not pay for reviews. If and when I cover Aventon, Lectric, Himiway, AddMotoR etc. I’ll be thorough and hopefully more objective in what I point out. Perhaps the forums and other comments can help to distinguish the differences and trade-offs in the meantime. I also think there is some strategy with the low prices to drive out competition (I believe Aventon is a Chinese owned company that actually owns the manufacturing plants, and I think Lectric could be an investment push to eventually get acquired vs. being optimally profitable in the short run). Rad Power Bikes is about 10 years old (they say 15 because Mike Radenbaugh was doing some things independently for a while before the company really took off). This is all opinion only, I’m sharing because I care. For me, this and other products are worth paying a bit more for because the experience is great and I ride frequently.
ReplyAaron
2 years agoThanks Court, that makes a lot of sense.
quoc
2 years agoHow is the climbing hill capabilities? The torque seems lower than some other hub drives, and when you load this bike down. I have to climb a few mile-long hills with >>10% gradient to get home. This is where mid-drive high torque motors are probably more suitable.
ReplyCourt
2 years agoI think Rad Power Bikes said the new model is 10% better at climbing. The smaller wheel size helps give the hub motor a mechanical advantage. I think it can work very well, but the real question is price. It could be difficult to find a comparable product with a mid-drive motor at this price. Also, the mid-motor would put extra strain on the chain and sprockets, and many do not offer a throttle like this. For what it is, the RadRunner 3 Plus is pretty solid in my opinion, and it did feel powerful :)
ReplyHarry
1 year agoGreat, thorough review. How would you say this bike would fare as a big kid hauler? At 5 years old, my son has outgrown the Thule bike seat, but I’m not sure he’s quite ready for Rad’s passenger setup without a “cage” – type protective barrier like some other brands use. Bike otherwise looks great!
ReplyCourt
1 year agoHi Harry! That’s a great question, maybe some owners with kids will chime in. It sounds like you’re at a transition moment, and I’m excited for your son! I bet it’s fun to ride on the back and be more free. Perhaps you could just ride slower to begin, until he’s comfortable and knows the limits of leaning and reaching out. The pedal assist on the Rad bikes is smoother, and you can use the throttle to accelerate smoothly. It really helps to get started whenever I’ve hauled an adult passenger for the review videos :)
ReplyCinnamngrl
1 year agoIt seems like there is a lot of space around the rear wheel. I did see some comments about extra battery. But that wouldn’t take up all the extra space. It makes that the rear frame is higher for a 2nd seat. Are there any specialized storage attachments for that? Also, it seems like the passenger weight limit is 120lbs. I don’t know much about electric bikes. I generally have my bike shop fix my regular bike. Would such a person still be able to put this together? I can change a tire. But everything else I do it wrong and eventually need a pro to help.
ReplyCourt
1 year agoGreat questions! Yes, Rad Power Bikes sells many accessories for the rear rack, including a passenger pad to sit on, pegs for your feet, and a handle to make it easier to hold on. They also have a basket, bags, and it will work with a child seat.
Yes, most shops could help with assembly and tuning, but it comes mostly assembled already. Rad has partnered with Velofix (a mobile bike delivery service) that might operate in your area if you’re near a big city in the US or Canada. The bike comes with all of the tools needed to build it, and there are only a few steps (front wheel, handlebar, pedals, maybe the fenders too). They do a good job, and lots of their parts are interchangeable between bikes including some of the racks, battery packs, charger, lights etc. Hope this helps you with the decision and getting started! Visit their official website and give them a call or use the chat feature, they seem to do a great job. I’m just a reviewer, trying to keep track of the bikes and provide objective information so people can find the right one and then leave comments and make friends :)
Replycinnamngrl
1 year agoI am referring to the open space surrounding the rear wheel between the rear wheel and the existing rack.