To run the forums, host the website, and travel, I charge a universal service fee for my reviews. This in-depth review was sponsored by Rad Power Bikes. My goal is to be transparent and unbiased with you, this video and writeup are not meant to be an endorsement of RPB products. I welcome your corrections, additions, and feedback in the comments below and the Rad Power Bikes electric bike forums.
Observations:
- Starting in 2020, customers in some major cities including Austin, Seattle, Sacramento, and Vancouver Canada can pay $149 to have Rad Mobile Service van deliver and assemble their bike. The company is also offering demo rides and post-purchase service, including warranty work. I got to see the van and interact with some of the Austin team members and was impressed with this unique service that blends the predominantly online presence of Rad with a local shop feel
- This is the third generation of the RadCity Step-Thru. You get the same motor, battery pack, and drivetrain hardware as the second generation, and the battery is cross compatible with all other current-gen Rad Power Bikes models. This bike also comes in high-step, which is offered in a larger frame but only comes in black… it’s a great option for taller riders, or those who want a stiffer frame and don’t mind the higher stand-over height.
- Rad Power Bikes has a new metallic head tube badge, an updated headlight with LED light ring and focused beam, and smoother twist throttle that foregoes an on/off toggle switch. The reps I spoke with explained that this throttle is more reliable and tends to be less confusing for riders who would occasionally turn off the throttle by accident and then become concerned in past generations
Pros:
- This is a feature-complete electric bike, meaning that it has a rack, fenders, and integrated lights… it’s basically ready for any sort of weather and offers a lot of utility. Rad Power Bikes custom engineers their frames and puts a lot of attention into the details of which components are used… even going so far as to co-brand them with parter companies like King-Meter for the LCD display, Bafang for the hub motor, and Kenda for the tires
- Note the longer seat post binder lever that Rad uses, it’s much easier to unlock and then tighten without straining fingers vs. a traditional shorter binder… though it does ad a little extra weight, this is a great example of how Rad scrutinizes the little details of their products to make them more enjoyable, and that’s easy to skip or miss!
- Safety is a big deal for me, especially if you choose the black model! So, the big reflective stripes on the tires and integrated lights make a big difference in keeping you visible
- Rad Power Bikes really nails it with the integrated lights because they run off of the main battery, have quick disconnect points for easy replacement if damaged, and the rear light has a blinking mode as well as a bright braking mode! They’re far ahead of other similar priced products… even some higher priced ebikes!
- Excellent headlight upgrade here, you get a bright 80 lumen beam that is focused for spotting the path, and a secondary LED ring that keeps you visible as a rider. There’s even an aluminum alloy heat sink built into the top of the headlight housing to dissipate heat! At first, I thought that it was just for show, but it’s actually metal and actually connects to the internal LED housing. Compared to older Rad Power Bikes headlights, this new one is more visible from the sides and has a flatter beam that won’t shine up into the eyes of oncoming riders or traffic. Note that the rear light is visible from the sides because of the way the rack was designed… nice work there
- By default, the RadCity models come with durable plastic fenders. They’re wide enough to keep you dry (as I tested in the video review above), and they are lightweight and durable… without producing a lot of noise. Note that the fenders both have flexible mud flaps on the ends, so they won’t get damaged as easily if kicked while pedaling or when parking and storing
- The seat tube has been custom designed to interface with a battery pack, notice the raised flattened portion where the slide mounts. This secures the pack and improves frame strength. Notice how there’s extra tubing coming across from the seat tube to the downtube that fully surrounds the pack and reduces frame flex. This is very custom and extremely well done. Finally, Rad uses three bolts for their battery mount vs. just two on many cheaper ebike products I’ve seen over the years
- I was told that the adjustable angle stem has been custom made to stay tight and uses hardened materials that won’t dull as easily as some competing parts, another small detail is the gnarled mounting point for the front headlight mount that keeps it from slipping side to side
- Overall, this ebike is fairly comfortable. The medium-width 2.3″ tires with checkerboard tread pair nicely with the spring suspension fork. It’s not as smooth, quiet, or lightweight as some higher-end products, but it’s very practical and reliable. Note that the suspension fork offers compression adjustment with lockout, preload (for heavier riders or lots of cargo), and Rad sells an optional suspension seat post to further cushion the ride
- Rad Power Bikes worked closely with Kenda to offer reflective stripes and puncture protection on all of their tires. That’s really nice because changing a flat on an ebike can be a lot of work… especially if it uses a hub motor without quick release (as all Rad models currently do). The front wheel does have quick release, but usually flats occur on the rear tire. Keep the tire pressure within the recommended range to reduce the potential for flats
- Matching ergonomic grips and the Velo Plush saddle look great and provide good comfort. I’ve tested a bunch of seats, and this one is soft enough, but not so wide that it will chaff your inner thighs when pedaling. It also has a handle built into the back for easier lifting of the bike
- I appreciate that Rad Power Bikes is using the same battery pack for all of their models now. This means you can purchase a few bikes and easily swap the pack around, or take two packs along for an extended adventure. The battery itself uses high-quality lithium-ion cells from Samsung, is warrantied for a year, and is cheaper to replace because it doesn’t contain the ebike controller (that’s built into a little box, mounted behind the seat tube on this bike)
- You can charge the battery pack on or off the frame, and it has three key positions for unlocked, locked to frame powered off, and locked to frame powered-on. This helps you to deter tampering with the bike without having to take the battery pack off at every stop. For best results, store the battery in a cool, dry location. Extreme heat can damage the cells and extreme cold will stunt them and limit your range temporarily
- Even though the battery and controller box are mounted externally, this is still a purpose-built electric bike with a sturdier frame design and internally routed cables and wires. Note the stainless steel torque arm on the left rear dropout that adds frame strength! This will keep the motor axle from chewing into the softer aluminum alloy frame over time
- The gearless direct drive motor used on the RadCity and RadWagon models produces less noise and offers regenerative braking anytime you pull either brake lever. It’s very reliable, but does weigh about 1.5lbs more than the geared hubs on the mountain models (RadRovers and RadMinis)
- I think the standard free shipping is a great option, and Rad Power Bikes has updated their box to include some fun artistic graphics. Note the plastic handles built into the sides of the cardboard box for easy lifting and dragging (I suggest asking a friend to help you move the box safely, because these are heavy machines)
- It’s cool that Rad Power Bikes has expanded to Canada in recent years. In that geography, they specced their motor down from 750 watts to 500 watts in order to comply with Canadian law. Rad has offices in both locations and offers free shipping, including physical shops and a mobile delivery service that offers assembly and test ride options for some large cities
- I like the sturdy Wellgo platform pedals, alloy chain guide, neoprene slap guard, and steel derailleur guard on this electric bike because it means you won’t slip off as easily, won’t have the chain bouncing off, won’t chip the frame, and can keep the sensitive shifter parts and motor power cable from getting bent or snagged if the bike tips, is parked at a crowded rack, or gets tossed around in shipping
- In addition to the standard bottle cage mount, this bike has tons of mounting points for adding front and rear racks and even a frame lock. These mounting points are very sturdy, especially the front mount, and Rad sells a bunch of accessories that all work well together on this and other models. There are racks and trays that can go from the front to the rear, insulated bags, waterproof panniers, a child seat from Yepp!, and a phone mount
- I love that the LCD display panel is fairly large, has adjustable backlight brightness, and a full size USB port built into the bottom. This is very convenient if you are using the optional phone mount for GPS and need a bit of extra juice for your phone on long rides
- For me, the three-button control pad, that’s mounted near the left grip, is easy to reach and simple to use. You press up or down to raise and lower assist, you press mode to cycle the odometer and trip meter, you hold up to cycle current speed, average speed, and max speed, and you can hold up and mode simultaneously to activate the lights or hold down to activate walk mode. Walk mode is especially useful if you’ve got the bike loaded up with gear or a child seat and just want to play it safe without over-exerting yourself up a hill or through a technical section of terrain. Hold up and down simultaneously to get into the settings menu and adjust wheel size, top speed, and backlight brightness
- The RadCity models use a high-resolution 12-magnet cadence sensor, which makes starting and stopping more predictable. I love that they also included motor inhibitors on both brake levers (which also activates bright mode on the rear light!) It seems like they really dialed in the controller settings too, because the motor is smooth and predictable when starting vs. delayed or jerky
- The throttle setup on all of the Rad Power Bikes is perfect, in my opinion. It provides you with full power, anytime the bike is turned on. This means that you can zip around without pedaling in assist level zero, without worrying that you might activate assist by moving the cranks accidentally. It also means that you can override assist levels 1-4 with full power to climb a hill or catch up with friends… all without clicking buttons or looking down, just twist and it goes! For people who don’t want a throttle, there’s a quick disconnect cable right near the handlebar that’s easy to access
- The kickstand is adjustable, has a wide platform at the bottom to keep it from sinking into soft terrain, and it works well if you’re loading the bike with gear because it’s directly below the rear rack. I love that the front rack is frame-mounted so it won’t interfere with steering or tip the bike sideways when parked like fork mounted racks… but it does change how the headlight is mounted, and fixes it straight vs. turning as the bike turns
- Both wheels are built with thicker 12 gauge spokes for increased durability and weight capacity support. Note that the official max weight rating on both RadCity models is 275 pounds (~125 kilograms)
- Great drivetrain on this ebike, Rad has chosen an 11 to 34 tooth freewheel over the conventional 14 to 28 tooth design. This provides a wider range of pedal options for easier climbing and more comfortable high-speed riding. The cogs are nickel coated, which makes them rust resistant and a lot smoother to shift. The Shimano Acera derailleur is lighter and more reliable than Tourney or Altus (the two lower levels)
- I was amazed by how low the saddle could go, it fits between the rear rack stays and allows riders who want to maximize stability and safety to put their feet down at all times, note that the optional seat post suspension will raise this minimum saddle height but two or three inches
Cons:
- The RadCity Step-Thru is about two pounds heavier than the larger high-step RadCity, and I think this has to do with thicker frame tubing and reinforcements to reduce frame flex and achieve that 275lb max weight rating. Notice the large metal gusset connecting the main tube to the steer tube
- The RadCity and RadWagon models aren’t as capable at climbing steep hills as some of the new mid-drive ebikes. The motor doesn’t operate as efficiently or provide the same range potential as a mid-drive because it’s not being run through your gears… but very few mid-drives offer throttle operation like the RadCity. Furthermore, this gearless hub motor is smooth and quiet but offers a lot less torque from standstill and for climbing than even the RadMini and RadRover because they use geared hubs. There are always trade-offs when choosing a motor type, and the benefits here are durability, quietness, and regeneration at the cost of weight and some efficiency when pedaling without assist
- The step-thru RadCity only comes in one frame size, which could be disappointing for taller riders who prefer the step-thru frame style. Consider the RadCity high-step, but note the higher stand-over height there and limited black color only vs. black and white with the step-thru
- Rad Power Bikes has been using the large Shimano SIS index shifters since the beginning, and they aren’t my favorite. You have to reach up with your thumb to press the main paddle to get to lower gears, and that can require a bit of hand flexibility and even looking down for a moment. I much prefer trigger shifters, but I don’t think those will fit with the twist throttle housing, and they might not be as simple and intuitive for some riders… so I see why they stick with the thumb shifter. One positive of this shifter is that it’s easy to click if you’re wearing gloves since the paddles are so large
- The Tektro Aries mechanical disc brakes get the job done, and I appreciate the large 180mm rotors and rubberized levers (that aren’t as cold or uncomfortable to pull as pure metal), but these brakes are definitely a price compromise. Hydraulic disc brakes would be easier to actuate and more consistent (front vs. rear brake, which has a longer cable housing and more friction). Nice hydraulic disc brake levers usually offer adjustable reach as well, which can be easier to use for individuals with especially large or small hands. It is possible to install hydraulic levers and calipers aftermarket, but requires additional hardware, an experienced mechanic, and some time to do… which might be better spent choosing another hybrid ebike with factory installed hydraulic brakes
- It’s great to have suspension, and I feel that Rad Power Bikes chose the best option they could for the price here, offering lockout and preload adjust. Ultimately, it’s still a pretty basic spring fork that adds a lot of weight to the frame vs. an air fork
- The display is large and easy to read but not removable, so it could take extra weather wear and possibly get scratched at a bike rack. I appreciate that it’s well protected at the center of the handlebar, and that the electronics on the bike can be completely disabled by turning the key to the locked-off position (between locked-on and unlocked), so nobody can turn your bike on and mess with the throttle while it’s parked
- It would be nice to have more than five bars to indicate the battery charge level, on the LCD readout. As it stands, each bar represents a 20% drop vs. 10 bars representing 10% drops, or even a written percentage such as 42%. This could really help riders to make it home without completely depleting the battery
- The step-thru frame positions battery weight further back on the bike frame, which contributes to the rear weight of the gearless motor… so it’s just not as well balanced as the high-step model, especially if you load up that rear rack with a trunk bag or panniers
- If you opt for a front tray rack, the headlight will have to be moved onto the base of the tray because otherwise it would collide. The thing is, the light isn’t as adjustable in this position (it tends to point more down than forward) and it no longer aims where you steer because the front rack is frame mounted – fixed inline with the frame itself
- While the motor used here is quiet, smooth, and reliable… it does introduce some magnetic drag if you’re pedaling with the bike turned off or trying to go faster than ~20mph. It doesn’t freewheel like the geared motors on the RadRover and RadCity models, and it also weighs a bit more… but it does offer some regeneration capability when you brake. Technically, you could pedal and charge the battery up… but it would take way, way more energy than simply plugging it in. This is because you have to eat, digest, and convert chemical energy into kinetic, then back into chemical to store in the Rad battery pack. There’s some energy loss in the form of heat, and most people eat food that is grown very far off and shipped on location, then prepared etc. vs. simple coal, wind, or solar that gets turned into electricity efficiently and then sent to your house efficiently
- All of the Rad Power Bikes use the same charger (just like the interchangeable battery packs), and it’s fairly lightweight, but it only puts out 2 amps, so charging can take up to six hours if the battery is completely drained. This would be faster if they used a 3 or 4 amp charger like some other companies have started doing, but it might raise the price and probably increase weight as well
Sidney Grissom says
Hi, how is the torque compared to a pedego bike?
Court says
Hi Sidney! Since the RadCity and RadWagon models use a gearless hub motor, they don’t feel as strong as most of the geared hub motors from Pedego. I’d say that in general, Pedego would win for this comparison, but they do have a wide range of bikes, so it’s difficult to say exactly unless we compare a specific model ;)
Sidney says
Thank you Court, I’m comparing the Boomerang or Interceptor.
Jerry Dawson says
Is it confirmed that the gearless motor has extra resistance when riding the bike with no assist?
Court says
Hi Jerry! Yeah, I do this demonstration sometimes during reviews where I tip the bike up on the kickstand and spin the rear wheel… when I do this, it spins for a bit but slows and stops faster than the front wheel. Both have friction, but the bearings and axles used for traditional wheels spin much more freely. Yes, there is some magnetic drag when a gearless direct drive hub motor is used. However, you do gain some electricity back which can trickle charge the battery and reduce some of the wear on brake pads. Here’s a video I did with Mike from Rad Power Bikes about it a while back :)
Jerry says
Thanks very much. I thought I noticed some extra resistance when pedaling with no assist on. I ride my Rad City on a regular basis and only use assist level 1, which is typically just 50 watts. I get a good workout with that setting. I also find the gearless hub motor to be great. It is very quiet, very smooth, and yet has plenty of power. The bike also has a very comfortable seating position. All in all a great ebike!
Joannd says
Does this bike have a boost option?
Court says
I’m not sure what you mean? There is a throttle that allows you to get extra power whenever you want. It’s like telling the bike to go from a lower level of assist, all the way up to the highest immediately. I’d consider that like boost. However, there is a top speed (20mph) so there’s no way that I’m aware of to go faster than that. You could ask around more in the Rad Power Bikes forums here though. Good luck!
Donna says
What height of a person would be best for this Rad 3 series step thru .
Court says
Hi Donna! That’s a good question, I think there’s a wide range of riders that could feel comfortable on this ebike since it’s a step-thru. Many times, I will see companies suggesting a range like 5’0″ to 6’4″ because the seat can be raised and the handlebar can be tipped forward or back. You can even change out the stem, remove spacers, or get an entirely different handlebar for under $30 on Amazon. As far as what would be best… it’s something you could ask Rad Power Bikes directly by contacting them, I’m kind of just guessing based on what I experienced during the reviews of this and other products that were similar ;)
yetelin says
Very well written.
Samantha plett says
If you had to choose between the radcity step thru 3 and voltbike elegant which would you choose? I’m 5′ 5″ and on the heavier side.
Court says
Hi Samantha! That’s a great question… Both companies offer good value and seem to have good customer support. I believe that Rad Power Bikes has been around longer and has a bigger team. They have offices in the US, Canada, and Netherlands while Voltbike is in Canada and branching into the US. The Elegant has a geared motor, which can be higher torque off the line… but more delicate than a gearless motor. For a heavier rider, this could be more satisfying, but also wear down quicker. The gearless motors that Rad uses on their City and Cargo models are super tough, and they have the regeneration feature that offsets the added weight that gearless motors introduce, while also reducing some of the brake pad wear… Anyway! I would probably buy the RadCity because I love their accessories, like the front rack basket setup. I’m not sure if this is applicable to you, but the battery pack is swappable with any of their current-generation models and the brand is very widely known, so this gives you flexibility in sharing batteries, getting replacements, and reselling the bike someday. Hope this helps!
Samantha Plett says
Thanks for the help! I ordered the RadCity step thru, its on back order until July so its going to be a long wait.
Court says
Ahh, hope time flies until then, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it :D
Ivy Ransom says
Hi! Thank you for this very thorough review. I’m having a tough time deciding on either the Radcity step thru 3 or the 24″ Pedego interceptor. Be great to have a side by side, feature for feature review. Price wise there is no comparison and I’m not sure how to justify spending the over 2k difference on the Pedego. Thing is, I was able to test ride the Pedego and it was really comfortable and felt pretty powerful. Comfort is a must for me as I have back issues. Also, the Pedego is about 15 lbs lighter I believe. I’m not sure I would be strong enough to get it on a bike rack easily. I want the bike for my RV to be able to run into town for groceries, sightsee locally, be able to get help in case I get stranded out in the middle of nowhere when traveling and of course just for fun. I will be taking my pup with me most of the time too. 13 lb poodle. Given all that info of what I am looking for which bike would you recommend?
Thank you,
Ivy
Court says
Hi Ivy! Here’s a comparison page for the two models you’re considering. It has been more time since covering the Pedego than the RadCity, so a few details could have changed (likely improved) for their latest model. Pedego has a lot of dealers, and is known for their high-power ebikes. Usually higher price means higher quality… but I think it’s mostly about marketing and dealer support in this case, as they share many standard components. I like how the RadCity puts the battery low and center vs. rear mounted. Depending on your height, the Miniceptor (as they call it at the factory) could be a win because it’s lower to the ground. Both bikes would be easier to lift and transport if you remove the battery packs, and their weight is very similar. I hope this helps you get started, Rad has some great customer support and a zippy feel too, maybe less with the gearless motor on the RadCity models vs. the geared hub on the Pedego… but still very good :)
Susie says
Hi! I’m very interested in getting the RadCity, but I’m worried about the bike being stolen when I would l be in a store. How do you secure your bike?
Court says
Great question Susie! I’ve created a little guide to explain how to securely lock an electric bike, which even includes a video! I hope this helps. It comes down to using a folding lock or U-lock in combination with a cable through both wheels and the saddle rails. I don’t leave my ebikes out overnight, and I usually take the battery inside if I do have to lock outside. I hope this helps you! And, I hope your ebike is safe, whichever one you go with :) Also, here’s another little guide about different locks that I shot with a friend who owns an ebike shop that sells very expensive products in New York City, where bike theft can be a high risk.
Vonnie Carlett says
Hi, I’m trying to compare the RadCity, Trek Verve+ 2, and the Dost Drop. Can you speak to this?, and if you were going to buy one, which would you select?
Court says
Hi Vonnie! Those are all amazing ebikes… but they are very different. Rad is hard to beat when it comes to price, and their products are thoughtfully done. It’s like they are affordable, but not cheaply made, and I love the details like reflective tires and all of the cool accessories. The RadCity Step-Thru 3 is wonderful to ride and comes with everything you need for rain or to haul gear, or even go at night. DOST takes things to the next level with a mid-drive motor, and that costs money… but they also offer the second battery pack option. For me, I don’t always need to ride that far, so I probably wouldn’t get it. DOST also offers the high-speed operation, but if you don’t plan to go super fast, maybe that’s not a real strength for you. Trek is the most refined product, and they have lots of dealers you can visit to get help setting up and with fixes, but they don’t have a throttle on their Verve+ 2. If I was in your shoes, I’d use those points to compare and think about what you really need, then make the best decision you can… all of these ebikes will be fun. The hard part might actually be finding them in stock somewhere!! Good luck ;)
john gorski says
Sorry just got my Rad step thru… very disappointing. My wife and I were forced to leave our Juiced Ocean Current step thru bikes because we were forced to sleep in the back of our truck due to covid. Ordered the Rad because Juiced no longer makes a step thru. After several months of anticipation, it arrived a few days ago. Perfect condition everything works as it should. But this is not a bike. It more closely resembles a tank. Very heavy, can not be ridden at anything less than #3 setting because due to weight and tire drag, peddling is more difficult than a traditional bike. At setting 3 or above, the bike just goes the programmed speed so long as the peddles are moving. In this mode it is difficult to keep up with the motor and get any real exercise. If you want to feel like you are riding a bike this is not for you. If you have ridden a bike with both torque and cadence sensors you will be disappointed. For reasons stated range is considerably shorter than advertised.
Court says
Thanks for sharing your experience with this bike, John! I agree that cadence sensors aren’t as dynamic as torque or multi sensors. For the money, I really like what Rad is offering, but their products do tend to be heavier and more basic to hit the low price point.
Lynda says
I have had my rad for a year now. I am 74 years old and Have a health problem that does not allow me to do excessive exercising. I hardly ever use more than level 1 assist mode and use the throttle on hills. Level 1 is more than enough assistance that allows me to ride Many miles. I find my rad to be very easy pedaling and the weight does not bother me at all. If I were to use level 3 assist, it would be way too much power. Not sure why you need to have it on level 3. Love, love this bike.
Court says
Wonderful feedback about your RadCity, Lynda. Thank you so much for sharing with us. I’m so glad to hear that you’re enjoying it :)
john gorski says
Glad you love your Rad Lynda. After several months and many miles I think I should update my feelings about the bike. I have had zero problems with the bike. I still miss the “bike” feel of my other bike with a torque sensor but have learned that by using the throttle and keeping a lower level of assist I can still get some good exercise. The bike components are probably better than those on my Juiced bike, but the standard battery is too small in a hilly area where more assist is needed. All in all, I feel the bike was a good value and I thank god for it in this covid time.
Court says
Thanks for the update to Lynda, John! I found it useful and interesting to read as well.
Samuel Pasag says
Do you ship to the Philippines?
Court says
Great question, Samuel! Perhaps someone from Rad will respond. My guess is that they do not at this time. But they have expanded to parts of Europe, Canada, and of course the US where they started out. Hopefully soon! Do you guys have any other ebike brands in the Philippines right now?
Samuel Pasag says
I don’t know. Right now I am in the US. When I go home I would like to buy a couple of ebikes and ship them to the Philippines for me.
Court says
Hmm, maybe you could contract with a freight forwarder or something? I haven’t done this directly, but it was done to get us ebikes in Mexico once several years ago. COVID makes things a little more complicated because I heard that supply chains were disrupted for a bit. I’m sorry that I don’t have more information to help with this, but I wish you luck!! I’d love to visit the Philippines someday, it looks beautiful.
Dmitriy says
Hi, do you think this bike can pull a Burley Bee Child Trailer with 2 kids inside or do you recommend the RadRover instead? Any other suggestion for under $1,500 to be able to pull the kids with some pedal assist and be as comfortable as possible.
Court says
Hi Dmitriy! I do think that the RadCity could pull a trailer like this, no problem. The challenge might be in how you connect it to the bike. I see on Amazon that they have a hitch that connects to the axle, but Rad Power Bikes use a special torque arm bolt on their axles that might interfere. There may be other hitch designs (or you could make your own) but be careful with the rear axle design, because the motor is powerful. If you loosen the bolts or remove the torque arm and the motor spins, it will rip the power cable right out and become severely damaged. I would ask Rad directly which trailers they recommend, or in the Rad Power Bikes forums maybe someone else has found a good solution :)
Dmitriy says
Hi Court,
Thanks for the quick reply! By the way, your reviews are next level, very detailed.
I already have this trailer and I ended up ordering the RadRunner. I’ll ask them like you suggested if it will work. Any other recommendation for this price point that might work better?
Court says
Hi Dmitriy! I think you can probably get the trailer working with a bit of creativity and possibly a different mount design. I’ve seen some that wedge between the bike tubing and others that clamp onto it vs. fitting around the axle. As for what might work better… most ebikes in this price range use hub motors. A mid-drive could provide a rear axle that doesn’t use torque arms or a super thick axle. If you were to find one with a standard 9mm axle with quick release skewer, that would be the most common/universal and work with the Burley Trailer best. As for power, versatility, and value, I think RadRunner is a great choice! I hope the trailer works out… Here are a few forum posts that might help you (post 1, post 2, post 3, post 4) :D
Tuyet Minh says
I love riding my bike now, I got the white colour which is very beautiful. It’s working good and I’m happy that I got it.
Court says
Hi Tuyet, cool name! Thanks for taking the time to share your feelings about the RadCity Step-Thru! I agree, it’s a beautiful ebike. Sounds like it has you out riding and having fun, and that’s wonderful :)
Michael S Ferrell says
I dispute that mid-drives have more torque at the rear wheel than hub drives without seeing real measurements of the motors themselves. Gearing between the motor and rear wheel will multiply torque of course. But a hub motor is typically of a larger size than the mid motor will also have more torque to begin with! DC motors have the same torque at all RPMs, they do not have to get up to speed to pull like your legs or a gas motor. The claim that mid drive bikes have more torque inherently is false. It depends on the motors used.
Court says
Thanks for your feedback, Michael! Perhaps I should say that mid-drive motors offer users the ability to optimize power for climbing or achieving higher speeds. In general, it has been my observation that ebike companies advertise their geared hub motors at or around 45nm and their mid-drives at or around 60nm (going all the way up to 85+ with the Bosch Performance Line CX. Based on the inputs I have, and my own experience shifting gears, I do think that mid-drive motors tend to be more efficient and better at high-torque low-speed operation if used in conjunction with a large (low gear) sprocket.
David Cook says
My wife and I have a pair of Rad City 3 step-throughs. We like them a lot and are looking for a platform hitch rack to carry them on our RAV4. I’ve used our old Thule Helium Pro hanging rack – but its pushing the weight limit (does OK with a support strap to the roof rack). Would like to find a platform rack designed for the weight of the two 65lb. bikes. We are limited by a 1.25″ receiver hitch though – and the fenders on the Rad Cities and the lack of a top tube to clamp onto with the step-through design (yes, we could use the adaptor bars). In addition to the weight capacity of the rack, there is also the weight capacity of my back! I’ve found three platform racks that come with a loading ramp, can carry two 65lb. bikes, fit a 1.25″ hitch and don’t attach to the top tube or tires at the fork.
The EasyFold has surprisingly poor reviews on the Thule site, costs a lot and does not fold up against the back of the car when it’s empty. It does fold quite compactly for storing in the garage and comes with a ramp. The OnRamp takes two people to tip it away from the ar to access the hatchback. It also comes with a loading ramp. The MoTow can be paired with a motorized hitch lift – so you can load the bikes without lifting them – but it doesn’t tip away to open the hatchback at all. Anybody else out there with two (Rad City) step-throughs and a 1.25″ hitch who has a platform rack they like that is easy to load?
Court says
That’s a great roundup David! I’ve been using a Küat for a while, because the company gave it to me for a review. I like it, but am also limited to 1.25″ hitch on my Toyota Prius. I almost always take the battery pack off before putting bikes on. The Küat NV 2.0 has a ramp option, but it doesn’t stow in the rack itself. I know what you mean about the Thule Easy Fold not folding flat, it folds in from the sides and sort of sticks out at the rear which can make parallel parking difficult – needing longer spots. Check out the Rad Ebike Forums to see what others have to say about bike racks. There are some on Amazon that actually look interesting, but I cannot remember the name right now.
Michael says
Thx Court! I love your thorough reviews. I am familiar with Rad Runner plus and ask, for city only riding with some hills natural to streets in San Diego, as one who throttles and rarely pedals, will Rad City take hills as well as Rad Runner?
Court says
Hi Michael! It depends on which version of the RadCity you are talking about. The classic model with gearless hub motor doesn’t offer as much torque as the new RadCity Plus. I think that one would be fairly comparable to the RadRunner (which also uses a geared hub motor). Note that the smaller wheel size on the RadRunner provides a mechanical advantage for the motor but the heavier rims, tires, and increased drag from the larger compact patch all play a role in reducing efficiency.
Okay, all of this said! I’ve been to San Diego and it seems like their hills are mostly moderate. If you have some momentum going in and are okay pedaling just a bit… I think you’ll be fine with any of the Rad products, since they are fairly powerful in general. The RadRunner Plus has 7 gears vs. the RadRunner basic with just one gear. Both RadCity versions have 7-speeds so they would be easier to pedal if needed (for climbing or if the battery gets drained). I hope this helps!
Glenn says
I own a rad rover but we sold our step-thru because she couldn’t stand flat footed while seated as she was too short. She is 4’9′ tall. Would the rad city step-thru work?
Court says
Hi Glenn, it might be similar. I try to measure this in my reviews and label it as “minimum saddle height” and I think the lowest ones are the RadExpand and RadRunner since they have smaller wheel diameter. I hope this helps guide you to search the site.