Total Weight:
65.2 lbs (29.57 kg)
Battery Weight:
7.7 lbs (3.49 kg)
Motor Weight:
10.2 lbs (4.62 kg)
Frame Material:
6061 Aluminum Alloy
Frame Sizes:
14.75 in (37.46 cm)Geometry Measurements:
14.75" Seat Tube, 23.5" Reach, 17.5" Stand Over Height, 28.75" Minimum Saddle Height, 26" Width, 72" Length
Frame Types:
Step-Thru
Frame Colors:
Satin White with Gray and Orange Accents, Satin Black with Gray and Orange Accents
Frame Fork Details:
SR Suntour Spring Suspension, 80mm Travel, Compression Adjust with Lockout, Preload Adjust, 28mm Stanchions, 100mm Hub Spacing, 9mm Axle with Quick Release Skewer
Frame Rear Details:
135mm Hub Spacing, 12mm Threaded Slotted Axle, 18mm Nuts
Attachment Points:
Fender Mounts, Front Rack Mounts, Rear Rack Mounts, Bottle Mount
Gearing Details:
7
Speed 1x7 Shimano Acera Derailleur, DNP Nickel Plated 11-34 Tooth FreewheelShifter Details:
Shimano SIS Index Thumb Shifter on Right
Cranks:
Aluminum Alloy, 170mm Length, 46 Tooth Chainring with Prowheel Ounce Alloy Guide
Pedals:
Wellgo Aluminum Alloy Platform with Reflectors, CrMo Axle, Black
Headset:
Semi-Integrated, Sealed Cartridge, 1-1/8" Straight
Stem:
Zoom, Adjustable Angle 0º to 60º, 100mm Length, Two 2mm Spacer, One 10mm Spacer, One 15mm Spacer, One 20mm Spacer, 31.8mm Clamp Diameter
Handlebar:
Aluminum Alloy, Swept Back, 630mm Width
Brake Details:
Tektro Aries Mechanical Disc with 180mm Rotors, Four-Finger Tektro Levers with Rubberized Edges and Bell on Left and Motor Inhibitors and Brake Light Activation
Grips:
Ergonomic, Stitched Imitation Leather
Saddle:
Velo Plush with Lifting Handle
Seat Post:
Promax, Aluminum Alloy, Single Bolt Clamp
Seat Post Length:
350 mm
Seat Post Diameter:
27.2 mm
Rims:
Weinmann, Aluminum Alloy, Double Wall, 30mm Outer Width, Machined Sidewalls, 36 Hole
Spokes:
Stainless Steel, 12 Gauge, Silver with Nipples
Tire Brand:
Kenda x Rad Power Bikes K-Rad, 26" x 2.3" (58-559)
Wheel Sizes:
26 in (66.04cm)Tire Details:
30 to 80 PSI, 2.1 to 5.6 BAR, 30 TPI, Reflective Sidewall Stripe, K-Shield Puncture Resistant Casing
Tube Details:
Schrader Valve
Accessories:
Rear-Mount Adjustable Kickstand, Steel Derailleur Guard, Rad Power Bikes Integrated LED Front Light (Outer Light Ring, Focused Beam, Aluminum Alloy Heat Sink, 80 Lumens), Integrated Spanninga Solo LED Rear Light (Solid, Flashing, Brake Activation, 1 LED), Neoprene Slap Guard, Plastic Fenders with Rubber Mud Flaps (60mm Width), Optional Bolt-On Rear Rack with Yepp! Window, Optional Front Rack, Optional Small Basket, Optional Large Basket, Optional Platform, Optional Small Pannier, 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 ABUS Bordo 6100/90 Folding Lock
Other:
Locking Removable Seat Tube-Mounted Battery Pack, 1.1lb 2 Amp Charger, Fully Potted Motor Controller, Stainless Steel Torque Arm, 275lb Maximum Weight Rating, 275 Watt Regenerative Braking (Automatic When Braking), Adjustable Top Speed (12km/h - 32km/h), Adjustable LCD Brightness, Adjustable Wheel Size
Sidney Grissom
5 years agoHi, how is the torque compared to a pedego bike?
ReplyCourt
5 years agoHi 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 ;)
ReplySidney
5 years agoThank you Court, I’m comparing the Boomerang or Interceptor.
Jerry Dawson
5 years agoIs it confirmed that the gearless motor has extra resistance when riding the bike with no assist?
ReplyCourt
5 years agoHi 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 :)
ReplyJerry
5 years agoThanks 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
5 years agoDoes this bike have a boost option?
ReplyCourt
5 years agoI’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!
ReplyDonna
5 years agoWhat height of a person would be best for this Rad 3 series step thru .
ReplyCourt
5 years agoHi 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 ;)
Replyyetelin
3 years agoVery well written.
ReplySamantha plett
5 years agoIf 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.
ReplyCourt
5 years agoHi 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!
ReplySamantha Plett
5 years agoThanks for the help! I ordered the RadCity step thru, its on back order until July so its going to be a long wait.
Ivy Ransom
5 years agoHi! 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,
ReplyIvy
Court
5 years agoHi 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 :)
ReplySusie
4 years agoHi! 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?
ReplyCourt
4 years agoGreat 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.
ReplyVonnie Carlett
4 years agoHi, 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?
ReplyCourt
4 years agoHi 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 ;)
Replyjohn gorski
4 years agoSorry 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.
ReplyCourt
4 years agoThanks 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.
ReplyLynda
4 years agoI 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.
ReplyCourt
4 years agoWonderful 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
4 years agoGlad 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.
Samuel Pasag
4 years agoDo you ship to the Philippines?
ReplyCourt
4 years agoGreat 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?
ReplySamuel Pasag
4 years agoI 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.
Dmitriy
4 years agoHi, 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.
ReplyCourt
4 years agoHi 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 :)
ReplyDmitriy
4 years agoHi 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?
Tuyet Minh
4 years agoI 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.
ReplyCourt
4 years agoHi 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 :)
ReplyMichael S Ferrell
4 years agoI 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.
ReplyCourt
4 years agoThanks 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.
ReplyDavid Cook
4 years agoMy 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?
ReplyCourt
4 years agoThat’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.
ReplyMichael
3 years agoThx 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?
ReplyCourt
3 years agoHi 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!
ReplyGlenn
2 years agoI 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?
ReplyCourt
2 years agoHi 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.
Reply