Total Weight:
63.6 lbs (28.84 kg)
Battery Weight:
7.7 lbs (3.49 kg)
Motor Weight:
10.2 lbs (4.62 kg)
Frame Material:
6061 Aluminum Alloy
Frame Sizes:
18.75 in (47.62 cm)Geometry Measurements:
18.75" Seat Tube, 23.5" Reach, 29.5" Stand Over Height, 33" Minimum Saddle Height, 27.75" Width, 70.5" Length
Frame Types:
High-Step
Frame Colors:
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, Frame Lock Mount, 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, 690mm 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:
Velo, Ergonomic, Rubber
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 Front Tray 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 Downtube-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
Larry Warren
1 year agoDid you remember to test pedal effort without electric assist?
ReplyCourt
1 year agoHey Larry! Yeah, I pedaled around a bit without assist… but didn’t show that on video, sorry. Instead, I showed the magnetic drag that the motor introduces by spinning the back wheel. So, in addition to being fairly heavy, this ebike also has some regeneration drag, so it’s not the best if you’re considering an electric bicycle that will be super light, efficient, and easy to pedal without the motor power. That said, it was still satisfying and fairly comparable to a traditional bicycle… just imagine loading a regular bike up with 30lbs and then having older axles that rub a bit. It’s much easier than walking, but much slower to start and not coasting as efficiently as a brand new lightweight road bike ;)
ReplyArjan
1 year agoHi Court
After your review, do you find this model better than the Ride 1Up 700 or the Rad Runner? Whats your opinion? And, which one is better for city commute? Thanks, and great review.
Arjan
Arjan
1 year agoThank you Court, big big help
G C
1 year agoThanks for the review. Interesting to hear about the difference between geared and direct drive motors. I think I would prefer the latter, since it’s quieter, even at the expense of less torque and the magnetic drag when powered off.
RAD certainly seems to be putting out one great bike after another. I wish they’d offer some more colors. Black is hard to see.
ReplyCourt
1 year agoYeah! I’m impressed, and I agree with your take. For most applications, the gearless hub motor is going to perform just fine. The quieter operation, durability, and unique regenerative braking features make it a great choice for city and neighborhood riding :)
ReplyJack
1 year agoHey Court! How did you find the size of the bike (or what’s your height/inseam)? I’m about 5’10 and right on the edge of what the Rad website suggests for this bike’s height range. I believe you rode the size 16 last year but you seemed to get along well with the 18.5 in this year’s model. I love the bike but obviously want to make sure it will be a good fit before purchasing.
ReplyCourt
1 year agoHey Jack! Great question there. I’m 5’9″ and weigh about 135lbs, fairly long inseam around 30.5″ and I did just fine on the bike, it fit perfectly. Given the choice between the high-step and step-thru options, I’d go high-step all the way… because it’s stiffer, offers slightly better balance, and even with the bottle cages below the downtube and only black color, I still enjoy it and feel like the integrated rack could work great with a trunk bag/bottle holder type thing. I hope this helps! It’s a great bike :)
ReplySheri
6 months agoHow would you say that this bike would ‘fit’ a female, height 5’11’ with a 34″ inseam?
Jerry
1 year agoI have this bike in the 19 in frame size from last year. The more I ride it the more I like it. The motor is very smooth and very quiet. I normally just use assist level 1. About 50 watts. The riding position is very comfortable. I have not found any ebike superior to this one for the same money.
ReplyCourt
1 year agoHi Jerry! Thanks for sharing your experience with the RadCity, that’s great. I hope it continues working well for you, and I agree that it’s one of the best value, best performing bikes out there ;)
ReplyJosh
1 year agoThe Stand Over Height posted here is 29.5″ and on the radpower bikes website its 31″. Why is there a discrepancy between the two?
ReplyCourt
1 year agoHi Josh! I measure all of my dimensions by hand and do it a certain way… In this case, I looked at the hight of the top tube just in front of the saddle nose (so not the super lowest point of the top tube). I measured closely and noted that the tires were inflated and then rounded to 0.25″ to get 29.5″ which is actually lower than Rad posted… so maybe they’re just being extra conservative? In any case, I would guess that somewhere around 30″ inseam is a good bet… and I’ll be posting the RadCity Step-Thru 3 very soon, which comes in black or white and has a much lower 17.5″ stand over height, if that helps you :)
ReplyMike
1 year agoThanks for the review! Very well put together. I’m buying this bike as a reward for dropping weight. I’m 6′ 1″ and currently 281 lbs. I anticipate being at the 275 mark within the week to 10 days and will continue to my first goal weight of 235 within 4 more months. Any tips on safety etc. until I’m down a few pounds?
Thanks!
ReplyCourt
1 year agoWow, that’s fantastic Mike! Congrats on choosing to spend some cash on a healthy hobby and pursuing health that way. I’d be happy to share some thoughts on this. In fact, I created a video where I taught my friend how to ride, and it might contain some interesting perspectives on stability. I’d recommend starting with the lowest three levels of assist, maybe start with 1 and 2, then use 3 as you feel stable and comfortable. Make sure the tire pressure is always at least to the minimum recommended PSI, but probably closer to the max since you weigh more. This will reduce the possibility of flats. Don’t ride off curbs or into large cracks or bumps, because this will bend and loosen spokes at your weight. Try to be smooth, always wear a helmet and maybe some clear glasses to keep bugs from getting into your eyes, carry the charger in case you run out of juice far from home. I always wear a little backpack with a water reservoir because it’s easier to drink from than reaching for a water bottle in a bottle cage. I avoid riding at dusk and dawn because it’s much easier to get hit by a car with the sun in their eyes. I ride with my lights on and I wear reflective gear. I also make sure to double knot my shoelaces to avoid having them catch in the chain or other parts of the bike, and I use a rubber band or pant leg velcro strap retainer type thing to keep the pants from snagging and getting dirty. I think that’s a good list to start. I hope this helps, and I welcome further comments or you can just call me to chat sometime, as my number is listed on the contact us page here ;) good luck, and good for you!
ReplyMike
12 months agoGreat review! Just got my Rad City and ready to roll out! So, what bike rack do you reccommend for the Rad City high step? Hitch is not a problem. I have a Ram 2500 diesel with heavy duty hitch but I need access to the tail gate. Looking at the Thule and the Kuat. What do you think? Thanks!
ReplyCourt
12 months agoOh yeah! Awesome… Both Thule and KÜAT make awesome racks. I’ve owned the NV 2.0, which can be extended to hold up to four bikes if you’ve got a 2″ hitch. It’s the heavy duty model and works very well… but it’s heavier than the Sherpa 2.0, which I own now! I drive a sedan with a 1.25″ hitch, so I couldn’t add the additional two trays even if I wanted to. You’ve seen me in the videos, I’m not a big guy, so having a lighter rack that’s easier to lift and less expensive has been great. That said, due to the lower max weight, I always take the battery packs off of ebikes when transporting them, and I place the heaviest bike closer to the trunk of the car vs. hanging way out. I did create a review of the KÜAT NV 2.0 here and a review of the Thule EasyFold XT 2 here. Both of these racks tip back/down and out of the way for your tailgate to open. I’m not sure if that’s the case for the Sherpa, so check a review first ;)
ReplyMark
12 months agoHi Court, I’m a bit over 6 feet and you mentioned that your 5’9″. Noticed that you had the seat post extended quite a bit. I’m used to riding a 22″ frame road bike, how comfortable do you feel the 18.5″ frame will be for the long haul. I don’t like riding with bent knees.
Thanks,
ReplyMark
Court
12 months agoHi Mark! You should be alright with the high-step frame. The seat post is fairly long at 350mm and the seat tube goes up pretty high. You could always swap the post out for an even longer 400mm post, but I’m not sure that will be necessary for you to get full leg extension. Furthermore, the adjustable angle stem and riser handlebar allows you to rotate the bar forward and angle the stem forward to extend your reach and body position. Long story short, you could get a more perfect geometry fit by spending more for a Trek, Specialized, Giant frame that comes in more sizes, but I think the RadCity would be acceptable and enjoyable :)
ReplyAndrew
11 months agoI’m 6’1″ and the factory seat post allows me to achieve full leg extension.
ReplyCourt
11 months agoSweet! Thank you so much for this comment, Andrew. I’m sure it will be valuable for other tall riders who are considering the bike. Enjoy the ride!!
scott t
7 months agoI’m 6’3″ and 210lbs and can get the seat to a perfectly comfy height. I’ve done a few 15 mile round trips on this bike in comfort.
ReplyCourt
7 months agoSweet! Thanks for chiming in and sharing your details to help out, Scott! Awesome :D
Denis Dubour
10 months agoHi Folks! I’m 69 and want an ebike to ride to tennis courts and neighborhood cruising around. Is this Rad for me or is the Townie from Electra?? Rad seems to offer more for the money. Will be looking for my wife also who is 67. Don’t want to spend a lot on a bike at this point but also don’t want to regret a lower purchase price. Thanks for your help with this choice. Be well
ReplyCourt
10 months agoHi Denis! Great question, and my apologies for the slow reply. I think that both ebikes would serve you well, but Rad offers the best value… and has a throttle. Electra is known for style, reliability, efficiency, and their flat-foot body geometry. Rad Power Bikes is newer to the scene, but actually fairly established as an ebike manufacturer. They do offer good quality for the price point, and they do offer great support. They are the online “save money” type of brand while Electra and Trek (the parent company) are the in-person “test ride and great customer service” type of brand. I do like that the RadCity comes in two frame styles, step-thru and high-step, so perhaps you and your wife could each get one and ride together :D
Replyscott t
5 months agoIf the Electra’s still have metal fenders they will rattle more depending on what terrain you are on. I switched to a Rad City from a Townie and am glad I did.
ReplyCourt
5 months agoThanks for the feedback, Scott!
Gene Pozniakoff RN
9 months agoCourt, thank you for all of the great reviews you have done. While researching which ebikes Deb wanted, we came across your review of the Rad City ST and Regular on YouTube.
Now, we have one of each. We really liked that Rad has the ABUS Cafe Lock for the Rad City. We bought one for each and the ABUS chain too. I think this is a valuable point for your readers to consider. It’s compact, secure and unobtrusive. Maybe it’s best attribute.
We are looking forward to many years of riding fun. I did purchase a rack (Overdrive Sport 2) for our Ford Flex, and adjusted it so as to carry both Rads evenly. Once properly adjusted and strapped down, the bike don’t move. Thank’s again for all the good info, Best of Luck to you and your adventures.
Gene and Debbie Pozniakoff
ReplyCourt
9 months agoHi Gene! I’m so happy for you two, congrats on finding some perfect ebikes for you and your wife :D good tips about the ABUS cafe lock and the platform hitch rack for your car. I hope everything works out well, and I welcome further comments and input as the months and years go by. Sounds like lots of fun ahead ;)
ReplyJohn W
8 months agoUnder the Accessories section, you say “Optional Bolt-On Rear Rack with Yepp! Window” … but the RadCity’s rear rack is integrated and accepts seats that use the Yepp! “EasyFit” window, without needing any additional accessories or add-on. That’s one of my favorite features about this bike!
ReplyCourt
8 months agoFixed! Thanks for the heads up, John. I had copied over some of the data from the RadRover and missed that detail, since the RadCity comes standard with an integrated rear rack. Thank you so much for pointing this out! Glad to hear you’re enjoying yours :D
ReplyTom
8 months agoHi Court, I had a knee operation 6 months ago and on a non-ebike I have some difficulty with hills. We live in a flat area (all paved surfaces no off road) but have a few hills. I like the RadCity 4. Do you think it will be OK on the occasional hill or two?
Thanks,
ReplyTom
Court
8 months agoHi Tom! I hope your knee heals smoothly and quickly. Yeah, any ebike is going to make it MUCH easier to climb hills. That’s especially true if it has a throttle to help you get going. I haven’t had knee surgery, but both of my knees are sensitive from sports injuries when I was younger. I now have to walk down stairs very carefully, and it’s part of what got me into ebikes. Yes, the RadCity will help you a lot. BUT! It won’t scale medium hills if you stop half way up and then rely 100% on the throttle to get going again. The motor on this ebike is very reliable and quiet, but not as high-torque from standstill. In those situations, just get off and walk it or try to start at an angle to gain some speed.
Keep in mind, I have no idea how much you weigh. I’m a very fit 135lb guy who knows how to downshift when approaching hills, how to preserve momentum, and how to stand up and use my body weight to pedal when necessary (to reduce knee fatigue). The key to enabling an ebike to perform well is to maintain some speed when approaching and going up a hill, then add a bit of light pedaling if necessary. It’s that simple, and I think you’ll be very impressed by the performance if you’ve never ridden an ebike before. Please let me know how it goes for you!!
Replyscott t
8 months agoI have had one of these for about a week. I am coming to this bike from a electra townie go 2016 model. I much prefer this bike so far. Both are comfortable bikes but the radcity provides a nicer upright position to me by being able to adjust the stem. The electra had metal fenders and no suspension fork so bumpy bike paths could be loud and clangy and often jolting. This bike with the plastic fenders is much much more quiet and the suspension fork really dissipates bumps. The electra I had had an internal rear hub which was nice for shifting at stops but with the throttle on this bike and a bit of planning I can usually take off as quick from zero mph. My range seems a bit greater on this bike than my bosch powered electra (400) and this bike is about 400 dollars less than my bike from 4 years ago. Assembly from the box was quite easy and hopefully rad power will start to more more accessories back in stock. Everything about this bike seems rock solid so far… Shifting out of the box was crisp and trouble free. For the money I am very pleased.
ReplyCourt
8 months agoSweet! Great review, Scott. Thanks for sharing your perspective, especially since this is not your first electric bike. I’m a big fan of the upright geometry that an adjustable stem can provide, along with the suspension fork. The RadCity is an excellent all-around product at a great price. Hope it continues to work well for you!
ReplyPaul
5 months agoHello! Does anyone know if this would be fit for a 5”3 140 female comfortably?
Thank you!
ReplyCourt
5 months agoHi Paul! I think it’s workable but might not be as approachable for her as the step-thru version of the RadCity. It could depend on her balance, because she may have to tip the bike to one side in order to balance on her foot during stops. Getting onto the high step might also require hanging one leg over the side of the top tube vs. having both feet on the ground. I’m only guessing here, lots of petite riders make it work, but the step-thru was designed specifically to be more approachable :)
ReplyNed
2 months agoHi does anyone have any comments as to whether a Rad city (other alternative suggestions?) would suit my situation. I am trying to figure out which e bike is the best for my rather hilly location. A hub drive with regenerative braking sounds like it may have some advantages for me, especially saving the brakes, as I tend to ride the brake down hill as a bike above 25 mph doesn’t feel safe to me. I am however a bit concerned about the comment about the Rad City not able to start up a steep hill (mine is up to 10% grade see below). I do ride the route on a mountain bike but the 50 km return trip to the closest town is a pretty tough day trip. I have a bit of a demanding location in southern BC my place is 20 to 30 km from the local town to get there I go up 2000 ft on gravel in 11 km (7 miles) then down ~1000ft on gravel in 12 km and then if really adventurous down another 2000 ft in 8km on pavement. Then I have to get back! and I suppose I might as well pick up 20 lb of groceries to take back while I am at it. I assume even with regenerative braking it might be handy to have a spare battery on the 60 km round trip with almost 3000ft climb both ways.
ReplyCourt
2 months agoHi Ned! It’s a great question. I do think the regen braking would help to reduce wear on your brake pads. Not a whole lot, but definitely a bit. These gearless motors do not offer the high torque from standstill, but Rad has pretty much maxed out the power (and customized their controller for high throughput) so I think it will work fine with a bit of speed or help pedaling in a low gear. When you mention the added weight of groceries, it gets me thinking about your body weight and wondering what the total will be? I’m 13lbs and usually pedal along when not filming reviews, because I want to maximize range and just don’t enjoy watching the motors struggle ;) the good news is that the cooler climate in BC for parts of the year should help keep the controller, battery, and motor from lagging due to heat.
ReplyNed
2 months agoThanks for the reply Court. I suppose the best way would be to test a bike with regenerative braking down a hill and see how it feels. I was hoping regenerative braking was something that I could adjust the intensity of so I could use solely regenerative braking to control my speed of decent but from your reply and other stuff I have read, it sounds more like it is a constant drag (when applied) that aids the brakes.
I am mostly a person who wants to pedal continuously with the ebike primarily to assist me up these 2,000ft climbs with groceries (I am about 190 lbs 60 years old). So again with the increased weight of the ebike, me and groceries I am a bit fearful of over heating or brake fade on the long hills hence my interest in regenerative braking. I will also be looking to see if I can attach my Bob trailer in someway to the e bike.
Ned