2020 Rad Power Bikes RadMission 1 Review

My goal is to be transparent and unbiased with you, this video and writeup are not meant to be an endorsement of RPB products. The review was performed free of charge but Rad Power Bikes is an advertiser on this website. I often perform free reviews if a bike is shared before launch or if I feel that it’s especially important and likely to be popular. RPB also delivered the products to my apartment using their Rad Mobile delivery service van, making it efficient and easy to perform the reviews. 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 Texas and Vancouver Canada 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 first generation of the RadMission, and I was loaned the standard high step and ST (step-thru) versions… the ST is actually more of a mid-step. These bikes are using a brand new proprietary geared hub motor, lower capacity 504 watt hour battery pack (that interfaces the same way as the other Rad batteries and is cross compatible), and the simpler LED display panel also used on the RadRunner.
• This is the cheapest ebike from Rad Power Bikes and is very stripped down… it doesn’t even include a kickstand! However, they do sell a kickstand for $15, along with fenders, racks, suspension seat post, bags, and other accessories. It does come stock with reflective tires and integrated lights. It’s a single-speed ebike, like their RadRunner, so the drivetrain is very simple, quiet, and clean.

Pros:

• RadMission is the lightest, most affordable electric bike from Rad Power Bikes to date. For $1,199k USD, I was amazed that they could sell it in two frame styles and sizes (high-step large 20.25″ and mid-step medium 18″). It also comes in six color combinations across the two frame types.
• One way that RPB keeps their prices low is by selling direct to consumer, through their website. However, they also sell through a couple of in-person stores in Vancouver, Canada and Seattle, Washington. If you’re not in one of those cities, they recently began selling through mobile delivery vans in major cities like Austin Texas and Sacramento California. This, paired with their modular systems, cross compatible accessories, and one year warranty, puts them ahead of many other direct-online ebike brands. They also have great phone support and one of the bigger teams.
• This ebike is super quiet, aside from some motor whirring noises. There are no fenders, racks, or even a kickstand that could rattle loose or bounce around. Since it’s a single speed, the chain stays tight and won’t clink into the chain stay… and they used a chain tensioner and aluminum alloy guide to keep the chain from falling off if you ride over bumpy terrain. I got to test the bike with fenders and racks added, and even then it was very quiet when riding across grass and off of a curb.
• I really appreciate that the front and rear racks come with extension cables and alternative mounting points for the lights, because this means they won’t get blocked by cargo. However, the headlight will no longer point where you steer. It will be fixed inline with the bike frame because of how the basket mounts.
• In its default location, the headlight mounts to the stem (the piece which holds the handlebar). This is awesome because it elevates the position of the light, making you easier to see by cars and other cyclists. I wish that more ebike companies did this, but it required a special part to do right and I wonder if it will still work perfectly if you get their optional LCD display as an upgrade? In any case, I love where the light is mounted on this ebike more than any of their other models, which have it lower down on the arch of the fork.
• I’m kind of a safety nut, so I love the reflective tires and quality integrated lights that run off of the ebike battery. The rear light has solid and blinking mode (just press the little rubber button on the lower left edge of the light), and it also goes bright when you pull either brake lever! So whenever you brake, the rear light will actually turn on and go bright if the lights are turned off, or it will go extra bright when the lights are on.
• Excellent attention to detail with the frame and components… notice the aluminum alloy chainring guide, the chain tensioner that is tucked inside the left chainstay so as not to get bent, the bottle cage bosses below the downtube, the black matching spokes, hubs, and rims, the extra-long seat collar quick release clamp that’s easier to adjust, and the sealed 14-pulse cadence sensor.
• Most of the single speed bicycles I’ve reviewed are setup with horizontal dropouts for the rear wheel. This allows the rear axle, hub, and cog to be positioned far enough back to create tension in the chain or belt. It can work alright, but often requires additional metal pieces on the frame and horizontal bolts to support and secure the axle… so it won’t slip forward over time. Rad’s vertical dropout design seems a lot simpler, especially when it comes to rear wheel maintenance and flat fixes, but it does require a chain tensioner. Perhaps the weight difference between the two approaches is similar? I feel that Rad Power Bikes did an excellent job with the design they chose and used good hardware to make this drivetrain durable and functional, it doesn’t seem like they took the easy way out.
• The brake levers have rubberized edges that improve comfort a bit, and don’t feel as cold. The left brake lever even has an integrated bell for friendly signaling. It’s a lot cleaner, easier to reach, and more durable than most aftermarket bells I’ve tested.
• Since the battery pack is removable, and the one-pound charger is so compact and lightweight, you can easily charge at work, school, or other destinations where there is a standard plug to use. Removing the battery will help to protect it from water, and extreme temperatures. Heat will degrade the cells faster, limiting the lifespan of the pack, while cold will stunt your range temporarily. I appreciate that these batteries have two fuses to prevent damage, and that you can also lock the battery to the bike in the “off” position, so nobody can turn on the display and tamper with your bike.
• I really like that this is a Class 2 electric bike with a throttle, and that Rad Power Bikes gives you absolute control over that throttle. You can use it any time the bike is powered on and get full power… it’s not tied to the assist levels at all. This means, the further you twist, the more power you get, and it allows you to override lower levels of assist (or even zero mode) to get started, gain speed, or climb a hill without pressing any display buttons. This is especially important given the single speed design of the drivetrain.
• Lots of great accessories to choose from, and you know that they will all fit and perform well. I especially like the side mirror option, which can help increase safety and confidence for people who ride near lots of traffic. There are front and rear racks, plastic fenders, a suspension seat post, pannier bags, platforms to mount on top of the racks for even more space, and waterproof insulated bags for carrying all sorts of groceries etc. Domino’s actually uses the RadCity models in some large cities, to deliver pizzas :D
• 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!
• Even though the RadMission comes with narrower tires than any other Rad Power Bike, they still chose slightly wider than average at 27.5″ x 1.95″ vs. 1.25″ or 1.75″ and that results in better stability and comfort. I’m glad they went this route, even though it increases drag and weight just a bit. That’s because, most ebike riders go further and faster on average than pedal cyclists.
• Even though the RadMission comes with a lower capacity battery pack, it mounts using the same interface as the other bikes and those batteries do work on this ebike, This means you can purchase a few bikes and easily swap the packs around, or take two packs along for an extended adventure. All of their batteries use high-quality lithium-ion cells from Samsung, are warrantied for a year, and are cheaper to replace they don’t contain the ebike controller (that’s in a little box, mounted behind the seat tube on this bike). In short, the batteries don’t heat up as much and cost less to replace because of this design choice.
• 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. Also note the flattened portion of downtube where the battery slide mounts with three bolts vs. just two. Good stuff…
• 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). I often tip the box onto the right side and slide it out to avoid hurting your back or bending the disc brake rotors which are on the left side of the bike.
• The RadMission models use a high-resolution 14-pulse cadence sensor, which makes starting and stopping faster and 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
• 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 RadMission models is 275 pounds (~125 kilograms). That’s higher than the average 250lb max weight limit of many other affordably priced ebikes.

Cons:

• Initially, I was bummed out about the weight of this ebike. I was expecting it to be lighter because it’s a single speed with no suspension fork! However, Rad chose a heavier steel fork because it supports the higher 275lb weight capacity of the bike and frame mounted front basket option. The steer tube mounting point for the rack is extremely sturdy with four bolts! The optional basket can hold 20+ pounds of cargo and won’t impact steering the way that fork and handlebar mounted baskets can. Another contributor to the higher weight of this single speed is the high-torque motor, which contains more copper windings, and the high volume puncture resistant tires.
• This ebike does not come with a kickstand. That caught me off guard, because it has plastic pedals that seem like they could be vulnerable when laying the bike down on its side? I asked the founders about this decision, and they said they were trying to reduce weight and waste because not all users felt that they needed one. The bike is super tough and simple with the single speed drivetrain, so maybe having a stand is less of a requirement here… but for those (like me) who definitely want one, it’s just $15 to add it… and the stand is really great! It offers tool-free adjustable length and attaches to the frame with a standard 18mm spacing at the rear – so it shouldn’t come loose easily or cause pedal lock.
• Some of the more expensive ebikes these days have frame-integrated batteries and hidden controllers. Rad Power Bikes is using external systems that don’t look as beautiful, but they are cheaper to replace and aren’t as complex. The result is battery packs that cross compatible and affordable to upgrade and a controller that isn’t passing heat to the battery pack – which can contribute to cell degredation.
• Removing the battery pack on this and other Rad ebikes can be a bit finicky and difficult. First, you insert the key and twist left, push in, and twist left once more. This final position is unlocked… and it allows you to slide the pack forward on the track and take it off. The battery doesn’t have a handle and the slide interface can be a little sharp. Just take your time and be careful with your fingers. Try not to drop the battery pack.
• The display panel is very simple, with limited readouts including battery charge level, assist level, and lights indicator. You don’t get the precise speed, trip stats like average speed and odometer, or watts. You cannot adjust the brightness of this display either… but I was able to swivel it forwards so the orange LEDs wouldn’t be shining up into my face when riding at night. Rad Power Bikes also told me that they’d be offering the fancier LCD display as an optional retrofit upgrade at some point in the future.
• 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. This is especially relevant with this ebike because it’s a single speed that is geared high, making it difficult to start from standstill and and climb with.
• There’s no USB charging port built into the LCD display that comes with the RadRunner and RadMission. This is a handy feature, because it allows for smartphone charging on the go. With the lower capacity battery pack used here, perhaps it’s okay that you cannot tap into it to draw power… but it is still a downgrade from the other more expensive RPB models. I suspect that the optional retrofit LCD display will include the USB charging port, but I cannot say for sure.
• The bike does have walk mode, but because of the high single-speed gearing, it goes faster than I was expecting… so it’s more of a “jog mode”. You could also just use the twist throttle to walk the bike at lower speeds, just be careful since the throttle could get bumped and go much faster than you want as well ;)
• This is a single speed electric bike, and it’s geared pretty high (slow pedaling), which makes starting and climbing much more difficult. It feels natural at higher speeds above 15mph, but I really struggled to get started and climb even small hills when the bike was shut off. I prefer lower gearing, because I like to spin fast and reduce knee pressure. I asked the Rad designers about this, and they said the gearing was chosen based on user testing and feedback, and because the bike has a throttle to help get started. The throttle definitely works well, and I can understand the choice. Ultimately, with only one gear here, some people will be happy, and others might feel a bit uncomfortable. Also, there is no way to upgrade to a multi-speed drivetrain later on; the bike isn’t setup for a derailleur at all.
• The chain is rust resistant, along with the Nickel coated rear cog, but the steel chainring and steel fork could get some wear and show rust over time. I’ve heard that a bit of clear nail polish over scratches on the fork could reduce rust… or some basic touch up paint. Note that the main frame and optional baskets are all aluminum alloy and the optional fenders are plastic vs. steel.
• I asked Rad Power Bikes about the rear rack being compatible with the Yepp! Nexxt Maxi, which I assumed would fit on the bike. They said it was not compatible, which surprised me. I also learned that the rack is only rated to 18kg (40lbs) vs. most of their other ebike racks which are rated to 25kg (55lbs).
• Since there’s no suspension built into the bike, it can feel a little rough if the tires are inflated to a high pressure and you’re riding on bumpy terrain. I lowered the tire pressure near the 40 PSI minimum, and I’d consider buying a suspension seat post (with 27.2mm diameter) and suspension stem if I were riding every day.
• At the time of this review, none of the Rad Power Bikes come with hydraulic disc brakes. This is probably a cost savings decision, and it makes them easier to adjust manually. The downside is that actuating the brake levers can require more hand effort, especially the rear brake (right lever). I noticed that the caliper is angled a bit, and the brake cable is running down into the housing vs. being flat on the other Rad models. This could lead to more water and dust accumulating in the brake line, gunking it up and creating friction. I asked about this, and they said they had limited space to mount the caliper because of the way the rear portion of this frame is designed.
• The optional rear rack doesn’t support as much weight as all of the more expensive RPB models, and I was told that it is not compatible with child seats. That’s a bummer, and one big reason to consider paying more for the RadCity or RadCity Step-Thru if you plan to ride with a small child.
• Minor consideration here: 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 no longer aims where you steer in this position… it points where the bike is heading but isn’t as quick to turn. The alternative is leaving it mounted to the stem, where it could possibly get blocked by the contents of the basket.
• 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. This means that charging can take up to 4.5 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, increase weight, and possibly decrease reliability.