rad power bike lcd display free sample

2023-01-03 12:32:11

The LCD Display Upgrade provides additional information while riding, including Speedometer, Odometer, Trip Odometer, Average Speed, Max Speed, and Pedal Assist (PAS) levels 1-4. This replaces the stock LED display on the RadRunner, RadMission, and RadExpand.

rad power bike lcd display free sample

But here’s the deal -- while your LCD display is technically a screen, it’s not going to remind you about any meetings. It’s just there to help you get the most out of your ride.

To celebrate the launch of the LCD upgrade that"s now available for the RadRunner, here"s a quick guide to help you better understand your display"s features.

The liquid crystal displays (cool, right?!) on our bikes showcase all the important information you need while riding, from the amount of charge left on your battery to the number of miles under your belt.

You interact with the display using the three buttons on the "display remote" on the left side of the handlebar, which includes a mode button along with Up and Down arrows.

The Radometer can also help you keep tabs on your ebike"s health. Compare your mileage total with our suggested maintenance schedule and see if it"s time to take your two-wheeled friend in for a check-up.

The wattmeter usually gets less attention than the rest of the display features, but it can be a handy way to get a sense of how much power is helping push you along.

It"s fun to see just how much power our bikes put out on any given ride. A cyclist pedaling at full capacity for 20 minuteson a conventional bike maintains a power output of about 164 watts. An average Tour De France cyclist (oxymoron?) generates about 429 watts. How does your ride compare?

Your LCD Get-Around System also makes it easy to answer that burning question about how fast you"re going. (To comply with speed regulations on any given trail, of course ...)

Our Class 2 ebikes can go up to 20 mph (U.S. spec, 32 km/h in Canada). How does that stack up against riders on conventional bikes? Well, most experienced riders hit their stride between 15-20 mph.

Is that relevant to your ride?No.Does it give us an excuse to share some of the cute Rad Pets pics that we have floating around Rad Power Bikes HQ?You better believe it.

rad power bike lcd display free sample

My roommate and friend Dagny Daniel was in the market for an electric bike, and when she saw Rad Power Bikes was selling their entry-level e-bike for a $500 ($700 lower than its usual price), she jumped at the opportunity to buy it. When the bike came, Dagny put it together and charged it up, excited to hit the bike path.

But she’d only had it for a few days when the honeymoon period ended. Dagny and I were riding with a group of other people on bikes deep in the north Portland peninsula this past weekend when all the sudden, the lights on her bike turned off and the pedal-assist stopped working. (No, it wasn’t dead.) Eventually, we got it going again, but only briefly before it puttered out once more and she had to ride to back without any electric assistance or lights. Right now, the bike is sitting in our basement waiting for someone to figure out what went wrong and get it back in commission.

Dagny isn’t the only person who just bought a Rad Power bike. The e-bike company’s recent sale was very popular – turns out, $500 e-bikes sell like hotcakes. On my own Twitter feed, I heard dozens of accounts of people buying their first electric bikes because of this sale. One particularly exciting anecdote was from someone who said that the person who delivered their bike was so inspired by all the boxes of bikes he was delivering that he decided to get one for himself.

Some e-bike advocates saw the success of this sale as an indication that there’s a demand for electric bikes that should be met with more rebate programs. The popularity of such programs in places like Colorado has shown that people are interested in buying e-bikes at reduced rates and once they have the bikes, they often become game-changers for reducing their car use.

But Dagny’s experience made me wonder if there are more people who have had trouble with their new Rad Power bikes and how local bike shops are dealing with it.

Rad Power is based out of Seattle, and they have brick-and-mortar service centers in some other cities in the United States and Canada (but not in Portland). They used to operate a mobile repair service in some other cities, including Portland, so people could get help directly from Rad Power, but they cancelled that program a few months before the big sale. (According to Rad Power’s website, local mobile bike repair service Velofix is still available to help.) This has left some bike shops in a lurch.

Employees at the The eBike Store in the Piedmont Neighborhood express skepticism about direct-to-consumer electric bike companies like Rad Power. Andrew Schnell, a sales employee at the bike shop, says he thinks they’ve been able to hone in on an important market of people who want functional, non-luxury electric bikes at an affordable price.

The least expensive bike sold at the eBike store is $2500 – twice as much as what the RadMission usually costs, and five times as much as its sale price. Schnell said he thinks it’s worth the cost for a better quality bike that you can get serviced locally, but he understands why people are hesitant to pay that much for a bike.

Schnell said he has had trouble getting ahold of people from Rad Power when he has questions about their bikes, so the shop is limited in what it can do to help people who run into problems with them. This has meant some angry customers leaving one-star Yelp reviews for the eBike Store, which never claimed to be a Rad Power retailer or service shop in the first place.

There are several stores in Portland that Rad Power owners have said will service their bikes. Rad Power’s website lists the Bikeologist Mobile Bicycle Repair and Upcycles as options for people who want to get help in-person. But part replacements for Rad Power bikes are hard to come by right now because of all the demand.

Thankfully, experiences like Dagny’s seem rare. When I tweeted asking for people’s experiences with their new Rad Power bikes, I received overwhelmingly positive reports, and most people writing reviews online are very pleased with their purchase. (And by the way, Dagny isn’t giving up on her bike – she’ll get back on the seat as soon as she can, but it might take some time to find someone who can help.)

Schnell acknowledges that his exposure to the bikes is more likely to be negative because people are coming to the bike shop with their grievances. But his overall takeaway is that because this industry is fairly new, there are going to be some kinks to work out as e-bikes stake their place as a popular mode of transportation.

Taylor has been BikePortland’s staff writer since November 2021. She has also written for Street Roots and Eugene Weekly. Contact her at taylorgriggswriter@gmail.com

rad power bike lcd display free sample

Hi Lloyd, are you asking when I will be in Toronto, or when the RadMission 1 will begin selling there, or maybe when they will have a Rad Mobile Service van there? I’d like to help, but I’m not sure which question you’re asking :)

Hi Shane! Awesome, I’m so glad the review was useful for you. I love Victoria but haven’t been in a while, I hope to make it back sometime this summer and also visit Tofino! Anyway, yeah! It worked well for Judy and I think Rad says it can accommodate people starting at 5’1″ so that’s great :)

Hi Court, the step-thru RadMission I ordered for my wife and I to share arrived, and I’d like to share a little mini-review if that’s ok? This is our first e-bike, and it arrived today about 2-weeks past the scheduled time after a 4 month wait. It came well packaged without any damage to the box, and the shipper brought it right to the front door of our 6th floor apartment. It was easy to put together taking about 25 minutes to put on the handle bars, the front wheel, the pedals, and also checking to see if everything worked. Unfortunately the front wheel was a little wobbly and rubbed against the disc brakes so I think I’ll have to adjust the spokes and calipers to get a perfect fit. Frustratingly I wasn’t able to put on the front basket or fenders, because some of the bolts were torqued on way too tight, and I ended up stripping them trying to remove them. After an email exchange with customer service they authorized me a $60 repair from a bike shop of my choosing to get the bolts off for me. Later, I took it for about a 2 mile spin across the neighborhood and here are some impressions I had, and how it compares to my road bike.I never realized before how heavy 50lbs was on a bike. I wouldn’t want to ride it too long without peddle assist. But it is very sturdy, and the frame seems like it was definitely purpose made for an ebike. All the weight was low to the ground as well, making it feel very stable.

The single speed worked great for me. It seems geared for exactly the cadence I prefer. I went up a few steep hills, and it conquered them all but the bike definitely seemed to prefer lots of help from me to do it. The throttle worked great for getting started at intersections as well, doing a good job of replacing those lower gears.

The ride position is very comfortable, and almost upright. It would be really easy for me to do long commutes on this, especially compared to my other “acoustic” bikes that are much more aggressive. The seat was fairly plush as well.

The tires didn’t seem to have much grip at all, like most new tires, but were very stable at speed. They did a pretty good job isolating road bumps because of how wide they were (I’m used to skinny road tires). I never really wished for a front suspension at any time, but I’m also a little younger than the typical e-bike rider.

This being my first e-bike I didn’t see the need for a nicer screen. Buttons were kind of hard to push with gloves on, but I like having something cheap, simple, and easy to replace if needed.

Fit and finish were great (except maybe the front wheel and bolts), and the bike is a looker. Much better esthetics than the Voltbikes and Pedegos I usually see around here.

It got up to speed really quick, and I’ve never covered so much ground so quick on a bike before. Saying that, I already wish it had more power than the 500W. I guess it’s kind of like a Toyota Corolla in that way. Will get the job done, but sometimes you wish you had a bit more in reserve for some situations like clearing intersections, or going up those really big hills. Weird because I rarely feel that way on my road bike, but riding this feels almost more like scooter you peddle I guess, and puts you in a different mindset.

I now get why you like hydraulic brakes so much. 50lbs is a lot of bike at speed, and the mechanical discs worked adequately, but I did wish for a bit more stopping power for any future “oh sh*t” moments. Also, after 1 ride the front brakes already needed a slight adjustment. This could get annoying if I have to do that after every ride.

Overall, great bike. Better than what I was expecting. I paid about $1800 with accessories and taxes and it feels like a bargain at that price. If I could change anything it would be better quality bolts that don’t strip so easily, hydraulic brakes, and maybe a little more torque from the motor. I’d give it an 8/10, with potential for a nine if I can get these initial problems sorted out. It won’t replace my road bike for exercise, but I definitely see us using the car a lot less, and now my wife can keep up to me (more like me keeping up with her now) for weekend rides.

I currently own a RadRover and I am thinking of getting this bike. My question is: can I change the front fork to an adjustable one? Because I ride a lot of sidewalks and trails and need the shock absorber to help with the ridges.

Hi Sookoor! Yeah, I do think it’s possible to swap the rigid fork out for suspension, but you need to get the correct size (I believe it’s 1-1/8″ straight) and then install it and possibly cut the top down to fit the spacer and stem setup. This can be a fun project, but it takes effort and some money for the parts. The suspension fork alone is probably at least $150, and that’s for a basic one. Instead, consider a suspension stem from Red Shift Sports, and maybe a suspension seatpost. However, these also cost $100+ each. Maybe you should take another look at the RadCity models which come with softer saddles and suspension fork by default?

Hi Ron, I’m going to give you my opinion… but I’m not an engineer and do not want to be liable. Yes, it will fit you because they rated the bike to carry up to 275lbs. You are at the top end of heights, and it may feel a little cramped in terms of reach, but it should be workable (if you get the high-step version). Please DO NOT put the seat post all the way up high, you need to look at the minimum insertion point stamp on the metal and not go higher, or it could break or bend the seat tube. You might want to replace the stock seat tube with a longer one and get a longer stem to make the bike fit a bit better. If you’re getting this ebike to save money, then spending another $50+ for those parts might not sound great… in that case, just deal with limited leg extension and make due as-is, just be careful not to break it or yourself. Good luck ;)

Overall the RadMission looks to be a pretty great package for the price. Considering placing a preorder, this would be my first e-bike. My questions are: Would you recommend this as a first e-bike, with primary usage for commuting? I’ve been paying attention to your pedal cadence at different speeds throughout the video, but in your opinion, how does the gearing “feel” at top speed? Does it feel like a cadence that could be kept up for several minutes at a time, or is it a fairly fast cadence? Overall quality and feel, does it seem to be comparable build quality and finish to other RPB products?

I was excited for this video, glad you were able to get an early review to show the in-depth ins and outs of this bike beyond what RadPower’s promotional videos show. Keep up the great work, and stay safe!

Hi Charles! Yes, this would be a great option for a first commuter ebike. The cadence at higher speeds is very comfortable. That’s probably where it’s the most comfortable for me because I feel that it’s too slow when starting or going at low speeds. Rad said they tested the bike with a bunch of consumers to get the right cadence based on feedback. I like to spin, so for me, the pedaling is a bit slow… but I guess I’m in the minority here ;)

The quality of the bike is great, especially for the price. Their lights, tires, touch points, and all accessories are above average. This bike is tough, and the display is simple. There are trade-offs, but it all plays well for commuting and parking outside at a rack. So glad that my in-depth coverage has helped you, that’s always my goal. Every product has trade-offs, and that’s okay if you can understand and accept them. I’d say that this or the RadCity would be great options for commuting. The cheaper RadMission gives you extra money for accessories if you want (like a bike lock, suspension seat post, racks, bags). I like the motor on the RadMission more than RadCity, but I like the geometry and suspension fork on the RadCity more… plus the gears so I can spin fast ;)

Howdy! I’ve been looking at this bike for a bit and I’m wondering if it could work for someone who’s quite a bit tall (6’7). I’ve looked at the Aventon Level (a bit more expensive, but could be shipped sooner) and it looks like it could work for my height as well (I also looked at the Wing Freedom). I’m a bit stuck on which would fit me the best and be able to work on some country roads where I live (middle IL). Any recommendations or tips would be greatly appreciated!

Hi Louis! Even though it costs a bit more and may require additional work to assemble, I’d probably go for the Aventon Level and get a longer seat post and stem to help it fit your body. The reason I suggest this is because that bike has a suspension fork that could improve the feel of gravel roads. The RadMission has a steel fork that helps, but the rigid frame could feel rough. Alternatively, you could save money on the bike, get the long version of the 27.2mm Thudbuster, and benefit from the great accessories, support, and easy assembly of RadRunner. It’s a great bike all around, I just really like comfort. Hope this helps clarify just a bit. The best options for your size are from Trek, Giant, and Specialized who sell multiple frame sizes. CUBE, Moustache, Haibike, Cannondale, and Yamaha are also good options. They all just cost more and don’t have throttles, if that matters to you :)

Thanks for the review. Really not sure who this bike is for. For 1K or a little more could get several models of e bikes with a name brand 500 watt motor with a kickstand, more useful display, bigger battery and gears. Some even have lights, fenders, racks. My Espin Sport came with all of that plus a suspension fork and hydraulic brakes for $1200. An Espin Nero has all that except for hydraulic brakes for $1k.

I really like my Espin Sport. Came to me undamaged. Easy to put together. Had a bike mechanic check it over. Fits me well. It is a beautiful cobalt blue and the fenders, lights and rack are all very solid. Zippy. Nice responsive hydraulic brakes. I rode in PAS 1 on a bike path and had no problem keeping it at a slow speed. Somewhat of a learning curve with finding the right gear to match the assist level. Feels much like riding a non electric bike. Very stable probably in part due to wider tires than my road bike. No problem on hills. One short steep hill near my house was no problem using assist level 2. Seat was surprisingly comfortable as I was planning to change it before I received my bike. It was a little harder to get on and off than I expected. I am 5’8″ and I am used to riding a regular frame bike. However the heavier weight of the e bike makes it different. The only thing I really did not like were the pedals. My feet kept slipping off. I have never had that problem before. Perhaps it was my shoes – I have purchased some mountain biking shoes (5/10) and I will probably change the pedals. Also there were not many directions regarding the display. I thought you could change the top speed but directions just say do not do this. No water bottle attachment and tubes are too wide for most third party solutions. I e-mailed Espin and they suggested something I could attach to my handlebars. My son has a new Ride1up 500 that he very much likes. Only problem he has is the bike is almost too big for him. He has to ride it with the seat all the way down. He is 5’6″-5’7″. We are now considering buying an Espin Nero for my husband who wants a fat tire e bike.

Thanks for this great feedback, Barbara! I’m so happy to hear that you’re enjoying the bike, great job communicating what you like and thanks for sharing a bit about your son too :D I agree about the water bottle mounting being something Espin should consider. We all get thirsty!!

Thinking of preordering this bike. But, I have a question about its hill climbing capability. I have a 6% to 7.5% incline hill one way on my commute. It’s about 1km in total length. Heading up the escarpment in Hamilton, Ontario. I can do this on a standard mountain bike with proper gear settings for me. But I was wondering in your short time with the bike, would the single gear Radmission have any issues with this slight climb with petal assist etc. I’m not as young as I used to be. Any information would be great thanks.

Hi Brent! I think it depends on your weight (you plus cargo), how strong your legs are, and weather you can gather and maintain speed. I’m 135lbs for reference, and the motor was very impressive to me, in terms of climbing. I did not expect it to basically carry me slowly up the steep hill shown in the video. It worked very well once I contributed pedaling a bit. The single speed drivetrain is geared high, so it’s not fast or easy to start and climb, but that motor is very capable and really benefits from any input you provide as a rider. I realize this is sort of a non answer, but I’d rank it above average in terms of power and below average in terms of gearing. Good luck, and please share your input if you do get one and test it out yourself :D

Thanks for the input! I’m a heavier dude, but at this point my knees are holding up. Just looking at this model to assist in the climb and my morning commute. Right now it’s a toss up between this model, the RadRunner, and a VoltBike Bravo… your reviews have helped out big time. Thanks again.

Yeah, if they can do all that and keep this great price, I would be very impressed and prefer it. Maybe we will see that in the future? I can see why a single speed would appeal to many people, because it’s reliable and quiet, and at least they have the spring chain tensioner and have done a good job with the other parts as is. I prefer the RadCity models, but they do cost 50% more, so it’s tough if you’re on a tight budget.

Hey Court, thanks for the review. I’m currently considering Radmission 1, NCM Prague, and Ride1up 500 series for my first ebike. I’m split between single speed and geared ebikes. I mostly am going to use it for commuting. What do would you suggest?

Hi Bhargav, sorry for the slow reply… busy week ;) I do enjoy gears, so that’s a big consideration with the RadMission. It’s powerful, well supported, and priced extremely well. I like the Ride1Up 500 Series for its “tried and true” design (motor and battery selection). I’m less familiar with the NCM Prague, but they have been around longer than Ride1Up and now appear to sell direct on Amazon. I’ve seen some complaints about limited support there. I really feel like Rad is the winner if you are okay with single speed. The positive way to look at it is how reliable the drivetrain is, like at bike racks and stuff. I think Ride1Up comes in second for having the gears. They’re a much smaller company from my understanding, and NCM is like an international bigger but less engaged company based on what I’ve seen. As a commuter, depending on how much damage it might get, the RadMission is going to be the toughest and easiest to repair/replace… and I think that’s why they went single speed. Back to gears, I like them because of my knee injury, I like to pedal light and fast. It seems that many people are just fine pedaling slow and hard at first… and the motor on this ebike is impressively powerful for the rating. I hope this helps you decide, and it might also come down to availability because so many are sold out. Good luck :D

Really enjoyed your review of this e bike! I’m 5′ 11′ with a 30″ inseam and was curious if I would be comfortable on the high step or if the midstep is the better option. I like the appearance of the high step but I think that the midstep is actually my correct size. I’ve checked out Rad’s sizing guide but was just curious to hear any thoughts from someone who’s ridden them. Thank you very much!

Hi David! I feel like you’d actually be a great candidate for the Large. I rode both and have very similar height and inseam to you (I’m 5’9″ with 30″ inseam). The high-step felt a bit more spread out and natural to me, but I like the step-thru design a bit more for approachability. Frankly, I don’t think you can go wrong either way, they are somewhat adjustable and you could even change the stem, handlebar, etc. aftermarket to extend reach or height if you do go for the mid-step. If you’re leaning towards the high-step, keep in mind that the ~30″ stand over height that I measured for the bike should be easy to clear if you’re wearing shoes, because they usually add half an inch or more and you can stand on the ball of your foot and lean to one side. I hope this helps!!

Nice review of the Radmission. I’ve been looking at Ebikes for over a year now and have several friends who own one. My wife and I both ride non-epowered bikes but like a lot of “more mature” people, it’s getting harder and harder to go long distances or up hills. Both of our present bicycles are multi-speed (mine a 21 speed and my wife’s a 7 speed) and it seems that over the years they all seem to end up giving me fits trying to get them to shift all the way from lowest to highest gear without adjusting on a regular basis and I really would rather do without that issue so a single speed model is fine with me both from a maintenance standpoint and the physical aspect of being able to pedal without a problem. In my book, simpler is better. I’m also an avid motorcyclist and during my 55 years of motorcycling I’ve seen complexity take over just about everything in our lives and it can be very distracting when trying to maneuver down the paths and roadways. I really don’t care for a display that tells me what I already know or don’t really care to know so the Mission fits me to a “T”. I preordered mine today so hopefully I’ll get it before the snow flies. I do live in the snow-belt of northern Michigan and will probably be riding in some snow covered streets from time to time. I was wondering if you could suggest a good manufacturer/model of snow tire. I know there are some made from some research I did a few years ago and I think they were all made in Europe. I also think I saw some studs you could order to install in some tires.

Hi Don, great question! I’ve seen some amazing snow tires from Benno Bikes and some products that basically let you screw studs into existing tires. My experience with both products is very limited. I’m not the best guy to ask about this… but maybe someone else will chime in, or you could post a question in the EBR forums and see if anyone else has experience with this! I’d love to hear what you end up doing :D

Awesome review. Thanks. I’m considering this for my first E-Bike. I live in Chicago and I have a heated detached garage that gets cold in the winter. How will this bike handle Chicago winters? Also, I’m 5’10 what size bike would you recommend? Lastly I’d like an E-Bike where I can ride like a traditional bike for exercise. Does this work for that as well? Thanks for your awesome reviews and any help on this front would be great. Sorry last question for real : for first E-Bike you think this is better option then FLX Babymaker as far as quality and support? Thanks again!

Hi James! Sorry for the slow reply here. I do think the RadMission 1 would be a great choice. Since the battery is removable, you can charge and store it in a warmer area while leaving the bike in the garage. My understanding is that cold temperatures will not wreck the battery, but will limit your daily range vs. if the battery is at a more neutral temperature. Extreme heat can damage the long term charge capacity of lithium-ion batteries.

I’d choose rad over FLX, personally, just given the accessories they sell, their longstanding reputation, and the customer support. There are a bunch of people commenting on the FLC Baby Maker saying that they aren’t able to reach the company or are having some issues with the bike. That can be frustrating… and unfortunately, I think that both bikes are back ordered right now. Anyway, you can indeed ride the RadMission 1 without a battery at all, and it will just function as a heavy bicycle with only one gear. For me, it’s worth paying extra for the RadCity models which have a 7-speed drivetrain. You can still remove the battery from those ebikes and ride like a normal bike too :)

Hi Ian! Great question. One thing Rad has done really well (in my opinion) is to make hybrid style ebikes. If you look at the RadRover, for example, they have a very short stem and riser handlebar vs. long aggressive stem and flat bar. The result is a more upright body position that fits most use cases and just feels better. Most people who ride ebikes and buy a Rad product in particular are going to use it for a variety of things. They are less about extreme mountain biking or aerodynamic road cycling and more about feeling comfortable and having a reliable fun ride. So, the swept back handlebar is a part that feels great, looks pretty good, and is still more aerodynamic than the full upright bars on some of their other models. I hope this long explanation helps, and I hope you enjoy the bike :P

First of all, I love the movie Captain Ron :D second of all, if you’re talking about the throttle adding power and speed, then it will only do so if you are not already in the highest level of assist or if it is not twisted all the way. It’s just an override that adds power and potentially higher speeds if you’re in levels 1-4 assist. I hope that makes sense and helps ;)

Hi Court, Great review! I’m now considering this bike as my first ebike for commuting and for pulling my kids in a trailer. Thoughts on how powerful it would be to pull a trailer?

Hi Paulo! That sounds like fun. A single speed is always going to be limited by the set gearing. For the RadMission, I experienced slower starts and difficulty climbing. it’s geared higher, to be more comfortable at 20mph than at 0-5mph. This struggle will be amplified by heavier riders and increased cargo (like a child trailer), so you’ve got a trade-off here. The RadMission is durable, affordable, well supported, and will be much easier to pull a trailer with than a non-electric single speed. Depending on the bike in question, it may even be easier to pull a trailer with than a multi-speed non-ebike. However, it’s not as optimal as if it had some gears and you might feel held back by the slow cadence, like you’re not getting much exercise and the motor is doing most of the work for much of the riding. I’m only guessing that you might be riding slower in general since you’re pulling kids and don’t want to take too many risks. To me, this is not the ideal bike to pull a trailer, I’d recommend getting the RadCity or RadCity Step-Thru instead, even though it costs more. If you’re short on money, I’ll send you $300 via PayPal for free since you sound like an awesome Dad and I grew up being pulled around in a trailer by my parents! If you do choose the RadMission 1, it should still work fine, just have the trade-offs I discussed above ;) you can email me at electricbikereview at gmail.

Great question, Ben. I do think that it would be possible to find a rack and make it work… but that’s a lot of time and risk, and it might not fit perfectly. Rad has customized their frames to work with the chain tensioner, kickstand positioning, lights, and their own racks (which they try to make work across the line of bikes). Since the Mission is a bit narrower and kind of unique (compared to all of the fat bikes), I’m not sure how cross-compatible it will be, even with their own stuff (maybe just the front racks). If I were in your shoes, I’d just buy the official rack or double check with their customer support.

Hi Court! I pre-ordered a Rad Mission a few weeks ago when the website said it will be shipping in October. Do you have any insight on if this is right. I’m just very excited to ride it so I just want to get as much info of this as possible. Thank you.

Hi Danny! I remember seeing that date advertised as well. No, unfortunately I’m not in contact with Rad much outside of scheduling reviews and asking questions about specs. I think it could be location dependent, and maybe the best thing to do is check with their online customer support. I’d only be guessing, but at least I can confirm that I remember October being the timeframe for pre-orders when I looked right when the bike came out :D

Great review. I am in the market for a new commuter. Currently have a Giant which has been great but the high winds and open fields in Winnipeg have pushed me to look at pedal assist ebikes. This led me to your review. I’m not certain on the single speed but given the flatness of where I live I think it should work great and get the mechanical benefits of less maintenance.

My question though, I have smaller kids I take on packed or gravel trails. Given the high gear ratio, how challenging is it to maintain a slow pace? I look forward to your reply and hopefully a future purchase. Unfortunately I need one for myself and my wife and even with the lower cost that RadPower has brought with the mission, two bikes are just not in the current budget.

Hi Brian! I’d highly recommend the RadCity models for you and your wife if you want to pedal slower and be comfortable (especially on gravel and with hills). I’m sorry to hear that your budget is limited, I realize it can be tight when raising kids. I’m in a position where I have extra money and would love to send you $1,500 CAD which could help bring the bikes within reach, we can use etransfer if you just email me and I can help set it up, it’s a business expense for me and Rad happens to be an advertiser here, so I can just allocate some of that money to help you :)

Thanks for the thorough review. I’ve been looking into getting my first one and it looks like the RadMission is it! You were even reviewing the color I want; it’s great to see it in action. :)

Wonderful! I’m so glad that the review helped you out, Albert. It’s a fun ebike in my opinion, at a great value. I hope you enjoy it and welcome future feedback here :D

Hi Court, thank you for this review! It is what convinced me to purchase my RadMission! It’s fun, fast, and as a college student the best for $$. Just wondering if you have any tips on removing the battery? I’m having a little trouble getting it off the frame. Thanks!

Hey, I’m glad the review helped you! Yeah, for the money I agree that it’s one of the best choices right now, especially with their support. Sometimes the battery pack can be kind of tight, which is good if it stops rattling/vibration, but might require a bit of extra strength to remove. The first step is to insert the key into the battery locking core, twist to the left, and then push in and keep twisting to the left until it gets all the way to the unlocked position. You should be able to remove the key at this point. Next, use two hands (one on each end, sort of on the top of the pack) to slide it towards the handlebar section of the bike, up the downtube. The battery should slide about an inch, and then you should be able to lift it up off of the mounting plate. Please let me know if you are still having trouble, or consider contacting Rad directly for help :)

Hi, I’m 79 years old and have had to stop ridding my bike as much due to stuff that seems to come with age. Camping is not as enjoyable without a bike. So an ebike seems a great new way to go. The Rad Mission seems light weight compared to most others and the tires will fit my bike rack. (fat tires won’t fit).

Only real negative is the single speed. So here is the question. Can the front chain sprocket be downsized by Rad or after market, for better starting and low speed torque, and faster cadence at 10-12 mph?

Hi Charles! Thanks for the compliment, that means a lot to me. I also have a narrow bike rack and cannot easily do the fat tire bikes without using bungee cords and taking extra time. Anyway, I do think that the chainring could be replaced aftermarket, but not by Rad Power Bikes. They don’t offer that sort of service at this time. Your best bet might be to work with a local bicycle shop or to order the part on Amazon. You probably need a longer chain (depending if you replace the rear cog or the chainring) so this is not a super simple swap… but I believe that it is possible.

Court’s thorough reviews pushed me over the edge and I just bought the Rad Mission1 high step in blue. I am 6’0” and the mid step felt too small. My Dr was so impressed that he just bought the grey high step and we are both new to the ebike scene. My Doc is 5’9” and the high step was the perfect size. We just needed a commuter bike and an errand run around bike to get us out and back without sweating. Thanks Court for all your help

Your reviews have really steered me towards a Rad bike. I’m having trouble deciding between the RadMission and the RadRover though. I’m tall (6’4″) and covid has increased my mass a fair bit to 240 pounds. My main concern is that the RadMission’s 500W motor will be a bit underpowered relative to the Rover’s. Of course, then on the rover, ride comfort is a concern. Most of my height is in my torso though, would modifying and sitting on the rear seat (making one using foam or raising the passenger sear) make for a comfortable ride? Sadly I can’t test these bikes anywhere near me (CO). Thanks!

Hi Steve! I grew up in Colorado and still visit frequently! Great question here… I would go for the RadRover if I were you. It will fit your body better and be more comfortable upright vs. forward, the larger wheel diameter will lower the attack angle and increase air volume which improves comfort and stability, and it also has a suspension fork to improve comfort. It’s got a motor that is more powerful like you said, the only thing is that it costs more money and weighs more. I think you could get by with a RadMission, but my Dad bought the RadRover and RadRover Step-Thru for himself and his wife, and they love them. My Dad is closer to your height and weighs much more than me.

Hi Ken, I think the high-step RadMission could work for you. Most ebikes are rated up to 250lbs, and some go higher. With your height and weight, I’d probably lean more towards the RadRover high-step version. It will offer a bit more comfort with big tires and suspension, I think it’s a bigger bike overall. You can see all of their models on this page. Sorry for the slow reply here by the way… when I asked about max weight for the RadRover, Power Bikes told me it was 275lbs, so that would be good for you too.

What’s up Court? I plan on doing food delivery across Toronto with e-bikes and right now I’m torn between RadMission and RadRunner. Aesthetics wise, I hate how the RadRunner is built, although I see it being much more powerful albeit it’s slightly more powerful. Which do you believe would be more appropriate for what I’m about to do? Thanks!

Hi Akhil! Great question… How much snow do you expect to encounter? Honestly, I lean towards the RadMission models because they are lightweight, easier to park at bike racks, and have a saddle that’s more traditional and comfortable. That said, the RadRunner is going to be more stable on snow and ice, absorb potholes more comfortably, and give you some cool cargo options with the little rack (you could even carry a friend sometimes). I’d probably spend extra money for the RadRunner Plus with the suspension fork, because I have a sensitive back and neck. I hope this helps, the other RadMini models would also work for this… but I can see the benefits of the cheaper RadMission for sure :)

I’ve had a Rad Mission 1 for about 6 months now, I’ve only been able to ride it for about 2 of those months. First they sent me a bike with a faulty freewheel, they never seemed to get any in stock to send me a replacement so for about 2 months I could only use the throttle, which kills your battery waaaaay faster than pedal assist. I finally got them to cover it with a local bike shop who had a freewheel, then I had a spoke brake in the back, told them I needed replacement rear spoke, they mailed me a front spoke… had to get on them again to mail rear spoke… now all of a sudden the entire brake system just went faulty, out of nowhere, and it’s not an issue of wear and tear as I have had new brake pads installed and gave adjustments done on the regular, the brakes literally just stopped working I’ve never seen anything like it… contacted them because faulty brakes are covered in the warranty but the response I got was pretty much them telling me to worry about it myself and now they won’t respond to me at all, I even sent them a screenshot of their own warranty because they obviously don’t know it… this bike has done nothing but cost me money and cause headaches. They even raised the cost of this bike now and for what? The customer service is literally the worst and how can you keep assembling these bikes with no free wheels? Couldn’t send me a replacement free wheel for months but somehow they keep pumping out the bikes with free wheels on them… anyways I’ve emailed 3 times since my last response and they are just flat out ignoring me now, I told them they can have the bike back and I want a refund. No response. They have till Monday and if they don’t respond I will be taking legal action… careful before dealing with this incompetent staff of Rad Power Bikes. I’ll never purchase anything from them again.

Hi Sef, that sounds really frustrating. I’m sorry to hear that some of the hardware on your RadMission hasn’t held up. My own experience with Rad customer support has been pretty good (my Parents own RadRovers, and things have gone pretty well). I think the price increases are happening across the industry because of supply chain issues. At the end of the day, it’s nice that you have a local bike shop that was trying to help with the freewheel. Maybe they can help with your next bike if the Rad doesn’t get fixed. Thanks for sharing your experiences and good luck… hang in there.

rad power bike lcd display free sample

equipped with a long-range 48 volt samsung lithium battery, the all-purpose ‘radrover’ electric bicycle from rad power bikes, offers fuel for 15 – 50 miles, depending on the mode selected, and to a top speed of 20 mph. providing 750 watts of clean energy, the pack which enhances advanced voltaic motor technology, transfers force through a seven-speed shimano drive train. the product is the result of the company’s eight years of experience in the electric vehicle industry, and weighing just 27 kg (61 lbs), is said to be one the lightest battery packs to date. when the in-wheel motor which is compact, maintenance free and discreet, is turned off, the internal freewheel enables the rider to pedal like a standard two-wheeler.

made from a lightweight 6061 aluminum frame, the ‘radrover’ displays style, efficiency, comfort, durability and nimbleness. in terms of leisure, it adds increased comfort using a suspension fork and four-inch wide kenda fatbike tires. these tires enable it to power through snow, sand, mud, grass and any other type of terrain. additional features of the bike, includes; leather ergonomic handbar grips, a high-powered LED headlight and a LCD screen that is also a speedometer, wattmeter and odometer. to find out more about the electric bicycle, check out rad electric bikes’ indiegogo funding campaign.

rad power bike lcd display free sample

Weeks ago, you saw our sneak peek through Bicycling Magazine and now, you’ve read the reviews, seen what it"s capable of on social media, and want to know more. Welcome to our ongoing comparison articles, where we put one of our own against one of the competition! Stacking them up stem to stem, pedal to pedal, to give you the cold, hard ebike facts to help you determine which ebike is better suited for you.

This week, we’re putting the spotlight on the newest ebike to the Aventon lineup. Introducing Level.2! Aventon’s first electric bicycle equipped with a genuine torque sensor. Stacking Level.2 up to the RadCity 5 Plus by Rad Power Bikes, we’re going to review every spec of both electric bikes, comparing both the interior and exterior features. First, we’ll give you a quick snapshot of both bikes. The ‘total package’ if you will. Then, we’ll dive into their anatomy and physiology, examining their electrical, mechanical, and physical components in precise detail. Let’s get started!

With a mere difference of $50, you might be wondering what RadCity 5 Plus has that Level.2 might be missing? One of the first things you might notice is that the RadCity 5 Plus has a larger motor, but after reading the side note, “*”, as we’ll also discuss in more detail, you’ll learn that the actual output is quite lower than this stated amount. For compliance reasons, the true output is intentionally withheld. Given that Rad Power Bikes also provided a battery range size for the RadCity 5 Plus, we believe that both bikes have the same size battery, with RadCity possibly being smaller.

Level.2 in both Step-through and traditional frames are lighter in weight than RadCity 5 Plus, with a higher carry capacity, more color options, and more sizes! While both bikes have five levels of pedal assist, Level.2 takes home the win with a higher top speed, more advanced tech features, and a greater riding range. Let’s see what else Level.2 provides its riders for a $50 difference.

Some of the most important features shoppers look for in ebikes nowadays is the e component. Let’s analyze how the electrical components of Level.2 compare to those of RadCity 5 Plus!

“Stated wattage is the manufacturer’s rated power capacity. Actual power-to-ground wattage is under 750W to ensure ebike regulatory compliance and may vary depending on riding conditions.”

So while we don’t actually know RadCity 5 Plus’ true output, Level.2, on the other hand, openly provides this info. With a peak output of 750W and a sustained output of 500W, Level.2 riders can go as hard or light as they want, knowing their ebike is going to meet them wherever they’re at.

Both bikes have a relatively similar sized battery, with Level.2’s being roughly 16% larger than the lowest capacity listed by Rad Power. Level.2’s torque sensor, which we’ll get to shortly, optimizes its power usage more efficiently, reaching up to 60 miles in range per charge versus Rad Power’s 28 - 50 of miles per charge.

Equipping Level.2 with a torque sensor simply meant we wanted riders to get more out of their ebikes and feel the natural sensations of riding a traditional bike. Versus RadCity 5 Plus’s cadence sensor, that measuresifyou’re pedaling, Level.2’s torque sensor measureshow hardyou pedal. Thus, giving you motor assistance power in increments to match your efforts. The benefit? This not only can conserve your battery life but also let you ride farther!

Both models have the same top speed with five levels of pedal assist, which gives riders a versatile riding experience. Level.2 can be modified anywhere from a Class I to Class III ebike, allowing riders to truly fine-tune their ride depending on their riding style, preferences, and local regulations.

When it comes to charging, you want to look for higher amperage (Amp), not voltage. Level.2’s fast charger means you’ll be ready to get back to your joy riding, with a full battery, sooner than with Rad Power’s charger.

Level.2’s full color, backlit LCD display shows you all the metrics you need, from battery life left, distance traveled, speed, and pedal assist level. Compatible with the Aventon mobile app, you can even sync your phone to view additional riding data, achievements history, and connect with the Aventon community! RadCity 5 Plus, on the other hand, simply has a row of 5 LEDs that show your pedal assist level and level of battery charge left.

Integrated front and rear lights simply mean you never have to worry about not being seen, or your lights giving out on you mid-ride. Both electric bikes have a front headlight as well as rear taillights that activate when the brake levers are pulled.

Never worry about your phone running out of battery. With a concealed, built-in USB slot on Level.2’s Color Display, plug your device in wherever and whenever!

“Stated wattage is the manufacturer’s rated power capacity. Actual power-to-ground wattage is under 750W to ensure ebike regulatory compliance and may vary depending on riding conditions.”

Never worry about your phone running out of battery. With a concealed, built-in USB slot on Level.2’s Color Display, plug your device in wherever and whenever!

To sum up, especially considering Rad Power doesn’t conceal this model’s true motor power, our vote is that Level.2 is still the leading horse in the category. With a torque sensor, four total integrated lights, our updated color display with app sync capabilities, a concealed USB charger, a fast charger and a powerhouse duo of a motor and battery, we think it absolutely crushes its competition.

Hydraulic disc brakes have a quick and smooth stopping power, an important feature to consider when in the market to purchase an ebike, especially one that accelerates quickly and reaches top speeds of 28 MPH. Considering both ebikes are equipped with hydraulic disc brakes, nothing to dissect here!

Both ebikes feature a front suspension fork with lockout functions which allows riders to fine-tune their fork depending on the terrain they’re riding in. This makes riding on bumpy roads or flat surfaces more enjoyable. Although mechanically, both feature a suspension fork, it’s worth noting that Level.2 has 26% more travel than RadCity 5 Plus, giving riders more travel room to absorb bumps!

Mechanically, both electric bikes are fairly similar. They contain hydraulic brakes which provide the utmost braking power when riding at top speeds, meanwhile, Level.2’s extra gear gives riders a slight advantage in being flexible with their speed. With about 25% more travel in its front suspension fork, Level.2 outranks as the more comfortable and mechanically balanced choice!

Now it’s time to review more of the fun stuff! Looking at both bikes physically, the features we’ll cover will not only impact your riding experience but how you look and feel (confidence matters!) when you’re out and about.

Both electric bikes offer a standard step over bike frameas well asa step-through frame to ensure there’s an ebike that fits a wider range of physical abilities.

When you’re investing in an ebike, it should fit and feel right, almost as if it was builtfor you!That’s why Level.2 comes in 4 total sizes: 2 in step over and 2 in Step-through. Having more size, and frame options, available means that a wider range of people can discover their (almost!) perfect fit.

Color options are equally as important because who is going to ride an ebike they’re not in love with visually? Available in Clay, Glacier, Polar, and Himalayan, there’s a color for different preferences!

Weight is an important factor when shopping around for an ebike. Level.2 is up to 13 lbs lighter than RadCity 5 Plus, making traveling, RVing, and biking with zero power easier.

Both ebikes have relatively similar tire specs, with Level.2 having .1” thicker tires. Both ebikes will hold their own biking through city streets, gravel, or other hard, compact terrains!

Both electric bikes offer a standard step over bike frameas well asa step-through frame to ensure there’s an ebike that fits a wider range of physical abilities.

Weight is an important factor when shopping around for an ebike. Level.2 is up to 13 lbs lighter than RadCity 5 Plus, making traveling, RVing, and biking with zero power easier.

Both ebikes have relatively similar tire specs, with Level.2 having .1” thicker tires. Both ebikes will hold their own biking through city streets, gravel, or other hard, compact terrains!

After careful review, we feel it’s safe to say that Level.2 and Level.2 Step-through come in as the leading horse against RadCity 5 Plus. Despite the points raised throughout this comparison, some riders might still be influenced by which is perceived to be more “powerful,” without considering the true specifications or the real-world performance the bike will provide. Whereas other riders will see past specifications on paper and realize that the feature Level.2 arrives with far surpass those of RadCity 5 Plus. Whether you’re looking for a clean ebike design, innovative tech features, more intuitive components like the torque sensor, or just more versatility in size, color, and frame options, Level.2 has something for everyone. So, you tell us! Which of these two bikes is better suited for your needs?

rad power bike lcd display free sample

In case you hadn’t heard, e-bikes are taking the U.S. by storm—and it’s easy to see why. They are fun to ride, make cycling accessible to more people, and provide an eco-friendly alternative to cars and public transportation. There’s only one problem: How do you decide which product is right for you? E-bikes come in a huge variety of sizes and price points, so jumping into the shopping process blindly can seem a bit daunting. The task gets infinitely harder when trying to find an e-bike as a gift for someone else. To save you a lot of time and headaches, we suggest you cut out the noise and head straight to Rad Power Bikes.

Launched in 2015, Rad Power Bikes is a Seattle-based company dedicated to bringing electronic bikes to the masses. Founder Mike Radenbaugh first became obsessed with e-bikes as a teenager, when he built one of his own to help with his 16-mile high school commute. He then decided to share his discovery with the world, partnering with his college roommate, Ty Collins, to manufacture bikes and sell them directly to consumers. The company is all about great customer service, as well as creating a world in which transportation is energy-efficient and enjoyable.

The RadRover Electric Fat Bike was the company’s first manufactured model, and it pretty much sums up the great qualities of Rad Power Bikes—namely comfort and efficiency. The 4-inch tires and soft seats make for a smoother ride, while the high-capacity battery lets you ride for 20-50 miles per charge. The RadRover is now in its sixth generation, and features LED headlights, a USB charging port, and an LCD display panel that keeps track of speed, power consumption, and remaining battery capacity. The best part? The Rad Rover 5 is currently on sale for just $1,599, which is a bargain compared to similar bikes on the market.

rad power bike lcd display free sample

In 2018, one of our vehicles was nearing the end of its rusty life. As we considered our options, my wife and I came up with a wild idea: save money and get exercise by replacing our vehicle with two wheels. Transfixed by this concept, we said goodbye to our clunker and hello to our very first ebike: the Rad Power Bikes RadWagon. It was powerful enough to transport two adults and large enough to carry all of our groceries and garage sale finds. Our beloved 2018 RadWagon is the reason we first fell in love with ebikes and the catalyst for our Ebike Escape website.

Although at this point our RadWagon is the oldest ebike we own, we still use it the most consistently. With the addition of our small human to our family, the RadWagon is handier than ever in transporting precious cargo.

We wanted to share with you answers to the most frequently Rad Power Bikes questions below to make your ebike search a little easier. Another great place to scope out answers, suggestions and a Rad community is our Rad Owners Forum.

Mike Radenbaugh and co-founder Ty Collins are at the helm of Rad Power Bikes. Radenbaugh was an early ebike adopter when as a teenager he added a motor to his bike to get to high school. People were interested in his bike and began asking Radenbaugh to convert their bike too. Using his last name to brand his operation, Radenbaugh began Rad Power Bikes as a one-man bike conversion business. He has also mentioned that the word Rad means wheel in German as an origin for the company name.

Radenbaugh and Collins were childhood friends and college roommates. Radenbaugh brought Collins in as a co-founder when he wanted to expand Rad Power Bikes from a one-man bike conversion business to a company with its own line of ebikes. If you want to get to know Rad Power Bikes more, check out this excellent podcast with NPR’s How I Built This episode featuring Mike Radenbaugh.

No. Rad Power Bikes is a privately owned company. The company raised $25 million in investment funds in 2020 and $150 million in 2021. As of 2021 they are the largest seller of electric bikes in North America.

Rad Power Bikes is a consumer-direct company based in Seattle Washington. They do not sell through third parties, dealers, etc. You can only buy their bikes through their website or their one retail location in Seattle. More retail location openings are slated for 2021.

This allows Rad Power Bikes to eliminate the markup needed to sell through third parties. The downside is that test driving opportunities are limited if you don’t live in Seattle. You can check if there is a rental fleet location near you or take a chance on a purchase and rely on their 14 day free trial.

Partially. Some assembly is required, but it won’t feel like you are building the bike from scratch. Rad Power Bikes offers assembly videos on each of their models to make it a breeze to put together out of the box. If you would rather not deal with assembly though, you can pay your local bike shop to do the grunt work. You might also lucky enough to be located in a Rad Mobile Service area for assembly, delivery, and maintenance service.

All of Rad Power Bikes ebikes are EN 15194 certified. It is a goal for the company to certify all of its bikes to UL 2849 standards as they are released in the future. This process takes time but the quality team is working on it. (12/19/22)

All Rad Power Bikes have a rear hub motor and are powered by a rechargeable battery that uses high quality Samsung cells. There is also a controller (think of it as the brain of the bike). Information from the controller is shown on the LCD screen included on most models. The motor is engaged by a twist throttle or the pedal assist sensor. The pedal assist sensor works with magnets that determine when the pedals are spinning. Engaging the brakes on your Rad Power Bikes will immediately cut power to the motor.

Rad Power Bikes have a top speed of 20 mph with throttle or pedal assist. Rad Power Bikes are considered a class 2 federally regulated ebike in the U.S. No registration is required.

Read our in-depth article and video on ‘Which Rad Power Bikes Model Is Best for You?‘. Since writing the article, we added a review for the new Radwagon 4. The Rad Power Bikes fit guide is also helpful to determine which models will fit you best.

Yes! Our 2018 RadWagon has over 4,000 miles on it. Since then we have only replaced the brake pads. We have never regretted going down to a one-car family as our RadWagon serves our needs well. We ride it most of the year with the exception of subzero temperatures and epic snowstorms of our climate. Several of our family members have become Rad owners as well. Now over 200,000 people own Rad Power Bikes across the world.

Shipping ranges from 1 to 6 business days depending on your distance from the Northwest. Once your bike ships, a confirmation will be sent via email. You’ll want to keep track of where the bike is as Rad Power Bikes requires a signature at time of delivery. If you aren’t home, Fedex allows you to manage your delivery including setting a vacation hold or holding it at a location.

Rad sells many accessories for the various models of Rad Power Bikes. You can check out this video of some of the most popular Rad Power B

rad power bike lcd display free sample

You Might Also Be Interested In