radrunner lcd display upgrade quotation

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.

Hi, I"m bumping this thread to see if there are any updates on this subject. I"ve looked for SW-LCD displays with the proper (Higo?) connector, and have found next to nothing for sale online. I found one on Aliexpress, that"s just as expensive as the one sold by Rad and that"s about it. I would love to know if anyone has actually installed a stock King Meter display on a Radrunner and if it worked. Right now, it seems the only options for plug and play displays are the Rad one or the Eggrider. Are there any other options?

The RadRunner 2 is an electric utility bike that attempts to do it all, but in trying to be everything to everyone it inevitably falls down. It will appeal to first-time buyers looking for an inexpensive electric bike for carrying luggage (or a second person), but range is relatively limited and optional accessories can push the price up quite a lot. Plus, taller riders will find the frame too small for comfort.

The RadRunner 2 is one such option, which starts at US$1499/£1349 and positions itself as a jack-of-all-trades rather than a dedicated utility bike, able to work as just about any kind of bike as well as being a capable cargo carrier. Its marketing even touts it as part of something new altogether, with a classic step-through ‘moped’ style.

Even on these merits, the RadRunner 2 is a slightly odd customer. First, and unusually, it is designed to fit a range of ‘average’ heights, those being 150cm to 188cm. This is to be applauded as many e-bikes in particular leave out the sub-160cm club, however it introduces a range of compromises.

Beyond the fit, what stands out about the RadRunner 2 is the battery, which sits behind the seat post. Years ago, that was generally accepted as the only place it could go, but these days most manufacturers embed the battery within the frame for a sleeker look.

The size of the battery along with the generally chunky design also bring another compromise: weight. At 29kg, the relatively diminutive dimensions of the RadRunner 2 belie its sheer heft. If you are a commuter, this might automatically mean looking elsewhere, particularly for those who take their bikes with them on public transport.

An interesting choice made with the design of the RadRunner 2 is the choice of tyres. Typically, different tyre profiles are for different kinds of terrain, with thin tyres being for the road and thicker tyres for off-road conditions. With this in mind, the RadRunner 2 is a road bike that has very thick tyres and so blazes a trail of its own. There are of course drawbacks to this, chiefly being that there’s a fair amount of resistance on asphalt.

It does mean that riding over cobbles is a little more cushioned, but it seems that ‘fat-tyre’ bikes are becoming more and more common on the road. Other electric bikes around this price deigned for on-road use might lack the versatility of the RadRunner 2, but they are easier to ride, especially when the battery runs out.

Another inclusion which might be considered as somewhat odd is the single gear system. Where a more typical option might contain at least a five or seven gear option, the RadRunner 2 is single speed (with a derailleur to tension the chain – something we’ve not seen before).

The display is clearly intended to save cost too. Where some e-bike displays show a variety of useful information, the RadRunner 2’s shows barely anything.

People looking for a budget load carrier likely won’t find this to be too much of an issue, but other bikes around this price have much better displays. (You can upgrade to an LCD screen for $95 / £85.)

It is possible to have the bike assembled on your doorstep following delivery as an add-on service, and it may be worth paying for the privilege. Although the more technically minded might find it not to be an issue, we found the RadRunner 2 relatively complex to assemble, with the fenders in particular proving difficult.

So what is the bike like to ride? This is of course the big question, to which the answer is: mostly fine. Though slightly non-descriptive as an answer, this means the RadRunner 2 is very average to ride.

If you are looking to use the bike with the highest power setting on to whizz to the shops and don’t plan on taking longer rides, the RadRunner 2 will suit you well. If you are looking for something to use for off-road riding or for longer road journeys, there are better alternatives.

With a quoted range of up to 88 km/45+ miles, range would seem to be a particular strength of the RadRunner 2. But of course the picture changes in the real world. Lots of factors can affect how many miles the battery will transport you, including the temperature, the ride load and the rider weight.

With these in mind, although the RadRunner 2 can’t reach anything quite like the quoted maximum length, we managed around 30km (19 miles) before the battery needed a recharge. This will be enough for many commutes, but those needing more endurance should probably look elsewhere. A full charge of the battery took roughly five hours to complete.

Starting at are the operative words here. As Rad Power Bikes is keen to point out, there are dozens of accessories you could buy, from front racks and baskets to kids’ seats and passenger grab handles, plus the LCD upgrade and passenger seat mentioned earlier. These can add significantly to the price, even if it is nice to have the options there.

I’m well aware that other reviewers have loved the RadRunner 2 (mainly in the US, it has to be said). For me, in the UK, this jack-of-all-trades is a master of none.