The RadRunner is an electric utility bike from Rad Power Bikes, that has been designed so that it can be totally customized. I love modular products because they allow people to buy the base model, and then upgrade with additional extras, as and when needed. This means you don’t have to spend a small fortune up-front; instead, you can wait until you really need the extra features in your day-to-day life.
In this Rad Power Bikes RadRunner review I’m going to share my experiences riding this utility eBike, give an overview of the ebike’s key features, a video review of the RadRunner including acceleration and speed demonstrations, where to buy it, my review summary with pros and cons and an overall score out of 10.
Lastly, I’m going to answer some FAQs about the RadRunner bike and leave you with some more photos of my RadRunner for you to drool over.
Interested in my thoughts on Rad Power Bikes’ folding e bike as well? Read my RadMini 4 review next: RadMini 4 Review: The Folding E Bike That Packs a Punch. Oh and if it’s a stealthy electric commuter bike that you’re after, go read my Ride1UP Roadster V2 Review next, it’s quite the bike!
To read our other electric bike reviews go here: Trail & Kale eBike reviews. Grab a cup of coffee (or tea), relax, and enjoy this in-depth RadRunner review.
Rad Power Bikes RadRunner Review: Table of Contents
- What’s it like riding the RadRunner?
- RadRunner ebike key features
- Where to buy the RadRunner
- RadRunner ebike Video Review
- RadRunner Review Summary
- RadRunner eBike Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- More photos of the RadRunner electric bike
What’s it like riding the Rad Power Bikes RadRunner?
If you haven’t tried riding an electric bike before then you’re in for a really exhilarating experience. The first time I tried the RadRunner, which also happened to be my first experience with an eBike, I was smiling uncontrollably because of the way it made me feel; like a child again!
Being able to move without pedaling is especially fun, and draws many similarities to riding a motorbike.
The RadRunner electric minibike from Rad Power Bikes is truly thrilling to ride and has so far been 100% reliable. The 48V, 14 Ah Lithium-Ion battery lasts for a very long time (read on for more details on battery life, mileage, and charge time), and for daily usage around town, you’re very unlikely to be left worrying that you need to charge the battery of your ebike at the end of each day.
Most of the time I find myself using only the Rad Bikes RadRunner throttle for riding, without pedaling at all. When I do pedal, however, it’s usually when I pass a pedestrian and slow down whilst pretending to pedal the bike out of courtesy… “manners maketh man” and all that.
There are times when I find myself riding this ebike up steep inclines that I need to assist the 750W Geared Hub Motor by pedaling a little bit, this just provides that extra bit of push the ebike needs to keep moving. I’m talking about very steep inclines though.
There are no standard gears to speak of however which makes this single-speed ebike (there’s only one gear because of how the electric drive chain with a geared hub motor works) a bit awkward and stiff to ride without the power assist activated, but who buys an electric bike to use it as a standard bike?
No one, that’s who, and Rad Power Bikes knows it.
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What’s the RadRunner ebike’s riding position like?
The riding position on the RadRunner is pretty good although it would be even better if it was possible to somehow slide the bike’s saddle backward to push my body further from the handlebars. This would make the act of pedaling this Rad Power Bike feel more natural and effortless as a result.
I have a few Rad Power Bike accessories including the very useful passenger seat installed on my RadRunner bike, and use the throttle a lot, so I don’t tend to sit on the saddle itself very often.
Instead, I sit on the passenger seat in a more Harley Davidson-esq riding position. This is so much more comfortable but makes pedaling the bike a little awkward due to the saddle getting in the way.
Are the RadRunner’s handlebars comfortable?
Yes, the handlebars on the RadRunner eBike are comfortable and this is due in part to the flattened shape on the ends of each handgrip (seen in the image above). The flattened shape allows you to rest your palms comfortably around the handlebars.
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How stable is the RadRunner bike when riding on different surfaces
Due to the fat tires on the RadRunner Kenda K-Rad 20″ x 3.3″ wheels, this RadRunner bike is very stable on gravel and dirt trails, often a surface that bikes can tend to slip out on while cornering at speed.
These wheels with K-Shield puncture-resistant liners provide a predictable response, ground feel, and offer up tons of confidence when you’re riding the RadRunner, even at higher speeds.
The RadRunner eBike does not have suspension forks which is a definite downside to the smoothness of the ride (BUT THERE’S A SOLUTION!)
The ride is on the RadRunner electric bike is very solid due to the lack of suspension. The only cushioning comes from the tires and saddle, which is pretty comfortable to sit on for long rides.
To get a smoother ride, however, you should probably look at the RadRunner eBike upgrade called the ‘RadRunner Plus’ – there’s a little bit more on why that bike could be worth the extra investment if you want a smoother, more comfortable ride on any surface that isn’t a smooth road.
WANT A SMOOTHER RIDE with additional extras and suspension? The RadRunner Plus is the ultimate RadRunner UPGRADE!
There’s hope however for a smoother ride as Rad Power Bikes have released an alternative RadRunner bike called RadRunner Plus for $1,799. Some additional features on the RadRunner Plus ebike include:
- Front suspension fork for smooth rides outside the city and on the trail bike paths.
- A 7-speed drive train to make much easier work of hills.
- Passenger package comes as standard – this includes the long rear seat that I bought as an additional extra for my bike and retractable footrests.
- Full fenders are as standard – The front fender you see on my bike was bought as an added extra.
- A premium headlight that is larger and brighter than the one on the RadRunner.
- An LCD Screen – The backlit LCD display helps you to keep an eye on your stats while riding. Not only does it track your speed and distance, but with a 5V, 1 Amp USB port, you can keep your devices charged while you’re on the go. That may well be worth the RadRunner upgrade price in itself for some.
How noisy is the RadRunner eBike?
The RadRunner ebike itself runs fairly quietly but not silently, which is to be expected from a bike that runs off a 750W motor. To get an understanding of the level of noise, check out my video at the bottom of this RadRunner review.
RadRunner ebike review: key features and specifications that matter to me
1. RadRunner’s Battery Power and Life: A Powerful 48V, 14 Ah Lithium-Ion battery
You can get a lot of usage out of the RadRunner‘s 48V, 14 Ah Lithium-Ion battery. It’s rated for 800 charge cycles which is impressive when you consider the battery has the capacity to take you up to 45 miles on one charge with a top speed of 20mph.
The RadRunner onboard battery takes 5-6 hours to charge fully and because it’s a Lithium-Ion battery, it holds its charge for a long time while you’re not using the bike.
At only 7.7 lbs, the RadRunner bike battery is also one of the lightest and most energy-dense packs on any electric bike.
They also sell battery packs separately on the Rad Power Bikes website, which means you can buy a spare one if you live a lifestyle which means you need to ride further, or for longer.
2. The RadRunner’s compact 750W hub motor
With 750W and 80 Nm of torque at your disposal, the RadRunner electric utility bike’s geared hub motor really helps power you up steep inclines/hills and gets you up to the RadRunner top speed of 20MPH very quickly from a dead stop.
This is demonstrated in my video at the bottom of this RadRunner review. All this while remaining relatively quiet and inconspicuous.
Numbers like these aren’t even found on some of the most expensive mid-drive eBike systems out there, which for the price of this bike is incredible.
There’s definitely a converging point whereby a steep incline and overall weight of the bike + rider meet. If you live somewhere with a ton of hills it may be worth looking at the RadRunner upgrade which I mentioned earlier in this RadRunner Review due to its 7-speed drive train.
3. The RadRunner’s LED control panel with battery charge indicator and adjustable power-assist modes
I love the simplified LED control panel on the RadRunner. It’s small and doesn’t require a PHD to operate.
It’s literally one-click on and one-click off, with additional buttons for lights and pedal assistance, and LEDs to indicate battery and assist levels. I demonstrate these features in my video below.
4. Rad Power Bikes’ Passenger Package
One of the really great things about the RadRunner ebike, and other Rad ebikes, is all the Rad Power Bike accessories you can purchase, that effectively give your eBike an upgrade. I particularly like how the RadRunner center console makes the bike look like an old-style Honda classic motorbike.
Other eBikes with bench-style passenger seats all have one thing in common: they offer no means for the primary rider to adjust the height of their seat, which can lead to a poor riding position.
The RadRunner is the very first e-bike or scooter to have an adjustable driver’s seat that can either be completely flush with the passenger’s seat or adjusted higher like a standard bike.
As I mentioned earlier, I like to ride on the passenger seat when riding solo, so I leave my seat in its lowest position. If you think these Rad Power bike accessories will be useful for you, consider getting the RadRunner Plus which ships with many of these accessories.
5. Rad Power eBike Lights: Be seen at night with included lights and reflective detailing
The RadRunner ebike comes with lighting as standard, and the front headlight has an ambient light sensor that allows it to dim/brighten automatically – both front and rear lights are very bright at maximum.
There’s also an integrated brake light with strobe for extra safety when you are riding on the roads, which I love! The tires also have reflective detailing in their sidewalls which keeps you visible from the side.
6. Wide/fat tires make for a stable ride on the Rad Power eBike
The tires on the RadRunner ebike are nice and wide, and while maybe not the most efficient for riding on the roads, do offer excellent stability and grip on bike paths and off-road areas. Even while riding fast on gravel paths the bike feels stable while making turns.
After riding a road bike for many years, I have come to hate gravel because a slim front wheel can very easily slide out from under you while taking corners at speed on these types of loose surfaces. This is far less likely to happen on Rad bikes with fat tires.
7. Kickstand
The RadRunner bike is a heavy bike, so having a dual-leg kickstand is very useful when you need to step away from the bike. It’s very sturdy and has no problem holding the bike’s weight.
8. A Bell
A bell comes preinstalled on the left handlebar, it’s pretty cute and does what you’d expect, alert other riders and pedestrians of your arrival.
Where to buy the RadRunner ebike
You can buy the RadRunner eBike, RadRunner Plus, and all additional extras at the Rad Power Bikes online store. They have great stock and offer next business day shipping, so you’ll be riding before you know it!
The RadRunner Rad Power Bikes price is $1,299 (base unit) which in my opinion is excellent value for money for what you get.
RadRunner video review
RadRunner Review Summary
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Frequently asked questions about Rad Power Bikes and the RadRunner eBike
How fast does it go? What is the RadRunner top speed?
Up to 20mph depending on the road surface, incline, and weight of the rider. It also depends on whether there are two of you riding it, or just one.
How far can the RadRunner bike go on a single charge?
20-45 miles depending on road surface, incline, and how much power assist and throttle you use.
Where are Rad Power Bikes manufactured?
Rad Power Bikes are designed in Seattle and made in China.
Are Rad Power Bikes Waterproof?
According to the Rad Power Bikes support forum, the components on ebikes by Rad Power Bikes are all water resistant and designed for water to drain off the components from top to bottom, so never flip the ebike over when wet
More Images of the Rad Power Bikes RadRunner
I hope you enjoyed this RadRunner review, if you have any questions for me about the bike, please leave them in the comments below. Happy riding!!
Handle bar is adjustable. Why not push handle bar forward if it is too close?
Hi Tom, The problem I have isn’t the distance from the saddle to handlebars, it’s the distance from the saddle to the peddles (backwards, not upwards).
-Alastair
Two questions.
Does the RR Plus come with a center console. If not, how much does it cost?
What kind of bike rack is best for use with a trailer hitch?
Thanks, Bob
Hi Bob,
1.) No, the RadRunner Plus does not come with the center console, it costs $99. 2.) I’m not sure about the bike rack, I haven’t been able to take the bike on any excursions away from home yet due to Coronavirus so not needed to learn about that.
-Alastair
Does it have regenerative braking?
Is there a luggage/package rack option for the back or back/sides? (wondering if I can use it for chores on the farm) ?
Good question, don’t think it has regenerative braking though.
You could use the basket bags that mount on the back or front depending on where you attach the racks/platforms.. Don’t think you can store on the sides.
The company does sell saddlebags for this particular model. Thus you can indeed have storage on the side of the bike I addition to the rear and front rack (and the centre console as well).
Hi Alistair, nice review. Any reason you didn’t put the rear fender on?
Thanks Kenneth, I kind of prefer the look of the bike without the rear fender and seeing as I have the 2-person package with the long rear seat (which acts as a rear fender), I decided to leave it off and save a fraction of weight.
-Alastair
Hey, noticed you don’t have the clear side coverings that come with passenger package. Is that just because it looks better?
Hey Talha,
Yeah, I just much prefer the look of not having them on and I don’t think I’m missing much not having them there.
-Alastair
Hi, thanks for great review! Two questions: 1) Do you ever use your Rad for a quick run to grocery, and if so, where do you carry the groceries? 2) How long would it take to remove the rear seat if you want to interchange with panniers or a rear basket–or would it be too cumbersome to do this on a frequent basis? Thanks! -GG
Hi,
Yes, I use it things like zipping to the grocery store and use the center console to store shopping or my backpack. The secondary rear seat just attaches with 4 bolts so its very easy to take off but I wouldn’t personally do that frequently as it’s not very practical.
Hi, do you know if this bike has walk assist? I’m trying to find the best bike for me. I live in NYC and would need to take it up 5 steps every day and possibly the subway (rarely).
Hi Amy,
It’s possible to use the throttle while not on the bike so you could possibly use that while you’re walking with it. The bike is heavy though and I know some subway steps can be very steep, just something to be aware of…
-Alastair
hello,
can the battery easily come off to charger indoors?
Hey Yoshi,
Yes, it’s very easy! Here’s a demo: https://radpowerbikes.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360006192213-Basic-Battery-Use#:~:text=Insert%20the%20key%20into%20the,lift%20it%20off%20the%20frame.
Hi, Are the handle bars ajustable? Im a short 5’2 female and they look pretty high. Is the Radrunner 1 smaller than the Radrunner plus?
Thank you!
Hey Sara, You can lower the handlebars by rotating them down towards the rider.
… and the Radrunner plus has the same size frame as the Radrunner
Yes but i noticed on the specs page it says that the Radrunner 1 is 67′ and the Radrunner plus is 71.5. What is the cause of this size difference ?
Thank you!
Oh, do you mean the total length? That could be due to the mudflap that comes standard on the RadRunner Plus. The standard RadRunner would probably be the same length if you added the flaps as extras. I think that’s what the discrepancy is there ?
Thank you for this really detailed review. I have seen that on the website, the maximum weight limit is 275lbs, but I have also seen videos of people heavier than 320 lbs riding these, do you think these will hold a 340 lbs person?
Hey Charles,
The RadRunner has a Payload Capacity of roughly 300 lbs, so I imagine you may notice the bike struggling whenever there’s an incline. On flat ground you probably wont notice as much other than general acceleration, and I imagine the motor will be under extra strain, therefore reducing its lifespan to some degree. -Alastair
What is delivery time like after ordering?
Hi Roy,
This page may help: https://www.radpowerbikes.com/blogs/the-scenic-route/electric-bike-shipping-times
Mine was delivered about 5 days after ordering but that was before covid kicked off and manufacturing delays started to happen. Best to check stock status for the bike you’re after and check in with Rad Power Bikes customer service to see if there is a wait time, or if they are ready to ship on time.
Thank you. I ordered may 18. I know I have to give some time but getting decent feedback is a bear.
Are three wheeled bikes available in e bikes
I lost my charger to my Rad bike, how can I get a new one?
Do they not sell them at the Rad online store?