Why Ride Rad?

[Peran]

Hi Guys
When I decided to get an ebike, I did a lot of research, perhaps too much I think! But I got the Radrunner, and I am so glad I did, here's why I Ride Rad:

Hope you enjoy

 

[thelarkbox]

This is the video you should have posted last time..
Still not convinced to 'ride rad' just yet myself, but now have heard your reasoning can understand why its a good fit for you.

My only real issue with fat tyre bikes is the weight and difficulty pedaling without power, but i would appreciate the comfort they offer if they could only be made lighter

Did you get the seat post straight away or did you ride the bike without first, and if so did it make a significant difference?

could you give more details on the motor and how its been 'made' compliant with uk/eu regs?

 

[Peran]

The research I did about the Radrunner threw up some anomalies:
The Seat itself that comes as standard has no comfort element - it has no "Give" at all, and with my frame size, I knew I would have to get a decent "Gel" seat for sure.
As the Radrunner has no front or rear suspension, I knew I couldn't rely solely on the "Gel" to protect my posterior - so I bought the Suntour Seat post at the same time as the Gel seat - and they are a perfect combination for me.
The motor is a 500w Bafang, but in both the EU &UK regulation states that it has to be disabled down to 250w - and the maximum speed allowed is 15.5 mph - unlike in the US where the standard motor is 750w - and maximum speed is around 30 mph.

Worse traits withe Radrunner for me? Easy. Ir's a little heavy, which means at slow speed, maneuvering slowly can be quite tricky, and as I have "Ducks" Disease (My butt is too close to the ground) I cannot put both feet on the floor and sit on the seat!!

The best purchase I made for the Radrunner is without doubt, the Eggrider v2 this magical device releases all the torque in the 500w motor, meaning climbing steep gradients is a breeze, it's no so much for top speed, although that is increased, is the Torque that it releases that makes the Radrunner (now) a pleasure to ride.

If you want to see more about the upgrades I did to the Radrunner, check out the 6 month update Vlog on the YouTube Channel.

That's why I Ride Rad
oh! Almost forgot - do you know of a cooler ebike on the market? I don't.

Appreciate your input.

 

[Az.]

What do you mean by disabling motor?

Motor is either rated 250W and legal or rated 500W and illegal.

 

[guerney]

The research I did about the Radrunner threw up some anomalies:
The Seat itself that comes as standard has no comfort element - it has no "Give" at all, and with my frame size, I knew I would have to get a decent "Gel" seat for sure.
As the Radrunner has no front or rear suspension, I knew I couldn't rely solely on the "Gel" to protect my posterior - so I bought the Suntour Seat post at the same time as the Gel seat - and they are a perfect combination for me.
The motor is a 500w Bafang, but in both the EU &UK regulation states that it has to be disabled down to 250w - and the maximum speed allowed is 15.5 mph - unlike in the US where the standard motor is 750w - and maximum speed is around 30 mph.

Worse traits withe Radrunner for me? Easy. Ir's a little heavy, which means at slow speed, maneuvering slowly can be quite tricky, and as I have "Ducks" Disease (My butt is too close to the ground) I cannot put both feet on the floor and sit on the seat!!

The best purchase I made for the Radrunner is without doubt, the Eggrider v2 this magical device releases all the torque in the 500w motor, meaning climbing steep gradients is a breeze, it's no so much for top speed, although that is increased, is the Torque that it releases that makes the Radrunner (now) a pleasure to ride.

If you want to see more about the upgrades I did to the Radrunner, check out the 6 month update Vlog on the YouTube Channel.

That's why I Ride Rad
oh! Almost forgot - do you know of a cooler ebike on the market? I don't.

Appreciate your input.

If the manufacturer has rated your motor 500W, are you riding an illegal ebike? Of course they're more fun. Less so when someone's insurance company chases you through the courts after an accident.

 

[AGS]

I thought all Radrunners had 750w Bafang G060 motors that are labelled differently for different markets.

 

[guerney]

I thought all Radrunners had 750w Bafang G060 motors that are labelled differently for different markets.

I hope the OP has one labelled 250W, else it seems daft posting publicly viewable videos.

https://bafang-e.cn/oem-area/components/component/motor/rm-g060250350500dc/

 

[AGS]

Rad have a European site where they sell the 250w variant.

Electric Bikes For Everyone | Award-winning & Affordable Ebikes

Rad Power Bikes sells ebikes across Europe for your lifestyle and ride needs. Shop electric bikes for City, Commuter, Off-Road, Utility, Folding, Cargo and more.

radpowerbikes.eu

 

[AGS]

They are probably the same as the US versions but with detuned controller settings and different labels.

 

[guerney]

The best purchase I made for the Radrunner is without doubt, the Eggrider v2 this magical device releases all the torque in the 500w motor, meaning climbing steep gradients is a breeze, it's no so much for top speed, although that is increased, is the Torque that it releases that makes the Radrunner (now) a pleasure to ride.

Have you increased top speed to beyond 15.5mph? That does indeed make a bike a pleasure to ride. I do miss Banfanging about at 22mph, before I knew it was illegal and I could get sued for my house post accident.

 

[Az.]

They are probably the same as the US versions but with detuned controller settings and different labels.

Changing settings in controller won't make motor and bike legal. There should be engraved rated power on motor.

 

[thelarkbox]

Clarity please, is it a 250w 'mislabeled' motor flying under the regs with a hobbled f/w in the off the shelf display that you have over-ridden with a aftermarket display? or something else?

 

[AGS]

Changing settings in controller won't make motor and bike legal. There should be engraved rated power on motor.

I have never seen a G060 with 250 watts engraved on it. I have seen them with 500w engraved on them.

 

[AGS]

They may be illegal, but they were sold all over Europe as being compliant until the end of 2023 when Rad decided to pull out of the European market.

 

[Az.]

I have never seen a G060 with 250 watts engraved on it. I have seen them with 500w engraved on them.

As long as Bafang rated them 250W all is legal.

 

[thelarkbox]

I have never seen a G060 with 250 watts engraved on it. I have seen them with 500w engraved on them.

I never realised it was quite that blatant!! but if rated at 500w in one market they are defacto 250w safe too. so its not wrong.. just highlights the problem using power rating as a limiting metric.

 

[AGS]

Rad aren’t a fly by night company. They have a huge following in the US, but not so popular in Europe it seems.

Here is the Rad owners forum

Rad Power Bikes Owners Forum - Index

Rad Power Bikes Owners Forum - Index

www.radowners.com

 

[thelarkbox]

So Op's Motor could be 500w, OP- your aftermarket display should have enough bells and whistles to display watt expenditure under load? so how many watts does your motor consume when pushed under load, iirc a 'legit 250w' motor can consume 7,800w+ with a sufficient controller and battery if yours munches down significantly more ? it could be a clear indicator?

 

[guerney]

Rad aren’t a fly by night company. They have a huge following in the US, but not so popular in Europe it seems.

Perhaps because of weight? 81lbs=36.7kg without mudguards and before pannier bags, is a bit much.

 

[AGS]

35 Amp KT controller is a popular upgrade for the RAD and these controllers can be purchased with all of the correct connectors so it’s plug and play.

Some people also go to ridiculous extremes by water cooling the G060 and running it at well over 5kW.