Rad Rover

[Jake930]

So I’ve made up my mind to get an electric assist e bike. Knees just not what they use to be.
Have done a lot of research and keep coming back to the Rad Rover as a first ebike. Does anyone on here have one ? And what are your thoughts on it if you do. Will it climb hills with assist. I live in hill country and there’s no way to get back home with out coming up a mile long steep, very steep hill.

[Bobbie54]

I've ridden one. I have a Rad Mini step thru, though. The Rover just came out with a step thru which I'd recommend if knees are a problem!

And yes- it will climb our steep hills here, Ours averages 8% grade (thank goodness not a mile) and few can pedal up it without assist, but on a low speed and high assist I can easily pedal up it. My friend who rides the Rover pedals up it, too. (She has done some pretty good hills!) Keep in mind you'll use battery faster with a lot of uphill stretches, though.

[viator36]

I have the RadMini for about a year and I love it. It has enough assist power to climb pretty steep slopes if you set power assist level to 4 or 5. In addition it has Twist Grip Throttle function and does the driving all by its battery power without you doing any peddling.

[Forest Keeper]

We are wondering how you transport the RadMini. Did you find a hitch lift and strong enough to hold two of these RAD ST.

[Bobbie54]

Originally Posted by Forest Keeper

We are wondering how you transport the RadMini. Did you find a hitch lift and strong enough to hold two of these RAD ST.

Mine goes in the truck bed, either folded or wedged and tied in and unfolded. I use an aluminum ramp to roll it up into the truck.

[viator36]

Originally Posted by Forest Keeper

We are wondering how you transport the RadMini. Did you find a hitch lift and strong enough to hold two of these RAD ST.

I transport our two ebikes inside the trailer when we are on the road. I made my own setup and it takes about 15 min to set up or take down each time. It's a bit of hassle but we got the the routine down and I'll live with it before I can find an easier way. Since I have a mini split condenser unit behind my trailer the bike rack behind that is further away from the trailer center of gravity and aerodynamics would reduce stability more on the road. My Ford Ranger is smaller and less powerful than say an F-150 so I want to play a bit safer this way. The ebikes are put on our folding bike rack when we set up camp.

If I don't have the mini split condenser there and tow with a bigger truck I would feel perfectly fine towing the ebikes in the back on some quality bike rack like the 1Up.

[EscapeBoulder]

My wife and I have RAD Power folding ebikes and LOVE them. They have the full 750 watt motors = 1 horsepower. Plenty of power to climb any hill. We purchased the folding models to go inside our Highlander tow vehicle so that they don't get covered with road grime when we're out trailer camping. They say there's an "ebike smile" the first time anyone rides one. After months of riding, I still have that ebike smile every time I ride.

As an aside... My wife and I have been fairly serious recreational bicycle riders all our adult life. During the summer a friend loaned me his Specialized mountain tire ebike for a ride. So... after maybe 45 minutes, I'm out riding up a medium incline on a dirt road with the ebike and I suddenly say to myself... "this feels like I'm 30 yrs old again". ebikes are that good!

[Eggscape]

I strap our Voltbike Mariner directly into the rear of our Ford F-150. This way it stays clean, dry, locked in the vehicle and is available to ride when I drive the truck to explore nearby towns. Two would easily fit folded.

I actually past the bike in the pictures onto my daughter this summer as she wanted an E-bike and the delay for one was a few months.

I just did the research again to order my new E-bike and Voltbike still comes out on top...in my opinion. When you figure in shipping the Rad is $100 more Canadian and still using a frame that is a few generations old. As well the Rad has only a 14 ah battery, no rear cargo rack and you don’t get a free motorcycle helmet.

Right now if you buy a new Voltbike you get 50% off any one accessory...so I saved $45 off of a rear bag.

Either way these E-bikes are a fantastic way to get around and you have the choice of how much aid you require...now and in the future.

[Eggscape]

Originally Posted by EscapeBoulder

My wife and I have RAD Power folding ebikes and LOVE them. They have the full 750 watt motors = 1 horsepower.

Could you please send me a link to where it states that the Rad Mini has the 750 watt motor. The only motor I have ever seen advertised is the standard 500 watt unit.
Thanks

[Bobbie54]

US models have a 750 watt motor. They may not sell that in Canada? The size of motor affects the rating there, doesn't it?

Yes, I clicked on Canada instead of US and the motor changed to 500.

[uthorns]

We ordered two of these foldups and hope they will fit in the back inside of our F-150. They have a good Black Friday bundle.


https://lectricebikes.com/

[Eggscape]

We do have a speed limit for E-bikes here in Canada and the 500 watt motor can exceed that. Voltbike also sells a 750 watt motor in their full size bikes so I guess it is legal to sell. For the riding I do the 500 works, but it would be nice if you need to power up a steep grave hill off-roading.

[Bobbie54]

Originally Posted by Eggscape

We do have a speed limit for E-bikes here in Canada and the 500 watt motor can exceed that. Voltbike also sells a 750 watt motor in their full size bikes so I guess it is legal to sell. For the riding I do the 500 works, but it would be nice if you need to power up a steep grave hill off-roading.

I use a low gear and level 5 power to ride up our hill- glad we have the 750!

I wonder why the difference in Canada then.

[Eggscape]

Originally Posted by uthorns

We ordered two of these foldups and hope they will fit in the back inside of our F-150. They have a good Black Friday bundle.

https://lectricebikes.com/

Yup...that is a nice bundle.

You should be able to get both in without folding...just. This will keep them nice and tight. I strap mine to the child restraint loop located at the top of the rear seat.
I like putting it in not folded as you can lift the front in, then the back. This way it is not a direct lift of the complete bike.
Enjoy

[uthorns]

Thanks for the tips. I hope they are at least a good entry level ebike. We aren’t gonna use them except on pavement, riding around state parks and such.

Jimmy

[Eggscape]

Originally Posted by Bobbie54

I use a low gear and level 5 power to ride up our hill- glad we have the 750!

I wonder why the difference in Canada then.

If someone in Canada wanted the 750 it would be worth the ask. Maybe next time I am in Vancouver I will stop into their showroom.

I will also be asking Voltbike here in Canada why Rad US has the 750 and they don’t if we decided on a second bike for my wife.

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by viator36

In addition it has Twist Grip Throttle function and does the driving all by its battery power without you doing any peddling.

When we bought our little folding ebikes the vendor said that using the twist grip used significantly more battery power.

We've only ever used the PAS.

What's the opinion from you hard core users on the twist grip using more power?

Ron

[Eggscape]

Originally Posted by Bobbie54

I use a low gear and level 5 power to ride up our hill- glad we have the 750!

I wonder why the difference in Canada then.

Something is strange in the Rad bike page as both bikes are stated to put out the same torque and as l look at other bikes with the 750 it appears this is correct.

I was under the mistaken impression that the more watts...the more torque was available...however this does not appear to be the case as both have a max of 80 N.m. or so stated.

Just to further the confusion I also attached the specifications for two Voltbikes...one with the 500, the other with the 750.

[EscapeBoulder]

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

When we bought our little folding ebikes the vendor said that using the twist grip used significantly more battery power.

We've only ever used the PAS.

What's the opinion from you hard core users on the twist grip using more power?

Ron

Ron: My guess (and experience) is it doesn't matter. The assist level (PAS on the display) just sets the "floor" (minimum) assist you'll experience while peddling. The throttle will give you more power above whatever assists level you've got set. That being the case... Yes, the throttle takes more battery because it's giving you more power.

I tend to use the throttle to start off from a stand still, and accelerate up to peddling speed (12 - 16 mph). Then tend to peddle along on the level at assist level 1.

With the RAD's 48v, 672 WH battery & 750 watt motor, with peddling, in average conditions, my guess is I might be able to get as much as a 50 mile range. (I've peddled 30 miles, and not even had the battery indicator 1/2 way down.)

[Bobbie54]

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

When we bought our little folding ebikes the vendor said that using the twist grip used significantly more battery power.

We've only ever used the PAS.

What's the opinion from you hard core users on the twist grip using more power?

Ron

I mainly only use it (the throttle) to get started from a stop. But since you can use it to ride without pedaling, at that point it uses a lot more power since you aren't contributing any.