Previously decade or so, the RadRunner has turn out to be one in all Rad Energy’s hottest e-bike fashions. Head to any seashore city within the U.S., and also you’ll most likely see tons of of youngsters and adults using round on some model of those bikes. It is smart, too, as these “utility bikes” have historically been fairly inexpensive whereas combining cargo-carrying functionality with a extra compact and approachable measurement.
Again in Might, we reported on the launch of not one however three new RadRunner fashions. This refresh gave riders the choice to decide on the value level and options that finest aligned with their wants and funds. On the high of that lineup is the RadRunner Max, boasting a extra refined look, essentially the most energy, the very best high pace, up to date controls, extra cargo capability, and enhanced safety and security options.
I’ve been testing the RadRunner Max ($2,299) for the previous couple of months in and round Reno, NV. I’ve been driving much less and utilizing this bike as a lot as potential for the whole lot from errand runs, grocery buying, journeys to the trailhead, and heading out for evenings in town. It’s clean, quick, and its utility and flexibility have made it my go-to for almost all of my city and suburban wants. Plus, its comparatively compact measurement makes it simpler to deal with, and it takes up much less house in my storage than a full-size cargo bike.
Tremendous utilitarian
Quick and highly effective
Cozy trip with suspension fork and extensive tires
Versatile to be used on paved and filth surfaces
Plenty of safety and security options
Heavy
Wants some equipment to unlock cargo carrying potential
It wasn’t that way back that Rad Energy Bikes was the dominant participant within the inexpensive e-bike market in North America. In recent times, the model has had some stiff competitors from quite a few upstarts battling for the affordability crown. Rad Energy hasn’t gone anyplace, in fact, and the model continues to place out high quality e-bikes of every kind. Their costs have gone up a bit (what hasn’t), however the high quality of the bikes has gone up in variety. The most recent Rad Energy Bikes are an enormous step up in comparison with lots of the model’s earlier fashions.
Rad Energy RadRunner Max Particulars
Earlier than I focus on my expertise utilizing the RadRunner Max, right here’s a fast overview of the bike’s specs and options.
Body and Match
The RadRunner Max has a barely totally different body design than its inexpensive siblings, removing the swoopy strains in favor of a extra angular aesthetic. It appears fairly just like the Radster Path and Radster Street in that regard, and the aluminum body appears very beefy and overbuilt. The 672 Wh battery is semi-integrated into the downtube of the body, and might simply be eliminated for charging off the bike if wanted. The stout rear rack is welded onto and included into the body design. A sturdy dual-leg kickstand helps the bike while you aren’t using it.
Rad Energy states a complete weight capability of 420 kilos, and as much as 120 of that may be supported by the rear rack. The bike has a rider weight restrict of 275 kilos. Like many electrical bikes, the RadRunner Max solely is available in one body measurement. Nonetheless, it’s claimed to suit riders between 4’11” and 6’2”. The bike weighs a whopping 82 kilos with the battery, and that drops to 72 kilos with the battery eliminated.
Like different rad Energy bikes, the RadRunner Max is designed to work with a variety of aftermarket equipment. It has mounting factors for entrance and rear baskets, luggage, and cargo packing containers. These items value additional, in fact, however they will let you arrange your bike to higher fit your wants.
Parts and Options
The RadRunner Max comes with an 80 mm suspension fork to take the sting off bumps within the street. It rolls on extensive 20” x 3.5” wheels/tires with a “multi-surface tread sample.” It has highly effective Gemma hydraulic disc brakes with 180 mm rotors entrance and rear, and an 8-speed Shimano drivetrain with intuitive and exact set off shifters. It comes with an aluminum BMX-style handlebar, a cushty seat, and sturdy alloy platform pedals.
The RadRunner comes prepared for all climate circumstances with full protection fenders entrance and rear. It’s additionally prepared for altering mild circumstances with a shiny headlight and rear mild. The headlight has an ambient mild sensor, auto on/off, and several other mild modes to select from. The usual brightness is 450 lumens, plus it has a “excessive beam” setting that bumps it as much as 750 lumens. The rear mild capabilities like a brake mild and switch alerts, plus Rad Energy added a radar operate that warns you of automobiles approaching from behind.
For an added layer of safety, Rad Energy has added passcode protections to the controls, so you’ll be able to lock and unlock the together with your cellphone or via the show. It additionally works with Apple Discover My, so you’ll be able to maintain tabs on the bike if another person is utilizing it or if it will get misplaced or stolen.
Motor, Battery, and Show
The RadRunner Max makes use of a 750 W rear hub motor that gives as much as 90 Nm of hill-flattening and cargo-hauling torque. There are 5 ranges of pedal help and a twist throttle. Pedal help relies on a torque sensor, which supplies clean and natural-feeling energy supply. Prime pace is as much as the consumer, and could be chosen within the bike’s menu via the controls and show. Riders can select between:
Class 1: as much as 20 mph pedal-assist solely
Class 2: as much as 20 mph pedal help and throttle
Class 3 Restricted: as much as 25 mph pedal help, as much as 20 mph throttle
Class 3: as much as 28 mph pedal help, as much as 20 mph throttle
The controls are positioned on the handlebars subsequent to the left grip, with buttons for energy, pedal help ranges, flip alerts, and the settings menu. The buttons are simple to achieve with the thumb whereas using and intuitive to make use of and perceive. The colour show is massive and centered on the handlebars. It’s shiny and straightforward to learn in any mild situation, and it has a USB-C port for charging different electronics. It exhibits present pace, distance, estimated vary, pedal help stage, and headlight setting. The twist throttle is built-in into the suitable grip, and it prompts the throttle with a twist of the wrist.
Powering all of it is a sizeable 672 Wh battery. Like all of Rad Energy’s newest bikes, this battery options the model’s Protected Protect expertise. It is a security expertise that encapsulates all the battery cells in a heat-absorbing resin with the aim of decreasing the possibilities of thermal runaway leading to a battery fireplace. Moreover, the system and battery are licensed to the UL 2271 and UL 2849 requirements. The RadRunner can also be appropriate with the brand new RadRunner Vary Extender ($249), so riders can principally double their vary with a battery that matches into the cargo rack.
Meeting
Rad Energy has been promoting bikes on to the buyer for a few years, so that they have the supply and meeting course of fairly dialed. The bike doesn’t come absolutely assembled, and there’s a small quantity of meeting remaining for the buyer. Fortunately, it’s all fairly simple to finish utilizing the included instruments and detailed printed directions and/or watching the meeting video. It took me about an hour to go from the field to being able to trip.
These days, Rad Energy additionally has just a few retail shops and works with a lot of outlets throughout the nation as retail and repair companions. So, it’s additionally potential to take a check trip and/or purchase your new bike from a store that may put it collectively for you. This can be a greater choice for these with restricted house, time, or mechanical know-how.
The Experience
I’ve been using the RadRunner Max for the previous couple of months, and it has rapidly turn out to be the bike I attain for almost any time I’m leaving the home for something aside from a mountain bike or gravel trip. In comparison with the full-size cargo bikes that I’ve ridden, the RadRunner is a greater match for my wants and life-style, and it’s simpler to deal with and retailer.
To begin, this bike is sort of snug. I’m 6’0” with very lengthy legs, and I typically max out the seat top on related bikes, however there’s room to spare on the RadRunner. The seated place is upright and fairly informal with the BMX-style handlebars, and I get alongside simply effective with the ergonomic grips and the seat. It’s fast and straightforward to regulate the bike for my 5’7” spouse, and it seems there’s ample adjustment to suit riders a lot shorter than her. The suspension fork and extensive tires additionally add to the consolation, offering a comparatively clean trip over bumps and less-than-perfect surfaces.
I’m largely utilizing the RadRunner rather than my automobile, and I are likely to at all times be in a rush, so I bumped the highest pace as much as 28 mph and left it there. This was tremendous fast and straightforward to do via the settings menu, which could be very user-friendly. Now, I can blast at full pace to the grocery retailer on stage 5, or I can cruise at a decrease pace in stage 2 or 3. With the RadRunner’s torque sensor, it doesn’t simply overwhelm you with energy. As a substitute, it comes on proportionally together with your pedaling effort. It’s good to push on these pedals a bit to tear alongside at 28 mph.
The throttle response is fast, and I take advantage of it a bit to get began from a whole cease with a load on the again. It additionally has no drawback whisking you alongside at 20 mph on flat floor. I desire to pedal bikes after I trip them, even when they’ve a motor, so I don’t actually use all of it that a lot, however I do admire having the choice every now and then.
In comparison with a full-size electrical cargo bike just like the RadWagon 5, the RadRunner Max feels fairly a bit simpler to deal with. In line with the specs, the wheelbase is simply 4 inches shorter, however its turning radius is means smaller, and it’s much more maneuverable. It nonetheless feels loads secure at pace, and I’ve discovered it to be snug making turns of all sizes and shapes. The maneuverability applies while you’re off the bike, too, because it’s considerably simpler to navigate a crowded storage or when parking it downtown. Total, it’s a straightforward bike to get together with, handling-wise.
I’ve bought mine arrange with the big rear basket ($119) in addition to the “console” ($129). Each of those equipment have been very simple to put in, and make sure that I’ve bought ample room for carrying bigger gear/cargo on the again and smaller gadgets that I wish to maintain safe within the locking console field. I’ve carted a 40-pound field of kitty litter and a twelve-pack on the again of the bike with none points. I’m at all times shocked at how a lot stuff — mild jacket, additional layer, water bottle, bike lock, and so on. — can match into the console, too. There are additionally loads of different choices for passengers, pets, and extra.
In comparison with many cheap bikes with thumb shifters for the drivetrain, the set off shifters on the RadRunner Max are so a lot better. The hydraulic disc brakes are additionally loads highly effective and deal with the excessive speeds and heavy weight of this bike with out concern. The extensive tires have a “multi-surface tread”, which helps to present it comparatively good floor versatility. I’ve largely been using it on pavement, nevertheless it has no concern after I enterprise down a gravel path or clean filth path. The caveat is that the tires really feel just a little draggy when cornering on pavement, however you get used to that fairly rapidly.
The e-bike controls and colour show are additionally implausible. It’s very simple to vary help ranges, flip blinkers on/off, make modifications to the bike’s settings, and monitor the whole lot whilst you trip on the display. The lights work fairly nicely, and I’ve loved the “excessive beam” headlight on rides house at nighttime. I disabled the radar function on the rear mild nearly instantly as a result of I discovered it to be annoying, however I can see the way it may profit another riders.
Most of my journeys are comparatively quick jaunts to and from the shop or down to fulfill pals at a bar or music on the river — anyplace between 3 and 12 miles spherical journey. I’ve by no means come anyplace near draining the battery, so I can’t say with any certainty what this bike’s vary truly is. It has been greater than sufficient for my wants, however I feel individuals could be very hard-pressed to get anyplace close to the highest finish of Rad Energy’s claimed vary of ~60 miles. Based mostly on my expertise, I’d say that round 30 miles (give or take 5 miles or so) is a extra affordable expectation.
Rad Energy RadRunner Max: My Takeaway
In the summertime, I at all times aspire to make use of my automotive as little as potential, and e-bikes have been a fantastic various. I’ve examined tons and owned just a few full-size cargo fashions over time, and I at all times count on to love them greater than I truly do. I don’t have youngsters, so the power to hold two passengers on a rear rack is misplaced on me, a minimum of for now. That’s to not say that bigger cargo bikes aren’t superior, as a result of they undoubtedly are, however I simply don’t actually need one.
That’s what’s nice in regards to the RadRunner Max. It may deal with all the load and cargo that I want it to, and its measurement is a greater slot in my storage. It handles higher, too. To me, it looks like the SUV of e-bikes. It carries greater than your sedan, nevertheless it’s not a full-blown truck. We’re all distinctive, in fact, and our wants range, however the extra compact RadRunner Max fits mine completely. I assume now I perceive why you see so lots of them out and about.
If you happen to’re available in the market for a utilitarian electrical bike however aren’t focused on committing to a full-size cargo mannequin, the RadRunner Max is a good choice to think about. You’ll be able to study extra about it and the remainder of Rad Energy’s electrical bikes at:
radpowerbikes.com
