Blog

Some links may be affiliate links. We may get paid if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of these.

Rad Power Bikes RadCity 5 Plus Step-Thru Review

A reserved, reliable, and hard working commuter e-bike with a new hi-vis color!

We published our original RadCity 5+ ST review in early 2022, but with a new special edition of the bike now available, it’s time for a fresh take on this well-established commuter! After running the bike through our series of standardized tests once again, does it still measure up to its competition two years later? We’ll analyze the results in this Rad Power Bikes RadCity 5+ ST review!

At the heart of the RadCity 5+ ST (and all Rad bikes) is a dependable motor with relatively reserved power output. With 750 watts of nominal power, this bike isn’t lacking – but Rad’s dialed-in approach gives it a safe and steady feel that’s still fun to ride.

As you’d expect from a bike made to cover lots of time and distance on a daily basis, the RadCity 5+ ST is also remarkably comfortable. The custom saddle is ergonomically-shaped with just the right amount of squish, while the Dutch-style handlebars and ergonomic grips provide a similarly comfortable fit.

The special edition of the bike leans into its commuter side with straighter low-rise handlebars and a non-adjustable stem to offer more precise steering control and stability. Additionally, with a bright, contemporary Tiger Orange paint job, it’s impossible to miss out in the wild!

Dive into the full Rad Power Bikes RadCity 5+ ST review below to see the bike’s test results and more.

Rad Power Bikes RadKick (Belt Drive) Review | Simply Fun!

Rad’s sleek city commuter is a comfortable and zippy ride with low maintenance thanks to the belt drive.

The RadKick Belt Drive we’ve been reviewing for several weeks now is a fresh yet familiar addition to Rad’s lineup. It’s a sportier city commuter that picks up the legacy of the now-retired RadMission to give Rad Power Bikes a lightweight city bike option in its stable of e-bikes. It’s aimed squarely at urban commuters who want a lively, efficient, and straightforward ride.

It’s a quintessential Rad bike; it has a predictable feel that’s true to the bike’s styling with its agile and nimble touch on the roads, but the wider-than-most handlebar gives it a sure feel instead of a twitchy one. You can easily navigate around pedestrians and traffic, and with the lights, fenders, and rack, you have all you need for daily commutes.

The RadKick doesn’t overlean into the city bike attributes, though, and sacrifice approachability; it’s a city bike with characteristics that give it a broader appeal to more riders.

We loved the low step-over height of the step-through frame and the adjustable stem that allows you to be more upright or more forward-leaning and engaged. It’s overall pretty comfortable, especially with the help of the suspension fork. Our specific test model is a single-speed belt drive, so each ride felt actively involved. With no other gears to select and a more subtle motor experience, it felt like a more active ride than many other e-bikes.

The ‘subtle’ remark isn’t a knock to the bike either; the amount of motor power is purposeful and feels great. It’s slight yet effective—like adding a dash of cayenne to the pot of chili to give it just the right amount of “kick.” This bike is meant to be pedaled, and its torque sensor gave it an intuitive feel that enhanced our abilities making each ride fun.

The bike felt simple in the best sense of the word. It’s got a clean look to it, and it operates efficiently. Turn on the power, hit your desired assist level, and ride.

Outside of some of the usual concerns that plague any one-size-fits-all e-bike, Rad did an excellent job of making a user-friendly e-bike for those who want something lighter and more active with fair value.

Rad Power Bikes Radster Road Review | Innovative Features

A Peppy, Powerful, and Responsive Commuter with New Safety and Security Tech!

Rad Power Bikes Radster Road E-Bike Review 2025

As the first new model in Rad Power Bikes’ lineup since 2022, the Radster marks the next stage in the brand’s evolution. With two configurations, the Radster Road sticks to its roots as a commuter, while the Trail version adopts an off-road approach. In our Rad Power Bikes Radster Road review, we put the sporty asphalt-only version to the test!

One of the major differences between this new generation of Rad bikes and the company’s previous models is a more powerful, far more responsive motor. The Radster Road’s 750W rear hub relies on a torque sensor to engage, which allows it to adapt its output to match the rider’s effort. In our experience, this made for a smooth, natural feeling ride. The upgrade to 100 Newton-meters of torque also gave the bike fast acceleration and plenty of oomph.

To alleviate any potential concerns about its battery and electrical system, the Radster Road is both UL 2271 and UL 2849 certified. Rad also raised the bar for safety in the industry by using a “potted” battery pack, wherein the individual cells are sealed and surrounded by a heat-resistant resin to reduce the likelihood of thermal runaway.

We were thrilled about all of the Radster’s upgrades, but we were also relieved to note that it still had the heart and soul of a Rad Power bike. Here at Electric Bike Report, we have maintained the opinion that Rad makes some of the most dependable, safe, and well-put-together e-bikes in their price range; these things are often suggested by our test data, but more apparent in feel alone.

With that in mind, we identified some aspects of the bike that certain potential buyers should consider. We found the riding position of the Road to be somewhat awkward with its styling/geometry and Dutch-style handlebars – though the Trail version felt great. Additionally, while we think the bike is well-suited for seniors, its weight of 78 lbs (including the battery) is relatively heavy when compared to other commuter e-bikes we have tested. We think the Radster’s benefits far outweigh its cons, however, as its overall feel and performance exceeded our expectations.

Our full Rad Power Bikes Radster Road review continues below.

Aventon Ramblas Review | The New Entry-Level eMTB Standard?

A new eMTB that may reset expectations for how affordable an offroad e-bike can be.

The Ramblas marks Aventon’s debut in several areas: its first eMTB, its first mid-drive motor (developed in collaboration with Gobao), and its most expensive model to date. With these milestones in mind, I began my review of the Aventon Ramblas with high hopes and plenty to consider.

So, how did it perform on all these new fronts? Quite well, actually.

Starting below the $3k line, Aventon has packed a lot of value into the Ramblas. This well-equipped hardtail eMTB comes loaded with name-brand components that delivered strong performance during my tests. SRAM handles the drivetrain and braking, RockShox provides the suspension fork, and Maxxis takes care of the tires—all offering reliable performance, though with some limits in adjustability.

But the real star of the show is Aventon’s own custom-designed a100 mid-drive motor. With a base power of 250 watts (peaking at 750W) and a whopping 100Nm of torque, it’s a standout bit of tech. What I appreciated most was how controllable this power felt. Climbing intimidating hills—even the crazy steep ones that usually elicit a “nope!”—became far more manageable. That confidence is exactly why many riders turn to eMTBs in the first place.

Aventon paired the motor with a 706Wh battery that strikes a great balance between capacity and weight. At 50.6 lbs (bike and battery combined), the Ramblas feels agile while still offering excellent range. In our range tests, it delivered near top-tier performance, making it a great choice for long rides.

It’s not just about the components and motor, though. Aventon made sure to prioritize rider fit and comfort by offering the Ramblas in four aluminum frame sizes. The bike’s geometry is consistent with modern hardtail designs, which means it feels natural and balanced whether climbing uphill or bombing downhill. Aventon also played it smart by sticking to proven design principles for their first mountain bike, rather than attempting to reinvent the wheel.

What’s more, Aventon’s move into motor development, alongside its frame-building expertise, bodes well for long-term quality control and customer service.

The Ramblas is confidence-inspiring enough for me to recommend, which isn’t something I can say about every first-generation product. For a deeper dive into its performance, check out the testing and performance sections of our full Aventon Ramblas review.

Rad Power Bikes RadExpand 5 Plus Review | Nice Tech & Ride

A compact folding e-bike that has range for days and the upgrades fans had been asking for.

There’s a lot of fun to be had on the back of Rad’s latest folder. The RadExpand 5 Plus we’ve been reviewing for several weeks now is a whole lot of what people want in a folder: its handles well, has a peppy motor, and – you guessed it – it saves on space!

Folding up to just 29″H x 25″W x 41″L, this bike packs up small in just a few steps. With its folding design, the RadExpand 5 Plus is a go-to consideration for the on-the-go crowd like RVers, or just those with limited storage space.

Not only is the RadExpand 5 Plus here UL 2271 and UL 2849 Certified, but they now have Smart Shield Battery Technology. This new technology is another step forward in fire safety tech in e-bikes borrowed from existing setups electric vehicles. Each individual battery cell is “shielded” in a fire-resistant barrier, helping to prevent run-offs should one cell get too hot.

New for the RadExpand this time around is going from a cadence sensor to a torque sensor motor activation of the 750W motor. This new torque sensor has a more natural feel when pedaling and as you will see in the Range Test, gave us much better mileage than we expected.

In this Rad Power Bikes RadExpand 5 Plus review, well talk speeds, real-world range results, brake performance testing and the overall ride quality. So, helmets on, water bottles full and let’s take a ride and chat about the RadExapand 5 Plus!

Electric Bike Company Model C Review | Custom Cruising

In a world where most electric bike companies make nearly every style of e-bike under the sun, Electric Bike Company is something of a specialist.

Instead of attempting to be a master of all, the southern California-based manufacturer has put all their design and engineering chips into just one style of e-bike: Electric beach cruisers. The result is an offering of supremely comfortable, excellent handling and remarkably customizable lineup of e-bikes purpose built for cruising the coast or your local bike path. In this Electric Bike Company Model C review, we’re going to take an in-depth look at EBC’s high-step beach cruiser to get a feel for how it performs in the real world. Spoiler alert: it ride’s as you’d expect a laid back comfort cruiser would.

We’ve reviewed several of Electric Bike Company’s e-bikes over the past several years, so we’re well versed in the company’s modus operandi of heavily customized and high-performing e-bikes. In this case, the Model C we reviewed was decked with a host of upgrades including a dual battery system and a 7-speed drivetrain, among many other things.

To test the Model C’s capabilities, we put the bike through a gauntlet of stress tests designed to demonstrate how the bike performs on climbs, under hard braking and in a myriad of other scenarios so you can get an idea of how it performs.

Rad Power Bikes Radster Trail Review | Torquey Motor

A new Powerful Motor, Safe Battery Technology, and All-Around e-Bike Versatility

Rad Power BIkes Radster Trail Review 2025

It’s fair to say that Rad Power Bikes helped popularize fat tire e-bikes as we know them today. They don’t seem to be content to churn out the same stuff year after year though. Our Rad Power Bikes Radster Trail review shows the company is taking a fresh approach to the category they helped make mainstream.

The Radster Trail is a mid-size fat tire e-bike with a 27.5X 3.0″ tire, it has a newly designed motor with a serious 100 Nm torque with faster speeds, and Rad’s upping the ante on battery safety with their all-new Safe Shield technology. Those three features represent a slight twist on a classic, a more contemporary experience, and bold new innovation, respectively.

Most fat tire e-bikes come equipped with 4 inch tires. Some go even bigger. Rad Power opted for a 3 inch tire, which we found holds a nice balance between stability and agility.

But what really sets the Radster Trail apart is, at its heart – the most powerful and efficient motor Rad Power has ever engineered. The 750W motor on the Radster Trail has a whopping 100 Nm of torque that produced Rad’s best hill test results to date, while also improving the rider experience with a more natural-feeling torque sensor for its engagement. It also is capable of class 3 speeds (something they left off the RadRover 6 Plus) with available 25 or 28 mph speed settings.

And at a time where battery safety is ever-present in the headlines, Rad is setting a standard we expect others to follow. Their new tech helps better protect the battery, and mitigate catastrophic accidents.

But, is this all just flashy ‘safety’ hype and a new set of tires? Or, did Rad Power actually deliver with a bike that balances performance, capability and practicality, all at an affordable price point? Take a ride with us and let’s find out in our Rad Power Radster Trail review.

Ride1UP Cafe Cruiser Review | Classic Design, Modern Performance

Electric cruiser bikes are as much about the looks as they are the ride, and the classic beach cruiser — a low-slung, laid back style of e-bike with swept bars and a broad seat — is a timeless look.

But a classic beach cruiser the Ride1UP Cafe Cruiser is not. It shares many of the same design elements, including the swept bars, extremely comfortable ride and a focus on aesthetics, but instead of drawing its inspiration from California beach culture, the Cafe Cruiser takes its cues from motorcycles.

In this Ride1UP Cafe Cruiser review, we put the bike through its paces in a series of real world tests designed to push the bike and its componentry to their functional limits. We test its hill climbing ability, its braking and even how far you can go on a single charge.

Built by a California-based e-bike brand with a focus on making really well done affordable e-bikes, the Cafe Cruiser boasts the looks and component package of a bike that costs several hundred dollars more. Its low price and good performance makes it an appealing choice for those on a tight budget or someone looking for a bargain.

Though our testing did reveal a small handful of performance tradeoffs you may not see on a more expensive e-bike, overall the Ride1UP Cafe Cruiser is an exemplary performing e-bike considering its price and intended use case.

Aventon Pace 500.3 Review | Hello, Torque Sensor Upgrade!

Comfort, style, capability, and speed combine in this new-and-improved city cruiser!

Contemporary cruiser styling, comfortable upright positioning, and a confident but casual feel? The Aventon Pace 500.3 delivers on all three. We at Electric Bike Report talk about the bike’s features, performance, and riding experience in this Aventon Pace 500.3 HS Review!

This third iteration of the bike features a couple of small upgrades that make a massive difference:

Aventon replaced the old cadence sensor with a torque sensor that greatly improves the bike’s ride and responsiveness. And the addition of turn signals adds an additional layer of safety by increasing rider visibility.

The Pace 500.3 retains the 500.2’s dutch-inspired, cruiser geometry, which places the rider in a comfortable position and gives them a broad view of their surroundings. This makes the bike well-suited to occasional riders and daily commuters alike.

Keep scrolling to see our full Aventon Pace 500.3 HS review!

Ride1UP Revv 1 FS Review | The New Moto E-Bike King?

It rips! It roars! This moped-style e-bike brings the heat without breaking the bank.

Moped-style e-bikes are decidedly on the rise, with more and more Super73 imitators releasing their take on the popular design with each passing day. It’s usually a bad idea to run late to the party – that is, unless you want to make a dramatic entrance. With the Revv 1, Ride1UP smashed through the front door, scattered the revelers on the dance floor, and cannonballed into the swimming pool! In this Ride1UP Revv 1 review, we wring out our shirts while we cover this moto-inspired e-bike’s specs and performance.

Where many e-bikes make you do a hefty chunk of the heavy lifting, the Ride1UP Revv 1 allows you to take it easy with a relaxed and comfortable ride. We think most riders are likely to operate the machine with just its throttle, but if you choose to use the bike’s pedals, you won’t have to worry about working up a sweat. With a single gear and a cadence sensor, the motor requires only a casual turning of the cranks to jump in and take over.

When that happens, look out! The Revv 1 can launch into motion and quickly get up to its (shipped) Class 2 speed limit of 20 miles per hour. Even the bike’s lowest pedal assist system (PAS) setting is capable of reaching fast speeds, making it practical for extending the distance a rider can go on a single charge of the battery. Ride1UP advertises a range of 30-60 miles, and we put that claim to the test!

With so much good, you might expect to pay a premium for the Revv 1, but you’d be surprised there, too. In typical Ride1UP fashion, the Revv is so competitively priced that we’re not sure how they get away with it.

To learn more about this radical, rippin’ roadster, read on to our full review of the Ride1UP Revv 1!

Rad Power Bikes RadCity 5 Plus Step-Thru Review

A reserved, reliable, and hard working commuter e-bike with a new hi-vis color!

Rad Power Bikes RadKick (Belt Drive) Review | Simply Fun!

Rad’s sleek city commuter is a comfortable and zippy ride with low maintenance thanks to the belt drive.

Rad Power Bikes Radster Road Review | Innovative Features

A Peppy, Powerful, and Responsive Commuter with New Safety and Security Tech!

Aventon Ramblas Review | The New Entry-Level eMTB Standard?

A new eMTB that may reset expectations for how affordable an offroad e-bike can be.

Rad Power Bikes RadExpand 5 Plus Review | Nice Tech & Ride

A compact folding e-bike that has range for days and the upgrades fans had been asking for.

Electric Bike Company Model C Review | Custom Cruising

Rad Power Bikes Radster Trail Review | Torquey Motor

A new Powerful Motor, Safe Battery Technology, and All-Around e-Bike Versatility

Ride1UP Cafe Cruiser Review | Classic Design, Modern Performance

Aventon Pace 500.3 Review | Hello, Torque Sensor Upgrade!

Comfort, style, capability, and speed combine in this new-and-improved city cruiser!

Ride1UP Revv 1 FS Review | The New Moto E-Bike King?

It rips! It roars! This moped-style e-bike brings the heat without breaking the bank.

About

Guides

Reviews

What’s Trending

Blog

A reserved, reliable, and hard working commuter e-bike with a new hi-vis color!

Rad’s sleek city commuter is a comfortable and zippy ride with low maintenance thanks to the belt drive.

A Peppy, Powerful, and Responsive Commuter with New Safety and Security Tech!

A new eMTB that may reset expectations for how affordable an offroad e-bike can be.

A compact folding e-bike that has range for days and the upgrades fans had been asking for.

A new Powerful Motor, Safe Battery Technology, and All-Around e-Bike Versatility

Comfort, style, capability, and speed combine in this new-and-improved city cruiser!

It rips! It roars! This moped-style e-bike brings the heat without breaking the bank.

Don’t be a stranger, stay connected

Subscribe to our newsletter

About

Guides

Reviews

What’s Trending