Rad Power Bikes RadRunner Electric Bike Review Part 1 – Pictures & Specs

The new Rad Power Bikes RadRunner electric utility bike is in for testing and review! 

According to Rad Power Bikes the RadRunner is part cargo bike and part moped.

As you will see, that is a pretty good description!

Some of the highlights are 3.3″ wide tires, low step-thru aluminum frame, and a bunch of accessory options including a Passenger Package. 

In this first part of the review you will get a detailed look at this bike with a BUNCH of pictures and the specifications.

Part 2 of the Rad Power Bikes RadRunner review will give you info on the ride characteristics, results from the range test, pros, cons, and overall thoughts on this eBike.

Alright, let’s take a closer look at the Rad Power Bikes RadRunner!

The Rad Power Bikes RadRunner has a compact size with a lot of versatile ride options.

In addition to Forest Green color in this testing & review, Rad Power Bikes also offers the RadRunner in Black.

In the picture above you can also see some of the optional accessories for carrying additional cargo and/or passengers. 

The RadRunner comes in one frame size and is designed to fit riders in height of 4’11” to 6’2″.

Here is a video from Rad Power Bikes that shows the RadRunner in action:

Now let’s take a closer look at the details of the Rad Power Bikes RadRunner. 

The low step-thru area (16.5″ above the ground) makes it very easy to get on and off this bike.

The ride position is upright and comfortable so that you can easily see everything around you.

The 6061 aluminum frame tubing has been creatively shaped to create the low-step thru area, accommodate 3.3″ wide tires, provide a central battery location, and offer many cargo carrying options.

The downtube swoops down to create the low step-thru area that is 16.5″ above the ground to make it very easy to get on and off the bike.

This is especially helpful when carrying heavy cargo. 

The headtube to downtube connection has a large reinforcing gusset for a solid connection. 

At the headtube is a 4 bolt connection for the front rack that Rad Power Bikes offers along with other optional accessories.

In this view you can also see internal cable routing through the downtube which helps with cable protection and provides a cleaner look. 

This image shows the many accessory options for carrying cargo and passengers.

Rad Power Bikes has done their math and states that there are 330 possible accessory combinations!

The RadRunner can support up to 300 pounds of total payload.

The RadRunner in this testing & review features the optional Passenger Package (+$99) that includes the passenger seat, retractable footpegs, and protective wheel skirts. 

In addition, this test bike also came with front and rear fenders that are optional accessories.

This is a look at the frame structure that creates the rear rack that can support 120 pounds of cargo or passenger. 

Just behind the seat tube is the high capacity 48V 14ah lithium battery that uses Samsung cells.

The central and low location of the battery is good for overall bike handling and the balance of the bike.

One of the unique highlights of the RadRunner is the ability to vary the rider’s seat height from the traditional height down to the same height as the passenger rear rack seat for riding double like the following picture. 

And here is a look at the rider’s seat set higher for more efficient pedaling. 

Optional foot pegs fold down from the frame for the passenger to put their feet on while riding on the back rack seat. 

Here is the foot peg folded up. 

The Passenger Package also comes with plastic protective wheel skirts that protects the passengers feet or clothing from coming into contact with the rear wheel spokes. 

The high capacity 48V 14ah (672 Wh) lithium battery uses Samsung 35E cells and the charging port is on the top right side of the pack. This high capacity battery provided impressive range that you can see in the range test results in Part 2 of the RadRunner testing & review.

Here is a closer look at the thick aluminum welds at the rack to seat tube connection. 

On the upper left side of the battery is the lock that is opened with a key (2 supplied) for removal from the bike.

Once unlocked the battery is pulled up and to the left side of the bike for removal.

Here is a look at the battery mount when the battery has been removed. 

The battery can be charged on or off the bike with the included charger. Estimated charging time for 100% charge from empty is about 7 hours.

Now let’s take a closer look at the drive system.

The RadRunner is keeping it simple with a single speed bicycle drivetrain that has a 52 tooth chainring and a 16 tooth rear cog. 

Each side of the chainring has guard rings that keep the chain on the chainring and they provide some pant leg protection as well. 

There is a chain guide tensioner to route the chain properly through the frame along with the ability to use a vertical dropout frame design.

In addition, there is a bash guard to protect the chain tensioner if the bike were to be fall on the right side. 

Providing the kick is a 750 watt Bafang geared rear hub motor with max torque of 80Nm! It provides pedal assist or throttle up to 20 mph.

The RadRunner is a Class 2 electric bike which is pedal assist and/or throttle up to 20 mph with assist and 750 watts max.

Slowing down the RadRunner is handled by Tektro Aries mechanical disc brakes with 180mm rotors. 

And this is the rear Tektro Aries mechanical disc brake with 180mm rotor on the Bafang 750 watt rear hub motor.

One of the big highlights of the RadRunner is the new Kenda/Rad Power Bikes K-Rad 20″ x 3.3″ fat tires!

The K-Rad tires have a large tread patch that contacts the road for a stable ride feel in addition to large air volume for some built in suspension effect. 

They also have a K-Shield puncture-resistant liner and reflective stripes on both sides of the tires. 

Here is a video about the Kenda and Rad Power Bikes tires partnership: 

The ride position of the RadRunner is generally upright and comfortable with high rise BMX style handlebars. 

The handlebar is slightly swept back and wide enough for a stable ride feel.  

On the left side of the handlebar is an ergonomic grip for wrist support, front Tektro disc brake lever with integrated bell, and display/control pad.

The display/control pad shows the battery level at the top, pedal assist level is shown just below that, and it is adjusted with the + and – arrows. 

The – also engages the walk mode when it is held for a few seconds. 

The light button controls the front and rear LED lights. 

This is the front Tektro brake lever that includes the built-in bell.

Both brake levers have a rubber grip surface and there are sensors that will stop the assist as soon as either brake lever is engaged.

The right side of the handlebar includes the ergonomic grip, twist grip throttle, and rear Tektro brake lever.

The throttle can be used with or without pedaling. In the lower pedal assist levels it is helpful for adding a quick boost to get through an intersection or over a hill. 

The Rad Power Bikes rider’s seat is a bit shorter than a typical bicycle seat and it is designed to fit the width of the rear rack passenger seat. 

In this view you can see how both the rider and passenger seat line up. 

The optional passenger rear rack seat is comfortable with a substantial amount of padding. 

The LED headlight is powered by the eBike battery and it projects a nice beam of light for seeing and being seen. 

The on/off switch is on the backside of the headlight. 

The taillight is also powered by the eBike battery and it has a solid and flashing mode plus a brake light feature!

Just like a car, when you engage the brakes, the taillight will illuminate.

Rounding out the stock accessories is the dual leg kickstand that provides a solid foundation for parking the RadRunner.

Rad Power Bikes offers many more accessories that includes fenders, racks, baskets, bags, and more. 

Rad Power Bikes RadRunner Electric Bike Specifications

Frame: 6061 Aluminum low step-thru frame with rear rack. Total payload capacity 300 pounds.

Fork: Steel fork

Motor: 750W Bafang geared hub motor with up to 80Nm of torque

Battery: 48V 14Ah (672Wh) with Samsung Cells, Rated for 800 Charge Cycles.

Assist Options: 4 pedal assist levels (cadence sensor) and twist grip throttle 

Speed: Pedal assist and/or throttle up to 20 mph which makes this a Class 2 eBike

Display: Battery level & pedal assist level

Drivetrain: 52t chainring and 16t cog

Brakeset: Tektro Aries mechanical disc brake with 180mm rotors

Tires: Rad Power Bikes by Kenda K-Rad 20″ x 3.3″, K-Shield Puncture-Resistant Liner

Seat: Rad Power Bikes moped-style

Sizes: One frame size designed to fit rider heights: 4’11” – 6’2″

Colors: Black or Forest Green

Stock Accessories: Integrated headlight and tail light with brake light functionality, kickstand, bell.

Optional Accessories in this review: Passenger Package (passenger seat, retractable footpegs, protective wheel skirts) and fenders.

Weight: 69.6 pounds with the optional Passenger Package and Fenders. 65 pounds for base model (stated weight).

Price:  Rad Power Bikes always provides great value for the money.

Now checkout Part 2 of the Rad Power Bikes RadRunner eBike testing & review with info on the ride characteristics, the range test, pros, cons, and overall thoughts!

-Pete

Review Note: Each company pays a fee for a review on Electric Bike Report because of the considerable amount of time that it takes to provide an in-depth review of each eBike. A lot of time is spent on the full range test with distance & elevation profile, the wide variety of detailed pictures, in-depth video, and the write up with the specifications, ride characteristics, pros, cons, and overall thoughts. The reviews on Electric Bike Report are focused on providing you with a detailed “virtual” look at each eBike to help you determine if it is the eBike for you.

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