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

The all new 2018 Rad Power Bikes RadWagon electric cargo bike is in for testing & review!

This is an economical eCargo bike with a high capacity 48V 14ah lithium battery, 750 watt direct drive motor, sturdy aluminum frame, disc brakes, and a lot of accessory options.

The RadWagon is priced at $1,499 with free shipping (lower 48 states) and they have monthly payment options as well.

Rad Power Bikes recently started selling their eBikes in Canada and select European markets.

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 RadWagon 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 RadWagon!

The RadWagon is a solid eCargo bike that is designed to fit a wide range of rider sizes. In this view you can see how the top tube steeply slopes down to provide a lot of stand over area.

In addition to the orange color, Rad Power Bikes offers the RadWagon in this pearl color.

Here is a video from Rad Power Bikes that shows the Rad Wagon in action with some of the cargo accessory options:

The frame is constructed with a lot of 6061 aluminum tubing to create a solid structure that also fits a range of rider sizes from 5′-2″ to 6′-2″.

In this view you can also see the high capacity 48V 14ah lithium battery that is attached to the downtube of the frame for low and centered weight distribution. This is a good location for overall bike handling.

The rear rack area really shows off the solid structure of the RadWagon frame for carrying up to 120 pounds of cargo! The rear rack is set up to carry baskets, bags (panniers), kid seats, and more.

Also visible are the running boards that can support 40 pounds of cargo per side. You can also see the transparent plastic wheel protectors that come stock on the RadWagon to prevent anything from getting into the spokes of the rear wheel.

Below is a look at a few of the accessory options.

Rad Power Bikes offers a number of rack and basket options that can be attached to the headtube and rear rack of the RadWagon.

The top of the rear rack and running boards have stylish wood tops that are securely bolted to the aluminum structure.

Here’s a closer look at the right running board. The wood top has been built to accommodate the Shimano Altus rear derailleur.

And a closer look at the left running board. The running boards have a solid bolted connection to the main frame. You can choose to use the RadWagon without the running boards for a narrower profile or you can use a single running board on one side if preferred.

The RadWagon has the 4 bolt connection at the headtube for one of the front racks or baskets that Rad Power Bikes offers.

This is the large front basket bolted to the headtube. Rad Power Bikes also offers a smaller basket and 2 flat front rack sizes as well.

Internal cable routing in the top and down tubes helps to keep the looks of the RadWagon clean and it provides cable protection.

The controller of the eBike drive system is housed just behind the seat tube of the frame. In this view you can also see the large aluminum tubing welds.

Ready to roll!

This is the 750 watt Shengyi direct drive rear hub motor that provides assist up to 20 mph and 40 Nm of torque.

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

Here is a look at the other side of the 750 watt motor with the Tektro Aries mechanical disc brake. The Shengyi direct drive rear hub motor has regenerative braking so that when you start to pull either the front or rear brake lever the motor will turn into a generator to recharge the battery while helping to slow the bike down.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of this testing & review for the ride characteristics of this smooth and quiet direct drive motor.

New for 2018 is the high capacity 48V 14Ah (672 Wh) lithium battery pack with Samsung 35E cells. It is located on the downtube of the frame for centered and low weight distribution.

You can see the charging port (has a rubber cover) on the upper side of the pack. The battery can be charged on or off the bike.

The battery lock is on the left side of the battery and the bike comes with 2 keys. Once the battery has been unlocked it slides up and off the frame for removal.

This is the battery mount on the downtube of the frame. The downtube has been shaped to provide a flat area for the battery mount.

When the battery has been removed the bike weighs 64.5 pounds. The total bike weight with the battery is 72.1 pounds.

The battery can be charged on or off the bike. The battery weights 7.6 pounds. The charger is about the size of a laptop charger and it takes 5 to 6 hours to charge a completely empty battery.

The RadWagon comes equipped with a rigid steel fork.

Kenda K-Rad 26″ x 2.3″ tires are used front and rear. These have an efficient road tread pattern with some off road capabilities.

Tektro Aries mechanical disc brakes with 180 mm rotors are used on the front and back of the RadWagon.

This is the Tektro Aries mechanical disc brake with 180mm rotor mounted to the 750 watt Shengyi direct drive rear hub motor.

Now, let’s take a look at the command center of the RadWagon.

Another update for 2018 is the swept back handlebars that also have some rise to them for a comfortable ride position.

The handlebar stem angle is adjustable so that you can fit the bike to your preferred riding position.

On the left side of the handlebar is a grip with ergonomic shape for wrist support, front Tektro disc brake lever with integrated bell, Shimano front derailleur shifter, and the control pad.

Here is a closer look at the Shimano front derailleur shifter for the 3 chainrings (there are 21 total gear options when combined with the 7 speed cogset) and the eBike system control pad.

On the left brake lever (front brake) there in an integrated bell! Both brake levers have sensors that will stop the assist as soon as either brake lever is engaged. When either the front or rear brake levers are engaged they also activate the regenerative braking that recharges the battery while helping to slow the bike down.

You can also see the rubber grip surface on the brake lever that helps with a solid grip in wet or dry conditions.

In the center of the handlebar is the LCD display that provides the following information:

• Battery level
• Odometer & trip distance
• Current speed, average speed, max speed
• Pedal assist level. There are 5 levels of pedal assist. The RadWagon uses a cadence sensor for the pedal assist system.
• Watts that the motor is providing

There is a backlit option for riding in low light and it can be turned on by holding the up arrow and mode button on the control pad for a few seconds. That also turns the headlight on.

There is a USB charging port just under the display so that you can charge your smartphone, tablet, or other USB device when you are out and about.

On the right side of the handlebar is a grip with ergonomic shape for wrist support, twist grip throttle, rear Tektro brake lever, and Shimano 7 speed shifter.

The twist grip throttle has an on/off button that helps to prevent accidental activation and allows you to only use the throttle when you want to. You don’t have to be pedaling when using the throttle.

The Shimano SL-TX50-7R shifter has a lower push button that shifts to the smaller cogs for riding in flatter terrain and the upper lever shifts to the large cogs for climbing a hill.

Ready to haul some cargo!

There are 3 chainrings on the front and when combined with the 7 cogs on the rear wheel they make up the 21 speed drivetrain. There is a chainring guard on the large chainring that helps to keep your pant legs clean.

This is the Shimano Altus rear derailleur that shifts through the 7 speed Shimano freewheel with a 14 tooth to 28 tooth range.

Here is a look at the wide Wellgo aluminum platform pedals with a solid grip surface. There are reflectors on each end of the pedal for extra visibility for riding in the dark.

The Velo Plush seat has a wider profile with a center relief for a comfortable ride.

The Velo Plush also has a handle on the back to make it easier to pick up and/or maneuver the bike.

This the 300 lumen LED headlight that is powered by the eBike battery.

A rear LED taillight is attached the rear rack. It is powered by 2 AAA batteries that come with the bike. It has flashing and solid light mode options.

This is the dual leg kickstand for extra stability.

Rad Power Bikes RadWagon Electric Bike Specifications

Frame: 6061 Aluminum with internal cable routing.

Fork: Steel fork

Motor: 750W Brushless Shengyi Direct Drive Hub Motor with 40Nm of Torque and regenerative braking

Battery: 48V 14Ah (672Wh) with Lithium NCA 18650 Samsung 35E Cells, Rated for 800 Charge Cycles. The battery weighs 7.6 pounds.

Assist Options: 5 pedal assist levels (cadence sensor) and twist grip throttle with on/off button.

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

Display: LCD display that provides information on the battery level, odometer and trip distance, current speed, average speed, max speed, pedal assist level (5 levels), and watts. USB charging port under the display.

Drivetrain: 21 Speed drivetrain with Shimano Altus derailleurs and Shimano shifters.

Brakeset: Tektro Aries mechanical disc brake with 180mm rotors and motor cut-off sensors in the brake levers.

Tires: 26’’ x 2.3’’ Kenda K-Rad tires

Seat: Velo Plush with Lifting Handle

Sizes: One size that fits riders in size from 5’2″ to 6’2″

Colors: Orange or Pearl

Weight: Bike without the battery = 64.5 pounds. Battery = 7.6 pounds. Total bike = 72.1 pounds.

Price: $1,499 USD with the option of monthly payments. Free shipping in the lower 48 states. There is also the option for Velofix (mobile bike shop) to bring the Rad Power Bikes RadWagon fully assembled to your house. Rad Power Bikes recently started selling their eBikes in Canada and select European markets as well.

Now checkout part 2 of the Rad Power Bikes RadWagon 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 or not.

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