To run the forums, host the website, and travel, I charge a universal service fee for my reviews. This in-depth review was sponsored by Rad Power Bikes. My goal is to be transparent and unbiased, this video and written review are not meant to be an endorsement of Rad Power Bikes products.
To begin… the RadWagon is available in both the US and Europe. This review is for the European version, so if you’re in the US or Canada, check out the US version of the RadWagon here ;)
Rad Power Bikes has extended its company beyond the US and is available in countries like Canada and even continents like Europe now. So on that note, today we get to check out one of the European versions, the RadWagon. The RadWagon is based on the same version we see in the States, but has been slightly modified for the European buyer. Most of the bike is unchanged, however, I should mention it has been more modified legally, which is no easy feat. RAD has gone through great lengths to bring their bikes to new riders, so it makes sense they would branch out to new countries (currently, they sell to 28 different countries in Europe). Besides their known online business model, they also have a European headquarters located in the Netherlands as well. European customers still get a lot of known Rad Power Bikes features, like free shipping, support, and yes, even a throttle on the bike! However, the bike has been changed to a top speed of 25km/h as opposed to the US 32km/h (20mph). This makes it a L1eA classified vehicle, so in compliance, Rad Power Bikes has fitted it with lights that are enabled at all times, a VIN plate, and even a license plate mount with a more powerful rear brake light that can shine a bit on that plate. I’ve been told the EU classifies the L1eA category as something between a regular bicycle and a moped, so the rider must be licensed to ride it. I am also told that depending on the country, the rider may need to be between the ages of 15-20 to get started and some countries also require helmets. Luckily, Rad Power Bikes has made this easy by adding registration information on their EU site! So let’s dive into the bike itself a bit. One of the other differences in the EU version is this awesome ABUS Shield frame lock or cafe lock mounted to lock up the rear wheel. This is great for locking up the bike really fast and comes in very conveniently in many situations. Being around a bike like this just really gets the ideas pumping and you get excited to see that potential prove itself. The RadWagon comes in two color variants that let you chose between orange or white… each with cool new badges and graphics. Both are a great pick for high visibility, letting drivers and others spot you and your cargo. Loading is easier since the bike features a deflopilator which keeps the front wheel alined and balanced when parked. Also adding support is the double leg center mounted kickstand which is rated in itself for 45kg (100lbs). Although the bike only comes in one frame size, there are many adjustments that can be made to suit the user. The standover hight is 66cm which should accommodate many riders. An extra large seat post clamp makes on-the-fly seat adjustments easy to do. Also there is an adjustable sweeping handlebar stem. Both of these are great if you have varying kinds of cargo, as you may need to make adjustments frequently. Although there is no suspension, there are a lot of features to make the ride more enjoyable. The longer wheelbase will give added comfort and the sturdy steel fork will apply some vibration dampening. The seat post is 27.2mm so you can add your own or get Rad Power Bikes suspension seat post to increase comfort. On the rear rack, wooden deck pads are included as well as a clear plastic skirt guard which will keep your pants protected. The RadWagon comes with fenders and rubber mud flaps. The rubber here really helps alleviate possible toe clipping which I really like. Battery weight is positioned forward to make up for a normally rear heavy bike. The bike has two tubes, extra gusseting just making it a really approachable misstep frame; very easy to load. I love the 2 frame mounted battery integrated lights; one for the front and one for the rear which can act as an active brake light which gets brighter as you hold the brakes. However, since this is the EU version, the rear light does not have a flashing mode. Special Kenda tires with reflective sidewall and K-Shield puncture protection are also standard. Another great upgrade is the conical disc brake caliper washers help prevent brake squeaking. I also like that the bike has a nickel plated DNP freewheel which not only shifts smoothly, but will hold up better over time Other features include a quick release wheel, pro-wheel crank arm, aluminum alloy Wellgo extra wide platform pedals, a chain guard built around the chain ring, and a neoprene slap guard to protect the frame from the longer chain. Overall, the bike weighs 33.3kg (73.5lbs) but that double digit weight is rated at triple digit strength; the bike is rated to withstand 158kg (350lbs).
Driving the RadWagon is the same 750watt gearless, direct drive, hub motor. You always hear about EU bikes being 250watt, so I love that RadWagon sought to keep the same motor and even include the throttle to offer customers something more. Made by Shengyi, this thing is larger and heavier than a geared equivalent, but it’s smooth and extremely durable. Gearless motors have to be wider in order to gain a mechanical advantage and they weigh more (6.8kg) because they have more magnets and more copper winding to produce power. Coasting with this motor is slightly less efficient than many geared motors or mid-drives due to magnetic drag. There isn’t a freewheel here, but that means you can actually recapture a bit of energy when braking, and Rad Power Bikes has designed both brake levers with inhibitor switches to activate regen every time you pull. It’s not the most efficient system, estimates of 5% to 10% recoup are what I hear, but it does reduce wear on the brake pads and help to make up for the heavier motor weight. I noticed that the RadWagon uses a stainless steel torque arm washer on the left rear dropout to provide extra strength. This is especially important with a heavier, higher powered, regen capable motor because it will “rock” and push one direction for power and then the opposite direction for regen. One of the unique features of this ebike, and all of the Rad Power Bikes actually, is that they offer pedal assistance as well as throttle operation. And, the throttle delivers full power from assist level 0 all the way through 5 so you can override assist. This is nice for starting out or getting instant help climbing. This bike performs best once you have a bit of speed, starting from rest is a bit slow and less torquey feeling which could mean extra balance and pedal power when the bike is fully loaded. Again, you have 7 gears at your disposal and shifting will not be impacted by the completely separate motor systems, but you might need to plan ahead and shift down before stops to really be effective.
Powering the EU version of the RadWagon is the same 48v 14ah hour lithium-ion pack using Samsung 35E high-density cells. It, along with the rest of the bike, are covered by a 2 year comprehensive warranty… and you can help to extend the life of the pack by keeping it in a cool, dry location and maintaining a ~50% charge for long periods of disuse. The battery is short, sleek looking, and still has this cutoff switch feature but it’s built into the keyed ignition. So, if you want to leave the battery mounted to the bike but don’t want the cells slowly draining or anyone to be able to turn your bike on and mess with the throttle, you can turn to the off position and then pull the key out! What a cool idea… yes, if you do this you will have to re-insert the key and switch to “on” before the display can be active, but it’s much more secure than the old button design that anyone could press and you con’t have to turn it to “off” if you feel fine just leaving the bike that way. Since the battery case is shorter, the top tube no longer has to curve and thus, provides a lower stand-over height. To take it off, you unlock with the key and then slide forward along the track. This battery can be charged on or off the bike, and the .49kg (1.1lb) charger is compact and pretty standard in terms of fill rate. Offering 2amps, it should fill the battery in about six hours from completely empty. If you’re charging the pack while still mounted to the frame, the charging port is high up and away from the crank arms and pedals which will reduce the potential for snags and broken tips. It’s a minor thing, but something that a lot of other companies either don’t think about or aren’t able to customize with their own pack designs. My understanding is that all of the Rad Power Bikes are still built in China, like most bicycles and electronics systems these days, but they are now shipped and delivered in Europe, Canada, and the United States. Their designs are customized because of the volume being sold, and this battery pack is a great example of how a custom design can be better. It even has two exposed fuses along the bottom (for safety and repairability if a fuse blows) and I love how the charge port cover and fuses have rubber covers that are easy to work with and seem to stay in place. Note that the motor controller is physically separate from the battery, which doesn’t look as nice but does make it easier to repair and allows for higher amp flow. It is fully sealed and like most of the electronics here, rain and dust resistant. Just don’t spray the bike with high pressure water or fully submerge it ;)
Operating the EU version of the RadWagon is very easy, once the battery is charged, mounted, and locked in with the ignition towards on. You do not have to leave the keys in while riding and really should not attempt to do this for they could get snagged and bent. Up at the control pad, just hold the center “Mode” button and the display will blink on. Rad Power Bikes is using a branded King Meter SWLCD that has been refined a bit from before. It’s the same grayscale, backlit, fairly large screen, but it now tilts up and down slightly and has an integrated USB Type A port, full sized for use with portable electronics. Being able to angle the display means you can switch riders who might be different heights, and still have a great view or reduced glare without needing any tools. Having the display in the center, separate from the rubberized control pad, makes it natural to view but still easy to interact with. The up and down buttons on the control pad allow you to navigate from zero to five level of assist which increases power and speed up to 25km/h. However, with the display, button pad, brake lines and motor inhibitors, throttle on/off button, and two sets of thumb shifters, the RadWagon has the most crowded cockpit and the most wires of any of their models (aside from the RadBurro commercial ebike). I am glad for all of these features, and I feel that RPB has done a good job managing the wires, but this e-bike isn’t quite as stealthy as some of the alternatives. The bike powers on at assist level 1 and the throttle is hot, so be careful when mounting and dismounting. I usually try to turn the bike off once I am seated and then off when I stop. One extra nice feature that is still found on the EU version that helps you manage how riding is done and to make the bike safer, is a throttle cutoff switch. It’s located near the right grip and can be pressed in to kill the throttle, which might be nice if you feel uncomfortable with it or are maneuvering the bike. Note that Rad Power Bikes has upgraded to more responsive 12-magnet cadence sensors vs. the older 6-magnet design, and that you don’t actually need to push hard to get pedal assist working, just move the cranks steadily. The benefit is that you can relax and stretch with pedal assist but the trade-off is that it’s more of an on/off response and won’t activate until the bike gets moving a bit first and you can actually turn the cranks. Compared to the new multi-sensor designs from Bosch, Yamaha, Shimano, Brose and other high-end mid-drive bikes it feels less natural and takes more time, but none of those products offer a throttle.
Before wrapping up, I would also like to mention the many accessories available which really create a lot of cargo possibilities and are available to customers in the EU. In the rear, bike can fit 2 Yepp! Maxi seats, has a deck pad option, and a finger protective handlebar accessory for children. It also has room for heavy duty reflective pannier bags and has plenty of mounting points and reinforced bars for bungie loops. This is just a sample of some of the uses that come to mind, of course, there are many others as the rest of the bike has opportunities for configuration as well. The down tube features bottle cage bosses that could also be used for a folding lock, mini pump, or anything else you might need to take you that extra kilo. On the head tube, you have a section for a frame mounted front rack, this is nice since the load will stay straight when you turn as opposed to a fork mounted rack. The included front light can then be remounted to the front rack and still keep full functionality. All in all, a competitive price point of $€1,799 before accessories and a 2 year warranty with free tech support makes this bike a great value proposition. Some tradeoffs are to be expected however. The bike is a little heavier at 33.3kg (73.5lbs). Although there is some adjustability, it only comes in one frame size. Also the magnetic drag from the motor could become annoying if the battery ever dies on you. With all the options and configurations though, this bike will serve many uses and could even be used to replace your car. A big thanks to the Rad Power Bikes team for inviting me to look over the EU version of the RadWagon.
As always, I welcome questions and feedback in the comment section below. Whether you own a previous version of the bike, have taken a test ride, or are brand new to the space, my goal is to provide an objective and honest resource. You can also join the Rad Power Bikes forum and share your own photos, videos, and review updates to help others! Have fun out there, and ride safe :)
Pros:
- The EU version comes with this really cool Abus Shield frame lock (cafe lock), this is great when you just need to stop by a location real fast and lock up the bike without pulling out a whole chain or lock from the backpack and it really comes in handy
- Less drive train complexity this year with a 7 speed nickel plated DNP freewheel, which not only shifts smoothly, but will hold up better over time
- The K-Shield puncture protection is an added value since changing a flat in the back could be cumbersome given all the hardware that surrounds the rear wheel, reflective sidewall striping also increases visibility as does the battery mounted front and rear lights
- All of the new Rad Power Bikes share a mounting interface on the head tube for adding a rack, it’s sturdy and won’t tip when you steer or park the bike, note that the optional rack accessory comes with a cable extension and mounting bracket for the headlight so it can be positioned optimally
- Low price is one of the biggest differentiating features of the RadWagon and I love that it comes standard with a wooden deck and sideboards, fenders, and an integrated headlight
- I like that the large chainring has a alloy guard to keep your pants clear and clean, the plastic fenders on the bike are extra wide and have rubber flaps, there’s a clear plastic skirt guard to keep straps and clothes away from the drivetrain and rear wheel, and the pedals are large and grippy so you can ride in different types of weather securely and stay relatively dry
- The frame has been redesigned from Aluminum alloy vs. Steel which allowed them to make it look nicer (like where the battery is stepped in) and they added more cross members at the rear and a lower stand over height, it still suffers from frame flex a bit (as do most cargo bikes) but performs well enough, the steel fork provides some vibration dampening
- I was told that the adjustable angle stem has been custom made to stay tight and uses hardened materials that won’t dull as easily as some competing parts, the swept back handlebars and optional suspension seat post go a long way to improve fit, body position, and comfort
- The deflopilator spring keeps your front wheel straight and stable when loading the cargo area and may also assist in steering heavy loads, I love that Rad Power Bikes managed to squeeze in some bottle cage bosses, even though they are mounted below the downtube… this attachment point could also work for folding locks, mini pumps, or other accessories
- Even though this bike is only available in one frame size, it’s fairly adjustable to accommodate different sizes of riders, and I like that they offer both orange and white frame colors with nicer paint and accents
- The kickstand is super stable and overbuilt allowing it to hold 45kg (100lbs) by itself, I like that it and the fork are paint-matched and designed with durability in mind since this is a cargo bike
- One of the coolest aspects of cargo bikes is their accessories! And the EU RadWagon is setup to accept a nice front rack with two basket options, the basket can work on the back area too or you can mount Yepp! child seats by default because they have the appropriately sized “window” openings and there’s even a surround bar to keep their fingers safe, or you can get a pad and passenger bar to take a large child or even an adult… or you could use this space for extra large Ballard pannier bags, and many of these optional accessories can be added while still keeping the bike price low
- Rad Power Bikes offers free shipping even in the EU, which is a great value proposition to the bike
- The battery design is sleek, it slides forward and fits nicely into the compact frame spot here enabling the lower stand-over height
- Gearless hub motors tend to be very durable and quiet, you don’t get as much torque and raw power at low speeds and there is some magnetic drag when coasting but RPB recaptures a bit of energy when braking which reduces wear on the brake pads and might extend your range just a bit vs. if they did not
- Both wheels are built with thicker 12 gauge spokes and sturdy Weinmann rims to handle the additional weight of cargo or a second passenger, this design does end up feeling more stiff than 13 or 14 gauge spokes used on many of the competing models I have reviewed
- I love that the battery pack is mounted to the frame with three bolts vs. just two and that the power cable running to the hub motor is really tucked in and well protected at the back, especially since feet and bags could be moving a lot nearby and could result in kicking and bending the wire if it were not so well protected
Cons:
- If you decide to add the front rack, it’s great that the headlight can be repositioned on the bottom (for maximum exposure) but it will no longer point where you steer because the rack is frame mounted
- If you decide to add the front rack, it’s great that the headlight can be repositioned on the bottom (for maximum exposure) but it will no longer point where you steer because the rack is frame mounted
- This electric cargo bike isn’t as capable at climbing steep hills as the mid-drive options from Yuba, Riese & Müller, Felt, Butchers & Bicycles and some others… but none of them offer throttles or wider gearing options, just know that the gearless motor on the RadWagon is more smooth and quiet but offers a lot less torque from standstill and for climbing
- I’m mixed on the brakes for this bike, the 180 mm rotors provide good leverage but you cannot adjust the brake lever reach and have to use more effort than with hydraulic disc brakes, for smaller riders and those without as much hand strength, that could be a point of fatigue or difficulty, but at least they have motor inhibitors built in for safety and the rubber edges and the bell are nice, this part is one of the cost savings measures and also might be easier to adjust by hand by the owner vs. needing a shop
- The display panel is not removable and could take some weather-wear or get scratched at bike racks… but now it can be locked (by turning the key to off on the battery pack) and it has a USB type A port for charging your phone or other portable electronics on the go
- Minor complaint here but the slap guard doesn’t quite extend all the way across the right chainstay and you could get some chips and marks there because of how long the chain is and how wide the gear spread is
- I prefer the little trigger shifters vs. these large SIS Index thumb shifters because they don’t take up as much space and are easier to reach when holding the grips… but Rad Power Bikes told me that they chose these shifters to make room for the throttle cutoff switch on the right side and that makes sense, also, the big shifters can be easier to use with gloves… I just find that I have to take my hand off of the grip to shift sometimes and that’s slow and less safe feeling
Resources:
Steph
5 years agoThanks for the review! So the biggest question – would you recommend the blix packa or rad wagon? I have 3 young children and live in a fairly flat city, thanks!
ReplyCourt
5 years agoGreat question, Steph! I’d probably get the Rad Power Bikes RadWagon because then you could use the battery with other Rad products. If you really need the extra range, I do like the Blix Packa, but it’s a newer model than Rad so it might not be as refined. I like both companies a lot, both are winners and very supportive in my opinion. I like how the Packa loks, but I trust the RadWagon since it has been around a long time. If you wanted a longer range, you could also just buy a second battery for the RadWagon to bring along. I hope this helps, they are very close and part of me wants to say Packa! but it might just come down to style or the battery question :) whatever you do, I’d love to hear an update someday and hope you and your kids have a blast!
ReplyAidan
5 years agoHi Mike great review thanks. But I do have an issue as an owner of Rad Wagon. I am unable to get insurance for the bike, so this needs to be made aware to prospective buyers in the UK. The problem seems to be the 750 kW motor as the majority of underwriters only recognize the 250 kW motor and refuse to insure the 750 kW period. They say it has to be registered but the vehicle licensing body here in the UK the DVLA say it does not need licensing. Catch 22 situation, I cannot insure the Rad Wagon and RadPowerBikes do not or will not help or exchange said bike. Can you offer any advice?
ReplyCourt
5 years agoInteresting question, Aidan. I’ll loop Mike in and see if we can get an answer.
ReplyBeth
5 years agoHi, has this now been resolved for Aidan? I’m really interested in the RadWagon as it looks like the only e-bike within my budget that can carry two kids on the back! But I am reluctant to purchase one whilst the confusion with licensing and insurance exists. Have the DVLA stated anywhere in black and white that licensing is not required? I don’t want to risk falling foul of the law in the event of an accident. Thanks! (And also thanks for the comprehensive review, really useful)
Court
5 years agoHi Aidan! The European Rad Power Bikes team responded with the following information: the department of transport has stated that there is no requirement to register electronically assisted pedal cycles in Great Britain. For someone living in the UK, there is no need for registration, but we always suggest communicating with the DVLA for confirmation. Learn more here: https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Lords/2019-03-19/HL14648 I hope this helps!!
ReplyAidan
5 years agoHi Aidan – This is Joe, Rad Power Bikes’ customer experience manager. I know you’ve been working with our EU team and are close to reaching a registration and insurance solution. Previously customers in the UK were able to obtain insurance with Lexam Insurance and BikeSure. We appreciate your patience as we pioneer this L1e-A classification of ebikes.
For others reading this review, please refer to this web page for more information about our 750W ebikes in Europe, the RadRhino and RadWagon.
ReplyCourt
5 years agoAwesome, thanks Aidan!
ReplyDomenico
5 years agoHi mike i really love your video and work! I’m writing to you from Italy where unfortunately many of the bikes you review are not sold. But I really like this Rad, but I have some misgivings, can you help me choose? I live in Florence and the streets are often ancient, perhaps the absence of the front shock absorber would make you feel, what can you tell me? Better to bet on a fatbike?
ReplyCourt
5 years agoHi Domenico! I like the larger tires as well, because they are stable and comfortable… sounds like a good fit for your ancient streets! Unfortunately, I’m less familiar with your market and can’t really comment on what it’s like to ride there. Maybe you could ask for advice in the ebike forums here.
ReplyDruso
5 years agoHey Domenico, any experience in registering the bike in Italy? Situation is quite confusing with the need of registering it because of the 750W
Grazie!
ReplyDruso
Druso
5 years agoHi, I’m reading:
“This electric cargo bike isn’t as capable at climbing steep hills as the mid-drive options from Yuba, Riese & Müller, Felt, Butchers & Bicycles and some others… but none of them offer throttles or wider gearing options, just know that the gearless motor on the RadWagon is more smooth and quiet but offers a lot less torque from standstill and for climbing.”
I’m quite ignorant and would have expected the RadWagon to be more powerful of Yuba and other because of the 750W instead of 250. What does change having a higher wattage rating?
Thanks,
ReplyDruso
Court
5 years agoHi Druso, the performance really varies depending on what level of assist is used and what gear is chosen if you’re getting support from a mid-drive motor. Lower motor wattage can actually produce more climbing power if you’re in the lowest gear… because it gets a big mechanical advantage as it turns your chainring. With the RadWagon and other gearless hub motor ebikes, you don’g et as much torque as a planetary geared hub motor, so that’s another factor to consider. Yes, this motor has a high watt rating. It’s one of the more powerful gearless motors I’ve tested… but it’s not as effective at climbing or starting from standstill as a gearless equivalent (which is why Rad Power Bikes uses those on their mountain models like the RadRhino and the RadMini European version) and it might not be as effective as an equivalent or lower-rated mid-drive, depending on which gear is being used.
I hope this helps :D
ReplyMartin Schmidt
3 years agoI had the bike for about 1.5 years and rode it for less than 1000 miles. In general a great bike but it has some problems. The wooden running boards have completely rotten away so that I had to throw them out. The battery is very hard to remove especially after you have ridden for a while. It does not have a grip so it is very slippery. After less than 1000 miles the battery stopped working. From one day to the next it would no longer charge. Currently, the battery is out of stock. When I contacted their customer service I never got a reply when it will be in stock and if there is a repair service for their battery. So all in all, my personal experience with this bike is a mixed bag.
ReplyCourt
3 years agoHi Martin, I’ve noticed that the batteries can stick like that at times. Sorry to hear that your battery eventually stopped. I’ve been taught that storing packs at 50% and keeping charged between 20% and 80% in a cool dry location can really help extend life. Eventually, all have to be replaced. I hope that you are able to get ahold of Rad eventually, my experience with them has always been really positive (my parents own some, so that’s a source of independent data vs. me being an online review guy).
Reply