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 products.
To begin… the RadRhino is only available in Europe. So, if you’re in the US or Canada, check out the RadRover here ;)
Rad Power Bikes has extended its company beyond the US and is available in countries like Canada and even continents like Europe. So it’s only fitting that today we check out one of the European offerings, the RadRhino. The RadRhino is based on the RadRover 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, and since they are a company that largely operates on the world-wide-web, it would be only fitting they branch out to other areas of the globe. Currently, they sell to 28 different countries in Europe. Besides their known online business model, they do 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, 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. Just glancing at it and you can instantly assess there is a quality to it. After all, this is their flagship model, so we get some upgraded decals and graphics as well as 2 color options. This maintains the same set of custom set of Kenda tires… these thick knobby tires are 26″x4″ and feature not only K-Shield puncture protection, but also a reflective sidewall stripping which I really appreciate. Another good upgrade to the bike is the nickel plated DNP freewheel which not only shifts smoothly, but will hold up better over time. The lighting has been refined for Europe and the bike now features both a rear and front battery integrated lights. The front light is a Spanninga Axendo and features an active daylight sensor. On the rear light, as mentioned before, it is larger than the Rover and illuminates the license area. Luckily, it still maintains the ability to function as an active break light, getting brighter as you press on the brakes. Again we find a USB charging plug under the display, but this year it has been upgraded to put out 1 amp which should help maintain a charge on your device better than the previous 500 mA. The brake caliper has been moved and is no longer in the way which is great. The 180mm mechanical disc brakes have received a newer style disc rotors which I am told improves braking power and reduces noise. The front fork is an RST spring suspension with 100mm Travel. It has compression adjust with lockout, preload adjust, 32mm stanchions, and an axle with a quick release skewer. The whole bike really provides a stable and comfortable ride. The sloped top tube, the relatively low standover height, the riser style handlebar, and the Velo Plush saddle just come together with the fat tire ride to give you a feeling that the bike is hugging you. If you drive it on the pavement, it’s a fun experience, but it really excels in sand, snow, or even loamy territory if you really drop the tire pressure. It is a heavier bike, coming in at 74.5lbs and this version seems to have a shorter stem with a mid-rise bar that can be tilted forward or back to get the best geometry for that weight. I should also mention that the RadRhino comes standard with extra wide fenders and rear rack, where as they were optional on the Rover. This makes it a great value proposition and really a great and complete package.
Rad Power Bikes is using the same higher resolution 12-magnet sensor 750watt motor (yes, even in the EU!) that will start and stop faster. It’s just not as dynamic as a torque sensor and can produce an on/off experience along with delays that aren’t ideal for technical off-road riding. Starting might not be as fast, but you can always override and stop the motor by pulling either brake lever, because they both have motor inhibitor switches. Given that the motor used here is a fat-bike specific 750 watt part from Bafang, it’s great to have an override. The motor is compact and slightly lighter than the gearless direct drive hub motor used on the RadWagon and RadCity models, but it’s also louder because it uses three planetary reduction gears to generate power. I really like this motor because it’s extra wide, providing better spoke bracing support, and I like that Rad Power Bikes has opted for thicker 12 gauge spokes and even made them black to blend in with the motor casing and rims. Also, the motor power cable is a bit exposed, protruding from the right axle. You really don’t want to bend or cut this cable because it could create inconsistent response or even stop working… so it’s nice to see that Rad Power Bikes has added a derailleur guard that also surrounds the power cable. On other bikes I have filmed, you can see where this guard had been scraped up when a bike tipped or got pushed against another bike or wall. The chain is also well-protected on this bike because there’s a pair of aluminum alloy plates on the chainring which reduce drops and keep your pant leg from getting greasy or snagged. I really like this sort of attention to detail and appreciate that even though you get a more limited number of gears, the lowest gear is extra low for easier climbing (which could come in handy if your battery runs out) and that the derailleur is two steps up from base level in the Shimano line, the Acera part should hold true longer between tuneups.
The battery pack is slim and mounts to the frame on a track that bolts down in three places for added strength, and can still be charged on or off the frame (making it convenient for commuting and easier to care for in extreme heat or cold weather). Considering just how large and heavy the RadRhino is, I could see myself storing the bike outside or in a shed and then bringing the battery into a neutral, dry location for safe keeping. If you know it’s very cold out, keep the battery warm before taking a ride because otherwise the cells won’t last as long. If you plan to store the pack for more than a month without using it, I have heard that keeping it around 50% full can be easier on the Lithium-ion cells. The actual cells inside are Samsung 18650 size 35E high energy density. It impressed me to discover that this 48v 14ah pack can be replaced for just €599, and I think that’s partially because the controller unit is made separate. This reduces complexity, heat exposure, and makes fixes easier… but it doesn’t look quite as good. Even though the RadRhino is a purpose-built electric bicycle, the battery and controller box are still external… and it’s not as efficient or effective at climbing as some of the new mid-drives, or as balanced. All things considered, I feel that weight is still distributed well, and I love that little things like a neoprene slap guard, larger wider pedals, and bottle cage bosses have all been added to make the experience as good as it can be.
Using the RadRhino display is simple, and it is essentially the same display found on the US RadRover. To activate the display, just hold the Mode button in the middle of the rubberized control pad (near the left grip) and it blinks to life. This display is not removable, but it does swivel forward and back just enough to reduce glare. It’s large, which makes it easy to read from a distance, and it shows your battery level, trip stats, speed, and assist level 0-5. If you press the mode button, it cycles from trip distance to total distance (odometer), and if you hold the up arrow it will cycle from current speed to average speed and max speed. For those who want to mess around with settings, hold the up and down arrow keys simultaneously. The final tip I have is that you can hold the down arrow while the bike is in assist levels 1-5 to activate walk mode, which can be very handy if you have to walk a difficult section of trail, cross a non-bikeable area with a loaded rack, or get a flat tire. I love that in addition to the range of power levels that you can ride with, the throttle offers full power at all times. This is nice for saving energy but still having access to quick bursts of power for climbing or catching up to friends. And, the throttle can be completely shut off if you want, just press the black toggle button near the right grip. This is very useful when mounting the bike, walking it, or picking it up. Of course, I recommend always disabling the bike completely by turning it off to be extra safe when handling. I should also mention that the charger for all Rad Power Bikes is just 1.1 lbs and offers a standard 2 Amps output for ~6 hour charging from empty. It’s not the fanciest thing in the world but it gets the job done without being too bulky and I like that the charging port on the battery is positioned out of the way of the crank arms so it won’t get snagged or bent as easily.
All in all the RadRhino is a great way to get around varied terrain and delivers the fun on and off road. There are a ton of available accessories for all of RPB’s bikes. As I said before, I love that you get the fenders and rear rack included on this setup. The rear rack has bungie loops and even a Yepp seat window. For €1,699, you get top notch tech support and a 2 year comprehensive warranty. As with their other offerings, the RadRhino is a great value proposition eBike. Rad Power Bikes also prefers mechanical brakes for the low maintenance cost and ease of adjustment. But still, it would have been nice to see a flagship bike with a proper set of hydraulic brakes. I also wish the 2amp charger was more like the newer 4amp chargers which get the job done faster. Tradeoffs aside, the RadRhino is hard to beat. The words “comfort” and “fun” rarely go hand in hand, much like “inexpensive” and “quality”. The RadRhino manages to check off all those boxes which is no small feat, a deserves its title as a flagship. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Rad Power Bikes for welcoming me to their headquarters and letting me get to know these bikes.
I really appreciate feedback and questions, make sure to make them known in the comments below or in the Rad Power Bikes forums, I’ll do my best to answer.
Pros:
- Fat 4″ tires, a 100 mm spring suspension fork, and a mid-rise handlebar with shorter stem work together to provide more comfort, you can achieve an upright body position and the Velo Plush saddle and ergonomic grips further this experience
- Great aesthetics, the new hydroformed Aluminum alloy frame is smooth, thicker near the head tube for strength, and stepped in and flattened out where the battery mounts which provides a sturdier surface
- Even though the battery and control box are mounted externally, this is a purpose-built electric bike with internally routed cables and wires, note the stainless steel torque arm on the rear left dropout for added frame strength
- Available in 2 refined colors with nicer accents, it has always been nice to choose from a dark and light color because the white is going to be more visible at night and that could make it safer
- Safety is a big consideration for me as a cyclist who rides in the city occasionally, so I love that Rad Power Bikes has been including new battery integrated lights and that the headlight is extra bright and aimable while the rear light can function as an active brake light
- It’s cool that Rad Power Bikes has expanded to Europe and Canada, and specced their top speed down in order to comply, they offer free shipping in EU as well as in the US
- I like the sturdy Wellgo platform pedals, alloy chain guide, and steel derailleur guard on this bike because it means you won’t slip off as easily, won’t have the chain dropping, and can keep the sensitive shifter parts and motor power cable from getting bent or snagged if the bike tips or is parked in a crowded rack
- The battery design is awesome, it’s slim, can be locked to the frame in an off position to prevent tampering with the display, can be charged on or off the bike, is using energy dense Samsung 35E cells that take up less space and weigh less, and it’s only €599 to replace because the controller unit is separate
- In addition to the bottle cage bosses along the downtube, this bike has tons of features and optional accessories that look great and provide massive utility such as wide fenders, a rear rack with reflective pannier bags, a front platform rack and basket, a phone mount, and a suspension seat post upgrade
- The display is large and easy to read, it angles slightly to help you reduce glare, and I love that it has a standard sized USB port on the bottom so you can maintain a phone or other portable electronics as you ride, interacting with the display is easy and safe because the button pad is mounted within reach of the left grip
- The RadRhino has a high-resolution 12-magnet cadence sensors and this makes starting and stopping more predictable, I love that they also included motor inhibitors on both brake levers and that you can disable the throttle with the on/off toggle button near the right grip
- The kickstand is adjustable, has a wide platform at the bottom to keep it from sinking in to soft terrain, and it works well if you’re loading the bike with gear, I love that the front rack is frame-mounted so it won’t interfere with steering or tip the bike sideways when parked like fork mounted racks
- Both wheels are built with thicker 12 gauge spokes for increased durability and weight capacity on the bike, the official max weight rating is 275 pounds (~125 kilograms)
- The geared hub motor is quite zippy and powerful, moreso than the RadWagon and RadCity models which use a gearless hub motor… so the geared motor doesn’t offer regeneration and it does produce some more noise, but it’s torquey enough to power through snow and soft sand if you lower the tire PSI to the 5-10 range
Cons:
- Only one frame size for the RadRhino but that’s part of what keeps the price down, the top tube is sloped to lower stand-over height and the adjustable seat post and stem provide a range of fit options
- I’m not a huge fan of the big thumb shifter design because it seems like I have to stretch my right hand to reach it and the gears don’t shift as quickly or crisply, but the team at RPB told me this part was chosen to make room for their throttle on/off switch which is a great safety feature… so I’m okay with it
- The 180mm mechanical disc brakes worked well during my ride test but I definitely prefer hydraulic because the levers are easier to pull and can be reach-adjusted for small and large hands, this is one part on the bike that seems to be a compromise in order to keep the price lower, it would be nice to se hydraulic brakes in a flagship model
- One consideration with the spring fork is that it’s heavier than an air fork and uses a straight steering post vs. tapered along with a 9mm skewer vs. 15mm thru-axle which means it’s not as stiff and sturdy or upgradeable as many of the more expensive products out there, at least it has compression lockout and preload adjust though
- The bike is on the heavier side, tipping the scales at 74.5lbs, being an Ebike, that’s not so bad, but do be mindful of the weight in case you ever have to lug it home with a dead battery
- This is kind of not really a big con since it will only apply to a very small select few, but if you are in the US and ride these around, then go to the EU and try one, you may be wanting something faster
- The display is large and easy to read but not removable, so it could take extra weather wear and possibly get scratched at a bike rack or if the bike gets crashed but it seems well protected in the lower section of the mid-rise handlebars
- There are some advantages to the new rear brake caliper position (wires aren’t in the path of the optional rear rack) but the way it’s tipped back, it seems like water and dust could collect on the wire and get pulled down into the cable housing over time, creating some friction and drag in the brake system and more work for your right hand pulling the rear brake lever, this would not be an issue if it used a hydraulic brake line vs. mechanical
Resources:
Don
6 years agoWhere are Rad Power Bikes made?
ReplyCourt
6 years agoHi Don, my guess is that RAD products were manufactured in China and now Taiwan based on the tariffs that went into place. You can see and hear their founders talking about this on YouTube here and here.
ReplyHossainul Helal
5 years agoHello. I would like know how long does battery last.
ReplyCourt
5 years agoHi Hossainul, my estimate is a minimum of 20 miles (32 kilometers) if you’re using the highest level of assist… this is actually very conservative, unless the bike is loaded up with gear, has low tire pressure, is encountering big climbs, or other range-limiting conditions. What are your plans for the bike?
ReplyHosssinul
5 years agoHey, thanks for replaying me back and thank you again for asking me what is the purpose of buying bike. Actually I do delivery job with the bike, that’s why I have to ride the bike for long period of tome as an example I can say 8 to 9 hours per day with hilly area because of that reason I am thinking of buying a electric bike which one will assist me to ride that period of time….
ReplyCourt
5 years agoI see… Well, I don’t know what’s available in your market, but mid-drive motors tend to be the most efficient. Rad Power Bikes is affordable and the RadRhino is nice looking and capable on gravel and snow, but the range may be a little limited for all day riding. Rad Power Bikes does sell additional battery packs, and I think if you got a second pack to put in your bag, you could probably go all day. This will raise the price of the bike for you, but it would be a bummer to buy the RadRhino and then run out of battery and have to pedal a heavy ebike with fat tires, because that will add friction and resistance compared to a regular bicycle, and you could get exhausted. If your deliveries have you going back to a central point, you could leave one battery charging there and then stop in and swap out anytime you need, this way you wouldn’t have the extra weight of a battery with you all the time :D
ReplyDewaele Christian
3 years agoBonjour, j habite a Kusadasi en Turquie pouriez vous me livrer un rad power bike 750w equiper de porte bagage et 1 grand panier.
ReplyCourt
3 years agoBonjour Dewaele, je ne vends pas de vélos électriques sur ce site. C’est juste une source d’informations sur les produits et une communauté pour se faire des amis.
ReplyDewaele Christian
3 years agoComment regler le LCD de mon rad power bike 250 w acheter en octobre 2021 puis remplacer moteur par un 750w. merci pour les explication.
ReplyCourt
3 years agoJ’aimerais pouvoir vous aider à répondre à cette question, mais je ne sais pas. Vous devriez peut-être contacter l’entreprise directement en utilisant leur site officiel ici.
Reply