Rad Power Cargo Bike: A Comprehensive Guide to Choosing the Right One

Choosing the right Rad Power Cargo Bike can be a bit overwhelming, especially with the numerous models and features available. The Rad Power Bikes' product line includes the RadRunner, RadWagon, and RadMission, each designed for specific purposes and rider preferences.

The RadRunner is a compact and versatile bike, ideal for urban commuting and running errands. It features a 750W motor and a top speed of 20 mph, making it perfect for short to medium-distance rides.

RadWagon, on the other hand, is designed for heavy-duty hauling and cargo carrying. It boasts a 750W motor and a 500Wh battery, allowing riders to tackle longer distances and heavier loads. This bike is perfect for those who need to transport bulky items or equipment.

Ultimately, the right Rad Power Cargo Bike for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences. Consider factors such as your riding style, terrain, and intended use to make an informed decision.

The RadWagon 5 has a unique kickstand design that's centered beneath the bike, making it easier to load and unload gear.

This design feature essentially levitates the bike a few inches off the ground, providing a smooth and stable ride.

The RadWagon 5 can handle a payload of up to 375 pounds, including 120 pounds on the rear rack.

This makes it perfect for hauling kids, groceries, or even a full-on expedition.

The bike features Tektro brakes, Shimano 7-speed shifters and derailleurs, and Kenda fat tires, resulting in a smoother ride.

The Torque sensor on the RadWagon 5 is smooth in its transitions, providing a high-quality ride.

The bike's design allows for easy attachment of accessories, such as the Thule Yepp Maxi seats and the Moved By Bikes Longboard Rack.

The Rad Power cargo bike is built with quality components that ensure a smooth and efficient ride. The Tektro Aries (MD-M300) brakes provide reliable stopping power, while the 7-speed Shimano drivetrain offers a wide range of gear options.

The bike's aluminum frame is sturdy and durable, with a rigid steel fork for added stability. The swept-back handlebars provide a comfortable riding position, and the ergonomic rubber grips reduce fatigue on long rides.

Here are some key components of the bike:

The electronics on the Rad Power cargo bike are also impressive, with a 720Wh Safe Shield external battery and a 750W rear hub motor that offers 90Nm of torque. The bike also features a custom color display, a torque sensor, and a USB-C port for charging additional electronics.

Our geared hub motor is a powerhouse that helps you tackle hills and intersections with ease. It's a 750W motor, designed in-house by the folks at Rad, who know a thing or two about making electric vehicles perform well.

This motor is designed to help you climb hills at lower speeds, making it perfect for navigating those steep inclines.

The RadWagon's payload capacity is quite impressive, maxing out at 350-lb.

You can strap on bulky items, attach panniers, platforms, or baskets to make the most of it. This makes it easy to haul a lot of gear.

The integrated rear rack is a game-changer for carrying bags, baskets, passenger seats, or any other bulky items.

The components of your bike are just as important as the electronics that make it run. The Tektro Aries (MD-M300) is a key component, providing reliable braking power.

You'll also notice the presence of Tektro metallic, which is a material used in the bike's construction. This material is known for its durability and resistance to corrosion.

The 7-speed Shimano freewheel is a crucial component, offering a wide range of gears for a smooth ride. This freewheel features an 11-34T setup, allowing for efficient pedaling.

A rigid steel fork is used for the 22" wheel, providing a stable and responsive ride. The aluminum frame is lightweight and easy to maneuver, making it perfect for commuting or casual rides.

The bike also features a swept-back, RPB custom handlebar, designed for comfort and control. Ergonomic rubber comfort grips are also included, providing a comfortable grip on the handlebars.

A dual leg center stand is used for added stability, while a forged aluminum platform with reflectors adds visibility and safety. The integrated carrying capacity is a convenient feature, allowing you to carry heavy loads with ease.

Here are the key components of the bike:

The RadWagon 5's custom color display is a game-changer, allowing you to easily access the class change feature.

A USB-C port on the display lets you charge additional electronics on the go. This is super convenient for long rides or when you need to keep your devices powered up.

The new torque sensor provides much better assistance delivery than its predecessor, making pedaling feel more natural.

You've got five levels of pedal assistance to choose from, including a zero-assist option for a more challenging ride.

Building your own bike can be a fun and rewarding experience, especially if you have some experience with bike mechanics. Particularly if you have some experience wrenching on bikes, Rad Power includes a comprehensive manual and a decent tool kit to complete the basic assembly.

However, if you're not comfortable with DIY projects, it's best to take your bike to a shop that specializes in consumer-direct ebikes. You'll want to make sure that particular shop will even work on consumer-direct ebikes before you drag it in.

Rad Power provides a good foundation for self-assembly, but it's still important to have a professional tune it up afterwards. This ensures that all the components are properly set up and functioning correctly.

The Rad Power cargo bike's performance and range are quite impressive. The 720Wh battery is a significant upgrade from the previous version, offering a modest 48 Wh increase in capacity.

You can ride for numerous miles before needing a charge, and the display makes it easy to keep track of your remaining battery life. I personally found that I could complete 5- to 10-mile trips without even coming close to depleting the battery.

The estimated range of 20- to 60-mile range is fairly accurate, and I'd say you can reach the lower end of that estimate just by using the throttle.

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The RadWagon 5 has a smoother ride thanks to the addition of a suspension fork, which provides 45mm of travel, making a world of difference in rider comfort.

This bike is now equipped with 20-inch wheels, which, although not a significant improvement over the previous 22-inch wheels, offer increased width and air volume in the 3.3-inch tires, contributing to a cushier ride.

The versatile tread on the tires allows for more surface versatility, handling pavement and light doses of smooth gravel or packed dirt with ease.

The new BMX-style handlebar provides more steering leverage, making this big, heavy bike easier to handle and control, especially with class 3 capability and speed control.

The upgrade to hydraulic disc brakes delivers more stopping power, consistency, and a better lever feel, giving riders peace of mind when hauling cargo at 28 mph.

The 750W rear hub motor is plenty powerful for moving fast or hauling cargo, and Rad Power's latest torque sensor does a fine job of delivering assistance, making the ride feel smooth and controlled.

The 720Wh battery is a modest 48 Wh larger than the previous version, making it more than capable of handling daily rides. I typically did numerous 5- to 10-mile trips before needing a charge.

Terrain, throttle usage, pedal assist level, cargo weight, and your own pedaling effort all play a big role in determining how far you can ride before draining the battery. The estimated 20- to 60-mile range is fairly accurate, but it's a big spread.

Using the throttle alone, you can easily get to the lower end of that estimate. At lower pedal assist levels with plenty of rider input, the high end of the estimate seems perfectly feasible.

The Rad Power cargo bike is a great option for those who need a reliable and efficient way to transport goods. The bike's class can be 1, 2, or 3, depending on the specific model.

The motor is a 750W rear hub, which provides a good balance of power and efficiency. The battery size is 720 Wh, which is a decent capacity for a cargo bike.

Here are the key specifications of the Rad Power cargo bike:

I've had the chance to test the last few versions of the Rad Power cargo bike, and I can attest to their solid performance and reasonable prices.

The specifications of this e-bike are quite impressive. The class can be 1, 2, or 3, making it suitable for various riding styles.

The motor is a 750W rear hub, which provides a decent amount of power for navigating hills and headwinds.

Battery size is 720 Wh, which is a significant capacity that can support longer rides.

The wheel and tire size are 20" x 3.3", which offers a good balance between speed and stability.

This e-bike weighs 86 lbs, making it relatively lightweight and easy to handle.

The length is 76" total, with a 50.7" wheelbase, which provides a comfortable riding position.

The carrying capacity is 375 lbs, allowing you to transport groceries, kids, or other gear with ease.

Here's a summary of the specifications:

The Rad Power RadWagon 5 is a solid bike that has seen significant updates to stay competitive.

I've had the chance to test the last two versions of the RadWagon, and I can attest that they performed well for their intended use.

The previous generation, the fourth, was starting to show its age and was lagging behind the competition in several ways.

Rad Power made numerous meaningful updates to the RadWagon to make the fifth iteration a contender again.

These updates have revitalized the bike, making it a worthy choice for those in the market for a reliable and efficient ride.

The Rad Power RadWagon 5 is a solid option for those looking to reduce their vehicle dependence while still being able to haul serious amounts of cargo.

It's perfect for hauling kids, pets, groceries, and other gear when set up with the right accessories. This bike can easily handle a variety of tasks, making it a great choice for families or individuals with a lot of stuff to carry.

The RadWagon 5 is not the lightest or most affordable option, but it's the best version of the RadWagon that I've tested by far.

It retains the hallmarks that made its predecessors so popular, such as being faster, smoother, safer, and more comfortable. This bike has regained its spot near the top of the list of great electric cargo bikes.

The Rad Power cargo bike is designed to be sturdy and reliable. It weighs in at 86 pounds, making it a substantial bike.

The bike's frame has been compacted slightly, with a shorter wheelbase and overall length than its predecessor. This makes it more maneuverable, especially in tight spaces.

Rad Power has also updated the handlebar to a BMX-style design with a sturdy four-bolt stem, providing better steering leverage and more confident handling. The integrated rear rack now has a 120-pound capacity, and the bike's total weight limit has increased to 375 pounds.

The RadWagon 5 is a beast of a bike, weighing in at 86 pounds.

Its sturdy frame and low center of gravity provide a stable ride, making it perfect for hauling kids or heavy loads.

The bike's payload capacity is an impressive 375 pounds, including 120 pounds on the rear rack.

This means you can easily carry kids, groceries, or even a longboard down to the beach.

The RadWagon 5 features a high-quality graphic display, a USB-C charger, and a smooth torque sensor.

Its Tektro brakes, Shimano 7-speed shifters and derailleurs, and Kenda fat tires work together to provide a smoother ride.

The bike's centered kickstand is a nice touch, making it easy to load and unload gear and humans.

This small detail makes a huge difference in the overall user experience.

The RadWagon 5 is designed to accommodate all sorts of add-ons, from Thule Yepp Maxi seats to a Moved By Bikes Longboard Rack.

This flexibility is a major advantage for families or individuals with varying needs.

The bike's Class 3 mode allows for a top speed of 28 MPH, making it perfect for solo rides or when you need to shave a few minutes off your commute.

The RadWagon 5 has a range of 60 miles, making it suitable for longer trips or errands.

Its front suspension feature comes in handy when navigating bumpy dirt roads.

Overall, the RadWagon 5 is a well-made bike with thoughtful attention to detail.

Assembling a Rad Power Bike can be a straightforward process, especially with the comprehensive manual and tool kit provided.

You can build it yourself if you have some experience with bike assembly, but if not, it's recommended to take it to a shop that specializes in consumer-direct ebikes.

The bike is packed so it stands up on its own, making it easier to remove the packing materials and begin assembly.

Rad Power includes a small tool kit with everything you need, and the printed instructions and assembly video are clear and easy to follow.

You can have the bike assembled and ready to ride in about an hour, as I did with the RadWagon.

It's essential to follow the instructions carefully, especially when lifting the 80+ pound bike out of the box, which can be a challenge.

Rad's system for pulling the box up and off the bike is great, eliminating the need for struggling or straining.

The RadWagon 5 has a 375lb payload capacity, a significant improvement from the 350lb capacity of the RadWagon 4. This increased capacity makes it easier to haul heavy loads, like groceries or gear.

The weight of the battery is now positioned behind the seat tube and lower in the frame, which likely contributes to the bike's improved stability. This design change helps to reduce the weight's impact on the bike's balance.

The frame has massive reinforcement around the bottom bracket junction to stiffen up the low-step frame design. This added support makes the bike feel more stable, especially when fully loaded.

Stepping over the frame on the RadWagon 4 could be a challenge, especially if you had a water bottle mounted to the top tube. The RadWagon 5, however, makes it much easier to mount and dismount the bike, even with a bottle in place.

The Rad Power RadWagon 5 is designed to fit riders from 4’11” to 6’3” (150-190 cm). As someone who's 5’8”, I found that I had to push the saddle all the way back on the rails to feel comfortable.

The RadWagon is a cargo bike that's not light, weighing in at 86lbs without accessories. This makes storage a challenge, as it can't be hung on most bike storage options.

You'll need a storage space with enough room to wheel the bike in and out, and store it on the sturdy center stand. This is because the bike's length, weight, and frame design make it difficult to transport on most bike racks.

A 50.7″ wheelbase limits the types of bike racks that can accommodate the RadWagon, and even then, you may need a rack with a ramp to get it on.

As you consider purchasing a RadWagon 5, it's essential to be aware of the potential challenges you may face. The experience with the RadWagon 5 has been great, but there have been a few hiccups along the way.

One issue that may arise is with the rear spokes, which can loosen over time and cause an odd noise. After less than 100 miles, the author started hearing an odd noise as they were riding, which they traced to the rear spokes.

Adjusting the spokes requires some technical know-how, and the manual may not be enough to guide you through the process. The author, who has been a bike mechanic for over 20 years, had to tension and true the wheel to fix the issue.

The rear brake is another area where you may encounter problems. Even after breaking in the brakes properly, the rear brake has developed a squeal whenever it's used, which can be annoying but doesn't affect the stopping power of the bike.

The drivetrain can also be a source of issues, with an occasional clunk as the hub motor engages. This can be caused by a slipping freewheel, which Rad Power would likely send replacement parts for if you pursued it as a consumer.

In addition to these technical issues, you may also find that the RadWagon 5 is not suitable for riders who are on the smaller side. The bike's size and weight can be intimidating, especially for riders who weigh close to 100 pounds.

Finally, be aware that the range of the bike can vary drastically depending on the PAS level and terrain. On flat land, the bike can get up to 60 miles on a full charge, but on steep hills, the range drops to as low as 18 miles.

The RadWagon 5 is a solid option for those looking to reduce vehicle dependence, but it's not for everyone. It's a heavy bike, weighing in at 86lbs without accessories.

Storage is a major consideration, as the bike can't be hung on most bike storage options due to its weight and size. You'll need a dedicated storage space where you can easily wheel the bike in and out.

The bike's length, weight, and frame design make it difficult to transport on most bike racks. You'll likely need a rack with a ramp to accommodate the bike's 50.7″ wheelbase and 86lb weight.

If you're planning to ride with friends or family who drive with their bikes, you may need to ride to meet them. The bike is too large to transport easily on most bike racks.

Resolving mechanical issues can be a challenge, especially if you're not experienced with DIY bike repairs. The article highlights the importance of understanding how problems are handled by the manufacturer, including tune-up times, repair options, and warranty coverage.

The RadWagon 5 is a beefy bike, weighing in at 86 pounds.

The graphic display is extremely high quality and even features a USB-C charger, which is a nice perk.

The bike has a centered kickstand that levitates the entire bike a few inches off the ground while it's stationary, making it easier to load and unload gear.

The RadWagon 5 can handle a payload of 375 pounds, including 120 pounds on the rear rack.

The bike features a new front suspension feature, which comes in handy when descending bumpy dirt roads.

You can switch the bike from a Class 2 to a Class 3 using the menu settings, allowing you to hit 28 MPH while pedaling solo.

The RadWagon 5 uses name-brand components, including Tektro brakes, Shimano 7-speed shifters and derailleurs, and Kenda fat tires, for a smoother ride.

The bike's Torque sensor is smooth in its transitions, unlike cheaper e-bikes that can feel jumpy and unsafe.

The Rad Power cargo bike has a 720Wh battery, which is a modest 48Wh larger than the previous version. This extra power gives you a lot more range, making it perfect for long trips.

I found that on my usual rides, I never came close to depleting the battery, even after doing numerous 5- to 10-mile trips. The remaining battery life was easy to read and understand on the display, so I was never caught unaware.

The battery range will depend on several factors, including terrain, throttle usage, pedal assist level, cargo weight, and your own pedaling effort. I'd say that Rad Power's 20- to 60-mile range estimate is fairly accurate.

You can easily get the low end of that range just by using the throttle, while the high ends seem perfectly feasible at lower pedal assist levels with plenty of rider input.