Radwagon Cargo Bike Review: A Comprehensive Test and Analysis

The Radwagon cargo bike is a game-changer for families, commuters, and anyone who needs to transport gear in style. It's designed to be a reliable and versatile vehicle that can handle daily errands and adventures alike.

The Radwagon is equipped with a robust 500W motor that provides a smooth and quiet ride, making it perfect for city streets. Its top speed is 20 mph, which is more than enough for most urban commutes.

One of the standout features of the Radwagon is its spacious cargo area, which can fit up to 400 pounds of gear. This makes it an ideal choice for families with young children or for anyone who needs to transport bulky items.

The Radwagon's sturdy steel frame and durable components ensure that it can withstand regular use and harsh weather conditions.

Rad Power Bikes is a brand that's making waves in the urban mobility market. They're known for their affordable e-bikes, with the Radwagon 4 priced at €2299 / $1999, which is a steal considering other brands' longtail cargo bikes start at almost double that price.

Their bikes are built to be easy to ride and maintain, with features like three-inch wide wheels and a low center of gravity that help with stability. I've seen this firsthand with the Radwagon 4, which is much easier to ride than our other e-bike.

As a direct-to-consumer brand, Rad Power Bikes cuts out the middle man, which means you'll be building your bike up when it arrives at your door. Don't worry, though - the instructions are clear, and all the tools you need come supplied.

Rad Power Bikes' bikes are a great option for families, like mine, who need a reliable and affordable way to get around. Their e-bikes are perfect for hauling kids and cargo, and they're easy to ride, even for someone like me who's only 5'3" with a short inseam.

Here are some key specs to consider:

Overall, Rad Power Bikes is a great option for anyone looking for an affordable and reliable e-bike.

The RadWagon is a significant upgrade from its predecessors, boasting a 5th-generation design that prioritizes safety and ride quality.

RadPower offers a wide range of accessories to customize the bike to your needs, from bags and buckets to racks and kids' seats.

This bike is designed to handle heavy loads, making it perfect for family hauls or cargo transportation.

For your interest: Rad Power Cargo Bike

The RadWagon's ride quality is a standout feature. It's built to prioritize both safety and ride quality, resulting in a delightful but heavy bike.

With a low center of gravity, the RadWagon is incredibly stable. This makes it perfect for hauling cargo, especially for those with a shorter inseam like the author, who found the bike to be much easier to ride.

Three inch wide wheels help with stability, making it easier to manage previous cargo. This is especially helpful for those who need to carry a lot of weight.

The RadWagon's geometry puts you in a more upright position, making it easy to ride. This is a game-changer for those who are new to e-bikes or have had trouble riding bikes in the past.

Compared to another brand of e-bike the author has, the Rad Power bike is much easier to ride. This is likely due to its smooth, stable ride.

The RadWagon 5's battery range is a mixed bag. It has a 720 Wh battery with more capacity than the previous model, but the bike's increased weight and smaller wheels decrease its range.

Riding the bike for 24.96 miles on hilly terrain, I managed to get an average speed of 16.5 mph, but the range wasn't incredibly accurate due to elevation changes.

The bike's battery management system gives you an expected range on the screen, but it depleted quickly, especially on uphills.

Rad Power claims this bike has an “up to 60-mile range,” which I'd estimate to be accurate, especially on level ground with some pedal power.

I rode the bike with a full load of people and got just about 40 miles, which meant Dad was pedaling without an assist on the last couple miles.

The bike's added weight and smaller wheels make it less efficient, which is reflected in its average range.

The RadWagon cargo bike is designed to carry a significant amount of weight, with a total payload capacity of 375 pounds, including 120 pounds on the rear rack.

The bike's cargo capacity is impressive, making it suitable for hauling kids, groceries, or even a full-on expedition. This is thanks to its sturdy rack and clever attachment points, which allow for easy strapping or tying of items.

The RadWagon's low center of gravity and wide tires also contribute to its smooth and stable ride, making it easy to manage while carrying cargo. This is especially important for riders who may be intimidated by the weight and size of the bike, as I was initially.

The RadWagon 5 is a cargo bike that's all about versatility. It has a 28" long rack that's 7" wide and made of tubular aluminum, with several clever attachment points.

You can strap or tie any number of items to its crossbars without adding any attachments. The rack is rated the same as the outgoing model at 120 lbs.

The bike's new design added about 25 lbs to its total carrying capacity, making it more than reasonable for most people to carry on a rack.

Rad has accessories galore to maximize the bike's carrying capacity, including baskets and bags. Their specialty is for carrying kids, with Thule Yepp kid's seats available for kids up to 40 pounds.

The RadWagon is one of the best kid haulers you can buy, providing a smoother ride than the Aventon Abound but can't haul quite as much.

A notable feature of the RadWagon 5 is its centered kickstand, which essentially levitates the entire bike a few inches off the ground while it’s stationary.

The bike features an impressive 375-pound payload, which includes 120 pounds on the rear rack.

The RadWagon 5 is a game-changer for families who want to bike together. Its impressive 375-pound payload makes it perfect for hauling kids, groceries, or even a full-on expedition.

The bike features a unique centered kickstand that levitates the entire bike a few inches off the ground, making it easy to load and unload gear. This detail may seem small, but it makes a huge difference.

RadWagon's thoughtful design allows for easy add-ons, such as the Thule Yepp Maxi seats, which click in like a charm and feel safe and secure. You can also attach a Moved By Bikes Longboard Rack or other accessories to maximize the bike's workhorse spirit.

The bike's components, including Tektro brakes, Shimano 7-speed shifters and derailleurs, and Kenda fat tires, provide a smoother ride. The Torque sensor is also smooth in its transitions, unlike cheaper e-bikes that can feel jumpy and unsafe.

The RadWagon 5 has a Class 3 setting that allows you to hit 28 MPH while pedaling solo, which is perfect for longer commutes. The bike's front suspension feature also comes in handy when descending bumpy dirt roads.

Here's a breakdown of the RadWagon 5's impressive specs:

Overall, the RadWagon 5 is a reliable and practical cargo bike that's perfect for families who want to bike together.

The RadWagon 4 is a stable ride, thanks to its low center of gravity and wide tires, making it easy to maneuver even with kids on board.

Three-inch wide wheels and a low center of gravity contribute to the bike's stability, providing a smooth ride for both the rider and any cargo.

A double kickstand is a game-changer for loading and unloading kids, keeping the bike stable and secure, even when kids are getting on or off.

The low center of gravity also helps with stability when standing next to the bike, making it easier to load or unload cargo without worrying about the bike tipping over.

The RadWagon 5 is a highly evolved cargo bike that's perfect for hauling kids and gear. It's great for errands and has excellent ride quality, making it a reliable choice.

One of the drawbacks of the RadWagon 5 is that it doesn't come with a compact assembly tool, which can make assembly a bit more inconvenient. However, the tools are still provided, and assembly is still straightforward.

The bike's size and weight can be intimidating for some users, especially those who are smaller or lighter. My wife, who's 5'2", felt a bit overwhelmed by the bike's size and weight, even with the lower step-through height.

The range of the RadWagon 5 varies drastically depending on the PAS level and terrain. On flat land with PAS 1, the range is around 60 miles, but on steep hills with PAS 5, the range drops to around 18 miles.

The RadWagon 5's size can be intimidating, especially for users who weigh close to 100 pounds or have a lower step-through height.

The bike's weight, combined with the added responsibility of hauling precious cargo, can make it feel overwhelming.

Rad Power Bikes didn't include a compact assembly tool, which would have added convenience to the assembly process.

The bike's size and weight can also make it difficult to maneuver, especially for users who are not as strong or confident.

The RadWagon 5's range varies drastically depending on the PAS and terrain, with a full charge getting around 51 miles on flat land using PAS 1, but only 18 miles when climbing steep hills using PAS 5.

This means that users need to be mindful of their terrain and PAS settings to get the most out of their battery life.

The Rad Wagon 4 is a great choice for families, offering a stable ride and the ability to haul a good amount of gear and/or kids.

Its relatively affordable cost is a major plus, especially considering the quality of the bike. The Rad Wagon 4 is also able to maintain a speed of 20 miles per hour with ease, thanks to its 5 levels of pedal assist.

However, the bike's weight (70 pounds) can make it a bit of a challenge to maneuver when not riding it. But overall, the Rad Wagon 4 is a solid option for those looking for a reliable and practical cargo bike.

Here are some key factors to consider:

If you're considering a Radwagon cargo bike, you might also want to look into the Yuba Mundo, which has a similar carrying capacity and can accommodate up to 2 children.

One key difference is the Radwagon's electric assist, which can make a big difference in hills or long trips. The Yuba Mundo, on the other hand, relies on manual pedaling.

The Surly Big Dummy is another option to consider, with a more rugged design and the ability to carry heavy loads. It's a great choice for those who need to haul big items or travel off-road.

If you're looking for alternatives to the RadWagon, consider the Lectric XPedition 2.0, which offers more cargo capacity for less money.

The XPedition has two batteries for the price of the RadWagon, giving it substantially more range.

For those who want RadWagon stability in a more fun package, the Aventon Abound SR is worth checking out.

The Rad Power RadWagon 5 is a highly evolved machine with many comfort and utility features. It's great for hauling kids and useful for cargo.

This bike is adept at errands and incredibly user-friendly, providing excellent ride quality. It's not necessarily fun, but it does its job well.

Rad's primary focus in redesigning this bike was safety, which makes it a reasonable value. It should at least make your shortlist.

The RadWagon 5 is a sturdy bike, weighing in at 86 pounds and feeling solid as a rock. It's a great option for families who want a safe means of transportation for their kids.

The bike's carrying capacity is 375 lbs, which is perfect for hauling kids and gear to the playground or beach. The turn signals and bright taillights are also a great feature, especially when driving alongside cars.

Here are some key specs to consider:

The RadWagon 5 has a high-quality graphic display and a USB-C charger, which is a nice perk. Overall, it's a great option for families who want a reliable and safe way to get around.

The RadWagon 5 is a sturdy bike, weighing in at 86 pounds and feeling incredibly solid. I was impressed by the thoughtfully designed packaging, which included a tuxedo of art and a nifty approach to unboxing.

The bike's graphic display is extremely high-quality, featuring a USB-C charger, which is a nice perk. The display is part of what makes the bike feel so sturdy and well-made.

I appreciate the turn signals on the bike, which are especially useful when driving alongside cars while transporting children. The bright taillights are a great safety feature.

The RadWagon 5 has a carrying capacity of 375 pounds, making it perfect for hauling kids or cargo. This is a significant advantage over other e-bikes I've tested.

The bike's power output is 750 W, giving it a range of 60 miles. This is more than enough for a day at the beach or a trip to the playground.

The RadWagon 4 is designed to make riding easy, with a low center of gravity that provides stability.

Three inch wide wheels and a low center of gravity help with stability, making it a smooth ride.

The geometry of the bike puts you in a more upright position, which is great for riders who want to feel comfortable and confident.

I've found that the motor is very responsive and easy to control, with five assistance levels that give you everything from 100W assistance to 250W of extra oomph.

A simple thumb shifter on the left-hand side controls the motor, making it easy to adjust the level of assistance you need.

The LCD screen gives you more than enough info, including error reads that can be quickly rectified by browsing Radpower's site.

The RadWagon 4 is a reliable and capable cargo bike, and here's a rundown of its key specs.

The RadWagon 4 has a maximum range of up to 45+ miles, making it suitable for daily commutes or longer trips. This is a significant advantage for those who want to use their cargo bike for more than just short errands.

Here are some key statistics about the RadWagon 4:

Its 750w motor provides enough power to handle heavy loads, and the 7 gears allow for smooth and efficient pedaling.

The RadWagon 5 has a 720 Wh battery, which has more capacity than the previous model, but the bike's increased weight and smaller wheels decreased its range.

We rode the bike for 24.96 miles using only the throttle, conquering 1364 ft of elevation, and the battery management system gave us an expected range on the screen.

The range wasn't incredibly accurate when on hilly terrain, as the bike couldn't foresee elevation changes, and the uphills took a heavy toll on the battery.

Rad Power claims this bike has an “up to 60-mile range,” which I'd estimate to be accurate, and I likely could have ridden 60 miles if I had performed the test on level ground while adding some pedal power.

The bike rates about average in our range metric, and given its additional mass, we didn't find this too surprising, but it's still a little disappointing.

Riding the bike home with a dead battery is something we'd go to great lengths to avoid, and realistically, the bike is probably sufficient for most people's commuting needs.

We tested the bike with a heavy load, including Dad and 3 kids, and managed to get just about 40 miles, unfortunately, that meant Dad was pedaling without an assist for the last couple miles.

The RadWagon 4 comes with rear and front lights for safety that can be turned on and off. These are a must-have feature with e-bikes, in my opinion.

The lights on the RadWagon 4 can be adjusted to suit your needs.

The RadWagon 4 is a beast of a bike, with some impressive stats to back it up. It can take you on a ride of up to 45+ miles on a single charge.

The bike's weight capacity is 350 pounds, which is more than enough for most riders. This means you can haul all your gear without worrying about the bike giving out.

The motor is a respectable 750w, providing plenty of power for those long rides. With 7 gears to choose from, you'll be able to tackle any terrain with ease.

Here's a quick rundown of the bike's specs:

The RadWagon cargo bike is a game-changer for families with young kids. You can haul babies and kids, as well as crates and bags of gear, making it a great alternative to a car.

The deckhand space is perfect for storing groceries, mail, and gear, like a milk crate that fits snugly in there. This keeps everything contained and organized.

It's worth noting that the RadWagon 4 could easily replace a car for a family with young kids, as it has ample space for all their gear.

The RadWagon 5 is a beast of a cargo bike, designed with thoughtful attention to detail for parents with young kids.

It's well-made and features brand-name components for a smooth, high-quality ride. The RadWagon 5 is easy to use and looks nice too.

At $2,399, the price of admission is high, but if you're looking for a cargo e-bike that can seriously offset (or replace) vehicle usage with kids or lots of gear, then it's totally worth it.

A unique perspective: High Value Cargo Transportation