Rad Power Bikes
Rad Power builds practical, load-carrying e-bikes and sells more of them in North America than anyone else. The seven models here run from $1,499 to $2,399, and they share a design philosophy: carry things, be repairable, do not chase top speed.
The lineup splits cleanly. RadRunner is the moped-style utility platform. RadWagon is the longtail that replaces car trips. Radster is the newer commuter and trail pair with 100 Nm and 28 mph assist.
18 bikes
Which Rad Power bike does what
Buy the RadRunner at $1,499 if the point is carrying something: a passenger, a crate, a child seat. The rear deck is the design rather than an accessory, and the 320 lb payload is genuinely usable.
Buy the RadWagon 5 at $2,399 if you are replacing car journeys rather than supplementing them. It is a proper longtail with the wheelbase to match.
Buy a Radster at $1,999 if you want speed and torque instead of cargo. Both the Road and Trail get 100 Nm and 28 mph assist, which is a different bike from the 20 mph utility models.
The RadExpand 5 Plus at $1,899 is the folder, for flats and vans.
When to buy something else
Rad Power caps most of its range at 20 mph because these are utility bikes, and that is the right call for a loaded short-wheelbase frame. If you want a fast commuter, the Radster models or a Velotric Discover 2 will suit you better.
If you need a mid-drive for steep sustained climbing, Rad Power does not build one. The Aventon Ramblas at $2,899 is the bike for that job.
Straight answers
- Are Rad Power bikes good quality?
- They are built to be practical and serviceable rather than light or fast, with UL 2849 and UL 2271 certification on the bikes and batteries. Parts availability is among the best in the industry, which matters more over five years than any spec on the sheet.
- What is the difference between the RadRunner and the RadWagon?
- The RadRunner is a compact moped-style utility bike with a rear deck. The RadWagon is a full longtail with a longer wheelbase and more carrying capacity. If you are moving children and shopping regularly, the RadWagon. If you want one flexible bike that parks easily, the RadRunner.
Weighing up Rad Power against another make? What separates a real e-bike company from a box-mover covers the certification, warranty and parts questions worth asking of any brand, including the ones we sell.