RadRunner Plus: Reviews?

[coaxialpro]

I'm assuming the runners are pretty popular, all radpowers seem to be.

It seems like a great utility machine with the huge center compartment (too bad it's not lockable), and the components are certainly less crappy than on the base runner.

The cost seems high for what it offers and I find the bike to be plain ugly. I just can't help it. There are so many scooter style ebikes that look far better. The rad is functionally superior however, with an adjustable height seat, and huge storage container (optional).

I think I would like it a lot, if I could get past it's looks.

 

[amberwolf]

So...are you reviewing it, or asking for reviews?

Your title implies the latter, but your post appears to be the former....

 

[DAND214]

How ugly is it?
Some pictures would be nice.

Dan

 

[The fingers]

Website with the usual inflated range “estimate “:
https://www.radpowerbikes.com/products/radrunner-plus?utm_source=Google%20Search&utm_medium=NonBrand&utm_campaign=G%20-%20DSA%20Rad%20Power%2Bikes&g_acctid=743-021-7144&g_campaign=G%20-%20DSA%20Rad%20Power%20Bikes&g_campaignid=9014273171&g_adgroupid=95193737710&g_adid=413397897067&g_keyword=&g_keywordid=dsa-19959388920&g_network=g&&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIy-COk9bh6gIVJz6tBh3c_wrCEAAYASAAEgKTufD_BwE#utm_source=AdWords&utm_campaign=DSA

 

[coaxialpro]

I am not reviewing the bike. I don't own it and have never ridden it. Those are my initial impressions based upon information available online.

I've ridden rads before and found them very enjoyable to ride. I like the utility factor. But, I don't like the look or the spec. Kind of a 50/50 deal.

 

[amberwolf]

I like the utility factor. But, I don't like the look or the spec. Kind of a 50/50 deal.

Understandable. My bikes and trikes are like that too--fugly, but highly functional. The best of the lot for looks is the SB Cruiser trike in my signature, but that's still far from attractive (but it carries 350lbs+ of load or dog(s), plus a 200lb rider, and can pull a trailer with several hundred pounds more, so it does what it needs to).

 

[coaxialpro]

Pros:
-fun to ride (probably)
-can haul lots of cargo (center compartment plus rack?)

Cons:
-ugly
-componentry 30+ years out of date
-relatively high price tag

Also, probably good customer support but, everyone has a rad. I'm talking myself out of it quite frankly. :lol:

 

[amberwolf]

-can haul lots of cargo (center compartment plus rack?)

I looked and looked at different pics on their site, but cant' find any "center compartment", just a common step thru frame with two sets of water bottle mount screws.


I guess you might be able to build a very narrow box that could go there, to stuff a few small items in. Perhaps a bag of groceries.

The rack has a seat on it I suppose you could take off to bolt a larger "trunk" on, but carrying much there would probably not make the handling of the bike much fun, and if it sticks back behind the axle much it could cause wheelies if it's really "lots of cargo" (unless it's lots of light stuff).

Of course, my definition of "lots of cargo" is probably a bit different from most people, who may think a small 20lb backpack worth of books for school is a lot to carry on a bike. For me, *this* is a fair bit of cargo, with a small upright piano on the trailer:

while a little bit of cargo is this small stack of large bags of dog food in the back of the trike; I forget what the total was but I doubt it was more than 120lbs-150lbs of food. (around the same as Yogi, the dog sniffing it, who also rides in it sometimes):

 

[coaxialpro]

The center cargo compartment is optional sold separately as it were. It's pretty large. It could impede pedaling a little bit too.

 

[amberwolf]

The center cargo compartment is optional sold separately as it were.

Wierd that they dont' show it in any pics on that page
https://www.radpowerbikes.com/products/radrunner-plus
or list it anywhere on the page as an accessory, even to *name* it. (they do say there is an optional front rack, though they don't say how to get it). They sure don't know how to advertise things. :/


But I did find this:
https://www.radpowerbikes.com/products/radrunner-center-console?variant=20181630189664
in a completely separate section of the site. At 7.6" wide according to the drawing there, I'd guess it would interfere with pedalling at least a little, probably a lot for at least some people. But it holds about twice as much that way, so, it's all a compromise.

Featuring a cup holder and phone mount, this central water resistant storage unit can accommodate up to 22 lb of gear and be used with or without the lid.

Features
Capacity: 12L
Max phone width: 79 mm (3 in)

Personally, I'd rather use panniers (or low-slung baskets at worst, either side of front and rear wheels) for stuff that big. (like on my DayGlo Avenger and Crazybike2).

 

[coaxialpro]

12L; better than nothing, but you can haul a lot more than that in a pair of panniers.

They should've erred on the side of being cautious and made the compartment a little narrower, unless they assume a rider is just going to throttle the entire way hauling cargo.

 

[coaxialpro]

Some bitchin' mods!

[youtube]Jx77epy1YVE[/youtube]

 

[markz]

^To the majority of the casual observers, it looks more like a moped then a bicycle.

 

[coaxialpro]

Pedaling efficiency is likely no bueno. That tiny platform of a seat looks like it's a permanent wedgie waiting to happen.

Having said that, I've seen several people riding these scooter style ebikes and they always have an enormous grin on their faces. Fun + Utility = FunUtility Vehicle!