I Now have over 14,000 miles on my 2020 RadRover off road mountain trail miles on gravel only and other than 2 sets of tires and 2 chains I have had no problems at all :-)
I just watched this, a year after you recorded it. Obviously a lot has changed for you over the past 12 months in terms of your e-bike experiences and your expanded role as a reviewer as opposed to just a consumer of e-bikes funded out of your own pocket. I think your viewers would be interested in a re-visitation of this video in which you share what you have learned and what you would do today if you were to (hypothetically) donate your collection and start fresh with a new bike that you would buy. That’s the position most of us are in (either thinking about buying a first bike or upgrading to a new bike). Your channel is closest to the pure user perspective that we all appreciate and value, so your thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Keep up the good work.
My friends have Hemiways and Rads. Both good,, but Rads slower, with expensive accessories, and Hemiways strong but not as much fun to ride casually - better off road - if you can handle off road.
Our walking trails are mostly dirt, New Brunswick Canada, will the rad rover handle this without loosing traction,my mountain bike works good on them trails.
Am considering an electric bike and am leaning your way - either the Rad Rover or the Himiway. Your video is BY FAR the most informative and helpful I have found on this subject. I want to thank you for being so informative and easy to listen to. I am now a subscriber.
Thanks! Remember to use the discount link for the Rad bikes in the description of my videos if you decide to go that route to save $50. I don’t have a code for Himiway, but I do have it for Magicycle. Save $100 in that bike. Watch the most recent videos for that. A review of the Magicycle came on on Saturday. Thanks for subscribing!
Speed is one of the primary considerations of virtually every ebike buyer or owner. Our first bikes were the folding Jupiter Discovery X5 model - magnesium frame, just 41 lbs, a 36 watt rear hub motor, 3 power assist levels and a throttle only speed of 16 mph on level terrain. Perfect for camping trips to state parks and bombing around our neighborhood. Not a lot of range, but still enough for occassional riders. Thanks to you, I listened carefully to your review of the KBO (aka Killer Bike Option) Breeze step-through version and just had TWO delivered. You're right regarding battery Amp Hours (Ah) which some buyers may overlook. With 16 Ah standard on the Breeze, there will be plenty of range to cover 25-32 mile round trips as you discovered - likely more. My wife says the new bikes are akin to driving a Buick - solid, comfortable and powerful. The Breeze has a handsome design, appears to be well made and seems to have all of the quality components used on higher priced makes. Not bad at $2,198 for the pair. We can't wait for our Spring weather in another few months so we can charge them up and enjoy some longer treks. Just thought your advice can have meaningful impact.
Thanks for this video. I agree with most of your comments but I, personally, would not buy a battery just because it was cheaper or reported more watt-hours. Cheap L-ion batteries have a tendency to start fires. The brand of cells matter as does the quality of the controller.
I have had 5 ebikes and now own 2 and one is a Himiway. I have never had problems with their customer service. They respond fast and solve problems with one email. Nice video Russ, enjoy this kind of review. I sure wish I lived in a place with the great paths that you are living in, except if you are in Cook County! ha ha
Ebikeling has a 750 watt motor you can upgrade when you need a new motor. You can buy the motor and rim only or the motor. I've bought their 750 kit and really sold on it! I also have their1200 watt direct drive kit on my recumbent trike and absolutely love it.
I have owned 2 Himiway Cruisers. The first was stolen. My current cruiser has 6500+ miles in 11 months. I love this bike it is strong fast and very sturdy. I have a few repairs that I made. The repairs were simple from replacing the motor to repairing a flat tire. I my opinion Himiway is a great bike and fun to ride.
I have watched a lot of ebike videos and yours may be the best. You took us for a long ride on an ebike. We could see the mph, and I think 20mph is plenty for trails. On the road, maybe not. You gave good advise. Well done!
I agree with everything you said, I did the two Bolton triangle batteries, a new 35 amp controller true 750 motor, a datex2 to run the two batteries in parallel, colored monitor, fenders racks both front and back, The mileage is wonderful now compared to the standard RadRover, I got stranded way out in the country once had to push the bike home ugh, that’s when I upgraded the batteries 👍
They do not charge themselves while riding, although there are some that do have regenerative braking that adds a bit of power back. Even so, it is so little amount of power that it really doesn’t mean a whole lot. I use a second battery because I go long distances that a single battery can’t do. I will do 64 miles or more at times and one battery can handle that much range based on how fast and hard I ride.
I would like to hear how many e-bike riders are in their 70s and if you enjoy it. I turned 78 years old in June 2022. Today we are one month away from Christmas. I put in an order on Black Friday! Hope I did the right thing. I live in Virginia, and like many areas, we don't have snow yet. But it does get cold. What I'm afraid of most is having mechanical issues. The company is out in Utah, with headquarters in China.
The kenda tires that rad sells are the best all around tires. They have a protective layer so that you don’t get flats from briars or gravel from the road, I guess a nail would still go through but I have 965 miles on all terrain and I have not ever had a flat or even a low tire.
I’m new to the e-bike world. But I appreciate the hydraulic brakes, push throttle, rear basket, ~1KWatt battery (52V, 19.2A) on the juiced Runcurrent S
That little speaker won’t bother anybody. I have a Bose speaker and it works fine. I can hear it 10 feet away from my bike. So it’s not loud. Just sounds great
Greetings! I have been an avid cyclist (and former racer) since the '70's, and am currently in my biological 70's, lol. My wife and I have decided that I should get myself an e-bike mostly due to corvid-blamed inactivity and increased difficulty with hills. It was suggested that I start with something simple, an "entry-level" e-bike, so we ordered a reasonably priced one through Walmart. It fits our current budget and the reviews are very good. Your video's are VERY encouraging and informative for us. Keep up the good work! If the e-bike fits my lifestyle, then I will seriously consider spending the higher dollar amount with regard to bikes you have suggested. I envy the beautiful rural paths you are able to ride on ... wish we had them where I live. Thanks again, Russ. Ride Safe.
Russ, you hit the nail on the head. I have had a Rad Rover for three years. It now has 1800 miles. I have experienced the same issues you have: bad brakes, horrible seat, lousy light, and crappy original tires. My seat post also snapped off.
Your soothing review style has grown on me. I learn something each time. By the way, the paths you travel in your area seem endless. What part of the country is that? It looks very much like where I live in the Pacific Northwest.
Thanks for taking us along. If your happy with rad 5 then that's the bike for you. I did want to mention a couple of things. There's nothing wrong with cable actuated hydro brakes, and there are some advantages, depending. I was going b to mention upgrading the controller but you know about that, and it sounds like you know that a bahfang fat bike hub motor will fit inside your motor shell and is allot better. The last thing is , if your only or mostly riding paved paths you don't need nobby tires, and getting road appropriate tread should give you better millage and last longer, but thats up to you. You got allot of long paths there, I'm mostly on dirt in the mnts. Btw its about 26 degrees here and a foot of snow on the ground. Enjoy your winter.
Thanks for your comments. I upgraded my brake calipers with hydraulic ones but stayed with cables for the brakes as it was an easier installation. Works fine. I agree that non-knobby tires would likely be better for how I ride, but those Kenda tires are cheaper, so I went with that. At the end of the season, I am at 2615 miles. Happy Holidays!
Totally agree on the tires. Can't tell you how silly it is to see people spending 3 to 4 grand on a "mountain" bike to then only ride on paved walking/jogging paths. A $100 bike from Walmart would work just fine for that kind of riding.
It isn't too complicated installing hydraulic brake set. I just did it a week ago. It's easier then it looks. The cable actuated calipers are WAY too hard to brake with. It isn't worth buying them when you can spend a bit more and buy a pair from ebay.
I was a bit surprised that you never mentioned Mid-drive motors. It's true they are expensive but they do have a lot going for them. Efficiency, hill climbing power, and smooth ride to name a few. I haven't actually ridden on a bike with hub motor …. Maybe I'm missing out? And Thanx again for a most entertaining half hour …. I like your style.
Yes, a mid-drive motor would be nice... but the cost is definitely more. I'd like to try one eventually, but for right now, I'm ok with the hub motor bikes. Maybe in time as I get stronger with my replaced knee, I'll try one out one day! Thanks for watching.
@@RussIsRight Wrong wrong wrong. BBSHD is not expensive and a much better way to go but you hub motor guys are so hard headed and stuck in your old heavy bike ways
@@LarryRichelli I have both! I also prefer BBSHD, but the price difference for me was $2K more. I bought a Biktrix Ultra 1000 and I am sold on mid-drives. Give him a brake.
@@LarryRichelli Dollars and cents, are a steady indicator of e-bike sales I believe, as such a large part of the population is lucky to put food on the table, much less buy an e-bike, so the lower the cost, with the best quality possible for the price range is their priority. With that said, yes there certainly is a market for the e-bikes that are near twice the price (or at least those here in Canada) as many truly can afford the mid-drives as well. We all want the best, and even I 'could' afford a mid-drive, but I'm very happy with my Himiway step-thru Cruiser, now having my first issue, that being a rear rotor that has warped, which is my fault, not the brand/model. Just yesterday on one Himiway Group, a fellow was showing he's now at 16,750+ miles on his Himiway Cruiser, which is still going strong! It will take me a LONG time to reach that mileage indeed!
I own a Juiced Rip Current S. Every time another biker test rides it they say "WOW". On my 2nd RCS, upgraded to the 1k Motor, and never regretted my decision.
I recommend anyone looking for an ebike to find the best battery you can. I bought the voltbike outback for my first e bike last year, 16.5ah Panasonic battery, hydraulic disc breaks, full suspension, bafang motor for $1950 cad. Love the bike however the range isn't there, only giving 1-1.5 hours of riding time. I can only cruise around close to home since I live in a hilly area. Do I regret my purchase? Somewhat since I'd like more range but I did get a top of the line battery and pretty much every bicycle component you could ask for at that price. I now purchased a gosen Q7 which is a recent 2022 release, with dual batteries for a total of 48v 31ah or 1488wh to solve that issue. However, I now have a spare for guests or incase anything goes wrong on either e bike, and it's still great for commuting. In conclusion, I recommend spending the extra money on a bike that comes with a large battery capacity that way you can go on long trips and won't have range anxiety. I see people praising the lectric xp 2.0 for $999 usd. The thing is the battery is only 9.6ah which will give terrible range so I'd never buy something like that.
@@Matanumi Biased: unfairly prejudiced for or against someone or something. I strongly disagree I’m biased. Letric might work for you however any avid e bike rider will prefer a larger battery.
I ride my Espin Sport out west of you along the Fox River bike paths. Most of my rides are between Crystal Lake and St. Charles. My bike is very similar to the Rad Rover 6 and the battery is totally intigrated into the frame. It's super quiet and most people on the path don't even know I am riding an electric bike. I bought a second battery last fall so now my cruising range is around 80 miles give or take. I chose the Espin because it was made in Taiwan instead of mainland China and the price at the time was $1200 with a rack and fenders included. It also comes with full hydraulic brakes which are awesome coming down some hills when crossing the Fox river.
It's not just the amps. It's wattage that counts. This is actually that tells you how energy dense a battery is. So a 52v with the same amps compared to a 48v battery has more range in theory.
Ebikes are money pits! I have a Lectric XP Lite. I've spent as much in upgrades as I did in the original purchase price! Just ordered a Vitilan I7 Pro...and the process starts over...
I have a Radrover 5 and have no complaints at all... Thank you for the tip on jobber batteries. Concerning the 500 watts vs 750. You have 500 watts going to a 750 motor which gives you more life. If manufacturers provide more than 500W... the ebike does not meet bike trail regulations and that also goes with the 20MPH regulations. BUT... you can override the system and take it up to 25MPH or 40KPH, which comes in handy when taking it out on the highway. That being said, that's why Rad had to play with the internal gear ratio to give it more torque without upping the watts.
Good commentary, and thanks you for all the links to accessories. Many years with mountain bikes, and just undertaking my research of eBikes. Having to decide on fat tire or mtn bike. Having a bike background has been helpful to coming up to speed and understanding the tech.
Thank you Russ-so enjoy your rides-keep up your journey--have a regular Trek Verve 3 and been looking at E bikes--was looking at a Trek but after seeing so many good things on Rad-I think I am going with the 5 or6 plus-i like the Fat tire choices for stability but with the 6 you say you are locked into the rad battery and with the 5 you have other choices---supposedly the motors are both 750-supposedly--any other bit of advice between the 2-Thank you Larry 36:10
The Rad Rover 5 is no longer available and was replaced by the Rad Rover 6. They had been discounting the 6 to the area of $1399, so anything over that price, I'd feel like I wasn't getting a deal. Between the two, the 6 has hydraulic brakes, so that's good. I ended up selling my Rad Rover 5 but ride a bunch of other ebikes now on my channel. If it were me today looking, I'd consider something like the Magicycle Cruiser or Cruiser Pro (hydraulic brakes, larger battery for more range, hydraulic fork). I have an affiliate link in most of my recent videos for a discount on these products (and also on a RAD if that's what you really want). The link helps me out and the discount codes help you get a discount. The Magicycle in general can go between 20 mph or up to 28 mph if you prefer and its torque is so much better than RAD's so you can climb hills a lot easier and faster.
Live in Charleston sc. am 5’2. Was concerned about the wt of a fat tire-or if that is an issue. Like the stability a big tire offers. Was also looking at Aventon adventure 2-which is a torque not cadence because there are dealers here-closest rad is in Fla--how much would you let that color your decision. Thanks Russ
@reakoe I have had several Ebikes with torque sensors. Some are easier to ride than others. If you want a bike where you have to work for your speed, then the torque sensor is fine. If you don’t want to work hard, a cadence sensor is easier. With my replaced knee and weakened leg, the cadence sensor is my preference.
Thank. You for the turn on to magicycle-my size ocelot pro. Where is your link to go to their website-does the white or grey color look better in person-larry
@@reakoe I have an Ocelot Pro in WHITE. I've never seen the gray version, so I don't know, but the white looks really nice. Let me copy and paste this for you for my link and codes. Usually I have all this in the description of my videos, but this video we are communication on is one of my early videos, so of course the information is not on it. If you decide to buy an Ocelot Pro, I would appreciate it if you first click on the link and then use that link to place your order. It helps me a lot as they do give me a small commission for my efforts. Thanks again!
Congratulations! Thanks so much for the review. You might not get paid, but they should give you the upgrades for your Rad. Best detailed video I’ve seen. Happy Trails & God Speed! I def enjoyed the ride. 😎🇺🇸❤️
I bought a 2017 Rad Rover, my first ebike. Good solid bike, but needed some improvements in my opinion. Like many people, I felt cheated with the less than advertised 750W motor. I still have it, upgraded it a lot. I recently bought a Rover 5 on FB marketplace, it was flooded in Hurricane Ian. It's in the process of being rebuilt completely, basically only the frame survived, but it was very cheap and I already have a ton of parts. I'd never buy another new Rad. I recently purchased an Ecells 5 star. $1795 no shipping, no sales tax, full suspension, 60 volt 20AH battery, 40 amp controller, very well constructed. That will be my last. Anyway, nice review.
Nice video, although I never really understood the need for the bikes with giant fat knobby tires if you're almost always on pavement, and like you said, they wear pretty quick and are expensive. I sure wish I had those paths where I live! Really nice.
60$ for a tire isnt bad, and it gives you the option to ride on different terrain. If u never rode a fat tire just say it. It’s def a different ball game
@@dankrhino I've ridden a fat tire bike. My friend had one.....he sold it and bought a 2.25" wide tire and he's much happier....he never rode on sand and neither did I. The only reason I can see why you'd need fat tires. They also make a ton of noise on pavement which I don't like.
I've seen a couple of your vids so far, I like your relaxed fireside chat style. I just ordered my first e bike and settled on the 6+ also ordered front and rear racks, can't wait to get going! Say what's that round thing that looks like a speaker on the bars? Cheers
Thanks! Enjoy your new ebike! The round thing is a bluetooth speaker. It can play music that I have on my iPhone, but also has the ability to play mp3 songs from a micro SD card that you can plug into the speaker (card not included). Just upload your mp3 songs to the card and it plays directly. Links to all the stuff I purchased for the bike are in the description of the video.
Thank you for this video. Your video helped me rethink my purchase. ... I really like my Himiway Step-Thru Cruiser. The only re-think I would do at this point is that I wished I'd given more consideration to the Himiway Big Dog. It lists as a cargo bike; comes with a 48V 20Ah battery and only weighs 7-pounds more than the Cruiser. So, I think I too easily let the "cargo label" discourage me from further research.
We purchased two used Gazelle mid-drives. After owning a hub drive the mid-drive feels more like a peddle bike. I would buy a used mid-drive over a new hub drive.
Nice video! I was so surprised when i saw you on the same trail i was on 30min ago 😅 i live in palatine, bought a himiway big dog from samcycle & i absolutely love it mag wheels bmx handle bars and came with a bag 😊 see u around
Those cheap kendas wear out fast .I have a set of 26x4.8 CST Roly poly tires on my Voltbike Yukon with 6000 kms on them.I would recommend the CST brand tires.The CST Toboggan is also a great tire.26x4
You keep me motivated to ride when my bones just don’t feel like it, i’m 68 in March and I already need new parts, bad foot, knee, steel rods in back😢bad hip, The only thing I don’t like about my RadRover is getting on and off, wished I had a bike that was easier to get on, but I am spoiled with my two 52V 20 amp battery’s Juiced has a bike with two 52 v battery’s I have my eye on that bike, but I’ve seen a lot of bad reviews people have done on Juiced Bikes😮 if anyone knows any tricks to mounting and dismounting from a RadRover please let me know.😊
I just bought my wife the Aventure. Now I like the look of the rad rover 6, but I’m thinking the Aventure might be a better quality bike. It has the 750w motor that peaks at 1130w or something. Just not sure what to do for me yet. Anyone have any experience between these two bikes?
Chapter 4 Russ On my rides there's this dog I had thought about getting a small pump spray bottle with water in it to spray the dog and I said no that would probably only piss the dog off so what I decided to do instead was like the the SR-71 Blackbird when a surface to air missile was fired at it the pilot hit the afterburners and outrun it well I give it more throttle. I don't know how many dogs can do 40 mph but I know this one can't haha. I enjoyed another great video. R Mack
It is a 500w. I bought a 750w motor. You can see the difference. You can take the six little bolts slide it out and and the other larger motor fits right in.
I agree with the comment at the begining of the video regarding you chatting along as you ride and people seem to like it. Me too! You live near a well maintained cycle network, its very lovely, however, one thing is creeping into my thoughts as we move whole heartedly into E bike ownership and it's this. The bike as a cheap means of transport, ownership and ease of maintenance is going the way of cars. I may be wrong here, but as a cyclist, we are putting more and more money into just....er, cycling! I am 60 years of age now and have always powered my bikes using my legs, however, after a heart attack last week I am thinking of an E bike but do not want it to be another expensive hobby, (my daughters horse is that) I totally see the attraction though. Maybe I just need to rent one for a while and see how it goes. I really like the Rad bikes by the way. Would it be useful to do a cost comparison between E bike ownership and traditional bike ownership? My apologise for the long winded text, many thanks from Northern Spain.
I am in Montreal, Canada and went from a (2019)Rad Rover 4 to a Voltbike Yukon Core Midrive reason why is that Rad prices have been steadily going up in the pass few years .Here in Canada a Rover 6 plus tax included is $2700. and for $300. more i get a 1000 watt midrive Bafang M620 even if i will restrict to 32 kph which is max speed here in Canada . with double the torque ,a 19.2 ah battery , compared to Rads 14 ah battery ,aluminum fenders not plastic and also a rear rack , hydraulic brakes and 8 speeds .What's fun about a midrive is weight is centered in the frame . To get max speed or to take off you have to shift up or down but coming from motorcycles that wont bother me that much . So bring on spring since i received it in December but never rode it
Russ word of caution! With hydraulic calipers you still have the problem with cable stretch. I'm using ape hanger bars. They have a 15 inch rise. I want to use full hydraulic but the lines are not long enough I wanted to use four piston calipers. I ended up using cable actuated two piston hydraulic brakes. I could not use regular mountain brake cables they were too short for the front and the rear especially the rear. So I went with tandem brake cables. You would think they would be stronger and less stretch than regular mountain bike cables. I have to fiddle with them once or twice a week to keep them adjusted. My police officer friend is going with four piston full hydraulic brakes. The solution to my problem is I'm going with two cables to my front brake and two cables to my rear brake that should solve my problem. I have designed a motor cut off switch to accommodate this new fangled idea that I have for the double brake cable on each brake. I guess this is chapter two . See you on the next video. R Mack
Considering an e bike... I really like your matter of presentation, details...and voice. Need transportation when car isn't working. But afraid of something so sophisticated. Have to be really careful @ 70 and a female who isn't a daredevil. Also considering scooter. Torn between the 2. Any suggestions? Also have looked at a trike...they aren't cheap. The frame was very thin....and it looked frail...but it was ok. Was easy to learn. I was scared at 1st... ...have to consider balance. Suggestions....
Well, at 70, I think a scooter might be a bit dangerous. One pot hole and down you go. The wheels are small and can get caught really easily. Not so with a bike wheel. Now as for a trike versus a bike... a trike is easier for balance than a bike. But, turn quickly and too sharp and down you go. As for a bike, you have to have balance... there's no doubt. So... there's no real good safe solution. I will say though, that any of these are easily stolen and so carrying around a really heavy chain or U Lock is necessary if you plan to leave your bike out of your sight. Even so, an angle grinder can defeat locks easily. I think there is no real perfect solution. You just need to be confident in whatever you end up choosing. These ebikes are really heavy... something else to be aware of. Most are around 70 lbs or more. Just be careful and wear a helmet with any of the choices you have between the bike, scooter or trike. If you decide on an ebike, consider the step-thru versions. It is easier to get on and off. Rad Power Bikes just introduced a new model for $1299 that is a foldable bike. I am hoping to get one for my wife. If you decide to get a Rad bike, use this link to get $50 off of the cost of the bike: rwrd.io/7qoq3tv?c Here is a video I made talking about the new "Expand 5" bike: ruclips.net/video/ejCGVbXkAk8/видео.html. Let me know what you end up going with. Good luck on your decision!
I’m only partway through - you have a huge list of videos, each long - but have you looked at the Ride1Up 700 or other options? Same price range ($1600 atm) as Rad when on sale, but a lot of the components you’ve bought after market are included in their base version. Seems like a natural for you.
Where are you located. Looks like transmission power line right of ways are used for trails. That's a really good solution for creating a lot of trail. The closest thing we have to that is the Rails to Trails program where miles of old rail bed were turned into biking and hiking trails here in AL and GA.
Well, I would say I am rather lucky that there are several nice paths in my area. Still, even just riding around the neighborhoods isn't all that bad either. Hope you consider an ebike one day!
Just looked at rad rover on internet I'm thinking the rad runner but didn't show tire size think fat tire need to find a dealer but don't think any close to northern Indiana wish I had done research before bought cheap one on Walmart web site
Yes. It is the original 48 volt controller, even though I am using 52 volt batteries now. I had heard from others that the Rad controller handles it without a problem and to date, I have not had any issues with it. These 20 ah batteries give me a lot of range. The 52 volts give me a bit more pep at the beginning of the fully charged battery. Eventually as you ride and the battery begins to drain, you can tell that extra pep drops as well, so starting out with more voltage definitely can be felt at the beginning of the ride.
Great review, Russ! Based on your comments, I’m leaning towards the Ariel Rider Kepler 2. I test rode one that a friend bought and it is beastly. It surpasses all of the features you mentioned: brakes, gears, battery, rack, motor, service and price.
I've never seen "beastly" used this way. It's from recent slang use of "beast", I guess? The dictionary definition of "beastly" is exactly the opposite of how you use it. 😊
@@squirlmy My contextual use of ‘beastly’ can be elucidated in the Urban Dictionary as follows: Beast(ly) - adj. The characteristic of being good at something, or doing something incredible. (As a beast)
I don’t know about the rad but let me just add 2 main things I discovered about my himiway that i will insist on having on any other ebike I ever own. They are 1, the maximum speed on the bike is configurable up to over 30mph and 2, the power levels on each of the up to 9 pedal assist levels are also configuable. Discovering those settings was a game changer. What gives with the tire talk, I’ve got 5000 miles on my original tires.
I love that it is quiet. I want one! 🥰 I wish there are urban bike paths in my community in Georgia to make it safe for commuters. People have been hit and killed by drivers you would think the government would consider these paths. Where are you riding your bike in the video?
Just discovered you youtube show and am enjoying it a lot… keep it up! BTW, where you are riding looks very much like my area (Chicago suburb’s)… wondering where you are?
Without revealing everything, it's the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago. If you recognize it being similar to your area... it probably is. :) Stop me and say hello if you see me riding around! Can't miss me with that big yellow safety vest on all the time!
This is a hard question for me to answer. I don't really use my bike for riding to locations instead of driving. I ride for fun and health. Have I saved money since getting an ebike? I've made money since getting an ebike! I do ebike reviews, I get paid from RUclips... it adds up I suppose! But that's not really what you are asking. My wife and I do use our ebikes to do basic grocery shopping on Saturdays. So in that sense, we don't use our car to get to the stores, so yeah, I'd say we are saving money when we do those trips. Since this video came out last year, a lot has changed for me in terms of ebikes. Whereas last year, I didn't think I would change to another ebike. But this year, many ebikes were sent my way for ebike reviews.
@@RussIsRight thank you for the reply. I've been checking out reviews. Ive been watching a lot of videos to learn more.. Ive been considering a foldable to commute to work and be able to pack it in my car. I would love a bike but the cost versus money saved makes it hard for me to justify the expense at this time. Appreciate the video and enjoyed watching it.
@@shawnhemminger4179 Watch my review of the Engwe EP-2 Pro. They have a promo of getting an extra battery with that bike for only $50 more! The bike is $1049.99 but the two battery combo is only $1099.99. The battery alone is $349... so getting a second battery for more range is a great deal. I have affiliate links in my video too... if you use that and then purchase one of their bikes, it helps my channel. Anyway, check this one out to see if it fits what you are looking for. It's foldable. I got 22 miles out of one battery riding it hard, and then 32 miles out of it when doing a range test and riding conservatively. I'm 255 lbs too, so if you weigh less, you'll get better range than me. Get two batteries and you double that distance! Watch this video: ruclips.net/video/h-r2lDjH8kM/видео.html
I don’t know if if this makes me happy or sad.’on one hand, this is clearly useful as a commuter. OTOH, as a throttle bike, this really isn’t a bicycle. This is pretty hazardous to pedestrians and even to riders. The Feds are reviewing bikes this coming month, and we are all in danger of being hyper regulated. Class 2 and 3 bikes, especially when they are souped up. The speed on this bike path looks pretty intense.
Russ, you said that you were way overweight. Can you please tell me how much you weigh now? I weigh 375 lbs. It would really help me to know how much you weigh, because despite what you weigh, you're an excellent rider. And I learn from you, man!!
OK fast forward 3 months since my previous reply, I've had my Rad rover 6+ for 3 months now with about 450 miles on it and NO I would not have bought this bike because they lie, the motor is a 500W that peeks to 750, I would have gone with the Aventon Aventure instead, it's way faster. (I did unlock the speed so my Rad does 25mph) it just takes longer to get there. I did purchase a Aventon level commuter bike from a local shop in my town with a 500w motor that peeks at 750 and this thing is a rocket, it does 28mph right out of the box! I may sell the Rad I'll wait till summer and we'll see, other than the motor issue I do love my rad though!
Sad to hear this. They claimed a better motor with the new version, but apparently not. Some have purchased the Area 13 (formerly Bolton Ebikes) controller to upgrade the bike but that adds money to the investment. Plus you could over-tax the motor with a stronger controller too and that is one reason I don’t do that myself on the RadRover 5.
Good review .. we're in the market and your comparison between the 2 bikes is perfect. But .. what I hear by you saying you'd get the Rad 5 but do upgrades, is you might as well get the Himiway. We'll be doing some different type riding though .. Thank you
I ended up with a Magicycle Cruiser Mid-step bike this year. Watch my review here: ruclips.net/video/259GOhHWs3s/видео.html. Discounts in the description of that video.
I am really confused as to what to get. I watched a video of a guy that runs an ebike repair shop. He said that the he has had to replace many rear wheel motors because of the current needed to drive up hills can burn out motors. He recommended the mid-drive motor, so that the 7 or 8 gears can be used to assist more efficiently. Then I come to find out hill trails in Ca. have a limit of 250 watts. It seems that the rules mean one bike for streets and another for hill/park trails. Any thoughts on this?
Good question! Yeah, it does seem that some trails limit what kind of bike can travel there! Not sure what to tell you. For most ebikes you will see, the class 2 ebikes are probably the most popular. With them, they can have both pedal assist as well as throttles on the bike and limit the legal speed to 20 mph. Class 1 is pedal assist only without a throttle and can do 20 mph. Class 3 is pedal only (no throttle) and can be up to 28 mph. However, some Class 3 ebikes have throttles too, but usually will limit the throttle to 20 mph. As for motor wattage, many bikes "claim" to have 750 watts, but some bikes might actually have 500 watt motors that peak out at 750 watts. My Rad Rover 5 may very well have this, although Rad claims 750 watts. Many people don't believe it. I don't. As for going up hills, yes, you can burn out a motor if you throttle it fully to get up the hill and don't help it with pedaling. It will struggle like crazy and it will overheat the motor. Some better bikes can do it though, whereas others cannot. Rear hub motors have a harder time getting up these hills than mid-drive motors, but keep in mind that the mid-drives do not have throttles. It is pedal assist only I believe. 250 limits is tough. I think it would be hard to use that to get up hills. I struggle sometimes with my "750 watt" Rad Rover.
If I got this right you got two triangle batteries (sold you Rad battery) because you wanted the extra range???? A few things comes to mind watching your video: Given the terrain you ride on (in this video) you don't really need the four inch wide tires....rolling resistance of 4 inch tires is much greater than 2 or 2.3 inch tires so your range will be less with the fat tires. Second, that was a 36 minute video....and I don't think I saw you shift or change the pedal assist setting ONCE !!! I have two Rad bikes, a Mini and a City ST....on both of them I did the following: On the PAS pad I crazyglued little furniture "bumpers" on the up and down buttons. This makes going up/down pedal assist levels a breeze even with gloves on. Second, I swapped the position of the shifter for the brake clamp. This requires a little grinding/filing the brake clamp to get a tight fit between throttlebody/shifter/brake clamp but the end result is you don't have to move your hand off the grip to shift gears....rear brake operation becomes a two finger job but that is not a problem (for me anyways). If somebody was REALLY into range and riding mostly on roads and paved or unpaved bike paths (like in your video) a bike with a gearless hub motor would be better (as in a Rad City)....the down side is half the torque (take off speed, hill climbing) but it gives you higher top end speed and longer range. Gearless motors are dead quiet and much smoother feeling (less torque=less jerky). They are a real pleasure to ride....if you don't mind/miss the loss of torque. The 2.3 tires that come on the City have a rather aggressive thread for "road" tires that work very well on most gravel paths but don't work well on gravel ROADS (compared to 4 inch tires). I have 4500 kms on the City and it's getting time to buy new tires. There is no free lunch...or as the comic said: "You can't have everything...where would you put it"!!!
Well, it's hard to gauge how far someone rides with just watching one video, right? On this ride, I don't need two batteries. But I have ridden 64 miles round trip on several rides and I can't get that on a single 48 volt, 14 ah battery since I'm over 250 lbs in weight. I also had a knee replacement done and that's why I need an ebike if I want to bike that kind of distance. As for why I got a 4" fat tire bike...well... I'm 250 lbs! I look and feel better on these larger bikes. I prefer them. Sure, there's rolling resistance, but so be it. As for shifting or pedal assist shifting, I don't often do it because I will usually pedal and throttle at the exact same time. Because of this, I can get the boost I need without having to mess with the PAS or the gears. Besides, I wasn't going up any hills at the time and so gears 1-5 aren't going to help based on my speed. Only gears 6 and7 would help and the quick throttle and pedaling at the same time often helps just as well. Unless you are in someone else's shoes (so they say), it's always hard to tell why someone buys what they buy. Glad you found what works for you. For me, these larger bikes work for me.
@@RussIsRight YEP....I'm lucky to have two very different bikes....the range on the Mini is a big fraction of the City but I'm not sure what part of that it the 20" diameter wheels and/or the different places I ride when on that bike (tougher trails/bush with lots of stops and gos, tougher/sharper climbs) Truth is "range" is extremely subjective. Period. Out riding I always get the question: "How far can you go before the battery runs out"??? Seems EVERYBODY wants to know the answer to that one....my standard answer is: "The battery lasts way longer than I ever want to be sitting on a bicycle for!"
RR6+ also gives you the new battery type that does not have access to the fuses in the battery pack - horrible design. I wanted to purchase RR5, but it was discontinued right before I was purchasing.
Looks like you are all on flatland. Here in Southern California we have flat land, hills and mountains. I guess in the Midwest where you are is pretty much all flat unless you go maybe to Michigan in the north near Canada. I been in Upper Peninsula but don't recall the terrain because been some years. I would guess near Canada maybe you get hills or mountains? Ever ride in mountains on a trip?
I’ve sometimes pay attention to the ads before the videos and seen the type of eBikes that collapses. It is convenient to use, but seems flimsy to me. Upgrading eBikes sounds like upgrading an iPhone. I would not get sucked in to doing that.
Best to buy what you need right from the start. But what you think you need (before getting a bike) sometimes works out good in your head, until you start riding and then realize you need more. That's when you upgrade. The brakes are important though, so those need to be done based on how fast I'm riding now and not wanting to have to adjust them daily. My new brake calipers just came in the mail.... I'll install them tomorrow morning! :)
Personally, I would never buy a hub motor. the mid drive motors tend to provide a lot more torque. I had a nice Stumpjumper I converted to using a 1000w Bafang BBSHD and I couldn't be happier. I mounted Maxxis Hookworms for smooth riding. I can ride 25 on throttle only, 30-35mph. I can easily go 60 mile on a pedal assist setting.
Hi Russ. If you see a sign says NO MOTORIZED. What does that mean Is it ok to ride an ebike. I always thought it only applies to cars or trucks and motorcycles.
I suppose each city has its own definition of a motorized vehicle but in my area, they mean things like motorcycles, dirt bikes, things with a gas motor. In my area, it does not include electric bikes. But check with your local authorities to see how they interpret it for your own area.
Thanks for all the great info. I'm considering a step thru because of my age and when I'm gone my wife would be able to ride it, I take it that it would be difficult to upgrade the batteries with a step thru? I rode a Bosch bike last year and it was a bit difficult mounting the bike.
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
I Now have over 14,000 miles on my 2020 RadRover off road mountain trail miles on gravel only and other than 2 sets of tires and 2 chains I have had no problems at all :-)
I just watched this, a year after you recorded it. Obviously a lot has changed for you over the past 12 months in terms of your e-bike experiences and your expanded role as a reviewer as opposed to just a consumer of e-bikes funded out of your own pocket. I think your viewers would be interested in a re-visitation of this video in which you share what you have learned and what you would do today if you were to (hypothetically) donate your collection and start fresh with a new bike that you would buy. That’s the position most of us are in (either thinking about buying a first bike or upgrading to a new bike). Your channel is closest to the pure user perspective that we all appreciate and value, so your thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Keep up the good work.
My friends have Hemiways and Rads. Both good,, but Rads slower, with expensive accessories, and Hemiways strong but not as much fun to ride casually - better off road - if you can handle off road.
Our walking trails are mostly dirt, New Brunswick Canada, will the rad rover handle this without loosing traction,my mountain bike works good on them trails.
@user-oy4sy7mx2x Many 4” fat tire bikes will do just fine on that terrain.
Am considering an electric bike and am leaning your way - either the Rad Rover or the Himiway. Your video is BY FAR the most informative and helpful I have found on this subject. I want to thank you for being so informative and easy to listen to. I am now a subscriber.
Thanks! Remember to use the discount link for the Rad bikes in the description of my videos if you decide to go that route to save $50. I don’t have a code for Himiway, but I do have it for Magicycle. Save $100 in that bike. Watch the most recent videos for that. A review of the Magicycle came on on Saturday. Thanks for subscribing!
Speed is one of the primary considerations of virtually every ebike buyer or owner. Our first bikes were the folding Jupiter Discovery X5 model - magnesium frame, just 41 lbs, a 36 watt rear hub motor, 3 power assist levels and a throttle only speed of 16 mph on level terrain. Perfect for camping trips to state parks and bombing around our neighborhood. Not a lot of range, but still enough for occassional riders. Thanks to you, I listened carefully to your review of the KBO (aka Killer Bike Option) Breeze step-through version and just had TWO delivered. You're right regarding battery Amp Hours (Ah) which some buyers may overlook. With 16 Ah standard on the Breeze, there will be plenty of range to cover 25-32 mile round trips as you discovered - likely more. My wife says the new bikes are akin to driving a Buick - solid, comfortable and powerful. The Breeze has a handsome design, appears to be well made and seems to have all of the quality components used on higher priced makes. Not bad at $2,198 for the pair. We can't wait for our Spring weather in another few months so we can charge them up and enjoy some longer treks. Just thought your advice can have meaningful impact.
Thanks for this video. I agree with most of your comments but I, personally, would not buy a battery just because it was cheaper or reported more watt-hours. Cheap L-ion batteries have a tendency to start fires. The brand of cells matter as does the quality of the controller.
Ur pretty chill, makes the ride chillas well. Keep doing u.
I have had 5 ebikes and now own 2 and one is a Himiway. I have never had problems with their customer service. They respond fast and solve problems with one email. Nice video Russ, enjoy this kind of review. I sure wish I lived in a place with the great paths that you are living in, except if you are in Cook County! ha ha
WOW - the list of links to stuff is really nice. That was a lot of work and will help thousands of riders. Great job.
Thanks! Be sure to subscribe to see more rides and gear!
Ebikeling has a 750 watt motor you can upgrade when you need a new motor. You can buy the motor and rim only or the motor. I've bought their 750 kit and really sold on it! I also have their1200 watt direct drive kit on my recumbent trike and absolutely love it.
I watched the whole video and highly enjoyed. Took me back to my early days with my Rover
I have owned 2 Himiway Cruisers. The first was stolen. My current cruiser has 6500+ miles in 11 months. I love this bike it is strong fast and very sturdy. I have a few repairs that I made. The repairs were simple from replacing the motor to repairing a flat tire. I my opinion Himiway is a great bike and fun to ride.
I have a Himiway Zebra that was given to me for review. Very well made.
I have watched a lot of ebike videos and yours may be the best. You took us for a long ride on an ebike.
We could see the mph, and I think 20mph is plenty for trails. On the road, maybe not. You gave good advise. Well done!
Thanks. Many more rides to come on my channel!
I watched and listened on my way in to work. My big question is Where do you live? My God you have great riding trails!!!
Suburbs of Chicago.
@@RussIsRight I would of sworn you were in Cleveland. These trails look exactly like ours in the Emerald Necklace around here.
@@RussIsRight which area I’m in Downers…
@@RussIsRight looks like northwest Indiana
in up state of South Carolina no trals for street bike only off road type but I am to old for that.
I agree with everything you said, I did the two Bolton triangle batteries, a new 35 amp controller true 750 motor, a datex2 to run the two batteries in parallel, colored monitor, fenders racks both front and back, The mileage is wonderful now compared to the standard RadRover, I got stranded way out in the country once had to push the bike home ugh, that’s when I upgraded the batteries 👍
Range is everything for those who ride distance! Glad your upgrades helped you!
They do not charge themselves while riding, although there are some that do have regenerative braking that adds a bit of power back. Even so, it is so little amount of power that it really doesn’t mean a whole lot. I use a second battery because I go long distances that a single battery can’t do. I will do 64 miles or more at times and one battery can handle that much range based on how fast and hard I ride.
Yes helpful. Any info from your experience is worth recording and sharing. Happy Trails.
nice roads where ever you are perfect for a ebike . I just got the rad runner 1 used and I love it
Thank you for this video. Last time I was in Deer Grove was 45 years ago. No bike paths back then. Sure looks nice.
I would like to hear how many e-bike riders are in their 70s and if you enjoy it. I turned 78 years old in June 2022. Today we are one month away from Christmas. I put in an order on Black Friday! Hope I did the right thing. I live in Virginia, and like many areas, we don't have snow yet. But it does get cold. What I'm afraid of most is having mechanical issues. The company is out in Utah, with headquarters in China.
The kenda tires that rad sells are the best all around tires. They have a protective layer so that you don’t get flats from briars or gravel from the road, I guess a nail would still go through but I have 965 miles on all terrain and I have not ever had a flat or even a low tire.
I have the bigboy ones that came with my radmini 4 and they have been great. I have heard bad things about the Kenda ones?
I’m new to the e-bike world. But I appreciate the hydraulic brakes, push throttle, rear basket, ~1KWatt battery (52V, 19.2A) on the juiced Runcurrent S
That little speaker won’t bother anybody. I have a Bose speaker and it works fine. I can hear it 10 feet away from my bike. So it’s not loud. Just sounds great
Greetings! I have been an avid cyclist (and former racer) since the '70's, and am currently in my biological 70's, lol. My wife and I have decided that I should get myself an e-bike mostly due to corvid-blamed inactivity and increased difficulty with hills. It was suggested that I start with something simple, an "entry-level" e-bike, so we ordered a reasonably priced one through Walmart. It fits our current budget and the reviews are very good. Your video's are VERY encouraging and informative for us. Keep up the good work! If the e-bike fits my lifestyle, then I will seriously consider spending the higher dollar amount with regard to bikes you have suggested. I envy the beautiful rural paths you are able to ride on ... wish we had them where I live. Thanks again, Russ. Ride Safe.
Have fun!
Russ, you hit the nail on the head. I have had a Rad Rover for three years. It now has 1800 miles. I have experienced the same issues you have: bad brakes, horrible seat, lousy light, and crappy original tires. My seat post also snapped off.
Definitely, certain parts could be improved.
No it's not boring watching...I keep entertained by counting how many stop signs you go right through!
Here’s why I did not stop last year… ruclips.net/video/uPLfIg_ekdU/видео.html
Russ, your videos are interesting. You come across as a straight-up guy. Thanks.
Thank you!
Your soothing review style has grown on me. I learn something each time. By the way, the paths you travel in your area seem endless. What part of the country is that? It looks very much like where I live in the Pacific Northwest.
Northwest Suburbs of Chicago
Hi Russ. Hope you and your family had a great Thanksgiving!!
Thanks!
I enjoyed the ride, Thank you.
Thanks for taking us along. If your happy with rad 5 then that's the bike for you. I did want to mention a couple of things. There's nothing wrong with cable actuated hydro brakes, and there are some advantages, depending. I was going b to mention upgrading the controller but you know about that, and it sounds like you know that a bahfang fat bike hub motor will fit inside your motor shell and is allot better. The last thing is , if your only or mostly riding paved paths you don't need nobby tires, and getting road appropriate tread should give you better millage and last longer, but thats up to you. You got allot of long paths there, I'm mostly on dirt in the mnts. Btw its about 26 degrees here and a foot of snow on the ground. Enjoy your winter.
Thanks for your comments. I upgraded my brake calipers with hydraulic ones but stayed with cables for the brakes as it was an easier installation. Works fine. I agree that non-knobby tires would likely be better for how I ride, but those Kenda tires are cheaper, so I went with that. At the end of the season, I am at 2615 miles. Happy Holidays!
Totally agree on the tires. Can't tell you how silly it is to see people spending 3 to 4 grand on a "mountain" bike to then only ride on paved walking/jogging paths. A $100 bike from Walmart would work just fine for that kind of riding.
It isn't too complicated installing hydraulic brake set. I just did it a week ago. It's easier then it looks.
The cable actuated calipers are WAY too hard to brake with. It isn't worth buying them when you can spend a bit more and buy a pair from ebay.
Just discovered your channel earlier this week and am enjoying it. I got a Heybike Cityscape last Sunday and have already put over 70 miles on it.
I was a bit surprised that you never mentioned Mid-drive motors. It's true they are expensive but they do have a lot going for them. Efficiency, hill climbing power, and smooth ride to name a few. I haven't actually ridden on a bike with hub motor …. Maybe I'm missing out? And Thanx again for a most entertaining half hour …. I like your style.
Yes, a mid-drive motor would be nice... but the cost is definitely more. I'd like to try one eventually, but for right now, I'm ok with the hub motor bikes. Maybe in time as I get stronger with my replaced knee, I'll try one out one day! Thanks for watching.
@@RussIsRight Wrong wrong wrong. BBSHD is not expensive and a much better way to go but you hub motor guys are so hard headed and stuck in your old heavy bike ways
@@LarryRichelli I have both! I also prefer BBSHD, but the price difference for me was $2K more. I bought a Biktrix Ultra 1000 and I am sold on mid-drives. Give him a brake.
We bought and sold back two hub drives and bought two Gazelle used mid drives.
Mid drives feel more like a peddle bike.
@@LarryRichelli Dollars and cents, are a steady indicator of e-bike sales I believe, as such a large part of the population is lucky to put food on the table, much less buy an e-bike, so the lower the cost, with the best quality possible for the price range is their priority. With that said, yes there certainly is a market for the e-bikes that are near twice the price (or at least those here in Canada) as many truly can afford the mid-drives as well. We all want the best, and even I 'could' afford a mid-drive, but I'm very happy with my Himiway step-thru Cruiser, now having my first issue, that being a rear rotor that has warped, which is my fault, not the brand/model. Just yesterday on one Himiway Group, a fellow was showing he's now at 16,750+ miles on his Himiway Cruiser, which is still going strong! It will take me a LONG time to reach that mileage indeed!
I own a Juiced Rip Current S. Every time another biker test rides it they say "WOW". On my 2nd RCS, upgraded to the 1k Motor, and never regretted my decision.
Great video and great information. I love your bike route. Very beautiful weather.
Glad you enjoyed it
I recommend anyone looking for an ebike to find the best battery you can. I bought the voltbike outback for my first e bike last year, 16.5ah Panasonic battery, hydraulic disc breaks, full suspension, bafang motor for $1950 cad. Love the bike however the range isn't there, only giving 1-1.5 hours of riding time. I can only cruise around close to home since I live in a hilly area.
Do I regret my purchase? Somewhat since I'd like more range but I did get a top of the line battery and pretty much every bicycle component you could ask for at that price. I now purchased a gosen Q7 which is a recent 2022 release, with dual batteries for a total of 48v 31ah or 1488wh to solve that issue. However, I now have a spare for guests or incase anything goes wrong on either e bike, and it's still great for commuting.
In conclusion, I recommend spending the extra money on a bike that comes with a large battery capacity that way you can go on long trips and won't have range anxiety. I see people praising the lectric xp 2.0 for $999 usd. The thing is the battery is only 9.6ah which will give terrible range so I'd never buy something like that.
Letric is fine. Your baised because of the big hill you live by
@@Matanumi Biased: unfairly prejudiced for or against someone or something. I strongly disagree I’m biased. Letric might work for you however any avid e bike rider will prefer a larger battery.
Thanks for your input. I just ordered my wife a Rad bike and used your code.
Thanks!
I ride my Espin Sport out west of you along the Fox River bike paths.
Most of my rides are between Crystal Lake and St. Charles.
My bike is very similar to the Rad Rover 6 and the battery is totally intigrated
into the frame. It's super quiet and most people on the path don't even know
I am riding an electric bike. I bought a second battery last fall so now my
cruising range is around 80 miles give or take.
I chose the Espin because it was made in Taiwan instead of mainland China
and the price at the time was $1200 with a rack and fenders included.
It also comes with full hydraulic brakes which are awesome coming down some
hills when crossing the Fox river.
Great deal!
It's not just the amps. It's wattage that counts. This is actually that tells you how energy dense a battery is. So a 52v with the same amps compared to a 48v battery has more range in theory.
Ebikes are money pits! I have a Lectric XP Lite. I've spent as much in upgrades as I did in the original purchase price! Just ordered a Vitilan I7 Pro...and the process starts over...
I have a Radrover 5 and have no complaints at all... Thank you for the tip on jobber batteries. Concerning the 500 watts vs 750. You have 500 watts going to a 750 motor which gives you more life. If manufacturers provide more than 500W... the ebike does not meet bike trail regulations and that also goes with the 20MPH regulations. BUT... you can override the system and take it up to 25MPH or 40KPH, which comes in handy when taking it out on the highway. That being said, that's why Rad had to play with the internal gear ratio to give it more torque without upping the watts.
Glad you are enjoying your Rad Rover! Thanks for the insights.
Thats not how it works as the size of the battery is irrelevant. Current regulations in the states are based on motor wattage.
Good commentary, and thanks you for all the links to accessories. Many years with mountain bikes, and just undertaking my research of eBikes. Having to decide on fat tire or mtn bike. Having a bike background has been helpful to coming up to speed and understanding the tech.
Long, but has a lot of info if you are thinking about an ebike. Watch this: ruclips.net/video/nvVZ6iTySgM/видео.html
Thank you Russ-so enjoy your rides-keep up your journey--have a regular Trek Verve 3 and been looking at E bikes--was looking at a Trek but after seeing so many good things on Rad-I think I am going with the 5 or6 plus-i like the Fat tire choices for stability but with the 6 you say you are locked into the rad battery and with the 5 you have other choices---supposedly the motors are both 750-supposedly--any other bit of advice between the 2-Thank you Larry 36:10
The Rad Rover 5 is no longer available and was replaced by the Rad Rover 6. They had been discounting the 6 to the area of $1399, so anything over that price, I'd feel like I wasn't getting a deal. Between the two, the 6 has hydraulic brakes, so that's good. I ended up selling my Rad Rover 5 but ride a bunch of other ebikes now on my channel. If it were me today looking, I'd consider something like the Magicycle Cruiser or Cruiser Pro (hydraulic brakes, larger battery for more range, hydraulic fork). I have an affiliate link in most of my recent videos for a discount on these products (and also on a RAD if that's what you really want). The link helps me out and the discount codes help you get a discount. The Magicycle in general can go between 20 mph or up to 28 mph if you prefer and its torque is so much better than RAD's so you can climb hills a lot easier and faster.
Live in Charleston sc. am 5’2. Was concerned about the wt of a fat tire-or if that is an issue. Like the stability a big tire offers. Was also looking at Aventon adventure 2-which is a torque not cadence because there are dealers here-closest rad is in Fla--how much would you let that color your decision. Thanks Russ
@reakoe I have had several Ebikes with torque sensors. Some are easier to ride than others. If you want a bike where you have to work for your speed, then the torque sensor is fine. If you don’t want to work hard, a cadence sensor is easier. With my replaced knee and weakened leg, the cadence sensor is my preference.
Thank. You for the turn on to magicycle-my size ocelot pro. Where is your link to go to their website-does the white or grey color look better in person-larry
@@reakoe I have an Ocelot Pro in WHITE. I've never seen the gray version, so I don't know, but the white looks really nice. Let me copy and paste this for you for my link and codes. Usually I have all this in the description of my videos, but this video we are communication on is one of my early videos, so of course the information is not on it. If you decide to buy an Ocelot Pro, I would appreciate it if you first click on the link and then use that link to place your order. It helps me a lot as they do give me a small commission for my efforts. Thanks again!
Congratulations! Thanks so much for the review. You might not get paid, but they should give you the upgrades for your Rad. Best detailed video I’ve seen. Happy Trails & God Speed! I def enjoyed the ride. 😎🇺🇸❤️
Thanks. Many people have used my discount code to get their RAD bikes. So of course, I get some Rad credits as well. 😊
I bought a 2017 Rad Rover, my first ebike. Good solid bike, but needed some improvements in my opinion. Like many people, I felt cheated with the less than advertised 750W motor. I still have it, upgraded it a lot. I recently bought a Rover 5 on FB marketplace, it was flooded in Hurricane Ian. It's in the process of being rebuilt completely, basically only the frame survived, but it was very cheap and I already have a ton of parts. I'd never buy another new Rad. I recently purchased an Ecells 5 star. $1795 no shipping, no sales tax, full suspension, 60 volt 20AH battery, 40 amp controller, very well constructed. That will be my last. Anyway, nice review.
Thanks for the insight on your ebike and what your experience has been with this model.
Nice video, although I never really understood the need for the bikes with giant fat knobby tires if you're almost always on pavement, and like you said, they wear pretty quick and are expensive. I sure wish I had those paths where I live! Really nice.
60$ for a tire isnt bad, and it gives you the option to ride on different terrain. If u never rode a fat tire just say it. It’s def a different ball game
@@dankrhino I've ridden a fat tire bike. My friend had one.....he sold it and bought a 2.25" wide tire and he's much happier....he never rode on sand and neither did I. The only reason I can see why you'd need fat tires. They also make a ton of noise on pavement which I don't like.
@@eddyg1794 only knobby tires make noise
Not every bike trail is open to ebikes. Regardless of legal advice available on the internet.
I've seen a couple of your vids so far, I like your relaxed fireside chat style. I just ordered my first e bike and settled on the 6+ also ordered front and rear racks, can't wait to get going! Say what's that round thing that looks like a speaker on the bars? Cheers
Thanks! Enjoy your new ebike! The round thing is a bluetooth speaker. It can play music that I have on my iPhone, but also has the ability to play mp3 songs from a micro SD card that you can plug into the speaker (card not included). Just upload your mp3 songs to the card and it plays directly. Links to all the stuff I purchased for the bike are in the description of the video.
How are you liking your 6 plus?
Mine is a 5, but I like it.
Thank you for this video. Your video helped me rethink my purchase. ... I really like my Himiway Step-Thru Cruiser. The only re-think I would do at this point is that I wished I'd given more consideration to the Himiway Big Dog. It lists as a cargo bike; comes with a 48V 20Ah battery and only weighs 7-pounds more than the Cruiser. So, I think I too easily let the "cargo label" discourage me from further research.
I just ordered A Big Dog should have it within a week, I live near the beach.
We purchased two used Gazelle mid-drives.
After owning a hub drive the mid-drive feels more like a peddle bike.
I would buy a used mid-drive over a new hub drive.
Nice video! I was so surprised when i saw you on the same trail i was on 30min ago 😅 i live in palatine, bought a himiway big dog from samcycle & i absolutely love it mag wheels bmx handle bars and came with a bag 😊 see u around
Have fun and ride safe! Be sure to yell out if you see me around! :)
You should try the ironsimith smart helmut
Blue tooth changeable tinted various lens
Has a built in light blue tooth camera
We have the Hemiway Cruiser and we would EASILY purchase another. Looking at the Zebra or Cobra next.
Those are nice Ebikes! Be sure to use my affiliate link and codes in the description to help me out! Save a few dollars at the same time. 😊
Thank you for this video
Those cheap kendas wear out fast .I have a set of 26x4.8 CST Roly poly tires on my Voltbike Yukon with 6000 kms on them.I would recommend the CST brand tires.The CST Toboggan is also a great tire.26x4
You keep me motivated to ride when my bones just don’t feel like it, i’m 68 in March and I already need new parts, bad foot, knee, steel rods in back😢bad hip, The only thing I don’t like about my RadRover is getting on and off, wished I had a bike that was easier to get on, but I am spoiled with my two 52V 20 amp battery’s Juiced has a bike with two 52 v battery’s I have my eye on that bike, but I’ve seen a lot of bad reviews people have done on Juiced Bikes😮 if anyone knows any tricks to mounting and dismounting from a RadRover please let me know.😊
If you have the step over version, do as I do. I lean the bike to the side before swinging my leg over. That is the only way I can do it.
The Aventon Aventure is also an ebike to consider along the same lines.
I just bought my wife the Aventure. Now I like the look of the rad rover 6, but I’m thinking the Aventure might be a better quality bike. It has the 750w motor that peaks at 1130w or something. Just not sure what to do for me yet. Anyone have any experience between these two bikes?
Chapter 4 Russ
On my rides there's this dog I had thought about getting a small pump spray bottle with water in it to spray the dog and I said no that would probably only piss the dog off so what I decided to do instead was like the the SR-71 Blackbird when a surface to air missile was fired at it the pilot hit the afterburners and outrun it well I give it more throttle. I don't know how many dogs can do 40 mph but I know this one can't haha.
I enjoyed another great video.
R Mack
To each his own....I carry Milk Bones within easy reach.
It is a 500w. I bought a 750w motor. You can see the difference. You can take the six little bolts slide it out and and the other larger motor fits right in.
Yup... many of us feel it is a 500 Watt motor that peaks at 750. My new Magicycle definitely has more power and they claim 750 watts.
I agree with the comment at the begining of the video regarding you chatting along as you ride and people seem to like it. Me too! You live near a well maintained cycle network, its very lovely, however, one thing is creeping into my thoughts as we move whole heartedly into E bike ownership and it's this. The bike as a cheap means of transport, ownership and ease of maintenance is going the way of cars. I may be wrong here, but as a cyclist, we are putting more and more money into just....er, cycling! I am 60 years of age now and have always powered my bikes using my legs, however, after a heart attack last week I am thinking of an E bike but do not want it to be another expensive hobby, (my daughters horse is that) I totally see the attraction though. Maybe I just need to rent one for a while and see how it goes. I really like the Rad bikes by the way. Would it be useful to do a cost comparison between E bike ownership and traditional bike ownership?
My apologise for the long winded text, many thanks from Northern Spain.
Rad runner is a good bike great options you can ride off road great for passengers and so much fun...
I am in Montreal, Canada and went from a (2019)Rad Rover 4 to a Voltbike Yukon Core Midrive reason why is that Rad prices have been steadily going up in the pass few years .Here in Canada a Rover 6 plus tax included is $2700. and for $300. more i get a 1000 watt midrive Bafang M620 even if i will restrict to 32 kph which is max speed here in Canada . with double the torque ,a 19.2 ah battery , compared to Rads 14 ah battery ,aluminum fenders not plastic and also a rear rack , hydraulic brakes and 8 speeds .What's fun about a midrive is weight is centered in the frame . To get max speed or to take off you have to shift up or down but coming from motorcycles that wont bother me that much . So bring on spring since i received it in December but never rode it
Thanks for your insights on the Canadian ebike situation. Sounds like it would be well worth the $300 up charge to get the mid-drive bike instead.
Nice stop at the STOP sign
Here’s why I did not stop last year… ruclips.net/video/uPLfIg_ekdU/видео.html
Russ word of caution!
With hydraulic calipers you still have the problem with cable stretch. I'm using ape hanger bars. They have a 15 inch rise. I want to use full hydraulic but the lines are not long enough I wanted to use four piston calipers. I ended up using cable actuated two piston hydraulic brakes. I could not use regular mountain brake cables they were too short for the front and the rear especially the rear.
So I went with tandem brake cables. You would think they would be stronger and less stretch than regular mountain bike cables.
I have to fiddle with them once or twice a week to keep them adjusted.
My police officer friend is going with four piston full hydraulic brakes.
The solution to my problem is I'm going with two cables to my front brake and two cables to my rear brake that should solve my problem. I have designed a motor cut off switch to accommodate this new fangled idea that I have for the double brake cable on each brake.
I guess this is chapter two . See you on the next video.
R Mack
Yes, I know. I have quite a few spare brake cables. Couldn’t buy just one, they sell a bunch at a time. Thanks for the heads up though!
Considering an e bike...
I really like your matter of presentation, details...and voice.
Need transportation when car isn't working.
But afraid of something so sophisticated.
Have to be really careful @ 70 and a female who isn't a daredevil.
Also considering scooter.
Torn between the 2.
Any suggestions?
Also have looked at a trike...they aren't cheap.
The frame was very thin....and it looked frail...but it was ok.
Was easy to learn.
I was scared at 1st...
...have to consider balance.
Suggestions....
Well, at 70, I think a scooter might be a bit dangerous. One pot hole and down you go. The wheels are small and can get caught really easily. Not so with a bike wheel. Now as for a trike versus a bike... a trike is easier for balance than a bike. But, turn quickly and too sharp and down you go. As for a bike, you have to have balance... there's no doubt. So... there's no real good safe solution. I will say though, that any of these are easily stolen and so carrying around a really heavy chain or U Lock is necessary if you plan to leave your bike out of your sight. Even so, an angle grinder can defeat locks easily. I think there is no real perfect solution. You just need to be confident in whatever you end up choosing. These ebikes are really heavy... something else to be aware of. Most are around 70 lbs or more. Just be careful and wear a helmet with any of the choices you have between the bike, scooter or trike. If you decide on an ebike, consider the step-thru versions. It is easier to get on and off. Rad Power Bikes just introduced a new model for $1299 that is a foldable bike. I am hoping to get one for my wife. If you decide to get a Rad bike, use this link to get $50 off of the cost of the bike: rwrd.io/7qoq3tv?c Here is a video I made talking about the new "Expand 5" bike: ruclips.net/video/ejCGVbXkAk8/видео.html. Let me know what you end up going with. Good luck on your decision!
I have a Ripcurrent S by Juiced bikes . this bike has a 52V 19.2Ah with a 1000 Watt motor.
I’m only partway through - you have a huge list of videos, each long - but have you looked at the Ride1Up 700 or other options? Same price range ($1600 atm) as Rad when on sale, but a lot of the components you’ve bought after market are included in their base version. Seems like a natural for you.
how's the mirror doing for you?
Works well for me. I have a mirror on all my bikes today. 😊
I’m about to turn 3,000 miles on my Rad Rover. Buy it if you are even remotely interested in buying one. I also have the Rad Runner. Great bike also.
Lovely ride
Where are you located. Looks like transmission power line right of ways are used for trails. That's a really good solution for creating a lot of trail. The closest thing we have to that is the Rails to Trails program where miles of old rail bed were turned into biking and hiking trails here in AL and GA.
Northwest Suburbs of Chicago
If I had nice paths to ride on around where I live I’d buy one tomorrow.
Well, I would say I am rather lucky that there are several nice paths in my area. Still, even just riding around the neighborhoods isn't all that bad either. Hope you consider an ebike one day!
Just looked at rad rover on internet I'm thinking the rad runner but didn't show tire size think fat tire need to find a dealer but don't think any close to northern Indiana wish I had done research before bought cheap one on Walmart web site
No dealers for Rad, only Rad stores and most are on the West Coast. Tire size for the Rad Rovers are 26”x4”.
Thank you!
Maxxis tires are about 100 bucks per tire but they're worth it because they last a long time
You should get a rear view camera for e bike in addition to regular mirror is awesome. (57$ on amazon)
So when you up graded your batteries. You are still using the same controller. But had to change the plugs.
Yes. It is the original 48 volt controller, even though I am using 52 volt batteries now. I had heard from others that the Rad controller handles it without a problem and to date, I have not had any issues with it. These 20 ah batteries give me a lot of range. The 52 volts give me a bit more pep at the beginning of the fully charged battery. Eventually as you ride and the battery begins to drain, you can tell that extra pep drops as well, so starting out with more voltage definitely can be felt at the beginning of the ride.
Great review, Russ! Based on your comments, I’m leaning towards the Ariel Rider Kepler 2. I test rode one that a friend bought and it is beastly. It surpasses all of the features you mentioned: brakes, gears, battery, rack, motor, service and price.
I've never seen "beastly" used this way. It's from recent slang use of "beast", I guess? The dictionary definition of "beastly" is exactly the opposite of how you use it. 😊
@@squirlmy My contextual use of ‘beastly’ can be elucidated in the Urban Dictionary as follows:
Beast(ly) - adj. The characteristic of being good at something, or doing something incredible. (As a beast)
@@paulwhetstone0473 Clash of generations here I believe..:😁
Ride beastly...er, I mean ride safely.
I don’t know about the rad but let me just add 2 main things I discovered about my himiway that i will insist on having on any other ebike I ever own. They are 1, the maximum speed on the bike is configurable up to over 30mph and 2, the power levels on each of the up to 9 pedal assist levels are also configuable. Discovering those settings was a game changer. What gives with the tire talk, I’ve got 5000 miles on my original tires.
Weight of rider plays a factor on tire wear.
Newer model Himiway only goes 25mph and that's changing it from factory setting of 22. Bought mine in April
I love that it is quiet. I want one! 🥰 I wish there are urban bike paths in my community in Georgia to make it safe for commuters. People have been hit and killed by drivers you would think the government would consider these paths.
Where are you riding your bike in the video?
Northern Suburbs of Chicago.
Just discovered you youtube show and am enjoying it a lot… keep it up! BTW, where you are riding looks very much like my area (Chicago suburb’s)… wondering where you are?
Without revealing everything, it's the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago. If you recognize it being similar to your area... it probably is. :) Stop me and say hello if you see me riding around! Can't miss me with that big yellow safety vest on all the time!
@@RussIsRight Thought is looked liked some of the trails I have ridden. Will keep an eye out for you and say hello if our paths cross.
Do you think you've saved money using an ebike with startup expense and repairs versus driving?
This is a hard question for me to answer. I don't really use my bike for riding to locations instead of driving. I ride for fun and health. Have I saved money since getting an ebike? I've made money since getting an ebike! I do ebike reviews, I get paid from RUclips... it adds up I suppose! But that's not really what you are asking. My wife and I do use our ebikes to do basic grocery shopping on Saturdays. So in that sense, we don't use our car to get to the stores, so yeah, I'd say we are saving money when we do those trips. Since this video came out last year, a lot has changed for me in terms of ebikes. Whereas last year, I didn't think I would change to another ebike. But this year, many ebikes were sent my way for ebike reviews.
@@RussIsRight thank you for the reply. I've been checking out reviews. Ive been watching a lot of videos to learn more.. Ive been considering a foldable to commute to work and be able to pack it in my car. I would love a bike but the cost versus money saved makes it hard for me to justify the expense at this time. Appreciate the video and enjoyed watching it.
@@shawnhemminger4179 Watch my review of the Engwe EP-2 Pro. They have a promo of getting an extra battery with that bike for only $50 more! The bike is $1049.99 but the two battery combo is only $1099.99. The battery alone is $349... so getting a second battery for more range is a great deal. I have affiliate links in my video too... if you use that and then purchase one of their bikes, it helps my channel. Anyway, check this one out to see if it fits what you are looking for. It's foldable. I got 22 miles out of one battery riding it hard, and then 32 miles out of it when doing a range test and riding conservatively. I'm 255 lbs too, so if you weigh less, you'll get better range than me. Get two batteries and you double that distance! Watch this video: ruclips.net/video/h-r2lDjH8kM/видео.html
I don’t know if if this makes me happy or sad.’on one hand, this is clearly useful as a commuter. OTOH, as a throttle bike, this really isn’t a bicycle. This is pretty hazardous to pedestrians and even to riders. The Feds are reviewing bikes this coming month, and we are all in danger of being hyper regulated. Class 2 and 3 bikes, especially when they are souped up. The speed on this bike path looks pretty intense.
Russ, you said that you were way overweight. Can you please tell me how much you weigh now? I weigh 375 lbs. It would really help me to know how much you weigh, because despite what you weigh, you're an excellent rider. And I learn from you, man!!
I am around 255 now.
OK fast forward 3 months since my previous reply, I've had my Rad rover 6+ for 3 months now with about 450 miles on it and NO I would not have bought this bike because they lie, the motor is a 500W that peeks to 750, I would have gone with the Aventon Aventure instead, it's way faster. (I did unlock the speed so my Rad does 25mph) it just takes longer to get there. I did purchase a Aventon level commuter bike from a local shop in my town with a 500w motor that peeks at 750 and this thing is a rocket, it does 28mph right out of the box! I may sell the Rad I'll wait till summer and we'll see, other than the motor issue I do love my rad though!
Sad to hear this. They claimed a better motor with the new version, but apparently not. Some have purchased the Area 13 (formerly Bolton Ebikes) controller to upgrade the bike but that adds money to the investment. Plus you could over-tax the motor with a stronger controller too and that is one reason I don’t do that myself on the RadRover 5.
Good review .. we're in the market and your comparison between the 2 bikes is perfect. But .. what I hear by you saying you'd get the Rad 5 but do upgrades, is you might as well get the Himiway. We'll be doing some different type riding though .. Thank you
I ended up with a Magicycle Cruiser Mid-step bike this year. Watch my review here: ruclips.net/video/259GOhHWs3s/видео.html. Discounts in the description of that video.
@@RussIsRight aahh ok we will watch it this weekend. Thank you!
I rented a Rad bike in Long Beach (CA). It was very nice.
Best way to test them out!
I am really confused as to what to get. I watched a video of a guy that runs an ebike repair shop. He said that the he has had to replace many rear wheel motors because of the current needed to drive up hills can burn out motors. He recommended the mid-drive motor, so that the 7 or 8 gears can be used to assist more efficiently. Then I come to find out hill trails in Ca. have a limit of 250 watts. It seems that the rules mean one bike for streets and another for hill/park trails. Any thoughts on this?
Good question! Yeah, it does seem that some trails limit what kind of bike can travel there! Not sure what to tell you. For most ebikes you will see, the class 2 ebikes are probably the most popular. With them, they can have both pedal assist as well as throttles on the bike and limit the legal speed to 20 mph. Class 1 is pedal assist only without a throttle and can do 20 mph. Class 3 is pedal only (no throttle) and can be up to 28 mph. However, some Class 3 ebikes have throttles too, but usually will limit the throttle to 20 mph. As for motor wattage, many bikes "claim" to have 750 watts, but some bikes might actually have 500 watt motors that peak out at 750 watts. My Rad Rover 5 may very well have this, although Rad claims 750 watts. Many people don't believe it. I don't. As for going up hills, yes, you can burn out a motor if you throttle it fully to get up the hill and don't help it with pedaling. It will struggle like crazy and it will overheat the motor. Some better bikes can do it though, whereas others cannot. Rear hub motors have a harder time getting up these hills than mid-drive motors, but keep in mind that the mid-drives do not have throttles. It is pedal assist only I believe. 250 limits is tough. I think it would be hard to use that to get up hills. I struggle sometimes with my "750 watt" Rad Rover.
@@RussIsRight Thanks.. best videos on e bikes.. great information.
Lectric ebikes just announced a mid-drive bike WITH throttle too! Check it out: lectricebikes.com/products/xpremium-black
@@RussIsRight Thank you....!!!
Thanks for the vid - how did you interface the Chinese battery to the bike?
I just followed this video and did a similar thing: ruclips.net/video/Z_SQ28Q3Hu4/видео.htmlsi=pbXJt-ogTWzj4tmi
Hey Russ I was wondering how did you attached triangle battery to the frame? Great video! Thanks much!
The battery has openings in the casing for Velcro straps to fit through. Besides the Velcro, I also zip tie the batteries through those openings.
It is a tight fit on the Rad Rover 5 but it works.
If I got this right you got two triangle batteries (sold you Rad battery) because you wanted the extra range???? A few things comes to mind watching your video: Given the terrain you ride on (in this video) you don't really need the four inch wide tires....rolling resistance of 4 inch tires is much greater than 2 or 2.3 inch tires so your range will be less with the fat tires. Second, that was a 36 minute video....and I don't think I saw you shift or change the pedal assist setting ONCE !!!
I have two Rad bikes, a Mini and a City ST....on both of them I did the following: On the PAS pad I crazyglued little furniture "bumpers" on the up and down buttons. This makes going up/down pedal assist levels a breeze even with gloves on. Second, I swapped the position of the shifter for the brake clamp. This requires a little grinding/filing the brake clamp to get a tight fit between throttlebody/shifter/brake clamp but the end result is you don't have to move your hand off the grip to shift gears....rear brake operation becomes a two finger job but that is not a problem (for me anyways).
If somebody was REALLY into range and riding mostly on roads and paved or unpaved bike paths (like in your video) a bike with a gearless hub motor would be better (as in a Rad City)....the down side is half the torque (take off speed, hill climbing) but it gives you higher top end speed and longer range. Gearless motors are dead quiet and much smoother feeling (less torque=less jerky). They are a real pleasure to ride....if you don't mind/miss the loss of torque.
The 2.3 tires that come on the City have a rather aggressive thread for "road" tires that work very well on most gravel paths but don't work well on gravel ROADS (compared to 4 inch tires). I have 4500 kms on the City and it's getting time to buy new tires.
There is no free lunch...or as the comic said: "You can't have everything...where would you put it"!!!
Well, it's hard to gauge how far someone rides with just watching one video, right? On this ride, I don't need two batteries. But I have ridden 64 miles round trip on several rides and I can't get that on a single 48 volt, 14 ah battery since I'm over 250 lbs in weight. I also had a knee replacement done and that's why I need an ebike if I want to bike that kind of distance. As for why I got a 4" fat tire bike...well... I'm 250 lbs! I look and feel better on these larger bikes. I prefer them. Sure, there's rolling resistance, but so be it. As for shifting or pedal assist shifting, I don't often do it because I will usually pedal and throttle at the exact same time. Because of this, I can get the boost I need without having to mess with the PAS or the gears. Besides, I wasn't going up any hills at the time and so gears 1-5 aren't going to help based on my speed. Only gears 6 and7 would help and the quick throttle and pedaling at the same time often helps just as well. Unless you are in someone else's shoes (so they say), it's always hard to tell why someone buys what they buy. Glad you found what works for you. For me, these larger bikes work for me.
@@RussIsRight YEP....I'm lucky to have two very different bikes....the range on the Mini is a big fraction of the City but I'm not sure what part of that it the 20" diameter wheels and/or the different places I ride when on that bike (tougher trails/bush with lots of stops and gos, tougher/sharper climbs)
Truth is "range" is extremely subjective. Period.
Out riding I always get the question: "How far can you go before the battery runs out"??? Seems EVERYBODY wants to know the answer to that one....my standard answer is: "The battery lasts way longer than I ever want to be sitting on a bicycle for!"
RR6+ also gives you the new battery type that does not have access to the fuses in the battery pack - horrible design. I wanted to purchase RR5, but it was discontinued right before I was purchasing.
Looks like you are all on flatland. Here in Southern California we have flat land, hills and mountains. I guess in the Midwest where you are is pretty much all flat unless you go maybe to Michigan in the north near Canada. I been in Upper Peninsula but don't recall the terrain because been some years. I would guess near Canada maybe you get hills or mountains? Ever ride in mountains on a trip?
No mountain riding for me... you are right, it's all pretty flat here in the Chicago suburbs!
Have you considered the Evelo Ebike?
Particularly the Aurora Limited.
No, never did.
I wish i got rad stepthrough all ebikes have suply isues i have another brand folding x good e bike
I’ve sometimes pay attention to the ads before the videos and seen the type of eBikes that collapses. It is convenient to use, but seems flimsy to me. Upgrading eBikes sounds like upgrading an iPhone. I would not get sucked in to doing that.
Best to buy what you need right from the start. But what you think you need (before getting a bike) sometimes works out good in your head, until you start riding and then realize you need more. That's when you upgrade. The brakes are important though, so those need to be done based on how fast I'm riding now and not wanting to have to adjust them daily. My new brake calipers just came in the mail.... I'll install them tomorrow morning! :)
Personally, I would never buy a hub motor. the mid drive motors tend to provide a lot more torque. I had a nice Stumpjumper I converted to using a 1000w Bafang BBSHD and I couldn't be happier. I mounted Maxxis Hookworms for smooth riding. I can ride 25 on throttle only, 30-35mph. I can easily go 60 mile on a pedal assist setting.
you're also going to pay hundreds of dollars more for the privilege of mid-drive
@@squirlmy Very true, a good point. I'm more than willing to pay for 'more'.
Hi Russ. If you see a sign says NO MOTORIZED. What does that mean
Is it ok to ride an ebike. I always thought it only applies to cars or trucks and motorcycles.
I suppose each city has its own definition of a motorized vehicle but in my area, they mean things like motorcycles, dirt bikes, things with a gas motor. In my area, it does not include electric bikes. But check with your local authorities to see how they interpret it for your own area.
Thanks for all the great info. I'm considering a step thru because of my age and when I'm gone my wife would be able to ride it, I take it that it would be difficult to upgrade the batteries with a step thru? I rode a Bosch bike last year and it was a bit difficult mounting the bike.
Many step thru bike batteries can easily be removed. It just depends on the design. I hope you find one you like! Ride safe!
Why do you not want to buy a Radrover cargo bike or recommend one?
I don't have cargo to carry.
Check out the ecells super monarch crown dual 750w hub drivers 52 volt full suspension two battery’s
Great video, just got my Rad 6 Plus. Where is this bike trail ?
Northwest suburbs of Chicago