Rad Power Bikes RadRunner Plus eBike Spec Review – 2022

In-Depth Review

Frame

The RadRunner Plus features a high quality 6061 aluminum frame, the same frame material used by other Rad Power Bikes and eBike manufacturers throughout the industry. 6061 aluminum is popular because it is resilient without being excessively heavy or expensive, and for the most part that holds true for the RadRunner Plus. However, combined with all of its accessories, the motor, the battery, and other electrical components, the RadRunner Plus does weigh 74.4 lbs fully assembled. Two people lifting together isn’t much of an issue, but if you are lifting the eBike yourself be especially careful in the rear section, as the motor and many of the heavy electronic components are located in the back wheel.

One of the few major strikes we have against the RadRunner Plus is that, at the time of our review, it is only available in one size. Thanks to the suspension, seat adjustment, handlebar customization and a few other features, the RadRunner Plus is one of the most versatile eBikes made by Rad Power Bikes. If you fit within the 4’11’’ to 6’2’’ range, you should find a setup that will make riding the RadRunner Plus a very comfortable and enjoyable experience. If you are outside of the recommended size range, be sure to contact Rad Power Bikes for assistance, as they may have a solution or are occasionally willing to make custom modifications to help suit your riding needs.

Motor & Battery

The Rad Power RadRunner Plus is a class 2 eBike with throttle and pedal motor assistance up to 20 MPH.

One of the components that is shared across almost every Rad Power Bikes model is the custom brushless Bafang 750 Wh / 80 Nm rear gear hub motor. Considering the quality, strength, and reliability of the motor, we can see why Rad Power Bikes consistently reuses it for their eBikes. You’ll have plenty of motor power to help you keep up with traffic while you’re in town, or the strength you need to climb your typical mountain biking trail with the RadRunner Plus. When it comes to the motor, the Bafang 80 Nm motor is top notch, though since it is a rear hub motor it can feel a bit jerky when you first start to ride.

We aren’t as thrilled by the battery as we are by the motor. The lithium Samsung 675 Wh battery can only travel 45 to 50 miles on a single charge, and that is with optimal riding conditions and the proper settings. Usually, you’ll find yourself travelling just 30 to 35 miles before your battery is fully out of a charge. The battery is mounted just beneath the saddle, but due to the frame design it can be tricky to remove, since you have to angle the saddle clamp a certain way in order to slide the battery out. Lastly, while it is the standard charger within the eBike industry currently, a full recharge from 0% to 100% can take 5 to 6 hours, if not longer. While we think the RadRunner Plus is an excellent eBike, the battery and charger configuration is one of the areas we would like to see improved.

Display/Assist Modes

The RadRunner Plus has a center mounted LCD display, and is a backit 2.75’’ grayscale remote. The backlit screen can be used during the day or at night, and outside of controlling your motor pedal assist settings it also provides a number of useful readouts and riding metrics as well. While you can’t remove the LCD remote from the eBike, the display does have some angle adjustment, which will help you find a good position to read the screen without taking your eyes completely off the road.

The LCD display readouts, riding metrics, and other motor settings are as follows:

RadRunner Plus King Meter LCD Display Readouts and Settings:

• Current Speed
• Average Speed
• Max speed
• Pedal Assist Level (5 modes, including walk mode)
• Motor Power/Watt Output
• Trip Meter
• Odometer
• Battery Indicator (5 Levels)
• Light Settings

Because this is a class 2 eBike, you can activate the motor by using the throttle or by pedaling. The motor will help you accelerate to 20 MPH, the speed cap for Class 2 eBikes. The cap is in place so that you can ride and operate the eBike almost anywhere in the world without needing additional licensing or registration. If you want to go faster than 20 MPH, you can still do so with manual pedaling, with the motor turning on again if you fall below 20 MPH.

There are four power assist levels, and a walk mode, with the RadRunner Plus electric bike. The lower power assist settings don’t provide as much power, but they drain your battery more slowly for a greater riding range. Alternatively, you can accelerate more quickly and climb steeper hills with the higher pedal assist levels, but because of their larger power drain you won’t travel as far before your battery is empty. Try out each of the power assist levels and switch them on the fly with a press of a button to have an optimal experience wherever you’re riding. Just be aware that the power assistance is just for the pedals, as your throttle will offer the same level of power when you twist it no matter what your current pedal assist level is set to.

Handling

• On Streets- While it might not be the fastest eBike in the world, the fat and short tires does mean that the RadRunner Plus will be a more stable eBike in the city. Whereas some commuter eBikes struggle with cobblestone, gravel, potholes, and other uneven terrain, you’ll hardly notice the road changing with the RadRunner Plus. With a 5 PSI to 30 PSI range, you can further configure your riding experience as well, which will help you have even better handling while riding in the city.
• Turn Radius- What it lacks in speed the RadRunner Plus makes up for with a very tight turning radius, the 20’’ tires are great for those who need something that is easy to navigate with. Whether you need to cross through a narrow alleyway or have a difficult switchback on your favorite trail, you won’t have a problem making a tight turn. However, since this is a 74.4 lbs eBike, do be careful if you need to lift or angle the eBike, as it isn’t something you can move around easily once it’s off the ground.
• Low Speed Handling- Heavy eBikes like the RadRunner Plus aren’t the easiest to handle at low speeds, but the RadRunner Plus does at least have a couple of motor options that will make it easier. By holding the down button on the remote display, you will turn on walk mode, which will provide you with a small motor push while you’re off the bike and on the ground. Alternatively, if you just want a bit of motor power while you’re riding, turn on Eco mode and just pedal very slowly. In Eco mode, you’ll be able to pedal along more easily without traveling too fast, or feeling like you’re losing control of your eBike.

Gears/DriveTrain

Another great reason to go with the RadRunner Plus over the other, less advanced models from Rad Power Bikes is the drivetrain. Whereas several of the other eBikes from Rad Power Bikes are all single speed bikes, the RadRunner Plus is a 7-speed eBike, featuring a Shimano 11-34 T freewheel connected to the 48 T chainring with a Z7 chain. Shimano makes some of the most dependable drivetrains on the market for eBikes, and the RadRunner Plus is further bolstered by the full fender coverage and steel guard protecting and assisting the derailleur system. If you stick to urban and light to moderate trail riding, you’ll very rarely have to worry about a dropped chain or other issues with your eBike drivetrain. Since it is a 7-speed eBike, we wouldn’t try to ride anything tougher than a moderate trail either, because while the motor may be built tough this was not built with the same support as a full suspension dedicated mountain bike.

Brakes

While they might not last as long or be as high quality as hydraulic disc brakes, there are still several reasons why we particularly like the RadRunner Plus eBike braking system. The Tektro Aries MD-M300 mechanical disc brakes feature 180 mm rotors in the front and rear of the eBike, which provides plenty of stopping power to help you quickly come to a full stop even when riding over 30 MPH downhill. That’s more than enough power for city riding, and should still continue to be enough if you stick to light and moderate trails. The other important detail about the motors we want to mention is that they are integrated with the motor system, shutting off the motor automatically the second you apply the brakes. By having an integrated system, the motor and brakes won’t compete against each other, ensuring that you slow down more quickly while also extending the functional lifespans of both components.

Suspension

The RadRunner Plus is also one of our favorite eBikes from Rad Power Bikes due to its RST spring suspension system. The 80 mm travel is better suited for rough city patches and light trails than true mountaineering, but with compression, lockout, and preload adjustment you do have plenty of suspension configuration options depending on how you like to ride. The suspension fork is one of the major reasons why the RadRunner Plus is so expensive to bikes like the RadRunner 1, though a few other accessories make up the difference as well. For our part, we think having a bit of extra suspension makes city riding more stable, so we’re definitely glad for the inclusion of great suspension support on the RadRunner Plus!

Pedals

Another feature that helps the RadRunner Plus stand out, aluminum platform pedals are included instead of the typical plastic pedals you find on many entry-level eBikes. Aluminum pedals provide better traction support, besides also being more durable and less likely to shatter if you crash compared to your typical plastic pedal. Rad Power Bikes also made sure to properly adjust and position the crank arms with the kickstand, so that you won’t be in any danger of the two hitting each other while you pedal. With reflective sidewalls for improved visibility, these are pedals you’ll want to stick with as you ride the RadRunner Plus.

Grips and Saddle

Rad Power Bikes always stand out for having eBikes that look as good as they are as comfortable to use. To explain why, we start with the grips, made out of stitched imitation leather with an ergonomic design, allowing you to grasp the grips for hours without worrying about irritating your hands or developing blisters. The grips pair well with the custom Velo moped style saddle, with a matching extended passenger seat behind it being just as cushy while maintaining the same espresso color. While your passenger will want to hold onto you, the rider themselves will make use of the 680mm width handlebars, with a high rise design so it isn’t as tiring on your arms. Combined with the wheels and suspension support, you have one very steady eBike to enjoy, though configure the stem and handlebars a bit in order to maximize how comfortable you feel while riding.

Wheels and Tires

Another familiar component for those who have ridden Rad Power Bikes before is the Kenda Custom K-Rad tires. The 20’’ by 3.3’’ tires are mounted on a double wall, 36 hole rims made out of the same high quality aluminum as the frame itself. Regarding the spokes though, they are made out of even tougher stainless steel, with 12 gauge spokes in the front and rear tire. As mentioned earlier in our review, you can adjust the PSI from 5 to 30, with 5 PSI great if you’re riding on very loose dirt, gravel, or sand while 30 PSI is better suited for more traditional road riding. The tires do feature K-shield puncture protection, with reflective sidewall taping further improving the overall visibility of the eBike. While the shortness of the tires does mean you’ll have to get used to riding lower to the ground, we are otherwise impressed by the Kenda tires included with the RadRunner Plus.

Accessories/Upgrades

The RadRunner Plus has a very attractive entry-level price on its own, but it is an even more amazing value once you realize how many accessories come with the eBike. A headlight, tail light, aluminum pedals, integrated bell, kickstand, and an extra passenger seat are just a few of the great accessories included with the eBike as part of its stock model. Given the reflective lighting options, we don’t think there is anything that is a must have upgrade for your eBike! If you are looking to make it even more special though, here are a few eBike accessories we think are worth considering:

• SR Suntour SP12 NCX Suspension Seatpost
• Rad Power Bikes Front Rack
• RadRunner Center Console
• RadRunner Bike Adapter Bar
• RadRunner Passenger Package
• ABUS Bordo Granit X-Plus 6500 Bike Lock
• Rad Power Bikes Rad Mirror
• Fremont Pannier Bag
• Rad Power Bikes Basket Bag
• Rad Power Bikes Delivery Bag

Recommendation

*For up-to-date pricing on the RadRunner Plus click here

The Rad Power Bikes RadRunner Plus is a true hybrid utility eBike that all types of riders can enjoy using. The 74.4 lbs is definitely heavy, but with the heavy weight comes performance and support so that up to two adults can enjoy riding the eBike together. The rear gear hub 80 Nm motor is strong enough to tackle almost any road, and if you pick the right settings you can still travel up to 50 miles on a single charge. Comfort matters as much as motor power, and you’ll have plenty of the former with the moped style saddle, cushy faux leather grips, and RST spring coil suspension support. The Tektro Aries brakes provide more than enough stopping power, whether you’re riding with stop and go traffic or blazing down a hill, with the custom Kenda tires well suited for riding wherever you hope to travel. There aren’t many eBikes we feel are totally complete out of the box, but with the RadRunner Plus you also get a huge assortment of key accessories like fenders, a headlight, a tail light, aluminum pedals, a kickstand, and more! Though it may have an entry-level price tag, the RadRunner Plus is a more premium oriented experience from Rad Power Bikes, and a eBike well worth your consideration if you want something that all types of riders can share and enjoy.

Would you like to see a video or full performance review of the Rad Power Bikes RadRunner Plus? Then make sure to leave a comment below with any other questions you may have after reading our review!