E-Bike Question of the Day ⚡🚴 Would you get the high step or low step version of the RadCity 5 Plus? Let us know in the comments below 👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼

@griffinhales3421

2 жыл бұрын

Low step / step thru frames are criminally underrated. So much easier to hop on.

@loctite222ms

2 жыл бұрын

I'd have to look closely at the step over height, but my default decision is step-thru.

@justkrook

2 жыл бұрын

Low step ftw =)

@jamesgoldsworthy2769

2 жыл бұрын

I got the high step just because it looks better. Although if I was shorter (I am 6'1 with long legs) I might get the step through version just to make it easier.

@catherinemushaw1956

2 жыл бұрын

Step thru

We have two radcity 5+ bikes. I use the high step for a 31mile round trip commute to and from work. My wife uses her step thru for errands around town in a rural area... typical round trip ride length for her is 20 miles. You have to be careful when you select the 5+ because the motor, which is a bafang-brand M155 proprietary (to RadPower) model, is different from almost every motor out there and is very, very hard to service when an internal "hall effect sensor" goes bad. (Techies will notice that the electronics / motor cable pigtail are on the brake side opposite the removable hub cover on the cassette side - which easily exposes the planetary, and/but a nearly impossible to remove planetary main ring that is shrunk-fit into the hub and very difficult to remove). We have burned out motors and it is $600 to replace the rear wheel assembly. With almost every other e-bike, it is a relatively straight-forward job to change out the motor or replace a bad hall effect sensor - but not with this proprietary M155. We love our RadCity 5+ bikes, but once you take the plunge you are locked in to several proprietary, high-cost components that can only be supplied by RadPower, and you will learn from experience that RadPower is not so great with customer service and slow to ship. If you are a recreational rider that does not depend on their e-bike, the 5+ would be a great candidate to consider. But if you intend to depend on your bike to get you around town you might want to consider another brand. We also believe that it is important with RadPower bikes to be able to work on them yourself (which speaks to skills, tools, and work space), or establish a relationship with a local bike shop that will work on the bike for you in a time frame that you can live with. Our local bike shops won't touch RadPower bikes because they can't get tech info from the company. If we had to do it again we would probably go with a brand that is sold through bike shops (definitely will cost more) where the mechanics can get the info that they need, or with a brand that has more-standard components that we can replace ourselves. Good luck with your decision.

This is so useful and helpful. Really appreciate that you shared this video. Thank you so much!!

@ElectricBikeReport

6 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching!

I am enjoying all your reviews. Since this battery goes in from the top into the frame, where does the water go when the bike is in the rain? It seems like the rain seep would down into the battery tray. No I don't PLAN on leaving it in the rain, but I'm sure I will get caught in the rain at some point.

Innovation is fine if it's progress. The inconsistency of parts is enough to keep me looking. We have the second generation city bikes from Rad one is a step through. Very few problems now over 5000 miles, that said I don't think the geared motors is a step in the right direction for commuter bikes so for now we are still looking. Also the integrated batteries look good but we each have three batteries and one bike is running all aftermarket batteries which were very easy to install. Not that easy with the integrated type.

They went to the geared motor which is why I decided to go with the Radcity 3 step thru. I'd rather have the regeneration and quieter motor. Maybe Rad should offer a choice of geared or direct drive. Hydraulic brakes seem like a nice upgrade, bigger battery ok, new display I don't think I care. Then again, it's more money.

We have had our RadCity 5's for a couple months now and really enjoy them. However a big problem I have with Rad is extremely slow shipping - the bikes being so big I can understand, but accessories ? Our current order for a couple battery cases is typical. Ordered a week ago and Fedex site still says label created. Called Rad when the same thing happened to our last order and they were very nice, but no help. Said the order was in Fedex hands but sometimes sits in a truck for a while until scanned - finally got it in two weeks!. It is obvious Rad needs to find a new Savannah shipper for their products. Hope they arrive before we leave in a week! Done with Rad orders.

@bernievassallo3336

Жыл бұрын

How do you lik yourbike

19:50 your rear fender is mounted too high, use the holes lower down on the fender and put the relector in the emptied holes.

Hey, I'm curious if there are any shorter riders out there (5'5'' or 5'6'') like me who have riden the radcity 5plus highstep? There are no step-throughs available and I like the look of the highstep, but want to make sure it's still a comfy ride. I JUST meet the minimum instep listed on Rad's website (30''). Any advice would be great. Thanks

@kyjones2996

2 жыл бұрын

me too...I have the very same question...hey Jesse...did you purchase this ebike?

Hi there! I have just subscribed to your channel. I wonder if can you answer a question for me? If I purchased a large basket and fit it to the front of the bike do you think I could carry my male miniature schnauzer dog? Do you think that this may be possible???

I have now owned my Rad City 5 for three months. I have been waiting for parts to fix it now for three months. Really nice people to talk to. I have a $2300.00 bike sitting in my shed I can't ride. Worst money I have spent. Still no sign of the parts arriving. I wonder if the will extend my warranty for what it worth.

@delvyfana3495

2 жыл бұрын

What's wrong with your bike? I had the controller failed on me after 2 months but Rad mailed me a new 1. I was shocked the controller failed soo fast. I did wait about 1 month though for the new one. Can't blame them though since everything is backed up.

@stevedrew6919

2 жыл бұрын

@@delvyfana3495 My bike was picked up and the handle bars turned the wrong way around and over extended the wiring harness. It broke. The second problem was when you used the front brake the brake switch would stay on killing the power to the motor. This was happening from new.

Fender bracket mounted in wrong holes (reflector goes there)

The "mass of cables" is a fail. Having said that, most ebikes don't do a very good job of cable management. I like this bike but am wondering how to clean that mess up. If I get one!

@stevedrew6919

2 жыл бұрын

I have the Rad City 5 high step. My bike has been out of commission for three months. The bike was picked up off the ground . The handle bars were turned the wrong was when picked up and ripped out a wiring harness. 3 months and still no word on when parts will be available.

@johnfilmore7638

2 жыл бұрын

The "mass of cables" is something that factory automation has experienced and handles. If I joined an ebike mfg or perhaps consortium I would look at simplified DeviceNet controllers which communication with Remote Input/Output blocks through 2 wires. Instead of 1 controller for traction motor and regenerative-braking (I assume high end ebikes must have regen braking) with 5 push-button cables coming from the crankset, a small modified DeviceNet Input-Output communication-module on the handlebar relays the handlebar signals over a single 2-conductor communication cable to the main controller. There are industrial companies that design cabling to go through 100,000 twists by loosely braiding the conductors with cushioning fiber and a tough jacket, cost wouldnt be cheap for IGUS or others but economies of scale in the industrial world could build an ebike with truly bullet-proof electronics for $1-2,000 over the stuff we see now for pro-sumers. People act like heavy-impact and chafing resistant electronics is impossible but its both done and proven over 15 years in industrial environments. I've noticed bike-people have to compete on price, the market wants light weight low-cost but the electronics and cabling can be protected from a crash that would damage the frame and put the rider in the hospital on life-support, by working from industrial controller makers. The impacts to a bike from even a downhill rider crash is par for the course for industrial machinery and it has to survive much higher temperatures for years of functioning, you need to hire industrial automation designers, even a lot of off-the-shelf industrial grade hazardous-rated microcontrollers & switches/sensors can be mated to a mid-size ebike frame and it will run 10 years with minimal upkeep, and indistrial automation parts from the big players are all over ebay. If a German ebike mfg teamed with ... I'm not gonna say their name here make it too easy, they make hazardous duty chemical and saltwater resistant outdoor valve-controllers for a very affordable cost and have a huge manufacturing base, they could build an ebike with electronics that will outlast the bike-frame for not more than $2,000 in control and cabling. Brand starts with F & for a decent volume order could use their existing tooling & mfg capacity to build the ultimate endurance ebike, using Industrial-standard threaded or cam-lock cable-connectors that are field-repairable using OEM or 3rd Party industry-standard parts from Mouser, Digikey and similar industrial electronic suppliers. Im not gonna switch jobs to ebike design I cant imagine it pays what industrial manufacturing does, but if you want an electronic control and cabling platform that can go to war, win a survivor endurance test that lasts 3+ years (5 hours for youtube is bullshit) and be repaired to professional level with 3rd party parts if the mfg goes out of business, PM me.

@twinge2254

Жыл бұрын

I just bought cable wrap and wrapped it myself...10 bucks

Love your reviews! Is the turbo vado 4.0 twice better than this rad city? I have the feeling that if I go for the radcity I will have the itch to upgrade to the vado down the road but if it is really good I would've saved 2K, tough decision.

@savemankind738

2 жыл бұрын

I have a 2020 rad city and a 2020 vado 3.0 , trust me they are completly different bikes . For instance you're comparing a mid drive to a rear motor bike . I like both of them , but vado feels like a premium bike overall, its got an edge as far as paint , drivetrain and quality of parts go.

how hard is it to ride it with the motor off? Just in case the battery dies...it's 64lbs...I like it a lot...I wish I could test it before buying it

@ElectricBikeReport

Жыл бұрын

Decent as far as e-bikes go, but definitely 64 lbs. You can purchase a second battery with a carrying case if you're nervous of ever running out though.

@erickperdomo277

Жыл бұрын

@@ElectricBikeReport hmmm...I had the chance to ride A high step one and it feels ok...a bit too upright maybe but the pedal assistance at level 1 and 2 were great. All i need. With power off I was able to bike ok...64 lbs is a bit and I know I would get a basket for groceries...oh well...I don't see many other bikes with the same options as this one that weight under 40lbs...or is there one? I also wonder if RadPower about to release a newer version this year? I saw a different color (Orange!) on their website but same specs. Thanks for the response

What gear is used for the hill climb test?

@ElectricBikeReport

10 ай бұрын

It's a test that is largely about feel, so it varies from bike to bike. To goal of the hill tester is to maintain an effort level where they could keep a conversation going with somebody the entire time if they had to without running out of breath.

the battery isnt 42Ah

A 42Ah battery would make it 2KW hours. I don't think so. Its 672 Watt hours. 14 ah battery.

Yassss

Throttle only range test?

@ElectricBikeReport

2 жыл бұрын

Experimented with it. The results aren't much different from Max PAS from the bikes we've tested both on. You can usually knock 1-3 miles off the Max PAS results and that's about where it'll go on throttle.

@christianbeaupre7989

2 жыл бұрын

@@ElectricBikeReport Cool, thanks for the reply.

I'd like to know what the NO PEDAL range is at 10-12 mph for a 220 pound rider on a flat level road.

@BillOweninOttawa

2 жыл бұрын

I think you are looking for a moped.

@twinge2254

Жыл бұрын

According to my calculations...12-15 miles on throttle only for your weight compared to mine.

Mine arrived today, and it had a Shimano derailleur.

@BillOweninOttawa

2 жыл бұрын

Shimano makes many models of derailleur from cheap and crappy to excellent. Which one?

@Novalarke

2 жыл бұрын

@@BillOweninOttawa - 7-Speed Shimano Altus

Ariel rider review soon?

@ElectricBikeReport

2 жыл бұрын

Nothing in the works, sorry! It's always worth telling them on social media that you'd like them to send us a bike to review though!

I'll stick with my magicycle. My speed has never went that low on hills more steep than the one you did. Lowest I ever went is 15 mph. I loved the video tho... Great job. Shows how I made the rite choice for myself.

@ElectricBikeReport

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching!

The climbing ability of this bike is terrible when you consider the skinny tires and the light frame. This company's problem is their controllers they have them so determined that there's really no power this has been sold through the history of the company.

It has a 42 amp hour battery???? That seems unlikely.

Hub drive is still a hub drive

If we could figure out a way to generate electricity from your hands movements, we could power all the electric bikes in the world for a week! 🚲 🚲 🛵