New Rad bike announcment 3/26?
- Thread starter CarlB
- Start date
pxpaulx
Well-Known Member
Tires look the same - they were already an exclusive size from Kenda (tread is the same and they look to be about 3"), differences seem to be suspension, display, maybe better lighting and an included rear seat, probably priced at $1,499 - that is about their sweet-spot for pricing generally.
Maybe you are right. Wishful thinking on my part. I was hoping for 24 inch plus tires. I think the runner would look better with larger diameter wheels/tires.
https://www.radpowerbikes.com/products/radrunner-plus Not bad. I think this now competes well with the Scorpion. I'd choose it between the two because of the adjustable seat (I'm too tall for the Scorpion) but the Scorpion still looks better to me. 
Explorer-1
Have bike, will travel
- Region
- USA
- City
- Boston North Shore
$1700 pre-order price, seems to miss the mark for such a bike, but we'll see.
Aren't most bikes in this price range spring suspension?
Banzai
Active Member
That's interesting. A standard utility version and now a deluxe version of the same bike.
The one speed version seemed OK to me because my bikes never leave seventh gear or pas 5 when riding on city streets, even for hills. But I still wouldn't give them up since the gears and pas levels get their use when riding out on the rougher back trails. I'd say the Plus is now in that same league.
The one speed version seemed OK to me because my bikes never leave seventh gear or pas 5 when riding on city streets, even for hills. But I still wouldn't give them up since the gears and pas levels get their use when riding out on the rougher back trails. I'd say the Plus is now in that same league.
D
Deleted member 4210
Guest
No different than all the copies of the Super73, which is a concept clone of a 1970's mini-bike, but with pedals, that people who buy these now dont really use to actually pedal. and its electric instead of gas. Its ironic, that these are so successful, bc they are mostly just mopeds, but mopeds never really caught on here in the US. There is obviously a big demand from people who want to have something that looks like they are pedaling, or they like 'the thought of being able to pedal', but they actually dont like to pedal and do any real exertion. For this kind of price, and the likely regular use of the throttle by most riders, they should have at least put a 17 AH battery on it. I had a blast with my 1970's 'mini'bike (was actually a chopped down Harley-Davidson), but I was a teen back then. They are cool looking. And they can certainly be utilitarian. Even at $1699, Rads price is still better than most others that are offering the same look and features.
onlineaddy
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- San Diego, CA, USA
Please don't speak for a whole group of people. I own a Super73 and commute to/from work with it...by pedaling.
Don't see it, we have the Rad Mini's at $1499 and they fold, the new Rad Runner is at $1699. I see you get the bigger seat which you could use some of it as a rear rack, but I personally would just have the Rad rear rack for $80. I personally wouldn't buy it over the Mini for my type of use.
Rad may be overloading its catalog.
See Barry Schwartz on the problem of too many choices.
en.wikipedia.org
See Barry Schwartz on the problem of too many choices.
The Paradox of Choice - Wikipedia
I guess the new Rad Runner was produced to compete with the Super 73 and other ebikes of that style. I personally think the Super 73 is priced on the higher side for what you get, that is compared to a Rad Mini you get so much more for you money. The Rad traveling road show came to Ft. Worth, Texas last fall, I all ready owned two Rad Mini Step Thru's, so I test rode the Rad Runner to check it out, I personally couldn't tell much difference in the ride, just noticed it had a lot less features. Now this Rad Runner is only $1299 which the price is inline, but at $1699 for the newer model I wonder how well it will sell. I personally think the $1699 introductory price could have been thrown out there just to get the reaction of the buying public, if it sells well that good and if it doesn't they can lower the price to be inline with other models.
pxpaulx
Well-Known Member
Rad may be overloading its catalog.
See Barry Schwartz on the problem of too many choices.
The Paradox of Choice - Wikipedia
I totally agree, and it seems this bike misses the mark - I actually suspect the true business rationale to introducing this higher spec model is to drive sales of the other 2 bikes - makes them look like more of a deal if you are willing to 'sacrifice' some of the features on the highest price bike.
I think that, rather than dilute their line-up with yet another bike with similar parts and priced within the $1,300-$1,700 range, it is time they expand their lineup - partner with a company like Frey that doesn't have a North American presence and market them as high end budget minded bikes around/under the $3k price-point. With a growing user base and having been in the market for a couple of years at this point, you'd think they would want to grab those repeat buyers that are looking for an upgrade now that they've tested the waters. Right now if you were a rad owner and wanted something with better specs you simply have to look elsewhere.
I think all these new moped/minibike-looking bikes look great. Until you sit a person over 5'-7" on them. Then it looks like a grownup riding a child's bike. They need larger tires (maybe 24") and slightly larger frames so you don't knock your knees on the handlebars (I'd guess that's one of the reasons the production Scorpion got the taller handlebars).
FlatSix911
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Silicon Valley
Here's a review of the new RadCity commuter from Electrek.
electrek.co
RadCity 4 e-bike tech specs
RadCity electric bike review: The best Rad Power Bike for the street
It seems Rad Power Bikes has an e-bike for just about everything. Need to haul a ton of cargo? They...
electrek.co
RadCity 4 e-bike tech specs
- Motor: 750W direct drive rear hub motor
- Top speed: 32 km/h (20 mph)
- Range: 45-72 km (25-45 mi) depending on throttle/pedal assist
- Battery: 48V 14Ah (672 Wh)
- Charge time: 6 hours
- Max load: 125 kg (275 lb)
- Frame: 6061 aluminum, step-through style
- Tires: Kenda K-Rad 26″ x 2.3″, K-shield puncture liner
- Suspension: 80 mm travel front RST spring suspension fork with preload adjustment and lockout
- Brakes: Tektro mechanical disc brakes with 180 mm rotors
- Extras: LCD display with speedometer, wattmeter, battery gauge, PAS level indicator, odometer, tripmeter, light status indicator, USB charging port for cell phones or other USB-powered accessories, front and rear LED lights, 5 speed settings, half-twist throttle, built-in frame rack in rear as well as mounting for front and rear racks/accessories, fenders included standard
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