Hi all - anyone purchased <or given replacement> the new controller for the Rad City Plus 5? My 2-year-old one is being replaced with the new design/upgraded controller. It should be shipping out this week, but I got the following message from Rad support after my order "our controller is a new undated design and will install to the rear seat post with the mounting plate included". This sounds like an external one, or am I wrong? A link to the video was included but the video is for the old design, where the controller is seated inside the downtube. If anyone has installed the new one and can share their install experience (or post a picture) that would be great. I'll report back once I figure out what I am up against as the video looks pretty intimidating! Thank you
New Rad City 5 Plus Controller Replacement-Is it an External Mount Now?
- Thread starter salaryman
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mrgold35
Well-Known Member
I have a 2023 Radcity 5 Step-Thru and I'm on my second controller. The first controller failed a few days after purchase with no error codes and zero PAS/Throttle power with less than 20 miles on the odo. The replacement controller in 2023 looked like the original. Fast forward a year later and zero PAS/Throttle with error 21 on LCD. The replacement controller sent was the external version that mounts on the seat-post down tube. It was waaaay easier to install compared to the internal version. Rad Power Bikes need to update the instruction vids for the new controller. The old video is helpful for getting the right tools for the job.
New external controller with the small black box "jammed" between the controller and fender. The small black box was mounted/zipped tided on the seat post down tube and I had to move for the controller. I was worried the small black box might get caught by the pedals if I left on either side of the controller.
New external controller with the small black box "jammed" between the controller and fender. The small black box was mounted/zipped tided on the seat post down tube and I had to move for the controller. I was worried the small black box might get caught by the pedals if I left on either side of the controller.
Wow!!! Thank you very much for the picture. This is great-I've looking at the video and kinda pulling my hair out (not really, none there to pull).
Any tips/suggestions since the video doesn't cover this new controller? Also, any concerns with it being exposed to the elements-how has it been
performing for you so far?
Any tips/suggestions since the video doesn't cover this new controller? Also, any concerns with it being exposed to the elements-how has it been
performing for you so far?
mrgold35
Well-Known Member
The only tips are to connect the battery tray power cable first, screw down tube battery tray connector, don’t forget about the rubber plug for the hole in the bottom of the frame for the battery cable, then connect the other two cables from the controller, mount controller on down tube, test to make sure everything works, and then zip tie.
Not sure if all Radcity models have the little black box in the same position on the down tube? Stuffing the black box between the fender and the controller made the rear fender bow more at the top and almost touch the tire in the rear. I loosen the rear fender connections near the motor, push down on the top part of fender, and tighten the rear fender screws. Looks a lot better with more normal spacing between the rear of the tire and fender.
No issue with external controller with the elements or heat/cold in the same position on my two 2016 radrovers with +7000 miles between them. I don’t like having to replace my Radcity internal controller twice. The new external controller will make it a 15-20 minute job in the future.
Not sure if all Radcity models have the little black box in the same position on the down tube? Stuffing the black box between the fender and the controller made the rear fender bow more at the top and almost touch the tire in the rear. I loosen the rear fender connections near the motor, push down on the top part of fender, and tighten the rear fender screws. Looks a lot better with more normal spacing between the rear of the tire and fender.
No issue with external controller with the elements or heat/cold in the same position on my two 2016 radrovers with +7000 miles between them. I don’t like having to replace my Radcity internal controller twice. The new external controller will make it a 15-20 minute job in the future.
carcosa view
New Member
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- USA
- City
- ocee
What is this controller? I just received a new controller from Rad for my 2022 RadCity 5+ Step Thru and it's the same as the original. installs in the down tube like the original.
mrgold35
Well-Known Member
I don’t know why I was sent the external controller for my 2023 rad city 5 step thru? It was a pain in the bottom to replace the internal controller last year on the rad city. I just happen to be handy replacing external controllers several times with my two 2016 radrovers.
Closing the loop here and thanking everyone who responded. In response to Carcosa View question. I have had a number of issues with my RadCity Plus which, while under warranty Rad was great to address. My issue is that I am not mechanically inclined, so I need help getting parts replaced, which adds to the cost. Post Warranty my rear fly wheel broke and my tires had to be replaced, the UI display failed (which Rad replaced for free), and now the controller. I did not have to pay full price for the external controller, so that was much appreciated, but I did have to schedule a mobile service, which is pretty expensive as we don't have a Rad dealership where I live, and the bike shops wouldn't touch them for whatever reason. I sent a picture of the external controller and links to this forum to the service tech, and he called me back and said that he had never seen such a thing nor been informed by Rad that they had this external option. He said that he has serviced at 500+ Rads and this was a first. None of his other techs had seen it either nor had Rad sent them a heads up. I called Rad and they explained that they had been having a lot of problems with the original controllers, mostly related to overheating, so they have this external option now. They said that they also have a new internal controller, which I hope is what you got, that was redesigned for the downtube. My sense is folks like me who are out of warranty get the external. After almost 30 days of waiting, I finally got the controller installed this week and plan to take it out for a test ride to test it out when it stops raining. One thing that was really upsetting was how the controller was delivered. It came in a large box with absolutely no packing to protect it. I called Rad to complain but they were like "sorry we will let the shipping department know". The good thing for me, at least, the external controller is a lot easier to replace and I can mos likely do it myself! One last thing, in speaking to the mobile tech I asked him which ebikes he had to repair the most. Unfortunately, it was Rad but he said it used to be pretty easy working with them and getting parts quickly but now he (and other techs he is on with on a WhatsApp chat) have noticed a high turnover in the Rad staff and very had to get proper tech support. If under warranty they will just send you a part but, if like me, and out of warranty, it can be pretty frustrating. I really love my RadCity Plus and hope this will be the last of my problems for a while.
McGene
New Member
- Region
- USA
Wow! This was a most interesting series of posts.
I have been looking at purchasing the RadCity 5 Plus (now on sale at a crazy price) -- but I now I hesitate. I'm pretty sure RAD is closing out the City5 which will likely make it even more difficult to obtain parts when needed.
I currently ride a 2018 RadCity (I think) and it has an external controller located behind the down tube. It's just zip-tied on so I'm not sure if the previous owner replaced it or what.
Should I be looking at other brands that may have a better reputation for reliability?
Thanks!
I have been looking at purchasing the RadCity 5 Plus (now on sale at a crazy price) -- but I now I hesitate. I'm pretty sure RAD is closing out the City5 which will likely make it even more difficult to obtain parts when needed.
I currently ride a 2018 RadCity (I think) and it has an external controller located behind the down tube. It's just zip-tied on so I'm not sure if the previous owner replaced it or what.
Should I be looking at other brands that may have a better reputation for reliability?
Thanks!
mrgold35
Well-Known Member
We have a 2018 Radcity and purchased the 2023 Radcity 5+ as an upgrade. The hydraulic brakes, geared hub motor, battery power/range, and brake light made it a nice upgrade over the 2018. The 2023 Radcity is a step above the 2018 in looks, performance, and comfort.
The controller issues has been the only downside since purchase. I don’t know what the controller would cost out of warranty? We didn’t sell the 2018 liked we planned after the 2023 Radcity purchase because of a controller failure after a week of ownership. It only cost up time with the free replacement controllers and we had the 2018 in perfect working order when the 2023 was down.
Tough decision to go with another brand? I’m willyo stick it out a little longer.
The controller issues has been the only downside since purchase. I don’t know what the controller would cost out of warranty? We didn’t sell the 2018 liked we planned after the 2023 Radcity purchase because of a controller failure after a week of ownership. It only cost up time with the free replacement controllers and we had the 2018 in perfect working order when the 2023 was down.
Tough decision to go with another brand? I’m willyo stick it out a little longer.
McGene
New Member
- Region
- USA
Thanks for your reply, mrgold35!
There is a retail Rad store about 1.5 hours away from me. But currently they are closed due to hurricane Milton! We are about to get hammered.
I am a bit concerned about buying a bike that I'm pretty sure Rad is discontinuing...thus parts in the future may be difficult to come by.
My 2018 model is still going strong -- I just replaced the freewheel and chain. Like you, I'll probably keep it since I doubt I can get much for it. In fact, I only paid a little over $400 for it about 8 months ago. Shoot, the battery cost more than that!
I'm considering the Aventon Level.2 as an option -- but, it's way more expensive.
Again, thanks for sharing your experience.
-gene
There is a retail Rad store about 1.5 hours away from me. But currently they are closed due to hurricane Milton! We are about to get hammered.
I am a bit concerned about buying a bike that I'm pretty sure Rad is discontinuing...thus parts in the future may be difficult to come by.
My 2018 model is still going strong -- I just replaced the freewheel and chain. Like you, I'll probably keep it since I doubt I can get much for it. In fact, I only paid a little over $400 for it about 8 months ago. Shoot, the battery cost more than that!
I'm considering the Aventon Level.2 as an option -- but, it's way more expensive.
Again, thanks for sharing your experience.
-gene
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