New to the eBike Game...

BigBryon85

BigBryon85

New Member
I'm brand new to ebikes. Just started doing research on them, watching youtube videos, etc.

Here's info about me. I live in Monroe, OH. The terrain is kind of hilly, but I don't know how to compare my area to areas you may or may not be familiar with. Don't know if Google could tell you about my area. Mostly road use, maybe a gravel road or 2, but not much off-roading.

I'm 6'1", and currently 370lbs. One of the reasons I'm interested in an ebike is to get out more and lose more weight. I've lost 113lbs since April 2019.

I'd like a bike to go to the grocery store, my local gym, or just to cruise around town to visit family and friends, instead of driving a car.

I think I'm all about power, fastest possible speeds, multiple levels of pedal assist, best torque, low maintenance, and nice accessories like fenders, cell phone holder, racks to store things while I ride like groceries, gym bag, laptop, etc. Also, I like the color Black.

My budget is probably around $1,700 or lower.

I was looking at RadRovers or something from the Rad line, but I saw a video from Bolton eBikes that pointed out the dishonesty of the motors from Rad Bikes...


I'm really interested in everybody's thoughts and expertise on a bike for me.
 
There have been others with this same problem and Rad has done nothing for them. So, buyer beware. With your size, getting a powerful motor is quite important, especially with the hills. Plus make sure the frame and wheels can carry the weight. I have a similar weight problem, but my budget is a bit higher, so that helps.
 
Bishops Bicycles in Milford, OH is a Pedego dealer, ask if they sell their ex-rentals used, although I think you'd find more luck at Pedego Peninsula, OH as they have a larger rental fleet. A Pedego cruiser or interceptor model with the magnesium wheels option should work as the Mag wheels are rated up to 400lb.
 
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It's not like everyone doesn't fudge on motor ratings. Who certifies the numbers they show in marketing material, no one! There is nominal ratings, max ratings, and of course the size of the controller makes as much difference as motor sizing. As far as I can tell, Radpower is a good company. The video by Bolton isn't completely innocent since he sells and markets his own line of eBikes and Radpower upgrades. He would not be considered a neutral party and has much to gain by people thinking that Radpower is evil. Your first consideration for buying will have to be your weight. Definitely a cargo bike will be needed as most traditional eBikes are rated for under 250 pounds.
 
rich c said:
It's not like everyone doesn't fudge on motor ratings. Who certifies the numbers they show in marketing material, no one! There is nominal ratings, max ratings, and of course the size of the controller makes as much difference as motor sizing. As far as I can tell, Radpower is a good company. The video by Bolton isn't completely innocent since he sells and markets his own line of eBikes and Radpower upgrades. He would not be considered a neutral party and has much to gain by people thinking that Radpower is evil. Your first consideration for buying will have to be your weight. Definitely a cargo bike will be needed as most traditional eBikes are rated for under 250 pounds.
Click to expand...

While Bolton does have skin in the game, his exposure of a serious problem is not negated by this fact and it is certainly not helped by Radpower's piss poor responses (or non-responses) to this issue. If you tell me that I'm buying x and you give me y, you had better fix it at no cost to me and in a hurry. As has been noted, more than once, in this forum, that has not been the case. Just because they are a successful company does not give them the right not to deliver what has been promised. I do not own a Radpower bike and have no intention of buying one until their selling and after sales practices undergo a much needed overhaul. You, of course, are free to do what you like.
 
jaizon said:
While Bolton does have skin in the game, his exposure of a serious problem is not negated by this fact and it is certainly not helped by Radpower's piss poor responses (or non-responses) to this issue. If you tell me that I'm buying x and you give me y, you had better fix it at no cost to me and in a hurry. As has been noted, more than once, in this forum, that has not been the case. Just because they are a successful company does not give them the right not to deliver what has been promised. I do not own a Radpower bike and have no intention of buying one until their selling and after sales practices undergo a much needed overhaul. You, of course, are free to do what you like.
Click to expand...

I must agree here. Cutting corners, and pushing the boundaries of limitation is a red flag for me. I want the most honest, best possible ebike place to buy from.
 
Dewey said:
Bishops Bicycles in Milford, OH is a Pedego dealer, ask if they sell their ex-rentals used, although I think you'd find more luck at Pedego Peninsula, OH as they have a larger rental fleet. A Pedego cruiser or interceptor model with the magnesium wheels option should work as the Mag wheels are rated up to 400lb.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the suggestion. I've reached out to them via email now.
 
BigBryon85 said:
Thank you for the suggestion. I've reached out to them via email now.
Click to expand...

Good luck, I know Peninsula would be a long drive from you, so hopefully the one in Milford can accommodate your needs, local bike shops support is helpful, let us know how you get on.
 
jaizon said:
While Bolton does have skin in the game, his exposure of a serious problem is not negated by this fact and it is certainly not helped by Radpower's piss poor responses (or non-responses) to this issue. If you tell me that I'm buying x and you give me y, you had better fix it at no cost to me and in a hurry. As has been noted, more than once, in this forum, that has not been the case. Just because they are a successful company does not give them the right not to deliver what has been promised. I do not own a Radpower bike and have no intention of buying one until their selling and after sales practices undergo a much needed overhaul. You, of course, are free to do what you like.
Click to expand...
 
Timpo said:
@AHicks also suggested this one is the same thing as Bolton or Electro Bike World, but it will require some wiring work to make it compatible with Rad Power connectors.

36V/48V 1000W-1500W 12Mosfets 35A Brushless DC Torque Simulation Square Wave Controller - PSWPOWER.com

www.pswpower.com www.pswpower.com
Click to expand...

Yes, same or very similar components, but the fact it's NOT plug and play like Bolton's kit (because of all the connectors) makes it a pretty serious DIY project - not for the faint of heart. It WILL work, and have all the same benefits when done though....
 
Timpo said:
Ah okay, so Bolton would be a better choice ..
Click to expand...

I think so, at least for most people. As you can see, there's a significant difference in price depending on which way you go. With that, and the satisfaction you get from a DIY project that's taught you something, I think some would enjoy the challenge. You guys know who you are! -Al
 
Timpo said:
With the Bolton kit, it's not bad.

Here's the installation instruction.

Click to expand...


Buying a brand new bike with the idea that you are going to upgrade it immediately...just not my cup of tea. There are literally hundreds of bike out there, surely one would fit the bill without monkeying around. Just my 2 cents.

And what happens to the warrantee? Poof.
 
Jaizon,
Regarding warranty after a Bolton kit install, think like you have 2 warranties. Rad will still warranty Rad items (as long as you don't advertise the fact there's a Bolton kit installed), and Bolton will help you out with his stuff.

As far as modifying a new bike, you are very likely creating a custom bike. There will be no others like it (or darn few), and often nothing like it even available - especially when it comes to buying a bike with a KT based controller and display. There are none, unless you consider Bolton's line of bikes.

From an avid DIYer's standpoint, buying an inexpensive bike (like a RAD), and modifying it to suit YOUR needs/tastes, is a great way to get exactly what you want at a very reasonable price.

When my 'City was 6 weeks old, ALL of the electronics, other than the battery, were removed and replaced. I felt it under powered and I couldn't stand the controller programming which I could not change. My biggest problem was that after having built a couple of bikes previously, I knew there was MUCH better available, and I was holding that knowledge up for comparison with the way the RAD was equipped. Took me a weekend to install an aftermarket "kit" that gave me a controller and display similar to Bolton's, and a motor twice the size of the original. "Kit" was 300. to my door. Total cost of bike, a year prior to Bolton's kit becoming available, was 1800. There was nothing even close on the market at twice that amount.....

BTW, there are darn few people that know enough about bikes to recognize just how highly this bike has been modified. It's not a rolling wreck looking for a place to break down.
 
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AHicks said:
Jaizon,
Regarding warranty after a Bolton kit install, think like you have 2 warranties. Rad will still warranty Rad items (as long as you don't advertise the fact there's a Bolton kit installed), and Bolton will help you out with his stuff.

As far as modifying a new bike, you are very likely creating a custom bike. There will be no others like it (or darn few), and often nothing like it even available - especially when it comes to buying a bike with a KT based controller and display. There are none, unless you consider Bolton's line of bikes.

From an avid DIYer's standpoint, buying an inexpensive bike (like a RAD), and modifying it to suit YOUR needs/tastes, is a great way to get exactly what you want at a very reasonable price.

When my 'City was 6 weeks old, ALL of the electronics, other than the battery, were removed and replaced. I felt it under powered and I couldn't stand the controller programming which I could not change. My biggest problem was that after having built a couple of bikes previously, I knew there was MUCH better available, and I was holding that knowledge up for comparison with the way the RAD was equipped. Took me a weekend to install an aftermarket "kit" that gave me a controller and display similar to Bolton's, and a motor twice the size of the original. "Kit" was 300. to my door. Total cost of bike, a year prior to Bolton's kit becoming available, was 1800. There was nothing even close on the market at twice that amount.....

BTW, there are darn few people that know enough about bikes to recognize just how highly this bike has been modified. It's not a rolling wreck looking for a place to break down.
Click to expand...

Wow, you really laid it out there. I think I'm gonna have to go for the Rad and upgrade kit. Just don't know if I should go with Bolton or the other store mentioned previously...


Actually, I don't know what upgrades to get from either exactly.
 
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