rad City 2018 motor and power output

[kcmusa]

I just got my Rad city bike, so far a like it. I was reading the documentation and came across this.

It is recommended that users pay close attention and ride within the following limitations to ensure the hub motor does not overheat or become damaged from excessive loading.
Do not climb hills steeper than 15% in grade.
When climbing hills reduce the power output when possible. This can be accomplished by pedaling with the bike while in pedal assist modes 1 or 2.

I am somewhat confused as I got this bike to help on the hills. So I went looking for the motor this bike has, I think its the Sihengyi DGW09C,DGW09S which lists it as a 500 watt motor. So then I started thinking is there a duty cycle on this motor?

anyone have any input as to the reason why you should not use power when climbing and is this the motor?

 

[larry-new]

Rad says if climbing hills steeper than 15%, reduce the Pas to 2,1,or,0 to keep the wattage under 500. The point being, don't overheat the motor. I have a City too, and love it!
On a longer steep hill, I pedal, lowering gears as it gets steeper, but raising Pas too, just keeping the watts used under 500.
On a short, nasty rise, I goose it with the throttle...if it burns excess wattage, but if the time is short, I don't think things will fall apart.

 

[Markebike]

There is a temp cut-off switch built into the controller for all Rad bikes. The RadCity seems more robust than the RadRover(bafang).
I've pushed the City hard....Long 15% stretches on PAS 5...No problem! However, I'm always working with the motor.
Motor heat is a function of torque multiplied by time.

 

[CodyDog]

I ride my Rad Rover in level assist 3-4 on steep hills. On the longer steeper hills I have stopped at the top and gave the motor the touch test. I have never had the motor feel hot or even warmer than ambient temperature. I stay away from level assist 5 on the steep grades per the Rad Rover factory recommendation.

 

[mrgold35]

I usually need to use PAS 3 (375w) with moderate-heavy pedaling to maintain 12-16 mph up the steepest inclines on my Radrover (270lbs). My wife can do the same speed on her Radcity Step-Thru in PAS 2 with light-moderate pedaling on the same hills (130lbs). She would leave me behind if she up the power to PAS 3 on the same hills. You might be good to use PAS 3 with light-moderate pedaling if your total weight is on the lighter side. I think Rad is worried about folks trying to climb long hills in PAS 4-5 at 20 mph with little to no pedaling and overheating/damaging/stressing the rear motor.

My old 2016 Radrover manual stated to keep the watts below 500 for hills to prevent overheating. That level was PAS-2 with the old controller programming based on speed. The new controller programming is based on watts per PAS level and I usually use PAS 3 (375w) or PAS 4 (550w) depending on the incline, length of incline, headwind, and mph I want to maintain. I never have a need to use PAS 5 and only use the full power throttle for a little help at the top of the hills for 10-15 seconds.

I would also factor in headwind because that also will have the same effect as an incline for extended periods of time. We sometimes get headwinds of 15-20 mph with gusts +25 mph in the spring. Factor in an incline along with the headwind can put some stress on the hub motor. I take the car to work if winds/gust are in the +18 mph, heavy rains, or snow are in the forecast.

 

[AHicks]

Assuming worst case for a minute, I found the Rad City a little light in the butt for my needs. I was used to a bike with quite a bit more power, and bought the City due to the fact it would be easier to mount/dismount.

This is how I resolved the situation-
https://electricbikereview.com/foru...-w-1500w-dd-hub-and-11-tooth-freewheel.24692/

Am VERY happy with the results.

 

[mrgold35]

... bought the City due to the fact it would be easier to mount/dismount.
.

My wife's Radcity comes in about the same weight as my Radrover; but, my rover is a S.O.B. to manhandle because of the fat tires and everything being super-sized. Everyone at work calls my ebike the "motorcycle". The RadCity just looks and feels like a lighter bike. I ended up straining a muscle in my right bicep being lazy and trying to stuff and shove my Radrover in back of my SUV instead of putting on my bike platform rack. Pain make you smarter.