RadCity - Real weight limit

[KurtW]

Hello,

I have begun researching electric bikes with the goal of purchasing a bike this spring for fun and exercise. My commute involves a long mountain climb and crossing a busy highway so I will not be commuting with it. Biking the countryside and trips to the store are what I am looking for.

The RadCity Step-Thru is on my short list of potential bikes. I'd like to hear from other forum members on their experience with what the real weight limit is. I am right at the top limit of the published weight limit for the bike without carrying anything. Understandably RadPower won't commit to anything beyond their published limit. In perusing the forum I have noticed comments from people indicating they have carried in excess of the published limit.

Any comments would be appreciated.

 

[erider_61]

Of course the published payload limits can be exceeded but you really have to ask yourself at what risk. The bike frame is not going to snap at 10-25 lbs over but the stresses on welds, spokes, bearings increases. Simply put, a 275lb rider is going to wear out a bike faster than a 175lb one if neither are carrying extra gear. Be prepared to do more routine maintenance on your bike if you choose to ride at or over the maximum rated payload. You might also want to consider a bike with hydraulic brakes rather than the mechanical found on the Radcity Step Thru

 

[Feliz]

I know there's a few riders who are around the three hundred pound limit on this forum, I know of two on the Juiced thread, and the only issue any of them have had that I'm aware of is broken spokes which is usually rectified with proper maintenance........checking spoke tension.

 

[AHicks]

600 miles om my '18 Rad City and no issues to report. I did have kind of a weird crunching sound that developed early on, but that turned out to be loose spokes, which I took care of myself. I didn't want to do anything to pull the wheel out of alignment, so all spokes were turned 1/4 turn at a time progressing evenly around the wheel 4 times. Noise gone, and has not returned.

My mechanical brakes were carefully adjusted when the bike was removed from the box. They don't make a peep, and have all the power I need. Note this bike is used in a coastal area and sees more than it's fair share of big long hills. I would suggest they are more than adequate.

Picky about my bikes, squeaks and rattles make me crazy and are not tolerated. Thankfully this bike cooperates well in that department. It has a confidence inspiring solid feel to it.

Oh, and I'm 6'2"/320

 

[mrgold35]

I'm 6'3" and +270lbs and I usually push around 290-300lbs work commuting (more in fall/winter with winter gear+commuter backpack). I have two 2016 Radrovers with +6000 miles between them and one Radcity Step-thru (wife's). I've taken the Radcity for a few spins; but, I haven't tried using the Radcity for my work commute. The Radcity is still too short for me even with my 420mm Bodyfloat seatpost installed (I get a right knee ache if the seat is too low).

The issues I've had with Rad Power Bikes that might be weight related were:
- Loose spokes: All three ebikes had about 30%-40% of the spokes at various TQ levels. Some took 3-4 360 degree turns to TQ. The wife and I had brake rotor rub and spoke "ticking" sound before I tighten the spokes.

- Adjusting the rebound for front forks in the open position: All three ebikes were very loose and the ebikes felt "wobbly" and a little "squirrelly" at max speed. Tightening the rebound for a stiffer ride produced a very stable ride +25 mph on downhill runs.

- Brakes: I haven't had to adjust on the Radcity because of low mileage. I always had to adjust the standard Radrover brakes several times a month to get the right amount of pull feel, pad bite, and emergency stopping power. Over time, it felt like my Rad brake pads were starting to get glazed over and required more effort to stop because of work commuting at +20 mph at 60-80 miles per week. I also started to break cable strands at the pull handles and brake calipers. Upgraded to Spyke TRP mechanical brakes and Jagwire MTB cables over a year ago. Zero issues with stopping power, pad bite, and emergency stopping power since.

- Battery range: It just takes more power because of the extra weight. Also, slower acceleration unless you supplement with leg power.

 

[KurtW]

Those are all good points, especially the brakes. That is one of the downsides of the RadPower bikes. There are others I am considering that do have hydraulic brakes.

Of course the published payload limits can be exceeded but you really have to ask yourself at what risk. The bike frame is not going to snap at 10-25 lbs over but the stresses on welds, spokes, bearings increases. Simply put, a 275lb rider is going to wear out a bike faster than a 175lb one if neither are carrying extra gear. Be prepared to do more routine maintenance on your bike if you choose to ride at or over the maximum rated payload. You might also want to consider a bike with hydraulic brakes rather than the mechanical found on the Radcity Step Thru

 

[KurtW]

From many other posts I have learned that spoke tension is a critical part to monitor and adjust. Thanks for the comment!

I know there's a few riders who are around the three hundred pound limit on this forum, I know of two on the Juiced thread, and the only issue any of them have had that I'm aware of is broken spokes which is usually rectified with proper maintenance........checking spoke tension.

 

[KurtW]

I really appreciate the insight!

I'm 6'3" and +270lbs and I usually push around 290-300lbs work commuting (more in fall/winter with winter gear+commuter backpack). I have two 2016 Radrovers with +6000 miles between them and one Radcity Step-thru (wife's). I've taken the Radcity for a few spins; but, I haven't tried using the Radcity for my work commute. The Radcity is still too short for me even with my 420mm Bodyfloat seatpost installed (I get a right knee ache if the seat is too low).

The issues I've had with Rad Power Bikes that might be weight related were:
- Loose spokes: All three ebikes had about 30%-40% of the spokes at various TQ levels. Some took 3-4 360 degree turns to TQ. The wife and I had brake rotor rub and spoke "ticking" sound before I tighten the spokes.

- Adjusting the rebound for front forks in the open position: All three ebikes were very loose and the ebikes felt "wobbly" and a little "squirrelly" at max speed. Tightening the rebound for a stiffer ride produced a very stable ride +25 mph on downhill runs.

- Brakes: I haven't had to adjust on the Radcity because of low mileage. I always had to adjust the standard Radrover brakes several times a month to get the right amount of pull feel, pad bite, and emergency stopping power. Over time, it felt like my Rad brake pads were starting to get glazed over and required more effort to stop because of work commuting at +20 mph at 60-80 miles per week. I also started to break cable strands at the pull handles and brake calipers. Upgraded to Spyke TRP mechanical brakes and Jagwire MTB cables over a year ago. Zero issues with stopping power, pad bite, and emergency stopping power since.

- Battery range: It just takes more power because of the extra weight. Also, slower acceleration unless you supplement with leg power.