Radcity, thru or not

[Levelk]

Hi, I've been investigating ebikes for the past month trying to decide on a bike. I decided on a rad city, but not sure if I should do the step thru. I'm 72.5 inches tall and wonder if the bike may feel too small for me. I would go to the full frame but I like the idea of the step thru. I'm 64 years old. My inseam is 33.5 inches

 

[Levelk]

Hi, I've been investigating ebikes for the past month trying to decide on a bike. I decided on a rad city, but not sure if I should do the step thru

 

[CdnShaun]

Hi, I've been investigating ebikes for the past month trying to decide on a bike. I decided on a rad city, but not sure if I should do the step thru. I'm 72.5 inches tall and wonder if the bike may feel too small for me. I would go to the full frame but I like the idea of the step thru. I'm 64 years old. My inseam is 33.5 inches

Hello Levelk,

Is there any LBS (Local Bike Shop) within a reasonable driving distance you could goto and test out various bikes? Even just to compare other brands/models to see what you like, how you fit on the various frame types and such - makes a world of difference.

I did this for the first 2 bikes I purchased, test riding 20-30 bikes across several stores and was so worth it as it helped me learn what worked for 'me' and made additional bikes I purchased so much easier to do based on just measurements and frame type.

 

[CdnShaun]

Specific to your request, I'm 72" tall myself and test drove a couple full size Rad City bikes with the 26" tires. I really liked them and see their value for money spent.

At your height you for sure would want to stick with choices that have 26" tires. The models with 20" tires would work but be rather limiting and you will feel very high center of gravity on them (I did test ride a few for fun last year).

The RadRover Step-Thru does have the 26" x4" tires I suggest. Looking at the bike online the seat height for your inseam may be a problem? You would want to be sure of that before going ahead with any step through to be sure.

Is there a particular reason you are looking at the step thru? Able to share it with someone else who is shorter, might have trouble 'throwing a leg over' a normal frame? (Trust me, when I started riding last year I had to teach myself how to get my leg over my seat, lol - so I understand if that's the case).

 

[Levelk]

Hello Levelk,

Is there any LBS (Local Bike Shop) within a reasonable driving distance you could goto and test out various bikes? Even just to compare other brands/models to see what you like, how you fit on the various frame types and such - makes a world of difference.

I did this for the first 2 bikes I purchased, test riding 20-30 bikes across several stores and was so worth it as it helped me learn what worked for 'me' and made additional bikes I purchased so much easier to do based on just measurements and frame type.

Yes, good idea. I stop by one of the stores recently (Alexandria, VA) just to continue my education process before making a decision. They didn't carry any rad power bikes and all their bikes were 2-3 times more expensive. All the bikes were larger commuter bikes.

 

[CdnShaun]

Yes, good idea. I stop by one of the stores recently (Alexandria, VA) just to continue my education process before making a decision. They didn't carry any rad power bikes and all their bikes were 2-3 times more expensive. All the bikes were larger commuter bikes.

When you go in to test ride bikes, throw a leg over bikes - take a tape measure with you - I use a pocket size soft tape measure (used for sewing mostly I believe) and it helped me figure out a lot about the type 'frame size' I wanted - being 6' I thought I would be a large or even XL frame - nope, I'm short in the legs (32" inseam) and I fit best on medium frames - just don't hold it against me! LOL

The main goal of the store visits is to visualize yourself getting on and off the bike, riding the bike, getting the feel for the bike. Nothing competes with an in person visit to the LBS's nearby for this. Who knows, while there you might find a bike you are drawn to and within your budget, especially if you shop around a few stores.

I suspect that visiting another store or two and getting some practice putting your leg over a normal frame versus the step thru will really help you make the decision. Even with a few thousand kms under my belt since last year I still have to remember to lean forward like a superman pose, lift my leg up high like a dog about to do his business and throw my leg over the seat at the height I like and with my short inseam. Do this a few times yourself at the next LBS and you will know if it's for you or, if not, a step thru may be your best choice.

Last quick note - as per another thread recently in the forums, bike inventory is depleted everywhere as there is a lot of desire for bikes this year with everything going on. If a store seems to only have a small selection of bikes and priced higher than what you're comfortable with - talk to them - they likely are just waiting on orders to come in when the backlog starts to clear up from the suppliers overseas.

 

[smorgasbord]

I'm 71 & 1/4" tall last time I measured (used to be ¼" taller). I rode the larger RadCity and liked it, my wife, who is 69&½" tall rode the step thru Rad-City. I rode hers a couple of times and it felt small to me, but not necessarily too small. I think it mostly depends on your riding preferences.

 

[MikeDD]

When you go in to test ride bikes, throw a leg over bikes - take a tape measure with you - I use a pocket size soft tape measure (used for sewing mostly I believe) and it helped me figure out a lot about the type 'frame size' I wanted - being 6' I thought I would be a large or even XL frame - nope, I'm short in the legs (32" inseam) and I fit best on medium frames - just don't hold it against me! LOL

The main goal of the store visits is to visualize yourself getting on and off the bike, riding the bike, getting the feel for the bike. Nothing competes with an in person visit to the LBS's nearby for this. Who knows, while there you might find a bike you are drawn to and within your budget, especially if you shop around a few stores.

I suspect that visiting another store or two and getting some practice putting your leg over a normal frame versus the step thru will really help you make the decision. Even with a few thousand kms under my belt since last year I still have to remember to lean forward like a superman pose, lift my leg up high like a dog about to do his business and throw my leg over the seat at the height I like and with my short inseam. Do this a few times yourself at the next LBS and you will know if it's for you or, if not, a step thru may be your best choice.

Last quick note - as per another thread recently in the forums, bike inventory is depleted everywhere as there is a lot of desire for bikes this year with everything going on. If a store seems to only have a small selection of bikes and priced higher than what you're comfortable with - talk to them - they likely are just waiting on orders to come in when the backlog starts to clear up from the suppliers overseas.

It appears you need a dropper seat post PNW Components even makes one with a suspension. I would not be able to get on my bike easily without one.

 

[CdnShaun]

It appears you need a dropper seat post PNW Components even makes one with a suspension. I would not be able to get on my bike easily without one.

I have thought about a dropper post for sure! What I found is as I have lost the weight from my belly mostly (thankfully) and part of the new healthy lifestyle is to stretch a lot, everyday (been a desk jockey for 25 years) has made a world of difference for me.

I only now really have to 'think' about getting on the bike when I'm 5-6 hours into a day out riding and everything is getting worn out and stiffer than usual.