Radrunner 1 absolute tripe and company also beware

[Phassy]

Hi folks I thought I would write this down to get some anger out , I have a radrunner of which I purchased last November I haven't had it 12 months yet had a major malfunction the other week after some investigating I found that the freewheel was shot ? Now I don't think that type of problem should occur on a bike that is only 10 months old and has only been used for shopping trips and using it to travel to work and back home . I got in touch with rad they did not seem interested so anyway I went ahead and got myself a new freewheel from Amazon of all places they did text me back to ask me if I wanted to buy a freewheel removal tool from them which was very thoughtful of them . I have since refitted said freewheel and have also noticed now the derailleur is also shot to bits and aluminium bolt which connects it to the bike was bent in the thread the whole chain does not line up and it comes off When I ran the peddles so it's in need of serious help but rad don't want to know so the moral of the story is if you have trouble with your freewheel don't expect any help from rad even if your guarantee is still effective . It looks like I am going to have to get these few items specially made myself as they are not universal parts I am absolutely disgusted in the way they have treated the whole situation so beware out there as rad are not all what they say they are and they get away with it in UK there is no company's who deal with them or at least none where I live

 

[chunk]

That's a bad story, sorry to hear about your troubles, but since there is warranty left I would keep contacting Rad to come up with a solution. I would think they would help, I certainly hope so. Keep trying with them. Good luck.

 

[Phassy]

Thanks Chunk i've texted them yet again so lets see what they say now, gotta stay positive cheers

 

[ExPatBrit]

How many miles?

It’s not really a derailleur on a single speed bike as you aren’t shifting gears.

Have you been servicing the chain, tensioner, etc. Clean and lubricate.

The tensioner seems to be a problem on these bikes and the Rad mission. They should come out with an update.

 

[chunk]

Thanks Chunk i've texted them yet again so lets see what they say now, gotta stay positive cheers

I know, just from my own experience with Rad, when I was looking for an e bike in April of this year, Rad couldn't answer basic product and availability questions in a timely manner. Usually the order side of a company is johnny on the spot to answer questions so you will hit the buy button. but in my experience, not so with Rad. I crossed them off my list for that reason alone, I figured they were at the very least understaffed and would be a problem if there was an issue. Keep at it though, I think it's still your best option. cheers.

 

[rich c]

Did you ever lube the freewheel? I'm curious what your thought process was when you bought an entry level eBike? Did you expect top grade components and drivetrain on a $1,300 bike? Subtract the retail price of the battery, motor, and other electrical components and you are at something like a $700 bicycle. Subtract the markup from Rad, subtract the factory profit and shipping, and you really bought a bicycle that had to be made for around $300 or less. I figure you got what you paid for.

 

[Phassy]

Yeah I know what your saying but I am 60 years of age all the bikes I've had and I've got 4 bikes at the moment not once has the freewheel gone ever I only go the shops on it about 2 mile away tops , even in my younger days when I was flyin around never did my freewheel go to pot thanx for the input cheers

 

[Phassy]

How many miles?

It’s not really a derailleur on a single speed bike as you aren’t shifting gears.

Have you been servicing the chain, tensioner, etc. Clean and lubricate.

The tensioner seems to be a problem on these bikes and the Rad mission. They should come out with an update.

Hi expat I've done about 700 miles in 10 months , I have kept on top of it cleaning etc hence I was off when it went on me should see the state of it China has really come up with the goods cheers

 

[pawtoki]

Thanks Chunk i've texted them yet again so lets see what they say now, gotta stay positive cheers

Stop texting and get them on the phone. It's the best way to actually start a fix to your problems.

 

[Phassy]

How many miles?

It’s not really a derailleur on a single speed bike as you aren’t shifting gears.

Have you been servicing the chain, tensioner, etc. Clean and lubricate.

The tensioner seems to be a problem on these bikes and the Rad mission. They should come out with an update.

Hi expat I've done about 700 miles in 10 months , I have kept on top of it cleaning etc hence I was off when it went on me should see the state of it China has really come up with the goods

Stop texting and get them on the phone. It's the best way to actually start a fix to your problems.

I have done still like talking to a dalek and if ya don't know what one of them is watch doctor who

 

[pawtoki]

This is the exact opposite of what I have experienced in dealing with Rad. My advise to you would be sell your Rad. Spend twice what you did and get the Lexus of the e-bike world. Specially since a Kia isn't working for you!

 

[Dewey]

It does sound as if the derailleur hanger for the chain tensioner got bent at some point and pulled the chain out of alignment, that might bend the teeth of the freewheel sprocket. RadRunner 1 uses a Sturmey Archer chain tensioner but a Shimano one ought to work as well. Is the derailleur hanger itself bent? Then a competent bike shop should be able to get the parts and fix it. They’re the most fragile part of the drivetrain, before I switched to an IGH I bent a derailleur hanger striking a curb stone, and they’re commonly bent dropping the bike on the right side, although it seems unlucky considering the RadRunner has a derailleur guard. As for the warranty, Rad Power Europe’s warranty has a normal wear and tear clause they might invoke for this type of damage, let us know how they respond.

 

[Phassy]

This is the exact opposite of what I have experienced in dealing with Rad. My advise to you would be sell your Rad. Spend twice what you did and get the Lexus of the e-bike world. Specially since a Kia isn't working for you!

Well actually I was quite happy with the bike maybe now that this has happened I will mend with quality products if there's one thing in life I have learnt it is not to rely on other people to do things for you or indeed believe the bull they come out with Even if they do drive a lexus

 

[Phassy]

It does sound as if the derailleur hanger for the chain tensioner got bent at some point and pulled the chain out of alignment, that might bend the teeth of the freewheel sprocket. RadRunner 1 uses a Sturmey Archer chain tensioner but a Shimano one ought to work as well. Is the derailleur hanger itself bent? Then a competent bike shop should be able to get the parts and fix it. They’re the most fragile part of the drivetrain, before I switched to an IGH I bent a derailleur hanger striking a curb stone, and they’re commonly bent dropping the bike on the right side, although it seems unlucky considering the RadRunner has a derailleur guard. As for the warranty, Rad Power Europe’s warranty has a normal wear and tear clause they might invoke for this type of damage, let us know how they respond.

Thanks Dewey for the info the hanger is fine it is the Aluminium block what fits into the frame of the bike the screw was bent in the thread so I had to hacksaw the bloody head of the screw to remove the hanger if that makes any sense to ya I am in the process of sourcing a new one . I have been in touch with rad so let's see if they come good . As you say when the freewheel took a sicky it must have bent the hanger, in turn it has bent the screw but it was proper stuck in the thread anyway thanks for your advice cheers

 

[john peck]

How many miles?

It’s not really a derailleur on a single speed bike as you aren’t shifting gears.

Have you been servicing the chain, tensioner, etc. Clean and lubricate.

The tensioner seems to be a problem on these bikes and the Rad mission. They should come out with an update.

That was the main reasons I didn´t buy then, but I just took a thorough look at the runner+, & I´m
kinda impressed. Still won´t have my range, but this is a seriously practical bike, perfect for
personalizing. 7 spd freewheel & a different mount.I don´t need it , but I just might get one.

 

[john peck]

Thanks Dewey for the info the hanger is fine it is the Aluminium block what fits into the frame of the bike the screw was bent in the thread so I had to hacksaw the bloody head of the screw to remove the hanger if that makes any sense to ya I am in the process of sourcing a new one . I have been in touch with rad so let's see if they come good . As you say when the freewheel took a sicky it must have bent the hanger, in turn it has bent the screw but it was proper stuck in the thread anyway thanks for your advice cheers

They can be found on ebay, but be careful to match your type. Also take great care not to cross thread
it when mounting; these alloy hangers are much softer than steel by design

 

[Phassy]

They can be found on ebay, but be care to match your type. Also take great care not to cross thread
it when mounting; these alloy hangers are much softer than steel by design

Thankyou so much for the reply , I haven't had any contact from rad other than the last e mail from them over 2 weeks ago telling me they don't stock that part . I have only done about 700 miles on it, I take my son to school and do a bit of shopping nothing heavy at all like proper riding anyways I shall take your advice and check ebay . I do love the bike it really is a nice design and people even strangers often say how good it looks, and it rides a dream it just needs to be shipped with front suspension but I guess that would add to the price . Cheers thanks

 

[john peck]

Thankyou so much for the reply , I haven't had any contact from rad other than the last e mail from them over 2 weeks ago telling me they don't stock that part . I have only done about 700 miles on it, I take my son to school and do a bit of shopping nothing heavy at all like proper riding anyways I shall take your advice and check ebay . I do love the bike it really is a nice design and people even strangers often say how good it looks, and it rides a dream it just needs to be shipped with front suspension but I guess that would add to the price . Cheers thanks

Yur welcome, get two or three hangers, they´re designed to fail rather than ruining a derailleur. but are a big
hassle if you strip the threads. Rad & Juiced both got big too fast which has resulted in rather casual support
from employees not all that familiar with issues. That said, the runner plus is what they should have done
in the 1st place. That bike has a lot of potential. The tires do a lot to soften the ride, but I can see why some
folks would like front suspension. Still possible as an after mkt. thing.

 

[Explorer-1]

With all these companies support can vary a whole lot. It's true for even the big names.

 

[Van Haren]

I know, just from my own experience with Rad, when I was looking for an e bike in April of this year, Rad couldn't answer basic product and availability questions in a timely manner. Usually the order side of a company is johnny on the spot to answer questions so you will hit the buy button. but in my experience, not so with Rad. I crossed them off my list for that reason alone, I figured they were at the very least understaffed and would be a problem if there was an issue. Keep at it though, I think it's still your best option. cheers.

I order mine in February '20 and paid for it. I still haven't received it. The sale is very good. The service and supply is criminal.