WilliamT
Active Member
So I got the Radwagon yesterday night. At 75 lbs, I had someone help me lift it out of the box.
Assembly:
I followed the instruction video and there was some mistakes. In the box, you get 8 hex bolts and 4 washers.
When installing the kick stand, it comes with 3 bolts but the video uses 3 hex bolts and washers that you will need for other parts of the bike. In the end I was left missing 3 hex bolts and 3 washers; basically the ones I needed for the kick stand. I ended up using the original kick stand bolts and then it was enough.
The left front brake cable started from the forks and wrapped underneath the down-tube and then back up to the left brake lever. The problem was that it was it didn't leave enough cable to turn the handlebars.
The video has the cable correctly going straight up to the brake lever. I had to unhook the cable and re-route it.
There is a little sticker on the computer that you must read. Its the only place that tells you how to turn on and off the front light. If you throw that away, you'll never know that you have to hold the up+mode button to switch on/off the lights.
The remaining instructions was pretty spot on.
Ride:
This is my first e-bike but I have ridden others before. The motor is very quiet. There is no whining at all that you hear when someone passes you on an e-bike. There are 5 modes, but mode 3 is enough to easily get up to 20 mph with a bit of pedaling.
Its a 21 speed, but I keep it at the highest gear all the time. Any gear lower and I'm spinning my pedals too fast. I think the bike is geared so that you really can't go much faster than 20 mph. You can but the motor shuts off and then your left hauling a 75 lb bike. The sweet spot seems to be around 18 mph. Just stay below 20 mph and enjoy the ride. There will be cyclists that go faster on regular lighter bikes so don't expect to blow past everyone. Now going uphill I think that is where the battery assist really comes in handy. I'll do that tonight and post back.
I rode with 3 bars and got into work with 1 bar pedaling and carrying about 10 lbs of gear. I'm 145 lb with a commute of 12 miles. That should give you an idea of its range based on weight. Half my ride is a slight downhill and the remaining flat.
My panniers do not fit on this bike. I have a topeak rack with ortlieb panniers. Even with the adapters removed the bars on the bike is too thick. I will need to look for new bags to carry my commuting equipment.
This is a fairly long bike (78 in). I live in a building with elevators and it barely fits. I have to roll it in and then pick up the rear end to get it into the elevator diagonally. I bought the passenger handle accessory and have to say without that I'm not sure how any one could lift the rear end of the bike easily without it. (I work out and regularly bench press 185 lb).
I'm 5'6" and this bike feels long for me. I had to pull the handle bars back and raise the stem; felt more than the 22 inch from post to handlebar (will have to measure). The seat is low so I had to raise it several inches and push it forward. If I were taller I would be concerned the seat post wouldn't be long enough. I still need to raise the post some more but concerned about it being too much. Will need to check where the cut off point is.
The ride is pretty comfortable but the some of the roads I ride get bumpy and I can really appreciate the suspension forks on my hybrid.
Assembly:
I followed the instruction video and there was some mistakes. In the box, you get 8 hex bolts and 4 washers.
When installing the kick stand, it comes with 3 bolts but the video uses 3 hex bolts and washers that you will need for other parts of the bike. In the end I was left missing 3 hex bolts and 3 washers; basically the ones I needed for the kick stand. I ended up using the original kick stand bolts and then it was enough.
The left front brake cable started from the forks and wrapped underneath the down-tube and then back up to the left brake lever. The problem was that it was it didn't leave enough cable to turn the handlebars.
The video has the cable correctly going straight up to the brake lever. I had to unhook the cable and re-route it.
There is a little sticker on the computer that you must read. Its the only place that tells you how to turn on and off the front light. If you throw that away, you'll never know that you have to hold the up+mode button to switch on/off the lights.
The remaining instructions was pretty spot on.
Ride:
This is my first e-bike but I have ridden others before. The motor is very quiet. There is no whining at all that you hear when someone passes you on an e-bike. There are 5 modes, but mode 3 is enough to easily get up to 20 mph with a bit of pedaling.
Its a 21 speed, but I keep it at the highest gear all the time. Any gear lower and I'm spinning my pedals too fast. I think the bike is geared so that you really can't go much faster than 20 mph. You can but the motor shuts off and then your left hauling a 75 lb bike. The sweet spot seems to be around 18 mph. Just stay below 20 mph and enjoy the ride. There will be cyclists that go faster on regular lighter bikes so don't expect to blow past everyone. Now going uphill I think that is where the battery assist really comes in handy. I'll do that tonight and post back.
I rode with 3 bars and got into work with 1 bar pedaling and carrying about 10 lbs of gear. I'm 145 lb with a commute of 12 miles. That should give you an idea of its range based on weight. Half my ride is a slight downhill and the remaining flat.
My panniers do not fit on this bike. I have a topeak rack with ortlieb panniers. Even with the adapters removed the bars on the bike is too thick. I will need to look for new bags to carry my commuting equipment.
This is a fairly long bike (78 in). I live in a building with elevators and it barely fits. I have to roll it in and then pick up the rear end to get it into the elevator diagonally. I bought the passenger handle accessory and have to say without that I'm not sure how any one could lift the rear end of the bike easily without it. (I work out and regularly bench press 185 lb).
I'm 5'6" and this bike feels long for me. I had to pull the handle bars back and raise the stem; felt more than the 22 inch from post to handlebar (will have to measure). The seat is low so I had to raise it several inches and push it forward. If I were taller I would be concerned the seat post wouldn't be long enough. I still need to raise the post some more but concerned about it being too much. Will need to check where the cut off point is.
The ride is pretty comfortable but the some of the roads I ride get bumpy and I can really appreciate the suspension forks on my hybrid.
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