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Rad Power Bikes RadRover Step-Thru Review: Wear all things

"With the RadRover Step-Thru you can easily conquer food excursions."

• Excellent value for money

• Smooth ride

• Extremely versatile

• The step-thru frame is accessible

• Heavy and bulky

• Seat adjustment difficult for short drivers

The new RadRover Step-Thru E-Bike from Rad Power Bikes improves the accessibility for the rider compared to the RadRover, the bestseller of the popular brand. Mounting and driving the RadRover Step-Thru model is easier for those of us who are challenged for height and flexibility due to the cross tube design and the 30.5-inch step-over height of the RadRover.

The robust and versatile RadRover models with fat tires offer impressive value for money at identical starting prices of $ 1,499. Sure, you can find e-bikes for under $ 1,000 that are said to have the same functionality but lack the quality additions and support of RadRovers' company. And those with deep pockets can spend $ 5,000 or more on special e-bikes designed for street racing or competitive mountain hikes.

The two RadRovers, like the other models from Rad Power Bikes, are just the thing in terms of the quality and durability that most people expect at this price. The price range from $ 1,200 to $ 1,800 is the fastest growing segment of the e-bike market, with Rad Power Bikes and Juiced Bikes currently being the sales leaders.

Best use

The versatile RadRovers are characterized by recreation and transport on and off the road in cities and villages, on hiking trails and on the beach, on campsites, in parks and, if they are equipped with the right accessories, for errands and shopping.

Neither the RadRover Step-Thru nor the cross-tube version are the best choice for all e-bike applications. The relatively heavy RadRovers are not suitable as electric mountain bikes, and you don't want to take part in a hooligan-style flat bike race. The weight and mass of the RadRovers also exclude them as urban mobility alternatives, since daily trips up and down stairs or with elevators would quickly get old.

Speed, range and components

The RadRover Step-Thru is a class 2 e-bike, which means you can use electrical energy to reach speeds of up to 32 km / h. The battery-powered electric motor on the rear hub of the bike works in two ways. You can choose from five electrical assistance levels if you pedal the bike with a 7-speed Shimano derailleur.

There is also a twist-grip gas on the right handle, which you can use to support the power supply with or without pedaling. In both cases, the electrical support is switched off at 32 km / h and only reactivated when your speed drops below this threshold.

The RadRover Step-Thru's rechargeable lithium-ion NCA battery has a range of 25 to 45 miles. The mileage depends on the full load (ie you and your belongings), speed, incline, temperature, tire pressure and more than any other factor on the extent to which you use more battery power than pedal power. It takes 5 to 6 hours to fully charge the battery with the supplied charger.

The bike rides on Kenda Juggernaut tires with a width of 4 inches and a diameter of 26 inches, which were specially developed for Rad Power Bikes. These tires have a slightly aggressive tread and a puncture-proof inner shoe, which is required for bicycles that are driven at different speeds on e-bike speeds. Adjusting the tire's air pressure can also significantly improve driving comfort.

Tektro's mechanical 180 mm disc brakes offer high braking power. While hydraulic disc brakes require less pinch pressure, they cost more and require more maintenance than mechanical brakes.

The RadRover models have a front suspension fork with adjustable preload and 80 mm of travel. You can easily adjust the fork with your fingers. If you prefer a rigid frame, there is also a lock. The lighting includes a new wheel LED halo front light and a rear light that becomes brighter when braking. The RadRover Step-Thru and the latest version of the RadRover are equipped with black fenders as standard – fenders were previously an option.

Build and assemble

Rad Power Bikes mainly sells e-bikes directly to the buyer. Shipping is included in the sales price. Rad also has showrooms in Seattle, Vancouver, BC and the Netherlands as well as numerous locations in North America, Central America and Europe where you can test different models.

Rad ships e-bikes in a large box with the front wheel and seat removed and the handlebars removed. The only part you may need help with is lifting the bike out of the shipping carton. Bike contains the necessary tools with the bike. Rad Power Bikes also sends printed instruction manuals with each of its motorcycles – most other manufacturers now rely on online manuals.

Using the manual and videos available on the bike website, you can expect to spend an hour or two assembling the e-bike, depending on how well you are familiar with the process.

To check the versatility of the Step-Thru, we asked for optional front and rear racks ($ 69 and $ 80 respectively), a front metal basket ($ 79), and a pair of panniers or saddlebags ($ 89 each) to attach to the rear rack , The correct installation of the accessories took about two hours at a careful and methodical pace. The final price of the RadRover Step-Thru with accessories was $ 1,885.

So how big and heavy is it?

The overall length of the RadRover Step-Thru is 75 inches, the handlebar height is 47.5 inches and the seat height (from the bottom of the pedal) is 28 inches to 37 inches. The stand-over height of the step-thru is only 20.25 inches. The RadRover dimensions are approximately the same as for the Step-Thru, except for the 30.5-inch standover height. The extra 10 inches make a big difference when getting in and out.

The recommended rider height for the RadRover ranges from 5 feet, 4 inches to 6 feet, 2 inches. Thanks to its lower standover height, the recommended driver height of the Step-Thru ranges from 5 feet, 0 inches to 6 feet, 2 inches. Both versions have a 275 pound payload that includes passengers, luggage, and installed accessories.

When I checked in to a Facebook Rad Power Bikes group of owners, I found that 5 feet, 7 inches was the height at which people started to question the feasibility of buying a RadRover, especially if they were going to do a rack add. I am exactly 5 feet, 7 inches and I found it convenient to assemble the bike before adding the luggage rack and panniers. With the accessories installed, I always stepped through the frame. I have a 29-inch inseam and found a happy compromise by adjusting the seat height so that when I pedal, my legs stretch out almost completely and still reach the ground without leaving the seat at stop signs or crossings.

The Step Thru model weighs 71 pounds, two pounds more than the RadRover. After installing the accessories listed above, the bike weighed 83 pounds. Without accessories, the RadRover Step-Thru is just a few pounds heavier than other bike models like the 65-pound RadRunner or the 67-pound RadMini. However, lifting was noticeably harder with the accessories on the Step-Thru.

When I was transporting the RadRover Step-Thru to drive in different areas in southeastern North Carolina, it was easy to mount it on a tow bar carrier.

horse riding

I have covered miles on the RadRover StepThru both on the road and off-road across fields, on unpaved roads and on asphalt roads and paths. Most of the time I pedaled and used the throttle. The throttle is especially useful when driving away from a stop or intersection with traffic and responds quickly with the instant torque typical of electric vehicles. Keeping 32 km / h or more nearby wasn't a challenge, although there are few hills in our coastal region. The fat tires definitely contributed to my confidence in the bike when I was driving on the side of the road.

Based on my recent experience with e-bikes with disc brakes of similar size, including the much lighter RadRunner, I was initially concerned about the braking power of the RadRover Step-Thru's brakes, especially after adding the luggage rack and other accessories. In practice, however, I pulled the brake levers a little harder and the bike stopped very quickly. E-bikes do not have an anti-lock braking system (ABS) and I could easily lock the wheels for a slide stop.

When driving on anything other than paved surfaces, I found that I was relying more on gas performance and less on pedaling. Even when the front suspension was set for more travel and the tire pressure was lower, the ride was so nervous that I was more likely to stand on the pedals to use my knees as additional suspension components.

Preferences for the bike seat style vary widely between riders. The RadRover has a Velo Plush saddle, which some riders from the Rad Owners Facebook group praise. If I had bought the RadRover I would probably replace the seat for a more comfortable ride and possibly also replace the seat post with a suspension post. Replacing the standard components would likely cost $ 150 to $ 200 for replacement parts. So sitting is another area where bikes kept the price down with a mid-range seat that many people consider perfectly acceptable.

When driving the RadRover Step-Thru on a variety of surfaces, usually at or near the top speed of 32 km / h, I didn't notice any tremors after the ride or found any loose components or accessories. I jumped a few curbs at full speed, and while the contents of the basket, which wasn't secured, moved a little, the bike didn't stall or become squirrel-like before it regained traction and momentum.

Our opinion

The RadRover Step-Thru lives up to the reputation of the conventionally designed RadRover as a solidly constructed all-purpose e-bike. The Step Thru never stalled, trembled, or disappointed when traveling.

This bike is so sturdy and has enough space that it can function as a cargo bike – unless you want to carry several passengers in optional child seats. I didn't use it that way, but the rear panniers, luggage rack, and front basket could do most grocery shopping, sporting goods, or work tools. This is as much storage space as you need to buy an extended length cargo bike.

It's easy to see why the RadRover is Rad Power Bikes' best seller, and the Step Thru version could capture riders who would otherwise buy the RadCity Step Thru model with narrow tires. The fat tires of the RadRover give the e-bike more versatility, albeit at a certain price for easy pedaling.

Is there a better alternative?

Some riders prefer the RadRover model with cross tube only for visual reasons, but a representative of Rad assured us that there was no difference in structural stiffness. The RadRover Step-Thru is available with a black or white frame, each with black fenders. The Cross Tube RadRover is only delivered with a black frame. Our test bike was white because this was the available color, but I also think it gives the bike better visibility compared to a completely black model. If you want a fat tire wheel but need more mobility, the collapsible RadMini is an excellent alternative at the same price of $ 1,499.

Among other brands, the Juiced Bikes RipCurrent Fat Tire e-bike might be a good choice, though at $ 1,899, it costs $ 400 more than the RadRover. The RipCurrent is a class 3 bike with a top speed of 45 km / h, but the usual fenders of the RadRover are missing. CSC Motorcycles recently launched the CSC FT750-26, a new e-bike with fat tires, lots of premium components and a top speed of 25 to 28 miles per hour. It has a list price of $ 1,688.

How long it will take?

All Rad Power Bikes have a 1 year warranty against manufacturing defects. However, we assume that this bike will last 3 to 5 years or more. Rad is known for bicycles with solid structural components. The other elements are all recognized brand names. Therefore, there should be no problem if you need to replace parts in the future. Rad also has live customer service hours seven days a week from the company's headquarters in Seattle.

Should you buy one?

Yes. If you are looking for a solid e-bike that can be used as a general purpose vehicle in different environments, the RadRover Step-Thru will not disappoint. If you buy another e-bike in the future, the Step Thru is still a great bike because the Step Thru frame makes it accessible and easy to use for a variety of riders.

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