RadWagon - In-Depth Review
The Rad Wagon stands as a testament to modern innovation, combining practicality with environmental consciousness. As an e-cargo bicycle, it is designed to challenge the conventions of transportation, offering an eco-friendly alternative to traditional motor vehicles. Its unique design and advanced features make it an ideal choice for urban commuters and families alike, providing them with an efficient and sustainable way to navigate through their daily routines.
From carrying groceries to dropping kids at school, the Rad Wagon is the future of urban mobility.
Assembly
I own a RadMini with a Thule Yepp Maxi seat for my child. However, my little one has outgrown the seat, prompting me to consider an alternative. We frequently go for rides and desire something that offers easy on and off, with the ability to carry gear for park outings, sports, picnics, and more importantly, to allow my child to ride with me comfortably.
The wagon turned out to be the perfect solution and has brought us immense joy. We added the running board and caboose accessories, while the front basket and seat cushions will be added later once they're back in stock at Rad.
The delivery of the package was relatively quick and the contents were well-protected, alleviating my concerns about potential damage due to the large size of the boxes. The assembly process itself is fairly straightforward, with one notable issue.
The wagon I received does not use a quick-release front tire, despite it being included in the shipment. It was actually provided to secure the plastic fork plate during shipping. This caused some confusion initially, as I tried to figure out how to make the quick release work.
The instructional video and manual do not address this, only the online resources do. Additionally, the assembly requires specific torque ratings, which necessitates a torque wrench and bike grease for the pedals and seat stem.
While I already had these tools, it may be a minor inconvenience for those who strive for perfection. As a non-engineer, I cannot provide the scientific reasoning behind the specific torque requirements, but I can confirm that Rad ships the bike with all the necessary tools, which are just your basic wrench set.
You can complete the assembly without any special tools, although I was able to utilize their recommended torque settings. It's worth noting that not every bolt is specified with a specific torque, which may not meet the expectations of hardcore biking enthusiasts.
Lastly, I encountered some difficulty with the "Deflopilator," which is the spring connecting the main frame to the fork. This spring is crucial for maintaining straight steering and preventing the bike from tipping over when on the kickstand. Due to its tightness and limited working space, it requires a considerable amount of force to get the screw started.
The remaining installation steps, such as handlebar installation, come down to personal preference in terms of positioning and tightening the screws. Attaching the pedals, fenders, and light is a straightforward process that should be completed relatively quickly.
However, some minor adjustments to the brakes are necessary once the final product is assembled, which may require basic bike knowledge.
Despite my efforts, I still experienced some rubbing of the disc brakes while riding, but I anticipate that this issue will dissipate with more riding experience.
Frame
The RadWagon is made of a 6061-aluminum frame, with the front half featuring a low-slung top tube that simplifies getting on and off the bike. This is especially convenient when the bike is fully loaded with cargo, more on this to come.
The bars sit high and out in front, making for a cozy forward-looking position when sitting on the bike.
The stem is very adjustable, and considering that the RadWagon comes in one frame design, it should enable various rider sizes to fit easily on the bike. The Velo Plush saddle is a bulky unit that feels comfortable to sit on and is very functional on quick trips around town.
The other half of the frame features unusually long chainstays at 673mm, which is an extra 25cm on traditional cargo bikes. This results in ample real estate for the posterior cargo rack. There are various racks and running boards on the frame to suit your needs. The standard construction features a regular width wooden board that runs along the upper side of the frame rack.
There’s also a pair of running boards situated towards the rear. According to the manufacturer, the rear rack can hold up to 54kg with each running board holding 18kg. Meanwhile, a kickstand behind the bottom bracket can support 45kg. Overall, you get more than enough carrying capacity for whenever you need to move cargo around.
The cables on the RadWagon are routed externally. You should take care not to get your cargo entangled.
Engine
Rad Power fitted a Shenyi direct-drive hub motor on this electric cargo bike, which boats a 750W power output. The motor will propel you to a top speed of 20mph and produces 40Nm of torque, which will come in handy when you need to deal with sloping terrain.
At the center of the handlebar is an LCD that displays a variety of information and is backlit whenever the front and rear lights are on. Note that the front always remains on while the rear can be turned on. The controller provides you with information about the ride, including distance, speed, wattage, etc.
There are five different pedal-assist modes that you can choose from. Near the left-hand grip, you’ll find several control buttons, including the on/off button. The whole electric system of the bike can also be secured using a key on the battery. It will shut down the moment you lock it.
The RadWagon uses a twist-grip throttle located on the right-hand side of the handlebar. Twisting the throttle feeds power to the rear wheel and its level is determined by the mode you’ve selected on the controller. Furthermore, there is a supplementary control button next to the throttle that turns the throttle on or off.
Overall, the hub motor used on the RadWagon won’t offer you the slick reactivity you get on a Shimano or Bosch unit; there’s a notable delay in power delivery when you start. This means you’ll have to toil with the first few pedal strokes before the pedal-assist finally kicks in.
Battery
The 672Wh battery on the bike is built using Samsung E35 cells, which pack a lot of energy and are among the most reliable lithium-ion batteries you can find in the market. These cells also help to keep the battery's weight low, and at 7.7 pounds, the RadWagons battery is among the lightest on an electric cargo bike.
You get to ride as long as 45 miles on a single charge cycle, which should be enough to see you complete all your errands for the day. But once you use all the battery’s power, it will need around 6 hours to fully recharge. This is quite a long time and may spell the end of your adventure for the day.
The main reason for the slow charging is the 2 Amp charger; the time to recharge would probably have been shortened if it was a 3 or 4 Amp charger.
Brakes
The RadWagon is equipped with Tektro Aries mechanical disc brakes with 180mm rotors at the front and back. The mechanical disc brakes do a decent job of stopping the hefty bike when you want to, but they are not as sleek as a hydraulic disc set.
However, you should remember that pulling the brake connected directly to the motor will instantly cut off the motor. This can, therefore, lead to an error when you twist the throttle while pulling the brake lever simultaneously.
Rims
This bike rolls on 26” alloy wheels that feature an alloy construction and a double-wall design for extra strength. These do a great job of holding the rider and cargo weight on the trail, ensuring that you get a stable ride on various terrains. The 36 spoked wheels also pair well with the Kenda K-Rad tires.
Tires
The 26” by 2.3” Kenda K-Rad tires were specifically designed for the RadWagon and come with a grid-like tread that serves to provide you with great traction on the road surface for stability. They also come with a puncture-resistant liner that protects against sharp debris like broken glass, thorns, and other sharp debris on the trail.
A reflective strip has been included along the circumference of the tires to enhance your visibility on the road and reduce the possibility of collisions.
How’s the ride?
Starting up the wagon for the first time was a breeze. With just a simple turn to the on and lock position, and a push of the center console button, it powered on without any issues. Rad provides enough battery right out of the box, which is great for testing and showing off your new toy after installation.
I appreciate this feature not only for battery maintenance but also because the first three charges require a 12-hour power cycle, which can conveniently be done overnight. In my experience, the normal charge time is 4-6 hours.
As for regenerative charging options in the Rad fleet, to my knowledge, there aren't any available to extend your ride.
Getting started was effortless and comfortable. The bike performed well with all 5 pedal assist levels, and the throttle response was fantastic. With just a half turn of the pedal, the pedal assist kicks in and you're off.
The acceleration is highly responsive, allowing me to reach a top speed of 20mph in about 20 yards. When I switched to pedal assist level 5 and added in some heavy pedaling, I was able to reach 24mph, keeping up with my speedy friends on group rides. The braking is quick, and I haven't encountered any significant issues, aside from some occasional rubbing of the pads and potential wear due to the added weight of the wagon.
In terms of range, I can easily cover a full 40 miles and then some. However, this is dependent on your riding style. Personally, I prefer to keep it in pedal assist level 1 and put in a substantial amount of pedaling for a good workout. One aspect that could use improvement is the seat. It's quite hard, so if you plan on doing prolonged rides or heavy pedaling, upgrading the seat would be a wise choice.
Where this bike truly excels is its capacity to carry items. Not only can I transport my child, but there's also plenty of extra room for all the necessary accessories for a day at the park. I've successfully carried chairs, an umbrella, coolers, fishing poles, and even my child's bike when he's done riding (all at once).
Additionally, the bike can accommodate two Thule Yepp seats, which adds to its versatility.
Overall, the bike provides a smooth and enjoyable riding experience, and its ability to carry cargo makes it a highly practical choice.
The display on the handlebar is not only easy to access but also quite simple to operate. It is huge, clear, and shows valuable information regarding the ride that should help you manage the battery and motor more efficiently.
The sturdy build of the aluminum frame results in minimal flex when carrying a load and makes for a stable riding experience.
You’ll find a variety of practical features on the bike that will come in handy when you’re running errands in town. The double kickstand helps to hold the bike in position as you load and secure cargo while the fenders on both wheels ensure that you don’t get dirty in wet conditions.
PROS
CONS
Advice to Buyers
I have absolutely no regrets about this bike and I firmly believe that I have received every penny's worth of value. The overall construction and quality exceeded my expectations, especially considering the price point.
Drawing from my previous experience with Rad bikes, I have full confidence that this bike will take me far without any issues. It is the perfect all-in-one bike, offering maximum capacity for both gear and passengers. Whether you have a family or need to transport a lot of equipment, this bike is the ideal choice for you.
Our Rating - 87/100
The Rad Wagon stands as a testament to modern innovation, combining practicality with environmental consciousness.
Not UL tested... scary!
I’m a little surprised you’d give the rad Power Wagon such a high rating. With that company not UL testing any of their batteries, I have grave concerns about their safety. Everyone else should be just as concerned with a company skirting the rules like that. Though legal, not above board in my opinion.