Bicycles

RadRunner Plus: The deluxe version of Rad's cheap utility ebike

RadRunner Plus: The deluxe version of Rad's cheap utility ebike
The relentlessly practical RadRunner modular ebike gets a deluxe upgrade
The relentlessly practical RadRunner modular ebike gets a deluxe upgrade
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The RadRunner Plus brings back a bunch of the bits removed to keep the RadRunner so affordable
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The RadRunner Plus brings back a bunch of the bits removed to keep the RadRunner so affordable
Comes standard with the Passe
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The RadRunner Plus comes with the Passenger kit as standard
It also features fenders and a "premium" headlight as standard
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It also features fenders and a "premium" headlight as standard
Comfy, padded passenger seat and tail light
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Comfy, padded passenger seat and tail light
The RadRunner Plus packs a 7-speed drivetrain and front suspension fork
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The RadRunner Plus packs a 7-speed drivetrain and front suspension fork
The relentlessly practical RadRunner modular ebike gets a deluxe upgrade
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The relentlessly practical RadRunner modular ebike gets a deluxe upgrade
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You just knew it was coming. After releasing the bare-bones, modular RadRunner utility ebike at a terrific entry price of US$1,199, Rad Power Bikes has followed-up with a higher-sped RadRunner Plus that takes things up a few notches.

Not in power, mind you. It keeps the same 750-W, 80-Nm (59-lb-ft) geared hub motor and 48-Volt, 14-Ah, 672-Wh battery unit, giving you a 25-45 mile (40-72 km) urban range. But for those willing to step up to the higher price point, it brings back a bunch of bits the RadRunner eschewed in its quest for affordability.

For starters, the pedal-powered drivetrain is no longer single-speed, instead getting a 7-speed Shimano Altus gearset. It also gets a set of standard fenders, a proper LCD dash, and a nice-looking headlight. Where the original bike relied on its fat 3.3-inch Kenda tires to smooth out bumps in the road, the RadRunner Plus gets a little suspension fork.

Comes standard with the Passe
The RadRunner Plus comes with the Passenger kit as standard

It also gets the "passenger package" as standard, one of many $99 options you could fit to the original. Designed to be super-modular, this frame can take a bunch of different accessories that pop on and off the front, back and middle of the bike.

The passenger package has a bench seat and footrests to let you easily ride 2-up, but it can be easily swapped for any of the bags, racks, panniers, boxes or kiddie seats that Rad sells, and likewise the bike will accept the very neat central waterproof storage tub, or front racks and boxes in the catalog.

Still basic, super practical and not a little charming, the RadRunner Plus is a natural upgrade to the RadRunner. That modularity really does make this thing a genuine car replacement option for many people, and you can't argue with the price point of $1,699, which keeps it super approachable.

Rad's on a roll here, these bikey-scootery jiggers look like a great package to us. The main thing we'd like to see included now is some sort of security option. Check out a (fairly cringeworthy) video below.

RadRunner Plus Electric Utility Bike | Promotional Debut

Source: Rad Power Bikes

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2 comments
2 comments
BJB
Only a 25-45 mile range? Gross!
Daishi
I agree with @BJB a bit that while Rad offers good bang for the buck I think it holds them back that they don't offer any options besides the 48V 14 Ah (672 watt) battery pack in anything I'm aware of. The $1200 RadRunner and $1700 RadRunner Plus use the same pack. One of the things I like about Juiced bikes is they offer a 52V 12 Ah (676 watts) on the low end but offer a 52V 19.2 Ah (998 watt) pack on the higher end. If you are going to do more than let it decorate your garage or have a specific short ride in mind for it I recommend opting for the bigger pack. The Juiced RipCurrent S for $2,400 and Cross Current X that's currently $2,200 are solid choices. They are a little expensive compared to Rad but the battery pack sizes are industry leading and they include torque sensors. Outside of not offering a higher capacity battery option though the RadRunner design is still nice and Rad is a decent company for price/performance.