Last year, Italy's Bad Bikes presented an interesting combination of slim, super-portable bike frame, bulging, fat tires and electric power – an electric folding fat bike designed to ride over smooth and rough terrain, hop on the train or bus, and follow its rider into the office. Seattle's Rad Power Bikes goes one better, combining the electric folder, fat bike and cargo bike into a small, folding workhorse that can motor or pedal-assist groceries, tools and other cargo wherever you need to get to.
The RadMini looks like a super-versatile little bike for city or country. In terms of electric power, it's a bit more powerful than the 250/500-watt Fat Bad, with a 750-watt rear hub motor assisting the rider's leg muscles via five pedelec modes. It also includes a twist throttle so you can stop pedaling and let the motor do all the work. A throttle power switch has been included, partly to accommodate riders in markets where electric bikes with throttles are illegal. Rad advises customers to check with local authorities to make sure the RadMini is legal locally.
The RadMini's motor is wired to a removable, lockable 11.6-Ah 48V lithium-ion battery for between 15 and 50 miles (24 to 80 km) of range, depending upon mode, weight on board, etc. Top speed is listed at 20 mph (32 km/h, flat ground 180 lb/81 kg rider), and charging takes between two to four hours with the included 2-amp charger.
Where the RadMini really separates itself from the typical folder is in the front and extendable rear racks positioned over the 20 x 4-in fat tires. The bike offers a total payload of 275 lb (125 kg, includes rider weight), so that 180-lb (81 kg) rider (average North American body weight) will be able to haul 95 lb (43 kg) of gear.
Other RadMini components include a seven-speed Shimano drivetrain, LCD bike computer, front and rear mechanical disk brakes, 200-lumen headlight, kickstand and lifting handle. The bike has an aluminum alloy frame, stem, headset and handlebars, as well as aluminum rims with stainless steel spokes and nipples. It weighs 60.8 lb (27 kg).
The RadMini is available for pre-order for US$1,499, with a listed June delivery date. Rad ships its bikes directly to consumers, and shipping runs $175 to the Lower 48 states and $400 to Canada (Hawaii and Alaska are listed as "call or email for quotes"). It does not currently ship to other countries but suggests it will expand shipping in the future.
Watch the RadMini zip through the streets and dirt in the video below.
Source: Rad Power Bikes
