Which Rad would you choose? Support Ebike Escape when purchasing a Rad Power Bike: RadRunner 2: radpowerbikes.pxf.io/AWbZQx RadRunner Plus: radpowerbikes.pxf.io/KjDden (affiliate links)
Rad 2. Hands Down. Bro, the single gear and no front suspension was the cincher. Front suspension is just trash. Single gear = less wear and tear on cables, sprocket, and chain. Why would I pay 600$ to make my bike WORSE just to have a better interface/LCD...
Thank you, SO helpful. First person to talk about the shocks and show the travel which is what I've really been wanting to see. You're also the first to mention the pedal quality difference.
I bought a new R+ last fall. It’s a beautiful bike and definitely well built. The fit and finish are excellent. Two small complaints, needs a little higher gear ratio, even gear 7 is a bit low. Also the headlight bracket is poorly engineered, needs some improvement so it can’t slip to one side. Both very minor, overall I really like the Runner +. I did upgrade the seat and added a telescoping seat post.
It's a 'no-brainer'...Plus all the way!!! I like the shocks/gears. Great vid. I would already have the Plus, but it wasn't offered until 6 months after I bought the original Runner! So, I ended up buying the Rad Mini later!
I have the RAD RUNNER PLUS and a few cons: the riders seat is still too hard while the passenger seat it much more comfortable (in one UA-cam video a guy got rid of the rider seat and just moved the passenger seat up) I’ve had it for a month and ride/rode it to work about 4-5-6 days a week and so far have gotten one flat tire from a nail about twice the size of a toothpick. To repair a flat tire you need to unscrew and unbolt stuff and from what I’ve seen RAD POWER BIKES does NOT sell the inner tube so I just got 2 for $22 ish off of Amazon. I exceeded the wait limit with my sister once and it still went to 17mph and usually stays at 19.5 ish for one person because it’s goal is to keep you at or under 20 since it’s illegal above 20 without a license I believe. (It cuts power above 20mph but will ho faster if your going downhill or you peddle really fast) The power lasts me 3 trips there and back, (3.5 miles there, 7 miles in total for each trip) the fourth is risky (it goes slow) and powers off towards the end. Also pedaling is mostly optional because it doesn’t really make it go faster, it just uses less power when you pedal. If you have any questions you can just ask I’ll probably answer. Oh and it was $2,000 after tax
7-month update: Please consider the climate where you live since you won’t be protected from the sun or rain. You need an umbrella that can stay straight up for 20 mph (which many can't) and find an umbrella holder that works (I’ve tried 3 different ones off Amazon and none of them have the right angle or function in a useful way at all. You could get a $ 100-ish cover that you wear like a backpack but at that point just get a moped. I kind of wish I would have if not for the fact that you can’t relay ride on the bike lanes with those so you would be open and driving at much higher speeds. Also repairs: call your local bike shop and ask them how long their wait times are. Mine is 1-4 weeks which is a long time without transportation so keep that in mind. You will have to pay a lot in Ubers ($200-$300, depending on a few things, a month) or you’ll have to navigate around taking the bus during that time. Also, forget transporting your large pets in this. There is no way to hitch a trailer onto the bike and no adapters that I’ve seen. And don’t make your decision based on the passenger seat. You will most likely replace it with a large basket anyway. And the break pads do last very long. But when you do need to get them changed I don’t recommend buying them. The bike shop will likely have most of everything and I highly recommend adding on the red foam tire protector while you are there so they can install it correctly. I would also say it takes you about 2 times longer to get somewhere than a car. Obviously the longer distance the longer it would take vs a car but if your only mainly using it for short commutes like 25 min away on a bike then it’s similar enough.
Hi I got the rad runner 1 and what I see is that came with everything from the rad runner 2 the motor it’s the same so can you tell me the deference and why they don’t come with the bagfanga motor no more? If you can help me with that thank you guys .
The base bike SHOULD at least come with a speedometer/odometer for that price. I bought my wife the Plus and I now want one but in a different color, so I'll have to get the 2 and purchase the LCD screen separately.
The Radrunner 2 has a really hard saddle, gets really uncomfortable after a few hours + it really isnt comfortable to ride if there are alot of bumps, etc. You will be send flying on some. It is really sad that the Radrunner 2 has no suspension.
I felt like the rear of my butt was hanging off the back of that small seat...and it was uncomfortable after riding the bike for about 15 minutes. I'm a small person too.
I found that the larger seat on the radrunner 2 makes it impossible to take out the battery without lifting it up. My kid likes to ride the seat all the way down and when she tried to lift the battery it broke off the reflector that comes stock under the seat, bummer.
We are not aware of a refresh coming to the plus. Rad did just sell off their RadMission stock. So maybe a refresh is coming to that model? But we are not sure.
Yes. The motor is the same. I do not think it is a Bafang, all the motors have Rad branding. And just to clarify. The Plus uses a Freewheel, not a cassette.
I met a guy today on the plus that is 6' 4" and 280 lbs. The seat height was fine, but he wants something bigger, something with more power. I showed him my Kepler by Ariel Rider. They can't make the Keplers fast enough, so you'll be lucky to even back order one. Check out Ariel Rider's website. At $1799, nothing I've seen even comes close to their specs: 1000 watt motor, 20 amp controller, 52 volt battery, 26x4 tires, rack, fenders, etc. I will say that for the few minutes I rode his plus, it seemed a lot more comfortable to me. I wish more bikes were made to allow an upright riding posture. Old people are buying most of the ebikes, and we don't want to be leaning forward in an aggressive BMX posture. I also like the passenger seat option on the plus, but good grief, you need a hell of a lot more power and battery if your carrying passengers around. So a nice option, but not for guys with 80 lbs passengers.
is there a difference in wheelbase between the 2? I'm 6'2 and just seen the bike for the first time chained up and it looks really cramped, looks suitable if you have T-Rex arms.
You can reach things on the top shelf, and we short folk get to ride RadRunners comfortably. You tall folk can't have everything! There is not a difference in the wheelbase, the Plus and Runner 2 are built on the same frame. You would be right on the high end of the fit range. I would probably look into a different model. -JT
@@EbikeEscape Haha thanks for the reply appreciate it! That sucks because the bike is pretty awesome especially the price for what you get. Cheers man.
That would really depend on the location you plan on riding. Gears will really benefit you if you are going up and down hills, not that the RP2 can't go uphill. However, if you are riding on mostly flat roads a single speed would suffice
I’m thinking about buying this red runner plus seriously it is perfect for my daughter and her children but I was unable to find the discount code page that would be so helpful it has gone up to 1899 maybe you can show me a link I didn’t notice it
Great video! Thank you for your content 🙏 Most people say roadrunner 2 and plus are the same size but the rad power dimensions images on their website notes variations in dimensions. In your opinion which of these would be better for the taller rider?
These are really both the same size. There might be a difference in the seat post length or minor difference in the actual seat. But frame wise these ebikes are the same. I think the Plus model is the better ebike overall. That would be my choice. -JT
I like everything about the plus but have no need for the seat and don't plan to give anyone rides. Are the rest of the features worth it? Can an additional cargo hold be added on top the seat for even more utility? Great and super helpful video! 👍
Thanks Danny - yes the Rad accessories will fit on the rear of the Plus. Even if you don't plan to use the passenger seat I still think the Plus is a good route to go. You might even be able to sell it on the forum: radowners.com
We purchased this Vivi 27.5” electric bike and a Tentaquil 26” electric bike for our 13 and 14 year olds. ua-cam.com/users/postUgkxUiL0GnyDjP32RJdd660sP8mZk4CRLTCJ The Vivi was much easier to put together. With the Vivi, there was a video link to assist with assembly which made the process easier to follow (we did put the handlebars on upside down, but it was a quick and easy fix). With the Tentaquil, the assembly was not as simple to follow, but after we messaged the company for an assembly video, it was easier and they did respond quickly. The other major differences were that the Vivi has a grip throttle on the right handle (like a motorcycle) and the Tentaquil has a push throttle that you use your thumb to activate. The monitors were also different, so if you’re looking for something specific in terms of changing the bikes functions, pay attention to what the monitor offers. We were really impressed with the overall quality and functionality of both bikes, but if you’re looking for more power and an easier assembly, definitely go with the Vivi!
I got an cheap Chinese e bike at 1/2 the costs shown here and still running strong after 2 years now and 12K miles! Just installed a new battery too! Battery was sort of pricey $300. Almost half cost of the e-bike!
The most important issues of E bikes are the motor wattage, Ampere hours of the battery, how many nano-meters of torque, mechanical or hydrophilic brakes, maximum load weight. You mentioned none of these.
This video was simply to state the differences between the two models of RadRunner Ebikes. All of the things you mention are exactly the same on the two models. Which is why we didn't talk about any of them.
Which Rad would you choose? Support Ebike Escape when purchasing a Rad Power Bike: RadRunner 2: radpowerbikes.pxf.io/AWbZQx RadRunner Plus: radpowerbikes.pxf.io/KjDden (affiliate links)
Rad 2. Hands Down. Bro, the single gear and no front suspension was the cincher. Front suspension is just trash. Single gear = less wear and tear on cables, sprocket, and chain. Why would I pay 600$ to make my bike WORSE just to have a better interface/LCD...
Also, for 600$ I can totally upgrade more value.
@@wtfnoheals hell yea I just got the roadrunner 2 and my cousin with his stupid little plus was jet lagging and died before mine died
Do you have referral links too?
Thank you, SO helpful. First person to talk about the shocks and show the travel which is what I've really been wanting to see. You're also the first to mention the pedal quality difference.
Glad I could help you. Appreciate the comment!
Excellent, I went straight to The plus after this. Thanks for the video
Glad we could help with that decision.
this video is exactly what i was looking for! i couldnt decide between the 2 so this video helped alot
Glad I could help!
I bought a new R+ last fall. It’s a beautiful bike and definitely well built. The fit and finish are excellent. Two small complaints, needs a little higher gear ratio, even gear 7 is a bit low. Also the headlight bracket is poorly engineered, needs some improvement so it can’t slip to one side. Both very minor, overall I really like the Runner +. I did upgrade the seat and added a telescoping seat post.
It's a 'no-brainer'...Plus all the way!!! I like the shocks/gears. Great vid. I would already have the Plus, but it wasn't offered until 6 months after I bought the original Runner! So, I ended up buying the Rad Mini later!
I have the RAD RUNNER PLUS and a few cons: the riders seat is still too hard while the passenger seat it much more comfortable (in one UA-cam video a guy got rid of the rider seat and just moved the passenger seat up)
I’ve had it for a month and ride/rode it to work about 4-5-6 days a week and so far have gotten one flat tire from a nail about twice the size of a toothpick. To repair a flat tire you need to unscrew and unbolt stuff and from what I’ve seen RAD POWER BIKES does NOT sell the inner tube so I just got 2 for $22 ish off of Amazon.
I exceeded the wait limit with my sister once and it still went to 17mph and usually stays at 19.5 ish for one person because it’s goal is to keep you at or under 20 since it’s illegal above 20 without a license I believe.
(It cuts power above 20mph but will ho faster if your going downhill or you peddle really fast)
The power lasts me 3 trips there and back, (3.5 miles there, 7 miles in total for each trip) the fourth is risky (it goes slow) and powers off towards the end.
Also pedaling is mostly optional because it doesn’t really make it go faster, it just uses less power when you pedal.
If you have any questions you can just ask I’ll probably answer.
Oh and it was $2,000 after tax
How good is range and speed
7-month update: Please consider the climate where you live since you won’t be protected from the sun or rain. You need an umbrella that can stay straight up for 20 mph (which many can't) and find an umbrella holder that works (I’ve tried 3 different ones off Amazon and none of them have the right angle or function in a useful way at all. You could get a $ 100-ish cover that you wear like a backpack but at that point just get a moped. I kind of wish I would have if not for the fact that you can’t relay ride on the bike lanes with those so you would be open and driving at much higher speeds.
Also repairs: call your local bike shop and ask them how long their wait times are. Mine is 1-4 weeks which is a long time without transportation so keep that in mind. You will have to pay a lot in Ubers ($200-$300, depending on a few things, a month) or you’ll have to navigate around taking the bus during that time.
Also, forget transporting your large pets in this. There is no way to hitch a trailer onto the bike and no adapters that I’ve seen.
And don’t make your decision based on the passenger seat. You will most likely replace it with a large basket anyway.
And the break pads do last very long. But when you do need to get them changed I don’t recommend buying them. The bike shop will likely have most of everything and I highly recommend adding on the red foam tire protector while you are there so they can install it correctly.
I would also say it takes you about 2 times longer to get somewhere than a car. Obviously the longer distance the longer it would take vs a car but if your only mainly using it for short commutes like 25 min away on a bike then it’s similar enough.
What about comparing motors, power etc or are they the same?
Yes, same motor and batteries.
i went with RR2 just for less maintenance. didn't care for all the accessories the plus came with.
If you dont need the gears, then the Runner2 is a great option.
Very helpful, thank you!!
Can you Review the difference between Radrunner plus vs. Radrunner 3?
Hi I got the rad runner 1 and what I see is that came with everything from the rad runner 2 the motor it’s the same so can you tell me the deference and why they don’t come with the bagfanga motor no more? If you can help me with that thank you guys .
The base bike SHOULD at least come with a speedometer/odometer for that price. I bought my wife the Plus and I now want one but in a different color, so I'll have to get the 2 and purchase the LCD screen separately.
I too would like to see the LCD screen added. You may be able to buy a LCD secondhand on the Rad forum: radowners.com
The Radrunner 2 has a really hard saddle, gets really uncomfortable after a few hours + it really isnt comfortable to ride if there are alot of bumps, etc. You will be send flying on some. It is really sad that the Radrunner 2 has no suspension.
I felt like the rear of my butt was hanging off the back of that small seat...and it was uncomfortable after riding the bike for about 15 minutes. I'm a small person too.
@@pitbull6527 yea really bad bike for the price
the plus has a really had seat too, honestly im thinking the stock seat is so hard on purpose to get you to upgrade it.
On the 👃 @@zelz47
Thank you guys I'm going to subscribe you dudes rule and helped me make up my mind ima go with the plus. 🤘😄🤘
could i get my rad runner plus painted anyhow? i very dislike the choice of colors but i love the function of it
Rad doesn't offer that service. But you could do it yourself.
Same. The look of the radrunner 2 with the features of the +
@@philippelefebvre7645 yes i almost got the radrunner 2 cause it came in black.
@@zelz47 yeah man I’m waiting till next year in case they release the plus 2 in a better colorway haha
I was hoping to hear about the motor quality.
Both the same
@@EbikeEscape That doesn't say anything about the quality though..
I found that the larger seat on the radrunner 2 makes it impossible to take out the battery without lifting it up. My kid likes to ride the seat all the way down and when she tried to lift the battery it broke off the reflector that comes stock under the seat, bummer.
Yes, that can be tricky. Thanks for sharing.
Hi has there been an updated model “refresh” of the radrunner plus? Is there an upcoming model coming out soon, might pull the trigger for the plus.
We are not aware of a refresh coming to the plus. Rad did just sell off their RadMission stock. So maybe a refresh is coming to that model? But we are not sure.
is the bafang hub motor the exact same although the plus has a casette and the 2 has a single speed? ??
Yes. The motor is the same. I do not think it is a Bafang, all the motors have Rad branding.
And just to clarify. The Plus uses a Freewheel, not a cassette.
Awesome video, thanks 🙏
Do you think either of these will be comfortable for a tall person (6 foot 4)?
Thanks! You could but I think full leg extension won't be possible.
I met a guy today on the plus that is 6' 4" and 280 lbs. The seat height was fine, but he wants something bigger, something with more power. I showed him my Kepler by Ariel Rider. They can't make the Keplers fast enough, so you'll be lucky to even back order one. Check out Ariel Rider's website.
At $1799, nothing I've seen even comes close to their specs: 1000 watt motor, 20 amp controller, 52 volt battery, 26x4 tires, rack, fenders, etc.
I will say that for the few minutes I rode his plus, it seemed a lot more comfortable to me. I wish more bikes were made to allow an upright riding posture. Old people are buying most of the ebikes, and we don't want to be leaning forward in an aggressive BMX posture.
I also like the passenger seat option on the plus, but good grief, you need a hell of a lot more power and battery if your carrying passengers around. So a nice option, but not for guys with 80 lbs passengers.
Your discount code was not good for this road runner plus💔
Rad doesn't have any current promotions that I'm aware of.
is there a difference in wheelbase between the 2? I'm 6'2 and just seen the bike for the first time chained up and it looks really cramped, looks suitable if you have T-Rex arms.
You can reach things on the top shelf, and we short folk get to ride RadRunners comfortably. You tall folk can't have everything!
There is not a difference in the wheelbase, the Plus and Runner 2 are built on the same frame. You would be right on the high end of the fit range. I would probably look into a different model. -JT
@@EbikeEscape Haha thanks for the reply appreciate it! That sucks because the bike is pretty awesome especially the price for what you get. Cheers man.
is the stock seat on the rad plus that bad? If so what would be a decent aftermarket seat?
Check out our electric bike accessories list in the description.
I don't understand the gears...what is better a 7 gear or a single gear???
That would really depend on the location you plan on riding. Gears will really benefit you if you are going up and down hills, not that the RP2 can't go uphill. However, if you are riding on mostly flat roads a single speed would suffice
@@King_Lewyy to suffice is one thing but wich is better if you live in a city that has both ups and downs and also flat surface like Montreal, QC 🤔❓
No standard speedometer/odometer on the Rad2?
Nope, you will need to use a phone app or upgrade to the LCD display.
nice vid thanks
No problem 👍
I’m thinking about buying this red runner plus seriously it is perfect for my daughter and her children but I was unable to find the discount code page that would be so helpful it has gone up to 1899 maybe you can show me a link I didn’t notice it
ebikeescape.com/ebike-discount-codes-by-company/
I would buy the rad wagon if hse has more then one kid
Great video! Thank you for your content 🙏 Most people say roadrunner 2 and plus are the same size but the rad power dimensions images on their website notes variations in dimensions. In your opinion which of these would be better for the taller rider?
These are really both the same size. There might be a difference in the seat post length or minor difference in the actual seat. But frame wise these ebikes are the same. I think the Plus model is the better ebike overall. That would be my choice. -JT
Temper it and all is great!
I like everything about the plus but have no need for the seat and don't plan to give anyone rides. Are the rest of the features worth it? Can an additional cargo hold be added on top the seat for even more utility?
Great and super helpful video! 👍
Thanks Danny - yes the Rad accessories will fit on the rear of the Plus. Even if you don't plan to use the passenger seat I still think the Plus is a good route to go. You might even be able to sell it on the forum: radowners.com
We purchased this Vivi 27.5” electric bike and a Tentaquil 26” electric bike for our 13 and 14 year olds. ua-cam.com/users/postUgkxUiL0GnyDjP32RJdd660sP8mZk4CRLTCJ The Vivi was much easier to put together. With the Vivi, there was a video link to assist with assembly which made the process easier to follow (we did put the handlebars on upside down, but it was a quick and easy fix). With the Tentaquil, the assembly was not as simple to follow, but after we messaged the company for an assembly video, it was easier and they did respond quickly. The other major differences were that the Vivi has a grip throttle on the right handle (like a motorcycle) and the Tentaquil has a push throttle that you use your thumb to activate. The monitors were also different, so if you’re looking for something specific in terms of changing the bikes functions, pay attention to what the monitor offers. We were really impressed with the overall quality and functionality of both bikes, but if you’re looking for more power and an easier assembly, definitely go with the Vivi!
Best pandemic purchase
I got an cheap Chinese e bike at 1/2 the costs shown here and still running strong after 2 years now and 12K miles! Just installed a new battery too! Battery was sort of pricey $300. Almost half cost of the e-bike!
That’s cool. Mind sharing where you bought it? Thx!
Id want the runner+ but without the extra passenger equipment. Id rather have a big cargo box than the spare seat.
You might be able to sell the items you don't need on the forum radowners.com
Prix plaise
At that price I could get a motorcycle
That is true. But riding a motorcycle on a bike path, I have heard is frowned upon. -JT
No you couldn't, not new anyways and certainly not street legal.
he has a juiced scorpion in the back . show off. can i come over and be your friend
The most important issues of E bikes are the motor wattage, Ampere hours of the battery, how many nano-meters of torque, mechanical or hydrophilic brakes, maximum load weight. You mentioned none of these.
This video was simply to state the differences between the two models of RadRunner Ebikes. All of the things you mention are exactly the same on the two models. Which is why we didn't talk about any of them.