What I learned a year after buying my first electric bike (RadRunner 1)
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- Опубліковано 24 лип 2024
- Last year CNET’s Logan Moy bought his first e-bike. After trying a handful of others and investing in some upgrades, he goes over what he added to it and some costly lessons he learned along the way.
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Slime 1004 Tube Repair Sealant: bit.ly/2SoUqMU
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What I learned from buying and riding my first electric bike: • What I learned from bu...
More e-bike videos: • Electric Bikes
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0:00 - Intro
0:31 - RadRunner 1 + upgrades
1:30 - Lessons learned
3:45 - How I ride e-bikes
4:16 - Hitch rack
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Thanks for watching! What else should I put in my emergency repair kit? Let me know!
Crankbrothers Mini Bike Tools Multi 19 Tool, RAM X-Grip Large Phone Mount, Water Bottle Cage, Black Diamond Sprinter Rechargeable Headlamp
No link to the inner tube slime
@@TheIDontCarePodcast dont use it. its a terrible idea use higher quality tires and youll be straight (been bike riding for like 10+ years)
@@TheIDontCarePodcast Ah whoops. I'll add one now.
also hollywood racks are janky. for $800 id take my wheels off every big trip. its not at all a hassle to fold seats take tires off vs $800
That's a great video especially for those looking to purchase their first e-bike.
Unless you're a nerdy type or extreme biker and your looking for advice on what type of bike to buy, I'd search out sites like this one, posting advice after having owned their bike for a period of time. Otherwise, it's too easy to get confused about all the technical details.
Here's my recommendations after having owned my first e-bike for about 20 months and 2,700 km.
First thing you should know is that I'm a 74 year-old non-extreme biker. My trips usual go up to 10 km and no more.
Throttle: My bike has pedal-assist only. My biggest regret is that it doesn't have a throttle. This would be frequently helpful when starting from a standing stop on rough ground or even on gentle inclines. And I would strongly prefer a "handle twist throttle".
Tires: I've biked for many years and even though it's not extreme biking, I've had my share of flat tires. I'd say that I've become an expert (almost as good as a pit crew at the Indianapolis 500) at repairing flats. I've learned that good quality tires reduce the chance of flats and I've also learned to monitor the wear on my tire treads and replace them proactively. E-bikes are much heavier than traditional bikes and often take you in places where it would be more than awkward to go anywhere for repairs. So, make sure that you start with good quality tires, especially if you purchase a less well-known brand.
Hub-drive vs Mid-drive: My bike is a mid-drive. While I can't say I deeply regret the lack of a hub-drive, my preference would be for a hub-drive. Admittedly, I don't have experience with a hub-drive, but I like the sense of security that I could still propel my bike if there was a failure with the chain, chain rings or pedals.
Suspension. My bike has no "shock absorbing features. I would at least like shock absorbers on the front shocks.
Those things that are not important to me:
Battery: Assuming you purchase a well-known brand (I would never buy on-line), and you're a rider like me, battery life is irrelevant as any name-brands I've looked at have acceptable range. While I'm fortunate that I get incredible range (well over 110 km between charges and I re-charge when I have around 20% left), it wouldn't bother me if I got less than half of that. Re-charging is relatively simple and quick.
I hope this helps someone. Cheers.
This 76 year old ex-Navy navigator salutes you, Captain. Actual user info always trumps advertising claims...:))
I love hearing the 70+ crowd being out and active.
Awesome update! I remember watching first video you did when I purchased my first electric bike Radmini 4. Changed my lifestyle getting rid of my car and going electric. I ended up purchasing Radmission 1 since it is a lot lighter for me living on second floor apartment. I live 5 miles away from my work at University and there are plenty of bike safe paths and trails to take. Not only have I saved a lot of money but also a lot of time and stress not having to deal with traffic and even parking on campus. I just put my bike in our production room. With a back rack and pannier bag has helped a lot. Along with using Slime I recommend cleaning your chain often and adjusting your brakes. Wipe your bike down and check cables often too. I have two locks a Kryptonite U-Lock that is attached with flex frame bracket and also ABUS Wheel lock attached to frame.
I live in the land of goat heads. I grew tired of patching the tires (which I was able to do quite easily and quickly without removing the wheel), so I took the plunge and ordered Tannus foam inserts. Not only have I not had a flat since, but the ride quality has significantly improved.
A $3 patch kit could have saved you a lot of money and time
You should always put in a new inner tire on the road and take your time patching the leaky one once you're back at the house. Besides, it takes practice to be able to patch an inner tube correctly.
I've gotten 4 punctures on the rear wheel and 1 in the front. The "Slime SKABS" are $1.96 at my local Walmart for a 6 pack so I haven't bought a new tube since I bout this bike!
@@jsaintclair1 Do you know how difficult is removing a rear wheel in an electric bike? No, you don't.
@@benedicto.050 you dont need to remove the entire wheel? Just take out the part that has the leak and patch that with the wheel still on the bike.
@@benedicto.050 not very hard I can take my wheel off my rad runner in less then a minute.
I recommend cheap, thin work gloves in your emergency kit. If you're on your way somewhere your hands will at least be clean. For all the negative commenters, I think it's best to encourage new riders, not to tear them down. There's enough people working at bike shops who do that already. I've heard enough stories from new bikers who almost gave up after being told they weren't a "cyclist".
I agree with you and also think that buying the lowest quality POS ebike is foolish. It's so easy to have better.
@@brianbassett4379 I mean it's good to save up for a better quality e bike but I wouldn't say "it's so easy to have better" not everyone can spare 2k for an e bike.
@@brandoats It's more like $1200.00 and the bike of your choice but I getcha. But it's ok for people to try and personally profit off the sales of lame crap bikes that will be filling landfills around the world in a few years? There isn't a production ebike built today that's worth the money or that can live up to the bloated range claims they are sold under. A Rad Rover is about the lowest quality (cheapest) ebike sold today... whatever someone may learn from that is worth little to nothing. Don't buy something like this, find a bike that you want to ride and mount a BaFang mid-drive on it, spend for the biggest battery you can find and that will fit the frame and you will have a better ebike than most anything sold today. It's also wise to remember that the bloated figures you are shown are on a brand new battery and will degrade quickly if the bike is used much. *Most* importantly remember that every one of the people telling you how great the cheapest POS ebike sold today is... are doing it to make money. Don't listen to anyone trying to sell you something, Ms. Oats.
I've been riding e assisted bikes to work for 20 years starting with a home built then a home built recumbent, then a recumbent trike and now a velomobile with hub motor on 48 V. I don't mind being told I am not a cyclist. Who cares. I work as hard or as easy as I want and I get to work after cooling off the last mile or two so I don't arrive sweaty and stinky. I've riden in 105°F and down to 28°F and the electric motor and battery let me ride when I would have opted to grab the keys...25 miles RT and cost about $.12 for electricity with gas prices in CA hovering $5/gal...I don't care if I am not a cyclist, the health benefit and the savings in fuel and arriving fresh, skipping the gym that day well the lycra lizards (I am one of those as well when I pull out my road bike when not commuting) and kiss my ebike behind as my recumbent will drop them at 28 MPH cruise speed and my velomobile will do 36 MPH even without me pedaling. smh...I have also converted quite a few coworkers who without me setting them up with recumbent or electric assist would have stopped commuting because of age and distance of the commute.
I have thick nitrile gloves, the .009" thick kind. I use it to change my oil (soon to stop as I am waiting to trade in my Tacoma for a MSLR) and do yard work. I also carry a patch kit. I have been able to help other cyclist as I carry a bigger pump in my velomobile and it works better than the little minipumps and a patch kit will work on any flat tube.
@@brianbassett4379 Depending on how handy you are but my first ebike that was not a home built was a $360 front wheel hub motor kit for my recumbent bike. It was a 20" front wheel hub motor (maxed out at 18 MPH on 36V of SLA). I did a 36 mile RT commute for over 10K miles through 2 laners through rural Stockton CA. It was super reliable, I did the conversion in 6 hours and most of it was to make a battery box and to reinforce my rack for the super heavy 3x 12V-12AH SLAs. I eventually had a custom battery box made to lower the CG of the bike. So... if you have a reliable mountain bike or equivalent and just a little handy, you can convert a bike for about $700 that will do 20+MPH with at least a 20 miles range. I also bought my daughter a lower end bike that was $600. Yes very low end and I had to true the wheels when putting it together but she has already put about 150 miles on it and so far so good. You do have to be a bit handy and a half way decent bike mechanic but don't write off the lower end or the conversion kit if it means waiting for a year to save up for an electric bike.
The zip-ties hint below is definitely a good one! They WILL come in handy at some point! Also, I use Tannus Armour inserts on my tires and they are lifesavers, without the hassle of slime that can unbalance your tires. Thanks for the vid!
Almost a year later after buying a RadRunner 1, I kinda wish I had gone with the more expensive RadRunner Plus. Just for the various upgrades. FYI: RRP comes standard with the fenders, better light (still not great), seat upgrade, passenger package, Side panels for back wheel and foot pegs (part of the passenger package), console upgrade which also increases the speed cap from 20 mph to almost 30, and an 8 speed drive train. The RR1 is single speed and geared really low. Being as heavy as it is, a single speed drive chain is a real work out at times even with the motor. RRP also has suspension, while the RR1 has none at all.
I can't really confirm as I have no speedometer, but I'm pretty sure my max speed is a little higher when using pedal assist compared to just using the throttle. It also seems to accelerate faster compared to throttle.
If you need to lock it up, because of the frame and other things, try getting a good chain or folding lock. A Ulock is too use restricted and may not work very well for this bike. Personal experience from someone who bought a ulock first and regretted it.
I bought it without the fenders and I live in Washington. So that was my second upgrade after the seat. Let me explain to people who don't understand. The seat that comes standard with the RR1 is integrated with the seatpost. It is the way it is because of the Passenger Package upgrade (it drops flush with the PP cushion where another seat wouldn't), but if you aren't adding that on, you WILL WANT to replace it or alter it. The seat is the most uncomfortable thing ever. Radpower Bikes and others do sell seat and seatpost replacements, but I went for a cheap under $20 solution and bought a seat cover for an exercise bike. Threw that on and it made a world of difference.
The headlight that comes with the RR1 is only 40 lumen. Even Dollar Tree flashlights or the round push lights are better than it! I mounted stronger lights on because I ride a lot at night to avoid traffic and the existing one was so weak, it could barely give me any heads up to threats up ahead and couldn't even warn me of branches above.
Speaking of threats, before I upgraded my headlights to what they are now, I had somewhat weaker ones on (still stronger than the one that came with it) While heading back on what would be about a 5 mile ride (about 25 minutes) because the headlight and the lights I was using at the time were so weak, I ended up hitting a nail with my back tire. My speculation is that my front tire rolled over the nail but the pressure of my tire running over the end (one of the nails that looks like it has a spool on the end) cause it to angle up and pierce right through my back tire. I wasn't even 5 minutes away from where i had started, but that meant walking back rolling a 65lb bike... over 10 minutes... then walking home because i didn't have any of my repair stuff with me, a little over an hour, in the dark... got home after 1am. If I had stronger lights then, I probably could have avoided the situation. I started carrying my tools with me after that.
The kickstand can be a blessing or a curse. Since that's where it is, you have to be real careful on some terrain and keep an eye out for curbs and whatnot. It's also an absolute FILTH MAGNET. I have to keep a tarp at the home of a relative I visit the most while riding. Popping the kickstand down, the vibration of the spring shakes loose any dirt or grime on it and most water on the bike if I have been riding in any kind of wet conditions, almost any puddle generated by my bike is right under the kickstand.
In your emergency kit: 1. A light if you ride in the dark so you wont be making any repairs in low light or use one you have for visibility to do that. 2. Zip ties. if you have to remove the back tire, you have to unplug the cable. You need the zip ties to re-secure any cables you have to displace. 3. A small power bank. 4. 2 of something you can use as props while making repairs. If you have to flip the bike upside down, you will need to place something under the handlebar handles so that they are raised up from the ground and you aren't grinding them and your console/bell/etc into the ground. 5. A small first aid kit. If you are riding in any areas where something can graze your arms or legs, this can help.
I was very happy with my purchase even though RRP would have been better. Ride Rad and Ride Safe! :)
I wish you have included the links for the extra items - notably the seat, seat cover, lock, headlight, emergency light, power bank...) Great review, I also think RRP is better given the included accessories but I realized that too late, RR2 is on the way!
I have been a mountain biker over 22 years now. Just recently I bought an Ancheer e bike from Amazon. Being familiar with components, I did some upgrading straight away. I replaced the coil forks with rockshocks Reba air forks from my old 29er. I also replaced the cheap plastic pedals and a much softer seat. It's awesome. Today I replaced the front sprockets and went from a 42 tooth large sprocket to a 48 tooth for faster pedaling speeds. So far so good
I have been a mountain biker for zero years and also just got an Ancheer ebike! So far I have a little over 100 miles on it mostly street riding, have needed the rear brakes adjusted and had a flat rear tire twice. I got some slime so going to take another stab at my work-home route this week and hope for no flats. I’m pretty happy with it so far and it makes me feel a little better that someone who is an experienced biker also has one because I have gotten some well-meaning advice that I should have shelled out more money to get a better bike 😉 I’m sure I will eventually but maybe in the meantime there is more customizing I can do for this one.
@@melindasnyder5974 hi Melinda. Hope you dint mind I reply to your post. The tires were the first things I upgraded on the bike. I kept the rear tire that came with the bike but I added slime in the tube and also tube liners in both tires. So far no flats and I live where there is alot of thorns
Throw some zip ties in your emergency kit. They're small and flexible, so you can fit a bunch of them. They come in handy if you need to tie something down or need to do a quick repair.
One addition to this idea make them the metal ones.
a flashlight, water
@@BenMacKinney and bananas in case you get hungry
So what kind of repair would you do with zip ties
@@robbailes9614 I had to reattach my light with them last week
You produced a very well done video! Thank you for posting and for the effort you put I to the production. We have 2100 miles on our pair of ebikes and your recommendations are all spot on. We even have the same Cloud o seats!! One addition I recommend is carrying a small tool pouch including one zip ties. The have helped us not be stranded twice
I live in Germany and biking is huge here, with many excellent trails. Like you though, my greatest fear is not actually using an expensive bike if I buy it. It's good to hear that your purchase seems to have inspired a new habit. Hope it does for me too!
You can always sell the bike.
@@lavonnealexander6936 at least in the states, resale value of good bikes is really solid. explains why i've had two stolen in the last 2 years lol
Best general info on real-world e-bikes I’ve seen so far. Definitely helped push me toward getting one!
*Things I learned after upgrading my Rad runner with the Bolton upgrade kit.*
- 35a controller drains stock battery significantly and just barely fits in the stock housing.
- The LCD screen is nice but has to programmed which can be tedious.
- Pedal assist and Mph do not function after following the programming video provided by Bolton (on my own to figure out the I/O at this point).
- On a positive note the acceleration went from 0-20 in 6 seconds rather the 16 seconds with the stock controller. The upgrade really brings the bike to life but the battery upgrade is a must to keep things practical.
In your emergency pack put zip ties and electrical tape they can really help with emergency fixes like if your chain snaps for example or rear derailleur breaks.
How can you fix a chain with zip ties and electrical tape? LOL🤣
@@DrBernon that one seems obvious to me.
Not sure how to explain.
@@DrBernon 🤔 Some people's kids. . . 🤷😅
Zip Ties and Duck Tape or any tape. You never know what might happen.
Bro!!! This is one of the best and most informative videos about the RadRunner and bicycling in general! Really great video, this info is incredible
lol
Tannus tire liners have been my greatest addition! Next thing is probably a second battery for greater range
You mention a set of allen keys, make you have the larger size allen for tightening the bottom bracket spindle on the crank shaft. This can work loose in the first months of usage, particularly where you have hilly terrain and you are assisting the motor. Also its advisable to have a bell or horn on the bike as most people wont hear you coming, and wont react fast enough to the extra seed of an ebike.
Finally its also useful to apply some greaze to the where the cable enters the hub motor. This prevents water etc entering the hub motor. If you live in cold climates the water accumulating in the hub motor can actually freeze runing the motor's internals.
I have the Volt Mariner Step Thru (it also folds for storage ease too) and my friend has the same Rad you do...I love the Volt way better since it has 9 levels of assist and feels like more power due to that (my friend can never keep up without pedaling hard). Also the Rad helmet is cheaply made (my friend's clips have fallen off three times and she just bought it in summer 2020) and Volt's (free with bike) is D.O.T. certified (you can ride a motorcycle with that helmet legally). Thanks for the tips on the seat...I have ridden 2 1/2 hours on mine to turn around and come right back (I bought an extra battery for longer rides) and you are right, it does make it hard to ride again the next day due to soreness.
My first mountain bike had only front suspensions, true I got sore bum too after 40 km long rides. Later I got my full suspensions Merida ebike, was a wonderful experience having it. Thank you.
Ebike is big game changer !
Luv seeing ppl riding ebikes ,old ppl can now ride again ,me and my bad knee couldn't do hills but now I have so much more freedom ,and I don't pollute 👍
My wife and I ride everywhere on ours. So much fun!
This guy is just learning things about riding bikes in general.
Yea, like many people that got into biking during the pandemic. Just sharing my journey.
Haha😂😂
Kid gets a 👍from me though...I learned a few things.
@Brandy Allen Well aren't we little Miss Know-It-All.
@Brandy Allen shut up brandy
Bike kits used to come with a patch kit for innertubes. It was just rubber squares and the proper glue. You find the hole by putting the tube in water and watch for the bubbles. :)
There was also a spoke straightener.
You might want to get a couple of small bungee cords to keep your backpack secure. Then you won't have to put a hand back going around corners.
Reflector tape is always good to have so cars can see you from the side at night.
Jon in rural BC, Canada
Nice video. I've got an ebike as well. I definitely agree with the advice about having a service tech look over your bike when you get it. I didn't do that, and I ended up breaking my chain on my second ride (due to the shifters not being adjusted property).
Thanks for a quick but detailed video, you answered a lot of our questions as we look into bikes and racks. Thanks
Beware of the laws in your state before you buy ! The e-bikes are restricted in several places that analog bikes are allowed ! What seem like a fun bike for riding around the park or going on a short errand to the store is probably illegal believe it or not !
Love the video! I have the same ebike, it’s been a lot of fun, I’ve been thinking about changing the seatpost too.
Nice video. Thank you. Tip for the bike kit. Tape, small bungees, zip ties, spoon, there's a knife on your Leatherman, so you don't need that. Sunscreen, dollartree poncho, small flashlight and some first add supplies. I know that sounds like a lot, but compartmentalize with zip plastic bag and you can keep everything nice and tidy.
Also, my stock RAD 25 amp controller died after only 1200 miles. I upgraded to a 35 amp controller and color display for $225. I love the extra power, especially up hills. After watching a few UA-cam videos, I learned to repair my old controller for under $20, so now I have a spare and lots more knowledge about how e bikes really work.
THANK YOU I definitely benefitted from the radrunner videos and lectric ebike video by CNET! Im working my way toward purchasing my first ebike and i have a few years of city cycling experience. I can see how i might appreciate these features specifically demonstrated in the video. I wanted to know how well it stores at home and on a car, the quality of acceleration in different road conditions, the seat comfort, the cargo options, out of the box setup, and general service/repair advice. i wanted to see the headlight use at night, but overall very helpful video!
A small foldable lantern is also great to keep in the emergency kit. Changing a flat at night sucks.
You could kill 2 birds with one stone and get a helmet light or a helmet with a light. To be seen better at night and to see when changing a flat.
Bike light + tactical flashlight in the pocket for me.
Maybe just use your phone?
I was equipped to fix a flat but I deployed Plan B which was to chain the bike to something, get a taxi home and then drove back in my car and put the bike in the back and then go to a Chinese restaurant. I was local about 3km from home.
@@icewatr3107 Yeah, that's when your phone battery dies, when it's more necessary.
Love my RadRunner, glad you are enjoying yours!
Hey! How far can you go on a charge? And how fast does it go?
I hope eventually (it’ll take a long time) bikes once again become our mode of transport in the US. Other countries have it together especially in their cities, biking is a very normal and safe mode of transportation.
Hey great video!! Another thing you might want to put in your bag is a good quality adjustable wrench. Also make sure you have a small flashlight incase you need to repair something on your Ebike after dark, Or if you get lost on a trail after dark like I did and needed to read a trail map on a post to try to figure how to get out lol.
Great video! Thank you for putting this together!
I had a couple of flats, I repaired them quickly with glue and tube patches, didn't even take the tire off the rim. And now I have installed tube protection liners, again I did not take the tires off the rims. It is a good idea to learn how to patch a tube, and carry a patch kit with you, I can foresee a situation where it would be essential on trails far from a real road, alternatively carry a spare tube and tools to get the wheels off.
Good job. Went thru the same tube issues. Slim an liners definitely worked. Riding Rad. See you out there.
I suggest getting an elastic cargo net for your basket. Helps to keep stuff from jumping out of the basket.
Another way to toughen a tire is to use an old tire as a liner (after you cut off the beads and maybe some of the sidewall).
Exactly what I was looking for Logan, right down to the model I was considering, although probably for different reasons. I have the need to commute a significant distance several times a week, but I also have the need for a step-through as well as the ability to store it in a Park and Ride locker. I wasn't sure the RadRunner would fit the locker easily and I need at least a 40-mile range. So I went with a scooter solution, the Emove Cruiser by Voro Motors. I'll let you know how it works out, maybe even make a video showing why the commute is so important to me.
Hey! What's it been like 9 months later?
I'll interested too. Or anyone else with a scooter that they've been using for a year or two or longer
Interesting video, thank you. I grew up using a bicycle as primary transportation until I was almost out of high school. What struck me was that you are ordering tubes online instead of going to the bike shop, and that you didn't order enough tubes to stay in business between flats. I was super gratified to see your tool kit with spare! Congratulations on your new hobby!
Dude. Don’t people put cheap to do patches on tubes anymore. Sheeeesssh
@@whatthe6532 lol! So sad
Great video. I was wondering about hitch racks for ebikes, and you answered that question. Thanks!
How timely! I just got a HyperScorpion from Juiced Bikes. Got it delivered today. It's my first e-bike. I also have an electric scooter. However, I wanted an e-bike for a while for running errands. The e-scooter is more for fun.
I enjoyed your video. We have (2) RAD bikes and love them. I would buy a tube patch kit at your local bike shop and throw it in your bag. Also if you buy lock and security items for your bike, that definitely adds to the expense. RAD Bikes are a great value and so fun to ride.
Good info about tire liner and slim filler. Thanks for sharing.
Winnipeg Manitoba Canada 🇨🇦🇨🇦
i had an extra jar of Flex Paste and ended up just coating the entire inside of the tire casing with a paint brush .. seems to be solid .. cheers thanks for the tips.
Nice review!! Thank you! If I could recommend anything else to carry.. duck tape.. real grey duck tape… it’s the best first aid staple: uses other than bandages.. endless. You could wrap it tightly around the pump handle and never know it was there till needed.
excellent video! getting a spare battery and keeping it in a mountable battery storage case comes in handy for long hauls!
rad runner series are amazing. i have had RR2 for 3 years now and i love it. idk how much life i have left on this bike but i will def buy another one when it finally breaks down on me
I use both tire liners and slime in my winter bike that has spikes on it. Changing tubes in extreme temps is very challenging
I agree with all of it. I got the rad runner last year and had the same issues. Haven’t spent money on new seat or suspension as learned how to balance my contact points. I also use the green stuff and got the mudguards. I use it everyday in the winter and now I am using mostly regular bikes as I started to turn off the power in my rad so often that got my legs in shape to ride regular bikes uphill. I love the bike! Love the video review!
E bike would seem an excellent commuting option. Especially if you live 10 miles from work. Would have to pay for gasoline and parking. Also you wouldn't have to fight gridlock to get to parking. Definitely better than mass transit.
That's exactly the distance I commute on my e-bike. Definitely takes some extra time (45-60 minutes vs 20-30 minutes by car), but if your commute has bad traffic this won't be as big a gap. Or if your e-bike has a higher top speed. The big obstacle is the weather, but that's only really an issue if the bike is your sole method of transportation.
@@ntm4 wow that is horrible. My car blew a head gasket, and I am currently commuting on a Cannondale Quick 4. My average commute is 45 minutes to an hour. I am almost 60. I thought that commuting at 20 miles an hour, your commute would be 30 minutes. No offense either you have too many traffic lights, you follow all traffic laws, or your time is off. 45 minutes if I am feeling good, more likely an hour. I have three lights that do add time. Fortunately all bike path, except the last half mile.
@@MrWelfarehater I have a Jetson Bolt Pro. It's far closer to the "help you going up hills" side of the e-bike scale than the "basically a motorcycle" side lol. On an uninterrupted straight-away, I'm slightly faster than the average manual cyclist (I think around 14-15 MPH). Once you factor in stops, slowdowns for approaching intersections with bad-visibility and avoiding pedestrians, it goes down to ~12 MPH average. So ~50 minutes for a 10 mile commute.
Not sure if anyone else mentioned this for your emergency kit, a puncture repair kit, but not much use with the tubes with slim in, but definitely for your spare, because it’s not unheard of to get a puncture whilst you are riding home on your spare.
Deffinitly recommend buying from local bike shops, they guys at my shop are super helpful and friendly and the bike they recommended me has been heaps of fun for 3+ years now.
The shop is Revolution Cycle in Rosland BC Canada,and the bike is a 2019 Lafree from "Giant", though it appears they've moved that over to a separate cargo E-bike brand called "Momentum" now, if anyone is curious
If you’re riding on mostly paved surfaces, you should change the tires to road tires. You’ll get better range and a smoother ride. And you can still ride on hard packed dirt like fire roads.
Yep, the next ebike I plan on buying won't be a fat tire bike for sure. It's nice having the option though.
this is the most informative, no bullshit pleasant video ive seen on rad runner. im almost in tears
Along with the previously suggested zip ties and patch kit. Maybe some duct tape and a chain tool. Learning some basic maintenance and basic repair skills beforehand is also good idea.
Thanks! Looking to buy my first one as soon as I find the right one, so every tip I get is helpful.
I have truly truly enjoy this series. I have learned so much from you. I live in San Francisco in a studio apartment a very small studio apartment. I'm trying to find a way to store my bike in my room without breaking my lease. Holes in the wallet etc. If you have any ideas or any way to point me please let us know. Thank you so much for all the hard work you do it is appreciated.
Thanks for the kind words! Seems like a folding ebike would be perfect for you. Check out the Swagtron EB5 Pro. Under $1000 and very compact.
@Phil M Lmao, if you live in SF in a tiny studio apartment, clearly you can afford to drop $4K on a high-end eBike.
Thanks for this. I've been thinking about getting a ebike and this helps me make an informed choice.
Awesome! Glad it helped. Definitely check out the video I made last year about choosing an ebike: ua-cam.com/video/YhqDk97POOQ/v-deo.html
Just convert a regular bike into an e-bike... it will cost you less, and it will be more powerful than any other e-bike that comes from a factory.
I BOUGHT THE RAD MINI VERY SIMILAR FOLDING VERSION At 73 option of a none electric bike is a none starter. I consider it one of the best purchases in my life, I can struggle to walk a100 yds but easily ride several miles and enjoy it
I always have tools,patch kit,extra tire tube, rag,Handle bar jack & a electric pump that I keep on my planner bag at all time.
Rad. I have a 6km daily commute where half is through forest trails. Is the bike suitable for this? If not can you reccomend another? I'm pretty tall.
I felt the Rad Runner was the wrong choice. For first time buyers follow this advice and its only my opinion. 1) Check to see if ebikes are allowed in your area. 2) Pick a bike that is tailored to your needs; size, how far it will go, comfortable riding position. 3) Pick a bike company with good customer service. 4) Make sure you have a bike shop to repair it. Never buy an ebike just because it looks good on social media. Good luck and ride safe.
Are you in the bike business? Went to your channel but nothing there
That's crazy. The tubes for my 30hp hyw capable motorcycle are $4 Canadian.
I've been using the same inner tubes for 10 years. Why are these e bikes going flat a few times a year and cost so much? Seems crazy.
My one year of ownership is just coming up. Watching your video made me think of how I use it. I don't have a rack as mine is to supplement car usage. I ride to work or short trips to the near by shops. During winter it's too cold so my car is still important at certain times of the year.
I encourage you to try riding in winter. It can be done successfully if you dress in layers and avoid slippery snow & ice. The only trick to dressing is to make sure you don't sweat.
Suggestion for your emergency kit- gloves to keep your hands clean when you need to change a punctured inner tube on the road. I carry a thin pair of gardening gloves with me which is great for avoiding getting your hands all greasy when fiddling with the chain and tire.
awesome video. very practical and informative. keep it up. 👍
suggestion for kit:
at least two sets of disposable gloves to keep your hands clean.
some sort of rag or baby wipes / dude wipes to clean up potential messes, clean hands, spills from groceries or drinks.
maybe a powerbank or airtags somewhere hidden.
Really great suggestions. Thanks!
Gloves are such a good idea. Was adjusting my front mech yesterday and my whole body got covered in oil 😂
Hi! I love your videos on ebikes. Do you only use your bike on weekend or do you use it daily? If so, maybe you can show us your “A day in life with ebike” to show us how your prepare, face challenges on the road, or maybe limiting yourself to a certain limit because the battery says so
I love that idea! I mostly ride ebikes on the weekends and sometimes around the park after work.
Thank you so much you've taken me to school. Question , what's the charge time and how much does it affect your electrical bill ?
Can you give specifics on that seat post? What size is it? I've had a hard time finding that information from Rad Runner. I agree. I'd like to change out that seat!
Excellent tips. Great on liners and sealant.
I think a 9mm would make a great addition to the emergency pack.
If you need a 9mm on a bike ride, a 12 ga. would be more engaging.
If you are running sealant, you may as well drop the tubes entirely and run tubeless!
for your Emergency Kit, how adding a small First Aid Kit. Mole Skin for blisters, Band-Aids, Triple Antibiotic Ointment, Sun Screen, Bug repentant if you wanna stop along the route and the bugs are nasty. You can get most of this stuff in a First Aid Kit that is the size of your wallet and from the size of your E-Kit, it looks like it would fit.
Thanks for all the tips. They all make sense
why replace inner tube. just get patch kit
I used to carry both, because trying to patch a tube sitting on the side of the road kinda suck. But getting a second flat on a long ride or trying to find your patch kit because it's not in your bike pack sucks too if not more.
If you're having that many problems with inner tubes and your tyres. Invest in better tyres and tubes, the OEMs always suck.
Better tyres will have better durability and a better, more comfortable ride.
It would be better to learn a lesson and throw this POS away and build a real ebike.
I was wondering how it could be true to get that many flats a season with a new ebike. A cheap tyre makes sense. I know one old bike I had 20 years ago kept getting a flat and there was a metal burr in the inner rim chafing it but it was so old and time to be replaced. With my current bike I've been on the same inner tubes for 10 years, I did have to use a patch kit twice but that is it.
Greater than I expected small, compacted, easy to use
I saw zip ties mentioned, but as an alternative there are these little Velcro straps you can use for basically anything depending on the length you buy.
Buy a mid drive which has already puncture protected ebike tires. Upgrade seat, pedals and grips to ergo ones.
The feeling of being a proud ebike owner. Great video!
Personally, I would go the route of Juiced E-Bikes for a good utility e-bike. It does cost quite a bit more but you get a larger battery, a true 750w/1000w motor (Rad advertises 500/750w nominal motors that are in reality 250/350w motors that peak at 500/750w), and more bells and whistles like safety lights and features.
One way to think about it is, you get a barebones 60% completed bike with Rad for super cheap and can Frankenstein DIY everything to your liking. Or get a 100% completed bike for a higher cost, but everything is already integrated into the controller and will operate seamlessly.
Unfortunately, they only seem to be shipping to the US. Their models look awesome, though! Enjoy!
Spot on review. I have a UK spec., does not have a throttle but a boost to get you up to 6kph, because of the single gear - a great feature. Saddle agree, torture until the foam seemed to break up and soften. Seat stem nonstandard UK size. Power levels buttons, agree. Fiddly. Try using it at night without a head torch, and with gloves. Charging procedure, switch off within an hour of being fully charged. Try that if you come home late at night and sleep for eight hours, and it charges in 4/5. Lastly, on the cons, there are 8 mounting points, welded on, with bolts, and two welded brackets on the rear carrier. Easy fit accessories, but, if you don't want the baskets and whatnot, how much have you paid for mounting points you will not use? Odd thing, the brake levers are wrong way round, The right hand lever works the rear brake.
On the other hand it's a great ride. Often fling it around on woodland trails, where I can leave behind my younger, fitter friend, on his expensive mountain bike. Do I recommend it yes.
If you have AAA Auto club membership they will pick you up.
I like your video, but I disagree with you on a couple of things. First, any time you can have a bicycle delivered to you and put it together yourself you should. Never give up an opportunity to learn and know your bicycle. Being able to repair your bicycle yourself means never having to walk home. Second, I would prefer good tires with built in protection over tire liners or slime.
I agree. It took me an hour to assemble and I learned about the bike in the process. Also, save the front fork packing stand. I use mine to stabilize the bike in the back of my van, and then strap it down in an upright position. Saves a ton of space too.
@@olopc great trip on saving the fork packing stand. 👍
Big thumbs up it is! Great video - short, dynamic and very helpful 👍 Thank you!
Thanks for your video. Still searching for the ebike that will allow me go supermarket shopping and I can place racks.
Maybe add a patch kit to that emergency kit
on a long ride i always bring 1 or 2 imodium or any diarrhea medicine.
Bro I feel you on going to the bike shop. My first bike I got online and had to return it 2 weeks later. Second bike I got at a shop. They have done so much work to my bike. Just little things here and there but after 7 months of changing this replacing that. The bike rides better than new.
As mentioned tire liners work well, however tire sealant work best on tubeless tires due to drying effects at the leak.Adding sealant to a tube does not work for most punctures because the leaking tube doesn’t have direct air contact. The slim just leaks in between the tube and the tire wall. The tube never seals and air escapes through the spoke nipples. It’s a mess, especially when you’re on the side of the road fixing a flat.
I would add a little hip flask to my emergency kit. You never know when you might need a shot.
I have a drawstring bottle bag for my water bottle. I also have a motion sensor security alarm on my eBike that is armed and disarmed with a remote control. I didn’t notice a display on your eBike, but some disposable gloves or ziplock bag will keep your display dry if you two get caught in the rain while riding. A good bike chain would be nice to have for when you have to secure your eBike while you run into a store or coffee shop. A good bike cover would be nice to cover your eBikes when they are being transported on the back of the vehicle. Use some bungee cords to make sure the covers are secured tightly.
Thank you very good information to know as im thinking about my first purchase
Wow, I'd never be able to justify buying an $800 rack to myself. 😅
Sure you could..
Yea, it was a tough trigger to pull, but it's so much more convenient when you have a small vehicle. I use the rack so much that I feel like I've gotten my money's worth.
I mean that's the cost to play. Now imagine you get a top notch rack, not bottom/middle of the road.
Maybe I missed it - does your emergency kit have Allen wrenches?
yes
I've had the Ariel Rider X-Class (48V version) for over a year now and over 3000 miles. It has many of the things you are adding. And it's very fast, if needed. I love it and ride it as often as weather allows. And it's price point is VERY friendly, with many top end features.
I carry my spare tubes inside a Ziplock bag. Talcum powder is then dumped into the bag. This helps the tube move around within the tire and prevents the tube from sticking to the inside of the tire.
On my road bikes, I only use Kevlar belted tires. Once ran a set of 700c x 20 tires one season (about 2K miles) with only one flat.
I also carry a chain breaker. I speak from experience on this recommendation.
When you have to start adding weight to the bike for a emergency kit I’d start questioning if it’s worth just taking a motorbike or a car instead. Bikes are suppose to be light to cycle them and this extra stuff goes against that ethos, if it’s just for transport and not exercise take a moped or motorbike.
No license , no insurance or registration and you can use bike paths and lanes . The motor helps negate any added weight . Plus you can park and lock almost anywhere . Not a similar comparison
The emergency kit doesn't need to include that much. If you have a good multi-tool then you shouldn't also need wrenches. Just need a multi-tool, spare tube or small patch kit, and maybe some tyre levers. My emergency kit is probably a quarter of the size of the one shown in the video and is very light.
@@vinroc But you cant park of lock anywhere, even with a D lock these are easily stolen with bolt cutters, hacksaw or battery angle grinder
That's why you buy a FOLDING bike and electrify it - anything other than a quick tire patch, just fold it and call an Uber, lol, or a good friend.
@@SecretOfMonkeyIsland784 Same deal with any kind of bike, I imagine. If you care about it and absolutely have to leave it, secure it where people are always present, use two quality locks, a bike alarm, and carry theft insurance. They do make a D-lock that can't be cut through quickly with an angle grinder, but it's a beast that is generally meant to stay on the bike rack when not in use (unless you want to tote a 15lb, $300 lock in your luggage rack.
While that seems cool, once you start getting over a grand imo it'd make sense to get a full fledged scooter or motorcycle for daily transportation. But we all have our toy, I realize you said you take it on the weekends for exercise.
I disagree. Scooters are fun, but not the same experience. I ride my bike for 30+ miles through mountains all the time.
Motorcycles are thousands of dollars, require a license, registration and insurance and much more dangerous.
@@LoganMoy I was referring more to commuting and as a daily driver. Also the guy said he spent about a grand on all this, you can get older motorcycle s and scooters that run for around that much. I'm aware it's two different things but I bought a Honda magna for 600 bucks before and it ran. Different strokes for different folks. E bikes are still cool.
@@bamcorpgaming5954 fair enough. I definitely don’t use it as a daily driver, mostly cause I work from home now and don’t have a daily commute. Ebikes are more of a leisurely weekend activity for me and it’s nice to have the option for exercise by lowering the pedal assist. Thanks for watching and commenting!
I sold my 2 Zuma's scooters and bought 2 ebikes. You can get parking tickets with a scooter as well as you can't ride on side walks like you can with a bike in Florida, also transporting 2 scooters takes a pickup truck and they are at least twice a heavy
@@BrianMacKay daily transportation
Slime has drawbacks, it's slightly corrosive and has a shelf life both on the shelf and in your tube. I've used Bike Seal for three years, one tube has three year old sealant and it'll last till the tube dies. I've never in all that time had a puncture and I ride in a big city. It's double the price but gives great piece of mind. It's even used by the military.
I had ordered a radrunner..my question is what size inner tube does it take, being i want to get some spare ones. Thanks