You know those things you never thought you needed until they come into your life, then you think-
HOW DID I LIVE SO LONG WITHOUT YOU?!
Well, that’s exactly how I feel about our electric Rad Power Bikes. I love them. Like, I really love them. The lovely Rad Power Bikes team gifted us two bikes of our choice in exchange for our thoughts and let me tell you, this is one of my favorite collaborations to date! These bikes are incredible!
There’s a lot of things to love about Rad Power Bikes. For one, if you live in certain areas, they have a Mobile Service that offers a number of services, including bike delivery + assembly, maintenance and even test rides! Our bikes and accessories were delivered already assembled, right to our house. Then I was given step-by-step instructions on operating the bikes and charging them. I took videos to make sure I didn’t forget anything and was able to show them to Matt when he got got home from work. Super helpful! Knowing the team is available for maintenance calls was a huge selling point for me.
You’re probably asking yourself a few questions:
1) How do they work?
2) Is it scary to ride?!
3) How often do you need to charge them?
4) Is it worth the cost?
I’m happy to help because these were my exact same questions.
How do they work?
The Rad Power Bikes ride exactly like a regular bike except they come with a battery boost! This battery boost is EVERYTHING! We live in a very bike friendly city but there are a lot of hills that can be super tiring and I don’t want to be exhausted + sweaty every time I run an errand or use my bike for transportation. The bikes have 5 different pedal assist levels and they also have gears. The pedal assist levels can be changed based on where you’re riding and how much help you need. There’s also a throttle that can be used for extra help getting across roadways, at stoplights or going up hilly driveways, like ours. You can also keep your bike at 0 assist but the bikes are heavier than your average road bike so I wouldn’t recommend it. The pedal assists also help me feel super safe as I’m cruising through the city alone. It has the power to get me away from any sketchy situations and it’s truly boosted my confidence.
Is it scary to ride?!
Heck no. It’s SO FUN! I was nervous and Matt wasn’t at all, which is typical for us. I’m a cautious soul and I didn’t want to feel out of control on anything with wheels but you’re very secure. Obviously, wear helmets and take precautions while riding but there’s no need to be nervous. When friends come visit, we love bringing out the bikes and letting them take turns cruising around the block. I think we’ve sold quite a few people on the magic of electric Rad Power Bikes.
How often do you need to charge them?
We’ve had our bikes two weeks and have only needed to charge them a couple of times. I’ve been riding all over the city and the charge has held with no problems. They charge in a regular outlet and we leave ours plugged in overnight then you’re good to go the next morning. I also like that you can charge the bikes with or without removing the battery pack. We have outlets in our garage and plug them in before going to sleep. Perfection.
Is it worth the cost?
I say yes! For us, we share a car and Matt takes the car to work every day. I usually ride the bus but stopped about a year ago during COVID so the Rad Power Bike has been the perfect way for me to get around. I would feel totally confident taking it across town any time. I also feel safe because of the battery power. Again, I can scoot across streets way faster as well as ride around sketchy situations. Big city probs. Because the bikes are also safe to ride in rain, you can use them all year round. They’re the best.
I have the white RadCity Step-Thru 3, which is an electric city bike perfect for commuting. Because I’m shorter, the step-thru is really practical and makes it easier to hop on and off with ease. Matt chose the RadRover 5 Fat Tire Electric Bike. The new RadRover 5 seamlessly blends rugged capabilities and exceptional comfort. With 4” fat tires and a reputation for stability, the flagship ebike is perfect for off-road adventures, weekend spins around the neighborhood, and everything in between. It’s no wonder it’s the best-selling electric fat bike in North America. He can also ride on the beach!
If you have any questions about the bikes, please let me know. We’re truly loving them and I cannot wait for Portland summer where we’ll be cruising all season long. Thanks to the amazing team at Rad Power Bikes for letting us share our experiences. We’re huge fans!