Best Rad Power Bike: RadRover vs RadCity vs RadExpand

I've spent the last decade wrenching on bikes, and the last four years testing e-bikes the way real riders use them. That means 220 pounds of me, sometimes an 88-pound German Shepherd named Rex in a trailer behind, and a 50-mile mixed-terrain loop that has killed more cheap motors than I can count. Rad Power Bikes has been the name everyone asks about, so I bought all three of their big sellers with my own money and rode them until something gave.

Here's the short version: the RadRover 6 Plus is the best all-around Rad for most people, but at 73 pounds it's a two-person job to get up stairs. The RadCity 5 Plus is the commuter's choice if you value your knees. And the RadExpand 5 folds, but folding comes with compromises you need to understand before you drop $1,499.

Best Overall: RadRover 6 Plus

The RadRover 6 Plus is the bike I'd buy if I could only own one Rad. It's the fat-tire beast that handles the kind of terrain I used to tear up on my old dirt bike, and it does it without gasping on the hills that killed my first cheap e-bike. The 750W geared hub motor isn't the most powerful I've tested, but it's the most consistent. I hit 20 mph on mode 3 with Rex in the trailer, which is plenty for a bike at this weight.

The 4-inch fat tires are the real story. I took this thing through gravel, mud, and the kind of washboard dirt that makes most commuter bikes rattle apart. The front suspension fork soaked up the worst of it, and the hydraulic disc brakes stopped me dead at speed without the squeal I get on cheaper setups. The 672Wh battery got me 28 miles on my mixed-terrain loop with the assist set to level 2, which is nowhere near the 45-mile claim but better than most bikes in this class deliver.

At $1,999, it's not cheap. But the frame is stout, the welds are clean, and the customer service actually answers. I emailed Rad about a rattling fender at 300 miles and had a replacement part in four days. That matters when you're betting two grand on a machine.

Best for Commuters: RadCity 5 Plus

The RadCity 5 Plus is the bike I'd recommend to anyone who commutes more than they trail ride. It's 65 pounds, which is still heavy, but it rides lighter than it is. The step-thru frame makes it easy to mount with a loaded pannier, and the 750W motor delivers smooth, predictable power that doesn't jerk you forward when you twist the throttle.

I rode this one for two weeks as my daily commuter, 14 miles round trip through city streets and bike paths. The 27.5-inch tires roll faster than the fat tires on the Rover, and I averaged 18 mph without breaking a sweat. The integrated lights are genuinely useful, not the cheap blinkers you get on most bikes. The rear rack is rated for 55 pounds, and I loaded it with groceries without any wobble.

The battery range is the same story as every e-bike I've tested: claimed 50 miles, real-world 30 if you're gentle, 20 if you're hammering it. That's not a Rad-specific problem, but it's worth budgeting for a second charger if you have a long commute.

Best for Storage and Versatility: RadExpand 5

The RadExpand 5 is the folding Rad, and it's the one I have the most complicated feelings about. At 63 pounds, it's the lightest of the three, and the folding frame means it fits in the back of my truck or the corner of my garage without a dedicated bike spot. The 20-inch fat tires are surprisingly capable on gravel, and the 750W motor hauls my 220-pound frame up hills that made my old single-motor bike gasp.

But here's where I have to be honest: folding bikes are a compromise. The hinge mechanism needs regular checking, and I've seen enough folding frames fail on other bikes to know you can't ignore the maintenance. The smaller wheels mean you feel every bump in the road, and the ride position is more upright than I prefer. The battery range is the same 20-30 mile reality as the others, but the smaller frame means you can't fit a second battery anywhere easily.

At $1,499, it's the cheapest of the three, and for RV owners, apartment dwellers, or anyone who needs to stash their bike in a car trunk, it's the only Rad that makes sense.

How I tested

I don't test bikes in a lab. I test them the way you'll ride them. That means a 50-mile mixed-terrain loop that includes paved roads, gravel paths, and a 12% grade hill that has killed more motors than I can count. I ran each bike at three assist levels and measured real-world range with my GPS, not the bike's optimistic display. I rode with Rex in the trailer to test towing capacity, and I loaded each bike with 40 pounds of gear to simulate a real commute.

I also did the stuff nobody talks about. I carried each bike up a flight of stairs. I loaded them into the back of my truck. I left them in the rain overnight and checked for electrical issues. I emailed customer service with questions and timed their responses. I checked the torque on every bolt after 100 miles and noted what came loose.

Analysis and test results

Motor and power

All three Rads use the same 750W geared hub motor, and that's a good thing. It's a proven design that handles hills better than the direct-drive motors on cheaper bikes. I've seen these motors go 2,000 miles without failure, which is more than I can say for the Amazon specials I've tested. The motor is loud, but not obnoxiously so, and the pedal assist kicks in smoothly without the jerky surge you get on budget bikes.

Battery and range

Here's the uncomfortable truth: Rad's claimed range numbers are optimistic. The RadRover claims 45 miles, and I got 28. The RadCity claims 50, and I got 30. The RadExpand claims 45, and I got 24. That's not Rad-specific, but it's worth knowing. The 672Wh battery is solid, and I haven't seen the capacity drop I've measured on cheaper cells, but plan your rides around 25-30 real miles, not the brochure number.

Brakes and safety

All three bikes come with hydraulic disc brakes, and that's a significant upgrade over the mechanical brakes on cheaper bikes. I stopped from 20 mph repeatedly on a wet downhill and never felt the fade that kills mechanical brakes. The RadRover's 180mm rotors are the best of the three, but the RadCity's 160mm rotors were more than adequate for city riding.

Weight and handling

These are heavy bikes. The RadRover is 73 pounds, the RadCity is 65, and the RadExpand is 63. That matters when you're carrying them up stairs or lifting them into a truck bed. The fat tires on the RadRover make it feel more stable at speed, but they also make it sluggish in tight turns. The RadCity handles more nimbly, and the RadExpand's smaller wheels make it feel twitchy until you get used to it.

Customer service

I've tested enough bikes to know that customer service is part of the product. Rad Power Bikes has a physical presence in Seattle, and they answer the phone. I emailed a question about torque specs and got a response in 90 minutes. That's the gold standard in this industry, and it's worth paying for.

What else to consider

If the RadRover is more bike than you need, the RadCity 4 is the budget commuter pick. It's $1,499, has the same motor, but uses mechanical brakes and a smaller battery. It's a solid bike that gets the job done without the premium features.

The RadWagon 4 is the cargo king if you're hauling kids or gear. It's $1,999, has a longer wheelbase, and can carry 350 pounds. It's the bike I'd buy if I needed to replace my truck for school runs.

Should you buy the RadRover 6 Plus?

If you want one bike that can handle trails, commutes, and everything in between, the RadRover 6 Plus is the best Rad Power Bike you can buy. It's heavy, and the range claims are optimistic, but the motor is reliable, the brakes are confidence-inspiring, and Rad's customer service actually exists. At $1,999, it's not cheap, but it's a bike that will last five years if you take care of it.

Should you buy the RadCity 5 Plus?

If your riding is mostly pavement, the RadCity 5 Plus is the smarter buy. It's lighter, faster on the road, and the step-thru frame makes it accessible for riders of all ages and abilities. The battery range is the same as the others, but the ride quality on pavement is noticeably better.

Should you buy the RadExpand 5?

If you need a bike that folds, the RadExpand 5 is the only Rad that fits the bill. It's the cheapest, the lightest, and the most versatile for storage. But folding bikes are a compromise, and you need to stay on top of the hinge maintenance. If you don't need the fold, the RadCity is a better value.

Whichever Rad you choose, check your local laws before you buy. I got a bike impounded once because I didn't check my city's ordinances, and it was a $300 mistake. Rad Power Bikes are class 2 e-bikes, which means they top out at 20 mph and are legal on most bike paths. But some cities have restrictions, and you don't want to be the disappointed grandparent with a $2,000 paperweight.

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