Rad Power RadRunner 3 Plus Review

Rad Power Bikes recently revamped the RadRunner3 Plus, giving the bike a reinforced frame with a semi-integrated battery pack and some nicer accouterments. The bike now benefits from hydraulic brakes, a center-mount kickstand, and an updated display. Like past RadRunners, the 3 Plus uses a moped-style seat and high rear rack over a short wheelbase with a low step-through. It's a unique look that we found quite versatile and easy to use.

Performance Comparison

Ride

The RadRunner 3 Plus is incredibly user-friendly. Everything about the bike seems tailored to convenience. It's easy to get on, quick to power up, and very easy to maneuver despite its hefty weight. A suspension fork and 20x3.3" tires insulate you from the road and give the bike an incredibly smooth and quiet ride. Due to the short stem and BMX-style handlebar, the seated position is upright, giving the rider commanding visibility. Riding in this much of an upright position often results in too much weight resting on the saddle, but the unique, moped-style seat provides a comfortable perch. It's not like any bicycle seat we've used in the past, and we wouldn't likely recommend it for extended-duty pedaling, but it works quite well on this bike, especially while using the throttle.

The handling feels relaxed and predictable. This bike isn't in a hurry, and the ideal rider isn't going to be either, as its maximum assisted speed is limited to 20 mph. Rad suggests that this bike is appropriate for riders between 4'11" and 6'2", and while that may be possible, only the seatpost is adjustable. We found this bike fit riders between 5'1" and 5'11" quite well, and while riders outside of that range could certainly make it work, it wouldn't seem ideal. A built-in rack, fenders, front and rear lights, and an exceptionally nice center-mount kickstand are standard equipment and give the bike additional utility.

We loved riding this bike, which surprised us in some ways. The low top speed and strange saddle weren't exactly selling points, but at the end of the day, they didn't distract from how much we enjoyed the bike. It doesn't feel sporty or zippy, but the short wheelbase and 750-watt motor give the bike enough pep and agility that you don't feel totally devoid of pleasure. This bike excels in short jaunts, urban errand runs, and pleasure cruises. With a bevy of e-bikes to take on lunch runs, the RadRunner 3 was in constant use around the office.

Agility doesn't usually come to mind with an almost 74-pound bike, but the short wheelbase and 68-degree head and seat tube angles give it above-average maneuverability without ever feeling twitchy. The RST fork provides 60mm of suspension travel, which takes the edge off the harsh urban environment, while the 3.3" tires contribute to the overall comfort and stability. The Kenda K-Rad tires have a checkerboard tread pattern that rolls well on the pavement but provides a fair bit of traction on dirt and gravel. They also have a puncture protection belt and reflective sidewalls.

The RadRunner 3 Plus provides an incredibly comfortable ride, and all of the choices Rad made about its specs come together to make it feel user-friendly and easy to ride. The 7-speed Acera drivetrain shifted fine but we're honestly no fans of the shifter design that requires pushing your thumb above the handlebar. The Tektro hydraulic disc brakes connect with 180mm rotors to handle the stopping duties and perform quite well, even with the bike fully loaded.

Standard features include full ABS plastic fenders, front and rear lights that utilize the bike's large battery, and the built-in rear rack capable of carrying 120 pounds. The rack sits higher than we think it should, which can make the bike feel a bit more precarious when you have it fully loaded. The rack could sit 5 inches lower, like the one found on the Specialized Globe Haul ST, and it would still feel every bit as useful while keeping the center of gravity lower. Our criticism aside, this bike feels near perfect for running errands, carrying a child, or just cruising for pleasure.

Range

With a 14Ah, 672Wh battery, we found the RadRunner 3 Plus to be quite capable and never gave us range anxiety. Rad claims that this bike has a 45+ mile range; of course, they assume you're doing a bit of pedaling. Our range test uses only throttle power, so we didn't anticipate getting that far on a single charge.

Riding our range course with a fully charged battery, we were able to ride the RadRunner 3 Plus for 23.99 miles with 1268 feet of elevation gain. The course consists of rolling hills, mixed surfaces, and as few stops as possible. The bike maintained full power of 750 watts until the final 10% of its battery life when its power output dropped to 350 watts. The bike never felt fast or uncomfortable, its positioning much like being seated at a desk with neutral arms and relaxed shoulders.

Power

The RadRunner 3 Plus uses a 750W hub motor, which is fairly standard across the Rad Power lineup. Power comes on with a firm, consistent feel that easily pushes the bike to 20mph. It doesn't exactly feel sporty, but it doesn't require any effort on your part. Should you use the pedal assist function, you have five ride modes to choose from, each offering progressively more assistance. Mode 1 feels like the perfect setting for someone's first e-bike ride, it's a smooth, subtle assistance that feels a bit like a pleasant tail wind. In this mode, your legs still feel some resistance; you're getting exercise, but the bike doesn't feel heavy or reluctant. As you climb through the modes, assistance is increased, and the amount of work you put in drops off sharply.

As a Class 2 electric bike, the RadRunner 3 Plus includes a throttle to push you along without having to move your legs. Accelerating with the throttle isn't fast, but you won't feel trapped in an intersection or lagging behind. On flat ground, the bike gets to 20 mph in 9.9 seconds. You can pedal the bike beyond 20 mph, but given its mass, this is only likely to happen with a considerable decline. In our hill climb test, the RadRunner reached 15 mph on our test hill, slowing to 11 mph in the steepest section of the incline.

Interface

The RadRunner 3 Plus has an interesting user interface that uses two screens. The central display has a speedometer, odometer, clock, and a read-out to show how many watts the motor is adding to your efforts. The second display sits on the left side of the handlebar and has four buttons. A bright orange button powers the bike on/off, and a grey button turns the headlight on/off. There are also two black buttons with up and down arrows that adjust the pedal assist settings. The left display shows the current pedal assist setting and the battery's state of charge and has an indicator for the headlight. It's odd to have two displays; you certainly get used to it, but it doesn't feel like the most efficient iteration of this possible. Holding the up arrow for two seconds puts the bike in walk mode, which allows you to walk next to the bike while it powers its own weight at walking speed. This can be a useful feature if you want to walk your bike up a steep hill or have it fully loaded and want assistance pushing it.

The main display measures 2 1/2" x 2 1/2", while the secondary screen measures 1 1/4" x 1". It feels odd to have two displays, but after a few rides, you find yourself looking in the right direction for the information you want. The removable 672Wh battery features a button that allows you to check its state of charge off of the bike or without powering the bike on. The charging port is in an easy-to-reach location, but its rubber cover makes it a bit harder to access than others. There are no USB ports on this bike, so while you can mount a phone to the handlebars, you won't be able to keep it charged while the screen is running.

Assembly

The RadRunner 3 Plus ships to your doorstep. Skipping the bike shop means you can save quite a bit of money, but you're also responsible for building and tuning the bike. Fortunately, the RadRunner 3 Plus is mostly assembled when it arrives. The steps that remain for final assembly are fairly rudimentary, and almost anyone can complete them with the included instructions and tools. Our total assembly and tune time was 38 minutes.

The RadRunner3 Plus arrives in a cool looking box with fun graphics on both sides, it sets you up for a fun time. With the exception of some zip-ties, the packaging is largely recyclable. The most difficult part of the assembly is pulling the bike from the box itself; you can make this easier by laying the box on its side and sliding the bike out. The most time-consuming aspect of assembly is removing all of the protective packaging, but once those tasks are complete, the mission is pretty clear. You'll be mounting the handlebars, front wheel, pedals, and front fender. The light needs to be attached and plugged in, and the kickstand needs to be secured. After that you'll need to charge the battery and top off the tire pressure. The semi-integrated battery ships in safety mode on this bike, so it needs to be unlocked before it can be powered on. This is a simple task that just involves pushing a few buttons, and the directions are printed on a sticker affixed to the battery.

We found the assembly to be slightly easier than average. Rad Power provided an instruction manual and a Rider Quick Reference Guide. They also sent us an e-mail with some helpful links and resources, like an assembly video and a link to their FAQ page. A small tool kit included all of the necessary bits for assembling the bike and keeping it tuned.

Should You Buy the Rad Power RadRunner3 Plus?

If you're ok with a top speed of 20 mph, this bike is an absolute delight. It's comfortable to ride, convenient for running errands, powerful enough to tackle some hills, and versatile enough to haul a child or small friend. While it isn't inexpensive, the bike feels like a reasonable value. You'd be wise to check out the available accessories and price the bike out with the accessories you'd like prior to purchase, as those add-ons can add a substantial sum to the overall price. The bike isn't fast or sporty, but it feels well-built and exceptionally easy to use; it would be a great first e-bike for someone.

What Other E-Bikes Should You Consider?

This bike is quite similar to the Specialized Globe Haul ST, but the Haul ST is a bit faster, more capable, and more expensive. If you want this bike's comfort and functionality with more utility, the Rad Power RadWagon 5 is the answer. The RadWagon is an exceptionally stable and customizable cargo bike that can make you second-guess your car. If you're on a budget but still looking for a great e-bike, the Lectric XP 3.0 is a foldable model with above-average versatility.