Riding the latest e-beast from Rad Power Bikes.
words :: Todd Lawson
Of course it’s no secret that e-bikes are no longer the fringe experiment they once were. Love ‘em or hate ‘em, they’ve become an integral part of the way we move about town. With a massive surge in popularity over the last few years alone, it seems like everyone is starting up an e-bike brand, and the market is filled with too many options. But Rad Power Bikes stays true to its brand DNA—sturdy, practical designs that are fun to ride, and thus rise to the top of the heap.
And now they’ve unleashed a new beast—the RadRunner Max. This new arrow in their e-bike quiver sports enough smart features to make everyday riding even more fun.
Rad Power Bikes stays true to its brand DNA—sturdy, practical designs that are fun to ride, and thus rise to the top of the heap.
The Ride
We take the RadRunner Max out for a rip on Whistler’s Valley Trail system— a network of paved interconnected trails; the perfect place to see what it can do. Right away the bike feels solid, speedy and responsive. Anything with a throttle is fun to ride (and this bike offers loads of fun-factor)—I already knew that. What I didn’t realize was how well the bike handles. The steering is steady and predictable, the eight gears shift cleanly with a simple thumb click, and the tires!…fat and grippy; I’d feel comfortable riding this bike any time of the year.
The real test comes when I pick up speed heading into a corner. The bike also feels built for comfort and control. It’s got this cool torque sensor tech that delivers more torque the harder you pedal. The hydraulic brakes bite quickly and with confidence. After we get bored with the pavement, we detour onto a forested path and the Max manages fine on the flat dirt/gravel, but without suspension, every root and bump makes itself known. I wish the bike had suspension but that would add a lot more onto the price, so I stand on the pedals instead. 😉
The Tech
Here’s the cool part. The Max’s new LCD display does more than show speed and battery. It also warns you when a car is approaching from behind—a small addition that makes a big difference in traffic. But my favorite part is the signal lights! Yes, signal lights on a bike, controlled by a thumb switch. Makes me feel a whole lot better when my teenage daughter takes it over to her friends’ place down the street.
Up next, the RFID key card system. Pretty cool little security feature. Swipe the screen and ride away. If you happen to leave it outside for a bit, nobody’s starting your bike. It’s simple, and it works. You can even charge your phone through the LCD “dashboard.” Likey.
Pros
The RadRunner Max is a strong, burly bike. The frame feels bombproof and the back rack is ready for anything—box of groceries, passengers, dog in a crate? The seat is comfortable enough for longer rides, and the upright riding position feels natural. The brakes (both front and back hydraulic disc) are excellent, the drivetrain is smooth, and overall the bike gives off a sense of being a dialled-in, well-thought-out machine.
All of this inspires confidence. And that’s a good thing.
Cons
At more than 75 pounds, this is not a bike you casually toss over a shoulder or roll up a flight of stairs. It’s heavy, and you’ll notice it off the trail. And while there is 80mm tapered Exsho fork front suspension that will take a little bit of the impact out when you hit anything at speed, it is a hardtail, meaning lack of rear suspension isn’t really an issue on smooth pavement, but it does jar you pretty good if you hit a pothole cooking along at 30km/hr. Afterall, it’s not a mountain bike, it’s a cruiser 😉
The Final Word
In a sea of e-utility bikes, it’s pretty safe to say that the RadRunner Max is one of the best utility e-bikes under $3000. After my time with it I can see why. It’s practical, safe, and VERY, VERY fun to ride. The features Rad has added onto/into the Max— from turn signals to rear-approach detection to using Apple Find to track a lost or stolen bike— show that they’re on top of the e-bike game.
Truthfully, I wasn’t ready to park it. The RadRunner Max is the kind of bike that makes you want to ride more—and isn’t that the point?
*One little safety note: Wear your bloody helmet! Protect your melon, you’re worth it.
Check out all the bells and whistles HERE.
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