Radpower E-bikes

[steeliedrew]

I’m really considering picking up the RadRover along with a second battery. I’ve got a buddy with a Juggernaut HD Duo and two other buddies with Backou E-bikes and now I’m the odd man out. Haha.

Do any of you have real world experience with the RadRover? Especially in hilly terrain behind gates. I have zero interest in riding trails or off trail. Only on the logging roads to get in and out more efficiently, and packing out the occasional critter.

At $1,700 the hub driven 750 watt RadRover is less than half the price of a number of the bigger name brands that use mid drives. You can drop $5-$7k in a hurry on some of them. which is not in the cards this year.

So let’s here it. What do you have and how has it worked for you? Especially interested in the RadRover though.

Thanks,

Drew


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[3dvapor]

If it's really steep gravel roads I'd consider saving up for a mid drive.  I've owned biktrix and a backou.  Backou full suspension would be my choice.  Biktrix has terrible customer service when things go bad.  Even the mid drives will drain your battery quickly on a steep hill even if pedaling.  A rear hub has almost half the torque.   

[trophyhunt]

I have a Rambo roamer, 750 mid drive. On steep hills, my battery only gets me about 4 miles, pretty lame. I don’t recommend the Rambo, my rear hub broke after 34 miles. It wasn’t tuned from the factory, since it has been fixed and tuned, it’s been much better. But I still need two batteries to go up my 6 mile long hill.  Going down hill w a deer in my cart, completely ruined my brake system, had to get it all replaced.  Prob need better rotors??  Anyway, my cousin has had Radrover for years, and he loves his, no problems. Look at Bolton e bikes out of California, that guy knows his chit and they have a solid product, they actually test drive the bike before delivering.  They charge $100 for delivery but it’s quality! My Rambo showed up in a box that was all torn up, w bags ripped open and missing parts.  Bolton is cheaper than Rambo as well, I paid 3,200 for mine. There is a thread on here w more info, think it’s called “best ebike”. Or something like that.

[CP]

I've got the Rad mini.  The 20" tires really help with the hill climb.

[Crunchy]

Im on my second Radrover, just picked up a new one in April.  Took it to Oregon on old logging roads and got about 17 miles with 25% battery left.  I do wish it had a bit more power.  Takes about 7 hrs to fully recharge. 

[steeliedrew]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I’ve watched my buddy in his Juggernaut HD Duo with Prolly 70lbs of gear in a trailer go up pretty steep grades like it was nothing. One such grade is constant up switchbacks for a mile and a half or so to get up to the gate. He doesn’t even break a sweat. but he’s into that bike over $5k with the options he went with.


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[steeliedrew]

Im on my second Radrover, just picked up a new one in April.  Took it to Oregon on old logging roads and got about 17 miles with 25% battery left.  I do wish it had a bit more power.  Takes about 7 hrs to fully recharge.

That’s good to hear you went 17 miles and still had 25% left. Tons of variables that affect range though for sure though so I know results will vary. Did your first RadRover wear out eventually? Is that why you got a new one? How many miles did you put on it?

my buddy has a compact generator he got at Harbor freight. He can charge both of his Juggernaut batteries with 1 gallon of gasoline. I’m not sure how long it takes but I think it’s not more than a couple hours.

I’ll end up purchasing a second battery for sure.


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[Crunchy]

The battery for Rad takes a 2amp charger so it takes a lot longer to charge.  Not sure how many amps your friend's battery charger is.  The first one we had for 5 years and beat them up a bit.  Taking them in on the 20th to Rad to freshen them up.  Main issue with the old ones was that it would keep losing power because the battery bracket was worn out.  Hit too many jumps on it.  Would have to stop and bang on it to get it to reconnect.  It too needs a new battery because we only get about 12 miles on the old ones before they die.

[steeliedrew]

I’ll have to ask my buddy what his charger is rated for. most of the time it wouldn’t matter but there’s some multi day bike packing trips where a trip back to the truck to charge batteries could be a thing. And having to run a generator for 6 hours or so could be not so cool. 


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[ridgefire]

I have had my Radrover for a year and a half or so and have over 2000 miles on it now. Large majority of the miles are from cruising logging roads. I upgraded the motor and controller from Bolton E bikes and it has more power than I will ever need. With the new controller you can crank it up to over 1600 watts. I have it set where the max power is approx 1100 watts and its perfect for how I ride. I had it cranked up to 1600 watts and was pedaling and hit 34.8 mph and was passing cars on Main Street in Monroe. I went on a 27 mile ride up around Wallace Lake last week and still had a little battery power left when I got back to my truck. The new 35 amp controller and 750 watt motor is roughly $500. My next purchase for it will be the 52v 21 amp hour battery from Bolton. I am still using the original battery.

[millerwheeler]

Look at there weight rating.  That’s why I went with a Rambo  once u have a pack and gear  weighs ya down more than u would think

[steeliedrew]

I have had my Radrover for a year and a half or so and have over 2000 miles on it now. Large majority of the miles are from cruising logging roads. I upgraded the motor and controller from Bolton E bikes and it has more power than I will ever need. With the new controller you can crank it up to over 1600 watts. I have it set where the max power is approx 1100 watts and its perfect for how I ride. I had it cranked up to 1600 watts and was pedaling and hit 34.8 mph and was passing cars on Main Street in Monroe. I went on a 27 mile ride up around Wallace Lake last week and still had a little battery power left when I got back to my truck. The new 35 amp controller and 750 watt motor is roughly $500. My next purchase for it will be the 52v 21 amp hour battery from Bolton. I am still using the original battery.

That’s good to hear that the upgrade worked out so well. I watched a video today on YouTube from a guy that goes by Citizen Cycle where he showed his results from installing that same kit. sounds like you’re getting some good mileage out of it too even with the beefier controller.

[ridgefire]

I watched the same videos and that's what got me to buy the Bolton upgrade.

[trophyhunt]

Damn, wish I’d have went w the rover or Bolton after reading this thread.  Bolton is the brains though when it comes to these bikes, I give him the edge.

[steeliedrew]

I watched the same videos and that's what got me to buy the Bolton upgrade.

How did you feel about the RadRover when it was stock? I’ll probably order one and an extra battery but leave it stock for this season. Then do the upgrades in the winter.