- Sherryl Nens

RadRunner Power Utility E-Bikes – One Year review and ownership

In this blog, we review our Rad Power Bikes.  We have had our RadRunner e-bikes for about a year, solving a mobility issue for our family. 

Thank you for reading our blog, and if you are new to our blog, we help inspire others to live like the best days are always ahead of us.  We share our family’s adventures with young kids in tow and RV Lifestyle tips and tricks. 

But this article could be for anyone looking at solving a mobility issue.  Perhaps you live in a tiny house or apartment, maybe you live in the city and don’t want always to drive a car, or you want to get outside more and get that needed Vitamin D.  

Before we get into the details and review our e-bikes, you must know we purchased these bikes.  We did not receive any discounts or endorsements and are just ordinary consumers like you looking to solve a problem.  

Why we needed E-Bikes

When we first started living in our RV, many RVers had golf carts to tool around the campground.  Some of these campgrounds are vast, where a simple walk to the pool can be a half-mile away.  

We considered a golf cart and even looked at the small cricket golf cart, but we didn’t know where to store it or transport it as we didn’t want to tow a trailer behind our fifth wheel.  And golf carts cannot get you far outside of a campground.  

And while we love our F-450, sometimes it’s too big to park!  Can you imagine driving the streets of Key West in our giant Super Duty?

We started our full-time RV adventure without bringing any bikes with us, as I didn’t have a bike, and quite frankly, I’m not a very good bike rider.  And with our girls being so young, they can’t keep up on their little bikes or navigate streets outside the campground.

First experience on an E-Bike

One day we rented e-bikes in Traverse City, MI, to sightsee the city.  We were able to rent a bike trailer to tow the girls and then set out to discover all the beautiful bike trails around Traverse City.  Never in my life have I just jumped on a bike and ridden over 10 miles…we were hooked! We loved the e-bike experience and how it took the intimidation and feared out of biking longer distances.  The ability to explore more geography and get some exercise at the same time was fantastic.

  • Our first ride on an e-bike
  • The first experience on e-bikes in Traverse City.

Our E-Bike Buying Process

So began our quest to find the right e-bike for our family.  We wanted something we could take on bike trails for exercise and use as a replacement for our truck to tour and sightsee.  Our e-bike needed to be able to take to the market to pick up a quick gallon of milk or carry stuff to the pool.  We also wanted a bike with bigger tires to ride on different surfaces as some campgrounds have gravel or dirt roads. 

Most importantly, also wanted to stick to a budget of $1000 – $1500 per bike, which ruled out many brands. 

We found Rad Power Bikes and liked the customer reviews for their bikes. The RadRunner Utility bike looked like it met a lot of our needs!  This bike is easily customized by adding on accessories like child seats or baskets. 

The RadRunner come equipped with:

  • 750 Watt Geared Hub Motor, with 59 ft-lbs of torque to conquer hills and power through loose terrain.
  • Up to 45+ Miles per Charge
  • 48Volt, 14 Amp-hours Lithium-Ion Battery
  • 300 lb Payload Capacity – enough to carry a friend.  
  • Puncture-Resistant Tires – the inner tire tread is made of ceramic-coated materials to add a line of defense against thorns and small materials.
  • Twist Grip Throttle for 750w power on demand 
  • Single Speed Drive Train for easy riding and low maintenance. Great for beginner riders or those looking to cruise.
  • Top speed of 20mph
  • Integrated Brake Light lights up when brakes are applied and can blink when the headlight is turned on with the touch of a button.
  • Dual Leg Kick Stand for increased stability when cargo or passengers are loaded on the rear. 
  • Upright handlebars adjust to allow for various arm lengths or a more laid-back riding position.

RadRunner Accessories

The RadRunner has 330 accessory combinations which means your RadRunner can be uniquely customized. However, what intrigued us so much about the RadRunner was the option to add a passenger package.

The Passenger Package transforms our RadRunner into scooter-style seating, perfect for a quick trip to the ice cream shop. The Passenger Package comes with a passenger seat that can sit flush with the driver’s seat, retractable footpegs, and a protective wheel skirt. The rear seat is elevated to allow the adult passenger to see the road ahead.  We have found that we can put the girls in front of us, between our legs, and ride further back, giving them a view.  

Other accessories we added to both bikes include full fenders, a rear-view mirror, and the LCD display upgrade.

The RadRunner Full Fenders are extra wide, making them perfect for blocking the snow, water, and sand that you encounter while riding.

Made from durable PVC and stainless-steel brackets and hardware. Installation requires tools and skill, as this was the most challenging part of assembling our bikes.  In fact, Rad Bikes even suggest that you consider having the fenders installed by a bike shop/mechanic if you’re not particularly handy.

The LCD Display Upgrade provides additional information while riding, including Speedometer, Odometer, Trip Odometer, Average Speed, Max Speed, and Pedal Assist (PAS) levels 1-4. 

How we made our RadRunners unique

From there, we equipped our bikes slightly differently. John’s bike has a center console that can hold 22lbs and be used with or without the lid. We have used the center console to store items we don’t want to blow away.  John has even run-up to a market and bought a gallon of milk.  

We made my bike a traditional step-through and added the front-mounted basket, holding 22lbs as well.  We have used the front basket to carry our beach bag up to the pool or even grabbed a stack of firewood to bring back for a campfire.

After all the accessories we added, our bikes resemble the new RadRunner Plus, except for missing the shock-absorbing front fork and different color schemes.

How we carry our bikes on our RV

We then had to solve how we carry our bikes on travel day.  We added the Hollywood E-Bike RV Rack.  This bike rack is made specifically for bigger e-bikes and made for riding on the hitch in the back of RVs, reinforced with a U-bolt for extra strength.

Then we added a PRO BIKE TOOL Bicycle Cover to protect the bikes from rain and peering eyes on travel days.

We made an area in our outdoor kitchen to charge our e-bike batteries. In addition, the batteries are stored locked away when the bikes are parked or on travel days.  Not only does this keep them in a safe place, but it lightens the load on the bike rack.

How we take the kids

We also bought an In-Step dual-child bike trailer.  The bike trailer gives us even more versatility.  The girls can ride in the trailer and play dolls or watch the scenery on our long bike rides.  The bike trailer has a tiny trunk, perfect for the beach bag, beach toys, and picnic lunch. In addition, we have used the bike trailer to help haul laundry to the laundromat.  As the girls get older and ride more on our bikes, we are thinking of training our dog Presley to ride in the trailer so he can join in on the biking fun.

RadRunner connected to the double In-Step Child Bike Trailer


Just a few of our adventures and places our bikes have taken us to see:

  • Down the banks of Tennessee River touring the city of Chattanooga 
  • A full day exploring the city of Key West, FL
  • Miles and miles of fun in Gulf Shores, AL, along the beach, trails, and town.
  • Rode from 20 miles from Sparks, NV to Reno, NV along the Veterans Trail 
  • A fun-filled day at Coronado Island, CA, with a trip to the beach, lunch, and a 10-mile bike ride seeing the bay
  • We even rode into a National Park riding our bike to and through Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota 
  • Presently, we are in Holland, MI, the perfect city to explore by bike. There are so many trails here to see Lake Michigan or ride to the town of Holland. You can even bike 30 miles up to Grand Haven, M.I.
  • Chattanooga, TN
  • Key West Florida
  • Gulf Shores, AL
  • Rode our bikes to a National Park

How to ride the RadRunner E-Bike

You can ride this bike just as a bike with no peddle assistance, or you can ride it more like a moped and not pedal.  The peddle assistance is excellent for someone like me who was incredibly intimidated to ride a bike, and I would never dream of riding 10, 15, or even 20 miles at a time.  While I may not wear suitable bike shorts, I promise you, even peddling with pedal assist can give you a workout.

Or you can use the electric throttle or moped feature.  John is especially fond of riding this way…he says he paid for the battery, and he’s going to use it!  I tease him the “he’s a cowboy, on a steel horse he rides.” We ride using the electric throttle a lot if the girls ride in front of us on the bike seat.

RadRunner E-Bike
John on his steel horse in the Keys

When we got these bikes, both our dads teased us having e-bike was considered cheating. However, we have since given both dads multiple test drives on our e-bikes, and they are now hooked as well!

After a year of owning the RadRunner E-Bike:

  • Excellent delivery and packaging.  Allow nearly an hour to unbox.  The bike comes mostly assembled except for accessories.  The hardest part of putting the bikes together was assembling the fenders on the bikes, as mentioned.
  • Our bikes now have a few minor scrapes and scratches from everyday use.
  • The storage console shows some cracks in the protective plastic, and it can be not easy to put stuff in and out of the console and then secure the straps.  
  • We have had to adjust our e-bike brakes often. Rad Bikes website has an excellent video showing you how to adjust and maintain your e-bikes.
  • Battery Life exceeds expectations with a 35-50 mile radius based on conditions.  
  • Great customer service.  Rad customer service has written us back regarding any questions on which we have contacted them. In addition, the Customer Service Team was proactive when they recalled the front basket by sending us an email and then replacing it. 
  • We have not had a good experience with the puncture-resistant tires as we have had three flats.  One from a fishhook and two goat heads.  
  • Would like a front suspension fork as the ride can be a bit jarring over bumps.
Actual email from customer service for the basket recall

Our Recommendation on RadRunner Utility E-Bike

So, it’s been a year with our bikes, and we are huge fans.  I guess you could say we are in the #RIDERAD fan club. We often get stopped on our bikes by people wanting to know about them, and we recommend these e-bikes for those looking for a utility e-bike.

Our bikes have changed our RV game. We are no longer reliant on our huge and hard-to-park truck for our adventures. 

And for those with larger families, check out the RadWagon as an option for even more passengers or cargo capacity.


𝙊𝙪𝙧 𝙗𝙞𝙠𝙚𝙨 𝙙𝙤 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙖 𝙈𝘼𝙅𝙊𝙍 𝙒𝘼𝙍𝙉𝙄𝙉𝙂!! 


We happily share or give test drives as we are frequently asked about our bikes. But these bikes are addictive! If you see us around and want to try them, do ask. But you have been warned: a bike purchase will be in your future too!

Just ask a few of our friends who are now riding rad! 

We want to hear from you!  

Let us know if you are riding Rad or if you have questions about our e-bikes. Also, what has your experience been with e-bikes?

We are deeply grateful to those who read our blog and watch our video, and we hope we see you out on the bike trails.  And may you have many Bright Dais Ahead.