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I don’t know about you but we wanted e-bikes for over a year. We did our research, compared prices and weighed the pros/cons of every e-bike brand out there. After talking it out we settled on Rad Power Bikes and have never looked back!
I have to admit, we were bad bike owners when we first started RVing. Before we starting RVing I had a Beach Cruiser and Jason had a Pure Cycle Fixie. Those were the bikes we brought with us and without a proper place to store them, they rusted in the bed of our truck over the next year. Oops! While we loved the idea of biking to new areas, our campgrounds were always too far from town for a casual bike ride in. Our Rad Power Bikes have changed that!
When we finally decide on Rad Power Bikes we knew they would need their own storage space in the RV and we didn’t want to make the same mistakes we made before! Therefore, we opted for the RadMini Electric Folding Bike because (just like the name says) they fold in half. Jason has the standard black RadMini and I have the white RadMini Step-Thru. If you didn’t know, our RV is a Grand Design Solitude 375RES which has a huge under storage area. We store both of our bikes folded in the MORryde pullout tray so they are protected from the elements. In other words, our bad bike owning days are behind us!
Rad Power Bikes & RV Living
Rad Power Bikes are perfect for the RV lifestyle. They have large tires that can be used on any terrain and we have used them on dirt, gravel, cement, sand, and even mud (don’t recommend that last one though 😉). The pedal assist allows us to go long distances with less work and they have a throttle that helps us get going quick. For instance, we mostly use the throttle to help us get going from a dead stop.
Amazingly, the battery lasts 25 – 45 miles depending on the level of pedal-assist or throttle you use. It clearly displays the state of charge on the control panel so you’re never wondering what your battery level is. You can even cruise up to speeds of 20 mph to easily cover more ground in less time. Now we use every excuse we can to get out and explore a town with our Rad Power Bikes!
Key Features of the RadMini:
Below are the features of the Rad Power Bikes RadMini Electric Folding Bike and all the reasons we love ours:
- 25 to 45 miles per charge
- 20 mph top speed
- 750 watt geared hub motor
- 48v 14Ah Lithium-Ion battery
- Kenda Krusade 20″ x 4″ tires with K-shield puncture-resistant liner
- Integrated headlight and tail light with brake light functionality
- Half twist throttle and intelligent 5 level pedal assist
- Robust folding frame design
- Full LCD display including speedometer, wattmeter, and odometer
- Front suspension fork with rebound adjustment and lockout, 60 mm of travel
- 7-speed Shimano Altus drivetrain
- 180 mm Tektro mechanical disc brakes
- Total payload capacity: 275 lb
- Price for the RadMini: $1,499
Normally in our review now is when we list the cons. To be perfectly honest, the only con we have found with the Rad Power Bikes is the weight. Our bikes are 67 pounds each and while we are both able to lift them into our storage compartment, we realize that some RVers might have a harder time with this.
Rad Power Bikes Price
The price for the Rad Power Bikes RadMini is $1,499 and that is extremely reasonable for an electric bicycle. During our research, most e-bikes were much more than this and while there is one new brand out there with a cheaper price tag, we believe the pros of Rad Power Bikes far outweigh the pros of this other brand.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we truly can’t say enough good things about our Rad Power Bikes. If we took our dually truck out, we never would have explored areas we have been to with our bikes. We take them around campgrounds, cities, bike trails, and even make our own e-bike beer tours with them. Above all, we love to recommend places to visit in the U.S. and now you expect us to be exploring much more on our Rad Power Bikes. They’ve totally changed RV living for us!
Whoa… 67 lbs! That’s HEAVY! They don’t fold up very small, either, at 41″ x 22″ x 28″. I guess if you have the space (and the muscle) they would work. Do you really need electric assist, though? Perhaps if you have some physical limitations. If I’m out RVing and need to pull out a bike to get places, might as well kill two birds with one stone and get some exercise! Currently looking at the Tern BYB P8. Only 31 lbs. and folds to a compact 13.8″ x 31.9″ x 20.5″. I can throw those under our bed in our camper van!
Whatever works for you! Just get out there!