{"id":40098,"date":"2023-01-11T08:53:05","date_gmt":"2023-01-11T13:53:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/autosector.com\/?p=40098"},"modified":"2023-01-11T08:53:05","modified_gmt":"2023-01-11T13:53:05","slug":"radtrike-review-testing-rad-power-bikes-electric-trike","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/?p=40098","title":{"rendered":"RadTrike review: Testing of Rad Power Bikes slickly-designed electric trike"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure class=\"img-border featured-image\">\n\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"skip-lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-header.jpg?quality=82&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-header.jpg?w=320&amp;quality=82&amp;strip=all&amp;ssl=1 320w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-header.jpg?w=640&amp;quality=82&amp;strip=all&amp;ssl=1 640w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-header.jpg?w=1024&amp;quality=82&amp;strip=all&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-header.jpg?w=1500&amp;quality=82&amp;strip=all&amp;ssl=1 1500w\" width=\"1600\" height=\"800\" alt=\"rad power bikes radtrike e-trike\" fetchpriority=\"high\"\/><br \/>\n\t<\/figure>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/RadTrike\">RadTrike<\/a> is the first consumer-focused electric three-wheeler from <a href=\"http:\/\/electrek.co\/guides\/rad-power-bikes\">Rad Power Bikes<\/a>, the largest e-bike company in North America. It\u2019s designed to make e-biking more accessible to a wider range of riders, especially older riders, and it sure fits that bill. After testing the trike I can tell you that there\u2019s a lot to like here, though I\u2019ve also got a few critiques in areas I would have liked to have seen changed.<\/p>\n<p><span id=\"more-275686\"\/><ins class=\"adsbygoogle author_ad ad-container adsbygoogle author_ad hide-lg author-in-content\" data-ad-host=\"ca-host-pub-5506057612223327\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-8858607207437960\" data-ad-format=\"auto\"\/><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-radtrike-review-real-world-testing\">RadTrike review \u2013 real world testing<\/h2>\n<p>There\u2019s no better way to get a sense of an e-bike (or an e-trike) than by putting it through its paces of real world use. So I got my hands on a <a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/RadTrike\">RadTrike<\/a> and took it shopping, rode around my neighborhood, tried commuting on it, did some leisurely trail riding and basically used it in about as many real world cases as I could imagine.<\/p>\n<p>As a three-wheeler, it\u2019s a bit of niche product. But it\u2019s also not as niche as you might think. There are millions of former riders out there who would love to get back on a bike despite not having the same balance or leg strength they used to have.<\/p>\n<p>Enter: the RadTrike.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s purpose built for these types of riders. This electric three-wheeler is a comfortable, stable and modestly powerful setup that can work for a wide range of riders from young adults wanting a utility platform that can haul 50+ lbs (23 kg) of groceries to retirees that want to relive the fun of cycling down the street with the wind in their faces.<\/p>\n<p>To see some of my RadTrike review testing in action, check out my video review below. Then keep reading for all of my RadTrike thoughts.<\/p>\n<h2>Rad Power Bikes RadTrike video review<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed alignwide is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\n<p>\n<iframe id=\"post-youtube-video-1\" title=\"RadTrike review: Testing out Rad Power Bikes 3-wheeler\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/wQoNMH1m8gg?feature=oembed&amp;rel=0&amp;enablejsapi=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\">[embedded content]<\/iframe>\n<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<h2>RadTrike tech specs<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Motor:<\/strong>\u00a0750W rear geared hub motor<\/li>\n<li><strong>Top speed:<\/strong>\u00a014 mph (22.5 km\/h)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Range:<\/strong>\u00a0Up to 55 miles (88 km)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Battery:<\/strong>\u00a048V 10Ah (480 Wh)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Weight<\/strong>: 82 lb (37 kg)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Max load:<\/strong>\u00a0415 lb (188 kg)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Rear rack max load<\/strong>: 60 lb (27 kg)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Brakes:<\/strong>\u00a0Mechanical disc brake (front), coaster brake (rear)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Price<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/RadTrike\">$2,499<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>Extras:<\/strong>\u00a0LED display, integrated head\/tail\/brake LED lighting, bell, five pedal assist settings, half-twist throttle, mounting for front and rear racks\/accessories, parking brake, reverse feature, comfortable two-part saddle with adjustable back rest<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1400\" height=\"933\" src=\"https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-4.jpg?quality=82&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1024\" alt=\"rad power bikes radtrike e-trike\" class=\"wp-image-276087\" srcset=\"https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-4.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-4.jpg?resize=150,100 150w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-4.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-4.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-4.jpg?resize=1024,682 1024w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-4.jpg?resize=350,233 350w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-4.jpg?resize=140,93 140w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\"\/><\/figure>\n<h2>How it rides<\/h2>\n<p>The first thing I noticed about the RadTrike was just how stable it is while riding. They made the rear as wide as it could be while still fitting through most standard exterior doors, plus the 18\u2033 wheels keep the center of gravity lower, so you get a nice and stable platform. I had to really try to get it up on two wheels, meaning I could only do it while going fast and simultaneously making sharp turns, or else throwing my weight in a corner turn to purposefully lift the outer wheel. Unlike other e-trikes I\u2019ve tried, I never accidentally went up on two wheels.<\/p>\n<p>The point is, despite many people thinking electric tricycles can be tippy (and they can), the RadTrike is well designed to feel pretty darn stable. Unless you\u2019re actively trying to tip it, you probably won\u2019t.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s also very smooth on startup. Some other electric tricycles I\u2019ve tried do instant front wheel burnouts because the throttle gives you all that power at once. On the RadTrike, they\u2019ve design some very slow and easy throttle ramping profile. That means that even if you go whiskey throttle and essentially \u201cfloor it,\u201d the trike will gently accelerate over the first three to four seconds. <\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s a nicely thought out feature and one that is especially important when you have a front wheel motor like this.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1400\" height=\"933\" src=\"https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-9.jpg?quality=82&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1024\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-276093\" srcset=\"https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-9.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-9.jpg?resize=150,100 150w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-9.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-9.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-9.jpg?resize=1024,682 1024w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-9.jpg?resize=350,233 350w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-9.jpg?resize=140,93 140w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\"\/><\/figure>\n<p>The motor is quite powerful at 750W, and you really feel it pulling you along once those first few seconds of slow throttle ramping pass. I tested the RadTrike if flat Florida so there aren\u2019t any big hills, but even climbing up loading dock ramps and other inclines shows that the motor isn\u2019t a weak little thing.<\/p>\n<p>The RadTrike only gets up to 14 mph (22 km\/h), but that speed actually feels much faster on a trike than it does while doing 14 mph on <a href=\"https:\/\/electrek.co\/2022\/04\/29\/rad-power-bikes-radexpand-5-review-heres-whats-hidden-in-rads-new-fat-tire-folding-electric-bike\/\">any other of Rad\u2019s electric bikes.<\/a> I could even take turns at full speed as long as the turn was wide enough. I don\u2019t recommend making a sharp 90 degree turn at max velocity, but you can actually do it if the 90 degree turn is wide enough (think street intersection, not sidewalk turn). That\u2019s just another testament to how stable the RadTrike is, even at higher speeds.<\/p>\n<p>One thing to note: You have to pay attention to where all your wheels are. That sounds a bit odd, but let me explain. This is true of all electric tricycles, not just this one. But unlike a typical two-wheeled e-bike where you have a single track of wheels to manage, an e-trike has three. So when you see a pot hole or a piece of road debris, you can\u2019t just think \u201cOkay, I\u2019ll go to the side of it\u201d like on a typical e-bike. You have to either straddle it between two of your wheels or take an even wider path around it than you would on an e-bike to make sure you don\u2019t catch your outer wheel in it. But if you start riding an e-trike as your main bike, you\u2019ll quickly become accustomed to knowing where all of your wheels are at all times.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-2 wp-block-gallery alignwide has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-8.jpg?quality=82&amp;strip=all\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1400\" height=\"933\" data-id=\"276092\" src=\"https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-8.jpg?quality=82&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1024\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-276092\" srcset=\"https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-8.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-8.jpg?resize=150,100 150w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-8.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-8.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-8.jpg?resize=1024,682 1024w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-8.jpg?resize=350,233 350w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-8.jpg?resize=140,93 140w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-10.jpg?quality=82&amp;strip=all\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1400\" height=\"933\" data-id=\"276094\" src=\"https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-10.jpg?quality=82&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1024\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-276094\" srcset=\"https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-10.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-10.jpg?resize=150,100 150w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-10.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-10.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-10.jpg?resize=1024,682 1024w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-10.jpg?resize=350,233 350w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-10.jpg?resize=140,93 140w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<h2>What I liked about it<\/h2>\n<p>Right from the start, the RadTrike is well thought out. It comes in packaging that makes it quite easy to assemble. The two halves of the bike need to be bolted together, but that\u2019s the bulk of the assembly.<\/p>\n<p>I originally thought the bike would be foldable in the middle when I first saw the design <a href=\"https:\/\/electrek.co\/2022\/12\/06\/rad-power-bikes-radtrike-electric-bike-launched\/\">as it was unveiled online<\/a>, but I soon realized that the middle joint is a solid bolted connection. You could take it apart in a minute or two with a 6mm allen wrench, but it\u2019s not a quick fold connection. There IS a quick fold connection at the handlebars though, which is perfect for when you want to load the bike into the back of an SUV or van, since it essentially chops off the extra height of the handlebars.<\/p>\n<p>The saddle is nice and comfortable, even coming with an adjustable back rest. I was a bit worried that it wouldn\u2019t feel great when pedaling since there\u2019s much more saddle there under you (more like a tractor seat than a bike saddle), but it actually felt just fine while pedaling.<\/p>\n<p>When I took the bike off-road on gravel trails and grassy fields, I was glad to have a comfortable seat under me. There\u2019s no suspension and the 18\u2033 tires aren\u2019t particularly big, so I definitely bounced around a good bit, but a wide saddle under me meant I wasn\u2019t bouncing on a banana, I was bouncing on an office chair. That makes a big difference.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1400\" height=\"933\" src=\"https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-2.jpg?quality=82&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1024\" alt=\"rad power bikes radtrike e-trike\" class=\"wp-image-276085\" srcset=\"https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-2.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-2.jpg?resize=150,100 150w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-2.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-2.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-2.jpg?resize=1024,682 1024w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-2.jpg?resize=350,233 350w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-2.jpg?resize=140,93 140w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\"\/><\/figure>\n<p>I also found it neat that there\u2019s an easy to use reverse feature (just hold the \u201cdown\u201d button on the display for a couple seconds to enter reverse mode). <\/p>\n<p>To be honest, I never once used the reverse feature out of necessity, it was more just playing around with it since it was there. But I can see how it would be useful if you pulled headfirst into a garage spot and needed to back out, or wound up in another tight situation like that. <\/p>\n<p>Though another thing to note is that the turning radius is so tight that you can basically turn in the trike\u2019s own length. I could do full 360-degree turns in the width of a sidewalk.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1400\" height=\"933\" src=\"https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-11.jpg?quality=82&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1024\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-276095\" srcset=\"https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-11.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-11.jpg?resize=150,100 150w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-11.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-11.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-11.jpg?resize=1024,682 1024w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-11.jpg?resize=350,233 350w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-11.jpg?resize=140,93 140w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\"\/><\/figure>\n<p>Next, let\u2019s talk about braking. <\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s a disc brake up front and a coaster brake in the rear. The front brake is really all you need, but if you\u2019re the kind of person that has weaker hands or just doesn\u2019t want to let go of the bars to reach for the brake lever, having the option to stop with your feet is kind of nice. Both brakes are strong and sufficiently powerful to stop the RadTrike by themselves. If you really want to stop on a dime, slam the two simultaneously. It will feel like you dropped an anchor.<\/p>\n<p>I also really like the built-in parking brake. Since there\u2019s no kickstand, the trike could theoretically roll backwards on a hill, but the parking brake keeps it in place. I\u2019ve tested <a href=\"https:\/\/electrek.co\/2022\/08\/11\/addmotor-m-340-electric-tricycle-battery\/\">other electric tricycles<\/a> without parking brakes, and it\u2019s 100% true that even a slight hill will see that thing rolling away.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, let\u2019s talk battery. I thought that I would have to worry about range due to the rather small 48V 10Ah battery with its lower than average 480Wh capacity. But since the RadTrike isn\u2019t very fast, it sips slowly at that battery. I\u2019m not sure I\u2019d ever see the 55 mile (88 km) maximum range that Rad touts, but it seems that 35-40 miles is easily achievable in higher power modes. If you use lower power mode, I think you might even exceed that advertised range. The trike just doesn\u2019t use as much battery as I had expected, and is thus surprisingly efficient.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1400\" height=\"933\" src=\"https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-1.jpg?quality=82&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1024\" alt=\"rad power bikes radtrike e-trike\" class=\"wp-image-276084\" srcset=\"https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-1.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-1.jpg?resize=150,100 150w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-1.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-1.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-1.jpg?resize=1024,682 1024w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-1.jpg?resize=350,233 350w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-1.jpg?resize=140,93 140w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\"\/><\/figure>\n<h2>What I didn\u2019t like about it<\/h2>\n<p>I really enjoy riding the RadTrike. It\u2019s a pleasure. But like any e-bike, it\u2019s not perfect. There are several smaller complaints I have with this electric tricycle.<\/p>\n<p>Because it\u2019s a single speed, it is difficult to start pedaling from a standstill. I always blip the throttle to get rolling and then start pedaling. It\u2019s a bit easier to start on pedal-assist alone if you remember to come to a stop with the pedals horizontal (one forwards and one backwards) instead of vertical (one at the top and one at the bottom). That way you can really push on that front pedal with your weight. Because it\u2019s a cadence sensor, there\u2019s a lag between when you start pedaling and when the pedal assist kicks in to fire up the motor, so that first half a pedal turn or so is all you. <\/p>\n<p>The pedaling gear ratio seems to be optimized more for around 10-ish mph (16-ish km\/h). Pedal assist level 4 feels perfect to me. That\u2019s my comfort sweet spot. The highest level (PAS 5) has my feet spinning a bit faster than comfortable when I\u2019m zipping along at full speed. And getting started, well, that\u2019s a doozy as I described above. Though another little cool note is that PAS 1 is walking speed, so you could roll along with a partner at about 2-3 mph. It\u2019s a bit harder to pedal at that speed with the higher gear ratio, though.<\/p>\n<p>Next, the bike is quite heavy at 82 lb (37 kg). You can lose nine pounds or so by taking the battery out when you lift it, but it still ain\u2019t light. Rad used a steel frame, which isn\u2019t doing weight any favors, but the extra weight also adds up from the wider rear end, extra wheel, coaster brake hub, tractor seat, etc. I could lift the RadTrike out of a vehicle just fine, but I\u2019m also a healthy 33 year old with my masculinity on the line and something to prove. If you\u2019re up there in years or have a back injury in your past, lifting a heavy steel electric tricycle might not be part of the doctor\u2019s orders.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-header.jpg?quality=82&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1024\" alt=\"rad power bikes radtrike e-trike\" class=\"wp-image-276083\" srcset=\"https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-header.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-header.jpg?resize=150,75 150w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-header.jpg?resize=300,150 300w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-header.jpg?resize=768,384 768w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-header.jpg?resize=1024,512 1024w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-header.jpg?resize=1536,768 1536w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-header.jpg?resize=350,175 350w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-header.jpg?resize=140,70 140w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-header.jpg?resize=1600,800 1600w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-header.jpg?resize=290,145 290w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\"\/><\/figure>\n<p>I also wish Rad Power Bikes had included baskets as standard equipment. At the minimum, I believe the trike should come with a rear basket. The rear of the RadTrike looks a bit naked and it\u2019s just begging you to use that flatbed area for storage. Plus with the ultra-low center of gravity that\u2019s Rad\u2019s rear end design creates (combined with those low 18\u2033 wheels), it would be an awesome cargo platform. <\/p>\n<p>I get that it likely comes down to money. It would cost more to ship the trike in a larger box due to the rack, and it would probably cut into the accessory business model as well. So I get it, they have <a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/Rad_Accessories\">an awesome line of accessories<\/a> with many cargo options in that list, but I still think a rear basket would have been awesome as standard equipment.<\/p>\n<p>I also wish Rad had included their secondary display that shows speed, odometer, etc. I\u2019ll admit that it\u2019s unnecessary (you don\u2019t have to worry about speeding tickets on the RadTrike), but it\u2019d still be fun to see your speed and also keep track of your odometer reading. The mileage is useful for both the maintenance cycle and as a personal motivator of hitting big milestones (\u201cCongrats on your first 500 miles!\u201d).<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1400\" height=\"933\" src=\"https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-3.jpg?quality=82&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1024\" alt=\"rad power bikes radtrike e-trike\" class=\"wp-image-276086\" srcset=\"https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-3.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-3.jpg?resize=150,100 150w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-3.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-3.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-3.jpg?resize=1024,682 1024w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-3.jpg?resize=350,233 350w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/radtrike-review-3.jpg?resize=140,93 140w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\"\/><\/figure>\n<h2>Is the RadTrike a good deal?<\/h2>\n<p>The last issue here is the price. <a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/RadTrike\">At $2,499<\/a>, this is the most expensive bike in the Rad Power Bikes lineup.<\/p>\n<p>I keep going back and forth regarding how I feel about the price. It\u2019s not that it isn\u2019t a good bike. It\u2019s a <em>great<\/em> bike. It is intelligently designed, rides well, feels well constructed, and is surely to get thousands of riders back in the saddle after thinking their biking days were over. But if you look at the components themselves, I\u2019m not sure where all of that $2,499 is going.<\/p>\n<p>The battery is smaller than Rad\u2019s other batteries, the brakes are basic (but certainly quite good), there\u2019s no complicated aluminum forming needed for the frame. Even the packaging is cleverly designed to be both effective and economical without requiring a freight delivery \u2013 it can show up on a normal FedEx truck. It\u2019s all quite cost effective. <\/p>\n<p>If you compare it to a bike like the <a href=\"https:\/\/electrek.co\/2020\/11\/20\/radmission-e-bike-review-rad-power-bikes-most-affordable-electric-bike\/\">RadMission<\/a> that Rad used to sell for under $1,000 (and then bumped to $1,199), the RadTrike basically gets a similar loadout of parts, with the exception of an extra wheel, a parking brake, coaster brake, comfort saddle, and a more powerful motor. So I get that there\u2019s more here, but is there twice as much?<\/p>\n<p>But then again, there just aren\u2019t very many good, cost effective e-trikes on the market yet. The few that exist in a cheaper price range are basically from boutique builders and simply aren\u2019t that great. The few e-trikes I\u2019ve seen and tested over the last few years are either budget priced and junky (to the point of feeling dangerous) or they are $3,000 to $5,000 and thus feel out of reach for average riders. So now here comes the RadTrike as a moderately priced, nicely made and well thought-out electric tricycle. And it even comes from a large US-based company with great product support and a vast ecosystem of compatible accessories. So I guess I can justify why you have to pay for that convenience. <\/p>\n<p>Is it worth this much of a premium? I think so, yes. At least it is if you\u2019re absolutely in the market for an e-trike. You can of course get better bang for your buck with e-bikes, but e-bikes aren\u2019t for everyone. Adding that extra wheel seems to add a lot to the cost due to the design that goes into developing a purpose-built electric trike, but that may be worth it for thousands of riders who want and need that extra wheel to open up a whole new world of e-biking to them. And trust me, once you roll into that new world, you\u2019re never going to look back!<\/p>\n<div class=\"ad-disclaimer-container\" readability=\"6.3518518518519\">\n<p class=\"disclaimer-affiliate\"><em>FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links.<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/electrek.co\/about\/#affiliate\">More.<\/a><\/p>\n<p><!-- post ad --><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The RadTrike is the first consumer-focused electric three-wheeler from Rad Power Bikes, the largest e-bike company in North America. It\u2019s designed to make e-biking more accessible to a wider range of riders, especially older riders, and it sure fits that bill. After testing the trike I can tell you that there\u2019s a lot to like [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8313,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-40098","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-e-cars"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40098","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=40098"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40098\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/8313"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=40098"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=40098"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=40098"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}