Rad Power Bikes RadRover 5 Spec Review

In-Depth Review

Frame

The RadRover 5 is built with a 6061 aluminum alloy based frame. This is the common alloy used to construct eBikes, along with many automobile chassis and even aircraft structures. Even with this sturdy but lightweight frame material, the RadRover 5 does weigh about 69.6 lbs, which does make it one of the heavier eBikes we’ve reviewed. The eBike does have great mid-tier performance far above what we typically expect at this price point, but the stability and shock absorption that it has does come in part from the overall frame weight.

Unfortunately, the RadRover 5 is not available in any other frame size either, so there’s not much you can do to try to get a lighter version of the eBike. Rad Power Bikes are great though, so browse through a couple of their other eBikes, like the RadMini 4, if the 69.6 lbs weight is just too much for you. In regards to weight, the RadRover 5 is able to support up to 275 lbs, which should be enough to support most adult riders as long as you’re not bringing along too much cargo.

Motor & Battery

The Rad Power RadRover 5 is a class 2 eBike with throttle motor assist up to 20 MPH.

The Rad Power RadRover 5 eBike relies on a custom brushless Bafang 750 Wh / 80 Nm rear gear hub motor. There is more than enough torque in this motor to help you cruise along with traffic, along with climbing hills or tackle tough mountain trails. It’s a fantastic motor, but the one downside is that it will drain your battery life very, very quickly. The optimized max range on a full charge with the included battery is just 45 miles, but you’re likely only going to get between 30 to 40 miles with your battery, one of the shortest ranges we’ve reviewed. This is a mid-tier eBike with an entry-level price, but one of the compromises to keep the price down is a shorter riding range.

The battery is a fully removable center tube lithium Samsung 675 Wh battery. Mounting the battery is easy, and when you do want to charge it you can plug your charger in directly or take it inside with you while you work. Being able to take the battery inside is an especially good thing, because the included charger will take up to 6 hours to charge from 0% to 100%. While you’ll very rarely let your eBike battery drop to empty, 6 hours definitely up there in terms of longest battery recharge time. A 2 amp charger is standard for eBikes at this price point, but if you want to get back on the road quicker we would definitely recommend looking for a higher amp charger compatible with the Samsung lithium 675 Wh battery.

Display/Assist Modes

The center mounted controller is 2.75’’ large, which is a great size to read your riding metrics without being so hefty as to get in the way of your riding. The Rad Power Bikes Branded King Meter display cannot be removed, but it is highly adjustable so you can find the proper angle to look at it without injuring your neck. It provides a hefty list of riding metrics while operating the RadRover 5 as well, including:

RadRover 5 King Meter LCD Riding Readout Metrics:

• Battery Indicator
• Current Speed
• Average Speed
• Max Speed
• Trip Meter
• Odometer
• Pedal Assist Level
• Wattmeter
• Light Switch

As a Class 2 eBike, you will receive motor assistance up to 20 MPH when you twist the throttle. At the 20 MPH limit, the motor will shut itself off automatically, the limit put in place so that you can ride the RadRover 5 electric bike without needing a special license to operate the eBike. If you do want to go faster than 20 MPH, you’ll still be able to do so by pedaling the bike normally. The great thing about eBikes, like the RadRover 5, is that you can use them just like any other bicycles even if your motor is dead or turned off.

The controller has a total of five motor assist levels along with a walk mode, which are as follows:

RadRover 5 Throttle Motor Assist Levels:

• Off
• Eco
• Standard (Std. on controller)
• Power
• Speed

Setting your motor to a lower assist level will decrease the power assistance you receive, but increase the total range and battery life of your motor. Alternatively, the higher you set your motor assist level, the quicker you’ll hit that 20 MPH speed cap but the shorter your overall riding range and battery life will be. Swapping your motor assistance level just takes a click of a button, so try out each of the levels and keep them in the back of your mind to optimize your overall riding experience.

Handling

• On Streets- The RadRover 5 is designed to be ridden anywhere, and handles especially well on city streets. The large and wide 26’’ by 4’’ tires provide plenty of shock absorption, especially with the 80 mm travel RST suspension fork. Whether you travel over well maintained concrete roads, cobblestone streets, or the occasional rough gravel patch or pothole, the RadRover 5 is fantastic if you want an easy to handle eBike to ride in and out of the city.
• Turn Radius- The RadRover 5 is easy to turn, but it doesn’t have a very tight turn radius. You’ll be able to easily dodge cars, bikers, and other obstacles in the road, and with the freewheel you have more pedaling options than your traditional drivetrain eBike. The tires are large though, so it just won’t turn as sharply as a dedicated city bike. We don’t think its a problem though, especially for those looking for an entry-level/mid-tier eBike.
• Low Speed Handling- The RadRover 5 is a heavy bike, so it is a bit difficult to handle at low speeds without motor assistance. Fortunately, if you still have battery life, you can make use of the walk mode or Eco mode for improved low speed handling. Some cyclists will even use the Std motor assistance mode for low speed handling, but that might be a bit too much unless you’re an experienced cyclist.

Gears/DriveTrain

The drivetrain consists of a DNP 7-speed 11-34T freewheel with full coverage fenders, connected to a 42 tooth chainring via a KMC Z7 chain. The derailleur is a 7-speed Shimano Acera system with a Shimano SL-TX50-7R thumb shifter on the right. The drivetrain itself is great, and has been specifically optimized to make pedaling while climbing hills and tough trails easier. With a freewheel, you can also pedal forwards or backwards to propel your bike, giving you a way to relax your joints and switch up your riding style when you’re bored or find your calves tightening. The full coverage fenders also help to keep the drivetrain clean and working steadily, and with the slick nickel plated chainrings you’ll very rarely drop your chain or suffer a drivetrain issue. We’re impressed with the quality of the drivetrain, but the one issue some cyclists might have is with the Shimano thumb shifter. It’s a bit out of reach, so if you have small hands or shorter arms it will take a few riding sessions before you feel really comfortable making use of the thumb shifter.

Brakes

The Tektro Aries MD-M300 180 mm front and rear rotor mechanical disc brakes aren’t quite as good as true hydraulic brakes, but they are still great given the price point of this electric bike. The included braking system will help you come to a quick and steady stop, but the stand out feature is how the motor has been linked up with the Tektro brakes. When you pull the brake lever, the motor will automatically shut itself off, ensuring that the brakes and motor aren’t competing against each other. With this integrated combined setup, you not only come to a stop faster, but your brakes and rear-drive motor will both last longer as a result as well.

As a side note, both brake levers are also connected to the rear tailight. As long as you still have battery power, the tail light will be much brighter whenever you apply the brakes. Anything that increases a rider’s profile decreases the chance of suffering a collison, so it’s another nice feature to have on the RadRover 5 and helps it stand out from other entry-level and mid-level electric bikes.

Suspension

A RST spring suspension fork with both lockout and preload adjustment is also included with the RadRover 5, featuring a total of 80 mm of travel. It’s not a major, performance focus suspension system, but it does make every bike ride a bit more comfortable when you hit the occasional rough patch. Furthermore, the spring suspension fork pairs well with the fat tires, helping you have an even better ride every time you go out riding on the RadRover 5. Rad Power Bikes also makes a great suspension seat, and is one of our recommended add-on upgrades that you’ll find at the end of our review.

Pedals

The industry standard is to have plastic pedals for entry-level and many mid-level eBikes, so we appreciate that aluminum pedal platforms are included on the RadRover 5 electric bike. The pedals are quite large, helping them accommodate the heavier riders that might be using this eBike, and with the aluminum build are very sturdy as well. An aluminum pedal is going to withstand your typical crash much better than a plastic pedal platform, besides just feeling more comfortable to pedal on as well. These are Wellgo B087 CrMo pedals, but most Wellgo pedal platforms can be mounted onto the RadRover 5 as well. As a final note, these pedals do have reflectors, further improving your rider profile visibility.

Grips and Saddle

The ergonomic grips are made with an imitation leather, making them really nice to hold onto while you’re riding the RadRover 5 electric bike. It’s also just nice to look at them, since the faux-leather grips match the design of the Velo Plush saddle. While it is on a short stem, the stem and saddle are both adjustable, further helping you find the ideal riding position while using the RadRover 5 electric bike. You can also replace or upgrade the stem and saddle, especially if you want added suspension if you want a eBike better suited for trail riding and mountain climbing.

Wheels and Tires

We’ve mentioned them a fair bit already, but the RadRover 5 comes withKenda Juggernaut 26″ x 4″ puncture-resistant tires, along with 12-gauge stainless steel spokes on double wall 36 hoole rims. The fat tires have a PSI rating that ranges from 5 to 30 PSI, with 5 PSI tires better suited for loose sand and dirt while 30 PSI is ideal for city riding. While the tires don’t lend themselves for racing, they are well suited to tackling all types of terrain, allowing you to explore the city or tackle a challenging off-road trail with the same eBike. Additionally, the tires do have reflective sidewalls that provide improved visibility for safer riding throughout the day and at night

Accessories/Upgrades

The RadRover 5 is one of the most affordable eBikes we’ve reviewed, and comes packed with a ton of features and add-ons that you don’t see often even in premium eBikes. The eBike already has a full fender system, along with a powerful 80 lumens headlight and brake activated battery powered tail light for improved rider visibility. There are still a few upgrades and add-ons we would recommend considering from Rad Power Bikes if you want to make it even better, with a few of our favorite accessories including the following:

• SR Suntour SP12 NCX Suspension Seatpost
• Rad Power Bikes Front Rack
• Rad Power Bikes RadRover Rear Rack
• ABUS Bordo Granit X-Plus 6500 Bike Lock
• Rad Power Bikes Rad Mirror
• Fremont Pannier Bag
• Rad Power Bikes Basket Bag
• Rad Power Bikes Delivery Bag

Recommendation

*For up-to-date pricing on the RadRover 5 click here

The Rad Power Bikes RadRover 5 electric bike is a nearly universal eBike that anyone can try out and have a blast riding. This is a heavier eBike at 69.6 lbs, but the heavier frame, wide Kenda Juggernaut tires and suspension fork all help it ride well on urban roads and windy mountain trails alike. The rear-hub drive motor is very powerful at 80 Nm torque, with an excellent Samsung 672 lithium battery included that will help you travel up to 45 miles with the throttle Class 2 motor system. The Tektro Aries mechanical disc brakes work well enough, as does the DNP 7-speed freewheel drivetrain due to the nickel-plating reinforcement and full fender coverage. There are a number of other great features as well included despite the entry-level price, from the powerful headlight and tail light system to the high quality ergonomic faux-leather saddle and grips. Even the pedals are above average, the aluminum platforms more than able to support the 275 lbs weight capacity recommended by Rad Power Bikes. If you want an eBike that does a little bit of everything, made by one of the most respected eBike manufacturers on the market, check out the Rad Power Bikes RadRover 5 electric bike!

Would you like to see us do a full review and test of the Rad Power Bikes RadRover 5? Let us know in the comments below!