Rad Power Bikes RadRunner 3 Plus Review 2024

Intro

One of the things we love about Rad Power Bikes is how they constantly update their designs. While we liked the Rad Power Bikes RadRunner 2, there were elements of the e-bike that could have been improved. In our review of the Rad Power Bikes RadRunner 3 Plus we will dig into the many ways in which the manufacturer upgraded the old model, resulting in a notably improved e-bike.

The Rad Power Bikes RadRunner 3 Plus is a utility e-bike with a rear rack integrated into the frame, making it an option for a parent who wants to be able to take their kid to school. Bolt-on rear racks are rarely strong enough to hold the weight of anyone bigger than a toddler, so the integrated rack of the RadRunner 3 Plus presents consumers with an opportunity to run a number of errands without grabbing their car keys.

The backbone of the Rad Power Bikes RadRunner 3 Plus is a 750W brushless, geared hub motor—power enough to accelerate two people up to cruising speed. It is powered by a 672Wh semi-integrated battery that provides excellent range per charge. The components package is rounded out with hydraulic disc brakes and a 7-speed Shimano drivetrain with a wider-than-usual set of gears.

One of the selling points for Rad Power Bikes as a brand is their deep assortment of accessories. The RadRunner 3 Plus ships in a fairly basic state, but the genius of this utility e-bike is the versatility in how it can be equipped. A parent my choose a seat in the back and a basket in the front, while a restaurant owner delivering meals might choose both front and rear racks.

Ten months ago we pronounced 2023 the year of cargo and utility e-bikes. There has been a flood of new models to enter the market, but the Rad Power Bikes RadRunner 3 Plus shows that sometimes the best designs aren’t brand new, but those that have been gradually improved through multiple editions.

Another point we will explore in our review is the sizing on the Rad Power Bikes RadRunner 3 Plus. One-size-fits-all e-bikes often run on the large side, offering better comfort for bigger riders. Thanks to a short reach from the saddle to the high-rise handlebar, this is a design that does a better job than most of accommodating consumers of more modest height.

Let’s get to it, why don’t we?

E-Bike Category: Utility/compact cargo

Who the Rad Power Bikes RadRunner 3 Plus Electric Bike Is for: Anyone looking for a commuter that can do more, like pick up a load of groceries or tote a kid to school will appreciate this e-bike’s versatility.

Rad Power Bikes RadRunner 3 Plus E-Bike Specs

• Battery: 672Wh Lithium-ion
• Expected Range: up to 45 mi. per charge
• Charger: 2A
• Motor: 750W brushless, geared hub motor
• UL Certification: UL 2849 (complete electronics system)
• Pedal Assist: 5 PAS levels
• Throttle: Included
• Display: LCD
• Headlight: LED
• Taillight: Included
• Frame: 6061 Aluminum
• Fork: 60mm-travel RST coil spring suspension fork
• Fenders: Included
• Kickstand: Included
• Handlebars: Alloy, 8.7-in. rise, 22-degree sweep, 710mm wide
• Grips: Ergonomic, faux leather
• Drivetrain: 7-speed Shimano Altus, 11-34t cassette
• Brakes: Tektro hydraulic disc brakes, 180mm rotors
• Pedals: Alloy, with reflectors
• Saddle: Comfort, with adjustable backrest
• Tires: 20 x 3.3-in. Kenda K-Rad

In-Depth Rad Power Bikes RadRunner 3 Plus Review

Rad Power Bikes RadRunner 3 Plus Review: Comfort, Handling, and Ride Qualities

Rad Power Bikes’s RadRunner series of utility e-bikes gets tweaks with each new version, and with the RadRunner 3 Plus, Rad Power Bikes gave this model some of the best updates it has received. This version looks very much like the previous versions, but they’ve added some additional tubing to the frame, making changes to the rear rack that have made the frame stiffer. What that does for the rider is make the RadRunner 3 Plus handle better; riders on this version will feel more confident as they roll down the road.

A stiffer frame isn’t going to be perceived as less comfortable, though. The Rad Power Bikes RadRunner 3 Plus has 3.3-in.-wide tires and 60mm-travel suspension fork. Most riders wouldn’t even notice the difference in weight between the two frames.

The number one criticism of the RadRunner 2 was the tiny saddle. To be comfortable, most riders found they needed to set the saddle height so that it was level with the bench seat on the rear rack. We’re pleased to report that the saddle is now larger, though it’s still on the small side, which is to say anyone with a junky trunk might find themselves adding a larger saddle if they purchase this.

Like all of Rad Power Bikes’s models, the RadRunner 3 Plus is a one-size-fits-many e-bike. We find that manufacturers typically overestimate just how broad a range of people an e-bike can fit, so we caution consumers who are at the extremes of their sizing range.

Rad Power Bikes suggests that the RadRunner 3 Plus should fit riders from 4 feet 11 inches up to 6 feet 2 inches. Anyone under 5 feet 2 or taller than 6 feet are likely to need some big adjustments to find comfort on this e-bike. The good news is that riders who have struggled to find an e-bike with a reach that is short enough to be comfortable will appreciate the short (13.8 in.) reach. This is substantially shorter than we typically see, which should make this an attractive option for smaller riders.

The handlebar deserves some mention due to its 8.7-in. rise. This bar can be tilted forward and backward to increase or decrease the rider’s reach. This is an opportunity for dialing comfort few e-bikes offer.

Rad Power Bikes RadRunner 3 Plus Review: Motor, Battery, and Drivetrain Performance

A utility e-bike is meant to carry stuff, and by stuff we mean more than just the rider. Whether it’s a stack of pizzas or a kiddo being dropped at school, utility e-bikes are a terrific alternative to the guzzler of gas. We mention that because a full-grown adult plus a big load of groceries, or a kid requires a fair amount of power in order to accelerate up to speed.

The Rad Power Bikes RadRunner 3 Plus is equipped with a 750W brushless, geared hub motor to give it the power necessary to accelerate from a stop and get up to cruising speed promptly. Without sufficient power, the RadRunner 3 Plus would struggle to make it over hills.

Climbing power is determined by motor torque more than peak wattage. The Rad Power Bikes RadRunner 3 Plus motor produces 80Nm of torque, which is a very solid result.

Powering the RadRunner 3 Plus’s motor is a 672Wh lithium-ion battery, which Rad Power Bikes estimates will offer riders a range of between 25 and 45 mi. When our colleagues at Electric Bike Report tested the RadRunner 3 Plus, they got a surprise, a good one. In PAS 1 their test rider covered an impressive 60.2 mi.; that’s 33 percent more than their estimate. It’s always nice to see an e-bike exceed what the manufacturer claims, but this sort of outsized performance is rare. In PAS 5, the RadRunner 3 Plus scored yet another win with 26 mi. covered—a mile more than claimed. This may be the bigger surprise because it seems that estimates for PAS 5 performance are so frequently off that many companies don’t even offer an estimate.

The 7-speed Shimano Altus drivetrain is common to e-bikes in this price range, so at first glance, this will seem like more of the same, but a closer look shows that’s not the case.

Generally, we see a 14-28t cassette spec’d with this 7-speed drivetrain. A 200 percent gear range (28 is 200 percent of 14) is fine for people who don’t need to contend with steep hills. Residents of Miami, New Orleans or Fresno won’t notice anything amiss. But the city dwellers of San Francisco and Seattle must contend with steep hills. The fact that Rad Power Bikes is based in Seattle may have something to do with the fact that the RadRunner 3 Plus may the only e-bike we’ve seen with the Shimano Altus drivetrain that specs an 11-34t cassette, giving it a 310-percent gear range. Take that, hills!

We will never be crazy about the thumb shifter on the RadRunner 3 Plus, but we can overlook that because the wide-range cassette makes this e-bike stand out.

Rad Power Bikes RadRunner 3 Plus Review: Braking, Safety & Warranty

Another of the upgrades that Rad Power Bikes gave the RadRunner 3 Plus from the RadRunner 2 was a switch from mechanical disc brakes to hydraulic disc brakes. They pair Tektro hydraulic calipers with 180mm rotors to give this e-bike excellent stopping ability.

That Rad Power Bikes chose to spec 180mm rotors is impressive. Smaller wheels (such as the 20-in. wheels on this e-bike) don’t need as big a rotor as a larger wheel; the closer the wheel and rotor are in diameter, the more braking power there is. So some manufacturers choose to go with 160mm rotors on 20-in. wheels. Considering this is a utility e-bike, erring on the side of more braking power is a great choice.

The safety of e-bikes has been called into question due to media coverage of lithium-ion battery fires in devices like scooters and hoverboards—not e-bikes. In order to demonstrate how safe their products are, Rad Power Bikes now makes sure that their e-bikes receive two certifications from UL. One is for UL 2271, which is for lithium-ion batteries; the second is for UL 2849, which is for complete electronics systems in e-bikes. Rad Power Bikes has met a very thorough standard for safety in their e-bikes.

Rad Power Bikes covers their e-bikes with a one-year warranty. This is really the bare minimum that a consumer should expect. There are companies that offer a much more comprehensive warranty, and as good as Rad Power Bikes are, a more thorough warranty wouldn’t seem likely to cut into the company’s profits.

Rad Power Bikes RadRunner 3 Plus Review: Recommendation/Final Verdict

For the person buying their first e-bike, our general advice is to avoid choosing anything that is too special-purpose. Utility e-bikes and compact cargo e-bikes rank among some of the most versatile designs on the market. A rider can use them as a commuter without ever adding baskets or racks. But depending on what sorts of seats, footpegs, baskets or racks someone adds, it can provide much of the same function as a car.

The frame updates to the Rad Power Bikes RadRunner 3 Plus take a good design and improve it. They’ve strengthened and stiffened the frame, increased the range of gears to make hills easier and upgraded from mechanical disc to hydraulic disc brakes. They also ditched a pretty bad saddle and replaced it with one that is definitely more supportive.

There’s very little about this e-bike we can criticize. That said, this isn’t a perfect e-bike. Even though the saddle is now larger than found on the RadRunner 2, it’s still smaller than most saddle and riders looking for maximum support may struggle to find comfort aboard it. That’s not to argue against the RadRunner 3 Plus; it means that the purchase of a different saddle from a bike shop may be necessary.

Not everyone knows exactly how they will use an e-bike before they purchase one. That’s understandable. Our suggestion to consumers preparing to make a purchase is to try to imagine all the different ways someone might want to use their e-bike, and then to consider what will be required. Most of us will mention recreation and commuting to work and plenty of us will register a desire to run errands, like picking up a few things from the grocery or picking up a kid from school. That’s the point where it becomes important to consider what is required in terms of racks, baskets or an extra seat for a passenger. For most of us, a utility e-bike like the Rad Power Bikes RadRunner 3 Plus tends to slay more dragons than a pure commuter.

The Rad Power Bikes RadRunner 3 Plus may be a bit like a pair of jeans—as comfortable as it is versatile.

Thank you for reading through our review of the Rad Power Bikes RadRunner 3 Plus. Still have further questions? Wondering how it compares to a similar e-bike we’ve reviewed? Let us know in the comments below!