Intro
When it comes to e-bikes that serve as a substitute for a car, it’s nice to have an e-bike that is maneuverable and can carry a load, be it several bags of groceries or a child. E-bikes with 20-in. wheels offer an smart option as they tend to have a shorter wheelbase, can carve tighter turns and because small wheels offer terrific strength, are great at carrying a load. We’re pitting the Rad Power Bikes RadRunner 2 vs. the Lectric XP 3.0 because they include many similar features yet offer two notably different experiences.
Folding e-bikes are easy to stow because they can be reduced to a very small package. That makes them easy to transport as well, but being able to fold an e-bike isn’t the only way to store or transport an e-bike. It’s also fair to ask how often someone might need to fold up their e-bike. At home at the end of the day? Sure, that seems like a time someone would do that. But every day upon arriving at work, especially if it’s being locked up outside? That seems kinda doubtful. In front of school or at the grocery store? Unlikely. So not everyone needs folding.
The rear rack integrated into the frame of both the Rad Power Bikes RadRunner 2 and the Lectric XP 3.0 give them better than average abilities when it comes to transporting a load. Whether that load is a kiddo getting picked up from school or several bags of groceries, the integrated rack improves the frame stiffness and strength and offer buyers a place to mount a bench seat or large basket. In fact, both these e-bikes are considered compact cargo e-bikes; buyers can mount a bench seat, pegs and a handlebar in the rear as well as a larger basket up front to carry a passenger as well as groceries. Both also come spec’d with mechanical disc brakes paired with 180mm rotors.
These two e-bikes do sport some differences that may matter to some buyers. The Lectric XP 3.0 comes spec’d with a 7-speed Shimano drivetrain while the Rad Power Bikes RadRunner 2 features a single-speed drivetrain. And while both feature reasonably large tires on those 20-in. wheels, the Lectric XP 3.0 rolls on 3-in.-wide tires while the Rad Power Bikes RadRunner 2 rolls on 4-in.-wide rubber.
While both e-bikes come in but a single size, the designs of the two e-bikes may make a difference to some riders, thanks to the RadRunner 2’s step-thru frame and high-rise handlebar.
Let’s dig into what factors may steer a buyer to one e-bike more than the other.
Key specs of the Rad Power RadRunner 2 vs. Lectric XP 3.0
| Rad Power RadRunner 2 | Lectric XP 3.0 | |
| Class | 2 | 2/3 if unlocked |
| Motor | 750W hub motor | 500W hub motor |
| Battery | 672Wh | 499Wh |
| Drivetrain | 1 speed | 7-speed Shimano |
| Brakes | Mechanical disc brakes | Mechanical disc brakes |
| Notable features | Includes lights, integrated rear rack and motorcycle-style dural-leg kickstand | Includes rack, fenders, lights and kickstand |
What we like about the Rad Power RadRunner 2:
- Rear rack integrated into frame is ideal for carrying a passenger
- 750W hub motor offers terrific power and acceleration
- High-rise handlebar and step-thru frame design make this e-bike especially well-suited to smaller riders
What we like about the Lectric XP 3.0:
- Folds up quickly for easy storage
- Integrated rear rack is great for mounting a basket or a seat for a passenger
- 7-speed Shimano drivetrain makes climbing hills easier
Read our review of Rad Power RadRunner 2 | Read our review of Lectric XP 3.0
Conclusion
Let’s suppose someone shopping for an e-bike plans to commute to work and run errands with their new ride. The question of whether the foldable design is necessary can only be answered by the buyer and their personal circumstances. The more important question regarding frame design that some riders will need to answer has to do with sizing. While the Lectric XP 3.0 does a decent job of fitting riders over a range of height, the combination of a step-thru frame design and a high-rise handlebar that can be rolled back toward the rider make the Rad Power Bikes RadRunner 2 an e-bike that we would encourage smaller riders to consider. Making an e-bike easy to mount and keeping the reach from the saddle to the handlebar short will make riding the RadRunner 2 more enjoyable for smaller riders.
Another significant difference between these two e-bikes can be found in the drivetrain. While the Lectric XP 3.0 comes equipped with a 7-speed Shimano drivetrain, the Rad Power Bikes RadRunner 2’s one real fault is that it is equipped with a single speed drivetrain. We like gears because they help get up hills, as well as back down them. With one gear, riders are faced with either having an easy time when going fast or going slow and with the RadRunner 2, the 53 x 16t gear will offer solid pedaling at speed, but getting up hills and starting from a stop will be harder than with an e-bike with multiple gears. Helping to offset this obvious weakness, though, is the fact that the RadRunner 2 is equipped with a 750W hub motor. That’s 50 percent more powerful than the 500W hub motor found in the Lectric XP 3.0. Practically, the means that the RadRunner 2 should accelerate reasonably well on flat ground, even with a passenger, but it may falter on longer hills—especially with a passenger. The single speed drivetrain is one of two features of this e-bike we disagree with and would love to see Rad Power Bikes upgrade.
The other feature we would like to see Rad Power Bikes change is the rather modest saddle they equip the RadRunner 2 with. It’s narrower than the “sit bones” of most adult pelvises.
Both Lectric and Rad Power offer a wide array of accessories to equip their e-bikes for the rider’s individual needs. There is more to equipping an e-bike than buying accessories, though. It’s important to have a place to mount baskets and such and both the Lectric XP 3.0 and the Rad Power Bikes RadRunner 2 come with mounts on the head tube of the frame to which a large basket can be mounted.
Two final differences between these two e-bikes are worth considering, though neither is likely to be a deal-killer. Anyone who lives in a wet environment is likely to appreciate the fenders included with the Lectric XP 3.0. All it takes is a couple of puddles to realize that fenders aren’t just for rain. And with the Rad Power Bikes RadRunner 2 the kickstand included features a motorcycle-type dual-leg kickstand which will hold the e-bike steady as it is loaded, be that with a child or a bag of groceries.
No matter what a rider’s needs are, more and more we are seeing e-bikes that can cater to very specific needs and be further adapted to suit a rider’s lifestyle.
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