Rad Power RadCity 4 Step-Thru Electric Bike Review

*To see current pricing on the Rad Power RadCity 4 Step-Thru click here

The RadCity 4 by Rad Bikes is an affordable e-bike with fun features and great usability for riding around town. Rad Bikes builds popular e-bikes that appeal to a wide demographic of users at a reasonable price point.

Bike Category: Class 2 – Throttle on Demand to 20mph

Class 2 bikes feature both pedal assist and a throttle. Automated pedal assist supports the rider’s cadence, while a throttle on the handlebar will augment speed manually to the set point of 20mph. This gives the rider a little more manual control over speed as opposed to pedal assist only.

Who It’s For: Riders looking for a fun, affordable e-bike for tooling around town on paved streets

– RadCity 4 bike is perfect for riding around town, but not for trail or off-road riding.
– With a rear rack and optional front basket, this is a great option for those who need light cargo capacity.
– Integrated lights make it so you can ride safely through traffic. Both front and rear lights keep you visible.
– A low-step option and two frame sizes (16” or 19”) make it easy for anyone to step on and off the bike.

Bike Specs

Battery- 48V, 14 Ah (672 Wh) with Lithium NCA 18650 Samsung 35E cells
Charger- 48V, 2 Amp Rad Power Bikes smart charger, 110V or 230V AC outlet
‍Display- Backlit LCD with charge indicator
Hub Motor- 750W brushless Shengyi direct drive hub, regenerative braking, 40 Nm
Lights- Front: Spanninga PR60 48V with ambient light sensor option, Rear: Integrated tail light with brake light
Pedal Assist- 5 level pedal assist with 12 magnet cadence sensor
Throttle- Half twist throttle with on/off button
Wiring- Water resistant connectors and wiring harness
Brakes- Tektro Aries (MD-M300) with Tektro 180 mm front and rear rotors
Derailleur- 7-Speed Shimano Altus
Fork- Suntour spring fork with lockout, 80 mm travel, 100 mm hub width
Shifter- Shimano SL-TX50-7R thumb shifter, 7-speed
Tires- Rad Power Bikes by Kenda K-Rad 26″ x 2.3″, K-Shield puncture-resistant
Gearing- 1 x 7-speed

h2>Our Video Review

Pros

750watt motor with regenerative braking
Affordable price point
Fun, commuter styled frame
Rear rack for light cargo
Throttle adds extra manual power
Battery is lockable and removable
Easy to change pedal assist levels via handlebar mounted display computer

Cons

Bike weight is heavy at 63lbs
Hub motor
Mechanical disc brakes

Features

Hub Motor: 750W brushless Shengyi direct drive hub, regenerative braking, 40 Nm
This Shengyi DD is a good rear hub motor for light city riding. RadCity 4 lists motor power at 750 watts, and while we didn’t feel quite that much kick, it is certainly enough to give you some extra zip while riding around town. 40Nm of torque is a little limited for long distances or heavy hill climbing, but it is perfect for light urban commuting or recreational city riding.
Regenerative braking systems direct some pedaling power back into the motor, which can extend battery range and brake life. With a bike of this weight, regenerative braking may not save a ton of battery life (especially if you have a hilly commute), but it certainly prolongs brake wear and offers a nice downshift option to slow descent speed.
To engage regenerative braking, lightly tap or hold the brakes. The bike will automatically reduce power and slow your speed without having to engage the brakes.

48V, 14 Ah (672 Wh) Battery with Lithium NCA 18650 Samsung 35E cells
The 48V battery will get you 25-45miles of range on a single charge. Battery is lockable and removable for both security and convenience. You can charge it on the bike, or remove it to charge in any standard 110V wall outlet.

Backlit LCD with charge indicator
LCD display is attached to the center of the handlebars which displays charge indicator, speedometer, odometer, trip odometer, pedal assist level, wattmeter, and more. The computer display is not removable, but it is hearty and should hold up well to outdoor exposure.
There is also a USB port at the bottom of the display so you can plug in to sync or charge your phone while riding.

5 level pedal assist with 12 magnet cadence sensor
12 magnet sensors accurately track your cadence so the motor can supplement as needed. 5 levels of pedal assist gives riders plenty of options. If you plan to go long, reduce motor power and ride at level 1 or 2. Level 5 gives you maximum support but shortest battery range. Levels can be easily changed via a flick of the thumb on the display computer.

Half twist throttle with on/off button
The throttle on the RadCity 4 gives riders extra power. Aside from pedal assist modes, the throttle allows you to add that extra kick just when you need it. At low speeds the throttle can be a bit jerky, so it’s not ideal for low-speed or high-traffic areas. Throttle has a lockout button for safety so you won’t accidentally twist it.

Integrated Front and Rear lights
Spanniga front light is great for visibility. You can see and be seen, which is vital when commuting or riding with cars. We love that the integrated rear light is brake responsive for safety in traffic.

Tektro Aries with Tektro 180 mm front and rear rotors
Tektro Aries is a cable actuated mechanical disc brake system with linear pull levers above the grips. Brake levers are an easy reach and while not as powerful as hydraulic brakes, these will slow and stop the bike as needed. If you ride slow through traffic, gentle regen braking will also help push power back into the battery.

Gearing, Shifter & Derailleur: 7-Speed Shimano Altus and thumb shifter
7 speeds isn’t a huge range, but the RadCity 4 has a 20mph max speed and is designed for light city commuting, so it is plenty. Unless you plan to do a lot of hills or like to quickly toggle through abundant gears, this is sufficient for most riders.

Suntour spring fork with lockout, 80 mm travel, 100 mm hub width
One feature we love is the suspension fork. You can lock it when riding flats or open it to add a bit of travel as needed. 80mm is a great amount of travel for a city commuter bike!

Rad Power Bikes by Kenda K-Rad 26″ x 2.3″, K-Shield puncture-resistant
26” wheels lift the wheelbase just enough to take you smoothly over bumps and rough roads, but still offer easy step-over height. The puncture-resistance tires have a heavier tread than on other city bikes, which is a positive if you have a bit of uneven or rough terrain — but the grippy tread may slow you down slightly on fast flats.

In-Depth Review

Performance

The RadCity commuter is a fun, zippy bike. There’s a reason it’s a popular e-bike and consistently ranks high on review sites. While it doesn’t have some of the most upgraded features, it does offer a great combination of components that keeps it comfortable and sturdy while still speedy and fun to ride.

Electrical System

Class 2 Bike: Throttle on Demand to 20mph
Twist throttle is conveniently located on the right handlebar grip. You can turn or lock the throttle as desired. Throttle gives the rider a bit more control so you can add a little extra kick when needed.
Motor inhibitors shut off the motor as soon as you hit the brakes.

Pedal Assist with 5 Levels
Pedal assist supports a rider’s cadence with additional speed. The amount of supplemental speed is determined by a preset assist level. The higher the level, the more battery power is engaged to augment speed. Levels 1 and 2 are great for riding in traffic; they add just a bit extra kick as needed. Levels 3 and 4 are perfect for zipping along at a quick clip. Level 5 adds the most support and works well when you want to minimize pedalling.
One complaint we have is everytime the computer powers down it resets your distance, even though you may not be done with your ride. So, if you stop mid-ride to buy a drink and power-down your bike, the trip computer will reset. It would be nice if this were a manual reset.

750W brushless Shengyi direct drive hub 40 Nm

Brushless direct drive hub motors have no moving parts. Currents inside the motor flow as directed by the external controller. Since there are no moving parts, it reduces wear on components in the powerdrive. A hub motor also eliminates tension on the chain and gives a nice rear-wheel drive feeling.
Hub motors are limited to one gear ratio so the 1-7 gearing system is standard for a hub motor. This limits gear options and can be an issue at high resistance or hilly terrain. The rear hub motor also limits wheel options and makes it harder to service power and drivetrain components.

Rated power: 750 watts, 40Nm While the 750 watt motor is on the more powerful side, it’s hard to get a rear hub motor to actually produce 750 watts. Also, the 40Nm of torque will be plenty for flat unweighted rides, but it may feel underpowered when transporting heavy riders, cargo, or on an incline.

48v Lithium Battery

This 48v battery gives you about 14 amp hours and 672 watt hours, so it has respectable range of 25-45 miles. Estimated time is 6 hours for a full charge. We love that you can remove the battery to charge it in any wall outlet. This way, you can charge it at work if you commute or at home when needed. There is also a port to charge right on the bike in your garage too.
One complaint is the battery is 7.8lbs, so it’s a bit heavy, and there’s no handle which makes it hard to get in and out and move around safely

Components

7-Speed Shimano Altus Derailleur and Shimano SL-TX50 thumb shifter are nice components for a bike at this price point. Shifting is smooth and feels cohesive with the pedal assist.

Tektro Aries Brakes with Tektro 180 mm front and rear rotors are responsive and powerful enough to stop safely. These are single piston mechanical brakes, so it requires a bit more grip-strength to engage the brakes. Certainly multi-piston hydraulic brakes would be an improvement, but this is part of what keeps the RadCity affordable.

Regenerative braking also helps reduce wear on the brakes, so even though these aren’t hydraulic, you have the regen braking to offset how much pressure you have to apply with each stop. This feature enhances the brake functionality and life of the brake pads.

Frame and fork

The RadCity 4 commuter has a 6061 aluminum alloy frame and currently comes in two different color options (black or pearl) and two sizes (16” or 19”). You can also get the step-thru design, which we tested. Admittedly, the bike feels heavy, but the step-thru frame is easy to get on and off and has a comfortable 20” standover height. The upright 19” frame has a 31” standover height and the 16” is 29”. Bike weight is listed at 65lbs, which is on the heavier side, and the weight can be an issue when loaded with cargo or working up hills. In general though, the frame feels sturdy and supportive.

There is front suspension with 100mm fork length and 80mm of travel which is lockable and adjustable. There is no rear suspension, which keeps the backend sturdy.

Wheels and tires

Weinmann Goliath, alloy, double wall rims and 26” tires lift the wheelbase just enough for good clearance and the K-shield puncture resistant tires help limit flats. These tires have a bit more tread than is typically found on a commuter bike which makes them grippy. This is great if you have rough roads, but it can inhibit speed a little when riding smooth streets around town.

Accessories and custom options

The RadCity 4 Commuter comes with a rear rack, front and rear fenders, integrated headlight and tail light, with a responsive brake light.
There are bosses on the handlebar post for an added basket.

Pannier hangers on the side of the rack allow for additional cargo, but the hangers are a little short and tight, which doesn’t leave a lot of room. Custom panniers can be purchased from RadCity. Bosses on the downtube also allow for a water bottle holder.

Recommendation/Final Verdict

*For up-to-date pricing on the Rad Power Bikes RadCity Step-Thru click here

We love the RadCity 4 Commuter! This is a fun, easy bike to ride. Riders of all ages and abilities can enjoy the RadCity, especially the step-thru design. It doesn’t feature some of the high-end components, but it does combine quality and function for a solid feel and awesome price point. This is a great starter bike for anyone looking to enhance their riding enjoyment with an e-bike!