Rad Power Bikes is a Seattle-based company that has invested resources in developing affordable yet high-quality e-bicycles.
The bikes are designed for commuting, city riding, transporting cargo, and off-roading. The bikes are meant to replace gas-guzzling cars and are geared towards a greener globe.
However, they come with some problems that make owning or purchasing them challenging.
For instance, they’re more expensive than normal bikes, with some going as high as $3,000. Some reviewers have also pointed out that the bikes don’t shift their gears smoothly and reliably.
All in all, Rad Power bikes are reliable bikes and are worth having. Here, we discuss some of the most common problems reported by hundreds of real owners.
5 Most Common Rad Power Bike Problems
1. Bike Doesn’t Turn On Frequently
Whether your bike has a semi-integrated battery or an external one, there are times when it refuses to turn on.
Here, you might notice that the Rad UI Remote and Rad UI Display aren’t turning on. You need to troubleshoot your bike and correct the problem in such a case.
The bike might fail to start due to the following reasons:
1. Unreliable Battery
Your bike might fail to start due to having an unreliable battery.
For instance, the battery charge level might be low or the terminals dirty. We recommend inspecting the battery and making a replacement where possible.
If you inspect the battery and find out that the charge is low, ensure you charge it fully. It’s also critical that you inspect the battery mount terminals.
Here, you need to check for damage, moisture, or dirt at the battery base and mount.
2. Misaligned, Damaged, and Loose Connectors
This is another major reason why Rad Power Bikes fail to start. Some of the main cables that might be loose include: The battery connector
- The wiring harness cable
- Rad UI display cable
- The Jumper cable
2. PAS (Pedal Assist System) Sensor Issues
All Rad Power Bikes come with PAS that puts the motor power in the pedal stroke.
However, even under normal use, the PAS sensor connection might become loose with time. The magnet ring is likely to shift from the bike’s PAS sensor.
When the PAS feature isn’t working effectively, it requires close attention and troubleshooting.
Here, we recommend inspecting the magnetic ring for any damage or dirt. If it’s dirty, clean it well. However, make a replacement if it’s damaged.
Also, ensure the magnetic ring is at least 2 mm away from the pedal-assist system sensor.
3. Brakes Need Lots of Adjustments
Brakes need lots of adjustments to maintain tightness.
This is most likely due to 20+ mph and city street braking of a 60 lb bike + rider/gear (So trying to stop around 225-300 lbs?)
I found using a softer brake pad on the rear cuts down on excessive heavy braking thus leaving a more desired tread wear (less micro-skidding)².
Tilt brake levers down a tad to put less strain on the wrists by not having to twist your wrist down/fingers up just to clear the brake levers to get access².
Both rovers had brake levers tilted too high up.
4. Headlight Sucks
The headlight that comes with Rad Power Bikes is not very bright and does not provide enough visibility at night or in low-light conditions.
Many owners have complained about this issue and have replaced their headlights with better ones.
One option is to buy one from 1859 NW which is plug-and-play with factory light.
Another option is to replace it with a Busch Muller IQ-X E headlight which is significantly brighter and also plug and play with the bike’s lighting circuit without any modification.
#5. Throttle Not Working
Another common problem with Rad Power Bikes is when the throttle does not work properly. The throttle is a device that allows you to manually control the speed of the bike by twisting it on the handlebar.
The throttle may stop working due to a jammed or damaged throttle body, a loose or faulty connector, or a software issue. To fix this problem, you need to check the following components:
Conclusion
Rad Power Bikes are great e-bikes that offer a lot of fun and convenience for riders of all ages and abilities.
However, they are not perfect and have some common problems that can affect their performance and durability.
By being aware of these problems and how to fix them, you can enjoy your Rad Power Bike for a long time and avoid unnecessary frustration and expenses.
If you have any questions or comments about this article, please feel free to share them below.
