Rad Power Radster Road Review: A Beginner-Friendly Electric Commuter Bike

In Dallas, Texas, we don’t have a lot of coastline, mountains, or forests. What we do have in full supply is heat and concrete. As the summer temperatures rise, it’s difficult to get outside, which is why I was glad to test out the Rad Power Radster Road Electric Commuter Bike to see if it could help beat the heat.

After many hours of testing in temperatures that reached triple digits, grinding with no pedal assist, and cruising at speeds just under 28 mph, I can confidently say that the Radster delivers on all its promises, providing one of the breeziest biking experiences I’ve ever had—especially in 95-plus degree weather.

Unboxing and first impressions

The bike I received was the Rad Power Radster Road Electric Commuter Bike, size large (per their sizing guidelines), in white. The bike was delivered by Rad Power’s local partner in efficiently-packaged and user-friendly cardboard with “Welcome to the Radventure'' written on the front (nice touch). The top part of the box lifted away easily to reveal the super compact, secure, and mostly assembled parts that would, with a little (or a lot) of elbow grease, become the e-bike.

All of Rad Power’s bikes come almost fully assembled—“almost” being the keyword, depending on your experience level. For me, the assembly process was no walk in the park. Though Rad Power provides written and video instruction, unless you’re very experienced with assembling bicycles, I wouldn’t say the process is easy. All in all, it took about four hours to put together.

If you’re going to try putting it together yourself, a couple things to note: One, make sure you have a friend nearby. There are parts of the assembly (and subsequent safety testing) that require the bike be partly lifted off the ground, which I would say the average person couldn’t do with one hand.

Two, make sure you have the necessary tools. While Rad Power provides a nice set of the tools you need, to ensure everything is secure, they instruct you to use a torque wrench on several of the parts.

Once it was finished though, the work became worth it with just one lap around the house. Fully assembled, the bike looked sleek and casual — definitely not as bulky as I expected, or as it felt as I was assembling it.

Rad Power Radster Road Electric Commuter Bike pros and cons

Pros

• Tires: More intense bikers may disagree, but I find the larger tires on the Radster to feel more stable and grounding — it’s something for which I’m willing to sacrifice agility.
• Security features: If you’re dropping two grand on a bike or any vehicle, you want to ensure you can keep it safe. For an added layer of security, the LED screen can be locked and unlocked with an included key fob or a personalized security code. And without the battery, which is removable by lock and key, the bike is rendered almost as useless as a car that won’t start, in my opinion.
• Speedometer and odometer: These are common to electric bikes, but I love being able to check on my current speed and track the miles in one trip.
• Quiet: Compared to other electric bikes, I believe the Radster’s motor is relatively quiet. I rode alongside it on an old acoustic Schwinn, which I think was louder than the e-bike.

Cons

• Shipping process: Keep in mind that this will vary depending on where you’re located, but communication with the local shipping partner was pretty difficult and frustrating. Shipping itself took just about two weeks from when the bike was ordered to when it arrived.
• Difficult to assemble: As I discussed above, I’m no expert, but the assembly instructions were not the most user-friendly.
• Heavy: At 75 pounds for the large frame, and just a half pound less for the regular frame, this bike is on the heavy end of the spectrum for electric bikes, which can pose difficulties for storage and transportation.

Rad Power Radster Road Electric Commuter Bike price

For both the regular and large sizes, the Rad Power Radster Road Electric Commuter retails at $2,199, which is pretty middle-of-the-road for an electric commuter bike. The average cost of an electric bike ranges between $2,000 and $3,000, though they can be as cheap as a few hundred dollars and as expensive as $8,000.

Key features

Throttle

The half-twist throttle is located on the right handlebar, and blends in so well with the handgrip that I was a little worried about accidentally engaging it. Luckily it’s got the perfect amount of give, so I don’t think I could ever accidentally hit it, but it’s not difficult to engage either.

Using the throttle is fun, and it can also be helpful to hold your balance when you’re pushing off to start your ride. As expected, it does burn through some battery, so plan accordingly if you’re taking the bike for a long ride.

LED screen

The color LED screen display includes the bike class level, speedometer and odometer, current battery range, trip time, pedal assist level, motor watts used at any given time, and the headlight, tail lights, and rear turn signals. The display also has a USB charge indicator if you’re using the USB port to charge your phone, and it comes with a control lock for extra security powered by a specific passcode or an included key fob.

Battery

The Radster’s battery is UL Certified to UL 2271, which means it’s a safety-certified battery made for electric bikes and similar vehicles. Its “safe shield” is made with heat-resistant technology to keep you and your battery safe through all types of weather. The range goes up to 65 miles.

You can remove the battery with a key to charge or for safekeeping. The charger comes with a convenient wall mount to store your battery, or you can charge it while it’s still attached to the bike. The battery displays the charge amount while charging, and you can check the battery percentage during your ride on the LED display.

Hydraulic disc brakes and stopping

The Radster’s E350 Tektro hydraulic disc brakes provide effective stopping power that’s smooth and intuitive—nothing much different than regular hand brakes, unlike other e-bikes I’ve experienced. Considering the power of the torque, I was a bit nervous to test it in the small space where I first hopped on, but the brakes were solid and stable from the get-go. There’s also (thank goodness) no assembly required for the brakes, though Rad Power instructs that you tighten them once the bike is assembled.

Padded and railed saddle

The saddle isn’t super padded, so I was pleasantly surprised at how comfortable it is, even on longer rides. The seat’s sporty appearance is supportive even over bumpy terrain.

Tires

The Radster comes equipped with Kenda Kwick Series tires, 29" x 2.2" with puncture protection and a reflective strip. These are definitely on the large end of the spectrum for e-bikes, which can range from 16 inches to 29 inches. The tires feel stable and work well on pavement, but I will say you sacrifice a little bit of agility you might find with something slightly smaller — working without a little pedal assist is definitely a tougher workout.

Front and rear lights

I haven’t often used the Radster after dark, but the LED headlight is plenty strong for city riding, and is adjustable so you can angle it appropriately based on what works for you.

The rear brake light and turn signals are a useful feature no matter where you’re riding, but I have to say they made me feel that much safer when I took the Radster for a spin on the road. Being able to signal the much bigger surrounding vehicles is a crucial safety feature for a commuter bike.

Rear rack

One of the things I loved most about the rear rack was that it required no assembly, just a little extra tightening with the torque wrench. I have yet to use it for its intended purpose, but the sturdy feature has a 55-pound weight capacity without being too bulky. Both visually and when in use, I hardly notice it’s there.

Kickstand

The Radster sports a side-mounted, adjustable kickstand that’s hefty enough to support the weight of the bike. Another feature that was pre-attached to the bike, requiring no extra effort.

Rad Power Radster Road Electric Commuter Bike: Is it for you?

This is a great electric option for recreational use and casual commuting. It’s filled with fun features that can help you track every aspect of your recreational rides and safety features to help keep riders secure in different urban environments.

If you choose to use this as your mode of transportation for running errands, safety features like the locking battery and passcode-controlled display can help you shop at ease. Plus the rear rack can support up to 55 pounds’ worth of groceries or other goods.

The Radster is rather heavy, which is something to consider when storing it—either at home or at your destination if you’re commuting to work. It may also make it less than ideal if you want to ride far, or hit more intense riding environments than the ones readily accessible from your house. Similarly, skip this and go for the Radster Trail Electric Off-Road if you’re not going to be sticking primarily to paved roads—this one loses a little stability and comfort as soon as you veer off the pavement.

Rad Power Radster Road Electric Commuter Bike ride and comfort

The Radster is a generally comfortable ride on the pavement. The seat is surprisingly comfortable for one that looks minimally cushioned, and the handlebars, hand brakes, and torque are ergonomic, without putting too much pressure on your wrists.

The bike transitions pretty seamlessly between classes, or pedal assist modes, and the torque is powerful without feeling too unstable.

Rad Power Radster Road Electric Commuter Bike performance

Ease of use/user friendliness

The bike itself—including the LED display, twist throttle, and gear shifters—is intuitive and user-friendly.

Maintenance

Casual non-electric bikers may be less inclined to keep up with maintenance, but if this is your first go at an e-bike, keep in mind that this will have to change. Just like with a motor vehicle, Rad Power recommends annual maintenance with a certified mechanic to ensure your bike is operating safely and optimally. In addition, after an initial break-in period of 50 to 100 miles, Rad Power recommends a tuneup from a certified bike mechanic. Riders should also visually inspect the bike before each ride.

Design and build quality

I really like the design of the Radster, which I find gives an air of leisure and casual riding or commuting, as opposed to the intense looks of some other electric bikes. While I have the white, I would have been equally as happy with the tealish-blue option. I find both to be calming, versatile, and reasonably neutral.

The bike feels as sturdy as it looks, without being too bulky. Each component, from the aluminum frame to the ergonomic handlebars to the sporty saddle seat, feels high quality and premium-made.

Final verdict

The Rad Power Radster Road is a great option for the casual electric biker. It gives hours of endless fun for recreational use and can easily be used for running errands or commuting to work (within reason). Its middle-ground price point, in my opinion, is worth it for all the features, convenience, and premium-made materials.