The RadRover 5 is a mid-tier Class 2 electric fat bike with a five-level throttle assist system.
These combinations make the RadRover 5 an all-around style e-bike that is particularly fun to ride on both city roads and challenging trails.
On top of it all, it comes at an affordable price. In fact, it is pretty difficult to find an e-bike in this category that beat’s the RadRover 5 in terms of price, considering all its outstanding features and the possibility for more upgrades.
Read on to find out the performance features of the RadRover 5 and why you should consider buying it..
Rad Power Bikes RadRover 5 Overview
The RadRover 5 is an affordable, mid-tier electric fat bike in the Class 2 category. It is a hybrid e-bike with a throttle assist function and a powerful motor that can reach a top speed of 20 mph.
The all-around style e-bike is suitable for cruising around in the city, and it can work in most off-road conditions.
Pros
- An affordable model with excellent build quality and stylish engineering
- The powerful geared hub motor can take on challenging terrains
- Easy-to-use backlit LCD
- 4-inch fat tires provide a stable and comfortable ride
- 672 Wh Samsung Lithium battery has a long lifespan
Cons
- The e-bike is considerably heavy at 69 lbs
- The basic spring fork makes it less suitable for mountain biking or heavy off-road use
- The index shifter can take a while to get used to, especially for riders with smaller hands
- Available in only one frame size
- The accompanying 2 amp charger is slow and can take painfully long to charge the battery fully
Things to Consider Before Buying an E-bike
I strongly suggest you consider the following when choosing an electric bike. The suggestions here can help you avoid making costly mistakes.
- Purpose and Terrain:Think about what you want to use the e-bike for and where you will mostly use it before choosing a model. A cargo model is a better choice if you want to carry plenty of stuff, one or two kids, or an additional passenger.
On the other hand, an electric fat bike model is an ideal choice for cruising and commuting.
- Range: The range refers to the total distance the bike can go on a full charge. An e-bike that can travel more than 25 miles is a great choice if you plan to use it for your daily commute.
- Motors: Geared hub motors with at least 500-watts should do. But it is better if you can get one with a higher wattage. E-bikes with their motors inside the frame tend to be more expensive. Entry-level and mid-entry bikes typically have their motors on the wheel. What is more important is the performance of the motor and not just its location.
- Batteries: Consider a lithium-ion battery from a reputable brand. Batteries with 800 charge cycles or more are an ideal choice.
- Assist Level: Choose electric bikes that offer up to three or four motor-assist levels. A walk-mode is also great if you want more sophistication.
Features and Benefits
What sets the
Frame
The manufacturer engineered the RadRover 5 using a durable 6061 aluminum alloy frame. This gives the bike incredible stability.
The frame can support up to 275 lbs of load without caving in under the weight. The strong alloy also protects the internal electrical wiring of the bike in case of crashes.
Unfortunately, the construction material also makes the bike heavy. At 69 lbs, it can be quite difficult for small riders to lift this electric fat bike.
Another thing to keep in mind is frame size. The
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Motor
The
With a throttle motor assist system, you can get up to a top speed of 20 miles per hour. If you’re like me, zipping through traffic is one of the major attractions of e-bikes, especially when going uphill. But engaging the motor-assist function to reach full speed will drain the battery quickly.
Suspension
The bike features an RST suspension fork with 80 mm travel, lockout, and preload adjustment. This is not exactly what you’ll call a major performance-focus suspension system.
But the RadRover 5 is not particularly a mountain bike, so the basic spring fork suspension should provide a comfortable riding experience on rough patches.
Thankfully, the bike’s fat tires can also reduce impact from bumps. Plus, you can always get a suspension seat from
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Wheel & Tires
Puncture-resistant 26” x 4” wide tires are what you get with the RadRover 5. They mount on the double-wall, 36-hole aluminum alloy rims with 12-gauge stainless steel spokes. This accounts for the wheels’ sturdiness and great stability even at top speeds.
The PSI rating for the fat tires ranges between 5 and 30 PSI. A higher PSI works well for city riding, while a lower PSI will give you a better riding experience on dirt paths and loose sand.
Drivetrain
RadRover comes with an impressive drivetrain designed to make pedaling on tough trails and uphill climbs easier.
The system is made up of a 7-speed Shimano Acera Derailleur with an 11-34-tooth freewheel. It also features fenders that completely cover the chainring.
There is little chance of debris and sand getting into the drivetrain. This means you’ll hardly ever experience chain drops or other drivetrain problems.
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Brake
The
The braking system connects to the taillight. Applying the brakes illuminates the taillight – something that is rare in many entry-level and mid-level e-bikes.
More interestingly is the connection between the brakes and motor. The motor automatically shuts off when you pull the brake lever. This setup means the brake won’t compete with the motor. Ultimately, both components will last longer.
Battery
A 672 Wh Samsung lithium battery powers the bike. I like that
Plug the bike directly or remove the battery to juice it up whichever way is more convenient for you.
The battery itself is powerful and can last for a long time. But I strongly recommend upgrading the charger to a 3- or 4-amp charger. The 2-amp charger that comes with the batter can take more than 6 hours to go from zero to 100%.
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Display/Assist Modes
A 2.75” LCD mounts in the center of handlebars, allowing you to quickly see the readouts without taking your eyes off the road.
The backlit display is easy to read, even in low-light conditions. The display is not removable, but you can adjust it to any angle you prefer to eliminate flare, especially when riding in bright light conditions.
With a USB Type-A port at the bottom of the display, you can charge your phone and other portable devices on the go.
The display shows the following metrics:
- Battery level indicator
- Pedal-assist level
- USB charging
- Odometer
- Speedometer (current speed, average speed, max speed)
- Wattmeter
Twisting the throttle provides motor assistance up to 20 mph with five motor-assist levels. These include:
- Off
- Eco
- Standard
- Power
- Speed
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Features Summary
The table below shows the major performance features of the RadRover 5 electric fat bike.
| Feature Type | Specification | What This Means |
|---|---|---|
| Frame | 6061 Aluminum Alloy | A sturdy and durable metal frame does not flex even at maximum load capacity. The strong alloy protects internal wiring and can withstand occasional crashes. |
| Suspension | RST Suspension Fork, 80 mm travel, with lockout and preload adjustment | Offers adequate shock absorption on bumpy trails, and the short stem post together with the mid-rise handlebars reduces strain on the lower back |
| Wheel | 26” aluminum-alloy wheels | Provides impressive sturdiness and stability on city roads and off-road conditions |
| Tires | Kenda Juggernaut 26” x 4” fat tires | Exceptionally wide tires with a puncture-resistant feature. Excellent traction and grip for all terrains. |
| Battery | 672 Wh Samsung Lithium-ion Battery rated for 800 charge cycles | The battery has a long lifespan and can travel up to 45 miles or more on a single charge. |
| Gearing | 1 x 7-speed Shimano SL-TX50-7R thumb shifter | Capable of comfortably climbing hills and allows for easy changing of cadence to suit different riding conditions |
| Brakes | Tektro Aries (MD-M300) 180 mm Mechanical Disc Brakes | Remarkable stopping power with front and rear brake rotors. This brings the bike to a smooth stop within a short distance. |
| Motor | 750W Bafang brushless geared hub motor with 80 Nm of torque | A long-lasting and strong motor that provides enough power to tackle challenging terrains |
| LCD | Adjustable-angle backlit LCD with USB Type-A port | Shows useful easy-to-read metrics and allows you to charge your devices during rides |
What Others Are Saying
I think the RadRover 5 is a great bike and so do countless other users, too! In this part of the review, I’ll share what others think about the
After scouting the internet, I found some mostly positive customer reviews and ratings of the bike. These are not mere praise-singers. Instead, they are honest, down-to-earth assessments from real buyers and users.
RadRover 5 Alternatives
The RadRover electric fat bike is one of the most fun models to hit the market from
RadRover 5 vs Himiway
If you like the RadRover 5, you’ll almost certainly fall in love with the Himiway Cruiser. Both bikes have nearly identical frames, with most of their components located in the same spots.
The Himiway Cruiser is heavier, though. You should be prepared to deal with the heavyweight if you prefer the electric fat bike from Himiway. Besides weight, Himiway can travel farther and slightly faster than the RadRover 5.
Himiway Summary
- Price: $1,599
- Top Speed: 22 mph
- Range: up to 60 miles
- Weight: 72 lbs
- Total Payload Capacity: 350 lbs
Click here to check out the Himiway cruiser electric fat bike.
RadRover 5 vs Yukon 750
The Yukon 750 Limited is Voltbike’s 2020 fat bike edition. Unlike the RadRover 5 that comes in only one frame size, this model is available in 17-inch and 20-inch frame sizes.
It features hydraulic disc brakes, so you can expect exceptional stopping power. The bike is heavier and more expensive than the RadRover 5.
Yukon 750 Summary
- Price: $1,742 ($2,099 Canadian dollars)
- Top Speed: 20 mph
- Range: Up to 50+ miles
- Weight: 75 lbs
- Total Payload Capacity: 320 lbs
Click here to check out the Yukon 750.
RadRover 5 vs RadCity 4
RadCity 4 is another excellent e-bike from
Consider the RadCity 4 if you prefer an electric commuter bike model that runs quietly even at top speed. The front suspension and thick tires make it run smoothly on nearly all terrains.
RadCity 4 Summary
- Price: $1,599
- Top Speed: 20 mph
- Range: Up to 45+ miles
- Weight:64 lbs
- Total Payload Capacity: 275 lbs
Click here to check out the RadCity 4.
Conclusion
The RadRover 5 does a little bit of everything an e-bike should do. Little wonder it is considered a fun bike to ride!
With a high-quality strong frame, powerful motor, and puncture-resistant fat tires, the Class 2 bike rides well both on off-road trails and urban roads.
Besides, it comes with tons of add-ons that are not available in some premium models. On top of all that, it comes at an affordable price. Click here to check out the RadRover 5 electric fat bike.
