Is this the Ultimate Utility Bike? - Rad Power Bikes, RadRunner 3 Plus Review

[@Nanophage0]

Hey Scott, just subbed man. I enjoyed the commentary while watching your ride view. I actually just purchased this bike because of your video. Thanks for l the good info brother. I'm new to Rad ebikes so this was valuable to me.

[@scotthardesty]

Thanks for watching! I’m glad this video gave you the info you have been looking for.

[@stephenstetler3324]

I’m shocked to see you review a Rad. When I was in Seattle, Rads were everywhere. It inspired me for my first e-bike, but then I tried Aventon and realized there was such a difference. I was so disappointed when the RR3 was released because the price for what you get was just not making it for me. 😊

[@stephenstetler3324]

Much better than rads website alluded too. Great review.

[@scotthardesty]

I see Rad bikes all over Chicago as well. They let me pick whatever bike I wanted to review and I had never reviewed a utility bike before, so I choose the RR 3+, besides the noise the motor makes, I am impressed with this bike. I keep buying their accessories (since the video new stuff came in) and it has totally eliminated me needing a backpack when I go shopping and running errands.

[@ElburroE]

Great review. You're a natural...whoever did the editing too. Cheers.

[@scotthardesty]

Thank you! It's all me.

[@schryliam]

Very nicely done video, I like the style a lot and very informative. Very enjoyable review. Can I ask you what app you are using on your phone to track the ride? I've been looking for something like that, and was mind blown when I saw it auto-pausing.

[@scotthardesty]

Thank you. It's called STRAVA

[@gframe287]

I understand Rad have always used Bafang motors but not for this bike so that might explain the noise. Perhaps a bit of cost cutting, a cheaper motor? I keep seeing notes on my internet feed and asking with regard to this model if i want Rad to update on their latest thing for this bike which is a second battery that will fit underneath the rear rack. It will work by drawing charge from both at the same time - or that is what I understand to be the case. A very thorough and a very detailed professional review. P.S.If I put maximum effort into my Rad Runner (no gears) I can get around 44 miles from a full charge mostly along flat canal tow paths. I weigh around 13 stone which is 182 lbs in your money) These are of course Scottish miles. Unlike your Americans gallons, which are smaller than ours, I think we are talking about the same thing when it come to miles😃

[@scotthardesty]

I did see that they plan to add the 2nd battery in the future. That was one of the reasons I got this bike. I am hoping I will be able to review the 2nd battery when it's an option. 44 miles is definitely impressive. I never get the full mileage out of these bikes due to how I test them during the review. Plus, I am 220lbs. Thanks for watching!

[@hochnissl]

Thank you for your comment about the noise from the motor. I was wandering if mine is somehow defective, because we have another bike with a rear wheel motor which is much less noisy. If found myself listening to other Radrunner bikes passing by to find out how noisy they are (Radrunner 1 or 2s from delivery startups in Germany) and I found them to be less noisy than my Radrunner 3 plus.

[@scotthardesty]

That's the biggest issue I have found with this bike. I love everything else.

[@scottsworld21]

I’d be curious to see what your thoughts would be on the Specialized Globe Haul ST. A little more expensive, but it sounds like the quality is much better.

[@scotthardesty]

I checked out the specs and it looks like the Haul ST would blow this one away. 4piston brakes, 9 speeds, IPX7. I also looked at the reviews and it seems it has some electrical issues that have mentioned.

[@scottsworld21]

@@scotthardesty yeah it seems like that was on the first batch of bikes. They found out they were putting too much grease on the contactors, causing error messages and such. They seem to have fixed it now. Everyone that brought their bikes in and fixed haven’t had any other problems. It’s an interesting bike. My problem with rad power and aventon and others, it’s hard to find people to work on them, if you had a problem. I like that I can take this bike to my local bike shop and they’ll fix it no problem.

[@scotthardesty]

@@scottsworld21 Ah, that's good to know. Living in Chicago, I was able to find a local bike shop that repairs all the different brands I bring to them. I understand that is not an option for everyone so I understand that some people are limited to the brand they can get as they want to ensure they have a shop that can work on them if needed.

[@scottsworld21]

@@scotthardesty yeah I’m down in DFW area. Not many places will work on them. Great video thanks!

[@MelissaSmith1]

My son just bought this bike, and I was excited because I am 4'11"! Finally, an e-bike I could ride! But nope, not tall enough. I cannot sit on the seat and touch the ground. At all. And the seat was all the way down! Sitting comfortably on the seat with my feet dangling, they are at least 2 inches from touching the ground. Less than 1 if I stretch my legs and point my toes down.

[@scotthardesty]

Oh wow. I hope you find one that fits you!

[@MelissaSmith1]

@@scotthardesty I bought the RadExpand 5, so we'll see.

[@scotthardesty]

@@MelissaSmith1 I hope it works out for you!

[@tristanreske9082]

Awesome review!!

[@scotthardesty]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@deirdrereynolds4684]

nice review, nice camera, nice voice. nice💫

[@scotthardesty]

Thank you! 😃 and thanks for watching!

[@buzz4175]

I'm surprised Rad hasn't upgraded the amp/hour in their batteries

[@scotthardesty]

This is also their newest model I believe.

[@porterbrass]

Every hub drive I’ve tried makes you peddle WAY to fast in the 20-28mph range. I don’t see myself peddling that fast. It’s disappointing that hub drives don’t have higher gears for the top end speeds. Also, the motors seem to be noisy. They feel a lot more like a powered bike rather than a bike that gives you super power- like the mid drives.

[@scotthardesty]

It is a loud motor for sure. The loudest out of all my bikes. I did figure out a nice cadence that gets it up to those top speeds without ghost pedaling. Just takes a bit to figure out.

[@millanferende6723]

It's likely this loud, because it's one of those "integrated controller" type of motors. Those I've seen being more nosy.

[@scotthardesty]

@@millanferende6723 Interesting.

[@kenc6602]

After all this time now, what you think about this bike? does the noise bothers you still?.. thanks

[@scotthardesty]

I kinda forgot how loud the motor was until I hadn't ridden it in a while. It's a great bike and I would recommend it to anyone wanting a bike that has a ton of configuration. I still like this bike very much and have found it to be extremely useful.

[@VinnyAndSweetPea]

Rad has a lock box for the back rack. It fits a helmet.

[@scotthardesty]

Interesting, I just purchased their bag that fits inside that basket and love it. It's a soft shell, but I have no problem leaving my helmet in there when I go inside a store.

[@kenc6602]

This one or the Aventon Abound? what do you recommend?

[@scotthardesty]

Crap. hahahaha. Now I have to do another video.

[@scotthardesty]

This bike rides super easy and I use this daily for running errands, so I would have to pick this over the Abound. The Abound is my heavy load bike and can pick up more cargo than with the RR 3+ (but then again, I set up to my Abound to carry as much stuff as it can). I do think that there is a difference between a utility bike and a cargo bike. Each have their purpose.

[@kenrichmond6906]

Rad is falling behind in a lot of ways. Over priced…lack luster performance. Lectric’s Xpedition is a beast compared to this.

[@scotthardesty]

Lectric hasn't reached out "yet" to have me review on of their bikes. I would like to find out.