RadExpand vs RadMini vs RadRunner - Which should you get?

[@daviddehass6877]

As mentioned, the new Expand costs $1499 like the Mini. But the video left off some information, unlike the Mini, the new RadExpand does not have a suspension fork, no metal sprocket guard, no LED screen, no folding peddles, no height adjustable handlebars, much cheaper derailleur and brakes, and lastly, the Mini had double walled wheels and the new Expand only is single walled. It would cost hundreds of dollars in upgrades to the Expand to match the specs of the Mini.

[@EZEvans1]

This is one of the most comprehensive ebike videos I have seen. Also very engaging and has a great flow!

[@ElectricRidesUT]

Thank you! Glad you liked it!

[@richardiredale3128]

Came over here from a KZbin video on the new Lectric "Lite." I am mystified as to why Lectric did the Lite. We bought two of the XP 2.0 st bikes last Christmas and just love them. The Lite is only $800 and significantly lighter, but stripped of terrific features. Our neighbor is torn between Lectric and Rad. Certainly having Rad in Seattle (I'm in Portland) is probably a plus for my neighbor, a non-tech guy who wants service nearby. What I love about the Rads is their 14Ah 48v pack, while I'm stuck with a 10.4Ah 48v pack. But otherwise I think the XP 2.0 is one heck of a deal--comparable to the Rads in many ways, but significantly less expensive and with Cruise Control to boot! Better looking, too, in my view. But I won't dump on my neighbor if he decides on a Rad. Competition is a great thing. It improves the breed.

[@ElectricRidesUT]

I agree 100% - Competition is the greatest motivator!

[@chrisarias7072]

The $500 savings over the Rad will get you a second battery and more.

[@Human-Earth]

RadMini no longer available in Rad website, only RadRunner, which means it’s a step backward from Rad while Lectric added front suspension to XP 2.0, so no more suspension available in Rad folded e-bikes and no LCD, so it’s all about cutting their cost and rising the price offering less privileges for riders while making them paying more for limited e-bike UNFORTUNATELY! They should rethink about this in they next update!

[@ElectricRidesUT]

I figured they wouldn't be around for long! Lectric bikes are a heck of a deal, I would definitely consider them if I was looking for a foldable!

[@Human-Earth]

@@ElectricRidesUT Yes you’re absolutely right, I already did order XP 2.0 , Thank you 🙏

[@Human-Earth]

@@gpw203 Maybe you’re right 🙏☘️

[@Matanumi]

And then XP 3.0 comes out and improves even more

[@froggerc625]

Too bad the XP is kind of ugly IMO, loooks like a generic Chinese folding ebike with a Lectric logo on it, the Mini looked cool..

[@forgetyourlife]

Expand has single wall rims. Look a little deeper if your going to compare correctly. Rad was hoping no “reviewer” would notice. So far no one has addressed this.

[@ElectricRidesUT]

Interesting! I'll have to look that up, I don't think I've ever heard anyone mention this either. That would make sense with some of the weight reduction on the Expand vs Mini.. Runner 2 has always had single.

[@thinkingoutloud5523]

The best comparison video! Thanks!

[@ElectricRidesUT]

Thank you!

[@chrisarias7072]

We bought a Rad mini ST in February and wanted to get a second one. Well, it is discontinued and the Expand 5 is inferior in my opinion. No front suspension and no display. The tires are inferior as well. So I decided to get a Lectric Xp 2.0 instead. I briefly considered the Xp Lite because of the lower weight and price but besides the lower weight you also get so much less than the Xp 2.0, no front suspension, no gears, no fenders, no rack and skinny tires. Thanks, but no thanks, the XP 2.0 is the better value. I ordered the Xp 2.0 last week plus the $500 savings over the Rad Expand will get me a lot of accessories.

[@ElectricRidesUT]

Thanks for the comment! Yep, after the price increase it's hard to recommend the Expand!

[@jamesconner3437]

@@ElectricRidesUT It;s like when a new owner buys an existing successful restaurant and proceeds to cut portions and raise prices. Just not a recommended path to continued sucess....:(( I too dropped the Expand from my comparisons , which are now Lectric XP, KBO Ranger, and Rad Runner 2.

[@Matanumi]

@@jamesconner3437 private equity firm buy outs do that all the time

[@bradleyw6970]

Nice review, I disagree with the unridable after dead battery part, my wife new to biking after 20 year absence would not ride it with the power on for the first week of ownership,we rode around a few parks with no power assist while she got comfortable riding again

[@TsAugk]

Glad I bought the mini when I did!

[@ElectricRidesUT]

Lucky! The older Minis were definitely superior

[@Bryan46162]

I went with the Rad Expand over the mini precisely because it dumped the front fork in favour of a rear rack. Most of its operation will be done on paved or maintained gravel pathways. The weight savings will be nice as will not having another component that will require maintenance and eventual replacement.

[@ElectricRidesUT]

Good choice! I really think most people really won't miss the suspension.

[@markc3094]

@@ElectricRidesUT unless you've ridden one with front suspension. Thing is, you could always lock suspension.

[@chrisarias7072]

You must have bought the Expand when the Mini was still available and the cost for the Expand was $1299. I seriously considered the Expand 5 at that price especially since I had also a $100 Rad gift card but we waited too long to purchase and the the price went up. At $1499 it is not worth it imo.

[@markc3094]

@@chrisarias7072 I've got a radmini 4 and my wife a radmin st. For myself I much prefer the radmin over the expand.

[@graffmixer]

If I had to choose again, I would still go with the Radmini 4

[@ElectricRidesUT]

Definitely a good choice!

[@markc3094]

@@ElectricRidesUT big mistake dropping the mini 4.

[@brucefletcher3990]

RAD made big mistake,I'm pissed 😡

[@brucefletcher3990]

I'll keep my mini , whoever thought of the taking away the mini should be fired

[@Matanumi]

@@brucefletcher3990 corporate Britney dumb. Competition just got ferice

[@ridesharebiz5317]

Rad really blew it by not having a front fork suspension. Most of these ebikes are made in China; not sure if China discontinued their catalog in providing the Mini 4 bikes. The Expand 5 would be an ideal bike with a front suspension. 20x4 tires, new handlebars and rear rack are great features, but buying a new ebike over $1200.00 without a front suspension would be a serious mistake.

[@Matanumi]

Might as well go to the competition that offers more for less

[@colombianomd1]

I wouldn't compare it to the Runner. Different categories. You can carry so much more on the Runner even w/o a passenger. The Runner can be upgraded to mid-drive (aftermarket) whereas folding bikes are very difficult convert. Also the motorcycle style kickstand is a lot more convenient when traveling on Metro or subway. I'm not convinced that that people shift gears to much on these unless they are concern with getting a bit more mileage from the battery. There's no way you can get a Runner in a car/ sedan though. That's might be the only advantage besides saving 3lbs.

[@ElectricRidesUT]

All valid points! They were priced the same so I'd assume people would be curious as so the differences.

[@Matanumi]

......people use the 7 speed all the time. Wouldn't buy a bike without some gearing system

[@unknowncaller4739]

Just test drove the expand 5 I’m in love

[@ElectricRidesUT]

Awesome! Next time that I'm in SLC I'll have to give it a spin! Did you purchase one?

[@mrslcom]

Inferior components, no suspension fork, same price when equally equipped, the Rad mini comes out ahead.

[@joserego9210]

A completely back killer. No suspension, very uncomfortable seat. No screen. Peace of trash.

[@pearlfromthepilot984]

I wish I had a choice but I need the folding ability lol

[@jamsonren9640]

Ill probably get the e folding bike instead of the e road bike to store inside my car trunk. I could take both wheels off on the road bike but it’s seems like suboptimal solution

[@T2daBikeGuy]

Dam Great Review

[@ElectricRidesUT]

Thank you! I appreciate it!

[@daveanddianethrowingcautio5707]

You didn't add a suspension fork to the expands price which would change the difference completely. And without the suspension fork and the fold away pedals and Shimano shifter the Expand isn't anywhere near the bike the mini is, was. Glad we have two mini's.

[@ElectricRidesUT]

I didn't figure in the add-on cost of a suspension fork since I thought it really wouldn't be something a typical person would be able to easily add to a bike. I assume most people could attach a display upgrade or a rear rack but wouldn't dare to try to change out a front fork.

[@TLK487]

If you lower 4" tier pressure on the Expand for more comfort what should you lower it too....... for comfort and safety?

[@ElectricRidesUT]

The recommended tire PSI for the RadExpand tires is 30 PSI max. If you want the most speed and battery efficiency that's the pressure to go with. If you're looking for comfort, you can lower the PSI quite a bit, depending on the weight on the bike and how many potentially problematic bumps you may run into. Personally, I wouldn't go below 15 PSI for 20x4 tires.

[@ElburroE]

great review

[@ElectricRidesUT]

Thank you! I appreciate it.

[@protonmail2268]

Radexpand 5 is 1849 cdn and Step thru mini v2 is 1599 sale (1799) so why is the stripped down Expand 5 more than the mini?

[@ElectricRidesUT]

Rad will probably say supply chain issues and inflation. The reasons why they upped the price on the Expand twice this year so far.

[@seventail]

Can this fit in the truck of a Camry

[@adamantonczenko1435]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@ElectricRidesUT]

😎👍👍

[@rahulmohammed9868]

You didn’t include the red runner plus and should I buy this

[@ElectricRidesUT]

Sorry, I figured with the big price jump that I wouldn't include the Runner Plus but I'll make a video in the future where I outline the pros and cons of each.

[@patriciaribaric3409]

I just got the Radrunner 2 yesterday. I had knee surgery that did not go well, and walking is painful. I wasn't sure if I would be able to ride an e bike. Well, I can, and it is awesome to have mobility. I can't drive a car because of my knee issues, but the bike was way easier to ride than expected. I am so happy I chose the Radrunner 2. The only thing I need to upgrade is the seat. I'm 68 years old, and I haven't been on a bike in about 25 years. I need a thicker softer seat.

[@ElectricRidesUT]

@@patriciaribaric3409 Sorry to hear that your surgery didn't go as well as hoped but glad to hear that you're making due! Yes, even after the Runner 2's seat upgrade from the Runner 1's design, the seat is the first thing many riders replace immediately to something more comfortable.

[@ElGorba]

The rad expand 5 is good for a 6’3 people ?

[@ElectricRidesUT]

Rad recommends a max rider height of 5'10" so officially they say "no" but I've seen people ride ebikes far past the official rider height recommendations and be just fine. So, it's hard to say.

[@Matanumi]

Nope. Radmini 4 fits far more for taller people

[@mtmccornack]

Lacking multiple gear does not hinder the Rad Runner 2 with it's single gear. When given the choice I always stay on the crusing gear anyway and this ultimately does not increase the overall top speed of either the RadExpand, or the Rad Runner 2... those cheating gears only makes insanely stupid hills achievable with a dead battery. The gears are only more things to go wrong.

[@ElectricRidesUT]

When I'm riding around on my Runner Plus I mainly keep it in 1 gear as well but I live in a pretty flat area. From what most people tell me is that given the option, they'd definitely want a multi-gear drivetrain. Especially since many riders are older riders who can't supply the same pedal torque that they used to.

[@Blspr]

... now $1599... keeps going up month by month!? 🤦‍♂

[@ElectricRidesUT]

Sadly it seems to be. It was supposed to be one of Rad's economy models too.

[@walth9092]

What is the minimum rider height?

[@brucefletcher3990]

I think 4'10 to 5'10 😡

[@bridawg24]

None of the above. Core 5 from Ride1up

[@ElectricRidesUT]

A good choice as well! Ride1ups are a good buy all-around.

[@tjellis1479]

1399 for expand

[@ElectricRidesUT]

Yep finally on sale till the end of September I think

[@Matanumi]

The expand is evidence that Rad is regressive in its direction of the company

[@ElectricRidesUT]

Unfortunately. It's hard to argue that it isn't the case.

[@AviationDrone_75]

#58 subscriber 👍🏼

[@ElectricRidesUT]

Thank you for the sub! 🤘

[@speedbird3955]

Now $1599.00......

[@ElectricRidesUT]

Yep, sadly. I may have to make a follow-up to this video since it went up again.

[@Selflove214]

I got rad expand 5 so heavy 😅😅😅. I cant carry it by myself i am woman .i wanted to sell it change to commuter.

[@janettecumpsty7836]

That background music is very distracting and annoying, why is it needed. No thumbs up because of it.

[@ElectricRidesUT]

Thank you for your feedback!