Rad RadRunner Plus: specs and AEB Score

Not ridden by Will yet. I haven’t ridden or tested the current RadRunner Plus. This page is a spec-and-sources profile. Every number comes from Rad Power Bikes’ official product page, Rad’s warranty and refund policies, the CPSC, news coverage of Rad’s sale to a new owner, or independent reviews that I summarize in my own words and link at the bottom. I have filmed the older RadRunner 3 Plus and the RadWagon 4, and where I compare with them, the riding notes are about those bikes, not this one. All prices and checks on this page are as of Oct 26, 2026.

Should you buy one?

On paper, the RadRunner Plus is a passenger-ready utility bike for $1,799. For that price Rad lists a 750W rear hub motor, a 624Wh Safe Shield battery, Gemma hydraulic disc brakes, a 65mm suspension fork, a Shimano 7-speed, a 120 lb integrated rear rack, and a passenger seat, footpegs and wheel skirt in the box. It is Class 2 only, with a 20 mph top speed on the throttle and on pedal assist.

The trade-offs on paper:

• The company. Rad Power Bikes went through Chapter 11 bankruptcy and was bought by Life EV in early 2026. The current warranty is issued by the new owner and covers bikes bought on or after May 15, 2026. More on that below.
• Weight. 75 lb with the battery, 65 lb without it. That’s a bike you roll, not carry.
• Cadence sensor. The assist responds to the pedals turning, not to how hard you push.
• Rider limit. 275 lb, inside a 350 lb total payload.
• Availability. Rad’s page shows the RadRunner Plus as “Back Order” on Oct 26, 2026, in one color (Matte Black).
• Returns cost money. $149 return shipping on an unridden bike, plus a 30% restocking fee if it has been ridden (and only under 20 miles).

Who it fits on paper: riders roughly 4’11” to 6’2” who want to carry one passenger or a heavy load on the back, live where 20 mph is fast enough, and want front suspension and gears without paying for the RadRunner Max.

Who should look elsewhere: riders over 275 lb, anyone who wants Class 3 speed or a torque sensor, and buyers who need a bike this month, since it’s back ordered.

Quick specs

Sources for every row are at the bottom of the page.

Pros and cons (from the specs and sources)

Pros

• Passenger seat, footpegs and wheel skirt come in the box, so it can carry a child out of the box; Ebike Escape notes the 120 lb rack limit may be too little for some smaller adults
• 120 lb rear rack on a 350 lb total payload
• Hydraulic brakes, front suspension and 7 gears at $1,799
• Safe Shield battery, a different battery from the models in the CPSC’s November 2025 warning
• Color display with a passcode and USB C charging
• Low 16.5 in standover and a 4’11” minimum rider height
• Takes a second battery with Rad’s Range Extender (sold separately)

Cons

• Bought out of bankruptcy; the warranty only covers bikes bought on or after May 15, 2026
• 75 lb with the battery
• Cadence sensor, not torque
• Class 2 only, so no 28 mph mode
• Back ordered on Oct 26, 2026
• Rad’s own page disagrees with itself on torque and certification wording
• I can’t speak to the ride, the seat or the noise, because I haven’t ridden it

Motor and pedal assist

Rad rates the motor at 750W, from a rear hub. 750W is the federal power limit for a low-speed electric bicycle, so the motor fits that definition. States and towns still set their own rules on where, and at what age, you can ride, so check those too.

Torque. Rad’s spec table says 60 Nm. A section further down the same page says “70Nm of torque.” Ebike Escape’s review also uses 70 Nm. I can’t tell which is right from Rad’s page, so I’d ask Rad before buying if torque matters to you. Either figure is below the 90 Nm Rad lists for the RadRunner Max.

Pedal assist. It’s a cadence sensor with five levels and a zero assist option. A cadence sensor adds power once the cranks turn, at a level set by the assist mode, no matter how hard you push. Ebike Escape says power comes in after about a quarter turn, and that levels 1 and 2 suit low speed cruising at roughly 10 to 12 mph. Ebike Escape lists the cadence sensor as a con and notes that many brands are moving to torque sensors.

Hills. In Ebike Escape’s hill test, the bike climbed the whole hill on throttle alone and held at least 13 mph. Ebike Escape doesn’t give the hill’s grade, so I can’t compare that with other bikes.

Class and the throttle

The RadRunner Plus is Class 2 only: pedal assist to 20 mph and a throttle to 20 mph. Rad doesn’t list a Class 1 or Class 3 setting for this model. The throttle is a half twist grip on the right, and Ebike Escape says it works from a stop and ramps up gradually.

Class 2 is legal on roads in most US states, but some trails and paths ban throttles. Check yours on our e-bike laws hub. If you want 28 mph, Rad’s RadRunner Max is the Class 3 option in the same family.

Battery, range and charging

The battery is Rad’s Safe Shield Advanced External, 48V 13Ah, which is 624Wh. It mounts outside the frame and locks with a key. Rad’s page says the key is universal, not unique to your battery, and may open other Rad locks too. So don’t count on the battery lock to stop theft.

Rad rates the range at 17 to 55+ miles. Here’s what I could find from testers:

I couldn’t find an independent range test of this version with the 624Wh battery. Electric Bike Report’s test was on an earlier RadRunner Plus with a larger 672Wh battery, so I’d expect a bit less from the current one, not more. Electric Bike Report also ran a low-power test on that earlier bike, but flagged the result as unreliable, so I’ve left it out.

What that means for a commute. Plan on the low end of Rad’s range with a passenger or a full rack. If you assume about 20 miles at high assist, that’s a round trip of about 8 miles each way with a few miles to spare. Riding solo in a low assist level should stretch it a lot. Cold, hills, wind and weight all cut range.

Charging. The charger is 48V 2A. Rad doesn’t give a charge time on the product page. Electric Bike Report estimated about 7.5 hours for a 2A charger on the RadWagon 5’s 720Wh battery, so this smaller battery should take a little less.

Two batteries. The Range Extender holds a second battery. Rad sells each part separately, and its page doesn’t show the prices next to the bike.

Brakes, fork and drivetrain

Brakes. Gemma GA 950E hydraulic disc brakes, with 180mm rotors that are 1.8mm thick. Rad’s product page doesn’t say whether the brake levers cut motor power.

Fork. An Exsho suspension fork with 65mm of travel and a bolt on axle. Ebike Escape says it makes a noticeable difference over bumps and cracks.

Drivetrain. A Shimano 7-speed with an 11 to 34T freewheel and a 52T chainring. Ebike Escape names it as Shimano Altus. Gears are one of the three things that separate the Plus from the $1,499 base RadRunner, along with the fork and the passenger kit, according to Ebike Escape.

Kickstand. It’s a side kickstand. Ebike Escape points out that the Plus is the only RadRunner with a side stand, and that a two-leg stand would be steadier for loading a passenger.

Fit, weight and the rack

Fit. One size, with Rad’s listed range of 4’11” to 6’2” and an inseam of 26 to 37 inches. The standover is 16.5 inches. The seat goes from 30.5 to 41 inches. The bar sits 45.75 to 47.25 inches high with a 15.5 inch reach. Ebike Escape describes a moped-style seat that you can drop all the way down to cruise or raise to pedal properly, and says some riders may find it firm.

Weight. Rad lists 75 lb with the battery and 65 lb with it removed. That puts the battery at about 10 lb. Electric Bike Report weighed its earlier RadRunner Plus at 74.3 lb.

How the weight limits work together. Rad lists a 350 lb payload, a 275 lb maximum rider and a 120 lb rear rack. Rad gives the rider maximum inside the payload figure, so I read the 350 lb as the rider plus everything the bike carries. That means:

• A 275 lb rider has 75 lb left, and that’s also the most that can go on the rack.
• A 230 lb rider with a 120 lb passenger on the rack is at 350 lb, with nothing left for a basket or bags.
• A 180 lb rider with a 100 lb passenger is at 280 lb, leaving 70 lb, but only 20 lb more on the rack.

The 120 lb rack limit includes the passenger, the seat pad and anything else on the back. Ebike Escape notes that 120 lb is fine for kids or cargo but may be too little for some smaller adults.

Safety, certifications and recalls

• UL certification. Rad’s spec table says the bike is certified to UL 2849 by ACT Labs. The description on the same page calls the battery “UL Certified.” Ebike Escape says the battery is UL 2271 certified and the electrical system is certified to UL 2849. Rad’s general statement is that all its bikes are either UL certified or tested by ACT to comply with UL 2849. I’d treat this as UL 2849 testing by ACT, and ask Rad for the certificate if you need a listed product, for example for a building’s storage rules.
• The CPSC battery warning. On Nov 24, 2025 the CPSC warned consumers to stop using certain Rad batteries, models RP 1304, RAD S1304Y and HL RP S1304, because of fire risk, and said it had reports of 31 fires. It was a warning, not a recall. The warning names the RadRunner Plus among the bikes that used those batteries. Those were earlier RadRunner Plus bikes. The current one ships with the 624Wh Safe Shield battery, which is not one of the listed models. If you’re buying used, check the model number on the battery label.
• Recalls. I searched the CPSC database on Oct 26, 2026. Rad’s only listed recall is for RadWagon 4 tires (2022). There’s none for the RadRunner Plus.
• Lights. A 100 lumen (40 lux) headlight with an ambient light sensor, four lighting modes and daytime flashing, plus a tail light that works as a brake light. There are no turn signals.
• Water. Rad rates the bike IPX6. Its warranty still excludes water damage.
• Passcode. The display can be locked with a passcode, which stops casual use but isn’t a lock.

Warranty, returns and support

The company. Rad Power Bikes filed for Chapter 11 on Dec 15, 2025. Life EV bought Rad’s assets for $13.2 million, and TechCrunch reported on Mar 6, 2026 that Life EV officially owned the brand. GeekWire and Engadget covered the sale too, and Engadget reported a pledge to build bikes in the US. The bikes are now sold under Rad Life Mobility.

Warranty. The warranty is issued by Rad Life Mobility and applies to bikes bought in the US or Canada on or after May 15, 2026. It gives:

• 2 years on the frame and listed components
• 2 years or 300 charge cycles on the battery
• 1 year on pedals, drivetrain parts and the saddle
• 1 year on accessories

It excludes wear items, water damage, rust, and fire, thermal or safety incidents. You pay shipping to send parts back. For a bike bought before Dec 15, 2025, Rad Life Mobility says it has no warranty obligation; those owners go through the bankruptcy claims process (case 25 02183). That matters if you’re looking at a used or old stock RadRunner Plus.

Returns. Rad’s refund policy gives 30 days. A new bike has to come back in its original packaging, and Rad charges $149 for return shipping. A ridden bike can come back only if it has under 20 miles, with the $149 fee and a 30% restocking fee. Discount codes are taken off the refund, and orders can’t be cancelled.

Shipping and assembly. Rad’s page lists free shipping (Alaska and Hawaii excepted) and rates assembly as “Medium.” Ebike Escape says you attach the bars, front wheel and pedals. Rad offers a paid Pro Build at checkout.

Support. [email protected].

How it compares with bikes I’ve filmed

These are the Rad cargo bikes I’ve ridden. The ride notes in my reviews are about those bikes. The RadRunner Plus column is spec-only. Neither filmed bike is listed in Rad’s store on Oct 26, 2026.

About the weights. Rad gives the RadRunner Plus weight with the battery fitted. Our older pages give Rad’s figures for the 3 Plus and the RadWagon 4 without saying whether the battery was on. So the three figures may not be measured the same way; treat differences of a pound or two as noise.

Against the RadRunner 3 Plus. On paper the new Plus is close to the 3 Plus I tested: same 120 lb rack, same 350 lb payload and about the same weight. It has a slightly smaller battery but a higher range claim, a fork with 5mm more travel and a 10 lb higher rider limit. My verdict on the 3 Plus was that it’s worth it if you’ll ride it to work five days a week or replace a car, and that I wanted a torque sensor at its price. That still applies on paper: the new Plus keeps a cadence sensor. It also drops the 3 Plus’s center console. My notes about the 3 Plus’s ride are about that bike, not this one.

Against the RadWagon 4. The RadWagon 4 is a longtail with more room behind the rider. The RadRunner Plus is shorter at 71.5 inches, with a passenger seat in the box and a suspension fork. If you need two kids on the back, look at the RadWagon 5 instead.

In Rad’s current range. On Oct 26, 2026 Rad lists the base RadRunner at $1,499 and the RadRunner Max at $2,299. Ebike Escape says the base model has no gears, a steel fork and no passenger kit. Our RadRunner Max profile lists 90 Nm, Class 1 to 3, a 420 lb payload and 82 lb. The Plus sits between them.

Who it’s for, on paper

• Parents carrying one child who want the passenger kit included.
• Errand riders who want a 120 lb rack and a low step-over.
• Shorter riders, down to 4’11”, who find most cargo bikes too tall.
• Riders who are happy at 20 mph and want a throttle.

What I’d check before buying

1. The ship date. It’s back ordered on Oct 26, 2026, so ask Rad when yours will ship.
2. Your weight plus your passenger, against the 275 lb rider limit, the 350 lb total and the 120 lb rack.
3. The torque figure. Ask Rad whether it’s 60 or 70 Nm.
4. The warranty date. Make sure you’re buying new on or after May 15, 2026, from Rad or an authorized seller.
5. The battery model, if you buy used. Compare it with the CPSC warning list.
6. Whether you need Class 3. If you want 28 mph, look at the RadRunner Max.
7. The return costs. $149 shipping either way, and 30% more if you’ve ridden it.

FAQ

Has Will ridden the RadRunner Plus?

No. This page is built from Rad’s official pages and policies, the CPSC, news coverage and independent reviews, all linked below. I have ridden the older RadRunner 3 Plus.

Is the RadRunner Plus affected by the CPSC battery warning?

The current RadRunner Plus ships with a Safe Shield battery, which is not one of the three battery models in the CPSC’s Nov 24, 2025 warning. Earlier RadRunner Plus bikes were listed, so check the battery label on a used bike.

Is Rad Power Bikes still in business?

The brand is. Rad went through Chapter 11, and Life EV bought its assets in early 2026. The current warranty is issued by Rad Life Mobility.

How fast does it go?

20 mph on the throttle and on pedal assist. It’s Class 2 only.

Can it carry an adult passenger?

Only a light one. The passenger, seat pad and anything else on the back must total 120 lb or less, and the rider plus passenger plus cargo must stay under 350 lb. Ebike Escape notes that 120 lb may be too little for some smaller adults. Kids on the back need a helmet and should keep their feet on the footpegs.

How far does it go on a charge?

Rad says 17 to 55+ miles. I couldn’t find an independent test of this version. Electric Bike Report got 26.22 miles at full power on an earlier version with a larger battery.

Can I return it?

Within 30 days, for $149 return shipping. Ridden bikes must have under 20 miles and also pay a 30% restocking fee.

Sources

All accessed Oct 26, 2026.

• Rad RadRunner Plus product page (specs, price, stock, geometry, limits)
• Rad Power Bikes store listing (current models and prices)
• Rad Power Bikes warranty (Rad Life Mobility, updated May 14, 2026)
• Rad Power Bikes refund policy
• CPSC warning on Rad Power Bikes batteries, Nov 24, 2025
• CPSC recall, RadWagon 4 tires
• TechCrunch, Life EV officially owns Rad Power Bikes
• GeekWire, Life EV completes acquisition of Rad’s assets
• Engadget, Rad Power Bikes gets a new owner
• Ebike Escape, RadRunner Plus (2025) review (sensor, hill test, fit, kickstand, lineup)
• Electric Bike Report, RadRunner Plus review (earlier 672Wh version: range, weight)
• Electric Bike Report, RadWagon 5 review (2A charge time)

Related

• Rad RadRunner 3 Plus review
• Rad RadWagon 4 review
• Rad RadWagon 5 profile
• Rad RadRunner Max profile
• E-bike laws by state

“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” Romans 12:10 (ESV)