Rad RadWagon 5: specs and AEB Score

Not ridden by Will yet. I haven’t ridden or tested the RadWagon 5. 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 did film its predecessor, the RadWagon 4, and when I compare the two, the riding notes are about the RadWagon 4, not this bike. All prices and checks on this page are as of Oct 26, 2026.

Should you buy one?

On paper, the RadWagon 5 fixes most of what I’d change about the RadWagon 4. For $2,399 Rad lists a 750W motor with 90 Nm of torque and a torque sensor, a 720Wh battery, Tektro hydraulic disc brakes, a 45mm suspension fork, turn signals, a two-leg center stand and a 120 lb rear rack. It ships as a Class 2 bike and can be switched to Class 1 or Class 3.

The trade-offs on paper:

• The company. Rad went through Chapter 11 and was bought by Life EV in early 2026. The warranty now comes from Rad Life Mobility and covers bikes bought on or after May 15, 2026.
• Weight. 86 lb with the battery, 75.6 lb without it.
• Rider limit. 265 lb, inside a 375 lb total payload.
• Slow charging. The stock charger is 2A. Electric Bike Report estimated about 7.5 hours from empty.
• 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: families carrying one or two kids, riders roughly 4’11” to 6’3”, and anyone replacing short car trips who wants a stable longtail with real brakes.

Who should look elsewhere: riders over 265 lb, people who have to carry the bike up stairs, and anyone who wants Rad’s lowest price. Rad also sells a cheaper entry RadWagon for $1,799 with a 65 Nm motor and a different spec list.

Quick specs

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

Pros and cons (from the specs and sources)

Pros

• 90 Nm motor with a torque sensor, which the RadWagon 4 didn’t have
• Hydraulic brakes; Electric Bike Report’s stop from 20 mph was over 3 feet shorter than its average
• Suspension fork with lockout
• Turn signals and a brake light
• Two leg center stand for loading kids
• 21 in standover and a 4’11” minimum rider height
• Ships within 2 business days on Oct 26, 2026

Cons

• Bought out of bankruptcy; the warranty only covers bikes bought on or after May 15, 2026
• 86 lb with the battery
• Slow 2A charger
• 265 lb rider limit
• Rad’s page gives two different headlight figures
• Electric Bike Report flagged messy cable routing
• I can’t speak to the ride, because I haven’t ridden it

Motor and pedal assist

Rad lists a 750W rear hub motor with 90 Nm of torque, paired with a torque sensor. A torque sensor adds power in proportion to how hard you push, which tends to feel smoother than a cadence sensor, especially when starting with weight on the back. 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.

Hills. Electric Bike Report timed the RadWagon 5 up a one-third mile hill with a 12% grade:

Both runs beat that site’s averages for bikes it has tested on the same hill.

Class and the throttle

The RadWagon 5 ships as Class 2. Rad lists these settings:

GearJunkie reports that the throttle stays capped at 20 mph in Class 3. Rad’s page doesn’t state the throttle limit in the Class 3 settings, so check the display after switching. If the throttle is capped at 20 mph in both Class 3 settings, every setting fits inside the three class system. Rad doesn’t list the Class 3 Limited throttle speed, so confirm it on the display before you ride on roads or paths with class rules. Class 3 bikes are often barred from multi-use paths and may have age or helmet rules. Check yours on our e-bike laws hub.

Speed in practice. ElectricBikeReview reported that in Class 3 the bike reached 28 mph and averaged 26.8 mph at the highest assist level.

Battery, range and charging

Rad uses its 720Wh Safe Shield battery, which Rad says is certified to UL 2271. Rad rates the range at 20 to 60 miles.

What that means for a commute. Electric Bike Report’s high power result works out to about 13 miles each way with no margin, so plan on 10 to 11 miles each way if you ride at full assist, and less with kids on the back, in cold weather or into wind. At low assist, the 48 mile result leaves room for a full week of short school runs between charges. The 7.5 hour charge fits overnight but not a lunch-break top-up.

Higher speeds use more battery. The Inertia reported that the display estimated about 15 miles at PAS 5 in Class 3, against 51 miles at PAS 1. Those are the bike’s own estimates, not a measured test, but they show how much 28 mph costs in range.

Brakes, fork and drivetrain

Brakes. Tektro HD E395 hydraulic disc brakes, with 180mm rotors that are 2.3mm thick. Electric Bike Report stopped from 20 mph in 18 ft 7 in, against its average of 21 ft 10 in. The RadWagon 4 I filmed had Tektro mechanical disc brakes.

Fork. An RST suspension fork with 45mm of travel, lockout and preload. The RadWagon 4 had a rigid steel fork.

Drivetrain. A Shimano Altus 7-speed with an 11 to 34T cassette and a 50T chainring.

Stand. A two-leg center stand, which matters on a longtail when a child climbs on.

Fit, weight and the rack

Fit. One size for riders 4’11” to 6’3”. The standover is 21 inches, down from 23.6 inches on the RadWagon 4. The seat ranges from 30.5 to 41.8 inches on a telescoping post, which makes it easier to share between two adults. The bar sits 44 inches high with a 14.2 inch reach and is 680mm wide.

Smaller and shorter. Rad moved from 22 inch wheels on the RadWagon 4 to 20 inch wheels. The wheelbase is 50.7 inches, about 3 inches shorter, and the bike is 76 inches long.

Weight. Rad lists 86 lb with the battery and 75.6 lb without, so the battery is about 10.4 lb. Electric Bike Report weighed its test bike at 85.7 lb.

How the weight limits work together. Rad lists a 375 lb payload, a 265 lb maximum rider and a 120 lb rear rack. Like the rest of Rad’s cargo line, the payload includes the rider. That means:

• A 265 lb rider has 110 lb left, so the rack can’t be loaded all the way.
• A 200 lb rider with two kids totaling 120 lb on the rack is at 320 lb, leaving 55 lb for a front basket and bags.
• A 150 lb rider can fill the rack to 120 lb and still have 105 lb for the front and any bags.

The 120 lb rack limit covers the kids, seat pads, any passenger rails and bags on the back.

Safety, certifications and recalls

• UL certification. Rad lists the battery as UL 2271 certified and the electrical system as UL 2849 certified.
• The CPSC battery warning. On Nov 24, 2025 the CPSC warned consumers to stop using Rad batteries with model numbers RP 1304, RAD S1304Y and HL RP S1304, after reports of 31 fires. It was a warning, not a recall. It names the RadWagon 4. The RadWagon 5 uses a Safe Shield battery, which is not one of those models. If you own a RadWagon 4, check the label on its battery.
• Recalls. I searched the CPSC database on Oct 26, 2026. Rad’s one listed recall is for RadWagon 4 tires, from Nov 3, 2022. There’s no recall for the RadWagon 5.
• Lights. Rad’s feature text calls it a 200 lumen headlight, and Electric Bike Report says the same. Rad’s spec table says 450 lumens. There’s a brake light and turn signals.

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. Bikes are now sold under Rad Life Mobility.

Warranty. Rad Life Mobility’s warranty covers bikes bought in the US or Canada on or after May 15, 2026:

• 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, and you pay shipping to send parts back. Bikes bought before Dec 15, 2025 go through the bankruptcy claims process (case 25 02183), so a used RadWagon 5 bought early may have no warranty.

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. Orders can’t be cancelled.

Support. [email protected].

How it compares with bikes I’ve filmed

The ride notes in my reviews are about the bikes I filmed. The RadWagon 5 column is spec-only. Neither filmed bike is listed in Rad’s store on Oct 26, 2026.

About the weights. Rad gives the RadWagon 5 weight with the battery fitted. Our older pages list Rad’s figures for the other two without saying whether the battery was on, so treat the gap as approximate. Electric Bike Report’s scale (85.7 lb) agrees with Rad’s 86 lb for the RadWagon 5.

Against the RadWagon 4. On the RadWagon 4, I liked the low center of gravity with two kids on the back and the steady kickstand, and I thought the shifter felt cheap. Those are notes about the RadWagon 4. On paper, the RadWagon 5 adds what that bike lacked: a torque sensor, hydraulic brakes, a suspension fork, turn signals and Class 3. It also adds about 9 lb and costs more.

Against the RadRunner 3 Plus. The RadRunner is shorter with a passenger seat rather than a long deck. For one passenger, the current RadRunner Plus is the closer match. For two kids, the RadWagon is the one to look at.

In Rad’s range. Rad also sells an entry level RadWagon for $1,799 (65 Nm, 350 lb payload, 275 lb rider, Class 2). That’s a different bike from the RadWagon 5, so check which one you’re buying.

Who it’s for, on paper

• Families with one or two kids who want hydraulic brakes and a center stand.
• Car replacers doing school runs and grocery trips under about 20 miles round trip at full assist.
• Shorter riders who want a longtail that starts at 4’11”.
• Riders on roads where 28 mph assist is legal, who’d use Class 3. With kids on the back, Electric Bike Report’s 18 ft 7 in stop was measured from 20 mph, not 28, so a loaded bike at Class 3 speed needs more room to stop.

What I’d check before buying

1. Which RadWagon. Make sure the listing says RadWagon 5 and $2,399, not the $1,799 entry RadWagon.
2. Your weight plus your kids, against the 265 lb rider limit, the 375 lb total and the 120 lb rack.
3. Where you’ll park it. At 86 lb and 76 inches long, it needs ground floor storage.
4. The warranty date. New, on or after May 15, 2026, from Rad or an authorized seller.
5. Charging. Consider whether a 7.5 hour charge fits your routine, or ask Rad about a faster charger.
6. Local rules before switching to Class 3.
7. The return costs. $149 shipping, and 30% more if you’ve ridden it.

FAQ

Has Will ridden the RadWagon 5?

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 RadWagon 4.

How is the RadWagon 5 different from the RadWagon 4?

On paper: a torque sensor, 90 Nm instead of 65, hydraulic brakes, a suspension fork, 20 inch wheels, turn signals, Class 1 to 3 settings and a 375 lb payload. It’s also heavier, at 86 lb.

How fast does it go?

The throttle goes to 20 mph. Pedal assist goes to 20 mph in Class 1 and 2, 25 mph in Class 3 Limited, and 28 mph in Class 3.

How far does it go?

Rad says 20 to 60 miles. Electric Bike Report got 26.8 miles at full power and 48.25 miles at the lowest level, both in Class 2.

Is the RadWagon 5 affected by the CPSC battery warning?

No. It uses a Safe Shield battery, not one of the three models in the Nov 24, 2025 warning. The warning does list the RadWagon 4.

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 RadWagon 5 product page (specs, price, stock, geometry, limits, class settings)
• Rad Power Bikes store listing (current models and prices, entry RadWagon)
• 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
• Electric Bike Report, RadWagon 5 review (range, hill, brakes, weight, charge time)
• GearJunkie, RadWagon 5 review (Class 3 throttle limit)
• ElectricBikeReview, RadWagon 5 review (Class 3 speed)
• The Inertia, RadWagon 5 review (display range estimates)
• OutdoorGearLab, RadWagon 5 review (throttle range test)

Related

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

“Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward.” Psalm 127:3 (ESV)