RadRunner
RadRunner and RadRunner Plus are electric utility bike from Rad Power Bikes.
Assembly
The two additional things useful to have before the assembly are bike grease and torque wrench. Grease is used for pedals and seat post. Any grease would work (e.g., WPL Absolute Bicycle Grease or Park Tool PolyLube 1000 Bicycle Grease). Too much grease for the seat post may make it too loose. Therefore use just a little.
A torque wrench is used for securing the handlebar and installing the fender and headlight. It can be used to check the torque of other bolts and parts. A good quality wrench with bits that are useful for most bikes may be Pro Bike Tool 1/4 inch drive torque wrench set. There are cheaper ones as well as smaller, handle-like ones. However, these smaller ones don’t cover important range of torques, commonly only working with 4-6Nm.
Accessories
RadRunner (plus) has several challenges. First and the foremost, the passenger seat is fixed and it blocks the access to the rear rack tubing. Also, the rear rack tubing is too thick for most pannier bags. Second, the Plus’s premium headlight is incompatible with the front rack. Because Plus comes with both the premium headlight and passenger seat, it can limit the cargo capacity significantly if we don’t install the front rack.
Passenger seat and rear rack access
My solution
There are multiple solutions to this issue. My recommendation is to make a small gap between the tube and the seat, as well as install a “quick release” with the following:
And then install This adapter by Super knuckle (also on Etsy but seems to be more expensive).
This solution is great because (1) it is easy to detach and replace the passenger seat as well as the pannier bags (we don’t need to use the connected bags that go beneath the seat), (2) we can use both pannier bags and the passenger seat at the same time. This solution is inspired by the following mods.
Making the passenger seat easily detachable
A nice solution is suggested in a video by Steve Smith. This uses Star Through Hole Knobs and M6 x 60mm threaded bolts to make a “quick release”.
This mod by itself may not be convenient enough because one needs to keep removing and replacing the seats. However, it can be combined with other solutions.
Using a pannier adapter (an extra tube that attaches to the tube)
This adapter by Super knuckle (also on Etsy but seems to be more expensive). seems to be the simplest adapter solution. It doesn’t have to create a lot of space and extremely simple because it is just a single piece. A small spacer for m6 bolts may be useful?
Another custom adapter one can build is RadRunner custom pannier rack mod. This solution doesn’t require any spacers. Here is a reddit post about using this solution with Ibera Bicycle Bag PakRak Clip-On Quick-Release All Weather Bike Panniers. However, compared with the superknuckle adapter, it’s more complicated and several parts need to be bought and assembled.
Using spacers to make the tube accessible
This Reddit post shows a solution with spacers. If we use longer bolts and spacers, we can simply put panniers bags through the space. The rear rack tubing of RadRunner is quite thick (25.5mm)
Using pannier bags that can be used with the fixed passenger seat
There are panniers bags that consist of two bags that are connected. The connecting part can go under the passenger seat between the bolts. If it is ok to have the bags all the time (probably inconvenient for passengers), this can be a solution. For instance, see this post on reddit where this type of bag is combined with the quick release solution for the passenger seat. However, removing the passenger seat to remove or install the bags seems to be too much hassle.
Caboose/Cage
- RadRunner+ with 2 kids - wagon style solution and RR+ with 2 kids - DIY Caboose: This uses Yuba’s Adjustable Monkey bars.
Panniers
- Arkel Haul-it is a bag for other bags. Seems quite flexible.
- Wirecutter has pannier suggestions: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-bike-rack-basket-panniers/ Banjo Brothers Grocery Pannier has been pretty good for groceries, libraries, and just carrying backpacks.
Front rack
Note that RadRunner Plus’s premium headlight is not recommended to be used with the front rack. Moreover, to install the front rack, you need to reroute the front brake cable. By default the cable is secured in front of the fork. However, when front rack is installed, this causes a problem because turning right put pressure to the front brake cable. Therefore, the official installation guide instructs to reroute it.
There are several solutions for the headlight. Probably the simplest solution is simply to change the direction of the headlight. Another nice solution by Steve Smith suggests using a light bracket and a longer bolt. A slight different version with a high-up headlight can be found in this video. This makes use of the existing bolt, but drill a hole into the light bracket.
Phone mount
Roam Universal Bike Phone Mount is the best seller with the most number of reviews. The silicon bracket makes it flexible.
Security
First of all, something to remember is that you don’t need to leave your bike outside (locked) when you buy groceries etc., it is often a very good option to bring the bike in. Most shops allow it.
Second, it is good to secure both wheels because the front wheel can usually be removed easily with a quick release.
Third, it is good to use multiple ways to secure it. For instance, a bike alarm can be combined with a U-lock and a chain. Multiple locks can be used to add more security. At the end, most locks can be broken within several minutes and the goal is to secure it so that it becomes much more difficult than other bikes around it.
Locks
The major categories are: chain locks, U-locks, folding locks, and cafe locks. Due to the fat tire and passenger kit, it is difficult to lock the frame with the rear wheel. People usually lock the frame and front wheel.
U-locks (or D-locks)
U-locks are the most common. NYT Wirecutter’s picks are Kryptonite locks. The ultimate one is Fahgettaboudit. But see also https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZtNEC1uGg4 ABUS Granit XPlus 540/160 also seems like a good lock.
Chain locks
Chain locks are difficult to cut through because it moves more freely. However, they tend to be quite heavy. Lockpicking lawyer recommends Kryptonite evolution chain lock as a solid option.
Folding locks
Folding locks are great because it’s compact and easy to carry on the frame. But they may not be as secure as strong U-locks or chain locks. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zhz9g6A_fuI. Foldylock compact/classic or Abus Bordo Granit X 6500 (multiple versions with different lengths. 110cm may be more useful) are good options. Abus 6000 has an alarm version.
Cable locks
These locks are often combined with cables like Kryptonite Evolution 11-14mm U-Lock with FlexFrame-U Bracket or Kryptonite KryptoFlex Looped Bike Security Cable.
Locks for Wheel & Saddle
Alarm
There are many bike alarms: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=bike+alarm
Location trackers
Apple airtags may be one of the best options thanks to the wide adoption of apple devices. Airtags can be installed into various bike mounts:
- The ORIGINAL Apple Airtag Bike Mount
- airtag mount Reflector - hides an airtag pretty well and is also useful as a reflector.
- airtag stealth bike mount holder.
Tools to carry
For punctures
Slime.
Safety
Back mirrors
When you need to flip the bike for a repair, a bar end mirror can be folded while big handlebar mirrors should be dismounted. However, handlebar mirrors tend to be larger and show more. RadRunner’s handlebar is incompatible with some bar end mirrors.
- Hafny Bar End Bike Mirror - compatibility should be checked.
- Hafny New Handlebar Bike Mirror
Comfort
Saddle and seat post
C9.
Transport
Ebikes require special racks that can handle fat tires and much heavier weight. Usually the trailer hitch (receiver hitch) should be installed to the car first. Because most ebike racks are heavier-duty and uses 2” receiver, install a 2” receiver. https://etrailer.com is the best source for hitch (and bike racks as well).
- Hollywood ebike rack:
- Rad power bikes: hollywood rack
- Review: The Hollywoood ebike rack sets the standard!
- Bike adapter bar is necessary for step-through bikes.
Maintenance
Brakes
The brake is Tektro Aries mechanical disc break.