I’ve been waiting for a full review by you on this! Thanks! Okay, now I’ve finished watching the video and read the written review, Amazing brake performance! Guess having the long rack kept the rear tire on the road, making the rear brake more effective. The tire/rotor ratio also makes better use of the caliper. I was bummed Rad only lets this motor output 90Nm vs the 100 the Radsters do. But the smaller diameter tires means it still puts out more force at the road surface than the Radsters, and that’s what matters. Still, I wouldn’t mind getting 100Nm. That would have probably allowed the RW5 to best the XPedition on the hill climb tests. Probabaly due to its greater mass and wider tires, the RW5 is just behind the XPedition. I’ve forgotten how the Abound sprinted up the hill though. It really spanked both the XPedition and RW5! Shame Aventon limits its top assisted speed to just 20mph. I have to ride alongside traffic due to lack of good protected bike infrastructure, and I feel less endangered riding at 26-28mph than 20 alongside cars and trucks screaming by at 45+ mph on the local stroads (3 people were killed by a recklessly speeding driver on the road I ride to stores yesterday just a few hours after I rode along it to Costco). Thanks again for the review. Rad did wonders with the upgrades. I just got my XPedition a year ago, so I have to get more miles on it before I upgrade to the RW5. It works well enough, but I’d appreciate a suspension fork for the rough roads I have to traverse.
This was a great review. Rad's done everything to the RW5 I would like to do to my RW4 except for dual batteries. 20" tires, suspension fork and torque sensor. Oh, and a shorter wheelbase. My RW4 is tough to fit on a bike rack. Nice bike.
Would love to see more comparison to alternative at this price point. Buyers can get an Abound for $1800 with most accessories AND an extra battery when on promo, or an Xpedition for $1400 (yes, cadence sensor) that often includes most accessories as well . The Radwagon with an equivalent accessory kit would be $2500+. Helping buyers understand what the extra $ gets you in terms of quality/riding experience would be very helpful.
I think one of the biggest things they're banking on is people like me who already have lots of Rad accessories and several batteries; buying another brand comes with the cost of having to buy their proprietary accessories (Lectric has different bolt patterns for their platforms than Rad, for instance) whereas I can yank almost everything off my RadRunner 2 and put it on the new Wagon. Lack of a place to attach more than one extra battery is disappointing, as I have 3 on my RR2, but I still see adding a second one as an easy upgrade.
I've been riding with my wife on the passenger seat (120 lbs). Handles very nicely and no problem getting up hills, even with groceries in the basket behind her.
Received my Radwagon 5 a couple days ago. Build quality is questionable. The mounting tabs for the running boards are spaced improperly, so I can't mount the running boards. They want to send me a new bike. The rear brake squeals. I will try cleaning the rotor, but I am skeptical that will work. The chain skips under load. I will try taking out a couple chain links.
Excellent review absolutely outstanding. How do you feel about the range of issues the bike is seeing? Like the spokes squeaking rear wheel and floorboard issues with the drill holes not aligning?
Unimpressed with this bike considering Rads expertise or so they claim. Where is the duel battery needed for more juice with 28 mph increase? This surprises me more the my other gripes. Chain ring needs to be 56-60 tooth. My Juiced Bikes Hyper Scorpion has 56 and yeah 60 would be better. My 2018 Rad Mini was well put together and spec’d and well built on that experience I got a Rad Trike and sorely disappointed. Tiny chain ring makes solid feel and use of the 750w motor dismal. Brakes dismal. Tires dismal. Seat sucks (cheap) back recast won’t stay up-slides down. Rad had a winner with the Rad Wagon 1-4 they could have done something great here. They chose to leave room for future renditions and I can see that to come. They should have done it now as this segment has lots of room for more. This type of mobility is the future Rad should invest in that future now!
There is so much misinformation here, it's unbelievable. The controller will ultimately dictate how much power the battery provides the motor. You can add as many batteries you want, but it won't matter. The chainring also had nothing to do with top speed other matching your pedaling cadence to the top speed of the bike. A larger ring will not make it go faster. The drivetrain itself on a hub motor bike with a torque sensor is almost a formality.
Positives…front shock, new battery location, turn signals, hydraulic brakes. Negatives…smaller wheels, hard to remove battery, torque sensor. A torque sensor vs the RW4 cadence sensor is a step backwards for a cargo bike. Hard pass!
I’ve been waiting for a full review by you on this! Thanks!
Okay, now I’ve finished watching the video and read the written review,
Amazing brake performance! Guess having the long rack kept the rear tire on the road, making the rear brake more effective. The tire/rotor ratio also makes better use of the caliper.
I was bummed Rad only lets this motor output 90Nm vs the 100 the Radsters do. But the smaller diameter tires means it still puts out more force at the road surface than the Radsters, and that’s what matters. Still, I wouldn’t mind getting 100Nm.
That would have probably allowed the RW5 to best the XPedition on the hill climb tests. Probabaly due to its greater mass and wider tires, the RW5 is just behind the XPedition. I’ve forgotten how the Abound sprinted up the hill though. It really spanked both the XPedition and RW5! Shame Aventon limits its top assisted speed to just 20mph. I have to ride alongside traffic due to lack of good protected bike infrastructure, and I feel less endangered riding at 26-28mph than 20 alongside cars and trucks screaming by at 45+ mph on the local stroads (3 people were killed by a recklessly speeding driver on the road I ride to stores yesterday just a few hours after I rode along it to Costco).
Thanks again for the review. Rad did wonders with the upgrades. I just got my XPedition a year ago, so I have to get more miles on it before I upgrade to the RW5. It works well enough, but I’d appreciate a suspension fork for the rough roads I have to traverse.
This was a great review. Rad's done everything to the RW5 I would like to do to my RW4 except for dual batteries. 20" tires, suspension fork and torque sensor. Oh, and a shorter wheelbase. My RW4 is tough to fit on a bike rack. Nice bike.
Would love to see more comparison to alternative at this price point. Buyers can get an Abound for $1800 with most accessories AND an extra battery when on promo, or an Xpedition for $1400 (yes, cadence sensor) that often includes most accessories as well . The Radwagon with an equivalent accessory kit would be $2500+. Helping buyers understand what the extra $ gets you in terms of quality/riding experience would be very helpful.
I think one of the biggest things they're banking on is people like me who already have lots of Rad accessories and several batteries; buying another brand comes with the cost of having to buy their proprietary accessories (Lectric has different bolt patterns for their platforms than Rad, for instance) whereas I can yank almost everything off my RadRunner 2 and put it on the new Wagon. Lack of a place to attach more than one extra battery is disappointing, as I have 3 on my RR2, but I still see adding a second one as an easy upgrade.
Nice review. Would be nice to assess the handling with a passenger or cargo. Thanks.
I've been riding with my wife on the passenger seat (120 lbs). Handles very nicely and no problem getting up hills, even with groceries in the basket behind her.
Received my Radwagon 5 a couple days ago. Build quality is questionable. The mounting tabs for the running boards are spaced improperly, so I can't mount the running boards. They want to send me a new bike. The rear brake squeals. I will try cleaning the rotor, but I am skeptical that will work. The chain skips under load. I will try taking out a couple chain links.
Excellent review absolutely outstanding. How do you feel about the range of issues the bike is seeing? Like the spokes squeaking rear wheel and floorboard issues with the drill holes not aligning?
Aw, man, now you're making me sad that i just bought a Blix Packa Genie. This is clearly a better bike. I should have waited.
That's a great one too. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses!
Aipas is still better performing bike and looks and cheaper
Unimpressed with this bike considering Rads expertise or so they claim. Where is the duel battery needed for more juice with 28 mph increase? This surprises me more the my other gripes. Chain ring needs to be 56-60 tooth. My Juiced Bikes Hyper Scorpion has 56 and yeah 60 would be better. My 2018 Rad Mini was well put together and spec’d and well built on that experience I got a Rad Trike and sorely disappointed. Tiny chain ring makes solid feel and use of the 750w motor dismal. Brakes dismal. Tires dismal. Seat sucks (cheap) back recast won’t stay up-slides down. Rad had a winner with the Rad Wagon 1-4 they could have done something great here. They chose to leave room for future renditions and I can see that to come. They should have done it now as this segment has lots of room for more. This type of mobility is the future Rad should invest in that future now!
It’s not that deep
There is so much misinformation here, it's unbelievable. The controller will ultimately dictate how much power the battery provides the motor. You can add as many batteries you want, but it won't matter. The chainring also had nothing to do with top speed other matching your pedaling cadence to the top speed of the bike. A larger ring will not make it go faster. The drivetrain itself on a hub motor bike with a torque sensor is almost a formality.
We've owned a Radwagon 5 for a couple of months. The only thing I agree with above is that the seat sucks. I swapped in a Brooks B-17 and all is good.
I would like to invite you to review our products. Fucare Gemini X
Positives…front shock, new battery location, turn signals, hydraulic brakes. Negatives…smaller wheels, hard to remove battery, torque sensor. A torque sensor vs the RW4 cadence sensor is a step backwards for a cargo bike. Hard pass!
Not sure why you are so negative about 20-inch wheels. This is not a trail bike. Ever ride a Brompton? :)
@@sophocles1198 ....small diameter wheels on a long wheelbase bike (or any vehicle for that matter) is a recipe for spine damage.
@@jjlad5037 Battery could not be simpler to remove. Spine damage? You mean if you are doing wheelies or jumps?