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RadTrike Electric Tricycle

radpowerbikes.com

81–90 of 167 posts

Re: RadTrike Electric Tricycle

#81

I’m unsure why nobody releases a compact electric 4 seater car with a 60 mile range for running the kids to school and grabbing some random groceries. Basically a beefed up golf cart. That’s all I need to drop my kids off at school each day which is 95% of my weekday driving.

https://www.gemcar.com/gem-e4/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neighborhood_Electric_Vehicle

[edit]

I should note that I couldn't find a route from my house to my workplace that is legal for such a vehicle (They can only drive where the posted speed-limit is under 35MPH in California)

Re: RadTrike Electric Tricycle

#82
post #19

My 2021 radrunner plus has some serious defects. The charging port is prone to weather corrosion. Charging is a risky action that may or may not blow some very sensitive fuses. The mechanical disc brakes suck and are very hard to balance. The discs were supplied warped. I pretty much had to suck that up because of the misery of returning a faulty machine to an online bike company. The seat is a notorious bum numbing…

Just to add a different anecdote: I have a 2021 radrunner I use daily in Seattle (hilly & rainy), love it, and I have non of these complaints. I have 4 friends with Rads who love them as well. I don't doubt any of your experiences, but I mention this so readers can get more perspectives. Perhaps one significant difference between us is that Rad has a showroom / repair shop in Seattle, although I haven't needed them f…

Yes I have a 2021 radrunner as well and it's been fabulous. I tow my daughters trailer with it (had to put in a lock washer to keep it all together - $.35) and it's a blast. I've had one slow leak on the front tire, $20 to repair. Otherwise we're approaching 700km with no problems and lots of fun. Couldn't be happier with the build quality.

Re: RadTrike Electric Tricycle

#83
post #4

Why hasn't anyone slapped on a gyroscope and just made an electric bike self balancing?

https://weel.bike/ It's complicated and expensive for something that most people don't want.

> A bike without traditional components, defined entirely by its software…

{shudder}

Re: RadTrike Electric Tricycle

#84
Trikes with upfront single wheel are dangerous; I would any day take a bigger one that has two wheels upfront and is street legal in the EU to use in place of the car for longer trips. Health issues, many steep hills and the need to take highways rule e-bikes out completely. I'm in love with the Arcimoto Roadster which, high costs aside, sadly isn't street legal here.

Re: RadTrike Electric Tricycle

#86
I have a Rad City 4 and I love it. I commute on it often, it's powerful enough for San Francisco hills, the regen braking is excellent. I'm really happy with it.

This tricycle isn't for me but I get it, I think the niches that ebikes can fill are much bigger than we think they are

Re: RadTrike Electric Tricycle

#87
post #70

I’m unsure why nobody releases a compact electric 4 seater car with a 60 mile range for running the kids to school and grabbing some random groceries. Basically a beefed up golf cart. That’s all I need to drop my kids off at school each day which is 95% of my weekday driving.

Nissan leaf? BMW i3?

Fiat 500e, Smart Fourtwo (both discontinued in the US, sadly)

Re: RadTrike Electric Tricycle

#88
post #75

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yup, same. I bought my radwagon 4 in august, and then in early september was told I should not ride it. And maybe they will be ready to fix it in Feb/Mar, or maybe it will be later. If it was just me, I would risk it, but I bought it to ferry my kids on so I'm not going to do that. So we got to ride it for 4 weeks, and have had it sitting in our garage for the past 13 weeks, and it will probably be another 13 weeks u…

Hazard: The rim strip on the tires can be misaligned, causing the tube to pop and damage the tire. Additionally, the tires with a ribbed sidewall can unexpectedly go flat, risking serious injuries from loss of control and/or crash. This is something a beginner can repair. This is normal stuff for those who ride bikes and don't go to a shop for little repairs. Replacing a tube (and fixing it with a small vulcanizing k…

It must be more than that, since they are recalling the tires and destroying them. They're doing a new run of tires, and having local bike mechanics swap them out.

Re: RadTrike Electric Tricycle

#89

Trikes with upfront single wheel are dangerous; I would any day take a bigger one that has two wheels upfront and is street legal in the EU to use in place of the car for longer trips. Health issues, many steep hills and the need to take highways rule e-bikes out completely. I'm in love with the Arcimoto Roadster which, high costs aside, sadly isn't street legal here.

Have you seen 3-wheelers like the Piaggio mp3? I think those are street legal with just a drivers license. The main downside being it’s not electric.

I’ve looked at Arcimoto too, but being in NYC with something like that just seems like asking for a bad time

Re: RadTrike Electric Tricycle

#90

I’m unsure why nobody releases a compact electric 4 seater car with a 60 mile range for running the kids to school and grabbing some random groceries. Basically a beefed up golf cart. That’s all I need to drop my kids off at school each day which is 95% of my weekday driving.

Like a nissan leaf? Or do you mean like a UTV?
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