Today, electric bikes have become more familiar and you can find a ton of choices online. Choosing one for your requirements can be cumbersome. You need to consider its weight, payload, speed, power, and whatnot. To aid you in your choice, we have compared two of the most popular electric bikes from Rad PowerBikes i.e Rad Runner Plus vs RadRover 5. Both of these eBikes are powered by a 48V 14Ah battery coupled with a 750W geared hub motor.
You can also check out our ultimate buying guide on electric bikes
The exact models being compared in this article is given below. Make sure you are checking out the right one.
| PREVIEW | PRODUCT | |
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RadRunner Plus Electric Utility Bike | Check Price |
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RadRover 5 Electric Fat Bike | Check Price |
First Impression
RadRunner Plus is a classic eBike that takes you to the 70s era. It is a perfect blend of the old look and the latest technology. Although most people don’t love this look, I am sure that there are some classic lovers out there who might find it interesting.
Coming to the RadRover 5, it is completely designed for your off route adventure with a sporty look and standing tall at 30.5″. RadRover is simple and elegant.
RadRover’s fat tire aids you in irregular terrains
Physical Features
| RadRunner Plus | RadRover 5 | |
| Model |
Electric Utility Bike |
Electric Fat Bike |
| Type | Utility eBike | Off-Road and On-Road |
| Frame | 18″ Aluminum | 18″ Aluminum |
| Brakes | 180 mm front and rear | 180 mm front and rear |
| Weight | 74.3lb | 69lb |
| Gear | 7-speed gear | 7-speed gear |
| Tire Size | 20″ x 3.3″ | 26″ x 4″ |
Weight and Payload Capacity
Weight and payload capacity is a must consider factor when it comes to eBikes.
Both RadRunner Plus and RadRover 5 feature an aluminum body. RadRunner weighs about 74.3lbs which is quite heavy considering its size. But it has an inbuilt rear rack adding to the weight. On the other hand, RadRover 5 weighs 69lbs which has a standover height of 30.5″ comparing to just 16.5″ of RadRunner.
Also, RadRover has a tire size of 26″ which is a fat tire and makes it a perfect companion for your outdoor adventures. RadRunner is more of a utility bike where you can take your kids and have some fun rides or so.
Coming to the payload, RadRunner Plus has a capacity of 300lbs while RadRover 5 has 275lbs. I feel the difference of 25lbs doesn’t make much of a difference. Having said that, both these electric bikes have a rear rack (Optional in case of RadRover), so you might well consider if you want to have a double ride.
Technical Features
Have a look at the technical comparison between the two electric bikes
| RadRunner Plus | RadRover 5 | |
| Battery | 48V 14AH Lithium-Ion | 48V 14AH Lithium-Ion |
| Motor | 750W Geared Hub | 750W Geared Hub |
| Max Speed | 20mph | 20mph |
| Mileage | ~45miles | ~45miles |
| Charge Time | ~6 Hours | ~6 Hours |
If you look at the above table, technically there is no difference between these two eBikes. Both of them are powered by a 48V 14AH battery coupled with a 750W gear hub motor. RadRunner Plus and RadRover 5 fat eBike both have a pedal and throttle assist with a top speed of 20mps. On a single charge, you can get a mileage of ~45miles (* mileage always varies depending on the mode and terrain). Both RadRunner and RadRover do not have the fast charge capability which in my opinion is a nice feature to have.
RadRunner Plus vs RadRover 5: Which one to consider?
Most of the features are the same and both of these electric bikes are manufactured by Rad PowerBikes. So choosing one among these two comes to a simple choice.
If you are looking for an off-road electric bike, choose RadRover 5. If you are looking for a city commute, choose RadRunner Plus.
| PREVIEW | PRODUCT | |
|
|
RadRunner Plus Electric Utility Bike | Check Price |
|
RadRover 5 Electric Fat Bike | Check Price |
If you have any questions or concerns, please leave a comment. Consider buying using our links if you found this article helpful. It will help us to make more useful content.
I am trying to pick the best bike for a commute that has a bit of gravel road but is mostly paved. It’s 25 km one way. Which would you suggest?
I would go with Radrover 5 because it has bigger tires and good suspension, both of which are great for long rides on gravel roads. Also, with a 70km range, you can easily cover two-way distance. Whichever you choose, make sure it has fat tires. Fat tire ebikes are particularly helpful in uneven terrains.
My wife and I have the rad rover step-thru. She is 5’3″ tall. I an 5’6″ tall. We both feel the bikes are too tall. When we are trying to sit on the seat we can’t put both feet on the ground. We are considering the rad runner plus. With the rad runner plus and are feet on the ground, we will be able to peddle comfortable?
Rad rover step-thru has a rider height config of 5’4″ – 6’2″ but this may not let you keep both feet on the ground (because leg lengths could be different. While some have longer legs, others will have longer upper body) so it is not a bad idea to go with rad runner plus because this one has rider heights config 4’11” – 6’2″ which definitely lets you put both feet on the ground comfortably. Let me know if you need anything else from me.
Yes, the traction is better and prevents slips providing you extra confidence. Also, the height with that sporty look is more comfortable for irregular terrains.
Comparing Radrunner plus and Radrover …what makes the Rover a better offroad bike…mostly wheel size or what?