£2,199 Small-wheeled, highly versatile hauler
Weight 34.2kg (one size) Frame Aluminium Fork: RST Spring 60mm travel Gears Shimano SL-TX50-7R thumb shifter, Shimano Altus MD310 rear derailleur (48t, 11-34t) Brakes Tektro HD-E350 hydraulic disc brakes, 180mm rotors Wheels Double-wall alloy 20” rims 57mm wide Motor system Rad Power 250W rear hub motor 5:1 planetary gear, 672Wh battery, Rad power controller and display, half-grip twist throttle Finishing kit Alloy seatpost, 50mm alloy stem, alloy bar, Custom Rad Power saddle, Kenda K905 K-Shield tyres 20” x 3.3”, kickstand, bell, lights, ’guards
Seattle-based Rad Power is North America’s largest ebike brand, known for making practical, cost-conscious urban ebikes. It’s less well known here though.
The Radrunner 3 Plus is built around a small-wheeled (20-inch) platform with a practical low step-through frame and a large integrated rack. Its frame is well finished with chunky but even welds. The relaxed seat-tube angle lengthens the distance to the handlebars as the saddle rises, making it a great fit for both 6ft2in me and my 5ft-tall partner.
The lockable battery is neatly semi-integrated into the main tube with easy access to the port for on-bike charging. It can be removed for charging though (which takes a steady 6hrs 10mins) The Radrunner is very well equipped, with front and rear lights powered from the battery and operated via the bar-mounted remote. The high-rise bar has leather-look, ergonomically shaped grips, and the big, broad saddle is comfortable enough. Broad, full, alloy mudguards stayed rattle free while the integrated rear oversized rack holds standard Klick-fix-style panniers securely.
Steady stopping
The hydraulic disc brakes and big brake rotors (180mm) are just what you need to slow down this hefty machine at the bottom of a hill. Plus, as soon as you engage the brakes, it cuts off the motor.
The Shimano 7-speed gears have a TX50 thumb shifter on the bars and Shimano Altus derailleur at the rear. Shifting between gears is steady. The 11-34 gear range and 48-tooth chainring are ideal for around-town riding, as long as you’re not trying to haul this hefty bike up a very steep hill.
The huge RST suspension fork has 60mm of travel that’s set up to compensate for load carrying and the weight of the bike. It swallows up bumps and has a lock-out and a preload adjuster should you need to tweak things (I didn’t).
It rolls on 20-inch wheels wrapped in tough, 3.3-inch-wide Kenda tyres with a semi-slick tread. They roll well, not exa
