RadRunner 3 Plus e-bike review

About the RadRunner 3 Plus bike

• Range: Up to 45 miles

• Power: 750 W

• Torque: 64 Nm

• Battery capacity: 672 Wh

• Weight: 75.5 lb

You’ll be able to hit the road with a minimum of setup. The 3 Plus comes fully equipped with a cargo rack, fenders and lights.

With many optional accessories, the RadRunner 3 Plus is an adaptable e–bike. To simplify your choices, Radpower offers curated accessory packages designed for a commute, passenger carrying, or cargo hauling.

Although its size and weight limit its agility, many users will appreciate the RadRunner 3 Plus’s stability and comfort.

What we like about the RadRunner 3 Plus

Assembly is fast and simple

The RadRunner 3 Plus ships almost fully assembled. You’ll just need to fit the handlebars and front wheel and pump up the tires.

The e-bike comes with a set of tools to complete the assembly and any minor adjustments for the perfect fit. RadPower provides a step-by-step video guide that’s simple to follow.

Fitting the front wheel is the trickiest step. I managed this solo, but you might need some help to hold up the frame while you align the wheel.

The RadRunner 3 Plus is adaptable for a commute, cargo or passengers

The RadRunner's base model is well-equipped and ready to go. It has lights, fenders, suspension, and a heavy-duty cargo rack, which may be all you need to hit the road.

If your needs are more specific, RadPower offers all the accessories you’ll need to customize your bike. This allows you to create several e-bike types from the same basic platform.

We tested the Ballard bag a spacious, waterproof cargo bag, rearview mirror, lock, and phone mount. This is the ideal setup for a commuter bike.

For passenger carrying, there’s a rear-mounted seat for adults and older kids. For smaller kids, add a Thule Yepp Child Seat to the sturdy rear rack.

The powerful motor and 350 lb total load capacity make the 3 Plus a capable cargo bike option. To make the most of this, Radpower provides a wide range of durable baskets and bags, and even a trailer!

The RadRunner 3 Plus is comfortable and simple to ride

The roads where we tested the RadRunner had impressive potholes courtesy of the long New England winters.

Fortunately, the 3 Plus has adjustable hydraulic suspension in the front forks. The suspension, plus a soft saddle and thick tires, excel at smoothing out the bumps.

The bike's solid construction, weight, and low center of gravity also make it very stable. The saddle and handlebar position also give you an upright ride. Even if you’re new to e-bikes, you’ll find the 3 Plus easy to ride.

Finally, the control panel and throttle are well laid out and simple to operate. This means you can make quick adjustments to the pedal assist while keeping your attention on the road.

The build quality is excellent

The thick frame tubing and sturdy, welded rear rack are a rock-solid foundation.

The rear rack is integrated with the frame and welded in place. This gives the entire bike an exceptionally solid feel.

The quality construction extends to the disc brakes. These have large 180 mm disc rotors. Larger rotors mean more stopping force from the brakes.

The 3 Plus also has hydraulic brakes. These are far better than mechanical disk brakes where braking power depends on how hard you squeeze the brake lever. It’s much easier to slam on the brakes with a hydraulic system.

The RadRunner’s motor is impressively powerful

The RadRunner 3 Plus is the most powerful e-bike we’ve tested so far. It has a hub motor with 750 W of sustained power and 58 Nm of torque. For comparison, many comparable commuter and utility bikes have smaller 350 to 500 W motors.

Bike motor power sets the maximum speed. A powerful motor also means better load hauling and hill climbing. The 3 Plus was impressive in our hill testing. It maintained its top speed on relatively steep inclines showing that it had power to spare.

Torque is important for acceleration; 58 Nm won’t exactly feel like rocket power, but it’s plenty to accelerate you quickly to the top speed.

If the motor applies torque too suddenly it can make for a jerky, uncomfortable ride. This is a problem if the motor kicks in too quickly as you move through the pedal assist levels. The 3 Plus didn’t suffer from this problem. It has an almost seamless transition between pedal and motor power as you increase your speed.

The RadRunner 3 Plus will fit just about anyone

RadPower sizes their bikes based on your inseam measurement. This is a much more accurate way to fit a bike than using your total height. Your inseam dictates whether you’ll be able to adjust the bike’s seat height for efficient pedaling.

The RadRunner 3 Plus is suitable for an inseam range of 28 to 37 inches. This is difficult to translate directly into height. Radpower shows a range of user heights on their site from 5’4” to 6’0”. Most users with a 37” inseam would be significantly taller than 6 feet.

With lights and reflectors, you’ll be easy to see at night

Being as visible as possible to other road users is a key part of staying safe. The lights included with the 3 Plus are bright and easily visible at night.

Visibility from the side is also important and often neglected, but the tires have reflective side walls. These really shine out in the headlights of other vehicles.

We tested the gray version. The bike also comes in a reflective green color that’s designed to stand out at night. If you’re likely to be riding at night, you should choose the 3 Plus in green.

What we don’t like about the RadRunner 3 Plus

If you want a light, agile e-bike, this isn’t the bike for you. We like the durable construction, but that adds a lot of weight. This is a problem if you plan to store your bike indoors or use public transport.

If weight and space limits are an issue, but you want a versatile commuter option, we recommend a folding e-bike. Folders pack down relatively small and usually have a frame design or handle to help with carrying.

The RadRunner’s solid, stable design is great for commuting, but if you want a sportier, agile ride, the Aventon Soltera 2 is a more nimble option.

What to know before buying an electric bike

How do electric bicycles work?

There are many types of electric bike ranging from lightweight mountain bikes to workhorse cargo bikes. Despite the different types and uses, they’re all powered in the same way. An electric motor adds to your pedal power.

Rear wheel hub motors are the most common design in the US, and are usually an affordable option. Mid-drive motors power the pedal cranks. This setup can be more efficient than a hub motor, but is more complex and expensive.

Despite the motor assist, e-bikes are relatively slow. They’re typically limited to 20 mph. The low speed means they’re treated like bicycles rather than motor vehicles that need a license and registration.

Know your goals and your route

Think carefully about why you need a bike and where you’ll use it. Commuting, grocery shopping, and the school run all have different demands.

Load carrying

If you’re riding to work, then you won’t need much rack space beyond somewhere to stow your work bag.

Route planning

Hilly routes call for a bike with high torque and power. The 3 Plus has plenty of power for most hills, but avoid a bike that’s underpowered for your needs.

If you’re taking your bike on public transport a folder is a must.

Figure out how far you typically travel. Compare the range stats to your typical route. If you’re using a heavier e-bike you don’t want to be caught without the motor assist.

Consider the road conditions. The 3 Plus’s suspension is a must for rough roads with potholes.

Home or office storage

E-bikes don’t take up more space than conventional pedal bikes, but they’re heavier. Take this into account if you need to carry the bike upstairs.

If you’re short on storage space, go with a folder.

Climate

If you plan to use your e-bike in wet conditions look for thick tires, fenders and disc brakes. Hydraulic disc brakes are the best option for heavier bikes.

Practice

E-bikes feel very different to conventional bikes. Practice riding a new e-bike close to home before you set out on a longer trip.

Should you buy the RadPower 3 Plus e-bike?

Yes.

The RadPower 3 Plus is powerful, ruggedly built, and adaptable for a range of uses. The base package is well equipped, but the wide range of accessories open up many options.

It’s a comfortable choice for a bike commute, has the power to carry cargo, and a strong frame that can support a passenger.