In terms of comfort, the bike would be ideal were it not for one element. The bike’s upright and ergonomic riding position felt comfortable and natural, allowing for long rides without fatigue. The slight sweep of the high-rise handlebars and its ergonomic grips were similarly enjoyable. The bike’s saddle, however, is something that we challenge Rad to improve; the majority of our testers found it to be somewhat blocky and awkward-feeling. Fortunately, Rad offers a variety of compatible saddles which we recommend in place of the standard model.
The RadRunner 2 is offered in just a single frame size, but it is accommodating for a wide range of riders. With 13.25” of adjustment in saddle height, the bike can fit riders between 4’-11” and 6’-2”. While its stem is relatively low, the included handlebars can be rotated to adjust rider reach and comfort. Extremely tall riders may wish to swap for a taller set of handlebars to raise their hand placement, but the stock bar should work for most.
The bike’s overall ride feel was solid. With a cadence sensor that activated the motor quickly and the previously-mentioned four PAS settings, we had the option to engage in active pedaling or relax into ghost pedaling with a more casual pace.
Bumps were noticeable due to the absence of any suspension on the rigid frame, though they were softened somewhat by the custom 20” x 3.3” Kenda fat tires. This wheel size gave the bike great handling and maneuverability, and the checkerboard tread pattern worked well on pavement. The bike could be taken on very light off-road adventures, but we recommend reducing tire pressure to add cushion and grip.
In general, the RadRunner 2 was incredibly easy to operate. Some ghost pedaling was a natural side effect of the single-speed drivetrain when moving at high speeds, and starting from a complete stop could be tricky without the throttle, but most of the time we didn’t notice the absence of a cassette, a derailleur, and a shifter.
The bike’s cockpit is simple as a result of these intentional exclusions; with no LCD and no shifter, the only controls aside from the brake levers are those for PAS adjustment and lights on the button panel on the left handlebar. This panel uses LED lights to indicate PAS setting, battery charge, etc. which we appreciate for ease of use. Riders who prefer access to ride data will need to use a third-party app or purchase an optional display separately. Rad seems to have taken feedback from this seriously – the RadRunner 3 Plus we reviewed upon its release included two displays!
Accessories, however, are a strong suit of the RadRunner 2. The base model includes basics like a headlight, tail light with brake light functionality, a bell, and even a greatly-appreciated chain guard. There are currently over 50 additional optional accessories including cargo baskets, bags, panniers or bins, passenger seating and security, Thule Yepp Maxi child seats, fenders, saddle options, a suspension seatpost, and more.
Ultimately, we think the basic RadRunner 2 is solid on its own, but with such a massive range of accessories (330 possible combinations, according to the brand), owners can completely customize their bike to suit the needs of their lifestyle and family. This helps to reinforce the ethos of Rad Power Bikes, whose mission is to encourage individuals to rely more on a bike instead of a car. With such a vast array of options to expand the RadRunner 2’s functionality, there is no wonder it is such a popular bike.
