A TRUE Replacement for a Car??? - Radwagon Review

The Radwagon review presents an electric cargo bicycle that Linus Tech Tips frames as a practical middle ground between a car and a bike, aiming to address daily commuting and heavy transport. The host highlights the Radwagon’s design as a longtail bike with a 75 lb weight and a 566 Wh battery powering a 750 W direct drive hub motor, giving it strong torque and respectable top speeds. He emphasizes real-world use cases such as carrying groceries, boxes, lumber, and even people within safe weight limits, with cargo capacity rated around 350 lb total on the rack. Early on, the video covers setup notes, including a reminder to read the manuals to avoid issues like bent frames from improper seat post height and a potential misassembly that viewers should double-check with a neighbor when needed. The bike’s battery, charging options, range claims, and the experience of pedaling assist modes are evaluated, with particular attention to how the Radwagon performs in everyday tasks, how it handles on varying terrain, and how it compares to a traditional car in terms of time and practicality for typical trips. As the review progresses, the host shares several practical observations from real-world use. He tests range on a mix of flat and challenging terrain, noting that expected range can vary from 20 to 40 miles depending on speed, weight, terrain, and pedal effort. In controlled testing, the Radwagon achieves around 20 miles with weight and torture-like conditions, and maintains speed on downhill sections up to 30 mph, an impressive result for a non-gas powered vehicle. The video also covers some mechanical quirks, such as a regenerator brake that sometimes fails to engage and a rear derailleur alignment issue that required shop attention. Despite these issues, the host emphasizes the Radwagon’s versatility and usefulness, describing it as a vehicle between a car and a bike that can replace many short car trips, especially for 5-mile or longer journeys where biking becomes a practical option. The conclusion centers on value and practicality, noting the $1,700 price point as strong for the feature set, and recommending the Radwagon to riders who are committed to biking as a primary mode of transport, while acknowledging potential theft risk and the importance of maintenance, proper setup, and choosing a model in the Rad family that fits specific needs. The video ends with a practical reminder to consider personal use cases and explores related Rad Power bikes, such as the Rad Rover and Rad Mini. Overall, the review is enthusiastic about the Radwagon’s balance of cargo capacity, range, and value. It presents a clear case for considering ebikes as a practical car alternative for many daily trips, while also offering grounded warnings about maintenance, potential mechanical issues, and the need to assess whether this kind of bike fits one’s lifestyle and needs before purchasing. The host also promotes related repair resources and community forums to help potential buyers make an informed decision and maximize their experience with this bike.

Topics · Technology · Lifestyle · Transportation · Product Review