The most exciting electric bike of 2022 is a lot cheaper than you’d expect.
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| Image credit: Rad Power Bikes |
Rad Power Bikes, makers of some of the best and toughest electric bikes on the market, have released a new folding electric bike that’s built like a tank, folds up small enough to throw in the trunk of your car, and costs a lot more. cheaper than you would expect.
Good quality electric bikes for under $1500/£1000 are hard to come by, let alone folding models, due to the extra engineering involved in building a frame that can be stored neatly but is still strong enough enough to support the weight of a cyclist and the force of a powerful engine.
The new RadExpand 5 is the exception, costing just $1,299 (around £900 / AU$1,600), folding in seconds, and featuring a 48V 750W motor for light-duty work on hills and rough terrain.
Unlike most folding electric bikes we’ve tested, the RadExpand 5 isn’t designed for commuters (although you can certainly use it for a workout in style if you want to). Instead, it’s built to tackle muddy and bumpy trails on weekend adventures, with 4-inch-wide tires, full front and fender coverage, heavy-duty wiring and connectors in the water, and a reach up to 45 miles on a single charge.
Tough as nails
The RadExpand 5 is also surprisingly practical, with integrated lights, an included rear rack (great for bikes), and a maximum payload of 275 lbs / 125 kg. High-rise adjustable handlebars should provide a comfortable ride for a wide range of rider heights, and a custom LED display shows the current charge level, power mode, and light settings.
However, it is worth checking the laws governing electric bikes before placing your order. The RadExpand 5 will legally classify as a bicycle in the US, but vehicles with motors over 250W can only be driven on private land in many other territories, including the EU and UK.
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| Image credit: Rad Power Bikes |
Analysis: weighty matters
The RadExpand 5 is one of the most exciting electric bikes of 2022 thanks to its combination of power, comfort, and value. Its only real drawback seems to be the weight. The RadExpand 5 is lighter than the previous RadMini, but it’s still a very heavy machine at 62.5 pounds (about 28 kg).
For comparison, our current top-rated folding electric bike, the GoCycle G4, is a featherweight 39lbs / 17.6kg, and even the heaviest model on our list, the E-Trends Fly, weighs just 52lbs. / 23.5kg.
However, it should be remembered that the RadExpand 5 is not designed to be mounted on buses or taken to the office. A fairer comparison would be MATE. bike’s Mate X, another powerful folding machine designed for off-road riding, which tips the scales at 63 lbs / 28.5 kg.
Like the RadExpand 5, the Mate X is available with a 750W motor and has similar 50-mile battery life. The biggest difference is the price, which is more than double that of the RadExpand. We are very excited to release it ourselves and see if it lives up to the hype.
