From the Rad Power’s RadMini line comes the Rad Expand 5, with the loss of its suspension fork it has shed some weight. The tires now are Fat 4” and absorb any bumps or holes you may ride over making it a more comfortable riding experience. It is a step-through frame with a 750W motor making it easy to hop on and off during commuting especially with that added luggage rack and giving you the power that you need. Some of the Rad Expand 5’s components may seem like a downgrade due to the brands having changed but it is much lighter than the previous versions.
Specification
| Weight | 28.4kg |
| Frame | 6061 aluminium |
| Fork | Rad custom steel 135mm hub width, 9mm quick release |
| Saddle | Rad Power Bikes with lifting handle |
| Seatpost | Aluminium alloy, 390mm x 27.2mm |
| Pedals | Composite platform, CrMo axle with reflectors, standard 9/16” x 20 TPI threading |
| Rear Derailleur | 7-speed MicroShift RD-M26 |
| Brakes | Mechanical Calliper |
| Wheels | Rims: Aluminium alloy, 36 hole, rim width: 60mm
Spokes: 12-gauge stainless steel, black Tires: CST BFT 20” x 4.0”, e-bike rated with puncture-resistant liner and reflective strip Disk Rotors: 180mm front and rear |
| Motor | 750W brushless geared hub motor, 5:1 planetary gear reduction. |
| Battery | 672Wh |
| Remote | Rad Power Bikes custom LED display with charge indicator, pedal assist level/error display, headlight/tail light indicator and more |
| Charger | 48V, 2 Amp Rad Power Bikes smart charger, operates on 100V-240V AC power outlets |
Motor & Battery
The Rad Expand 5 has a custom manufactured rear-mounted 750W geared hub motor as do the majority of the models from Rad Power. With it being a class 2 e-bike the Rad Expand can hit a top speed of 20mph, but please also remember to be knowledgeable about the laws in your country for using a throttle based e-bike.
The Battery is a 48V 14Ah Lithium NMC battery (672Wh) and is externally mounted to the front of the seat tube, it is easy to remove but if you are a shorter rider you may have to raise or turn the seat each time you need to remove it. It takes 6.5 hours to charge so you can charge it at work if you are in the office and the range is said to be a maximum of 45 miles, but this may differ by how you are riding.
Quality & Build
The Rad Expand 5 is a step-through bike that has a clean look to it as the suspension fork from previous models has been removed and has helped the bike shed a few kilos which is appreciated when it can fold and has to be transported. With the built in stand the bike doesn’t fall over when it is folded up and comes in colours all-black or white.
The Rad Expand 5 also comes with 4” fat tires that have puncture resistant liners and reflective sidewall stripes, suitable for when your commute requires you to go off-road and may potentially have a few bumps in your path, but also if you are riding when it is getting dark so that you can be seen by other cyclists or vehicles on the road.
The brakes are mechanical disc brakes that have been on the Rad models for years, though it would be nice to see them upgraded to the hydraulic disc brakes for better stopping power. The 7-speed MicroShift RD-M26 rear derailleur is very functional and doesn’t seem to have issues in changing gear up or down.
Special Features
LED headlight and taillight – automatically turns on when the bike is powered up.
Rear luggage rack with a 125 kg payload capacity.