The RadExpand 5 Plus Folding Electric Bike Sets Standards in Its Class
When it comes to folding e-bikes, most of them have one thing in common: straight handlebars with a high and narrow handlebar. The RadExpand 5 Plus breaks with this status quo with a low, BMX-style handlebar that sets the tone for how comfortable and fun it is to ride. The RadExpand 5 Plus is an updated version of the previous RadExpand 5 and comes with many great improvements and features that make this e-bike a tough contender. The battery and motor are impressive, but the RadExpand 5 Plus’s ability to only run up to Class 2 means the RadExpand 5 Plus’s capabilities are limited.
I received the RadExpand 5 Plus for review. The e-bike was pre-assembled and I only needed to install the handlebars and some other small parts, which was quick and easy to do. Rad Power says that all of their RadExpand 5 Plus come pre-assembled, so installation should be simple. You can see RadPower’s full e-bike setup description here .
Pros and cons of RadExpand 5 Plus
pros
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Handling : Low BMX-style handlebars and clever design provide the highest level of handling.
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Accessibility : User-friendly controls make it easy to pick up and move on to the fun parts.
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Comfort: 4-inch tires, soft saddle and front suspension make for a comfortable ride.
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Versatility : There are many ways to personalize an e-bike and add any accessories you can imagine to it.
Minuses
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Class: Although the engine is strong and powerful, the bike only goes up to Class 2, with a top speed of 20 mph.
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Portability : The BMX-style handlebars mean it may not be as compact in tight spaces, and the 72.5-pound weight doesn’t help.
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Not for tall people : The bike is only suitable for people between 4’10” and 5’10” tall, excluding tall people.
Characteristics:
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Classification : Class 1 or 2 (up to 20 months).
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Brakes : Gemma hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm rotors.
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Tires : Heavy-duty 20-by-4-inch tires with off-road tread.
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Frame geometry : Pass-through frame.
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Headlights : LED brake lights, tail lights and LED headlights.
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Battery: 48 V, 15 Ah, 720 Wh with Safe Shield technology
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Display: Full color LCD
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Motor: 750 W with torque 64 Nm.
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Pedal Assist: 5 levels (magnetic pedal assist system)
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Claimed range: Average 60 miles, but can reach up to 80 miles.
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Throttle: Turn the handle
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E-Bike Weight: 73.8 lbs with battery.
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Driver Height Range: One frame fits heights from 4’10” to 5’10”.
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Maximum rider weight: 315 lbs.
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Maximum rear rack load: 59 lbs.
The RadExpand 5 Plus is a big improvement over its predecessor, and that should justify the $300 price increase. It now features 50mm front suspension with preload adjustment and lockout so you can choose your preferred level of bump; hydraulic disc brakes instead of mechanical disc brakes; Significantly improved LCD display compared to LED; turn signals; battery with Safe Shield technology, which increases the fire safety of the battery; and an improved torque sensor that should operate more naturally and improve fuel consumption. More information about the specifications and other details can be found on the Rad Power website.
How does the RadExpand 5 Plus electric bike ride on the street?
When I rode the RadExpand 5 Plus, it didn’t feel like a folding electric bike, not in a good way. Yes, the step-through design is the same, but the choice to go with a BMX-style handlebar was a bold one, and it paid off. Your typical folding bike usually has a longer handlebar stem, which forces you to hold the handlebars in a higher and narrower position than usual. This makes handling less controllable, especially at high speeds. The RadExpand 5 Plus’ lower grip and wider handlebars gave me more control while riding. It felt much better than other folding bikes I’ve ridden before. The e-bike handles like a cross between a cruiser and a mountain bike, and the beefy four-inch wide tires have off-road treads that made me feel comfortable riding it on dirt roads. Even downhill at about 28 mph, the handling was so secure that I was always in control.
In terms of pedaling assistance, the RadExpand 5 Plus features a 64Nm torque sensor that matches your effort level, so if you pedal harder, it gives you more pedaling assistance and vice versa. I can change the pedal assist level from one to five (or zero if there is no pedal assist and only leg power is used). Adjusting the pedal assist and finding the right level when going uphill was smooth and practical thanks to the controls located on the left side of the handlebar. Getting to the 20mph top speed in Class 2 with the 5 pedal was very easy and quick, but I had to move my legs very quickly and I wished there was an eighth gear to make things easier. With just torque and no throttle, I was able to smoothly reach 20 mph through five levels. My terrain was flat and it took less than 15 seconds to get there. The left side of the steering wheel also houses the steering controls and a bell to alert others.
I was pleased with the LCD display. It shows you all the information you need to know and is easy to navigate. I just wish the battery charge meter showed a percentage. The half-twist throttle on the right side of the handlebar is powerful for a folding e-bike. On gas alone, it was able to easily climb the steepest hill in my area, which is about nine degrees . On the same hill, at pedal assist level 5, it felt like I was riding on flat ground. I’m confident that if you use the throttle and pedal assist at level 5, the bike will be able to climb most hills without any problem. With such responsive pedal assist and a powerful motor, it’s a shame that Rad Power didn’t give the rider the option of moving up to Class 3. This leaves a lot of untapped potential that the RadExpand 5 Plus could have had.
Rad Power claims you’ll get an average of 20 to 60 miles per charge, but of course this will depend on your pedal usage, throttle, weight, terrain and other factors. Based on the time spent on it and the distance traveled, I feel like you can easily get into the 60 mile range if you’re conservative. I estimate you can get over 80 miles on a single charge.
How does the RadExpand 5 Plus fold up?
The main purpose of a folding e-bike is to be portable and compact. And this is where the RadExpand 5 Plus went a little wrong. The e-bike weighs 73.8 pounds and I had a hard time folding or maneuvering it. It also has a separate Velcro fastener which I’m not entirely sure is meant to hold the e-bike in place when folded. I eventually found a seat that made sense, but I think a permanent seat with a simpler clip-on device like Ride1Up’s Portola would have been a simple and smart design choice.
The decision to fit the e-bike with BMX-style handlebars means it’s not as compact as it is flat and narrow. During my routine test of installing it in the trunk of my 2011 Toyota Corolla, I struggled to fit it, almost giving up at one point. (I was eventually able to get it to fit thanks to some clever maneuvering on my part.) If you don’t plan on taking the RadExpand 5 Plus in your car, this probably isn’t a big problem. The rest of the e-bike is well compact.
RadExpand 5 Plus is versatile and customizable.
One of my favorite parts of the e-bike experience is sharing it with loved ones. RadExpand 5 Plus has access to many accessories from the Rad Power store . I used a Rad trailer with a pet insert to take Gambino for a ride. The power pedal and throttle make it easy to move the trailer. Even going up a few hills, I was able to easily find the right combination to get through it with ease. You can carry a maximum weight of 100 pounds on the trailer and 84 pounds on the pet liner. You can purchase a rear and/or front rack to be able to use a variety of accessories. Some are easier to install than others, but the Rad Trailer and Pet Insert were quick and easy to assemble and take on and off the bike (they only need one bolt to install on an e-bike). Unfortunately, the rear can only support a maximum of 59 pounds, so you can’t fit another adult as a rear passenger.
Final Thoughts
The RadExpand 5 Plus was a pleasure to ride. It was like a convenient hybrid BMX/mountain e-bike that also folds in half. The presence of small details such as tail lights, turn signals, bell, a beautiful LED screen and compatibility with many accessories makes the RadExpand 5 Plus a versatile e-bike that will suit most people looking to save space. at home or take your e-bike in the trunk. The five-level pedal assist system with torque sensor is very responsive and easy to use. The throttle is strong yet smooth and easy to control thanks to the premium BMX-style handlebars and beefy tires. If Rad Power made the RadExpand 5 Plus able to fit people taller than 5’10” and go up to Class 3, I could see this being one of the best folding e-bikes for comfort and versatility.