Rad Power Bikes has announced a new, more affordable, lighter e-bike for urban commuters who just want a cheap, easy way to get around. The new bike, called the RadKick, starts at $1,199, making it the Seattle-based company’s most affordable model yet.
For those who want less grease stains on their pants, the RadKick also comes with an optional belt drive in place of a traditional bike chain, a first for the company.
The low pedal frame, integrated battery pack, and room for a host of optional front and rear rack add-ons make it an ideal entry level for anyone interested in e-bikes but may be put off by the high price or e-bikes bike.
Rad Power Bikes CEO Phil Molyneux said in a statement that the RadKick was designed to fill a gap in the company’s product lineup, which was identified with the help of customer feedback. Molyneux said the “missing piece” was a lightweight yet affordable e-bike that could appeal to more price-conscious consumers.
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Image: Rad Power Bikes
At 55 pounds, the RadKick is the lightest it can be without sacrificing too much power and range — both important points to Rad’s U.S. customers.
The RadKick comes in two styles: a seven-speed with a traditional bike chain and a single-speed with a belt drive. Both have advantages and disadvantages. The seven-speed is ideal for those who need a little help climbing hills or prefer a more familiar riding experience, while the belt drive provides a smoother ride and requires less maintenance.
The addition of a torque sensor that adjusts the motor based on how hard you pedal is also helpful for those interested in a belt-driven version. But you’ll have to pay a little extra, about $1,399.
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Image: Rad Power Bikes
Like the rest of the Rad range, the RadKick is a Level 2 e-bike with a throttle-assisted top speed of 20 mph. The fully integrated 36V/10Ah battery provides enough power for a range of up to 35 miles, which isn’t quite as far as some of Rad’s larger-battery sports bikes, but should be enough for most commuters.
But the battery also uses the company’s new heat-resistant epoxy resin and meets UL 2849 and 2271 standards. (Rad released the new battery earlier this year as part of an effort to move the entire e-bike industry toward safer, more fire-resistant materials.)
There’s a lot more to like about RadKick
There’s a lot to like about the RadKick, including a 500W rear hub motor, LCD display with USB-C charging port, hydraulic disc brakes, front and rear fenders, rear rack with bamboo rack, front suspension and adjustable handlebar stand Fits riders as short as five feet two inches or as tall as six feet one inch.
It’s great to see Rad continue to innovate on product icons, even as market conditions become tougher and business shrinks. The post-pandemic bike boom appears to be waning in some ways, and venture-backed bike companies are feeling the pinch. Rad has gone through several rounds of layoffs – the most recent last week – and been forced to exit Europe to focus on the U.S. market.
As U.S. tariff exemptions on Chinese imports expire, e-bikes will become more expensive, which could lead to further belt-tightening by major manufacturers. Still, it’s great to see companies like Rad still working to keep their products affordable and get more people using e-bikes to combat the forces of climate change.
