How Rad Power Bikes stacks up for a boomer and a millennial
Both the RadRunner 2 and RadExpand 5 have a simple display to turn the bike on and off, choose a pedal-assist level and turn the lights on. Image Credits: Rad Power Bikes
- Motor: 750W brushless geared hub motor
- Top speed: 20 miles per hour (unless you’re flying downhill, then it definitely can go faster)
- Battery: 672 Wh; can be charged on the bike or can be removed to charge inside
- Range: 25 to 45 miles
- Brakes: Mechanical disc brakes
- Other stuff: Simple LED display, bell, four pedal-assist settings, half-twist throttle
Here’s what’s the same, but different:
Dual leg, spring-loaded kickstand on the RadRunner 2 LED headlights on the RadRunner2 Rear rack on the RadRunner2 Rear brake lights on RadExpand5
Both bikes come with an optional front rack and an integrated rear rack, but their payload capacities differ. For example, the RadExpand’s rear rack max load is 59 pounds, but the RadRunner’s max rear rack load can handle 120 pounds (and then some, as my partner and I proved.)
The kickstands are different, too. RadExpand’s is a regular style kickstand, but RadRunner’s is a dual leg, spring-loaded kickstand, which is much harder to push over. Additionally, while both bikes have LED head/tail/brake lights, RadRunner 2’s rear lights not only indicate when braking but also have a flash mode.
They both are very easy to turn on by holding down the ON button, but I found that maybe made them easy to steal. Many suburbanites don’t actually lock their bikes up, but rather leave them in the shed. For a Smart bike, it would be cool to see an anti-theft locking system.
Finally, the RadRunner and the RadExpand both have fat, puncture-resistant tires, but just how fat differs with each bike. The RadRunner has 20 inch by 2.2 inch tires, and the RadExpand’s tires are 20 inch by 4 inch. I found that on both bikes, the fat tires made for a bouncy, rather than bumpy, ride over potholes and other cracks in the road.
What my 61-year-old mom thought of the RadRunner 2
The RadRunner2 is great for both on-roading and off-roading. Image Credit: Rebecca Bellan
“The throttle makes it a game changer. I like how when it accelerates it doesn’t accelerate where you feel like you’re being thrown back. It’s a gentle acceleration, which is especially good for us older folk,” Bellan the senior told me after an hour-long cycle around a suburban neighborhood in Long Island.
She noted that despite its 65 pounds of weight, the RadRunner 2 isn’t so heavy as compared to her current e-bike, the Aventon Pace. The Pace, by the way, does indeed feel like you’re about to be thrown off the saddle when you accelerate using the pedal assist.
Bellan said the high handlebars kept her from feeling like she was leaning over too much, which helped with the general feelings of stability and avoiding back pain.
The model we tried out had a seat for an additional rider on the back. It’s probably meant for a child, but my partner and I defied the advertised 300-pound weight limit on a previous jaunt around the neighborhood. My mother said she’d choose to have a storage rack instead, which is one of the options available to RadRunner 2 purchasers.
“I would go shopping in it. Totally, without a doubt,” she said. “With all the months I didn’t have to worry about the weather, this is the way I would travel through town.”
An avid suburban biker, Bellan even said she’d be willing to take it offroad.
“It would make me feel more confident going on a mountain biking trail knowing that I had the opportunity to use these extra tidbits and develop my legs,” said Bellan; the extra tidbits being the different levels of pedal assist and the throttle. “I like that I can still get a workout but be able to traverse all the hills without killing myself.”
The screen, which simply displays battery capacity, pedal-assist power mode and head/tail light status, was also mother-approved.
Off-roading with the RadExpand 5
The RadExpand 5 is also great for on-roading and off-roading. Image Credit: Rebecca Bellan
When Rad Power dropped off the bikes to me, they told me the RadExpand is geared toward suburbanites who would leave the bike in the trunk of their car and take it on camping and other off-roading adventures. So naturally, I decided to find the nearest mountain biking trail and give the whole thing a go.
I’ll first note what the experience of folding and unfolding the bike was like. In a word: Clumsy. But it got easier with time. Folding up the bike is a two-step process. First you drop the handlebars lower and then sort of close the bike like a book as it balances on one tire. No tools required, which is excellent for saving time and sanity.
The bike weighs 62.5 pounds, which somehow feels heavier when it’s condensed in a smaller package. I had to give it a good heave to get it into the trunk of my crossover — I also had to put the back seat down to fit it properly, so ample storage space is of the essence.
Handlebars on RadExpand 5 going down for easier storage. A Rad Power employee folding the RadExpand 5. The RadExpand 5 bike fully folded
I drove the bike over to a nearby trail and decided to choose the “more difficult” track as opposed to the “easy” or “difficult” tracks, just to see how the RadExpand would perform. I forgot to consider how I might perform.
I’m a very confident city biker. I can weave in and out of rush hour Second Avenue traffic, throwing up a middle finger to the car that’s double parked in the bike lane without losing momentum. But mountain biking is an entirely different beast, and there were some moments I was truly scared for my life. That might be because Rad doesn’t actually advertise this as a mountain bike, but I’m also confident that someone with more experience off-roading would have found the RadExpand to be a dream on that trail.
That said, I generally felt safer on the RadExpand in that rough terrain than I ever have on a normal mountain bike.
The fat tires simply make you feel more stable, and the fact that you can rely on the throttle to speed up when needed was vital when braving the gravel, sand, gigantic tree roots and big inclines on the trail. I suppose I’d say the suspension was good, because I never once felt that jolting pain that goes from your tailbone up your spine that I get riding over bumps in my push bike. But that might have been attributable to the bouncy tires, rather than Rad’s suspension system.
Unrelated to my mountain biking foray, the ability to switch between low levels of pedal assist and the throttle was something I also appreciated driving in dense urban areas. When you’re at a traffic light, for example, you want to be able to creep past other pedestrians without accidentally lurching into them as you push down on the pedal. But when you’re then trying to cross a busy street and make it around a double-parked car, that throttle really comes in handy for speed.
RadRover 6 Plus
The RadRover 6 Plus is the latest advancement of our flagship fat tire model and a next-level riding experience. Get more uphill capabilities with the custom geared-hub motor, better stopping power with all new high-performance hydraulic disc brakes, and a semi-integrated battery that easily pops in and out. rider refinements maximize comfort, making this the biggest evolution in RadRover history!
Our world-class Customer Experience team is here to answer all of your questions and make your buying experience rad.
Expanded Shipping Window
You may have noticed that the shipping date for some models is currently listed as several months away.
While we understand that this is a long time to wait, we wanted to make sure that these bikes were available to purchase for any rider who had their heart set on a preferred model and wanted to secure theirs well in advance.
The dates listed are as accurate as possible, but please note that the entire manufacturing world is in the middle of a global supply chain challenge. As a result, there are some variables that are out of our control (like container shortages, port delays, and the Suez Canal incident).
We know how excited you are to get your new ebike and we are continually scaling up our operations to get it to you as soon as possible.
Anyone Can Do It Leave It To The Pros
Our riders say that this model is easy to assemble, our ebike assembly service will have you ready-to-ride
LET A PRO BUILD IT FOR YOU
Have Your Bike Built By a Professional.
To meet the needs of our busy riders, we offer on-demand ebike assembly, pickup and delivery. Rad electric bikes come mostly assembled in the box, however some ebike models are more difficult to assemble than others. The Assembly Difficulty indicator above can give you an idea of how difficult this bike is to assemble.
Available shipping options are determined by postal code. You will be able to select your preferred shipping option during checkout.
Available to all customers.
Your new ebike will be delivered directly to your door by the parcel service (FedEx, Purolator, etc.). While the bike is 85 percent assembled before it leaves the factory, additional assembly is required prior to your first ride. Rad Power Bikes provides helpful online resources to assist you in this process, including in-depth videos and an extensive digital Help Center.
Built Delivered by Rad Mobile Service: 199 CAD
Available to customers in select areas.
A Rad Power Bikes Mobile Service Ambassador will build, tune, and accessorize your new ebike before delivering it directly to your door. Upon arrival, our RMS Ambassador will walk you through how to use your ebike and answer any questions you might have.
Includes a free 30-day/150-mile tuneup. Rad Mobile Service will work with you directly to schedule a preferred date/time for delivery.
Rad Power Bikes RadRunner Plus Specs/Features Review: Electric Components
The RadRunner Plus comes with a 750W rear hub motor that’s capable of producing 80 Nm of torque. This motor is strong enough to manage the weight of the bike and whoever’s riding it without much issue at all.
When I conducted our hill climb test I was impressed with how the bike managed our steep test hill. While it didn’t clock the fastest time up the hill, the motor was always quiet and it never seemed to be phased or challenged.
The motor also allowed me to stay around the Class 2 top speed of 20 mph most of the time. While the speed definitely dipped on hills it was never as much as I was anticipating. It feels like the RadRunner always keeps a little power in the reserve for those “just in case” moments.
The RadRunners 48V, 14Ah battery performed right on target with what we expected, if not a little more.
When I rode in the highest pedal assist level I reached just under 30 miles on a single charge, which was about what I was expecting based on the size of the battery. The battery is tucked away nicely behind the seat post and is removable with the key that is included with the bike.
Pedal Assist / Throttle
The 5 pedal assist levels span from the extremely conservative PAS 1 up to the quick and powerful PAS 5. Levels 2,3, and 4 fall somewhere between these two extremes and all provide their own benefits. We discovered PAS 1 is about as conservative as it gets when it comes to pedal assist. Our test rider only received 30-70 watts when riding in it.
The highest pedal assist setting kept me riding around the maximum Class 2 speed of 20 mph. Because the RadRunner Plus has a 750W motor it had no issues maintaining a high average speed. I still received a good amount of charge life from the battery in the highest pedal assist setting.
The throttle has very similar characteristics to PAS 4, where the bike is able to reach 20 mph but at a slightly slower rate than in PAS 5. There is a wide range of acceleration when engaging the throttle and it all comes down to how much you twist it.
The RadRunner Plus has a solid LCD display; it doesn’t have any special features or gadgets but it does its job very well. This display shows me all the information that I want to see when riding around including speed, average speed, mileage, trip mileage, battery life, pedal assist level, and watt usage. The display also comes with a USB charging port to charge your devices on the go.
My favorite aspect of the display is the watt meter, it’s extremely useful in the sense that it allows me to moderate battery usage in a way where I can maximize the battery life. Being able to see the watts produced is an easy way to know if you need to back off your pedal assist level to maximize the battery life.
The RadRunner Plus has a center mounted LCD display
The RadRunner Plus’s full cockpit
Back side of the handlebars on the RadRunner Plus
Rad Power Bikes RadRunner Plus logo
Rad Power Bikes RadRunner Plus Review: Components and Accessories
Rad Power Bikes makes the most out of the components on their bikes. While they may use the same components as other competing brands, the way they are able to add them up into one bike makes a big difference. The Rad Power Bike fleet feels like a family of well put together, refined electric bikes that continue to get better year after year.
The Tektro Aries mechanical disc brakes are paired up with 180mm rotors front and rear. These brakes do their job, but hydraulic disc brakes make a lot of sense for this bike. Reason being is this is the “upgraded” version of the RadRunner, so components like the brakes should be a no brainer to upgrade.
The RadRunner Plus comes with metallic brake pads, which tend to have a little more stopping power and “bite” than the organic brake pads which come on the RadRunner 1. I still think hydraulic brakes are the way to go on future “Plus” models.
When we conducted our brake test it took me an average of 17-feet 2-inches to stop from the top speed of 20 mph. The distance was a little farther than I was hoping for, however I would still deem these brakes as safe. As I mentioned before, I think hydraulic brakes are the way to go on the RadRunner Plus for future models.
The 6061 alloy frame comes with mounting points for a lot of modular parts like the RadRunner Center Console and front mounted basket. The frame also has more conventional features like its water bottle cage mount.
I am a big fan of how Rad Power Bikes designed this frame to work very well with its available accessories. While there are plenty of bikes that have available accessories, not many are as easy to use and install as the ones available for the Runner.
The silver metallic paint job of the RadRunner Plus is also well, a plus. It gives the bike the gleam and shine of a fancy clean car. The paint job is definitely appropriate for the upgraded version of the RadRunner that this bike is.
The frame comes with a 1 year warranty that covers manufacturing defects.
The RadRunner Plus comes with an RST 80mm spring suspension fork which has a lockout and and preload adjustment. The suspension fork is one of the main upgrades you receive on the RadRunner Plus over the standard RadRunner, and it does a great job absorbing chatter and vibrations from the trail or path.
The fork adds additional off-road capability and performance over the fully rigid fork that comes on the RadRunner 1. The fork also improves traction, especially off-road.
Regardless of if you’re riding on-road or off-road the suspension fork is going to add comfort and control to the bike. For those who will be doing some offroad miles on the RadRunner Plus keep in mind that this is no mountain bike, just a bike that’s capable on unpaved roads.
New Electric Tricycle | RadTrike | Rad Power Bikes
Drivetrain / Shifting
The 7-speed Shimano Altus drivetrain gives riders a wide range of gearing that makes the RadRunner Plus that much more capable than its standard counterpart, which uses a single speed drivetrain. I really appreciated having multiple gears to choose from during hill climbs.
During our hillclimb test I was able to maintain the same amount of effort despite the hill getting steeper, and that’s mainly due to the 7 gear range this bike has. The 7-speed Shimano Altus drivetrain paired with the 750W motor makes maintaining speed on flat ground and climbing hills a breeze.
The 7-speed Shimano shifter is an over-the-bar thumb shifter which does its job well. I would prefer an underbar shifter because it’s easier to shift on the fly without moving your thumb over the bar to shift. This is a pretty minor thing, but I see the shifter as one of the things that could definitely be upgraded on the RadRunner Plus.
Testing out the brakes on the RadRunner Plus
Tektro Aries caliper with 180mm rotor
Shimano Altus 7 speed drivetrain.
Contact Points / Comfortability
Overall I would consider the RadRunner Plus to be a comfortable bike. Its upright positioning and comfortable contact points are great for the most part. I think the moped-style seat needs some work. If this bike didn’t have pedals it would be just fine, however it does cause some discomfort when pedaling.
Rad Power Bikes RadRunner Plus Review: Summary / Where to Buy
The RadRunner Plus review process really allowed our team to see what the Runner brings to the table in the way of utility, ride experience, and overall quality. The 750W motor paired nicely with the rest of the bike and allowed me to scale steep hills without breaking a sweat and ride at high average speeds throughout town.
Throughout all of the tests we conducted we really learned the ins and outs of how the RadRunner Plus performs in the real world.
I was very satisfied with the 26.22 miles I was able to get out of the battery on maximum assistance, and I was also happy with our hill climb test results. While the RadRunner Plus may have not been the fastest bike we’ve had scale our test hill, it did feel like one of the smoother ones. I came to like the smooth engagement of the motor, and its consistent power output it provided me with.
There are some components that I would like to see upgraded or modified on future models. I firmly believe that the RadRunner Plus should come with higher end brakes than the standard RadRunner 1. The shape of the seat works well for the moped style riding this bike is intended for, but when I decided to pedal it was very hard for me to get along with the seat. I had to readjust quite a bit, and the back of my legs were always rubbing against the seat.
Aside from that I think Rad Power Bikes has done a really good job with this bike. The upright geometry kept me comfortable and looking ahead, and the 80mm suspension fork kept me from getting bucked around on rougher surfaces.
The RadRunner Plus can be used for a lot of different things, its design, features, and available accessories makes it a great option for those looking for an affordable cargo utility e-bike. The RadRunner was one of our choices for the Best Electric Cargo Bikes for 2022 because of its compact design and ability to hold a lot of cargo. This bike is ready for most cargo and commuting related tasks, and if you’re looking for a bike that can do both then I would recommend looking into the RadRunner Plus.
‘Happy Riding, make sure to let us know if you have any questions down in our Комментарии и мнения владельцев section or if you think we left anything out in this review of the Rad Power Bikes RadRunner Plus.
What I liked about it
Right from the start, the RadTrike is well thought out. It comes in packaging that makes it quite easy to assemble. The two halves of the bike need to be bolted together, but that’s the bulk of the assembly.
I originally thought the bike would be foldable in the middle when I first saw the design as it was unveiled online, but I soon realized that the middle joint is a solid bolted connection. You could take it apart in a minute or two with a 6mm allen wrench, but it’s not a quick fold connection. There IS a quick fold connection at the handlebars though, which is perfect for when you want to load the bike into the back of an SUV or van, since it essentially chops off the extra height of the handlebars.
The saddle is nice and comfortable, even coming with an adjustable back rest. I was a bit worried that it wouldn’t feel great when pedaling since there’s much more saddle there under you (more like a tractor seat than a bike saddle), but it actually felt just fine while pedaling.
The saddle also drops surprisingly low. If you don’t pedal much and want to just throttle around, you can drop it lower than you might otherwise and benefit from even further lowered center of gravity. Plus the ability for the seat to drop so low means it can fit riders as low as 4’10” (I can almost hear my mom rejoicing).
When I took the bike off-road on gravel trails and grassy fields, I was glad to have a comfortable seat under me. There’s no suspension and the 18″ tires aren’t particularly big, so I definitely bounced around a good bit, but a wide saddle under me meant I wasn’t bouncing on a banana, I was bouncing on an office chair. That makes a big difference.
I also found it neat that there’s an easy to use reverse feature (just hold the “down” button on the display for a couple seconds to enter reverse mode).
To be honest, I never once used the reverse feature out of necessity, it was more just playing around with it since it was there. But I can see how it would be useful if you pulled headfirst into a garage spot and needed to back out, or wound up in another tight situation like that.
Though another thing to note is that the turning radius is so tight that you can basically turn in the trike’s own length. I could do full 360-degree turns in the width of a sidewalk.
Next, let’s talk about braking.
There’s a disc brake up front and a coaster brake in the rear. The front brake is really all you need, but if you’re the kind of person that has weaker hands or just doesn’t want to let go of the bars to reach for the brake lever, having the option to stop with your feet is kind of nice. Both brakes are strong and sufficiently powerful to stop the RadTrike by themselves. If you really want to stop on a dime, slam the two simultaneously. It will feel like you dropped an anchor.
I also really like the built-in parking brake. Since there’s no kickstand, the trike could theoretically roll backwards on a hill, but the parking brake keeps it in place. I’ve tested other electric tricycles without parking brakes, and it’s 100% true that even a slight hill will see that thing rolling away.
Finally, let’s talk battery. I thought that I would have to worry about range due to the rather small 48V 10Ah battery with its lower than average 480Wh capacity. But since the RadTrike isn’t very fast, it sips slowly at that battery. I’m not sure I’d ever see the 55 mile (88 km) maximum range that Rad touts, but it seems that 35-40 miles is easily achievable in higher power modes. If you use lower power mode, I think you might even exceed that advertised range. The trike just doesn’t use as much battery as I had expected, and is thus surprisingly efficient.
What I didn’t like about it
I really enjoy riding the RadTrike. It’s a pleasure. But like any e-bike, it’s not perfect. There are several smaller complaints I have with this electric tricycle.
Because it’s a single speed, it is difficult to start pedaling from a standstill. I always blip the throttle to get rolling and then start pedaling. It’s a bit easier to start on pedal-assist alone if you remember to come to a stop with the pedals horizontal (one forwards and one backwards) instead of vertical (one at the top and one at the bottom). That way you can really push on that front pedal with your weight. Because it’s a cadence sensor, there’s a lag between when you start pedaling and when the pedal assist kicks in to fire up the motor, so that first half a pedal turn or so is all you.
Rad Power Bikes RadTrike 1 Review. 2.5k
The pedaling gear ratio seems to be optimized more for around 10-ish mph (16-ish km/h). Pedal assist level 4 feels perfect to me. That’s my comfort sweet spot. The highest level (PAS 5) has my feet spinning a bit faster than comfortable when I’m zipping along at full speed. And getting started, well, that’s a doozy as I described above. Though another little cool note is that PAS 1 is walking speed, so you could roll along with a partner at about 2-3 mph. It’s a bit harder to pedal at that speed with the higher gear ratio, though.
Next, the bike is quite heavy at 82 lb (37 kg). You can lose nine pounds or so by taking the battery out when you lift it, but it still ain’t light. Rad used a steel frame, which isn’t doing weight any favors, but the extra weight also adds up from the wider rear end, extra wheel, coaster brake hub, tractor seat, etc. I could lift the RadTrike out of a vehicle just fine, but I’m also a healthy 33 year old with my masculinity on the line and something to prove. If you’re up there in years or have a back injury in your past, lifting a heavy steel electric tricycle might not be part of the doctor’s orders.
I also wish Rad Power Bikes had included baskets as standard equipment. At the minimum, I believe the trike should come with a rear basket. The rear of the RadTrike looks a bit naked and it’s just begging you to use that flatbed area for storage. Plus with the ultra-low center of gravity that’s Rad’s rear end design creates (combined with those low 18″ wheels), it would be an awesome cargo platform.
I get that it likely comes down to money. It would cost more to ship the trike in a larger box due to the rack, and it would probably cut into the accessory business model as well. So I get it, they have an awesome line of accessories with many cargo options in that list, but I still think a rear basket would have been awesome as standard equipment.
I also would have loved to see Rad include their secondary display that shows speed, odometer, etc. I’ll admit that it’s unnecessary (you don’t have to worry about speeding tickets on the RadTrike), but it’d still be fun to see your speed and also keep track of your odometer reading. The mileage is useful for both the maintenance cycle and as a personal motivator of hitting big milestones (“Congrats on your first 500 miles!”).
Is the RadTrike a good deal?
The last issue here is the price. At 5000,499, this is the most expensive bike in the Rad Power Bikes lineup.
I keep going back and forth regarding how I feel about the price. It’s not that it isn’t a good bike. It’s a great bike. It is intelligently designed, rides well, feels well constructed, and is surely to get thousands of riders back in the saddle after thinking their biking days were over. But if you look at the components themselves, I’m not sure where all of that 5000,499 is going.
The battery is smaller than Rad’s other batteries, the brakes are basic (but certainly quite good), there’s no complicated aluminum forming needed for the frame. Even the packaging is cleverly designed to be both effective and economical without requiring a freight delivery – it can show up on a normal FedEx truck. It’s all quite cost effective.
If you compare it to a bike like the RadMission that Rad used to sell for under 450,000 (and then bumped to 450,199), the RadTrike basically gets a similar loadout of parts, with the exception of an extra wheel, a parking brake, coaster brake, comfort saddle, and a more powerful motor. So I get that there’s more here, but is there twice as much?
But then again, there just aren’t very many good, cost effective e-trikes on the market yet. The few that exist in a cheaper price range are basically from boutique builders and simply aren’t that great. The few e-trikes I’ve seen and tested over the last few years are either budget priced and junky (to the point of feeling dangerous) or they are 3,000 to 5,000 and thus feel out of reach for average riders. So now here comes the RadTrike as a moderately priced, nicely made and well thought-out electric tricycle. And it even comes from a large US-based company with great product support and a vast ecosystem of compatible accessories. So I guess I can justify why you have to pay for that convenience.
Is it worth this much of a premium? I think so, yes. At least it is if you’re absolutely in the market for an e-trike. You can of course get better bang for your buck with e-bikes, but e-bikes aren’t for everyone. Adding that extra wheel seems to add a lot to the cost due to the design that goes into developing a purpose-built electric trike, but that may be worth it for thousands of riders who want and need that extra wheel to open up a whole new world of e-biking to them. And trust me, once you roll into that new world, you’re never going to look back!
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What’s new about the Rad Power RadRrunner 3 ebike?
First and perhaps most notable, the RadRunner 3 is the first Rad release to be compatible with the company’s battery range extender, which is in development and should be released relatively soon. Once available, this will increase its range to over 100 miles.
immediately, you’ll notice that the RadRunner 3 has improved hill-climbing capabilities. The previous edition’s 750-watt motor was already no slouch, and now the upgrade absolutely charges up hills. It’s also been upgraded with an extended rear rack (upon which you can mount all manner of add-ons — more on that below), a better saddle, and a front suspension fork that really smooths the riding experience.
The overall design has also been improved. While the previous version of the RadRunner was a bit clunky looking, the update is more streamlined.
Extremely customizable
One of the best qualities of Rad Power ebikes in general involves their superior customizability. Rad offers a slew of accessories: cargo boxes, front baskets, lock and bottle holders, netting, bags, racks, safety equipment, passenger seats, and canopies, and now even trailers and pet carriers.
In the case of the RadRunner 3, you can either choose your own options or select one of several pre-designed kits. I’ve been riding the “Around Town Kit,” which comes with an extended passenger seat, rearview mirror, front-mounted basket, and an uber-tough ABUS Bordo Granit X-Plus 6500 folding lock. It’s great — I can carry a friend around with me and still have a place to put my stuff up front.
Final review
Starting at 5000,299, the RadRunner 3 isn’t a cheap ebike (on par with competitors like Juiced), but it’s worth the investment — particularly if you’re looking for a workhorse of a bike that will replace a car for running errands near home.
But it’s not limited to urban riding. I’ve taken mine over loose gravel surfaces and some moderately bumping trails, and the fat tires and new suspension make it highly capable.
An all-around solid bike — this is one of the best grocery store (and sometimes off-road!) cruisers yet.
Editors’ Recommendations
There’s almost no end to what you can achieve armed with a length of rope and an arsenal of outdoor knots to tie it together. If heading into the backcountry, you should always be prepared for survival. While part of that is carrying the right gear, you must know how to use it effectively. You wouldn’t take your woodcutting axe without giving it a few practice swings at home, so why would you expect to be able to tie the right knot without practice?
There is an adage among those who don’t know what to do with rope: if you can’t tie knots, tie lots. If you don’t know what you’re doing, keep tying until your rope feels secure. It works, sometimes. But in a significant way, these people are missing out. Knots, like backcountry navigation skills or fire making, are part of being an outdoorsman. Outdoor knots come in different shapes and perform various tasks; some are quick, some secure, and others are designed to be untied quickly. These eight are the essential outdoor knots to learn first, so grab a rope and upskill your outdoor self.
There’s no greater feeling for any mountain biker than flowing down the trails or crushing long-distance rides, but few worse feelings than a sudden crunch bringing your ride to a premature end. Sure, we can’t negate all potential mechanical issues, but with a pre-ride bike check, you can often catch problems before they become a trailside repair. Whether you’re a beginner mountain biker or a seasoned pro, you should check your bike for safety and mechanical issues before every ride.
The good news is that this doesn’t mean you have to become a bike mechanic overnight. As you spend more time on your bike, upgrading your components, and picking your local bike store mechanics’ brains, you’ll better understand what keeps your wheels spinning. Until you’re sure how to repair your bike, though, it’s best to get a mechanic to work on your bike.
If you’re tired of constantly looking for a place to go on the go, a composting porta-loo is the answer
From car camping to overlanding to living the van life, few things embody a sense of freedom and adventure more than hitting the open road. If you love exploration and the great outdoors, it just doesn’t get any better. But spend any time living out of your vehicle, and you soon realize that it’s not all roses. There’s a never-ending list of things that need figuring out, from finding the best campsite for the night to making sure you don’t run out of gas to researching YouTube at three o’clock in the morning to determine why your 4Runner is making that weird tchtkktchk rattling noise. The hardest problem of all? Figuring out how and where to go to the bathroom.
If you live in the States, where there’s a fast food restaurant or a Walmart on every corner, you’re never far from a public restroom. But what if you’re just tired of shared toilets or you want to explore farther — sometimes much farther — afield? What if you’re looking to escape civilization and rely only on the tools, food, and appliances you’re carrying with you? Among other things, you need a portable waterless toilet — more specifically, a composting toilet.
The Essential Guide for MenThe Manual is simple — we show men how to live a life that is more engaged. As our name implies, we offer a suite of expert guides on a wide range of topics, including fashion, food, drink, travel, and grooming. We don’t boss you around; we’re simply here to bring authenticity and understanding to all that enriches our lives as men on a daily basis.