I concluded quickly that buying a seat is like buying shoes; everybody has a different fit and preference.

I ordered a Cloud 9 Cruiser Select when I ordered my Mini StepThru, having heard numerous reports of how uncomfortable stock Rad seats are (I can now confirm that personally) and wanted to be prepared to swap it out immediately.  The C-9s are very well made and it was an improvement, but my butt still hurt after 30 mins or so.

So I tried a Bikeroo and a Velmia and again, both are well-made and seemed better at first but ultimately not an improvement, so I went back to the C-9 Cruiser Select.  I didn't stop my research, though.  Reading up on seat fitting, I found that the seat should be mostly level for this style of riding and that handlebar height (thus weight distribution) was a big factor as well as "butt posture" which affects pelvis alignment.  Be aware that tiny (less than 1/2") adjustments in seat height, handlebar height, seat rail fore/aft setting on the post and seat angle all have very significant effects on comfort; be prepared to measure, tweak and fiddle.  Shifting position while riding to relieve pain will help guide you toward what needs to be changed for a better fit.

It still wasn't "right", though, so I ordered the Cloud 9 Cruiser Gel Sofa seat, the one with a really long nose.  That long nose is an issue and doesn't have to be that long - it sticks out so far that dismounting to stand on flat feet at a stoplight is a hassle.  However, I think it's my keeper seat; I set it up exactly the same as the Cruiser Select, but it's a better fit for me and much more comfortable - I think the difference is not only the extra width but that the cushions are flatter than the Cruiser Select; that's hard to see from the online photos.

So I ended up with a Cloud 9, but not the one I started with.  They have quite a few models and both of mine are extremely well-made, but fit differently.  So, sad to say, you may have to take the same journey of trying different seats to see which works best for you; find a vendor that will let you return ones that don't improve your ride.  I still have the Cruiser Select and the Bikeroo as well, but Amazon was fine with my returning the others I tried and would have taken these back as well, I just want alternative/spare seats if ever needed.  I think the C-9 Gel Sofa is Seat #6, so it took me a bit of effort to find the one I liked best.

FWIW, I also added a Redshift suspension post, which is a very nice upgrade to smooth out my rides as well - highly recommended bit of engineering and once adjusted (more fiddling and testing the Redshift adjustments) teams up with the C-9 to work well together.  All the above seats will work with it, but it increases the minimum seat height by about 3" or so due to the mechanism, and Cloud 9 seats are very thick to begin with, so short people and short legs should measure before adding it.  It does have a 30 or 90-day return policy (can't remember which) to help with trying it out and there is a first-time buyer discount coupon available on their website by signing up for their emails - saved me about $30 overall.  That paid for most of the Cloud 9 seat.

I've attached a photo of the C-9 Gel Sofa seat and the Redshift; you can see how long the seat snout is, and how flat it is if you look closely, but I'm getting used to the big nose.

Interesting, but way too expensive for what they are - could just get a waterproof rafting/kayaking bag and a bungee cord to strap it down for $20 or less.  I have the small basket bag and it's pretty good, includes some insulation which it seems these new bags do not.

Thanks for sniffing this out, Ryan; always good to keep up.  I was expecting new-model bikes to be announced this year, but I bet production and shipping problems have put plans on hold unless competitors force their hand.  Perfectly happy with my Mini ST, though.

I'm considering buying this one (along with a cargo net on top to keep it from flapping in the wind) for my Mini StepThru, it might fit Rovers too: https://amzn.to/3hZYfCn

But my needs would be occasional for point-to-point transport to keep rain and dust off my bike, not long-term for RV travel - it might not be durable enough for weeks spent outdoors.  I'm curious to see what others recommend before I buy something, too.

I know a lot of businesspeople who can't find anybody with a few brain cells who wants to work if Uncle Joe Bedpan will send them "free" money to sit on their butts at home instead - it's perverse, and becoming a serious problem across industries now, distorting our economy, combined with the ongoing problem with suppliers being able to produce, ship and deliver, plus the gift of inflation FedGov is bestowing upon us with insane deficit spending.   

Rad's service for me in the past has been stellar, but I can see some cracks in the operation and I'm not surprised because it's hitting every business I'm aware of.  I think Winter Is Coming, as the saying went.

Quote from: veganbiker on June 30, 2021, 08:37:27 PMI am going to visit the RadPower showroom and show them the key and ask them to consider selling some sort of battery locking device.

When I ordered my Mini ST back in March, I mentioned what I'd heard about this to the CSR on the phone and she was sort of cagey in her reply, so I knew then I would probably get a vulnerable lock and should start thinking of my own solution - they may have been coached on the subject and may be dreading a class-action lawsuit or something.  I know the lock mechanism was probably selected by the battery manufacturer they contracted, or a designer, but they know about the problem and it's a potential liability for them as the final vendor.  A bit surprised they haven't already come up with an add-on lock to send to customers or even better a replacement lock core for the battery that's actually a bit more secure than just needing a blank key.  I don't think I've ever seen any place they've even publicly acknowledged the problem - sooner or later it's going to bite them in the butt with many thousands of $500+ batteries out there awaiting harvest by organized thieves.

I carry that blank key with me now on my keyring to demonstrate the problem to other Rad owners.

It'll be interesting to see how this shakes out.

Quote from: RadMichi on June 23, 2021, 02:30:53 AMWhen starting I have every time a rather loud clack. This clacking noise always comes when the chain is not under full tension, so if I do not fully pedal. Also when loosely pedaling it often clacks.

Are you in the lowest gears (1 or 2) when this happens?  My Mini ST2 sometimes clicks, noticeably but not loudly, in the very lowest gears - my bike shop guy and I both think it's due to the chain being at a pretty severe angle to the front and rear sprockets in the lowest gears because the distance between them is so short (it's easy to see if you leave it in first gear and look down from above).  So the chain is trying (and usually failing) to slip off the rear sprocket to a higher gear.  I'm only rarely in 1st or 2nd gear; once I upshift the noise is gone as the chain angle straightens out.

It's just the bike's geometry and nothing to be done about it, if your issue is the same as mine, and it shouldn't be a problem.  If it happens a lot, perhaps your derailleur needs a bit of adjustment.

Quote from: Altema on June 22, 2021, 04:39:38 PMIf you need only the torque, then you only need to upgrade the controller. The original Rad motor has lots of torque to offer.

Good point; I can get by just fine with the stock config, but once she's out of warranty next March I'll take a look at controller upgrades.  Hopefully by then there will be drop-in options for the ST version of the Mini; I can still tinker, I just don't want to so much anymore.   

Let us know what you eventually decide; you've got two opposite points of view so far. 

Shouldn't be too much longer for you to wait; just 2-3 weeks ago they were projecting mid-Sept deliveries, but now it's end of July, so either there were cancellations or the supply channel has improved.  Hang in there.

Nice.  I like your headlight mounting location.

I suppose my only question would be how many people have tripped over that post (sprinkler?) sticking out of the concrete?

Quote from: patrickwise on June 15, 2021, 12:43:30 AM
I use an ABUS chain lock, made with hardened steel to provide high-security features. In terms of security, this chain is most formidable in providing maximum protection for the bike.

Those chains look ideal for leaving in place at the lockup location, but heavy to tote around (I've seen people wear them like heavy belts).  I use an ABUS U-lock, with an ABUS cable for additional options once in a while (locking two bikes, looping through front wheel, locking to a tree etc.).  Found a nifty location to strap it to the rear basket of my Mini StepThru with the ABUS mount after much pondering on that unique frame.  The cable is coiled and the two end loops passed through the U-lock to secure it in place.

Quote from: dpbel on June 13, 2021, 07:13:27 PM
Thanks a bunch JimInPT...That's what I wanted to hear before ordering.  Will have to look t the phone mount too.   Thanks again!

You're welcome.  It's now $4 cheaper than I paid just a couple weeks ago, so this is a good time to get it if interested.

I would try riding it to discharge down to 1 or 2 bars, staying close to home just in case, recharge to full for 12 hours and repeat a couple times to see if that fixes it up.  Did you note that Rad recommends conditioning the battery by recharging for 12 hours after the first 3 rides, no matter how short they are?  But mine had no problem showing 5 bars after a red/green charger indication right from the beginning.

If that doesn't bring it up to snuff, you may have a bad-battery claim under warranty.

I installed that same GUB extender (https://amzn.to/3A4g3D4) on my stock-handlebar MiniST2 last week and it's a very nice product.  It will fit, just barely, on the straight center section of the bar on either side of the Rad's LCD display mounts, thanks to its narrow mounting clamp rings, as I expected and hoped when ordering it.  Comes with shims as you may know, so it'll fit most any standard-size handlebar.  I think it really is carbon-fiber and not just an imitation skin - it's extremely light and stiff.  I'm not a CF bike-parts expert, but although I fastened it down firmly I didn't really crank down on it with the hex wrench to avoid cracking it.  There are some review pics of people who broke the handlebar mounting-clamp rings, so don't go nuts torquing down on that end either.  Those rings would be stronger if not for the cutouts, which don't save much weight.

I like it a lot, just like their terrific all-metal phone mount - well made, clamps securely and strong.  It solved the problems caused by the curved and tapered stock bar that doesn't allow much room for other stuff, especially a light that has to be pointed straight ahead.  Moved my GUB phone mount to it, then added a PlanetBike 800-lumen headlight and a small electronic horn that's annoyingly loud for when I need to get a rolled-up-window driver's attention.  There is still plenty of room on the outboard right side of the extender to add a camera mount or other gadget if desired.  At about 8" overall bar length, it's just right for me and not obnoxiously huge.

It seems to be worth the extra cost compared to other extenders and my happy experience with their phone mount gave me confidence in the brand.

Quote from: SKOpa on June 11, 2021, 07:33:49 AMOr should I chill and wait to see how the CSTs handle?

There ya go!  I got my Mini StepThru in March and had similar concerns, but I'm liking the Big Boats very much after about 160 miles to date and no longer think about swapping them out.  They are quiet and turn/handle very well on paved surfaces and are no doubt more power-efficient than the knobby Kenda variations.   I used to think the Kendas were replaced by the CSTs because Rad was having trouble getting the Kendas, but now I think it was for those reasons I just mentioned; I bet they were getting feedback about noise and handling on pavement.

I also ride on packed dirt and gravel trails all the time, the occasional muddy trail in the shade after a rain and the BBs perform very well although I'm more cautious when I see a muddy spot coming up.  Haven't taken them onto the beach yet (I really don't want to toss a mist of sand into the gearing - beach riding isn't that important to me), but if you do a lot of that you may prefer knobbies - I'm expecting she'll be a handful on loose sand with the BBs.  I also typically don't ride on wet pavement because it's just messier and I can wait for it to dry, so can't comment on their performance in the wet.  They seem quite rugged and claim to be puncture-resistant, but I Slimed 'em anyway.      I don't ride on really mean thorns, sharp rocks or broken glass, but we have a lot of thorny berry branches on/around the trails and so far no problems holding 30 psi for a week or two before I top them up with another 1 or 2 psi.  I do carry a toolkit and ordered a couple spare tubes that I don't carry with me - the best price in that hard-to-find size was direct from Rad after I searched around.

We'll see how they do over the long term, but for now I wouldn't be surprised if I eventually replace them with the same CST Big Boats when they wear out, rather than Kendas.  For my area and usual riding, they're great.

So I'd chill out on that particular worry and fixate on why you don't have the Minis NOW instead.  It's a FedEx conspiracy, no doubt, but back in March I was expecting 4-6 weeks and it only took 5 days for mine to arrive.  That sounds great, and it pretty much is, but I planned for the longer wait because I was in the middle of moving so she just sat in her box for a month anyway. 

That's a pretty cool video; my Mini StepThru is envious of that torque.  Maybe post-warranty I'll be thinking of an upgrade............