I found out Google Maps has an option to turn on a Bicycling feature where it shows all the paths and trails. Cool. Found out I can go further North than expected, and took an exploration run at nightfall. Most drivers are considerate, but few people actively look out for cyclists. I was coming home from exploring when I saw a man and his 10 or so year old son trying to cross an intersection in the dark. They had the light and the crosswalk in their favor, but the right-turning cars just kept coming. So, I pulled into the intersection from the other side and drivers noticed that there were bikes trying to get across. Not really a driver fault because my bike was the only one with lights, but I look to my right when I turn in a car, specifically to look for pedestrians and cyclists. Wish I had an extra headlight to give them, as it looked like they were not expecting to be out that late. I might just pick up an inexpensive one to have on hand.

Quote from: wkindred on September 17, 2020, 08:42:57 AM
check out the "Serfas CRS-1 Super Cruiser Bicycle Saddle". this thing is big and comfortable!

i use on my radrunner with a suntour suspension seatpost.

https://amzn.to/2RQEajZ

That's not a saddle, that's a sofa! Sure looks comfy 

I had an interesting bike shop experience yesterday. My wife told me a friend's husband had questions about e-bikes, and wanted me to call him. I figured I'd call him later in the day, and went to a bike shop looking for a new saddle before ordering online. I turn to leave the store, and there's the guy I was supposed to talk to, asking the shop staff about e-bikes! The store didn't sell e-bikes, but the lady was giving him some good advice and didn't seem anti-e-bike. I kinda chimed in before he realized who he was, and we had a good laugh. He asked what kind I had and I told him, and the lady didn't cringe, so that's good. I offered to bring my Rad bike to his house for a test drive, so we'll see how that goes.

Quote from: massassi on September 18, 2020, 08:25:46 AM
i'm sure it must be possible to build a limiter button, that you could engage/disengage at will in order to limit yourself in the places where you can be caught?

The ideal system would detect police radar and automatically slow you down to the correct speed 

I'm about to pull the trigger on the Cloud 9 Cruiser Select Airflow because of this post. Only wish I could find it with faster shipping than 2 weeks!

Local shops can service the derailleur, brakes, and spoke adjustment, but not much else.
Of course they prefer that you buy from them, as they profit from the bike itself and from your expected service visits. It's a financial bias.

Quote from: RadJohn on September 14, 2020, 03:44:21 PM

Quote from: Altema on September 14, 2020, 09:39:25 AM...what's a bike repair station?

These things are starting to pop up along the Erie Canalway Trail and various cities I've visited in the last year or so: http://carlessoh.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/20151002-otet-08.jpg

I've actually used them a few times, figured I'd better do it before all the stuff got stolen...

Looks nice! The one I saw had a large pump, but the few tools were on a large key ring which I suspect made using them inconvenient.

Quote from: TDR on September 14, 2020, 12:51:05 PM
Altema - Bike repair stations are pretty basic, Manual air pump, Allen wrenches and a few other tools to get you back up riding. I think it's nice to have along the trails.

That is good to have, and I just saw my first one yesterday as a matter of fact. It was in a state park near the trailhead, and I thought the bundle of wrenches was accidentally left there, lol. Thanks for explaining. After 340 miles of riding, it was the only one I've seen.
I carry my own tools now, after an incident where I found two families with children stranded because a brake caliper folded and jammed against the wheel. I was able to take it apart and bend the parts back, including the brake pad which was bent in a U shape, but it was difficult with my bare hands. So now I carry the Rad assembly toolkit and a few other things, just in case.

The Rad mini does have enough room for a phone mount to the left of the display, but there's little room for anything else on the left side.
I use the Nite Ize Wraptor phone mount, and it has worked very well for me, but I had to rotate my headlight remote switch to make everything accessible. Even then, I had to add a handlebar extender for my headlight (see attached photo).
The Mirrycle mountain bike mirror that Pnoeth mentioned looks like a good choice, and would solve the space issue.

Sc00ter - That pink spray paint to mark hazards is a great idea, and I think I'll pick up a can. Tree roots under the pavement are a problem on our older trails, and some spots are so bad that I would have crashed on a normal road bike. I passed one man yesterday who had pulled off to rest from the bumps. You are fortunate to have bike racks available. We have so many stores and other business within one mile of us, and the closest strip mall with about twenty businesses has one bike rack at the far end. My favorite Walgreens has a rack at the back of the building, and a thief could do what he wanted because the door is over a hundred feet away. All they would have to to is ride or jog off if the owner comes out.

TDR - We must be behind the times in Michigan... what's a bike repair station? Lol.
We do have some connector trails, and I even found a hidden access path behind the parking lot of a mini-golf place, but from public trails to Metroparks is hit or miss. The largest one has free access, but no parking. The closest state park is only 7 miles away, but all the access paths have gates and chains, so you have to drive there and have a permit.

Our location in SE Michigan is good on some points, not so good on others.
Positives:
1. We have lots of paved bike paths and mountain bike trails.
2. Several bike path have parking lots to leave your car in.
3. Most people react with smiles and greetings when approaching.
4. Most drivers will wait for you at intersections.

Negatives:
5. Few stores have bike racks, or have a rack in a poor location as an afterthought.
6. The restrooms along public bike trails are either closed, or randomly open. I've had to cut rides short for this reason.
7. Some trails and sidewalks are nice, then terminate suddenly. One sidewalk near me terminates in a four foot drop.
8. Some freeway overpasses are impassible by bike, with no sidewalk and no space apart from very aggressive traffic.

How is it where you live?

I sort of compiled a list of requirements, and went though the process of elimination. Critical aspects for me were it had to be folding, have more than 500 watts, have multiple gears including a low 1st gear, be well built and rugged, and be a class 2. I appreciate extra speed, but class 3 bikes would be illegal on 90% of the bike paths where I live.

Quote from: Ryan on September 11, 2020, 10:05:52 AM

Quote from: UUSea2shay on September 06, 2020, 08:31:18 PM
and I'm wondering when I get the RadWagon4 if everyone recommends I dont put any extra weight on it until I lose some. Im 6¹ 320lbs right now and definitely steady losing. I figured once the bike gets here that will definitely help with the weight. It'll be my main form of exercise. I guess my question is, I know the weight limit is 350 but will my slightly less fat ass ruin the bike as is?

You should be fine. Make sure the spokes the spokes are tight. We've definitely put our 2018 RadWagon through its paces, pushing the weight limit: 2 adults and a small child. I'll be curious to check out the RadWagon 4 but it should be even more sturdy with some of the changes. Congrats on the weight loss and getting more exercise. Love to hear stories like this.

I'm fully confident that the RadWagon can handle the weight. My only concern is that 2 adults and a child are going to be distributed weight across the seat and the rack, which is an integral part of the frame. In our friend's scenario, one person is going to have focused weight on a single point, and the Velo Plush seat has bent with less than 200 lbs.  I just don't want our friend to find himself in a situation, and if it were me, I'd get a stronger seat and verify the post limits with Rad.

Quote from: Ryan on September 11, 2020, 10:34:35 AM
Congrats! Good to hear some real-world ranges too with varied terrain.

Thanks Ryan! The best mileage so far is 41 miles on one charge, but 30-ish seems about normal for hard riding with hills and all.
I put it in the car today and it fit in the hatch area without folding the car seats down (pics attached). The strap keeps it from flopping back and forth, and I used a piece of foam between the fork and the frame. If I remove the seats, I'd be able to fit three bikes in there. The bike is at 300 miles now and decided to try out some state parks, and my car has a 600 watt pure sine wave power inverter so I can charge the bike in the car on the way home.

Quote from: RadJohn on June 07, 2020, 07:55:53 PM

Quote from: Ryan on June 06, 2020, 08:49:18 PM
I agree that controller is in a terrible spot.

Yeah, it's in the same place as the one on the RadMini 4, looks problematic for sure.

Not a day goes by where I don't clean mud and dirt off my RadMini 4 controller. No problems since it's in a metal case and the internals are somewhat sealed, but not the best place. I'm thinking of adding a mudflap, lol.