Hi,
I moved to a new place and I need to carry my rad runner plus up a flight of stairs. It about 10 stairs.
I remove my battery and other heavy weight.
However it is still akward and heavy getting it up.
Anyone have better methods on getting ther rad runners up?
Thank you
Lay an 8 foot 2x4 on the stairs and roll it up?
Thank you!
That might work!
Quote from: Radio Runner on February 26, 2022, 12:34:14 PM
Lay an 8 foot 2x4 on the stairs and roll it up?
That's a good idea and along the lines of what I was thinking - if it's a straight shot staircase (no landing, no bends), lay down a 2x8 board (wider for safety to not roll off the side), leave the battery in place and use "walking mode" (hold down the PAS-down button for 3 seconds) to let it power itself up your ramp while you climb the stairs alongside. I use this method to walk my MiniST2 up or down a ramp under power to my hitch-receiver carrying rack on the back of the SUV; works great. No heavy lifting needed.
If you're not familiar with walking mode, practice a few times on level ground to get the feel for it first - it's a fairly-brisk walking pace but stops immediately when you let off the gas.
Then the issue is: where do you stash the board?
Thanks! yes a wider board is a good idea. I am lucky, there are lots of random spaces to hide a wide board.
Thanks again, I was breaking my back lifting the runner plus up!!
I'd be interested to hear about which solution worked for you when you get it figured out.
I have five stairs to ascend with my runner plus. I use the crossbar and I find the bike balances really well even with my panniers on with no groceries in. Normally when I'm leaving it's got my work clothes in with my New York kryptonite lock.
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I was thinking along the same lines. May be use a 2x8 and nail a small quarter round molding along the edge to prevent getting off track (or on both sides). Also, you can buy a roll or strips of non-slip tape to run down the middle to give some traction especially if the tires are wet. For storage, maybe just flip the 2x8 on its side so it only takes up 2 inches on the side of the stairway.
Or you might want to invest in a "motorcycle" loading ramp. I have ordered one and I haven't even got the bike yet (City 5 Plus). The one I ordered is:
https://amzn.to/3KZf9MK
I like the raised edges for safety. This is for loading into the back of my SUV; It may not be long enough for ten stairs, but there are others out there.
I like the ramps and walk mode idea. Be aware that walk mode is surprisingly brisk. Don't let the bike get away from you the first time.
I think walk mode speed ic controlled by the PAS setting, Am I correct?
Quote from: NaturallyRC on March 12, 2022, 05:07:25 AM
I like the ramps and walk mode idea. Be aware that walk mode is surprisingly brisk. Don't let the bike get away from you the first time.
Quote from: santacruzpaul on March 12, 2022, 07:30:13 AM
I think walk mode speed ic controlled by the PAS setting, Am I correct?
It is not controlled by the PAS setting. At least on my RW4 it's not. The first and, so far, only time I've tried it and it was too fast for me. I have a bad leg/foot so cannot walk at the usual speed. I'm going to work on getting more used to it this summer.
Actually, now that I think about it, I wonder if it will work if the PAS is set to 0? Mine was set to PAS 1 when I tried it.
Quote from: santacruzpaul on March 12, 2022, 07:30:13 AM
I think walk mode speed ic controlled by the PAS setting, Am I correct?
No, as stated above it's a fixed speed and I think was set in the controller programming by a speed-walking enthusiast. ??? Maybe it's the minimum speed the motor, speed sensors and controller will operate under power; dunno.
However, you can blip it for a second or so, walk up a couple of steps to get slightly ahead of the handlebar and blip it again - you just have to wait three seconds between blips to re-engage walking mode; this trick would require some practice on a level surface first, but it should work even for those who can't walk really fast, like me as well.
BTW, for those wondering... I just went out to the garage and confirmed that walking-mode DOES work in PAS 0 setting, at least on my 2021 MiniST2.
Damn I want an ebike so bad BUT like others I am not sure about storage. I have two sets of stairs to get up going in opposite directions. Meaning I need to turn the bike halfway up. :(. And not sure about folding then lugging 60 lbs up and down the stairs is something realistic. I might have to ask the landlord if there is another option to store the bike. Maybe a separate room from the bike room. The bike room is a nightmare and too small for an ebike.
I had the same issues before I bought my ebike (Mini ST2). I live in an apartment, 2nd floor, with two sets of stairs outside up to the floor. For my motorcycle, I rent a small storage unit about 2 blocks away that works as an ideal "garage". But I wanted quicker access to the ebike. After doing some measurements on my Ford Explorer, I discovered that I can fold down the handlebars, lift the front wheel up into the car then "roll" the bike up and in. It clears the ceiling a couple of inches with the handlebars folded down. So, the Explorer has become my ebike "garage". I put the Mini together in my living room and was able to get it down the stairs. Don't know if I could get it back up without something like a ramp.
Nice ;)
The Mini, with racks, and a simple lock, is like, 75lbs. So, yeah, it gets worse. :(
Quote from: Leafy2726 on March 13, 2022, 08:53:14 PM
not sure about folding then lugging 60 lbs up and down the stairs is something realistic.
Just in time. I am back from round two of testing the RadMission, this isn't going to work for me riding. Handlebars need to be higher and I can tell i need gears. The weight is fine for carrying it up stairs. I also tried the Radexpand. The ride was almost excellent. The seatpost needs to be a bit higher BUT its rideable for now until I would get a longer seatpost. But the real kicker :( its too big to drag up stairs although it has a walk function. Not sure how well this works. Damn! My next step is talking with my landlord and seeing if there is an option to store it on the ground floor. But I am not holding much hope with his help. If there is a place i will buy the expand!
Has anyone used the walk feature for getting up steps?
I tried using the walk feature getting up the steep grassy slope from the back door of my house to the street, and didn't like it. The walking pace is quite brisk, as others have described. More about pace than torque. I prefer to just blip the throttle now. I would be careful going up steps with the walk feature. Some of these Rads can be quite heavy, and a monster if they get ahead and away from you. Maybe others like it, but I'm not a fan.
Quote from: Leafy2726 on March 18, 2022, 03:42:09 PM
Just in time. I am back from round two of testing the RadMission, this isn't going to work for me riding. Handlebars need to be higher and I can tell i need gears. The weight is fine for carrying it up stairs. I also tried the Radexpand. The ride was almost excellent. The seatpost needs to be a bit higher BUT its rideable for now until I would get a longer seatpost. But the real kicker :( its too big to drag up stairs although it has a walk function. Not sure how well this works. Damn! My next step is talking with my landlord and seeing if there is an option to store it on the ground floor. But I am not holding much hope with his help. If there is a place i will buy the expand!
Has anyone used the walk feature for getting up steps?
Yeah. I heard people have done it BUT I am hesitant. I just need to find a lighter bike. I figure the max I can lift up the stairs would be around 50lb.
Quote from: Leafy2726 on March 21, 2022, 08:18:14 AM
Yeah. I heard people have done it BUT I am hesitant. I just need to find a lighter bike. I figure the max I can lift up the stairs would be around 50lb.
Leafy, if you want a versatile e-bike at a weight around 50 lbs, you may be forced to look at high-end bikes with graphite frames and other exotic improvements to save weight, at a much higher price than the Rads or most consumer-focused e-bikes.
My recovering-engineer brain loves the clever design of the Brompton folding bikes, for instance, but their electric one starts at 3,000 British pounds and has a small-capacity battery. But it weighs only about 35 lbs! Even at that, I'd get awfully tired of lifting it up a flight of stairs on a routine basis, especially considering whatever else I'm wearing or carrying on it.
If you want a lighter ebike you can but don't have to spend gobs of cash on a magic metal hi-end one.
You can save about 10-15 pounds instantly by giving up the super fat tires if you on the pavement mostly.
And if that's the case, get rid of the suspension fork as well. That will drop about 5-7 pounds.
Fat ebikes with suspension are the big seller right now but all that is wasted on pavement. It's just dead weight.
My Surly LHT with a wheel conversion weighs 45pounds.
Yah there seems to be so many bikes with fat tires. I commute and live in the city. I need regular tires. I think the Aventon Pace 500 is around 50 ish lbs with the battery.
Quote from: JimInPT on March 12, 2022, 09:50:52 AM
Quote from: santacruzpaul on March 12, 2022, 07:30:13 AM
I think walk mode speed ic controlled by the PAS setting, Am I correct?
No, as stated above it's a fixed speed and I think was set in the controller programming by a speed-walking enthusiast. ??? Maybe it's the minimum speed the motor, speed sensors and controller will operate under power; dunno.
However, you can blip it for a second or so, walk up a couple of steps to get slightly ahead of the handlebar and blip it again - you just have to wait three seconds between blips to re-engage walking mode; this trick would require some practice on a level surface first, but it should work even for those who can't walk really fast, like me as well.
BTW, for those wondering... I just went out to the garage and confirmed that walking-mode DOES work in PAS 0 setting, at least on my 2021 MiniST2.
YES, walk mode works in PAS 0, On my 2021 Radrover 5, That's the PAS I use, BUT, the higher the PAS is set at, The faster it goes, And the watt use display shows more power used with the higher PAS too. PAS 3 to 5 is extremely fast.
Paul
Quote from: Leafy2726 on March 13, 2022, 08:53:14 PM
Damn I want an ebike so bad BUT like others I am not sure about storage. I have two sets of stairs to get up going in opposite directions. Meaning I need to turn the bike halfway up. :(. And not sure about folding then lugging 60 lbs up and down the stairs is something realistic. I might have to ask the landlord if there is another option to store the bike. Maybe a separate room from the bike room. The bike room is a nightmare and too small for an ebike.
Unfortunately it becomes MORE awkward to carry when folded! It's easier when locked in the open position, and with the 7 pound battery removed. Hopefully there's a way to convince your landlord to "modernize" the bike room and make it bigger.
I think it makes for a good walking pace when you're going up a HILL.
I may be imagining it, and I'm going to try right now <smile>, but from what i remember it's slower going up hill. (Not that awkward, light jogging pace.)
Quote from: JimInPT on March 12, 2022, 09:50:52 AM
Quote from: santacruzpaul on March 12, 2022, 07:30:13 AM
I think walk mode speed ic controlled by the PAS setting, Am I correct?
No, as stated above it's a fixed speed and I think was set in the controller programming by a speed-walking enthusiast. ??? Maybe it's the minimum speed the motor, speed sensors and controller will operate under power; dunno.
However, you can blip it for a second or so, walk up a couple of steps to get slightly ahead of the handlebar and blip it again - you just have to wait three seconds between blips to re-engage walking mode; this trick would require some practice on a level surface first, but it should work even for those who can't walk really fast, like me as well.
BTW, for those wondering... I just went out to the garage and confirmed that walking-mode DOES work in PAS 0 setting, at least on my 2021 MiniST2.
Quote from: Leafy2726 on March 13, 2022, 08:53:14 PMDamn I want an ebike so bad BUT like others I am not sure about storage. I have two sets of stairs to get up going in opposite directions. Meaning I need to turn the bike halfway up. :(. And not sure about folding then lugging 60 lbs up and down the stairs is something realistic. I might have to ask the landlord if there is another option to store the bike. Maybe a separate room from the bike room. The bike room is a nightmare and too small for an ebike.
Leafy, honesty, if you haul a Mini or most any e-bike up the stairs you've described, you'll do it only once unless (actually, more than) 60 lbs is nothing to you - my MiniST2 is now about 86 lbs with accessories, including battery. The next time you think about it, the thought after that will be "ugh" and you just won't bother - that will severely curtail the fun and usefulness of owning an e-bike.
Just tell your landlord that, if he doesn't want to expand or add another bike room, you'll be requiring an elevator. :P