Quote from: Traildad on June 18, 2023, 11:18:24 AM
The Rad Rover 6+ has hydraulic brakes and the I think the lines would be easy to replace. It is the electrical cables that are the problem for me. The wires go down the handlebar to the controller. I assume the connectors are not going to be found on a generic cable. I don?t know if it is possible to splice in a section of wire to add length.

Here's another Amazon link for various types of extension cables; maybe there's something here that will do the job for you. 

https://amzn.to/3NkVN7M

They had all cables for my 2021 MiniST2 except the one I really needed when I installed the 35A controller upgrade - the 10-pin display cable, shown below.  I couldn't find one of those available anyplace a year ago, but haven't searched again since.  The stock cable is just barely long enough; I was trying to add a little extra slack.

Below are two pics of the bell on my 2021 MiniST2 (one of two bells and an electric horn so the loud can match the circumstances), which also has a locknut on the bottom to keep it from working loose.  Before I go too far down this rabbit hole, disassembling mine, can you tell if yours uses the same bell?  I'm not sure I have a metric thread gauge, but if it's the same as yours it's worth finding out.

Quote from: TarugoKing on June 17, 2023, 11:58:57 AM
I have this one when I charge my battery. 

https://amzn.to/46kiJwC

Thanks for that link!  I just ordered one for my MiniST2 battery when it's (rarely) off the bike, and another different size to hold my two electric-weedeater Ego batteries.  With the 15% discount offered at the moment, the price is pretty good, but here's a tip in return for anybody thinking of these - create separate orders for different bags to get full discount; it was calculated at a lesser rate when combined into one order.

EDIT: received them next day from Amazon and they are very good quality for the price - quite well-made, and if the video on the Amazon listing page is truthful, setting fire to them seems to be harmless.  Haven't tried taking the battery off my MiniST2 but I'm sure it'll fit - the one for my two Ego batteries fits like it was made for them.  Thanks again for the tip.

Quote from: Jetty Island Jim on June 17, 2023, 08:08:18 AMTheir Customer Support was hailed as "the best" when I bought these bikes.

This will be no comfort, but it wasn't long ago that IMHO Rad's support WAS the best.  I only called a couple of times and have never had a part-failure problem, but one of those calls was about a front-wheel squeak I just could NOT track down no matter what I did (this was due to my ignorance of the wheel assembly details; the problem would have been obvious to experienced bike maintainers).

I called Rad support, was answered on the 2nd or 3rd ring and I explained the problem, expecting to be transferred to a service tech.  Instead THE GUY WHO ANSWERED THE PHONE asked if I had a few minutes, then walked me through diagnosis and repair after I walked out to my garage with a cordless phone and flashlight.  He stayed on the line until I found the lube I needed and where to stuff it - problem gone!  Total time on the phone less then 15 minutes and the problem has never returned.

As you might imagine, I was very impressed as someone who's not only worked as a CSR but hired them for my own company.  Absolutely outstanding, so it makes me sad to witness the recent reports and apparent precarious situation Rad seems to find itself in.  Until earlier this year, I used to sing Rad's support praises at every opportunity, losing this positive word-of-mouth is the last thing any company needs.

My theory is that the RadWagon tire replacement and frequent failures of the new-generation controllers, combined with all the people who keep blowing up their batteries by getting their key into the power connector (which should have been designed to make that nearly impossible) and the lack of easily replaceable fuses like the previous batteries ("sorry, can't be fixed with a replacement fuse that would indeed fix it, so $600 please") have just beaten their reputation and available cash onhand to death.

Quote from: Altema on June 14, 2023, 03:44:14 PMLooks like the two most viable options are on the front of the seat tube (will interfere with the step through function a bit), or under the rear rack (will need cable extensions except for the taillight.

When I installed my 35A upgrade into my 2021 MiniST2, a couple of the cables were uncomfortably tight so I went in search of extensions.  I looked everywhere and asked everybody and NOBODY sold an extension for the 10-pin connector, shown below.  Amazon even had full kits, except for that one.

If this has changed, and 10-pin extenders are now available, please advise - I'd love to take some of the tension off the connectors.

Congratulations!  Hope this is the end of your problems.  Did you ask them about what's going on with the company and customer service, by any chance?  I don't think I've seen any articles or comments from the company about their issues and status.

Did you get to keep the old battery?  If so, you might get it back into service by cannibalizing another dead one for the part(s) that failed on yours.

That looks like it'd be a handful to handle in a stiff crosswind on a bridge, but perhaps just what's needed for all-weather cargo hauling.

I think you're right; it certainly sounds like a defective battery.  Since you can't reach them on the phone, I'd suggest telling Rad exactly what you've described here and email it to them immediately.  Then, also send them a printed copy by registered mail with a returned receipt/signature that proves delivery date; that will prove you documented the problem and notified them prior to warranty expiration.

You may not need that evidence, but they won't be able to argue "sorry, it's out of warranty" if/when the parts service operation is running smoothly again. 

If by chance you get a replacement battery under warranty, if you get to keep the old one, it "may" be possible to repair it.  AFAIK it does have fuses soldered to the circuit board, but they're not standard automotive types - a little electrical and soldering knowledge would be necessary.  It's been documented here on the forum.

Anyway, notify Rad right away and make sure you can prove doing it, and when.  Good luck!

Has anybody in need of service support tried calling the main sales line to see if anybody answers and/or has any idea what's going on at Rad?  If they answer, it should be easy to put them on the spot about the apparently shoddy management of after-sale support.

Anybody getting hosed would be within their rights to demand a credit-card refund (credit-card companies can do this unilaterally by contacting them if you can't get Rad to respond) and if Rad objects, tell them to come pick it up since they won't even answer the phone!

I'm not an attorney, but I believe that if you have a service problem or an unresolved refund, and Rad enters bankruptcy, that everything just stops and you get put onto a list of unsecured creditors with little to no chance of getting anything done as the secured creditors will have first access to any remaining funds or assets.  Again, not an attorney, but if I was in that position as a customer I'd start looking into this right away so you can at least know what your options are.

If service is just temporarily messed up due to layoffs, that still doesn't explain recordings that say "we're not taking calls" rather than "service calls will take longer than usual to be handled." 

Seems janky to me and a BK declaration wouldn't be too much of a surprise at this point.

Has anybody in need of service support tried calling the main sales line to see if anybody answers and/or has any idea what's going on at Rad?  If they answer, it should be easy to put them on the spot about the apparently shoddy management of after-sale support.

Anybody getting hosed would be within their rights to demand a credit-card refund (credit-card companies can do this unilaterally by contacting them if you can't get Rad to respond) and if Rad objects, tell them to come pick it up since they won't even answer the phone!

I'm not an attorney, but I believe that if you have a service problem or an unresolved refund, and Rad enters bankruptcy, that everything just stops and you get put onto a list of unsecured creditors with little to no chance of getting anything done as the secured creditors will have first access to any remaining funds or assets.  Again, not an attorney, but if I was in that position as a customer I'd start looking into this right away so you can at least know what your options are.

If service is just temporarily messed up due to layoffs, that still doesn't explain recordings that say "we're not taking calls" rather than "service calls will take longer than usual to be handled." 

Seems janky to me and a BK declaration wouldn't be too much of a surprise at this point.

I assume the bolt pattern at the front, for attaching racks and baskets, is the same standard Rad pattern as their other bikes.  That should be the case. 

If so, you might consider something like this; it will allow attaching one or two standard bottle holders to the front of your bike - I have it on my MiniST2 and it's very well-made, strong and works well:
https://amzn.to/3X7c3xx

Note that mounting this bracket and water bottles in that location may interfere with full lock-to-lock rotation of the front wheel and/or interference with cables that may need to be adjusted.  Easy to fix in my case, but just a heads-up to be aware of that.

I've seen others on various websites that also let you adjust the angle of the bottle(s), but I didn't need that feature.

Quote from: Carcosa view on June 09, 2023, 10:56:23 AMBut right now I'm ok with the speed just want more torque for steeper hills. Anything reliable under $2k like this out there? Thanks

Depending on your model (which do you have and what year?), if you haven't done it already you should be able to find button-push 'secret sequences' here and on YouTube that will let you unlock top speed from 20mph to about 24.5mph - that's free, but the sequence varies among different model lines.  You won't get higher speeds without a complete motor and controller swap, but I agree with you that 25mph is plenty fast if you're over 40 or so and no longer have the reflexes or rubber bones of a 20-year-old.

For torque, the standard response (one I took and greatly benefited from) is a controller/display upgrade replacement from either Area13 or Electro Bike World, again depending on bike year and model (check their websites carefully or ask around here for compatibility).  These will void your warranty if left in place, but they work VERY well and haul my fatass up hills the stock MiniST2 just couldn't tackle previously.   Pretty easy to install and no fiddling with the motor.  You also get extra goodies like cruise control, more precise parameter settings and a trip odometer that doesn't clear to zero if the controller times out while you're getting a coffee.

For stopping, consider the hybrid mechanical/hydraulic brake calipers available from both those companies as well.  My Mini stops much better after installing those and no mods to your handlebar stuff needed.  Also pretty easy to install as a drop-in replacement for the stock calipers.

Since you already have the bike, these mods are pretty likely to do what you want at minimum additional expense.   Have fun!

One other point... I don't know about the newer models, but for the prior generation or two, the key is just a readily-available Honda motorcycle blank available on eBay and any locksmith.  (This makes the risk of battery or bike theft even greater, as any of these blanks will unlock most of the batteries out there - to the degree that I only carry the blank, so I can prove it to other Rad owners by unlocking theirs.) 

So the odds are pretty good that the newer keys are a common blank as well, making them easy to have a duplicate made if you can find a matching owner.

It's a long-shot, but something both you guys might want to try is to start a thread with the bike model and key number(s) you need in the Subject line, so it shows without having to open the post.

There are different key numbers, but not an infinite number; I'd bet there are quite a few bikes running around with the same key (for those of us with older ones, a simple blank key is the "same key") and if somebody has the same number, hopefully you can arrange to send them some coins to cover the cost of duplicating and mailing you a replacement, bypassing Rad entirely if they're unable/unwilling to help.

You should be able to edit the Subject line to add more numbers from other owners as necessary.

Good luck!

Very nice!