Quote from: John Rose on December 24, 2023, 05:02:42 PM
We've got one of each now. I chose the RE-5 because we wanted both bikes to be folding models, and they could share batteries and chargers.
I miss the MiniST2's front suspension (a bit), but I think I like the BMX-style handlebars on the RadExpand 5 better.
The LED display is a bit distracting because it looks like fault lights in a car dashboard.

Quote from: rfv on March 15, 2023, 01:53:42 PM
I'm guessing bald eagles means NorCal.

FWIW, we get lots of Bald Eagles here in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

Yes, but they would be Canadian eagles ;-)

A garage has been damaged by fire after an electric bike was left on charge, emergency services have said.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue attended the scene in Tavistock, Devon, on Saturday morning at about 05:00 GMT.

Three fire engines tackled the blaze that is believed to have started after an e-bike was left charging.

Tavistock Fire Station said rechargeable items "catch fire with little or no warning with catastrophic results".

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-devon-68197857

Did Rad make any modifications to the Rad Expand 5 to "fix" this? I have seen the bulletin on how to properly torque the stem bolt, but as they quote a range of serial numbers that are affected (sort of if your serial number is x you may have this issue) I assume that not all Expands have the issue? I read somewhere that the collar is now a metal one instead of the black plastic (but presumably metal inside). Can any brand new Expand owners confirm? Is there still only one bolt securing the collar?

Rad bulletin: https://support.radpowerbikes.com/hc/en-us/articles/5898946735899-RadExpand-5-testing-and-securing-stem-handlebar-components

I was at a RadRetail store this week and I asked about this issue, but nobody seemed to know about it.

Thanks!

Quote from: Omidia Ramin on April 01, 2023, 10:49:48 PM
Not to be loud, but in my opinion, NO, NO, NO!!

I had (have actually) a mini 4, was lucky enough to get a rack from the start, fits fine but it doesn?t accept most paniers/attachy things because the tubes are too thick? HUGE PAIN IN THE BUTT.

After a year and a half i found out that the rad ROVER rack fits the mini just beautifully, and has tubes of a workable size.

Instead of sittting maybe an inch off the fender like the mini rack does, it sits maybe 6 iinches up, so not a lot at all..

Totally recommend doing this.

I bought a Rad Mini rear rack, and believe it or not, it doesn't fit my Rad Mini 4! If I loosely connect up the bottom, the top connections will not align, a mm or two off. And vice versa if I connect up the top ones first. Also, the bolts package that came with it have the wrong bolts, M5 instead of M6 for the bottom -- I had to borrow a few bolts from the front rack connectors. The H/W package actually says "RadRover", so I wonder if this is really a Rover rack. Go figure! Rad is sorting it out for me, but I see the Mini rack is now listed as "out of stock".

Quote from: RadSean on November 15, 2021, 09:46:10 AM
If you're like me and found yourself very disappointed that Rad Power is out of stock of the rear rack for the Rad Mini, count yourself lucky. This rack on Amazon fits like a glove, looks like it's factory supplied, is cheaper, and holds more weight than the Rad mini rear rack. Honestly I couldn't be more pleased with the fit and finish.

Ibera Bike Rack - https://amzn.to/3nBGyeR

I purchased this rack (IB-RA5) from amazon hoping it would be an easy install, but the bolts (4 short, 2 long) don't fit the Rad Mini 4 -- they're too thin. Anyone know what bolts I need and where to get them? Thanks.

Quote from: JimInPT on March 13, 2023, 03:34:24 PM

Quote from: rfv on March 12, 2023, 01:49:31 PMThanks for the pointers, JimInPT. Yes, Cupertino. MTV is a lot better since they redeveloped Castro St., you might like it!

This is a real long shot, but I have to ask - is Sono Sushi still there on Castro?  Left a lot of money there plucking trays off the boats as they floated by my barstool, but probably the wrong business model for a much-wealthier town.  I assume the 'R' Club is long gone - that was from a hundred years ago when seedy shuffleboard dive bars still existed on Castro next to the railroad tracks.  Looks like I'm too lazy to hop onto Google Earth to find out for myself.  I can only imagine what a remodded Castro must be like after a couple of decades and hundreds of billions of dollars rolling into town - yikes!

Had some great times in MV, but found that bald eagles make quieter neighbors...... lol.  It sure would be cool if your Mini turns up.

Cheers.

Hi JimInPT:

I'm guessing bald eagles means NorCal.

I haven't been to Castro St. for a while, but google/yelp says Sono Sushi has closed permanently. I used to work in MTV (late 80's early 90's) and The St. James Infirmary was the local watering hole. Pre-redevelopment days!

Regards.

Quote from: JimInPT on March 12, 2023, 10:18:24 AM

Quote from: rfv on March 11, 2023, 02:45:32 PM
A $7 Honda blank protecting a $500 battery?? C'mon Rad!

I've also upped my game with U locks (ABUS Granit and Kryptonite NY LS). What is considered a beefy cable? I see 10mm cables abound, but I read they are very easily cut with simple tools.

Thanks.

I guess that's you on BikeIndex in Cupertino.  I fled Mountain View in '95 after 17 years, so know the area well.  It's a different world down there now.

Yep, it's this key blank:  https://www.ebay.com/itm/124705979958  I only carry this blank on my keyrings now; it's simpler and I use it all the time to prove what I'm saying to other Rad owners I run across, by unlocking their batteries.  Truly stupid design flaw that Rad has known about for years but AFAIK has never acknowledged it or offered any plan to remedy it.  With all the batts they've shipped with the flaw, I can see why.  I believe the newer semi-integrated batteries don't have this flaw, but they have a better one - they're trivially-easy to short out and blow up when using their key absentmindedly.  Oops, there goes $700.

My cable is also from ABUS and is this one: https://amzn.to/3ZTK9Ws  It won't stop a determined thief, but at almost 1/2" thick it will slow them down and hopefully encourage them to move along.  I use it only for trees, lightposts etc where the U-lock or folder can't reach.  I secure it with the U-lock, which is also rigged to lock a wheel to the frame - more deterrance.  Attaching locks/cables as high off the ground as possible is a good idea, to keep them away from a solid surface to lever against.

All this being said, I truly love my MiniST2 but have added battery-removal security (a small u-lock as shown in the pic below) and a hidden alarm as well, just in case.

Thanks for the pointers, JimInPT. Yes, Cupertino. MTV is a lot better since they redeveloped Castro St., you might like it!

That battery U-lock arrangement looks like the ticket. Removing and carrying the battery around is a bit of a hardship. Hence my thinking a smaller, lighter alternate battery might be helpful.

As for the battery key design flaw, I don't see RAD needing to retrofit all the batteries they've shipped, but rather fix it for all new shipments. Best time to plant a tree? -- 20 years ago. Next best time? -- Today!

Thanks.

Quote from: inoxa on March 12, 2023, 10:08:17 AM
I would stay away from the expand.  They have been prone to wiring failures.  Probably from the multiple folding of the bike and wires.  They are still very heavy and bulky.  Is your reason for waning it to transport it easier or storing it? 
Good Luck

The reason for a folding bike is for easier transport. We have another Rad Mini and had ideas of folding them, and transporting in the back of the SUV. There are probably other ways to transport the bike, racks etc. but I haven't explored them yet.

Thanks.

Hi JimInPT:

Thanks for the info. Yes, I reported the bike stolen on bikeindex.org with pic, serial number etc. I'm not hopeful, but breaks sometimes happen.

A $7 Honda blank protecting a $500 battery?? C'mon Rad! And while at it, how about a smaller battery (lighter and easier to pop out and carry off when parking)? Perhaps a carrier casing that houses two "half" sized batteries, insert 1 or two for 20 or 40 miles range.

I've also upped my game with U locks (ABUS Granit and Kryptonite NY LS). What is considered a beefy cable? I see 10mm cables abound, but I read they are very easily cut with simple tools.

Thanks.

My 2021 white Rad Mini ST was stolen this week in the CA Bay Area (tip: cable locks are not very secure!) and I'm looking at the Rad Expand as as replacement. Ideally I want a foldable bike, but that's not a deal-breaker. The Expand seems to be a slimmed-down Mini -- dumb controller display, no suspension fork, 4 levels of PAS instead of 5... and more expensive! Sure, you can "upgrade" to the old LCD display for an extra $99.

Has anyone on the forum migrated Mini-->Expand, and what's your experience/recommendations?

Thanks.

Thanks Eric7. Let us know how it goes.

Hi folks:

Apologies if this issue has been discussed before, my searches didn't find it.

My Radmini 4 HS, vintage 11/2021, mileage ~200, has a high pitched whine/whistle when freewheeling. Applying the back brake, or pedaling, or throttling stops it, but it starts again when freewheeling. It seems to come from the back wheel somewhere. It happens frequently, but not always -- enough to make riding unpleasant. I did have a back wheel clacking noise, once per wheel revolution, under load. The Rad folks at the Berkeley CA shop fixed that (under warranty).

Any ideas?

Thanks!