I don't know how much 3-D printing costs, but I suggest spending the $109 and buy a new display because then you have a backup and you will save time. A custom made 3D printing or even driving somewhere to talk to somebody to get it done may be more expensive - but I confess I don't know anything about 3D printing.

This is not optimal but it is just a square box. Maybe you can use a cell phone holder to hold your display?  It will fit your handlebar right. Even if it does not fit the display right, you can glue it with some adhesive from bathroom caulking, to epoxy, to those stickies used for Go Pro.

Just a suggestion.

Thank you Ryan for your hard work and sharing.

How does the geared hub work?  Does it freewheel?  I've never heard of a geared hub that goes backwards.  Can the trike roll down a hill smoothly without electricity or is it like a direct drive where there is a drag is there is no power?

Thanks again.

Radio Runner, Yes.  I remember the 3 wheel ATV ban.  My initial thought is that I am not going 20 mph or even 14 mph with a tricycle. 

With an internal hub brake, I don't think this was meant to go fast or too far and is probably more of a mobility device.

JimInPT, I think the intended audience would prefer a longer wheelbase so they don't have to tuck cargo even a little bit under the seat. With a tricycle, compact size is not a big consideration.  Also a big wire basket with a wood floor front and back since it appears to be a low-speed mobility device.

I used to do research and when I imported some stuff (like biological samples from a patient) I had to pay a broker fee. But I never paid a broker fee for anything like standard mass produced consumer machinery.  Yes, seems so unfair.

I am glad you are OK. That's the most important.

I just spent $6000 on routine 10,000 mile maintenance. Replace engine mount. Replace some tires. A few other things.

I say yes.  Even if you spend $5000 on a bike to put off buying a car for half a year, you are still ahead of the game. Consider tax, insurance, and depreciation.  Maybe I am stretching a bit, $3000 is more reasonable.  But what price fun? 

Eventually you will need a car. If you have occasional access to a spouse's car, maybe that is enough.  But if you can't, eventually you will need a car. I say this as a person who was car less with a bike for 5.5 years of my life.  It is nice to go to the supermarket and buy 1 week of groceries, including toilet paper and fertilizer and light bulbs, all at one time. The alternative is to ride to the supermarket 3 times a week.

If this is your first electric bike, you should go for a test ride first.  You have the right idea.

It was not what I thought.  It is much bigger and, for the same wheel size and frame size. More maintenance is required because the bike is not more complicated. It is fun but a slightly different kind of fun.

A 32 Kg ebike is not a 11 Kg road bike or even a 16 Kg utility bike.

Have fun.

Quote from: Si1Dia on December 06, 2022, 08:41:29 AM
My guess is that this Trike is aimed at the disabled and seniors as a scooter alternative and not at the biking community at large. ( but this is just my opinion)

Insightful. 

Thanks for the link.  I do see a second bike in the future for me.  A trike may not be so bad if I want to take a "non-bicyclist" with me for a ride. Some people can ride a bike - but for whatever reason, is still intimidated riding longer distance like 2 miles even on an easy bike path.  This can be like driving a car.  I can put in a basket and carry a dog.  I currently have a bike dog trailer but this is interesting.

Interesting.  I wonder what the buying strategy would be - one might want to buy it right away.  Remember the Expand? It came with a low introductory price to get good reviews and then without warning Rad raised the price.  Of course, there is the cautious approach of waiting and seeing other people's report.

I am concerned about the tires described as "Exclusive Rad Power Bikes by Kenda Kontact 18" x 2.25", K-Shield puncture-resistant liner."  Does Amazon sell a 18 inch by 2.25 tire? Or is Rad the only source?

I can't tell if it has a differential.  Now that I think about this concept, if I had one, I'll probably just pedal to keep in shape and use mostly electric assist so maybe the differential is not important.

I am interested in what happens if the trike hits a speed bump at speed.  What happens if you hit it at an angle?  What happens if you are riding on a decent speed on a cement path and one wheel goes off road, drops an inch and hits the grass?

I prefer a lower handlebar. I suppose it is not so bad because I can replace the handlebar with a flat bar.

Thanks

I lived in Manhattan and have the opportunity to see many bike deliverers/messengers. They tend to buy their bikes from a handful of stores with good service.  They use a few models only and those models are not consumer models. All the deliverers use a few stores and they specialize in taking care of bicycle deliverers with quick turn arounds.  Amazingly, these bikes don't have racks and the racks are not used. The deliverers use messenger bags - sometimes high ones with 56L capacity (Timebuk2, classic messenger, XL size).  I don't know why. My guess is that the bike racks have too much shock and would thoroughly toss any food or documents not tightly packaged? Those bike are so utilitarian, I would not use them for any recreation. And I have not seen anyone else using them for recreation either.

My advice is, look around, see what other deliverers are using, follow them and use a popular model with good service. A popular model will allow you to quickly replace parts and get you back on the road and making money ASAP. I also read an article that stated most deliverers who deliver full-time would own a backup bike. I love Rad but the turnaround time for getting the bike in the first place and getting replacement parts under warranty makes it purely a recreational bike - not a commercial bike. There is probably a good reason why everyone is using the same model.  For a business, choose your equipment to give you a money-making advantage.

Interesting that it is a trike. I wonder if it has a differential or if pedaling only drives one rear wheel like some current trikes.

Totally agree - no more proprietary tires.

<added> I see a picture here

https://electrek.co/2022/12/01/rad-power-bikes-releases-teaser-image-new-electric-bike/

I would say it depends on the person.  I just give you my scenario,

If you are, like me, an occasional user unlikely to wear out a battery in 2 years.  And like me, you are not waiting for the apocalypse, you might as well rotate the use of the batteries.  Meaning, use them both. 

Otherwise, after 2 years, you have a 2 year old used battery, and a brand new battery that has sat on the shelf for 2 years. 

Let's extend that a bit. Otherwise, after 3 years, you have a 3 year old used battery, and a brand new battery that has sat on the shelf for 3 years. By that time, maybe there will be new tech, new bikes.  If you follow my advice, after 3 years you will have 2 less worn out (because you were rotating) 3 year old batteries that will still be pretty good compared to one brand new battery.  And you got to use it and enjoy the range of 2 batteries all these years. 

And then, after 5 years, you can throw it all away and buy a new bike and new batteries.  I know most of us don't think like that because we grew up thinking about holding on to stuff but I think the bike world is rapidly evolving just like computers.

Think like this.  Today is Dec 2022.  How much would you pay for a battery that fits a Rad of Dec 2019, brand new, sitting on a rack all these years? How much is a Dec 2017 Rad bike worth with 2 batteries and 5 years of wear and tear?

What is your temperature? Maybe plowing through snow is like riding on sand or riding on grass, it reduces your performance somewhat.

But yes, I agree that the batteries don't work as well when they are allowed to truly get cold.

If your performance is decreased, you should notice it more the longer you ride because you initially start with the batteries at 70 degrees and my guess is that it would take 30 minutes to cool them down say, below 40 degrees?  Also, the batteries heat up as they discharge so that helps them fight off the cold.

I have not noticed any effect riding around freezing temperature if there is no snow on the ground. My rides usually don't last more than 2 hours.

Quote from: john in Idaho on November 16, 2022, 05:51:54 AM
It may be that the tire was not seating right in the rim.  I have had trouble getting lawn cart tires seated in the rims.  You have to inflate a bit and then go around and make sure the bead seats in the rim.  It is very subtle.

Thank you for the tip.  I'll take a look. 

Not directly related to Rad products.

I have a Burley bicycle trailer (I think a famous brand) with plastic wheels that takes 20 inch tires.  I have been running 30 psi forever and never had any problems.  The other day, I noticed that the tire states the maximum PSI is 45 pounds so I pumped it up to 45 pounds and the tires promptly blew out after sitting fine in my driveway for about 10 minutes undisturbed after inflation. 

I put in new tubes and tried again and the same thing happened - a blowout after sitting 10 minutes on the driveway while I was fixing a bike.

My conclusion is that regardless of what the tire says, some rims are not made to handle all that pressure.  I think the plastic rim is too small - making it easy to change the tires but easy to blowout too.  The rim does not appear to be damaged. My conclusion is that you have to keep the instruction manual and follow it.  The recommended inflation is 30-35 PSI.  At 45 PSI (Max Sidewall Printed Pressure) there is a blowout.  Seems to me that the margin of error is low.

Maybe it applies to bicycles and bikes too.