I just placed my order for the rad city step thru 3 and it showed in stock when I ordered it.  About 4 hours later I received an email stating "Thank you for backordering one of our ebikes and for joining the Rad community! Over the next few weeks..."  The website still shows it as in stock and shipping the next business day? Has anyone else had this email when it was actually in-stock?

I'm looking to get a Rad model, made up mind to that point. I have some questions I don't see addressed online elsewhere and would like some real work experience from owners if you could help, please. Background:

What I plan to do with it:
- causal rides with family
- short commutes / errands (some hilly areas, I'll describe how big later)
- get some exercise (previous major knee surgery, healed, but sort of concerned, thus the e-bike!)
- I'm getting close to 50 years old and about 180lb if that helps
- Live in northern Colorado

I took a drive up the steepest hill I'd probably have to ascend, and most routes would include at least 1 hill of this size or less (this is the biggest).  In my car, I measured it as 0.45 miles and the elevation rises 200 feet over that almost half a mile. This is the biggest concern I have about model choices.

I lean towards the base model RadRunner 1 but am concerned about the single gear.  But I like the idea of my youngest 9 (being able to hop on with me, or girlfriend's 6 year old)....plus the built in rack and able to take the console is a plus. I'd miss the LCD on the base model I think. The 1199 price is also very tempting over the RadRunner plus, but has the built in stuff for the kids / cargo.

My second choice is the RadRover 5, it just seems like it would meet every need with the exception of a possible passenger and could add a rack. It seems the 5 may be the overall logical choice and is the "classic" rad.

Does anyone have advice or similar use cases?  Thanks in advance!