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Messages - Carsten

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1
General Chat / Re: New RadWagon?
« on: May 24, 2020, 02:21:07 PM »
One reason that I'm glad having purchased the old RadWagon: In EU they changed the hub motor to the standard 250 W power. That means e-bike with no insurance needed. But it's only one third to half of the power (depending on calculating with maximum peak of 750 or continuous output of 500 W). Which is not much riding with one week's grocery goods. Or the allowed load of 70 kg (154 Pounds) plus driver (80 kg, 176 Pounds).

And I definitely like the 26 inch wheels! Would be even harder to find studded tires in 22 inch size. At least not from  Schwalbe. And I couldn't use my DIY pillion seat any longer, different back rack deck.


2
Rad Modifications / Re: DIY pillion seat
« on: May 18, 2020, 10:07:50 AM »
"Because I can". :)
Yes. And "Because I have to stay at home". Our plan was to travel Spain in May 2020. And then the corona virus came around the corner. :(
Thanks for sharing!
It was my pleasure!

3
Rad Modifications / DIY pillion seat
« on: May 18, 2020, 01:43:15 AM »
My collector's soul did not allow me to throw away the packaging material of my RadWagon. Couldn't that thick foam piece build a nice back seat? It was cut to a width of 20 cm. I got 10 mm plywood and sawed it to the size of the cushion. Two small oval pieces of plywood and two rectangular ones were a job for my fretsaw. Some drops of wood glue fixed the oval cones. 5 mm drill, M5 stainless steel lock screws, wing nuts, and washers were used to make seat mounts. Finally, motorcycle seat cover pu leather was stapled onto the plywood. And my pillion passenger wife likes it, too!





















Gesendet von meinem BV9500 mit Tapatalk


4
General Chat / Re: Introduce yourself!
« on: April 27, 2020, 08:19:34 AM »
Hello, I live in Sacramento,CA, USA. I've been riding bicycles for 74 years and motorcycles for about 61 years, I thought I needed to combine the two so I can carry my photography equipment farther and easier. With Trump's stimulus I bought a Rad Runner last month. It has been very enjoyable. The forum has helped me a lot already. A week after I bought the Runner we had the "Pink" full moon, so I guess I'll name it the Moonshine Runner. I'm trying to attach a picture of the Runner with the rising moon.

Thank you Ryan for the forum.

Hasta, Bob McCaw
I love that picture! Thank you very much for sharing.  ;D

5
General Chat / Re: RadRunner vs. RadRunner Plus
« on: April 27, 2020, 07:58:02 AM »

6
Hi,
Any one knows if a 250 watt EU version Radrunner can be software modifyed into a 750 US version Radrunner with full trottle control.
In other words, id the EU version just a software downgraded US version, or are they also different dur to different hardware.....motor, controller, ect?

I have seen it possible to modify the RadRhino through the LCD via some settings (video below). However, I'm guessing you don't have a screen. I guess I'd either email Bolton ebikes and see if they have tested their display/controller on the EU RadRunner because then you will have even more power. An alternative is to try buying the screen and use the video below, though I'm not certain this would work.

Be sure to read the comments in the YouTube video as the process has changed depending on the year. I've also included them below.

1. Long press UP+DOWN buttons to enter the setup menu (Set.1)
2. Long press UP+DOWN buttons again, to see maximum speed: probably 25 km/h  (Set.4). The speed will not blink.
3. Long press UP button until you see Set.5 in the top right
4. Long press DOWN button until you see Set.6 in the top right. The max speed setting will blink now.
5. Adjust max speed with the UP / DOWN buttons to the required setting, which varies between 12 and 40 km/h
6. Long press MODE button to exit the setup menu

https://youtu.be/r6s5kXTdJpY


Yes, this does increase the maximum speed. Works the same way on my 750 W RadWagon. But it doesn't increase the motor power. You cannot get 750 W power from a 250 W motor just by changing the software speed limit, sorry. (BTW: 750 W is a marketing issue. The vehicle badge says 500 W, which is supposed to be the engine's continuous maximum power; 750 W is considered some kind of short time peak power output. Sure looks better in the brochure.  ;) )

7
Service & Repair / Re: snapped a chain
« on: April 24, 2020, 10:22:27 AM »
Happened in parking deck leaving work when mounting bike.  No shifting or hard gears even.  Just snapped.  Everyone from LBS to other guys that ride were pretty shocked the way it broke just basically getting on bike. 

On the upside I can ride home on motor only, a couple hills definitely were pushing the bike and I walked the one but I can make it throttle only.  I have two really good LBS within less than five minutes of work.  But just couldn't stop had to be home by a certain time with the current quarantine stuff I knew it would take to long at the shops. 

Did get to stop yesterday on way home and got a master link and ordered a "ebike" rated chain.  so hopefully I get more than 500 miles out of that.  LOL.

I guess that motor comes in handy. Can you share what chain you ended up buying? This is something I haven't looked into just yet.

In contrast to the mid-engine bikes, our rear wheel engine bikes do not transmit the power via chain. Only the human power will travel through the chain, there is no additional power transmission from the electric drive via the chain. So, there should be no need for a specially reinforced chain. Any chain that fits to the chainring, sprocket, and derailleur combination, and has the right length should be fine. IMHO.

8
General Chat / Re: Which Rad Power Bikes Model do you own?
« on: April 08, 2020, 08:28:23 AM »
Yeah, apparently there are 100,000+ Rad Owners! I just wanted to see if there was any clear favorite. Seems pretty mixed.

According to the survey, so far only 11 members who own 13 bikes...  :(
Clear favorite: RadWagon (n=4, 30.8%).
As of April 8th, 2020

@Ryan: Perhaps you could add the European "RadRhino", which is essentially the RadRover with fenders and rear rack. You could just modify to "RadRover (US)/RadRhino (EU)" or create an extra entry for RadRhino. The RadRhino is alternatively available as 250 W ebike or as 750 W L1e-A (like the RadWagon, which is solely sold with the 750 W engine).

Edit: Actually, the RadRhino only has the 250 W engine in 2020. Used to have the 750 W option in 2019, obviously discontinued.  :(

9
Pride & Joy / RadWagon in the snowy Alps
« on: January 31, 2020, 11:22:19 AM »
Since a couple of years, I regularly take part in a vintage motorbike winter meeting, the "Tauerntreffen". Most participants travel there with a sidecar machine. But mine had technical problems this year, couldn't be fixed in time. So I was riding my solo motorbike 650 km to the meeting.

The meeting itself is taking part in an alpine hut ("Edelrautehütte") at 1725 m (5660 ft), always on the last weekend in January. The most enthusiastic riders stay in tents (which I didn't do). To reach the meeting area, you have to fight your way over a 5 km (3.1 mi) long snow-covered alpine path, which is not only not cleared, but is also used as a toboggan run.

This year's plan: Going there with the RadWagon. My wife had the "special permit" to travel by car. And took the RadWagon on the car roof. From our hotel to the Edelrautehütte I had to ride 10 km (6.2 mi) with an altitude increase of 700 m (2300 ft), 500 of them (1640 ft) on the toboggan run.

The RadWagon winter snow test ride revealed that the battery only lasts approximately 9 km at -8 °C under these conditions. I could push about 1 km with motor support, then the last 200 m I had to push without.

But it was so much fun! Here are some pictures to share with you:














Gesendet von meinem BV9500 mit Tapatalk


10
General Chat / Re: Rad Owners Forum Stickers - Show your support!
« on: January 17, 2020, 04:30:16 AM »
Even if I'm not one of the largest contributors to the forum (yet), I would like to get one or two of the stickers. Any change of getting them sent to Germany? I would love to add a PayPal donation as an additional contribution!

I would be happy to send a couple to Germany! Please send me an email with your address: radownersforum@gmail.com

Done!  8)

11
General Chat / Re: Rad Owners Forum Stickers - Show your support!
« on: January 16, 2020, 02:45:47 AM »
Even if I'm not one of the largest contributors to the forum (yet), I would like to get one or two of the stickers. Any change of getting them sent to Germany? I would love to add a PayPal donation as an additional contribution!

12
General Chat / Re: Introduce yourself!
« on: January 03, 2020, 08:01:27 AM »
Hi Ryan!

With > 250 W (allowed up to 1000 W) you need a liability insurance for small motorized vehicles (like mopeds). The RadWagon falls into a new legal class of electrically powered small vehicles, called L1e-a (<= 25 km/h). L1e-b is up to 45 km/h. The insurance is shown with a number plate you get from the insurance company. Unlike motorbikes or cars, there is no need for a registration. The ebikes with <= 250 W are just bicyles, legally: No vehicle insurance, no Registration. These are a lot more popular in Germany: No act of bureaucracy whatsoever.

There is at least one more RadWagon owner in Germany who lives in Göttigen, and offers test rides with his own bike. That's what I've done first. Tried his bike. And fell in love immediately...

Welcome to the forum Cartsten! I don't think I've heard from someone who has purchased a Rad Power Bike that lives in Germany. Good to hear that they are also competitively priced not just in the US but across Europe as well. It sounds like Germany must not have the 250 watt motor restrictions that we've seen elsewhere. You'll love the Wagon for grocery shopping. Looking forward to seeing some pictures.

Hi!

I'm Carsten from Germany. Just got a RadWagon as a Christmas present. Well, in fact, Santa Claus got the "new bike" wish from myself and passed it on to me. Nice, that Rad Power Bike has a European distribution center in the Netherlands, and some of their models are sold here with an EU Declaration of Conformity. And they have very competitive prices compared to German or Dutch cargo ebike manufacturers!

We as a family want to get a smaller CO2 footprint and let the car stay at home for our grocery shopping, at least occasionally. We are living in a small village, supermarkets are 11 km away (7 mi), smaller market stores can be found in a 4 km distance (2,5 mi). Should be fun with the RadWagon!

Assembling was done last weekend, did some riding already. First 5 km were great! Maximum speed 38 km/h. 3.7 km in 7 min. I love it!

Pics will follow later...

13
General Chat / Re: Introduce yourself!
« on: December 31, 2019, 09:22:07 AM »
Hi!

I'm Carsten from Germany. Just got a RadWagon as a Christmas present. Well, in fact, Santa Claus got the "new bike" wish from myself and passed it on to me. Nice, that Rad Power Bike has a European distribution center in the Netherlands, and some of their models are sold here with an EU Declaration of Conformity. And they have very competitive prices compared to German or Dutch cargo ebike manufacturers!

We as a family want to get a smaller CO2 footprint and let the car stay at home for our grocery shopping, at least occasionally. We are living in a small village, supermarkets are 11 km away (7 mi), smaller market stores can be found in a 4 km distance (2,5 mi). Should be fun with the RadWagon!

Assembling was done last weekend, did some riding already. First 5 km were great! Maximum speed 38 km/h. 3.7 km in 7 min. I love it!

Edit Added some pics via Tapatalk app. Hope it works...

RadWagon with front rack, ram mount ball, mirrycle mirrors, and the mandatory German license plate.

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