Rad Power Bikes Sold to Life EV (Pending Court Approval)

[tbae]

Personally I would have liked Retrospec to have bought Rad Power Bikes but apparently they didn't win the bid.

Anyone have direct experience with Life EV?  They appear to be in the East Coast but most/all of their bikes in their website shows "Sold Out".


URL: https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/26/rad-power-bikes-reaches-deal-to-sell-itself-for-13-2-million/

Thanks in advance!

[Ryan]

I had contact with them back in 2021 and it never worked out to review one of the Life EV models. I did some digging and there is little information out there. At one point in 2025 it seemed they were trying to bring a low cost brand to market (Cix Cycles) but I couldn't find any updates of progress there. I guess we'll see...

[usclassic]

Court approved the sale...

Yes, a court hearing to approve the asset sale was held on
January 30, 2026. While the transaction was formally set for official approval on that date, it is characterized as the final step before the deal closes, which is expected by mid-February 2026.

I have been receiving regular emails from Rad customer support regarding my cracked display. They have been searching the dealer network to find one for me. Encouraging The company will survive and treat customers well.

[Ryan]

Are they willing to provide the replacement for free? I was told that I'd have to buy a warranty part myself and file a claim against the company.

[tbae]

Alright so the new owner will continue running Rad Power Bikes under the same brand which is good (see URL).

I still have some uncertainties about Live EV as a viable company (their stocks are traded under OTC market (aka - pink sheets which doesn't have the best reputation (see Boiler Room movie)) and have some sky-rocket returns although it's tough to explain the drivers for that appreciation). 

However, it seems like they are going in the right direction on attempting to relieve some of that tariff debt which was one of the major liabilities for Rad by implementing new manufacturing operations using a Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) structure (some loop-hole way to avoid/minimize tariffs while still being able to supply parts from outside the US).

We'll see how it goes I guess.


URL: https://www.geekwire.com/2026/rad-power-bikes-brand-will-live-on-as-life-ev-completes-acquisition-of-seattle-e-bike-makers-assets/