Updated to Be Faster, Smoother, and Safer: Rad Power RadWagon 5 Review

The RadWagon is a classic that helped popularize long-tail electric cargo bikes in North America. Now in its fifth iteration, numerous updates aim to make the Rad Power RadWagon 5 the best version yet.

Not too long ago, Rad Power was the undisputed champion of affordable electric bikes. In the past few years, however, several brands have managed to undercut Rad’s prices and steal quite a bit of its market share. Rad Power’s prices have gone up a bit, but the quality and performance of the bikes have followed suit.

The RadWagon 5 is the perfect example. While it may look very similar to its predecessor, this bike was significantly overhauled. Rad Power addressed many of the complaints about the previous version with the goal of making it faster, more comfortable, and safer than ever.  

I’ve been testing the Rad Power RadWagon 5 ($2,399) for the past month. On grocery runs, errands, commutes, and neighborhood cruises, I’ve assessed its handling, speed, power delivery, and ease of use while incorporating it into my daily routine.

In short: The RadWagon 5 builds on the solid foundation laid by its predecessors but is a better bike in every way. It’s not quite as easy on the wallet, but it’s still a relatively affordable utilitarian cargo hauler. Rad Power took an already good bike and gave it more range, power, comfort, and safety features to bring it up to speed (literally and figuratively). Its performance aligns with its price tag, and it is a solid electric cargo bike for most people.

Compare the RadWagon 5 to the competition in our comprehensive guide to the Best Electric Cargo Bikes.

Offering quality electric bikes at reasonable prices propelled Rad Power Bikes to prominence in the North American market. After many years of dominance, however, many other brands have challenged Rad’s position. The low end of the e-bike market has seen very healthy competition, with brands like Aventon, Lectric, ENGWE, and others gaining serious traction and taking a slice of the affordability pie.

Still, Rad Power bikes are some of the most common in cities and towns across the U.S. The RadWagon undoubtedly contributed significantly to the proliferation of electric cargo bikes. But with other brands producing comparable bikes at lower prices, it needed a refresh.

Rad Power RadWagon 5 Review

I tested the last two versions of the RadWagon, and they were solid bikes. The prices were reasonable, and they performed well for their intended use.

That said, the fourth generation was getting a little long in the tooth and lagging behind the competition in several ways. To address this, Rad Power made numerous meaningful updates to the RadWagon to make the fifth iteration a contender again.

Assembly

Rad Power has traditionally sold most of its bikes directly to the consumer. They still do, but the brand has also been expanding its retail and service partnerships. If there’s one nearby, you can potentially buy a Rad Power Bike from a retail partner. Still, most people will order one online, and it will be delivered to your door with some assembly required.

In my years of bike testing, I’ve assembled many Rad Power Bikes. The process has always been easy enough, but it has improved over time to be a bit more user-friendly. It is more involved than Lectric bikes, which come fully assembled. But most people should be able to complete it with little difficulty.

I’ve found that the most important part of assembling this or any other electric bike is following the instructions. For the RadWagon, that starts with opening the box. Since lifting an 80+ pound bike out of a box can be downright dangerous, Rad’s system for pulling the box up and off the bike is great. No struggling, straining, or swearing was necessary.

The bike is packed so it stands up on its own, and it was easy to remove the packing materials and begin the assembly. The printed instructions and assembly video were clear and easy to follow. Rad Power includes a small tool kit with everything you need, just in case you don’t have your own. I had the RadWagon assembled and ready to ride in about an hour.

Frame and Fit

While the bike’s silhouette remains roughly the same, the Rad Power RadWagon 5 is a bit more compact than the previous version. Rad Power shortened the wheelbase by 3 inches and the overall length by over 2 inches. It’s still a long bike, but this change makes it slightly more maneuverable.

They also managed to widen the rider height range, and it is now claimed to fit riders between 4’11” and 6’3”. The handlebar was updated to a BMX-style handlebar with a sturdy four-bolt stem. While it no longer offers tool-free adjustability, it does provide better steering leverage for more confident handling.

The integrated rear rack’s 120-pound capacity hasn’t changed, but the bike’s total weight limit has increased by 25 pounds to 375. Under that rack, a new wheel guard aims to prevent shoe laces or straps from getting hung up in the rear wheel. It’s also color-matched to the fender for a cleaner look. 

One major complaint about earlier RadWagons was the 22-inch wheel size. They worked fine, but the non-standard-size tubes and replacement tires were pretty hard to come by. Fortunately, the RadWagon 5 uses 20-inch wheels, a far more common size. This makes spare tubes and tires way easier to find. You can even switch to other tires if you prefer.

The RadWagon 4 was plenty stable and smooth, but the rigid fork could be jarring over rough surfaces. It now comes with an RST Guide suspension fork with 45mm of travel. The Tektro hydraulic disc brakes are a major step up in braking power and control from the previous cable-actuated brakes. This might seem somewhat trivial, but the kickstand on the RadWagon 5 was completely redesigned to be sturdier, less noisy, and not scratch floors.

Electronics

The RadWagon 4 topped out at 20 mph, but the new version is capable of Class 3 speeds up to 28 mph. It ships in Class 2 settings, but the user can switch between Class 1, 2, or 3 through the controls and display. This allows the rider to choose what works best for their needs. Additionally, an upgraded torque sensor controls the pedal assistance, intending to make the power delivery smoother and more natural-feeling.

The battery got a modest bump in capacity from 672 Wh (14Ah) up to 720 Wh (15Ah). More importantly, Rad Power added its proprietary Safe Shield technology to the battery. Safe Shield is a thermal-resistant technology that encapsulates the battery cells with a heat-absorbing resin. This tech intends to reduce the chances of thermal runaway resulting in a battery fire — which can be an issue with cheaper batteries.

The handlebar-mounted control unit was updated, along with the new color display. The headlight was also upgraded to be brighter, while the rear light gained turn signal functionality.

Rad Power RadWagon 5: Smoother Ride, Better Handling

The RadWagon 5 is still pretty long, and at 86 pounds, it’s a bit heavier than its predecessor. These attributes made it fairly smooth and stable. The addition of the suspension fork, however, made the overall ride much smoother and more comfortable.

While 45mm of travel may not sound like much, it made a world of difference. Not only did it enhance rider comfort, but it also made the bike a little easier to control when encountering inevitable bumps in the road.

The switch to 20-inch wheels was long overdue. Although the previous 22-inch wheels should have theoretically been a bit smoother, I haven’t noticed a difference. In fact, I’d say that the increased width and air volume of the 3.3-inch tires contributed to a cushier ride.

When you factor in the versatile tread on those tires, the RadWagon 5 also has a bit more surface versatility. They worked great on pavement and handled light doses of smooth gravel or packed dirt, too.

While it may seem somewhat trivial, the new BMX-style handlebar is a major improvement. It provided more steering leverage, making this big, heavy bike easier to handle and control. And with class 3 capability, speed control is even more critical. I really appreciated the upgrade to hydraulic disc brakes. These delivered more stopping power, consistency, and a better lever feel. It was reassuring to know I could stop when hauling cargo at 28 mph.

Faster, If You Want

Until somewhat recently, most of Rad Power’s bikes were class 2 and topped out at 20 mph. The bikes were plenty powerful, but they lagged behind some competitors in terms of top speed. That changed when they launched the Radster Road and Radster Trail models and updated the RadWagon in 2024. 

Not everyone needs, wants, or should ride this bike faster than 20 mph, but I think it’s nice to have the option. Whether for keeping up with traffic or simply getting where you’re going more quickly, the ability to switch to class 3 is a big win. It’s also great that you don’t have to. You can set it up in class 1, 2, or 3 modes to suit where and how you ride. 

Using the handlebar controls and display, changing the e-bike class and top speed was quick and easy. The menu was incredibly straightforward and easy to navigate, a refreshing change from some older, cheaper systems that were confusing.

More Speed, Smoother Delivery

In its class 3 settings, I had no problem hitting the top pedal-assisted speed of 28 mph. The five levels of pedal assistance provided a great spread of pedaling support. Whether navigating a busy downtown intersection or blasting full speed up a hill in suburbia, I could always find the appropriate assist mode.

The 750W (90Nm) rear hub motor was plenty powerful for moving fast or hauling cargo, yet that power was well-regulated. Rad Power’s latest torque sensor really did a fine job of delivering assistance.

It never felt jumpy, twitchy, or blasted me with too much power. Instead, it felt very smooth and controlled, ramping up the power in response to my pedaling effort. The result was a more natural-feeling ride similar to some of the more expensive mid-drive motors. 

The same went for the throttle. The throttle speed tops out at 20 mph, of course, and it’s an excellent feature to have on a heavy bike like this. It was incredibly useful for getting started from a stop, especially with a load. Like the pedal assistance, the throttle ramped up nicely rather than jumping out from under me. 

It’s worth mentioning that while there is plenty of power on tap, the RadWagon didn’t have the sportiest acceleration. It wasn’t the quickest off-the-line using the throttle or pedal assist. That said, it’s a cargo bike, so it didn’t really need to be either.

Slightly More Range

The 720Wh battery is modestly — 48 Wh — larger than the previous version. I never came close to depleting it on my usual rides. I typically did numerous 5- to 10-mile trips before even being remotely close to needing a charge. The remaining battery life was easy to read and understand on the display, so I was never caught unaware. 

How far you can ride before draining the battery will depend on many factors. Terrain, throttle usage, pedal assist level, cargo weight, and your own pedaling effort all play a big role. I’d say that Rad Power’s 20- to 60-mile range estimate is fairly accurate.

That’s a big spread, obviously, but I’m willing to bet you could get the low end of that just using the throttle. The high ends seemed perfectly feasible at lower pedal assist levels with plenty of rider input.

Same Cargo-Carrying Ability

The rear rack’s 120-pound weight capacity remains the same, but the bike’s total weight capacity has been increased to 375 pounds. While some other cargo bikes claim slightly higher weight limits, the RadWagon 5 is still more than enough for most people’s needs. That’s plenty of weight capacity to transport a couple of small children or a lighter adult on the back.

I’ve never come close to maxing out the cargo rack, and I doubt I ever will. Plus, riding any bike with more than 375 pounds of combined rider and cargo weight isn’t something I really want to do anyway.

In its base configuration, you can strap all kinds of things directly onto the cargo rack. But like any other cargo bike, you’ll need to add some accessories to unlock its carrying potential.

Rad Power still offers the same deep selection of add-ons and accessories to customize the bike for your cargo-carrying needs. Thule Yepp child seats, seat pads, running boards, baskets, and much more are all offered on the website. 

This is one place where some of the budget brands are nosing ahead of Rad Power. Lectric bikes, for example, often runs promotions that include some accessories with your bike purchase. With the Rad Power RadWagon 5, you’ll be paying extra.

Enhanced Safety Features on the Rad Power RadWagon 5

E-bike battery fires are somewhat rare, but they are a real concern as they can cause property damage, injury, or even death. While this is more of an issue with cheaper electric bikes, lithium-ion batteries are known to catch fire. 

In an effort to prevent accidents like this, Rad Power developed its Safe Shield battery technology. Not only are these batteries UL-certified, but the heat-absorbing resin also aims to prevent thermal runaway that can result in fires. While the odds of a battery fire happening are relatively slim already, it’s nice to know that Rad Power is actively trying to mitigate the risk.

Another nice safety feature is the addition of turn signal functionality on the rear light. This can potentially make you more visible and your next moves more obvious to motorists, other riders, and pedestrians. The brighter 200-lumen headlight also adds visibility and was just bright enough to light my way in the dark.

Room for Improvement

The RadWagon 5 is a great bike, but I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t find something to complain about. The most obvious issue, and this applies to most cargo bikes, is its size and weight. Storing this bike may be an issue for those short on space.

Transporting it anywhere I couldn’t ride it was a significant challenge. It’s too heavy to fit on most hitch bike racks or lift into the bed of a truck. And don’t even think about loading it inside of a vehicle.

The thumb shifter for the drivetrain was a bit of a letdown. Sure, it performed the task of shifting gears, but the ergonomics are terrible. These shifters are more common on less expensive bikes, but, in my opinion, any bike above the $2,000 mark should have something better.  

As mentioned above, you’ll also need to shell out some more cash for accessories to carry any cargo you can’t strap directly to the metal rack. You’ll definitely want to consider the added cost of customizing this bike to suit your cargo-carrying needs and factor that into the final price.

Rad Power RadWagon 5: Who’s It For?

If you’re looking to reduce your vehicle dependence while still being able to haul serious amounts of cargo, the Rad Power RadWagon 5 is a solid option to consider. When set up with the right accessories, this bike can easily haul kids, pets, groceries, and other gear.  

The fifth-generation updates have improved this bike in nearly every way and made it more competitive in the current field of electric cargo bikes. Its price puts it in a tough position compared to less expensive competitors, while the performance gap between those models is relatively narrow.

At the same time, it’s strikingly similar to the Specialized Globe Haul LT on paper and on the road, and that bike costs significantly more. 

It’s not the lightest or most affordable, but it is the best version of the RadWagon that I’ve tested by far. It retains the hallmarks that made its predecessors so popular while being faster, smoother, safer, and more comfortable. There’s no lack of great electric cargo bikes these days, but the RadWagon 5 has regained its spot near the top of that list.