In terms of versatility, it’s pretty hard to beat an electric fatbike. As the ATV of the cycling world these bikes ride reasonably well on any terrain from smooth roads to sand and snow. With some cargo racks and a powerful electric motor to assist you, they can be great for hauling duties too.
The Rad Rover is the first complete bicycle from Seattle’s Rad Power Bikes. The Rover is a powerful do-everything electric fatbike that includes a fully unassisted throttle mode, and is quite affordable at $1499.00. The bike’s Indiegogo campaign just recently ended as a huge success, raising over eight times the funding goal of $40,000. Click below the break for more photos and full specs….
When you toss a leg over the Rad Rover, you must turn it on by inserting the key and hitting the battery’s power button. The 750 watt motor is controlled by two sensors, one in the throttle for cruising along fully powered, and a cadence sensor for assisted riding. The company doesn’t get too specific, but say their potent 48 volt, 22 peak-amp motor provides excellent hill climbing capabilities. After testing in urban environments and on hilly off-road trails, the range is given at roughly 25kms with no pedalling- but the more you contribute, the further you can go on a charge.
In pedal assist mode, the cadence sensor turns on the motor when you start cranking. You can choose from five levels of assistance on the bike’s handlebar mounted LCD screen/control unit. The geared rear hub freewheels and creates zero resistance from the motor when you are pedalling, and the Rover is equipped with a 7 speed drivetrain so when you do pedal you can find your desired cadence. While they have used aluminum for the frame and lots of components this bike is definitely not light at 60.8lbs, so buyers should probably not plan to do much, if any unassisted pedalling.
The Rover’s battery should last for 800 cycles of charging and completely discharging, after which a replacement is recommended. The battery does not have any memory, so you don’t have to drain it before charging, and the charger stops automatically once the battery is topped up. The battery takes 3-5 hours to fully charge, and its life is indicated on the LCD display and on the battery unit itself.
Rad Power Bikes advises that owners check local regulations regarding electric bikes. Production versions of the Rad Rover will be equipped with an on/off button to disable the throttle in case your area’s laws don’t allow bikes with throttle systems. With the throttle disabled, the pedal assist mode is still completely functional.
The LCD display, motor, battery pack and throttle are all water resistant enough to ride in a Seattle downpour, but the company recommends storing it in a dry area to avoid prolonged exposure and drying off the bike before putting it away. The battery pack can be locked onto the bike, or removed and brought along for charging or safe storage.
Other touches include the double walled rims, USB accessory charge port, digital odometer, lockout on the fork, integrated headlight that runs off the main battery, and power cut-off switches in both brake levers that kill the motor when you decide to slow down.
Only one unisex frame is offered, which fits roughly equivalent to an 18” MTB and puts riders in a commuter-friendly upright position. The maximum weight limit is 275lbs. The Rad Rover costs $1499.00 USD, and comes fully assembled with a one year all-inclusive warranty. Customers can choose between white or black frames.
Technical Specifications
Drive System: Brushless Geared Hub Motor
Motor: 750W
Controller: 48 Volt 15 Amps Continuous (22 Amps Peak)
Display Display: LCD Speedometer, Wattmeter, Odometer, Backlight, And Remote Handlebar Selector Buttons.
Battery: 48V 11.6Ah Li-ion with 15 Amp Continuous BMS Samsung 29E Cells
Battery Life: 15-50 Miles/24-80km* Depending On Mode
Top Speed: 20 MPH/32 KPH On Flat Ground With 180lb/81kg Rider
Charger: 48 Volt 2 Amp Intelligent Smart Charger Operates On Both 110 And 220 Volt AC Power Outlets
Assist: Half Twist Throttle And Intelligent 5 Level Pedal Assist
Build Specs:
Weight: 27 Kg (60.8 Lb)
Frame: 6061 Aluminum Alloy
Suspension: Front suspension fork with rebound and lockout
Stem: Aluminum Alloy
Handlebar: Aluminum Alloy
Grips: Velo Comfort Leather Grips
Front Brake: Tektro Mechanical Disk Brake (180mm)
Rear Brake: Tektro Mechanical Disk Brake (160mm)
Brake Levers: Aluminum Alloy Comfort Grip Levers
Rear Derailleur: 7 Speed Shimano
Chain: KMC Z7 Rustbuster
Shift Levers: Shimano thumb shifter
Cassette: 7 Speed Shimano
Crankset: 60 Tooth With Aluminum Alloy Crank Arms
Pedals: Wellgo M111 forged aluminum
Rims: Double wall aluminum alloy 32H with CNC side wall
Spokes: 13 Guage Stainless Spokes And Nipples
Tires: 26’’x4’’ / 660.4mmx10.16cm Kenda Juggernaut Fat Bike Tires
Saddle: Comfort Gel Sport Saddle
Lights: Front 200 Lumen LED Headlight Runs Directly From Main Battery. On/Off Switch Built Into LCD Guage
Fenders: Optional Available After Campaign
Rear Carry Rack: Optional Available After Campaign
Chain Guard: Included
Kickstand: Included
