Rad Power Bikes · Folding · discontinued
Rad Power Bikes RadExpand 5: real range, hills and charging
A 180 lb rider on the Rad Power Bikes RadExpand 5 at 16 mph with relaxed pedaling over rolling hills (±2%) on pavement can expect about 40 miles per charge (32–48 mi), using 15 Wh per mile. The brand claims up to 45 miles. That is about 90% of the claim. On throttle only over hills it drops to about 27 miles. It is discontinued; Rad Power Bikes' current successor is the Rad Power Bikes RadExpand 5 Plus ($1,899), about 42 miles in the same riding.
See the Rad Power Bikes RadExpand 5 Plus range · Check price at Rad Power Bikes
672
Wh battery
750
W motor
20
mph max
Price checked 2026-10-23. We may earn a commission.
How far does the Rad Power Bikes RadExpand 5 go for your weight?
Miles per full charge on a new battery at 70°F on pavement, no wind. Each number is the middle of a ±20% band. Rad Power Bikes claims 25–45 miles (brand estimate 25-45 miles per charge).
| Rider weight | Easy 12 mph | Everyday 16 mph | Fast 20 mph | Throttle, hills |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 150 lb | 66 mi (52–79) | 43 mi (34–51) | 30 mi (24–36) | 30 mi (24–36) |
| 200 lb | 57 mi (46–69) | 39 mi (31–47) | 28 mi (22–34) | 26 mi (21–31) |
| 250 lb | 51 mi (41–61) | 35 mi (28–42) | 26 mi (21–32) | 23 mi (18–27) |
| 300 lbover max load | 46 mi (37–55) | 31 mi (25–37) | 25 mi (20–30) | 20 mi (16–24) |
- Easy 12 mph: 12 mph, relaxed pedaling, flat
- Everyday 16 mph: 16 mph, relaxed pedaling, rolling hills
- Fast 20 mph: 20 mph, relaxed pedaling, rolling hills
- Throttle, hills: 15 mph, no pedaling, hilly
Independent range tests
Reviewers rode the RadExpand 5 until the battery died. Our model, run in the same conditions (180 lb rider assumed; testers don't publish weight), is shown next to each result.
lowest assist
43.83 mi
measured by Electric Bike Report · 15.3 Wh/mi
Our model: 51 mi (41–61) within band
highest assist
33.4 mi
measured by Electric Bike Report · 20.1 Wh/mi
Our model: 34 mi (27–41) within band
throttle, hilly · 17.1 mph avg
31.2 mi
measured by OutdoorGearLab · 21.5 Wh/mi
Our model: 26 mi (21–31) within band
Can the Rad Power Bikes RadExpand 5 climb hills?
Highest steady speed on each grade, motor at an estimated 1,200 W peak. A 10% grade is a steep city street; 15% is a hard hill.
| Rider | 5% grade | 10% grade | 15% grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 180 lb, throttle | 20 mph | 14 mph | 10 mph |
| 180 lb, pedaling | 20 mph | 15 mph | 11 mph |
| 250 lb, throttle | 19 mph | 11 mph | 8 mph |
| 250 lb, pedaling | 20 mph | 12 mph | 9 mph |
Steepest grade at 8 mph (180 lb): 20% on throttle, 22% with moderate pedaling. Peak power lasts for short hills; on long climbs motors fall back toward their 750 W nominal rating.
Charging time and cost
Empty to full (2 A)
6 h 14 min
With a 5 A charger
3 h 6 min
Cost per full charge
$0.14
Cost per mile
0.32¢
US average residential electricity, 18.31¢/kWh (EIA, July 2026), 85% charger efficiency. Charge time: constant current to ~85%, then about an hour of top-off.
Range in cold weather
70°F
40
mi · 100% cap.
50°F
37
mi · 94% cap.
32°F
33
mi · 85% cap.
20°F
28
mi · 75% cap.
Everyday scenario, 180 lb rider. Capacity loss is temporary; store and charge the battery indoors and never charge it below freezing.
Simulate your own ride on the RadExpand 5
Rad Power Bikes RadExpand 5 specs
From the Rad Power Bikes product page, checked 2026-10-23. est. marks values Rad Power Bikes doesn't confirm.
- Price
- $1,599
Source note
Last US list price $1,599 on radpowerbikes.com (archived 2025-09-01, shown Out of Stock; the June 2024 archive showed a $1,249 sale against $1,599). Launch price was $1,299 (archived March 2022). Since Nov 2025 the product URL 301-redirects to the RadExpand collection, and the 2026-10-23 US catalog (products.json) lists only the newer RadExpand Plus. web.archive.org
- Class
- Class 2, throttle
Source note
Brand spec table: 'Class 2'. web.archive.org
- Top assisted speed
- 20 mph
Source note
- Battery
- 672 Wh (48 V × 14 Ah), removable
Source note
Brand: '14Ah 672 Wh external battery'. web.archive.org
- Motor
- 750 W nominal, rear hub
Source note
Rear geared hub with 5:1 planetary reduction (2022 brand page). web.archive.org
- Torque
- Not published
Source note
Rad did not publish a torque figure for this model. It is not on the 2022, 2024 or 2025 archived pages.
- Pedal sensor
- Cadence
- Claimed range
- 25–45 mi (Brand estimate 25-45 miles per charge)
Source note
- Weight
- 62.5 lb with battery
Source note
Brand: 62.5 lb with battery, 54.8 lb without. OutdoorGearLab measured 64.5 lb. web.archive.org
- Max load
- 275 lb rider + cargo
Source note
The integrated rear rack is rated 55 lb in the spec list and 59 lb in the geometry table. web.archive.org
- Wheels & tires
- 20" × 4"
- Frame
- Aluminum folding frame, one size (rider 4'10"-5'10")
- Charger
- 2 A
Source note
- Safety certification
- UL 2849
Common questions
What is the weight limit of the Rad Power Bikes RadExpand 5?
Rad Power Bikes rates the RadExpand 5 for 275 lb total (rider plus cargo). At 250 lb it still goes about 35 miles in everyday riding.
Can the Rad Power Bikes RadExpand 5 climb steep hills?
On throttle alone, with a 180 lb rider, it can hold 8 mph up a grade of about 20% (our estimate from its 1200 W estimated peak power). With moderate pedaling, about 22%. On a 10% hill it holds about 14 mph on throttle.
How long does the Rad Power Bikes RadExpand 5 take to charge?
About 6 h 14 min from empty with the 2 A charger, or about 3 h 6 min with a 5 A fast charger. A full charge costs about $0.14 at the US average of 18.31¢/kWh, or 0.32¢ per mile.
Is the Rad Power Bikes RadExpand 5 a Class 2 or Class 3 e-bike?
Rad Power Bikes lists it as Class 2, with a top assisted speed of 20 mph and a throttle.
Which hitch racks fit the RadExpand 5?
At 62.5 lb with battery (about 55 lb without it) and 4" tires, 16 of 23 hitch racks we track can carry it (some only with the battery removed).
| Kuat Piston ION 2-bike | 100 lb/bike | Fits |
| 1UP USA Super Duty Double | 100 lb/bike | Fits |
| Saris MHS 2 Bike Package | 100 lb/bike | Fits |
| Aventon Hitch Rack Pro | 85 lb/bike | Fits |
| Yakima OnRamp LX | 80 lb/bike | Fits |
| Hollywood Racks Sport Rider for Electric Bikes | 80 lb/bike | Fits |
| Hollywood Racks RV Rider E-Bike Rack | 80 lb/bike | Fits |
| Aventon Hitch Rack | 77 lb/bike | Fits |
| Yakima StageTwo | 70 lb/bike | Fits |
| Hollywood Racks Destination E | 70 lb/bike | Fits |
| Allen Sports High Capacity Locking Premier for Electric Bikes | 70 lb/bike | Fits |
| Kuat Piston Pro X 2-bike | 67 lb/bike | Fits |
| Thule T2 Pro XTR 2-bike | 60 lb/bike | Fits with battery removed |
| Kuat NV 2.0 2-bike | 60 lb/bike | Fits with battery removed |
| Kuat NV Base 2.0 2-bike | 60 lb/bike | Fits with battery removed |
| Saris SuperClamp G4 2-Bike | 60 lb/bike | Fits with battery removed |
Doesn't fit: Thule Epos 2-bike (tires too wide), Yakima OnRamp (tires too wide), Thule EasyFold XT 2 (tires too wide), 1UP USA Heavy Duty Double (tires too wide), Saris Door County 2-Bike Motorized (tires too wide), Hollywood Racks Sport Rider SE2 (tires too wide), Saris Freedom G2 2-Bike (tires too wide).
All hitch racks →
