Rad Power Bikes RadRover 6 Plus Review

Seattle is the headquarters of Rad Power Bikes, and the city streets are filled with the brand’s fat-tire electric bikes. While testing the new RadRover 6 Plus Step-Thru, I was frequently peppered with questions about its performance by riders of older RadRover models. Most of these riders were male, leading me to conclude in my First Ride preview that the RadRover 6 Plus is “the ultimate dad bike.”

I’m not sure about this, but maybe it’s this 73-pound ebike’s bulky frame, or its monster truck tires, that make the RadRover appealing to a demographic where size matters.

“I know from my past riding motorcycles and scooters that the bigger the wheel the more stable the ride,” an older dude told me when we chatted about his RadRover. “I’ve got a long commute through all kinds of Seattle weather and riding conditions, and I love it.”

Me too.

Related: 2021 Rad Power RadRover 6 Plus First Ride Review

I ride skinny-tire road bikes for fitness, but there’s something liberating and confidence-inspiring about ripping down the city’s cracked streets and debris-filled bike lanes at full speed with the RadRover’s grippy tires humming. Outta my way, hippie, I’m coming through!

The RadRover 6 Plus is a Class 2 ebike (20 mph maximum throttle assist) ebike with a 750W max-power hub motor and semi-integrated 675Wh battery with an advertised range of 25 to 45 miles and a life span of 800 charge cycles. It features 26-by 4-inch Kenda Juggernaut tires with a reflective strip on plus-size double-wall rims.

The bike comes kitted for all-weather riding with fenders, a kickstand, front and rear lights, metal studded Wellgo pedals, and mounts for accessories.

Gearing on the RadRover 6 Plus and 6 Plus Step-Thru is provided by a Shimano seven-speed derailleur with a thumb-activated downshift lever and up-shift button beside the twistgrip throttle. The geometry is upright for good visibility thanks to the 4-inch-rise handlebars, with a cushy, big-booty saddle for comfort, plus padded leather grips for confident steering.

Hydraulic disc brakes with ceramic brake pads and 180-millimeter rotors provide stopping power.

Related: Rad Power Bikes Debuts the RadCity 5 Plus

Users adjust the power level via large up and down buttons on the handlebar-mounted controller, with five levels of power assist shown on the digital display. The controller also has an on/off switch, plus a screen with a battery charge indicator. A backlit LCD screen on the display mounted in the center of the bars shows your speed, miles traveled, wattage output, and the time.

This bike rides like a Hummer. As I noted in my First Ride review, the Rad Rover 6 Plus Step-Thru is a “monster truck on two wheels.” It rolls through potholes and over train tracks and makes light work of rough roads thanks to those beefy tires and suspension fork. Anyone who has ever crashed on a skinny-tire bike due to road debris or rough streets will find comfort in its stability and sure-footed nature.

Related: Rad Power Bikes RadRover Step-Thru 1 Ebike Review

As with all my review bikes, I configured my test model to be an urban pack mule with a rack and panniers and front basket for hauling groceries and running errands. When fully loaded, I detected a bit of frame flex—although this may be due to the fact I reviewed the step-through version, which lacks a toptube for rigidity. I prefer a step-through ebike for ease of mounting and dismounting when fully loaded, but heavier riders might want to purchase the RadRover 6 Plus with a traditional diamond frame for more rigidity.

The 750W hub motor was powerful enough to conquer Seattle’s hilly terrain. I’m a fitness rider who doesn’t mind pushing a big gear to get a workout, but I like to maintain a top speed so that I get across town fast—often faster than people driving.

On the flats or downhills, I kept the power assist at level 1, 2, or 3 to extend the battery’s range while relying on the RadRover’s rolling momentum to haul along at 20 mph. On slight upgrades and low-angle hills, the bike’s weight—and the friction of the fat tires—quickly causes the bike to shed speed. That’s when I jacked up the power to levels 4 or 5, enabling me to maintain a speed of 15 to 20 mph on modest hills. On the steepest inclines, it was necessary to downshift the derailleur and push the power assist up to level 5 to maintain speed.

Battery life was ample for my weekday workday assaults when I frequently ride to neighborhoods in Seattle and surrounding communities as part of my day job for a bike advocacy nonprofit. These workday rides are typically less than 20 miles round-trip, and I never ran out of juice even when using the throttle liberally and riding in max power mode. My longest ride was about 40 miles on relatively flat paved regional trails to attend a weekend wine-tasting event, and I arrived back home with about a quarter of my battery charge remaining.

When storing the bike on my porch during cold snaps, I noted a slight decrease in battery life. No big deal in Seattle, where freezing temperatures are rare, but it might be something to consider for individuals living in frigid northern climates who need to keep the bike locked up outside for long stretches. In those cases, it would be wise to unlock the battery and bring it indoors.

An atmospheric river was soaking Seattle with heavy rains during the latter half of my test, but the fenders did their job in keeping me dry from road spray. If I owned the bike, I’d likely add a mud flap to the front fender to keep water off my feet. The fat tires do kick up more road grime than skinnier tires, resulting in me hosing off the underside of the frame and fenders to clean them of dirt before lugging the bike into my home.

Due to the bike’s weight (73 pounds for the base model; heavier when adding the rack and basket), the RadRover 6 Plus is best suited for individuals who can roll it into a garage or indoor area without stairs. I live on a houseboat. Lifting the bike up onto the dock before riding away required arm strength. Kudos to Rad Power for including a lifting handle on the rear of the saddle.

Overall, riding this monster truck made me dream of country living and exploring long dirt roads.

The bike costs $1,999 with free shipping for individuals who want to do their own assembly. Rad Power Bikes offers a Mobile Build and Delivery service for $199 in 29 major metro areas including Seattle, New York City, Miami, San Francisco, San Diego, Las Vegas, Denver, Washington, D.C., Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and more locations including the Canadian cities of Vancouver and Montreal. The $199 fee includes assembling and installing any accessories, plus an in-person handoff by a technician who can answer questions. The delivery service also includes a free 30-day safety check and tuneup.

Related: Rad Power Bikes RadMission 1 Review

I received my test bike via the mobile delivery and found it seamless. After a hundred miles, I scheduled a tuneup to adjust the rear disc brake, which had begun to rub. The technician alerted me to be careful when using my foot to lower the kickstand, as it is possible to accidentally kick and bend the rear disc brake rotor.

My review model came with accessories including a rear rack ($89), front basket ($89), and waterproof basket bag ($79).

More information: radpowerbikes.com.