After watching the full review of the RadRunner 3 Plus on YouTube by EBR, I’m sure a lot of people are wondering if the upgrades and changes are worth its price tag. We’re going to take a look at the changes and look at the competition to see if it’s a good value.
Once you get to the $2.5k price point with ebikes, you’re getting to mid-level ebikes with upgrades over more budget friendly options. Those upgrades usually include hydraulic brakes, usually a torque sensor, integrated batteries, and more custom frames. The RadRunner 3 Plus checks most of those boxes. It does have hydraulic brakes, a semi-integrated battery and most certainly a custom frame. It doesn’t have a torque sensor, and instead uses a more basic cadence sensor.
There are some other notable upgrades that you won’t find on the RadRunner 2 and RadRunner Plus, including a more plush seat that is now compatible with suspension seat post, a redesigned passenger seat, a rear rack that is compatible with a second battery (will be available soon), a motor with 10% more power for hills (according to Rad), and an 11-34 tooth freewheel which should mean no ghost pedaling. I love seeing that!
There’s also new accessories designed for the RadRunner 3, including a locking console box that doesn’t look so much like a wastepaper basket. A cafe lock will also be offered soon and will be compatible with many of Rad’s bikes. Included on the RadRunner 3 are wires on the front and rear of the bike to attach USB devices (requires a dongle). You can add more lights, a bike computer, a speaker, or other accessories to run off of the bike’s battery, which is pretty cool.
So, considering all the changes, $2.5k isn’t sounding so unreasonable, but let’s look at the competition.
What bikes compete with the RadRunner 3 Plus? Well, there are two other RadRunner models to look at. The RadRunner 2 is $1499 and the RadRunner Plus is $1999. Of course, neither are going to have the upgrades unique to the RadRunner 3, but you’ll get much of the same riding experience and utility.
RadRunner 3 Plus vs Blix Dubbel
The Blix Dubbel is comparable to the RadRunner. It also supports dual batteries, has hydraulic brakes, an 8-speed transmission (compared to RadRunner 3 Plus’ 7-speed), a Bluetooth connected display, and plenty of accessories to haul cargo and even a passenger. It can also be set up as a Class 3 ebike with tops speeds of about 28 mph. The RadRunner 3 Plus is a Class 2 with a top speed of 20 mph. The Dubbel has a rigid front fork, while you get a suspension fork with the RadRunner 3. The Blix Dubbel goes for $1999.
In this comparison, the Dubbel comes out on top on price and top speed. The RadRunner 3 has front suspension, so that may appeal more to some. However, when you buy a Rad, you’re also joining the largest ebike community in the United States. There are tons of third-party accessories and just the fun of belonging to such a community. Is that worth $500 more? Eh, to some, yes. Blix is also a good brand with good products, so you’d be buying from a reputable company either way. It really just depends on what you’re looking for.
So, is the RadRunner 3 Plus worth $2500? Honestly, I do think it’s a little overpriced when I just compare components, but there are other things to consider. I’ve never had any trouble selling a used Rad bike. They hold their value well, because they are so popular. It’s kind of like buying a Harley-Davidson. You know the accessories are pricey, but if you love your Harley, you still buy them.
Sure, I’d like to see the RadRunner 3 Plus come down a few hundred dollars, and maybe you can catch it on sale in the future. I still like what Rad has done with it. It’s unique with tons of accessories and if it is overpriced, the market will correct it. It is worth noting that you can still get the RadRunner 2 for $1499. So Rad still has some budget friendly options available.
I also like the Blix Dubbel and think it’s priced well. It’s great to have so many good options now. The ebike industry is growing up with some strong competitors, and that should bring prices down and quality up. We’ll see.
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