Area 13 Radpower E-Bike Upgrade Kit – Analysis

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Region 13 (formerly Bolton e-Bikes) sent me their RadPower Upgrade Kit for use and Analysis on my Radrover.  This gives the bike more power, better performance and more customization.  With a price tag of $ 229, readers with a compatible Rad Power Bikes model will probably ask, “Is it worth it?”  After installing it on my 2020 Radrover ST (step by step), I can say that this is definitely a decent upgrade.

What do you get with the RadPower Upgrade Kit

The kit itself is very simple: there is a computer / motor controller with a set of wires on one end, and a handlebar and replacement display and buttons.

The computer / controller is wider than a stock radrover computer, comes in a metal case and has heat sinks on the three sides of the box.  Why?  Because it is designed to handle twice the power of a stock computer, it is continuous and explosive.  With a stock motor, you are not going to use dual power, but the ability to conserve more power will help you deal with hills and other problems.  It emits a full range of power to the motor rather than a little.

The screen is a full-colour display that is similar to a stock display, but more aesthetically pleasing when in operation.  For children’s reading of the ’90s, this is like switching from Game Boy to Game Gear (black and green to colour).  However, you have RTFM (read the Friggin manual), which allows you to customise a ton of customization options you don’t usually get with a stock e-bike.  You can change how Power Assist works, add cruise control, and most importantly be prepared if you want to make future updates to the bike.

The ability to further upgrade is probably the main benefit of the RadPower upgrade kit, but I’m not going to review its aspect today.  I am looking forward to installing a 52-volt battery pack and upgrading the stock motor at some point.

  Installation

_{The Radrover ST is unbolted with Battery Mountain Rail and is set aside to access the stock unit’s controller mounting screws.}

The installation was very simple.  I removed the battery mounting train from the frame of the bike, turned on some screws to release the stock computer / controller, unplugged it, and then plugged in the new computer.  It requires cutting some zip ties and putting on new ones, so be sure to have some on hand.

Establishing a spacious unit is a bit more complicated, but not more.  I was originally going to put this unit in a step-by-step roadrover, but decided to put it in an ST model, so I had to modify one of the mounts and use long screws to move the frame in one place.  If I had more patience and fewer screws in my toolbox, I would probably buy some longer screws and not have to stretch the holes on the mount a bit.  Either way, this is not a big deal.

When the unit was mounted, I hooked everything up, retracted the cables, and zipped them in their original positions.  The only thing that was a bit different was that the stack did not come off the top of the cable computer for the brake light, but was long enough to reach the brake light and gain power.

Installing the screen is even easier.  I removed the stock display and buttons with three screws, pulled them out, unplugged one plug, and then reversed to install the new one.  I accidentally installed the display upside down at first (no marks for it), but it was easy to fix.  Then I was able to program the unit to follow instructions and work with my bike and motor.

Another small thing: it initially reads the full battery empty, but as the manual explains, sometimes it has to be calibrated to know what’s full and what’s empty.  Batteries come in different voltages and the computer can handle multiple voltages.  After a few seconds of riding, it fully registered the battery and worked properly.

Has the RadPower Upgrade Kit Improved the Bike?

This was definitely a decent upgrade.

_{Installation of the aftermarket computer / controller is complete.}

First, it significantly increased the bike’s power.  It accelerates faster from dead stops, gets up to 25 MPH in less time and is more responsive to throttle.  With a stock computer it is much better at saving power for a motor on hills than ever before and pulling through sand patches.  These items alone make the money worth it.

The show is a really neat feature.  It’s not just beautiful, but it’s easy to see your settings at a glance in mixed light settings like cloud day or twilight.  It was quite a backlight to see in the day or at night.  It’s kind of a silly thing, but the colour display really makes the bike more modern.  It’s not as good as a smartphone, but it’s better than the display it came with.

On the second test ride, my wife (the primary rider on this bike) quickly found that the pedal assist was a little more aggressive when she took the dog along with the bike tow leash.  Using the manual and video giving a detailed explanation, we stopped at the park’s picnic table and quickly lowered the C14 setting (for pedal assist power) from 2 to 1.  1 setting suited her and we rode over.  Level 5 assist maximum power and new high power of the throttle are not affected by these settings changes.

  Finally we Declare 

I think this is a decent upgrade for most rad power bikes models.  This not only gives you more power but also sets you up for more customization and upgrade options in the future.  We’ll be able to go with a more powerful drop-in motor and larger battery pack in the future, but the difference in feedback and customization we’ve already got is enough.

FAQ

How can I make RadRover faster?

How to increase top speed on Rad Power Bikes Plus models

Turn on the bike using the power button.

Hold down the PAS Down Arrow Button and the Light Button (5 sec)

PAS Up Arrow, PAS Down Arrow, and Hold the Light Buttons (10-15 sec)

Set the top speed using the up / down PAS buttons – power off to exit

How long does the RadRover battery last?

A battery with these specifications will have an average of 5 years of rod riding!  Frequent Riders: Riders who exhaust the entire battery and recharge it fully every day, seven days a week, will see about 2.5 years of life from their battery.  Casual Riders: The casual rider’s battery lasts for 6-7 years

How Do I Store My Rod Power Bike Battery?

Store a long-lasting battery

Store the battery between 50 ° F – 77 ° F (10 ° C – 25 ° C) in a dry, climate controlled, indoor space.  Check the battery monthly, and if necessary, use the charger from the rod power bikes to charge the battery 75%

Can rod batteries be interchangeable?

The standard battery pack is compatible with all 2018 and newer model ebikes except the 48V, 14 Ah (672 Wh), and RadMission 1, RadRover 6 Plus, and RadCity 5 Plus.  … Do not use the RadMission 1 battery pack on other Rad Power Bikes models

What is the weight of the rod battery?

When in the “off, unlock” position, you can carefully slide the battery up and lift it from the frame.  Note: The battery weighs about 8 pounds and must be handled with care

Can you remove the eBike battery for charging?

And the answer is yes.  Most e-bikes can remove and replace the battery

Where are RadRover bikes made?

Rad designs its bikes here but manufactures them in China.

How many miles does a rod bike have?

The bike has a generous range of 25-45 miles, depending on the terrain and the level of pedal-assist involved,

sources RadPower / CleanTechnica