The RadRover, Rad Power Bikes’ flagship electric bike, is getting another major upgrade. The bike will be the first from the Seattle-based company to feature a semi-integrated battery. And when it’s released later this year, it will be the most expensive model in Rad Power Bikes’ lineup to date.
The RadRover 6 Plus (it’s a mouthful of an official name) comes with a bevy of new parts, including hydraulic disc brakes, a custom geared-hub motor, a new ergonomic frame, and an improved LED display that’s easier to use.
But the most eye-catching new detail is certainly the semi-integrated battery, a first for the company. Rad Power Bikes’ batteries tend to be larger (672 amp-hour on average) than a lot of their European equivalents and are therefore harder to integrate into the frame of the bike. As such, the company has opted for externally mounted batteries that can be an eyesore but also practical, thanks to their ability to be removed for easier charging.
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The new RadRover’s battery can still be removed, but it now sits more snuggly inside the down tube of the frame. It’s certainly a cleaner look overall, while refraining from the completely integrated and nonremovable battery of companies like VanMoof, Gogoro, and others.
Like the previous iterations, the RadRover 6 Plus will have fat tires for outdoor riding and recreation. And it will come in two frame types: high-step or step-through. The bike is available for preorder today and will start shipping on September 21st.
The question is whether the new look will help the RadRover win some new customers. The more expensive price tag — $1,999 — certainly won’t help, but e-bike prices have been steadily increasing over the last year. Blame tariffs, supply chain constraints, and other factors for these increases, which is forcing the companies to reevaluate their costs.
Unlike a lot of its competitors, Rad Power Bikes has a comfortable financial cushion, thanks to a $150 million investment round from earlier this year. At the time, the company said the money would help it grow beyond the world of two-wheeled transportation — though it has yet to reveal exactly how.
