I have a Rad City and I kinda like how stupid looking it is - especially the step through model, which I definitely have. But the nice part is that the bike components are all regular parts. Rad seems to be having serious issues as a company, which is a shame because for the price they’re good frames - but if they go under, it’s not like I relied on them for parts or service anyway.
Anyway digression aside, you might be happiest starting with a bike you like and doing your own conversion - either with a hub motor or a mid drive. Or have a look at REI - their ebike selection mostly look like bikes, with the advantage that they’ll also service them. That’s helpful if the manufacturer kicks it.
Funny you mention Rad, they seem to be another golden-boy eBike company that grew too quickly and is struggling. I have a Rover 6+ and am concerned about being able to get parts quickly in the future...
Yeah I have been eyeballing the Rad Wagon for a while. Seems perfect for me actually. The styling is very... Utilitarian. Almost to the point of charming.
I have the rad-expand, which also looks 'stupid' but I love it anyways. But yeah it's great that they didn't go the way of vanmoof with an app required to unlock it etc. If they do in fact go under my only concern would be a replacement battery I guess? Or is that all standardized (it looks similar to the batteries on all the rent-to-ride e-bikes I see around).
Yeah I think these batteries aren’t uncommon, as far as the voltage and form factor goes. My understanding is the biggest risk is safety. There’s a lot of junk out there, whereas Rad did a good job ensuring it’s supply chain on these. My battery is nowhere near any noticeable capacity loss so I haven’t really looked hard at batteries yet.
Same both on the concerns. You get stories out of NYC where couriers/doordashers store their bikes in their apartments and during charging their batteries self-immolate. In a few of these stories you hear about guys having done slapdash repairs on their batteries.
Anyway digression aside, you might be happiest starting with a bike you like and doing your own conversion - either with a hub motor or a mid drive. Or have a look at REI - their ebike selection mostly look like bikes, with the advantage that they’ll also service them. That’s helpful if the manufacturer kicks it.