RadWagon 4 Review: An Affordable Family Cargo E-Bike

Before having the opportunity to test the RadWagon 4, I was already familiar with this popular cargo e-bike. Practically every parent I know owns at least one, and you’ll see them everywhere around our small SoCal beach town: in the school pickup line, chained up at the baseball field, and scattered all around the beach during the summertime, transporting families to the sand faster because street parking can be a nightmare, especially during the busy summer months.

While I received mixed feedback on the RadWagon 4 from friends and fellow parents (some loved it, others had gripes), I wanted to put this affordable cargo and utility electric bike to the test myself. Could it potentially replace our car for quick commutes to the beach, park and play dates? Read on for my full RadWagon 4 review and to find out if this budget electric cargo bike may be the right move for your family.

RadWagon 4 unboxing and first impressions

I consider myself fairly handy, but with three kiddos, a job, and a hectic summer schedule, I love that RadWagon gives customers the option to have your bike built by the experts at a local bike shop and delivered directly to your door, or picked up. Simply enter your zip code on the website to check out all your options. You can have it expertly built, ready to ride, and picked up (by you) starting at $165. Or you can have it delivered free (except for in Hawaii and Alaska) and build it yourself.

I picked the pro build and delivery option for the convenience factor, and since this bike literally would never fit in my vehicle. Fees start at $249, which I’d gladly pay to not have to put it together myself. RadWagon rates the build difficulty as hard, so I’d rather not risk screwing it up since I’ll be carrying precious cargo (AKA my children).

It took a couple of weeks from order placement to delivery, but the bike shop was easy to work with and showed up on time for our delivery. They rolled the electric bike right off the ramp and took some time to go through all the bike’s features with me, giving me the lowdown on how to use the throttle, lock the bike battery, turn the bike on, turn the lights off, use the gear shifts, and so forth. While I’m not exactly an e-bike novice, I think even for those who have never hopped on one, the RadWagon 4 is pretty approachable.

Mine arrived in white, and I liked its sleek looks, simple style, and lower center of gravity, which felt much easier to handle and balance the weight of kiddos on the back compared to other bigger electric bikes I’ve ridden.

RadWagon 4 pros and cons

Pros

• Low center of gravity makes it easy to handle and maneuver
• Feels much lighter than it is
• Zippy ride on flat roads with little effort
• Sleek style and design with cool color options
• Accessible price point
• Comfortable saddle/seat
• Easy to adjust for multiple riders of different heights and sizes, with an adjustable handlebar and telescoping seat post
• Half-twist throttle is extremely easy to use
• Extremely customizable with lots of accessory options to suit your family’s needs
• Large center display with USB charging

Cons

• Custom tires (frustrating to replace if you need to)
• Lacks serious stopping power
• Have to use the throttle to get going from a dead-stop
• Struggles on steep hills with kids on the back
• When the kickstand is down, the front wheel pops off the ground making the bike feel unstable for kids to climb on the back without a parent holding it
• No turn signals or suspension

RadWagon 4 price

For my friends, neighbors, and myself, the biggest selling point of the Radwagon 4 is its accessible price. Many of the best electric bikes can cost thousands of dollars or more, so at $1,799, the Radwagon 4 is attractive. The cost reflects the quality, and if you live in an area with hills and plan on carrying two older/heavier children on the back, I’d recommend something with a bit more power and upgraded hydraulic disc brakes, especially for my fellow moms, so you can safely navigate those hills. However, for quick commutes around town with the kids in tow in a fairly flat area—or if you’re just hauling one kiddo—this electric commuter bike is a solid budget option to replace a second car.

RadWagon 4 specifications

• Frame: Single size comfortably accommodating riders 5’1” to 6’4”
• Weight: 76.7 pounds
• Payload: 350 pounds
• Rear rack: 120-pound carrying capacity
• Class: 2
• Seat height: From the ground, 31.5 inches to 41.3 inches
• Total length: 78.7 inches
• Colors: Black, white, orange
• Shifter: Shimano, 7-speed thumb shifter
• Motor: Rear hub 750W
• Tires: Rad Power Bikes, custom 22 inches x 3 inches
• Pedal assist: 5-level pedal assist with 12 magnet cadence sensor
• Brake system: Tektro Aries (MD-M300) with Tektro metallic pads
• Top speed: 20 mph
• Range: Estimated 25-45+ miles per charge
• Battery: 14 Ah 672 Wh external battery
• Lights: Auto-on standard LED 20 lux (~200 Lumens) in the front and rear integrated tail light with brake light indicator functionality
• Warranty: 2 years

RadWagon 4 key features

Throttle

I enjoy the RadWagon 4’s half-twist throttle and its convenient placement on the right handlebar of the bike. It’s easy and intuitive to use, and you’ll use it a lot as it’s almost necessary to get going from a dead stop before the cadence sensor kicks in to assist your pedaling. Having ridden other electric cargo bikes with a torque sensor where the throttle is really only needed to give you a boost up hills, this felt weird to me at first and took some getting used to, but it’s second nature now. I wish the throttle offered more power up hills though. With my 45-pound 5-year-old on the back, I still have to put some serious work in pedaling up our very steep hill to get us home, though it’s doable. On flat roads, I don’t need the throttle at all unless I’m stopping at a stop sign or stop light.

Geared hub motor

The rear hub 750W motor is plenty powerful for cruising down flat roads, trails, small hills, or even steep inclines when riding solo. However, as soon as you put a kid or two or some cargo on the back and try to climb a huge hill, like the one we live on, you may find yourself wishing you had a bit more power.

Telescoping seat post

My husband and I switch back and forth between the e-bikes we own, depending on which kid or kids we’re carrying. An electric bike that’s made to comfortably accommodate us both is key, which the RadWagon 4 easily does. The telescoping seat post is easy to adjust for each of us and is designed to suit riders as short as 5’1” up to 6’4”, which is perfect for us and should be suitable for most families.

Custom tires

While there was a recall on the RadWagon 4 tires a couple of years ago where riders were experiencing blowouts mid-ride, deflation, and separation from the sidewalls, the new custom 22 inch x 3 inch tires are safe, durable, and reliable with no reported issues thus far. They feature a custom tread pattern, ride smoothly on pavement, and perform well on the wood-chip path that runs the length of our beach town, which we sometimes cruise down. The only thing to keep in mind is because they’re custom, if you get a flat or need to replace yours, you’ll have to order a new tire directly from Rad so it can take some time. Replacement tires are currently out of stock, too.

Integrated rear rack

In my daughter’s words, the rear rack has “lots of space”, which she loves. Like most electric bikes, the RadWagon 4’s integrated rack comes ready to be customized according to your preferences. You can attach baskets, bags, or add passenger seats for a couple of kiddos to ride along. You can even strap bags on with cargo straps. Rad has a plethora of accessory options (seriously, SO many) to shop for all your cargo/carrying needs.

Battery

The RadWagon 4’s battery is placed right between the down tube and the top tube on the bike. When you’re out and about, I like that you can turn the key to the 11 o’clock position on the battery to lock the bike from being turned on—a nice anti-theft feature. You can charge the bike with the battery on or off, whatever’s most convenient. Rad says the bike has a range of about 25 to 45+ miles, which seems to ring true based on my experience (as well as my friends). Your range will largely depend on the level of pedal assist used and how much you’re throttling. Most folks who ride their e-bike daily find it most convenient to charge overnight (it can take up to seven hours to get a full charge when dead). Battery life is never a big issue unless, of course, you’re commuting long distances, in which case you may wish to have a separate charger at work, etc.

Display

The digital display screen is large (but not too large) and sits right between the handlebars front and center. Unlike some of the other electric bikes I’ve tested, the buttons to turn the electric bike on and adjust the pedal assist levels are on the left handlebar. I actually prefer this setup because it makes it easy to switch the pedal assist level while riding, yet easier to see the screen so you can know how fast you’re going, if you’re low on battery and need to charge soon, or how many miles you’ve gone so far. You can view battery life, current speed (or set to max or average speed), pedal assist level, the odometer, and watt meter at a glance. There’s also a convenient USB charging port to power your phone on the go.

Kickstand

The kickstand itself functions fine and is easy for me to deploy and push back up. One thing I don’t like about it is that when in use, the front wheel of the electric bike pops up and off the ground. This is a non-issue without children, but as I mentioned it makes the bike less stable for my kids to climb on without me also holding on to the bike for extra stability. I’ve seen other friends with a RadWagon 4 though and both wheels are solidly on the ground when the kickstand is down so it may just be my bike. You’ll need some strength to get the kickstand up when your kid or kids are on the back and you’re ready to get going, but this is the case with any e-bike in my experience.

Front and rear lights

The front and rear lights automatically turn on when you power up the electric bike so you can’t forget to turn them on if you’re riding at night, which is a nice feature. For day, both lights are easy to power off by holding down the mode and pedal assist up button. Reflective striping is also incorporated on the tire sidewalls for extra safety and visibility. I don’t do much night riding because my kids are in bed when the sun goes down, however, those who often ride after dark in areas that aren’t well-lit may find the stock Rad lights too dim for their purposes.

Padded and railed saddle

If you’re using your bike for short(ish) rides and aren’t commuting 20+ miles daily, I think you’ll find the padded saddle comfortable. Serious riders or long commuters may wish to upgrade to Rad’s Enhanced Comfort Saddle for a little more cushioning. However, for quick commutes with the kids, I’m happy with the seat.

Brakes

The RadWagon 4 uses a mechanical disc brake system, which I’m really not a fan of due to the inferior stopping power compared to hydraulic disc brakes. Because we live on a steep hill with a busy street at the bottom, premium brakes that stop on a dime are a must for me. The RadWagon 4’s brakes are fine and get the job done, but when I’m carrying my kids around in a hilly area and navigating the streets alongside cars, I’d prefer a bit more confidence and power when it comes to stopping quickly.

RadWagon 4 Caboose

Because I have kids and I’m a stickler for safety, I felt more comfortable toting them around town with the Caboose added to the back of the bike. It’s essentially a cage around the rear rack—the kids can hold onto it while riding for extra security. While I haven’t tipped over with my kids on, I do like that this will hit the ground first, protecting them from getting banged up if the bike should fall.

The caboose has a fixed outer rail and an adjustable, optional inner rail so you can switch up the width based on the size and age of your passengers. With the inner rail at the outermost position, my kids have to crawl over the caboose with their helmets on (otherwise they won’t fit), as opposed to under, which means I need to hold onto the bike for stability while they get on. With our other electric bikes, they can easily fit under the cage/caboose and get on by themselves without fear of the bike tipping. My kids both say they feel very secure back there though and that there’s plenty of room.

RadWagon Deckpad

If you have kids and want to take them along for the ride or you purchased an electric bike solely to haul them to school and all their extracurriculars, you’ll need a cushioned seat or a couple. The RadWagon Deckpads are surprisingly plush, with thick padding to keep little tushes happy on the go. So far, no complaints from my kiddos.

RadWagon 4 Running Boards

Some running boards can look a little cheap on even the most luxe electric bikes, but that’s not the case with the RadWagon 4 Running Boards, which give your kiddos a pretty place to plop their feet while they ride. The boards are made of a light wood and look really good in addition to functioning as they should. It’s easy for my kids to climb up and onto the bike using the running boards too.

RadWagon 4: Is it for you?

The RadWagon 4 is a solid budget electric cargo bike for parents, or really anyone, looking to replace a second car (without shelling out the big bucks) in an e-bike-friendly community. The Rad accessory options are endless so it’s easy to customize the bike to meet your specific needs, whether toting a baby and a big kid, two big kiddos, a bunch of groceries, or all your beach gear.

I would advise splurging on a bike with hydraulic disc brakes (or replacing the Rad’s) if you live in an area with a lot of steep hills and will have your kids on the back. In my experience, the RadWagon 4 performs best on flat roads and small inclines—it can be a beast to get up big hills fully loaded down. I think women especially will love the bigger tires and lower center of gravity of the RadWagon 4, which provides better balance, stability, and weight management overall.

RadWagon 4 ride and comfort

The RadWagon 4 is undeniably fun to ride, and I find it very comfortable too. Out of all the electric bikes I’ve ridden, this one takes the cake for ease of handling, especially from a woman’s perspective. While it weighs a whopping 76.7 pounds, it doesn’t feel nearly as heavy as it is when I need to walk it out of the garage or up the hill to flat land to get the kids on. It’s less bulky than other cargo e-bikes I’ve ridden, too.

It’s super zippy, requiring little effort on flat roads, and the lower center of gravity makes it feel much easier to handle and balance with kiddos on the back—I never felt like the bike was going to tip over with my child on the back when trying to get going, which has happened before with other cargo e-bikes I own. As I previously pointed out, I don’t love that I have to throttle after coming to a stop each time (this is the only time the bike feels really heavy to pedal), but it’s necessary to do until the cadence sensor kicks in. You do get used to it, but I personally prefer the more natural feel of a torque sensor. When I’m exhausted though, I must admit the cadence sensor is really nice because I get the same amount of power no matter how little effort I’m putting into pedaling.

If you’re wondering how fast electric bikes go, the RadWagon 4 is a Class II, topping out at 20 mph.

RadWagon 4 performance

User friendliness

Even electric bike newbies will find the RadWagon 4 easy to ride and intuitive to use, from powering it on, to finding your pedal assist sweet spot, to shifting up and down as you cruise. Though the throttle at a dead stop does take some getting used to, after the first ride you’ll have it down pat.

RadWagon 4 maintenance

While my e-bike is fairly new, friends who have owned a RadWagon 4 for years say that the maintenance is pretty on par with other electric bikes. Like any e-bike, regular and routine yearly maintenance is required to keep your e-bike in tip-top shape and running safely and smoothly. Rad recommends inspecting your bike before each ride (you can read the pre-ride safety checklist here), cleaning your bike as needed with a moist rag and non-corrosive biodegradable cleaners, inspecting the paint, and replacing the brake pads as needed.

RadWagon 4 design and build quality

Despite being a budget electric cargo bike, I appreciate that the RadWagon 4 doesn’t compromise on style. It comes in three colors, including a bright orange for maximum visibility, and white or black for those who want something more subdued that’s still sleek. It’s solidly built and the lower center of gravity is a huge positive, making a heavy 75+ pound e-bike easier to handle for women and men alike. While the e-bike has a budget price, it doesn’t look like a budget bike, which is important to me. I do wish the kickstand propped both wheels on the ground, and I would make some upgrades to the brakes and motor, but overall I think it’s a great, affordable bike for any family with a price point that accurately reflects the quality.

Final verdict

The RadWagon 4 is a solid bike for the price, making school drops and errands faster and more fun for the whole family. My kids can’t wait to hop on the electric bike to go anywhere (literally). I love that you can customize your RadWagon 4 to haul anything and everything. I’ve had a blast riding it, and I always find an excuse to take the e-bike out, be it to the beach or to get ice cream with the kids. It’s the perfect alternative to a second car, particularly if you live in a relatively flat area and can easily navigate back roads or less busy streets to get to where you’re going.