Read on Twitter
Rad ebikes are pretty junky
* No models that go 21+ mph (aka class 3)
*One size fits all models
*Exposed, non-integrated battery and *controller*
*Very low end parts (7 speed Altus)
*Last round of capital went mostly to marketing
Rad: huge US volume,
no panache or brilliance https://twitter.com/michalnaka/status/1357375702803226629
* No models that go 21+ mph (aka class 3)
*One size fits all models
*Exposed, non-integrated battery and *controller*
*Very low end parts (7 speed Altus)
*Last round of capital went mostly to marketing
Rad: huge US volume,
no panache or brilliance https://twitter.com/michalnaka/status/1357375702803226629
I'm skeptical that the company will change dramatically, from a marketing company that sells electrified bikes.
Ride1Up seems a lot more promising. Faster bikes, well integrated designs, rapidly expanding model portfolio.
Ride1Up seems a lot more promising. Faster bikes, well integrated designs, rapidly expanding model portfolio.
Rad vs Ride1Up, both bikes are $1k.
48 vs 32 lbs (a couple due to bigger battery and multiple speed gearing)
Rad bikes look like they were strapped together in some guys garage, but with way less power, personal flair and component quality.
48 vs 32 lbs (a couple due to bigger battery and multiple speed gearing)
Rad bikes look like they were strapped together in some guys garage, but with way less power, personal flair and component quality.
Vanmoof is another lackluster VC backed ebike brand. Its ebikes are absolutely wracked by a lack of reliability judging by the drumbeat of issues post on Reddit, something you don't see with other brands.
Successful ebike brands seem to mostly self fund. Rad spent its VC wad on marketing and distribution, ironic given the supposed efficiency of selling direct.
Vanmoof spent it on vertical integration that yielded poor quality.
Vanmoof spent it on vertical integration that yielded poor quality.
How I see Rad's strategy:
1. Aggressive marketing to reach many customers
2. Low prices (and quality) to entice casual shoppers to buy
3. Good service during 1 year warranty period
4. Even mediocre ebikes are a revelation to people used to (mediocre) manual bikes
1. Aggressive marketing to reach many customers
2. Low prices (and quality) to entice casual shoppers to buy
3. Good service during 1 year warranty period
4. Even mediocre ebikes are a revelation to people used to (mediocre) manual bikes
There's another company that uses this exact positioning with an even more meteoric rise... And I literally just discovered they recently got VC backing too!
https://sgbonline.com/lectric-ebikes-secures-investment/ https://www.azcentral.com/story/money/business/entrepreneurs/2020/08/13/how-phoenixs-lectric-ebikes-found-became-monster-industry/3285669001/
https://sgbonline.com/lectric-ebikes-secures-investment/ https://www.azcentral.com/story/money/business/entrepreneurs/2020/08/13/how-phoenixs-lectric-ebikes-found-became-monster-industry/3285669001/
The US ebike market is overwhelmingly recreational, and volume-wise, there's a lot of people who want to spend $1-1.5k retail when that low price point entails some significant tradeoffs, but less competition from existing bike brands.
Looool... These brands don't surprise me but the VC powered crabs burning cash in the GooMazonBook bucket never gets old https://mobile.twitter.com/aniccia/status/1357521567991750659
From a bike shop that works on Rad bikes:
(A frame breaking on an urban frame from regular use is pretty rare and a big red flag)
http://thedailyriderdc.com/thinking-of-purchasing-a-radpower-bike-read-this-first/
(A frame breaking on an urban frame from regular use is pretty rare and a big red flag)
http://thedailyriderdc.com/thinking-of-purchasing-a-radpower-bike-read-this-first/
Some more recent morsels 
, 1 year later... https://mobile.twitter.com/TheDailyRiderDC/status/1357366930068426752
, 1 year later... https://mobile.twitter.com/TheDailyRiderDC/status/1357366930068426752
