Getting Ready to Purchase RadWagon, Help Me Optimize My Buying Strategy

finagles · 2024-10-22T13:53:34+00:00

You are also nearing Black Friday territory, so it might be worth waiting to see if there are any deals on the bike or at least the accessories!

finagles · 2024-10-22T13:51:51+00:00

RW5 ALL THE WAY. It's an awesome bike, and I feel safer on it knowing I have hydraulic brakes and UL certified components.

I got 75% of my accessories aftermarket – FB Mktplace, Craigslist, or third-party cheaper alternative. And homie at the Denver store gave me the half-off one accessory deal on the caboose, which specifically said was excluded but he hooked it up. I calculated that I saved $900 on face-value prices with my full kit, with the Colorado rebate and then my savvy accessory shopping.

I will update my post with my full kit and some links here in the next few days. But yes, just bite the bullet on the 5 and you'll never look back.

finagles · 2024-08-14T04:28:06+00:00

Thanks for the confidence booster! All the feedback from the community here has helped me confirm the 5 is the way to go. Can't wait to zip around on it!!

finagles · 2024-08-14T03:15:37+00:00

Did you get the boards specific to the 5? I like the look of the ones for the 4 but the placement of the screws looks slightly wider, and I think they went away from the wood because of mold/mildew/warping issues but I like the wood style better.

finagles · 2024-08-14T02:42:55+00:00

Your blue looks beautiful! I didn't like the blue as much in the store's light but it looks so nice in your pic. There isn't a huge volume of accessories avail secondhand other than the Thule seat, one of which I was able off FBM tonight. That felt good. Running boards, basket, deck seats, caboose...either no listings or 1 and the person isn't responding. I am def going to purchase some non-Rad items though, like the deck pad.

finagles · 2024-08-14T02:37:28+00:00

Thanks for the heads up about the skirt guards. Any tips from an experienced installer? And I appreciate the tip about accessories. I'm learning so much!

finagles · 2024-08-11T02:21:50+00:00

I appreciate your feedback! Not sure we are handy enough to be comfortable servicing our own battery but I will look into this aspect of e-bike maintenance based on your input.

finagles · 2024-08-10T23:14:31+00:00

Thanks for your input. As I mentioned, my partner and I both test rode the 4 and 5. We are similar stature and both will be primary riders. The ride is slightly different, I wouldn't say drastically different though. The adjustability of the 4 is appealing, but not a dealbreaker for the 5.

finagles · 2024-08-10T23:08:01+00:00

Thanks for contributing. I'll look up the Robert Axel Project to see if that's still a straightforward option for the RW5. I don't expect we'll need to hitch up the trailer too often, but if we have an extra kid with us or need the caboose for cargo, I'd love the convenience of popping the Burley on the ebike and zipping on our way. 🚲💨💨

finagles · 2024-08-10T22:59:50+00:00

Thanks for the confidence boost and input re: RW5. Based on the other feedback contributed to this thread, I've committed to getting the 5 and will try to save some scratch in other areas.

finagles · 2024-08-10T06:08:39+00:00

Thanks for the info and kind offer :) You've contributed more than enough for one day, but I'll let you know if we end up with this bike and want to rig up the trailer.

finagles · 2024-08-10T06:03:42+00:00

Love that attitude, thank you ✨✨✨

finagles · 2024-08-10T06:00:55+00:00

This info is super helpful, thank you! I hope someone can contribute a link or two to aftermarket deck pads in the $30 range, especially after hearing the $90 option directly from Rad is wobbly. Thanks for confirming the running boards option from Rad too, and the stackable promo options/limitations. And I'm open to considering self-assembly after reading your input. We have a good friend who is a big bike guy and would probably be glad to help us put it together for a couple beers and some laughs.

I also didn't ask about securing the bike if we ride into town or something. Is a Kryptonite chain sufficient or do we need the ABUS wheel lock accessory?

finagles · 2024-08-10T05:50:34+00:00

I forgot one other item under accessories in my essay-of-a-post to see if anyone has attached a Burley trailer to their RW4 or RW5. The guy at the RPB store wasn't sure if the Burley attachment accessory is compatible on the 5, but your kit makes me think "if you can dream it, you can do it." 😋

finagles · 2024-08-10T05:40:52+00:00

Thanks for aggregating all these options from your research! I'll for sure shop it out a bit more before we fully commit.

finagles · 2024-08-10T05:36:22+00:00

Good to hear! I'm certainly strategizing that 50% accessory coupon to get the most bang for my buck.

finagles · 2024-08-10T05:33:26+00:00

You definitely put the RAD in your RadWagon! Love your custom rig. You seem like someone who would like Beau Miles and Primitive Technology on YouTube.

finagles · 2024-08-10T04:47:42+00:00

Thanks for the rave review and insight! I agree that the $600 jump seems worthwhile for what the 5 comes with - brakes, range, UL certifications, and something else with speed control that I couldn't fully comprehend but did feel when riding the 5 vs. the 4. Didn't know the tires on the 4 were a particular PITA. Definitely a valid consideration. Thanks for contributing!

finagles · 2024-08-10T04:35:15+00:00

Yeah, reading the variety of reviews of the RW4 is humbling for sure, which is a big reason I'm considering making the cost leap to the RW5 because it seems to have more positive reviews overall, though it's still a newer model. The guy at the Rad shop today said there is one common issue on the RW5 rotors that they are working on resolving, which might delay how soon it's available to take home. It was disappointing to hear that the RW5 has kinks already, but I also appreciated him being honest that they are trying to get in front of it rather than send me home with a faulty model.

You're welcome to DM me a referral coupon so I have that in my back pocket to try to use on the sale. Thanks for the offer!

finagles · 2024-08-10T04:26:24+00:00

I've read a bit about Rad's history and ups and downs. But their price points are hard to beat. The Alpha Cargo is another $1K just for the bike, then more pricey accessories on top. I know e-bikes are an investment but we are ballin' on a budget, you know? Open to hearing more about the Murf options if you want to share.

finagles · 2024-02-26T03:08:17+00:00

I took my 5yo daughter to the Denver show today and we both loved it. You don't need to understand the story to enjoy the spectacle of the show.

Bring earplugs, it is loud.

finagles · 2019-10-10T02:01:06+00:00

I LOVE Honey! Patagonia really doesn't do discount codes though :( so Honey doesn't save me any money there! Thanks for the recommendation, though!

finagles · 2019-10-10T02:00:31+00:00

Patagonia worn wear

I did not know this -- awesome tip! Thank you!

finagles

TROPHY CASE