The RadExpand 5 is no longer sold. Rad Power Bikes’ page for it returns an error and the model is missing from the catalog, where the only RadExpand listed is the RadExpand 5 Plus. Rad describes the Plus as the classic RadExpand folding bike enhanced with all-new tech, though it does not use the word replaced. So this guide reads what Rad publishes for the RadExpand 5 Plus, the model that now fills that slot in the line-up. Every figure below belongs to the 5 Plus and none should be read as a specification of the original RadExpand 5, which Rad no longer documents.
How this review was produced: we do not buy or test the products we cover. This is a desk analysis of manufacturer specifications, manuals and documentation, safety and certification listings, and publicly available owner reports and third-party reviews. Figures are manufacturer claims or reported owner results.
The reason folding e-bikes interest apartment dwellers is simple: a bike that folds can live in a closet, an elevator lobby or a car trunk. Whether the 5 Plus does that comfortably depends on weight and folded size, and Rad publishes both.
What Rad Publishes for the RadExpand 5 Plus
- Motor: rear hub, 750W rated, 64 Nm of torque; Rad notes the actual power to the ground is under 750W
- Class and speed: switchable Class 1 and Class 2, shipping as Class 2; top speed 20 mph. In Class 1 mode the half-twist throttle works only while pedaling
- Battery: 15Ah, 720Wh Safe Shield external pack with Samsung 50GB or LG M50LT cells, UL 2271 listed. Rad does not print the pack voltage on the page; the charger is 48VDC
- Claimed range: an estimated 20 to 60 miles per charge, with a headline of 60+ miles and no stated conditions
- Charger: 48VDC, 2 Amp smart charger, 100V to 240V AC. Rad does not publish a charge time on the page
- Weight: 72.5 lb (32.9 kg), or 62.5 lb (28.3 kg) with the battery removed
- Load: 315 lb total, with a 225 lb maximum rider weight and a 59 lb rear rack limit
- Fit: riders from 4’10” to 5’10” (147 to 178 cm), inseam 26 to 33 inches
- Folding: aluminum folding frame with a folding stem raiser and retractable pedals; folded size 29″ high, 25″ wide and 41″ long
- Wheels and brakes: CST 20″ x 4.0″ tires with a puncture-resistant liner; Gemma hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm rotors
- Suspension and gears: Exsho hydraulic front fork with 50mm of travel; 1×7 Shimano drivetrain with a 14-32T freewheel
- Controls and lights: torque sensor with 5 pedal assist levels plus zero assist, a Rad color display with a USB-C port, an auto-on headlight of about 50 lumens and an integrated taillight with a brake light
- Warranty: 2 years limited on frame and components; the battery is covered for 300 recharge cycles or 2 years; wear parts such as the saddle and drivetrain carry 1 year
Stock status on Rad’s page is contradictory. The visible text shows Slate Blue as out of stock, while the underlying variant data shows Slate Blue and Stone Tan as in stock. Check the checkout page rather than relying on either signal.
Reading the Range Claim
Rad’s range statement spans 20 to 60 miles per charge, and the page does not explain what decides where a rider lands in that spread. That honesty about a wide band is useful by itself: the same bike can deliver a third of the headline figure depending on use. Fat 4.0-inch tires, a 225 lb rider limit, throttle use and hills all raise consumption.
The arithmetic gives some feel for it. Rad lists 720Wh. At the top of the claim, 60 miles, that is about 12 Wh per mile. At the bottom, 20 miles, it is about 36 Wh per mile. A rider who mostly pedals with a low assist level and avoids the throttle sits nearer the first number; someone riding on throttle at 20 mph in the wind sits closer to the second. Anyone planning a commute should pick a number in the lower half of the band.
Motor, Class Switching and Speed
A 750W rated hub motor with 64 Nm is on the strong side for a folding bike, and the torque sensor lets assist follow pedaling effort instead of a fixed cadence trigger. The switchable class is worth understanding. Shipping as Class 2 means the throttle works on its own up to 20 mph. Switching to Class 1 limits the throttle to times when you are pedaling, which suits places that restrict throttle bikes on certain paths. Rad’s own note that power to the ground is under 750W is a reminder that the rated figure is a label for the motor, not a measure of what reaches the road.
Folding, Weight and Apartment Life
Folded, the bike measures 29 inches high, 25 wide and 41 long, which is small enough to stand in a closet corner or a trunk. The weight is the real constraint. At 72.5 lb it is heavy to lift into a car or up stairs. Taking the battery out cuts the weight to 62.5 lb, so the pack itself accounts for about 10 lb, and it helps to carry the two pieces separately. For a walk-up apartment, that is still a lot to carry; for a building with an elevator or a ground-floor entry, the folded footprint is more important than the weight.
The 4.0-inch tires add stability and comfort at the cost of weight and rolling resistance. They are also wide enough that the bike does not feel like a small-wheeled folder, which many shorter riders value. The 4’10” to 5’10” fit range makes it a better choice for shorter and average-height riders than for tall ones.
Charging and Battery Care
The charger is a 48VDC, 2 Amp unit, so 96W. Dividing the 720Wh battery by 96W gives about 7.5 hours as an ideal figure with no losses. Rad does not state a charge time, so treat that number as a floor rather than a quote: a real charge from empty will likely take somewhat longer. Rad’s battery warranty is written in cycles, 300 recharge cycles or 2 years, and an apartment commuter who charges every night would reach 300 cycles in under a year if each charge were a full one, so partial charging is a practical way to stay within the warranty period.
The pack is UL 2271 listed, a safety standard for batteries in light electric vehicles. Charging a lithium pack indoors is a risk worth managing, so a certified pack and charger matter.
Who It Suits, and Who Should Skip It
On paper the 5 Plus suits a rider who needs to store the bike in a small space, wants a throttle option and hydraulic brakes, and weighs between a small and average frame. It also suits someone who values a long warranty and a US company that publishes detailed specifications.
Skip it if you must carry the bike up several flights daily, if you are taller than 5’10”, or if your commute is near the top of the claimed range with no way to charge at work. Anyone hoping to buy the original RadExpand 5 should be aware that Rad no longer sells it, and used examples would need their own checks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the RadExpand 5 still sold?
No. Rad’s page for it is gone and the only RadExpand in the catalog is the RadExpand 5 Plus. Rad calls the Plus an enhanced version of the classic RadExpand, but does not describe it as a replacement.
Do these figures apply to the original RadExpand 5?
No. Every figure here is Rad’s published specification for the RadExpand 5 Plus. The original model’s specifications are not published any more.
How far will the RadExpand 5 Plus go on a charge?
Rad estimates 20 to 60 miles per charge without stating conditions. With a 720Wh battery, that works out to about 36 Wh per mile at the low end and about 12 at the high end.
How heavy is it, and does it fold small?
Rad lists 72.5 lb, or 62.5 lb without the battery. Folded, it measures 29 inches high by 25 wide by 41 long.
What is the maximum rider weight?
Rad lists 225 lb for the rider and 315 lb total, including cargo and the bike.
Bottom Line
The original RadExpand 5 is gone, and the RadExpand 5 Plus is the folding model Rad now lists. On paper it offers a 750W rated hub motor, a 720Wh pack, 4.0-inch tires and a folded size that fits small spaces, at a weight that is manageable with the battery removed but heavy without. Read the 20 to 60 mile range as a wide band, and confirm stock and class settings before ordering.
