TheRadio Flyer Flex e - bikeis an exceedingly well - thought - oututility bikethat can run across the needs of many rider . Like Goldilocks assessing the professorship sizes of a family of bears , prospective purchaser may incur the Flex is “ just ripe . ”
The Flex ’s success is due to its size , physical body style , gentle mathematical process , plenteous safety feature , and wide range of accouterment .
The Flex is an first-class choice if you ’re look for an e - bike for frequent scant trips .
Radio Flyer founder Antonio Pasin , Jr. sell the first Radio Flyer reddened police wagon in 1922 . Robert Pasin , the beginner ’s grandson , is the current CWO ( Chief Wagon Officer ) . Like the iconic Plough , the Flex is design as a versatile family kid and cargo hauler that ’s fun and easy to ride .
Radio Flyer Flex e-bike: Purpose and best use
Radio Flyer describe the Flex as “ the ultimate utility eastward - motorcycle , ” which accurately describe its high and best economic consumption . However , you wo n’t corrupt the Flex for off - route or malicious gossip razz because it lacks the right tires and front or rear reprieve to soften the impact of bumps , jump , or other control surface irregularities .
The Flex is n’t agreat commuter due east - bicycle , partly because its speed is limited to 20 miles per hour and partly because its 67- to 68 - Syrian pound weight without alternative is more than most people will enjoy lifting or carrying on a regular basis on steps or curbs . My test bike , with a full accompaniment of accessories , weighed 86.2 Egyptian pound on my digital scale .
Do n’t flurry the Flex with a load bike like thePedego Cargoor theRad Wagon 5 . Those bikes are extremely able but long and heavy , built for carrying multiple children and heavier payload load . The Flex is shorter and lighter than a cargo motorcycle . Its maximum loading capability is 100 Pound plus the passenger , confine to 80 pounds on the stock rearward rack .
Bruce Brown / Digital Trends
rearward wheel side covers forestall petite passenger feet from getting caught in the spokes .
The Flex is an excellent choice if you ’re appear for an e - bike for frequent short trips around township , running errands , enthrall a child to a Quaker ’s family , or just give fun in the neighborhood . The wide selection of options for carry a ( small ) passenger , packages , or groceries adds to the Flex ’s versatility , which is what a utility bike is all about .
Radio Flyer Flex e-bike: By the numbers
Radio Flyer equips the Class 2 Flex e - wheel with a 500 - watt Flight Speed rearward hub motor . Class 2 bike are allow motors up to 750 James Watt , so the “ Flight velocity ” name is a bit challenging . The motor produces 53 Newton meters of torsion , which is relatively moderate , especially for a wheel that will likely carry nigh to its maximum 330 pounds capacity for rider and cargo .
The 48 - V 9.6 - amp - hour battery , which fits vertically behind the posterior down post , stores 458 watt - hr of power , explain its modest 20- to 40 - mi reach . you’re able to access battery power with five horizontal surface of pedal assist or a thumb gas pedal by the left-hand - side paw bag , but you’re able to not exceed 20 mph using battery tycoon entirely . Because of the Flex ’s weight and gearing , I doubt it will be possible to transcend 20 miles per hour on grade ground by wheel without electric battery aid .
The top speed complies with Class 2 regulation , but the cooking stove estimation will vary widely depend on multiple factors , include focal ratio , rate of acceleration , weight , terrain , temperature , and more . I do n’t test range because it is widely variable , but if you ’re hoping for nigh to the 40 - stat mi easy lay , stick to a low pedal assistance fashion and speeds of 15 miles per hour or less . The 20 - mile range of mountains could be a stretch if you use the throttle generously .
Bruce Brown / Digital Trends
Radio Flyer Flex e-bike: Comfort and convenience
The Flex is modestly sized , but it ’s not a small tocopherol - bike . Available in two soma size of it , S / M fits riders from 5 feet to 6 feet tall , and M / L is rated for rider 5 pes , 5 inches to 6 feet , 5 inch . Both sizes are set to riders who count 220 pounds or less . That allows 100 pound of payload , a maximum of 80 hammer supported by the rear rack .
adjust the seat superlative to observe your most well-situated position is easy . you’re able to also spread out the handlebar by loosening four bolts on the stem . Radio Flyer bring home the bacon three spacers to place in the handlebar stem cap to convert the altitude . This last accommodation unconscious process is n’t heavy , but it is a flake complicated . Fortunately , the manual of arms provide a clean explanation with graphics .
The standard prat is jolly comfortable , especially for relatively short trips . An optional thicker and soft seat is usable , but I did n’t request one for the trial run motorcycle . The lack of a front crotch suspension and no rearward suspension with a received seat means you ’ll palpate the bumps in the route .
Bruce Brown / Digital Trends
Fat tyre can avail soften an e - bike ’s ride by deflating a bit from the maximum splashiness rating to get aid from sidewall flexing , but the front 24 - inch and rearward 20 - inch tires on the Flex are a restrained 2.4 - inch wide , so there is not much help there .
Side cover for the rear wheel are standard , which help forestall feet , shoelaces , or anything else advert down from the rear wrack from getting caught in the bike ’s spokes .
The shifter , throttle , brakes , and Alexander Graham Bell operating control are well thought out and promiscuous to apply . The control buttons on the display casing king the cycle , quality PAS layer , turn the headlamp and taillight on or off , and activate the turning signals .
Bruce Brown / Digital Trends
When the turning signals are blinking , an indicator lighting come along on the presentation . Tap the button again to turn them off . However , the Bluetooth - linked Flyer app allows you to peg down a blinking duration .
Holding down the minus button on the showing case enables walking mode , which powers the bike at about three mph to help you push it . This lineament is an particularly appreciated public toilet when the bike is load with cargo , and you ’re fight it up an incline .
The Flex has a eye stick out instead of a kickstand . Although it command more effort , it ’s passing helpful when loading passenger or load on the rearward rack .
Bruce Brown / Digital Trends
Radio Flyer Flex e-bike: Riding impressions
The Flex is pleasant to ride . That may go like weak praise , but I suppose it was fun and well-situated to ride . However , sweetness has to be taken into context . I only drove on regular paved street or lawn , which hardly counts as off - route . define to 20 miles per hr , I could avoid pothole in the pavement or Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree tooth root on the lawn , so the want of break did n’t weigh .
I lean the handlebar back a morsel because I choose riding vertical , which is comfortable . The Flex felt balanced and soft to control in standard build , as in the exposure above , or with a full full complement of tot up rack and accessories , as below .
The Flex is a strictly defined Class 2 bike , so the speed is not a problem . Torque , however , is a act of an issue . We have a very outrageous , long driveway . I prove torque from a standing start at the bottom of the private road with the throttle valve only , so it uses bombardment great power only .
Most e - bikes with 750 - watt plus motors can bit by bit move out from a standing start , picking up moderate velocity soon . I could n’t do it with the 500 - watt Flex . I had to pedal and crusade the quarter round gun to turn on up my driveway from a standing beginning . Is this a bighearted heap ? Not really . I do n’t usually stop at the bottom of the private road and then start , and the Flex had no effect with it from a rolled start .
If you are stopped at a traffic Inner Light or stop sign and must ride up a steep ramp , use pedal power assistance with the Flex . Using the throttle alone might not be enough .
The standard Tektro hydraulic disk brakes with 180 mm rotor have excellent fillet power . However , if you ’re tantalise with a nestling or load on the rear wrack , foreknow and stopping a bit before than common is always a good idea , which is true for all atomic number 99 - bikes .
Our take
The Radio Flyer Flex is an fantabulous option for a cosmopolitan - purpose utility due east - cycle . The Flex is priced at $ 2,099 , which is a turn more than you might require , but the vast options and upgrades selection is reasonably price , so overall , the pricing is all right . Radio Flyer has a 30 - day free trial geological period , with return shipping paid for , which is strange . There are some reasonable function weather , but this insurance is an outstanding way to ease concerns .
Other e - bikes to consider areRad Power Bikes RadRunner 3 Plusand theRadWagon 5 . At $ 2,199 , the Radrunner 3 Plus has a higher start price and weighs 8 pounds more than the Flex , but it has a front break and more torque . The Rad Wagon 5 has tons of torque and is a Class 3 e - motorcycle with a 28 mph top speed . However , the Rad Wagon 5 costs $ 2,399 , matter 18 pounds more and is six to eight inches longer than the Flex , make it significantly larger to move over curb bit or around tight spaces .
If you ’re snitch for a versatile and undemanding e - bicycle for a fun and convenient transportation mode , the Radio Flyer Flex is highly recommended .
