I’m no wiser as to exactly what broke on the ebike than I was yesterday, but I have a surprising resolution. I mentioned yesterday that the bike is under warranty – I don’t know off the top of my head what the terms of the warranty are, no doubt they’re on the website – and it turns out the bike is really under warranty.
Like, “there’s definitely an intermittent open circuit somewhere in this wide array of related parts, so we’re just going to send you one of all those parts. Sorry about not including a technician to attach them.”
Wow. Okay. So here’s me, saying nice things about Rad Power Bikes customer service.
While still mentioning for the benefit of anyone interested that the bike did develop a fatal fault at mile 316 of bumpy roads.
Anyway…
As it happens I already have all those parts loose from the frame. The only way to comfortably get at the harness connectors which are wrapped rather tightly around the crank is to unbolt the battery tray and the charge controller so they’re already hanging loose. I won’t be re-installing them, of course.
Instead I’ll wait patiently for their replacements. And since I’m the aforementioned frickin’ hermit etc., the logistics of that are kind of clunky. It might be a bikeless week or three, but I can now at least confidently await resolution.
Well hopefully Wrangler won’t let you down now!!!
Joel, I have been following you E bike journey and now after a lot or research. I have 2 Rad Rovers on order. You may want to look into a skid plate protector to protect the controller and wiring from rocks. That seems to be a common issue when using in rocky areas. There are multiple types to just protect the wiring /controller and bigger ones to protect the battery also.You can google info on it or go to the Rad Owners forum and look at the threads on it.
Russ, that’s a grand idea: So good I immediately did a search and tracked down the guy who sells them on ebay. Who unfortunately only wants to get paid with Paypal and I don’t even know how to do that even if I wanted to. So I’ll keep my eyes open for other options.
Linkee? One might magically appear, depending on the cost…
I’ve also been following your experience with the intent of buying one, glad you decided to write about it. If the bike can’t handle rocky terrain, how about the company sells optional skid plates/protectors using little check boxes on the order form based on the needs described in the owner’s forum, tsk what a radical idea. After decades of being involved in commerce with American corporations I still don’t understand why they don’t listen to their customers.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/RAD-ROVER-RHINO-Skid-Plate-Rock-Guard-Impact-Brush-Rock/183943511968?hash=item2ad3e33fa0:g:TukAAOSwcBleiJvP
It’s true, the bikes come pretty stripped down. Some accessories are necessary – like a cargo rack, for example – and all their accessories are super expensive. I looked on the Rad Power Bikes site and they don’t sell any skid plates at all though in hindsight it does seem like an awfully good idea.
Having said that, I don’t have any evidence that a skid plate would have helped in this case – I detect no obvious rock damage. I think something just shook loose.
Ordered. You should get it by 27 July. I’ll forward tracking info when it ships. By the way, isn’t your tip jar PayPal? If so, you should have been able to order it through there depending on your balance therein…
Looks like a good addition. From the beginning I have believed that the fenders,particularly the front one, would be a good idea to prevent stuff being thrown up off of the front tire onto the electronics. In addition, I’d add an extension “mud flap” to the bottom end of said front fender to offer additional protection. RAD makes the bottom end of the front fender way too short to suit me. Wouldn’t have to be very heavy, just something like the material the skid plate is made from, extending as far down as you can get away with. Always worked for me as a kid. JMHO 🙂
Because of mud, fenders would have to be mounted high. That makes them less effective and less aerodynamic. Everything on a bike is a compromise, and sometimes “less is more “.
I go back and forth on fenders. During Monsoon the mud will probably drive me to get a cheap one for the front, there are plenty available on Amazon. I nearly did it last year and we barely had a Monsoon last year. Any other time it’s just something to make noise and get bent.
Thanks, Mark! By the time it gets here I should have the bike fixed.
Pls do a ebike update post whenyou get it on.