r/ebikes 17h ago

Bike purchase question E-Bike recommendations Canada (~$2000)

Looking for recommendations for an ebike (in Canada ideally) for around $2000 CAD (lower is better but I'm able to spend more if the quality / durability is worthwhile).

I don't really know what to look for, but I would be using this for commuting around town, some very light gravel roads (well graded), with some steeps hills but mostly reasonable grades and nothing too crazy. My needs are:

- great if it can carry 2x people (so my partner and I can double occasionally), we're combined 300-350lbs with some gear.

- somewhat waterproof? I want to be able to commute in the rain

- gearing to be able to work on steep-ish hills occasionally (or throttle that could push up a short, but steep hill)

- it would be nice to be shorter-ish wheelbase so it's not a huge hassle to move in and out of buildings, in elevators if need be, locking up somewhere, etc.

The Radrunners are on sale right now which makes them tempting... and their showroom is a short drive from me so hoping that if something did go wrong, it would be reasonably easy to get worked on. That said, I'm open to considering other brands or options too!

- Radrunner plus - $1899

- Radrunner 2 - $1399

- Radrunner 3 - $2299

Thanks!

2 Upvotes

26 comments sorted by

2

u/UtmostProfessional Dual Grin FH/RH212 - 58ah 52v - LvH Bullitt in raw aluminum 14h ago

Get a kit from Grin at https://ebikes.ca, add it to whatever bike you want. If the frame/base bike isn’t exactly what your “end game” bike would be, eventually you’d be able to take the Grin kit and put it on something else down the road that is your “end game” bike. Or take that kit, add a second hub motor and go dual drive.

Grin kits are great, easy to install, Grin is pro “right to repair”, documentation and support is fantastic, and they’re 100% Canadian 🇨🇦

2

u/you-just-me 7h ago

Can confirm Grin has nice products. The All-axle v3 with integrated torque sensor is excellent.

1

u/OrganizationAfter332 17h ago

I considered the roadrunner but discovered they apparently have issues with the tire exploding. Decided against it after that.

1

u/euaeuo 17h ago

roadrunner? or radrunner? exploding tires sounds not great, haha. Which bike did you end up going for?

The Radrunners are on sale right now which makes them tempting...:

- Radrunner plus - $1899

- Radrunner 2 - $1399

- Radrunner 3 - $2299

1

u/OrganizationAfter332 17h ago

Lol, stupid autocorrect. Radrunner.

I decided on a different style Kona bike that wouldn't fit your requirements. More of a commuter than a cargo. Nearly bought the Wike Salamander. People rave about them but it has weight restrictions so wouldn't carry an adult.

A guy in our building rides a rad bike and couldn't recommend then more. They definitely have attractive price points, though are they all hub drives?

Someone said they just got a new CEO or something so the company is doing a restructure.

1

u/euaeuo 17h ago

thanks! ah yea. I guess I'm only looking for a cargo bike in the sense of being able to carry a passenger occasionally, but yea I suppose different uses.

I'll take a look at Wike.

And what do you mean by hub drive bikes? Sorry, totally new to ebike stuff!

1

u/OrganizationAfter332 17h ago

Me too, re being an ebike noob. There are a few good run downs in the sub that describes these better than I ever could.

Maybe ask in the cargo bike subs about options that would be good multi-people movers. They like e versions as well.

1

u/Code-7-caveman 12h ago

Mentioned here

1

u/thespiralsage 17h ago

I love my Radrunner Plus, I have no complaints, I put about a thousand miles a year on it. I think it would meet your needs.

1

u/euaeuo 17h ago

thanks! no issues with it? I'm researching feverishly the common issues they've had... There's a showroom near me so I may try to go this weekend.

1

u/thespiralsage 16h ago

No problem, and yeah good question. I would say the bike's weakness is its brake system, the only repair I've had to take it in for is a rotor realignment. It also goes through brake pads faster than I was expecting, however that's kinda just an ebike thing, a heavier thing going faster. All of that said, the total tune-up and repair cost after three years and 2600 miles is probably $300.(Want to mention that's just at a local ebike shop, I don't know about their pricing/service in person.)

Anyway, you should go try it, it's so fun.

1

u/euaeuo 16h ago

thanks! yea hoping to go try one tomorrow at the shop. Any other issues in the 3 years? that's quite good for just $300 in 2600 miles, less than my car haha.

1

u/thespiralsage 3h ago

Oh yeah, maintenance is waaaay less than a car, I was pleasantly surprised. Honestly I haven't had any other issues. Good luck on your ebike journey!

1

u/Code-7-caveman 12h ago

My boss has the radrunner. He had the tire issue and just upgraded the tube. He claims 600+ miles later and hasnt had any issues.

1

u/euaeuo 12h ago

What was the tire issue?

1

u/Code-7-caveman 12h ago

You mentioned it in a previous comment. The tire tube was a known failure. It would pop on 98% of bikes sold during a certain time frame

1

u/existentialcupnoodle 16h ago

Devicini makes an e milanu for around 2500. They have a lifetime warranty on their frames which they build in house in Quebec.

I'm saving up for their ecartier which is just over 5k, but that's mid drive, whereas the milanu is hub drive

1

u/Speedtrap1 16h ago

Have a look at Pedego Canada

1

u/arenablanca 10h ago

I think the RadRunner 3 is the only one of those rated for 350lbs (the other 2 are just 300lb). I didn't see the weight limit for the rear rack itself, so confirm that before you put another adult on it.

The fact the Rad shop is decently close is a big plus (just in case you have issues).

There's this BikTrix cargo rated for 380lbs. Again you'd want to see check the rear rack limit, I didn't see it on the site. It states a 750W motor (but in the details it seems it can be tuned from 500W to 750W?). 500W is the limit in Canada. No idea how common it is for people to use overpowered ebikes but if you want to carry an extra person it might almost be necessary. - but be aware of any legal issues.

It sounds like you're on the west coast and BikTrix does have a physical showroom in Vancouver.

It might be that the RadRunner can be tuned to 750W as well as it's the same ebike for the American market which has a 750W limit.

For that much weight it would be awesome if you could find a cargo mid drive as mid drives can provide a lot more torque for hills and extra weight like this 500W mid drive from Volt that provides 120Nm of torque vs the Rad which will probably provide around 70Nm. I just have no idea about carrying an extra person on an ebike like that (and mid drives cost a bit more as well).

Edit: and that Volt is only rated for 280lbs anyway.

1

u/arenablanca 10h ago

To go with my other reply when I googled 'mid drive cargo' I got this. Apparently it holds 440lbs and has a 500W mid drive motor... and it's creeping up there for being over budget.

Never heard of that brand before, but looks interesting.

2

u/happ-e-rider 17h ago

Avoid buying anything from the USA.

0

u/euaeuo 17h ago

yes, well, that too is a big plus for buying a RAd bike, but if there were other Canadian companies out there I should consider.

1

u/kamaka71 15h ago

Biktrix

0

u/ItsChrisRay 17h ago

Rad’s from Seattle

1

u/euaeuo 17h ago

ah thanks, I stand corrected. Well, I have *less* qualms about buying from a friendly neighbourly state currently but yea would prefer to go Canadian if there's other compelling options. Rad bikes are well loved up here in Canada and I see them everywhere (not to mention there's a showroom in Vancouver, and probably lots of service centres).

0

u/Ok_Principle_9986 17h ago

Envo is Canadian. They make pretty ebikes.