Review: RadWagon 5 e-bike and Thule Yepp seat
A perfect combination for busy parents trying to cut down on car use
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I’ve clocked about 100 kilometres on the Rad Power Bikes RadWagon 5, paired with a Thule Yepp Maxi seat and it’s become my go-to setup for school runs, quick grocery store restocks and family jaunts on the weekends. Rad Power Bikes has built its reputation on delivering high-performing, affordable e-bikes and the RadWagon 5 is the latest cargo-centric offering. Thule is known for its high-quality smart storage, bike trailers and child seats (personally, big fan of each), and the Yepp Maxi is its flagship rear-mounted model. The two are a match made in parental heaven.
What: RadWagon 5 e-bike and Thule Yepp seat
Price: RadWagon 5 — $2950 | Thule Yepp seat — $240
Where to buy: RadWagon 5 — Rad Power Bikes
Thule Yepp seat — Rad Power Bikes| Amazon | Altitude Sports
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RadWagon 5 e-bike quick facts
- Weight (with battery): 86 lbs
- Wheel size: 20″ × 3.3″ tires
- Battery: 15 Ah (720 Wh) “Safe Shield” pack
- Motor: 750 W brushless geared hub, 90 Nm torque
- Range: Up to 90km per charge
- Payload: 375 lbs total; 120 lbs max on integrated rear rack
- Rider height range: 4′ 11″– 6′ 3″
- Standover height: 21″ (533 mm)
- Charger: 48 VDC, 2 Amp — requires 7.5 hrs to fully charge on an empty battery
- Warranty: Two-year limited (more details here)
- Shipping: Free
RadWagon 5 e-bike standout features
- Safe shield battery: Thermal-resistant resin around cells, certified for fire safety
- Hydraulic disc brakes: Tektro E-395 four-piston callipers with 180 mm rotors — stops you instantly, even fully loaded
- Integrated lighting and turn signals: Bright 200 lumen auto-on headlight; taillight with brake light and digital turn signals — great for urban riding
- Responsive torque sensor: Smooth, natural-feeling pedal assist that reacts instantly to your input and the terrain
- Dual-leg kickstand: Center-mounted, quiet-close, wide-foot design holds the bike solidly, even on soft ground; easy to use
- Low and centred mass: Battery relocated behind the seat tube lowers the center of gravity for better balance and stability — a must for stop signs and lights
My experience with the RadWagon 5 e-bike and Thule Yepp seat
Setting up and charging
When my RadWagon 5 arrived, assembly took about an hour following the included manual and Rad’s videos. The manual is a little overwhelming, but the video is only twelve minutes long and the actual assembly was pretty straightforward.
The bike comes mostly assembled, but expect to attach the front wheel, handlebars and some smaller accessories with the included tool kit. You’ll also need a pair of side cutters, a torque wrench and a pump for tires.
I bolted on the handlebar, front wheel, fenders and the Thule Yepp rack mount without any issues, though I did get some help from my partner. Set up could be handled by one person, but everything is a bit easier with two. Again, rely on the video for help here.
To charge, switch the battery “off” with the key, open the flexible port cover, plug in the charger and watch the LEDs go from red (charging) to green (fully charged). A full charge from empty takes roughly seven and a half hours and is designed to stop charging when full. I left my bike plugged in overnight in a safe spot (away from wetness, dirt, debris, etc.) and it was ready to go when I woke up in the morning.
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Favourite features: Stability, torque sensor, hydraulic brakes, turn signals, Yepp seat
Stability: My favourite thing is how stable it feels hauling a kiddo and a big backpack of groceries. I worried about stopping and starting and feeling like I may tip over, but I feel stable and safe, plus I have a ton of fun riding it. I can park the bike on its sturdy dual-leg kickstand, hop off, and load or unload the wee one without the bike tipping over.
Torque sensor: In all honesty, I had to do a lot of research to fully understand what a torque sensor is. Essentially, it’s a device that measures the rotational force applied to a rotating shaft. In the case of an e-bike, that rotating shaft is your pedals, so the sensor helps adjust the amount of motor assistance needed based on your terrain. In the case of the RadWagon 5, the torque sensor provides a seamless push from flat terrain to riding up hills — a regular occurrence in the mountain town where I live.
Hydraulic brakes: Hydraulic brakes are key for many reasons, but mainly because they have the highest stopping power and are the most responsive — extremely important when your cargo is your kiddo. These brakes are super powerful and the bike stops when I need it to, even in wet conditions — another commonality in the mountains.
Turn signals: Not all e-bikes have turn signals, and these have saved me from awkward hand-signal moments when loaded down. Simply hit the corresponding button on the remote (found on handlebars) before your turn. It’s always good to include the awkward hand signal when possible.
Yepp seat: The Yepp seat is almost perfect — it’s comfortable, made with high-quality, durable materials that are built to absorb shock and is well ventilated for year-round use. It’s loaded with safety features like a five-point harness, adjustable foot straps and padded shoulder straps. It’s easy to install and remove, making it a game changer when using the bike for multiple functions.
Areas for improvement: Weight, charger, lack of accessories
Weight: The RadWagon 5’s 86 pounds make lifting it onto a car rack or up stairs a chore. One that I completely avoid, which means using the bike at all times is limited. That said, I’m not sure you’d be able to find a much lighter cargo e-bike that has all of the features and capabilities as this one.
Charger: The 2-amp charger means you have to plug in the bike for many hours, often overnight. Perhaps a future model will offer a 3-amp option. Again, not uncommon for e-bikes of this size or capacity.
Lack of accessories: There is no lack of accessories when it comes to RadWagon and this particular model, however, I don’t own them. So this one is more of a me problem. I’d love to upgrade my system to include a large front basket and large basket bag for carrying groceries and other valuables on the front of the bike, rather than having to carry them on my back. I also need a proper cargo bike wheel lock and security chain, because my small Amazon bike lock doesn’t give me much comfort when leaving this beast of a bike outside a shop.
Who should purchase the RadWagon 5 e-bike and Thule Yepp seat
If you’re a parent wanting to ditch the car for school drop-offs or grocery runs, or just offer your kids a super fun, outdoor experience — get this combo. This bike would also be great for those living in big cities that are full of traffic as a fun and active way to avoid busy roads, while still being able to cart your goods. This setup turns everyday errands into exciting adventures — highly recommended for families and cargo-carrying commuters.
What: RadWagon 5 e-bike and Thule Yepp seat
Price: RadWagon 5 — $2950 | Thule Yepp seat — $240
Where to buy: RadWagon 5 — Rad Power Bikes
Thule Yepp seat — Rad Power Bikes | Amazon | Altitude Sports
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