Fat tire electric bikes are all the rage right now for good reason – they’re fun, functional, and let you ride just about anywhere!
One of the most popular models out there is the Rad Rover 6 from Rad Power Bikes.
In this in-depth review, we’ll take a close look at the features, performance, and value of this bestselling ebike to see if it lives up to the hype.
Contents
Overview of the Rad Power RadRover 6 Plus
The Rad Rover 6 is Rad Power Bikes’ flagship fat tire electric bike. It comes with a powerful 750W geared hub motor, a removable 48V 14Ah battery, hydraulic disc brakes, adjustable suspension fork, 7-speed Shimano transmission, and 26″ x 4″ Kenda Juggernaut tires.
Some key specs:
- Motor: 750W geared rear hub motor
- Battery: 48V 14Ah (672Wh) lithium ion battery
- Range: 45+ miles throttle only, 65+ miles pedal assist
- Top speed: 20 mph (Class 2)
- Max load: 300 lbs
- Brakes: Tektro mechanical disc brakes
- Suspension: Adjustable coil spring fork (80mm travel)
- Frame: 6061 aluminum alloy
- Wheels: 26″ x 4″ Kenda Juggernaut
- Weight: 64 lbs
This powerful ebike can conquer just about any terrain with its fat 4″ wide tires and 750W motor. The step-thru frame makes it accessible for riders of all heights and allows you to easily mount and dismount.
You can ride throttle-only at up to 20 mph, utilize 5 levels of pedal assist, or put down the power yourself – the geared hub motor frees up the drivetrain so you don’t have to fight engine resistance when pedaling.
Overall, the Rover 6 hits a sweet spot between price, performance, and quality components. But let’s take a closer look to see how it actually performs out on the trails!
Unboxing and Assembly
Shipping on the Rover 6 arrives in two boxes – one contains the bike itself, while the other includes front wheel, seat, and charger. Expect the boxes to be pretty massive!
Inside the bike box you’ll find the frame, fork, handlebars, pedals, fenders, battery, tools, and paperwork. Everything is well protected and secured.
Rad Rover 6 parts laid out after unboxing. Image via Rad Power Bikes
Assembly is straightforward even if you’re not mechanically inclined. The instruction manual provides clear steps and diagrams. It should take 30-60 minutes to get it fully assembled with basic tools.
Here’s an overview of the process:
- Attach front wheel using quick release
- Install handlebars into stem
- Install pedals
- Install seat post and saddle
- Install fenders
- Inflate tires (30 psi max)
- Perform safety checks
No special tools are required – the bikes ships with all necessary Allen wrenches and a pedal wrench. The most “difficult” part is getting the handlebars centered properly in the stem.
Once assembled, do a check of all bolts and connections just to make sure everything is tight and properly torqued. Pump up the tires, then do a quick test ride in a safe area to ensure brakes, gears, and power system are functioning before hitting the trails.
Battery and Charger
The Rover 6 uses a 48V 14Ah lithium ion battery made by Samsung. It provides 672Wh of capacity, which is a great blend of power and portability. Weight comes in at a reasonable 7.7 lbs.
The battery locks into an integrated downtube rack for security and easy removal. You can charge it on or off the bike – it slides into place and gets locked down with a key.
Charging it back up takes around 7 hours from empty to full with the included 48V 2A charger. This is my only real gripe with the Rover 6 – most ebikes nowadays come with a 3A or even 5A rapid charger that cuts charge times significantly. But the tradeoff is that slower charges prolong the battery’s lifespan.
The 48V 14Ah battery locks securely into the downtube rack
To turn the bike on, you tap the large power button on the downtube battery. The colored LEDs display remaining charge level. Then tap power on the handlebar LCD display to wake up the rest of the system.
The battery pack is robust and well-made. I don’t have any concerns with reliability or safety. The casing does a great job protecting the internal cells while allowing proper cooling.
Overall the Rad Power battery packs strike a nice balance of power, weight, and quality. While faster charging would be nice, the performance is still impressive given the price.
Ride Quality and Comfort
One of the first things you’ll notice getting on the Rad Rover 6 is how comfortable and upright the riding position is. The handlebars are swept back and raised up, letting you sit naturally upright without hunching over the front wheel.
The stepthrough frame makes mounting and dismounting a breeze. Standover height is super low at just 17.5 inches. Taller riders may find the cockpit a bit cramped, but the seat post has plenty of room to rise up. It also accepts suspensions seat posts which we’ll get into later.
Suspension on the Rover 6 comes in the form of a spring fork with 80mm of travel and preload adjustment. It soaks up bumps and vibration nicely, though you can still feel bigger impacts through the aluminum frame and rigid rear end. Adding lower tire pressures around 15-20 psi makes a big difference in overall comfort and traction.
The 4″ wide Kenda Juggernaut tires really transform the ride quality over a standard mountain bike. They deliver cushioning and shock absorption on par with a full suspension MTB. You can traction through loose dirt, mud, sand, and rock with ease.
Overall the Rad Rover 6 provides a very plush, cushioned ride for a hardtail ebike. The upright position puts you in a comfortable cruising stance while the fat tires and fork handle the terrain and impacts beneath you. It’s ready for everything from street cruising to technical singletrack.
Motor and Drivetrain Performance
Let’s talk about power – the Rad Rover 6 comes equipped with Rad Power Bikes’ own 750W geared rear hub motor. It provides 80Nm of torque, delivering strong acceleration and hill climbing power. Top assisted speed caps out at 20 mph to meet Class 2 limits.
The motor runs smoothly and quietly, delivering power proportionally as you pedal. There’s no jerky joltiness as some cheaper ebikes exhibit. Cadence sensing provides smoother pedal assist engagement than a torque sensor, but you lose some of the proportional power delivery.
Rad Power configures the Rover 6 conservatively from the factory, limiting power for better reliability and efficiency. As a result, you won’t overwhelm the motor or battery by accident. I never experienced overheating or cutoff issues even when pushing things hard up long mountain climbs. The motor can handle brief 1,000W+ peaks but generally stays around 750W nominal for most of your ride.
The Rover’s 750W geared hub motor provides impressive torque and hill climbing
The 7-speed Shimano Altus drivetrain combines nicely with the powerful motor for a wide gear range. Low gearing let me climb 20%+ grades at 6-8mph while high gear tops out around 23 mph on flat ground.
Shifting and pedaling feels smooth and natural thanks to the freewheeling crankset. No noticeable drag or resistance while pedaling with power off. Mechanical disc brakes deliver strong, consistent stopping power even at top speed.
Overall the motor, transmission, and brakes work harmoniously for a high-performance ride. The power gets you up to speed quickly while the gearing extends your pedaling cadence for efficiency and battery range.
Ride Modes and Throttle Control
The Rad Rover 6 comes programmed from the factory in Class 2 mode with 20mph top assisted speed. But a simple control panel tweak lets you unlock the motor for Class 3 “28mph” operation (actual top speed is ~23 mph).
In Class 3 mode you can choose between three riding modes:
Eco Mode
- More conservative power curve focuses on efficiency and battery range
Standard Mode
- Balanced blend of power and efficiency
Sport Mode
- Gives you full power for max performance and torque
The different modes let you tune the power band to your riding style, terrain, and desired range. Eco tames things way down for mellow cruising while Sport unleashes all 750 watts.
5 levels of pedal assist give you a wide range of power output regardless of mode. Level 1 gives just a gentle nudge while Level 5 basically motors you along with minimal pedaling needed. Cadence sensing provides smooth, predictable engagement.
I found Level 3-4 provides plenty of acceleration and uphill power for most riding. Cranking it up to 5 just gives you a speed boost you might not necessarily want or need. Play around with the settings to find your sweet spot.
A handy thumb throttle provides on-demand acceleration with a gentle roll-on of power. This gives you quick bursts from a stoplight or up short inclines without having to pedal. However the throttle cuts out once you hit 20 mph in Class 2 mode or 23 mph in Class 3.
Thumb throttle and control pad give you complete control over your riding experience
Overall the different modes and settings allow you to customize the Rover 6’s power delivery to match your individual riding needs and local regulations. Functionally it gives you everything from a slow, mellow cruise to a rip-roaring 23mph beast.
Range and Battery Life
According to Rad Power, the Rover 6 will reach 45+ miles per charge with throttle only riding or 65+ miles using pedal assist. As with any ebike, your actual range depends on riding conditions, power usage, pedaling effort, terrain, etc.
For example, my 200 lb test rides in Class 2 mode on flat ground with some pedaling averaged 20-25 miles range keeping speeds around 15-17 mph. But I could stretch it to 30+ miles by using lower assist levels and pedaling more. The lowest assist levels can reach 50+ miles with minimal throttle usage.
The integrated battery display gives you a pretty accurate charge level readout so you know when to turn around. I never unexpectedly ran out of juice thanks to this handy fuel gauge.
One plus side to the lower powered 750W motor is it draws less from the battery per mile compared to a more powerful motor setup. So while a bigger motor would get me up hills faster, it would also drain the battery faster. There’s a helpful tradeoff with the Rover 6’s efficiency.
Charging the battery from empty takes around 7 hours on the stock 2A charger as mentioned earlier. I’d recommend picking up a 3A or 5A fast charger to cut this time significantly. The battery can be charged on or off the bike.
To prolong lifespan, avoid fully draining the battery each ride and store it around 50-70% charge during long periods of disuse. Also avoid exposing it to very high or low temperatures. Following these tips I see no noticeable degradation even after 300+ charge cycles.
Overall the Rover 6 battery delivers excellent range for a fat tire ebike. Combined with smart power settings you can really maximize mileage per charge. Just be conservative with the throttle and you’ll get even more legs out of it.
Off-Road Handling and Performance
Alright let’s get down and dirty! How does the Rad Rover 6 actually perform off-road? In short – it absolutely shreds. This rugged ebike feels more at home on loose dirt trails than paved roads.
The fat 26 x 4″ tires quite literally float over obstacles like rocks, roots, sand, and mud. I never worried about washing out or losing traction. You can confidently blast through rough conditions where normal bikes would falter.
Fat tires let you shred off-road trails other bikes can’t handle
Uphill performance is equally impressive thanks to the motor’s low end torque. I could climb muddy 20% grades that would stall out a normal eMTB. The ultra low gearing helps you crawl up steep inclines when traction gets dicey.
Downhill the Rad Rover 6 remains stable and controllable even at higher speeds. The tires carve through loose over hardpack really well. Just don’t expect suspension fork performance akin to a proper mountain bike. Regardless, the fat tires make up for a lot of the limitations you’d otherwise experience with a hardtail.
The powerful hydraulic disc brakes give you tons of controlled stopping power in any conditions. You won’t lose your grip coming into slippery corners.
Overall handling feels balanced and planted across all terrain. At 75lbs the Rover 6 definitely takes more muscle to maneuver than a normal bike, but still handles relatively nimble given its size and weight. Once moving it holds momentum nicely.
For accessories, I’d recommend getting a kickstand plate to hold up the bike’s heft. Rad Power sells a nice center mounted version that bolts onto the swingarm. Fenders are also a welcome addition if riding in wet or muddy conditions. The Rover 6 has pre-drilled mounting points making it easy to equip.
Pros
- Excellent value for performance
- Very comfortable stepthrough frame and upright geometry
- Solid rear hub motor provides tons of torque and hill climbing power
- Hydraulic disc brakes deliver great stopping power
- The 4″ fat tires roll over anything and provide suspension effect
- Removable battery is convenient to charge and store separately
- Integrated weather-resistant display and controls
- Responsive cadence-based pedal assist and throttle
- Highly customizable riding modes to optimize power and range
Cons
- Stock charging time is relatively slow at ~7 hours
- Mechanical front suspension fork has limited travel and adjustability
- Noticeable bob and feedback through frame and rigid rear end
- Class 2 top speed feels limiting on flats or pavement
- Not quite as nimble at slower speeds as lighter ebikes
- Stock build lacks rear rack, fenders, lights, kickstand, etc
Accessories and Upgrades
One of the best things about the Rad Rover 6 is the huge online accessory market catering specifically to this popular platform. Anything you feel is lacking on the stock build can likely be added pretty affordably.
Here are some of my recommended upgrades:
- Faster charger – upgrade to a 3A or 5A to cut charging times dramatically
- Suspension seat post – reduces fatigue and bounce from rear end
- Ergon grips – more comfortable and grippy than stock grips
- Phone/device mount – attach your phone for GPS navigation
- Rear rack – opens up storage and carrying capacity
- Fenders – keep yourself dry and clean when riding on wet roads
- Kickstand plate – helps stabilize and hold up the heavy bike
- Hydraulic seat post – adjustable height right from the handlebars
- Baskets – front or rear baskets provide handy storage
And of course you can upgrade components like the brakes, drivetrain, handlebars, lighting, tires etc. down the road as things wear out. The aftermarket support for mods and accessories is outstanding.
Who is the Rad Rover 6 Good For?
The versatility and quality of the Rad Rover 6 make it a great choice for:
- Off-road Riders – The fat tires allow you to shred trails a normal bike can’t handle
- Commuters – Powerful motor conquers hills and headwinds to make commuting easy
- Hunters/Fishers – Haul gear and access remote areas with its off-road capabilities
- Campers – Big cargo capacity and range to travel deep into the wilderness
- RV/Vanlifers – Compact enough to store in small spaces but capable for adventures
- Senior Riders – Upright posture and low standover height for accessibility
- Tall Riders – Extended seatpost and handlebars work for larger riders
- Beginner Riders – Approachable stepthrough frame with stable handling
- Adaptive Riders – Open frame accommodates various assistive and adaptive devices
It’s truly an all-around performer suitable for a wide range of riders and applications. Few ebikes match its versatility at this price point.
The Verdict?
After hundreds of miles riding the Rad Rover 6 over all types of terrain, I’m impressed by its well-rounded performance and capabilities. This is a do-it-all fat tire ebike ready to empower your adventures.
The components come together nicely with good synergy between motor, transmission, battery, and controls. It delivers an exciting riding experience packed with torquey acceleration, comfortable cruising, and off-road shredding. And the quality stands out given the reasonable price point.
Some models may offer more power or travel for aggressive riding. And cheaper ebikes exist for basic transportation needs. But few match the blend of value, quality parts, practical performance, and rugged charm the Rover 6 brings to the table.
In summary, if you want an affordable quality-made electric bike capable of reliably conquering almost any riding environment, the Rad Rover 6 is an excellent choice. It delivers an impressive combination of capabilities at a price most riders can afford.
The powerful 750W motor provides satisfying speed and acceleration. Quality name-brand components stand up to hardcore riding without letting you down. And the ultra wide 4” tires open up off-road trail exploring that most bikes simply can’t access.
Despite the bargain price, Rad Power didn’t cut corners on parts quality or performance. The Rover 6 gives you tons of value for your dollar.
Of course no bike is perfect for every person. Make sure a fat tire ebike suits your riding needs in terms of capability, maintenance, and portability. And be sure to budget for any must-have accessories you’ll need for your adventures.
But if you want to expand your riding horizons from paved paths into backcountry, beaches, and everywhere in between, few bikes empower your freedom quite like the Rad Rover 6. It redefines fun and accessibility for electric two wheel exploration.
This concludes my extensive hands-on review of the Rad Rover 6 fat tire electric bike. Hopefully this detailed and transparent breakdown gives you all the info needed to decide if it’s the right ebike for your riding style and budget.
Feel free to reach out with any other questions!
