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How we put this together: we have not ridden this bike ourselves. What follows is based on Rad Power’s published specifications and on independent reviews, which we link where we use their figures. Where a number is a manufacturer claim rather than a measured result, we say so. Read more about how we research.
The Rad Power RadCity Step-Thru 3 was one of the best known low step commuter e-bikes in the United States, and it is still the bike many people picture when they think of an affordable, fully equipped city electric bike. It is also, as of 2026, no longer sold new. That changes the buying question entirely, so this guide is written for someone looking at a used or refurbished example.
Below is what the published specifications say, what independent testers measured, and where the design shows its age. Every figure comes from a source we link, and anything we could not verify has been left out rather than guessed at.
Who this bike is for
This bike targets a specific rider: someone doing short to medium paved trips, in ordinary clothes, who wants to step through a low frame rather than swing a leg over a top tube. The very low stand-over height is the headline feature, and it genuinely helps riders with limited hip mobility and shorter riders who find conventional frames awkward. If that is your priority, read our guide to electric bikes for short riders too.
It suits flat terrain, trips inside 20 miles, and riders happy to do basic wrenching. It is a weaker fit for steep hills, for anyone near the top of its weight rating, and for anyone who wants dealer backed support. Anyone buying for a daily commute should also weigh current models against it, because the market has moved on since this frame launched.
Key specifications
| Motor | 750 W nominal gearless direct drive rear hub, about 40 Nm of torque, with regenerative braking |
| Battery | 48 V, 14 Ah, 672 Wh, Samsung 35E cells, rated for about 800 cycles |
| Claimed range | About 25 to 45 miles (manufacturer estimate, not a measured result) |
| Measured range | 40.8 miles, same motor and battery, top assist, 190 lb rider, 3,400 ft of climbing (Electric Bike Report) |
| Class and top speed | Class 2, pedal assist and throttle, cutoff at 20 mph |
| Weight | About 65 lb with battery (64.5 and 65.2 lb reported by two reviewers) |
| Payload | 275 lb total; rear rack rated to 60 lb |
| Rider fit | One frame size only, quoted as 4 ft 10 in to 6 ft 2 in |
| Brakes | Tektro Aries mechanical disc, 180 mm rotors, motor cutoff levers |
| Drivetrain | 7 speed, Shimano Acera rear derailleur, 14 to 34 tooth freewheel |
| Wheels and tires | 26 in x 2.3 in Kenda K-Rad |
| Fork | Suspension fork, about 100 mm of travel |
| Charge time | About 6 hours on the 2 A charger |
| Original US price | $1,699 MSRP, later seen at $1,599 |
| Availability in 2026 | Discontinued. Refurbished examples listed around $949 |
What independent testing found
The most useful measured figure comes from Electric Bike Report’s RadCity range test: 40.8 miles with roughly 3,400 ft of elevation gain, at the highest assist level, with a 190 lb rider. Two caveats matter. That test ran on the RadCity platform sharing the same motor and battery rather than on a Step-Thru 3, so treat it as indicative. And a result that strong reflects the 20 mph cap and an efficient motor; it will not repeat in cold weather, into headwinds, or with a loaded rack.
That is the usual pattern: manufacturer numbers describe a best case, and real distance at high assist lands well below the claim. Rad’s estimate spanned 25 to 45 miles, and the low end is the realistic planning figure for anyone using the throttle. Our explainer on what determines electric bike range covers the variables that move it most.
Electric Bike Report’s spec breakdown confirms the Shengyi motor at 40 Nm, the Samsung cell battery, the Tektro Aries discs and the 4 ft 10 in to 6 ft 2 in fit range. Electric Bike Review praises the integrated lighting, fenders, rack and modular battery, while listing reduced climbing torque, mechanical brakes, magnetic drag when unassisted and a five bar battery gauge as criticisms. Femme Cyclist, writing from long term ownership, reports 16 to 17 mph on flat ground at medium assist and a month long wait for a controller repair.
Where it falls short
The biggest issue in 2026 is not a component. Rad Power Bikes Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on December 15, 2025, and its assets were auctioned that January, with Electrek reporting a $13.2 million winning bid from Life Electric Vehicle Holdings. The brand now trades as Rad Life Mobility, and the current warranty page states plainly that the new owner has no obligation to provide warranty or service for products bought before that date. A used RadCity Step-Thru 3 is therefore an out of warranty bike on a discontinued platform, and long term parts supply is a genuine risk.
Mechanically, the direct drive motor is the second compromise. It is quiet and durable and adds regenerative braking, but 40 Nm is modest for a 65 lb bike, and steep climbs are where owners notice it. The same motor adds magnetic drag when you pedal past the 20 mph cutoff or ride with a flat battery, so it feels heavy in exactly the moments you want it light.
The brakes are mechanical rather than hydraulic, adequate but needing frequent cable and pad attention on a bike this heavy; our e-bike maintenance guide covers that routine. The 275 lb payload covers rider, clothing and anything on the 60 lb rack, a tighter ceiling than it first sounds. One frame size also means fit is handled entirely by saddle and stem adjustment.
Frequently asked questions
Can you still buy a RadCity Step-Thru 3 new?
No. It does not appear in Rad Power’s current lineup, which is built around the RadRunner, RadWagon, RadExpand and Radster families. Remaining supply is used and refurbished stock, listed around $949 against the original $1,699 MSRP.
How far will it really go on one charge?
The 25 to 45 mile figure is a manufacturer estimate. The best independent measurement on this motor and battery is 40.8 miles at top assist over hilly terrain with a 190 lb rider. Heavy throttle use, cold weather, hills, cargo and an aging battery all push real range well below the claim, so plan around the low end.
Is it suitable for a heavier rider?
The 275 lb payload covers the rider plus everything carried, so it is a poor match for anyone near that figure with a bag or groceries aboard. Riders needing more headroom should look at frames rated higher, covered in our guide to electric bikes for heavier riders.
What should you check before buying a used one?
Battery health matters most, since the pack is rated for roughly 800 cycles and replacements are hard to source. Ask for the cycle count and a demonstrated full charge, then check rotors, pads and cable tension, the 7 speed freewheel, and whether the display, lights and throttle all work. The bike carries no manufacturer warranty.
The bottom line
On paper the RadCity Step-Thru 3 still reads well for the money: a 672 Wh battery, a quiet motor with regen, lights, fenders and a rack included, and a stand-over height very few bikes match. The independent range result is respectable, and owners report it doing the job it was built for on flat urban routes.
The problem is context. It is discontinued, it climbs modestly for its weight, its brakes and drivetrain are entry level, and the sale of Rad Power Bikes leaves owners of older units without warranty recourse. At heavily discounted used pricing, for a flat terrain rider who values the low step and is comfortable maintaining the bike, it can still make sense. At anything near its original price, or for a rider who wants support, hills or hydraulic brakes, a current model from a company that will still be answering the phone next year is the safer buy.