REVIEW – Here I go again with another bike, and I am very excited about this one. I am excited because while this is only the second time I have been able to review an ebike from this company, the first time it was the bike that showed up at the NYC Auto Show at the Javits Center. This time I will check out the Radio Flyer Flex All-Around Utility eBike.
What is it?
Whether you’re a casual commuter or someone who rides daily for work and pleasure, the Radio Flyer Flex ebike is a great utility ebike with reliability and the ability to carry cargo or a kid. It is designed for riders 16 years of age and older.
What’s included?
- I x Radio Flyer Flex Ebike (M/L-Size)
- 1 x Tool Kit
- 1 x AC Charger
- 1 x Kid carrier
- 1 x Cargo bag
- 1 x User Manual
Tech specs
Design and features
The Radio Flyer Flex is solidly built and includes features like a carrier rack that can hold accessories like a kid carrier, a color LED display that includes battery charge information in percentage, hydraulic brakes, a 7-gear shifter, and a bright headlight and taillight. The thumb throttle is on the left side of the handlebar. All the tools required to assemble and maintain this e-bike are included.
Assembly, Installation, Setup
The Radio Flyer Flex arrives mostly assembled in a big box. The only requirements for assembly are to attach the handlebar, front wheel pedals front light, and fender. The necessary tools are included and the assembly process is easy. I also attached the kid carrier. It is an accessory and a personal choice. The following photos provide some snapshots from my assembly process. Once the assembly was completed, I charged the bike overnight to ensure it was fully charged and ready for testing.
Performance
I vividly recall the pleasure of riding the previous Radio Flyer ebike that I reviewed, and this Radio Flyer Flex reinforces that pleasure. The fit and finish are beautiful and when riding the bike feels like quality. The ride is smooth and stable and the seat is comfortable. The bike feels solid. It is important to note that there is a speed limiter. When you reach 19 mph, you can feel the bike “back down” and it tops out at 20 mph. The front and back lights are very bright and provide great light for visibility even in daylight.
As you can see, I was outside for a while and the display is full of dust. However, looking beyond the dust, you will see how beautiful the display is. What I love about it is the vibrance and most of all, I am thrilled that Radio Flyer provides battery information in a percentage reading that tells me exactly how much charge I have left. I have been asking other bike companies to do this since those bars that usually depict charge levels can be misleading and leave a rider stranded. Radio Flyer is leading the way and IMHO got this right. If you pay attention to the cover of the hydraulic brake cylinder oil cap it says “Mineral Oil”. This bike screams “attention to detail”. And of course, they have included their trademark tension spring that increases steering control.
This e-bike looks nice and sleek even from the back.
App:
The radio Flyer app compliments the excellence of the bike. The following screenshots are the first screens you encounter after installing the app. They provide security warnings and an overview of the controls before engaging:
The next set of screens provides an overview of the controls:
Once you have reviewed the controls, you then have to acknowledge that you have read the safety guidelines:
Only then do you get access to the functionality of the app:(One of the screenshots shows the option of using the app in “dark mode”)
I recorded a short overview video of this bike to showcase some of its features and to share how I feel about it:
And finally, here we are just enjoying how well the bike performs:
Overall, this is another winner from Radio Flyer. If you watched my overview video above you hear me talk about the solid welding, the hydraulic brakes, the great lights, the quality of the paint and the seat, the nice display, and last but not least, the smooth and enjoyable riding experience.
What I like about the Radio Flyer Flex
- The bike is beautifully made
- I can feel the quality in every part
- The digital display provides battery charge information in % as opposed to bars
- The available cargo options
- The smooth ride and performance
- The tension spring for the steering
What needs to be improved?
- It takes some getting used to with the throttle on the left side of the handlebar
Final thoughts
I often call Radio Flyer e-bikes the Mercedes of bikes. When I do so I usually refer to the function, fit, finish, and features, The Radio Flyer Flex is no exception. It is well made, well designed, and rides beautifully. While it includes all the normal pedaling options, I mostly ride my e-bikes using only the throttle except when riding in the nature preserve and riding the bike paths. This is another winner for Radio Flyer.
Price: $2299.00
Where to buy: Radio Flyer website
Source: Radio Flyer provided a free sample for this review. Radio Flyer did not have a final say on the review and did not preview it before it was published.
