Road Runner Electric Bike Review: Road Runner Vs Aventon Vs Himiway?

An Honest Analysis of Road Runner E-Bikes

In the ever-changing e-bike industry where new companies actually producing quality e-bikes emerge pretty much every day, riders are looking for a brand that brings them raw power in an affordable package. I bet you came here because Road Runner e-bikes have caught your attention and you can't help but ask yourself the all-important question: is this the ideal choice for you, especially when compared with industry titans like Aventon and Himiway? I'm going to keep the marketing bullshit aside in this post and give you a detailed and honest analysis of the Road Runner in this review. We'll take a look at the products they have on offer, providing you with on-the-road feelings on their hottest models along with a deep dive into a few things that you need to know before you decide to buy. We want all of the facts in your hands, so you can make an informed decision as to whether or not a Road Runner e-bike is your new best two-wheeled friend.

Road Runner divides its products into series to correspond to varying types of riding and consumer needs. The key to finding the perfect pair for you is to know their full product range. Here's a full Road Runner electric bike lineup summary:

Urban Series:

• Road Runner Pro
• Road Runner City Step-Thru
• Road Runner Commuter Lite

Adventure Series:

• Road Runner Fat Tire Explorer
• Road Runner Cargo Hauler
• Road Runner Off-Road Dominator

On-the-Road Feelings

If you want to really understand a brand, you need to get in the saddle. We've been able to get a few of Road Runner’s most popular models into the hands of testers to experience the complete riding experience -- the feel, the feedback, and the real-world observations from the rider's perspective. The Road Runner Fat Tire Explorer makes a good first impression with its aggressive look. The minute you throw a leg over it, you feel invincible. Those wide fat tires don’t just look hardcore; they lend the machine an insanely stable, confidence-inspiring ride. The Explorer feels planted on gentle gravel paths that might make other bikes feel skittish, the wide tires gripping the surface and smoothing out imperfections. The whir of the powerful hub motor is a satisfying reminder of what torque is at your disposal. Turning on the pedal assist generates a surge of power that thrills and is also quite manageable — it makes steep inclines feel relatively flat. From the cockpit, it's pure adventure; we found ourselves looking for harder off-road just to see how little we could get away with and how well the bike could handle it. The braking is powerful and predictable, which is crucial for a heavier, more powerful machine. It’s a motorcycle that announces freedom and grace, humility and independence. Taking a leap to the Road Runner City Step-Thru though, and it's a whole other ball game that's equally as impressive in its own right. This bike is comfort, convenience, and ease. The low step-thru frame is a huge relief for commuters who a) may not enjoy throwing their leg over a super-tall frame, and b) folks wearing a skirt to work (or cowboys/cowgirls), offering unprecedented convenience and ease of mounting and dismounting all while carrying around a pannier-sized load. The riding position is upright and comfortable, minimizing strain on the back and shoulders. Suppressing power curves rather than exploiting them is perfect for darting around the tight stop-start world of a city’s labyrinthine streets. It feels zippy and agile, and the suspension fork does a great job of taking the sting out of bumps caused by potholes and uneven pavement, so the ride stays comfortable. From the saddle, the world appears to be less a race than a journey or a delightful experience. You spot the small features: integrated lights that easily flick on for visibility; the plush saddle built for long cruises; the basic display that gives you the essential info at a glance. It’s a well thought-out machine that turns a daily commute into something to look forward to.

What to Know Before You Buy

It's a real investment that you're making, and there's more to consider than just what you think after a single test ride. While having great features at an affordable price is an important aspect of this product, to really make yourself comfortable, you also need to keep a few other things in mind that will really define your experience as a Road Runner owner.

1. The Brand’s Core Philosophy

Road Runner is certainly setting out to prove that it can deliver hard-hitting, tough electric bikes at a competitive price. Their specialty is producing high-wattage motors and massive batteries that result in neck-snapping speed and impressive range. This emphasis on power is a huge benefit for customers who are performance-oriented, live in hilly regions or who like the feel of fast acceleration. If you're commuting long distance or hitting the trails, Road Runner’s focus on performance specs has them in the game.

2. Maintenance and Customer Service

The lifespan of any e-bike, long-term, is highly contingent on the availability of parts and customer service. Definitely look into their warranty, how easily you can contact and ask questions of Road Runner, and how they treat people once they've made a purchase. Peace of mind from a brand that proudly stands behind its product with a solid support system in place is priceless.

3. Weight and Portability

Consider the weight: The same hefty motors and big batteries which provide Road Runner e-bikes with their awesome capabilities also contribute to their total mass. If you live in a walk-up apartment and need to carry the bike up and down stairs or regularly haul the bike in a vehicle, the weight of a model such as the Fat Tire Explorer could be physically tough to maneuver. If, on the other hand, it’s going to be kept in the garage for the most part and just ridden from the house, the weight won’t be a major issue and instead will result in an extremely sturdy construction.

4. Ecosystem and Accessories

Road Runner has a selection of proprietary accessories that have been designed to work on their bikes, like racks, fenders, and bags. This is a big plus because it means perfect fit and function without having to hunt down third-party fixes to make your bike just what you want it to be. A brand that offers a smooth and thoughtful ecosystem is a brand that truly understands what its customers are looking for, and ultimately creates an even more seamless and enjoyable ownership experience.

A Sophisticated Alternative: The ENGWE P275 SE

Although Road Runner is great at serving horsepower in its most undiluted form, some riders may be looking for something else: for smart tech, instinctive responsiveness and a touch of the cultivated urban lifestyle. And ENGWE is one such brand that you should seriously consider, especially their P275 SE model.

This electric bicycle is built in the spirit of the seamless integration between the rider and its components. The standout feature is its high-end torque sensor, a departure from the cadence sensors in a lot of the power-first e-bikes. This intelligent torque sensor, which is driven by ENGWE’s unique E-SATS system, responds to your pedaling within only 50 milliseconds. The result is an incredibly natural feel and ride that is almost like an extension of your own power—not the jerky, on-or-off feel of a less advanced system. This means flying in the challenging environment of a city feels intuitive and as smooth as ever. The ENGWE P275 SE adds to this smart power delivery by being built exclusively for the commuter. It has a detachable Samsung 36V 13Ah lithium battery which offers a maximum range of 100km, so you can ride it for days or weeks of commuting. Its classical Dutch-style frame and swept-back handlebars make it perfect for all-day cruising while its super comfortable and padded saddle is complemented by soft grips on the handlebar and offers the rider a comfortable sit-up riding position for all-day riding comfort. Safety and convenience are top of mind, featuring potent hydraulic disc brakes for those who need to make sure stopping on a dime is no problem, integrated lights, and a smart app connection providing you with real-time ride data and navigation right at your fingertips. A refined response to speed for urbanites that appreciate a smooth, intelligent and comfortable ride more than brute force, the new ENGWE P275 SE is a compelling and sophisticated option.

Road Runner E-Bike FAQ

Road Runner E-Bike Parameter Comparison

What is the realistic range of the advertised range of Road Runner?

This is a great question and a crucial one. The estimated maximum range is usually based on perfect conditions: a lightweight rider on flat ground, on the lowest level of pedal assist with no brakes, for instance. Out in the real world, it’s going to be nearly impossible to ever nail the maximum mileage figure advertised. Things like your weight, tire pressure, where you’ll ride (hills are brutally taxing), wind resistance and how you utilize the throttle and pedal-assist settings will also greatly impact your range. On Road Runner bikes, with their huge batteries, you can still expect colossal real-world range. A reasonable estimate would be whatever the battery is marketed as having for maximum range, plan on getting 60-80% of that number in mixed riding. To get the most out of your battery use lower levels of pedal assist, pedaling constantly, and keep your tires inflated.

What is set-up like when I get my Road Runner e-bike?

Road Runner e-bikes, as with most direct-to-consumer brands, come to you partially assembled in a large box. Usually, you will have to deal with the last 15-20% of the assembly. This typically includes hooking up the front wheel, adding the handlebars to the stem, screwing on the pedals (remember that the left pedal is reverse-threaded), and the seat post. The company includes a tool kit and a user manual to guide you. If you’ve got a little mechanical attitude, this will take you 30 minutes to an hour. Note if you are not 100% comfortable with assembly, take it professionally to your local bike shop. The low cost is worth the peace of mind.

Can I ride Road Runner electric bikes in the rain?

Generally, yes. Road Runner e-bikes are not waterproof, but water-resistant. This means with a bit of care and attention to detail they will cope with being ridden in light to moderate rain. The essential electronic parts such as the motor, battery, and the controller, etc., are sealed in the body of the bike to prevent water from entering. But if you were riding through a deep puddle, it could potentially submerge the motor hub or battery housing. Also a warning, do not pressure wash the bike; the high-pressure stream can cause water to get past the seals, which is not good. After you go riding in the rain, you should wipe the bicycle off with a dry cloth, paying close attention to electronic contact points and the chain to avoid rust and corrosion.

What is the most important distinction between a hub motor (like Road Runner's) and a mid-drive?

Most of Road Runner's bikes are made with hub-drive motors, which sit in the center of the front or back wheel. The best thing about them is their reliability, value, and the sensation of being pushed or pulled, which is a power rush many riders love. They are a well-tested, rugged technology. A mid-drive motor, that you may find on some pricier counterparts, is found in the middle of the bike at the crankset. The best thing is that this takes advantage of the bike’s gears, so it can get up really steep hills and because it’s not a friction load, it feels more natural to pedal as power is directly applied to the drivetrain. Hub motors are great for cruising and offer you raw power; mid-drive motors are great for technical, hilly terrain and in many cases, they also give you a better weight balance. Road Runner’s decision to utilize powerful hub motors was in line with their brand calling to offer exciting performance and value at the same time.

What difference would the weight of a Road Runner bike actually make when riding and loading it?

An e-bike’s weight can be a burden. Larger, heavier bikes (of which the Road Runner seems to fit) tend to feel like they’re nailed down to the pavement – which can be empowering at speed! This bulk aides the bike in plowing through rough patches and dampens vibration. But the bike feels clumsy in extremely tight, low-speed stuff due to this same weight. For most, the top thing to consider is off-bike handling. Lifting a 60-70 pound bike up a flight of stairs or onto a car rack is difficult. If you tend to do a lot of lifting and moving with your bike, I would absolutely pay attention to the weight spec on the model you are considering and consider erring on the side of something lighter, like a Commuter Lite. If it’s going to be kept on the first floor, the weight is more of a riding phenomenon than a daily battle of logistics.

In conclusion, Road Runner brings a powerful and thrilling ride, a joy you can experience all day on these powerful e-bikes.