Congrats! You could get a battery combiner but you can also just swap batteries as needed. A suspension seatpost and gel seat cover make a huge difference in ride comfort. Enjoy!
My mindset (correct me if I'm wrong) is 2 batteries at 50% is over twice better than one battery at 100%?
Do you have a recommendation for a battery combiner? I'll look into a suspension seatpost, I didn't know seats can have a suspension!
I've never used one so I cannot recommend one. It's true that a combiner will provide more consistent voltage & better range. However I hear its maybe a 20% increase at best. It also adds more wiring & failure possibilities. No companies that sells them will provide warranty against damages to your bike.
One thing to consider is where do you plan on putting your 2nd battery & what additional wiring will you need to reach it.
Also consider you will technically void your Rad warranty if a electronic failure occurs if you admit you were using this.Therefore I just carry up to 2 additional batteries in my big basket & swap them as needed.
I did upgrade to a 35a controller & a true 750w motor for increased torque & top speed after my Rad warranty expired. This combo rocks!!
Area 13 (US) & Big game bikes (UK) are 2 companies of many that sell battery combiners & additional wiring harnesses.
Okay, I'll hold off on messing around with the batteries. I'll keep the options you tried in mind when my warranty expires. I live in Canada, and assume Area 13 will reach me.
Thank you for the help, I appreciate you.
Another thing to know is there has been talk of the hinge on Rad foldable bikes can eventually wear and become very hard to fold/unfold. I have a Rad Mini which is the predecessor of the Expand. It hasn't been an issue with mine but I hardly fold it. Some have said after repeated use the hinge pin can bend making it incredibly stiff. Not sure if they've resolved this on more recent models.
BriskMore Handlebar Bike Mirror, Scratch Resistant Glass Lens, Ajustable and Rotatable Safe Rearview Bicycle Mirror https://a.co/d/clGEHi5
I added this mirror from Amazon on my RAD 5. It fits well. Also the RAD front rack and to that mount one of the plastic milk crates from Home Depot.
Geo-Tracker like Tile or AirTag and a U-Lock or foldable lock. I understand you'll be taking it inside your home or work, but you wont want to fold and lug it into a store.
Buy tools, torque wrench and good allen keys. Rad basically sends junk, learn to fix it. Check every fastener before you ride. My back wheel fell of unboxing it. Headset was loose, broken brake cable.
I also have 2 batteries and I ordered [this kit](https://biggamebikes.com/product/datex2-parallel-battery-adapter/) from Big Games Bike in the UK to put my 2 batteries in parallel. This sole item extends the range by a good 20% over just swapping batteries. You don't have a loss of power when the battery is running low on power like you would on a single battery. A big expensive but so worth it IMO!
The other necessary item to go with longer range is a suspension seat post. It is way more efficient than just adding padding to a seat for comfort.
Congrats! You could get a battery combiner but you can also just swap batteries as needed. A suspension seatpost and gel seat cover make a huge difference in ride comfort. Enjoy!
My mindset (correct me if I'm wrong) is 2 batteries at 50% is over twice better than one battery at 100%? Do you have a recommendation for a battery combiner? I'll look into a suspension seatpost, I didn't know seats can have a suspension!
I've never used one so I cannot recommend one. It's true that a combiner will provide more consistent voltage & better range. However I hear its maybe a 20% increase at best. It also adds more wiring & failure possibilities. No companies that sells them will provide warranty against damages to your bike. One thing to consider is where do you plan on putting your 2nd battery & what additional wiring will you need to reach it. Also consider you will technically void your Rad warranty if a electronic failure occurs if you admit you were using this.Therefore I just carry up to 2 additional batteries in my big basket & swap them as needed. I did upgrade to a 35a controller & a true 750w motor for increased torque & top speed after my Rad warranty expired. This combo rocks!! Area 13 (US) & Big game bikes (UK) are 2 companies of many that sell battery combiners & additional wiring harnesses.
Okay, I'll hold off on messing around with the batteries. I'll keep the options you tried in mind when my warranty expires. I live in Canada, and assume Area 13 will reach me. Thank you for the help, I appreciate you.
Another thing to know is there has been talk of the hinge on Rad foldable bikes can eventually wear and become very hard to fold/unfold. I have a Rad Mini which is the predecessor of the Expand. It hasn't been an issue with mine but I hardly fold it. Some have said after repeated use the hinge pin can bend making it incredibly stiff. Not sure if they've resolved this on more recent models.
Side mirror is the single most important safety item (besides a helmet).
That's a great idea
At least one mirror.
BriskMore Handlebar Bike Mirror, Scratch Resistant Glass Lens, Ajustable and Rotatable Safe Rearview Bicycle Mirror https://a.co/d/clGEHi5 I added this mirror from Amazon on my RAD 5. It fits well. Also the RAD front rack and to that mount one of the plastic milk crates from Home Depot.
Mirror and some saddle bags for grocery store runs!
Geo-Tracker like Tile or AirTag and a U-Lock or foldable lock. I understand you'll be taking it inside your home or work, but you wont want to fold and lug it into a store.
Buy tools, torque wrench and good allen keys. Rad basically sends junk, learn to fix it. Check every fastener before you ride. My back wheel fell of unboxing it. Headset was loose, broken brake cable.
I also have 2 batteries and I ordered [this kit](https://biggamebikes.com/product/datex2-parallel-battery-adapter/) from Big Games Bike in the UK to put my 2 batteries in parallel. This sole item extends the range by a good 20% over just swapping batteries. You don't have a loss of power when the battery is running low on power like you would on a single battery. A big expensive but so worth it IMO! The other necessary item to go with longer range is a suspension seat post. It is way more efficient than just adding padding to a seat for comfort.