So, I pulled the trigger and ordered online. It was close, but I went for the suspension seat post and fenders (though I think I could have easily lined the bottom of Radmini's front and rear racks with milk jugs cut to shape as fenders). OK, I had the big debate about which ebike to get - Radmini or Voltbike Mariner. But what happens when you need a squirt of power halfway up a rise? With PAS set to 2 (to avoid inadvertently rocketing into that party of hikers), the Mariner's thumb throttle is your best friend, allowing you to modulate power instantly to whatever level is required. Yes, the Rad Mini allows you to turn its twist throttle 'off'. But aboard a fatbike with a responsive PAS, a twist throttle is not only unnecessary but DANGEROUS on a bouncy trail where it's too easy to accidentally apply power just when you seriously don't want afterburner. A thumb throttle on an electric scooter will soon have you wishing for a motorcycle-style 'twist' throttle that won't wear out your thumb. Without it, I've found, completely removing the rear tire to fix a flat is impossible. What also grabbed me were the wired front-and-rear lights, and - especially - that quick-disconnect on the Mariner's hub motor wiring. (Actual difference may be closer to four pounds.) Remove the battery and the Mariner's even more manageable. Has anyone out there actually made this decision for one of these fat folders over the other?Īccording to the specs, the Voltbike Mariner's up to 7 pounds lighter: 57 vs 64. This choice is seriously hurting my brain. I've just learned that a car-owner acquaintance can ferry it up from Seattle, saving me that $400US. (Very difficult as it always seems to be stuck on Maximundo Power!) A thousand bucks (CDN) difference and near-local service will probably tip the scale.

Maybe a minus, 'cept the Mariner's high-tech Panasonic 'probably' gives close to the same range. The bike's a bit lighter than the Rad - a big plus. The Mariner's geared, fat-stator motor has both good hill-climbing torque and inadequate hill-climbing performance (!) according to this forum. And no extra expense for the Mariner's included fenders - though its website price seems to vary by $200 CDN day-to-day. George's Voltbike fat folder - born of LOHAS in China - leaves nearly $1,000 CDN in my pocket after $49CDN shipping. In real world cruising, I've found 38-40kph is 'more better' than 32. So my lust needle tends to centre on the the Rad's big bad 750w geared Bafang. But I've straggled (not a typo) up the long steep hill right outside my door too often with 500w non-geared hubba-hubbas. Since I live in Canada near Vancouver, the Rad's US$400 shipping cost is a major owie.

Good question! It's driving me nuts - and I'm an experienced erider (modified Bike E recumbent then Motorino BTR).

Rad mini range