I ventured into the world of electric bikes with a budget in mind, opting for the Radmission at $500. Adding fenders, racks, and a few other accessories brought the total to around $700. What struck me was the comparison to the Radrunner – a bike that, similarly equipped, would have cost me three times as much. Surprisingly, I found the Radmission to be the superior ride for my needs. This experience got me thinking about bike design and value, echoing historical trends in bicycle manufacturing.
Some high-end electric bike brands pride themselves on offering various frame sizes to perfectly fit riders. Brands like Specialized even provide sizing guides, suggesting an XL frame for my dimensions. However, this wasn’t always the norm. Looking back to the 19th century, Raleigh bicycles revolutionized the market by focusing on quality and affordability, much like Henry Ford did with automobiles. To achieve dealer efficiency and keep costs down, Raleigh adopted a “one size fits all” philosophy. They ingeniously designed their bikes to accommodate a wide range of riders with a single frame size. A well-considered handlebar height, for instance, could ensure rider comfort even on uneven surfaces like cobblestones, negating the need for complex front suspension systems. Raleigh bikes featured adjustable handlebar height, maintaining stable handling by keeping the hand grips aligned with the steering axis.
Thinking about bike ergonomics led me to consider ladder design. The standard 12-inch spacing between ladder rungs feels natural and comfortable. I realized this from personal experience with a built-in ladder in my home closet, which has rungs spaced 14 inches apart. Climbing this ladder requires significantly more effort, forcing my knees to bend beyond 90 degrees and demanding considerable arm strength. In contrast, a 12-inch rung spacing allows for easy ascent and descent, aligning with the natural step height a person can manage without excessive knee flexion.
Raleigh’s reputation for comfort and efficient pedaling stemmed partly from their seat positioning. By setting the seat further back, they ensured the rider’s knee wasn’t bent at an extreme angle at the top of the pedal stroke. This design facilitated long, powerful, and efficient pedal strokes. It also allowed riders to effectively transfer their weight onto the pedal from the top to the bottom of the stroke, mimicking the natural motion of walking and then seamlessly shifting weight to the other leg. Reducing pressure on the saddle naturally enhanced rider comfort, particularly on longer rides.
Raleigh cleverly addressed the “one size fits all” challenge by angling the seat tube back at approximately 30 degrees. This ingenious design meant that as the saddle was raised to accommodate riders with longer legs (inseams), it also moved backward, effectively adjusting for a longer femur. This adaptability made Raleigh bikes accessible to a wide range of body types. I recall my sister, as a second-grader, confidently choosing a 26″ Raleigh because she knew she could comfortably ride it. The price point was also compelling – around $10 compared to $70 for a Schwinn, which she found too cumbersome and inefficient for longer distances. This affordability was a significant advantage, especially considering the safety aspect; bicycle safety standards were considerably lower then, resulting in a much higher bicycle fatality rate compared to today.
My own experience mirrored this. As a first-grader, I happily rode my sister’s Raleigh. By fourth grade, I transitioned to a boys’ frame, perhaps influenced by societal norms. Remarkably, at 18, the same frame size that suited me at age 7 remained ideal. This reinforced the idea that a well-designed “one size” frame could indeed fit a broad spectrum of riders.
Even with my Rad Power Bikes, I found myself making adjustments to the seat and handlebar positions to optimize stability, pedaling efficiency, and overall comfort. While high-end electric bikes certainly have their allure, my experience suggests that even they might require similar modifications to achieve a truly personalized fit. In the realm of electric bikes, and especially when considering value, sometimes the familiar and affordable option, like the Radmission, proves to be the better choice – “better the devil you know than the one you don’t.” For riders seeking practical, comfortable, and budget-friendly electric bikes, reviews like this point towards options that prioritize smart design and value over brand prestige and unnecessary complexity.
