What Rad Power Bikes Owners Should Do Right Now

Last Updated: 04/2026 by Miles Ellis

If you own a Rad Power Bikes EBike, you've probably heard the news. Rad Power Bikes filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December 2025 and was acquired by Life EV for $13.2 million. retrospec was the backup bidder in the auction. That's a lot to process, especially when your ride is sitting in the garage, and you've got questions about what happens next.

You're not alone. Thousands of rad electric bike owners are in the same spot right now. And while the situation is genuinely uncertain, it's not hopeless. Here's what you actually need to know, in plain language, so you can make the best decisions for yourself.

Rear view of two people wearing helmets riding their retrospec Koa Rev Fat Tire Electric Bikes across a grassy park toward a tree-lined pond at golden hour, with fallen autumn leaves and a wooden dock visible in the background.

What Happened to Rad Power Bikes (The Short Version)

Rad Power Bikes was once one of the most recognizable ebike brands in North America. At its peak in 2021, the company pulled in an estimated $300 million in revenue. Then things unraveled quickly.

Over the next few years, Rad cycled through four CEOs. Revenue tanked every year, and in December 2025, the company filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy and was sold in a bankruptcy auction to Life EV for $13.2 million.

Life EV now owns the Rad brand, the website, and the remaining inventory. What that means for existing customers is still taking shape, which is exactly why it's worth knowing where you stand.

What This Means for Your Warranty and Support

This is the big one. Rad Power Bikes offered a one-year limited warranty on most of their products. After a bankruptcy sale, warranty obligations can be murky. The acquiring company, Life EV, will honor some existing warranties but not all.

Here's what to do right now:

Document everything. Pull your original purchase receipt, order confirmation, and any warranty registration you completed.

Contact Life EV directly. Check the current radpowerbikes.com site for updated support contact info under the new ownership.

Check your credit card benefits. If you purchased with a credit card, many cards include purchase protection or extended warranty coverage that applies independently of the brand.

Keep records of any issues. If something goes wrong with your rad ebike, document it with photos and dates before reaching out.

The honest truth is that warranty support under new ownership is unpredictable. The sooner you understand where you stand, the better.

Will You Still Be Able to Get Parts?

Parts availability is one of the most common concerns for rad power bike owners right now. And it's a fair one.

Components like tires, tubes, brakes often have compatible options available through general EBike parts retailers, even independent of Rad's own supply chain.

Electronic and proprietary parts, like specific battery packs or brand-specific controllers, are harder to source if Life EV doesn't maintain that supply. If your battery is approaching the end of its lifespan, it may be worth getting ahead of that sooner rather than later.

What to Look for in Your Next EBike (So This Doesn't Happen Again)

If this experience has you thinking about what comes next, that's actually a healthy place to be. Here's what to look for when you're ready.

Company Stability

Look for brands that are profitable, privately held, and not dependent on outside investment. Companies chasing growth at the expense of fundamentals tend to run into the same problems Rad did.

Transparent Warranty Terms

A solid electric bike warranty isn't just about the length of coverage. It's about what's actually covered, how claims are handled, and whether the company has a track record of standing behind their products. Read the fine print.

Battery Quality and Safety Standards

EBike batteries should meet UL 2849 certification standards. This is the safety standard that responsible brands build to. If a brand can't tell you clearly what safety certifications their battery meets, keep looking.

Parts and Service Availability

The best Electric Bike is one you can keep riding for years. Ask whether replacement parts are available, whether the company works with third-party repair shops, and whether service support is accessible after purchase.

Fat Tire Options

Fat tire Electric Bikes are worth considering if you ride on varied terrain, sand, gravel, or uneven pavement. They offer more stability and traction without asking you to become an expert rider first. Just make sure the brand behind it is one you can count on.

How retrospec Approaches EBike Quality and Support Differently

retrospec has been building outdoor gear with a straightforward philosophy: make things that work, price them fairly, and stand behind them. No venture capital-fueled growth plays. No revolving door of leadership. Just gear that gets people outside.

When retrospec builds an EBike, battery safety isn't a checkbox. It's the foundation.

Every EBike is built to meet UL 2849 certification, which is the safety standard that sets serious brands apart from ones that cut corners. And because retrospec is based in California and focused on sustainable growth, you're not buying from a company that might not exist next year.

That's what a reliable Electric Bike brand looks like. Stable. Clear about what they offer. Built to last.

Two people wearing helmets smile at each other while straddling their retrospec Koa Rev Fat Tire Electric Bikes in a sun-dappled park, with autumn trees, fallen leaves, and a picnic table near a pond in the background.

Ready for a Fresh Start? Here's Where to Look

If you're ready to move on from the uncertainty and get back to actually riding, you deserve a brand you can count on. One that's going to be there when you have a question, when something needs a fix, or when you want to upgrade.

Explore the full retrospec EBike collection and see what it feels like to shop with confidence again.

Two people wearing helmets ride their retrospec Koa Rev Fat Tire Electric Bikes side by side along a city street, with modern brick storefronts, outdoor cafe seating, and an open sign visible in the background.

About retrospec:

The outside is for everyone, but not everyone feels comfortable outside. So we set out to make everyone feel at home in the open air through the use of expertly designed, durably crafted, accessibly priced outdoor gear — electric bikes, pedal bikes, kids bikes, stand up paddle boards and more — our goal at retrospec is simple: make nature second nature for everyone. We believe that all people, regardless of background or experience, should enjoy the life-affirming, eye-opening beauty of the outside world. We encourage a more active lifestyle and make being outdoors fun and inviting for people of any age, ability, or skill level.