Today we’re taking a look at the new Radio Flyer L885, a longtail cargo eBike from Radio
Flyer’s newest lineup of electric bikes. You probably already know of Radio Flyer,
they invented the original red wagon 100 years ago– and have become a well known
brand for generations of families and kids in the US and around the world. They even make
tech toys like the mini electric Tesla for kids, and recently announced an electric
Tesla Cyberquad for kids and teens. Looking at the eBikes, the L885 model is
a longtail bike, which means it has a long rear section that’s integrated into the
frame and designed to be multi-purpose, so you can load cargo, or have up to
2 kids when using the Kid carrier. The L885 is available directly from Radio Flyer’s
website and starts at $1,999. But there’s some deals and coupons available, so be sure to check
the description at the bottom of this video. When ordering, you can choose from 4 different
colors and customize many different accessories including a front basket, small rear basket, large
rear storage basket, or the Kid & Cargo Carrier.
For delivery and assembly, you can either select
free shipping and assemble the bike yourself, or pay $200 to have a local bike shop
receive and build the bike for you so you can pick it up fully assembled. They even have
a mobile service available in certain cities, and they partnered up with VeloFix, that will
deliver the bike fully assembled for $250. For our eBike, we chose the free
shipping and assemble it ourselves. It ships in a large box, well
packaged inside and neatly protected. It also comes with a user manual
and assembly instructions, the front light and reflectors, battery
charger, pedals, and a set of tools. Assembling the bike, there’s just a few
steps. First, you install the front wheel, then mount the handlebars, and set up the
front fender and light. On the rear section, the wooden top seats and side steps easily mount
to the brackets with the included hardware. We also got the Cargo & Kid
carrier, which is quick to assemble. First, you assemble the basket using
the hardware. Mounting it on the bike, it replaces the wooden top section
with the included padded foam seat. The Cargo carrier is designed
to be multi-functional.
So, you can use it in cargo mode to carry a bunch
of groceries, and the basket is extra large and tall. The liner is made of a high quality
fabric that's durable and easy to clean. It also has a front zipper so you can put
small items like your keys or cell phone. Converting it to Kid mode, all you have to do
is unzip each side and fold down the fabric, which wraps under the side rails and
clips in to hold.
It’s a well designed accessory that's super functional. We
also like the front and back fenders, and the fender in the rear gives full
protection even on both sides of the wheel. The carrier is rated for children
between the ages of 5 and 10 years old, and you can also get a booster seat that’s made by
Thule (Two-lee) for kids as young as 9 months old. We tested it with 2 kids that are
3 ½ and 1 ½ years old.
Safe to say, they fell in love with the bike at first sight.
Loading the kiddos on the carrier, you can either lift them up to place them in… or let them
crawl their way up and down all on their own. The Kickstand is a dual leg and it’s very sturdy, so you can feel confident it won’t tip
over when the kids are loading themselves on and off the bike. Because the kickstand
is spring loaded, it can be a little tricky to lift it up and down, but with a little
bit of practice you quickly get used to it. Riding around with the kids, it feels well
balanced and easy to maneuver. This is due to the fact that the rear wheel is 20 inches,
which is smaller than the 26 inch front wheel. The smaller rear wheel creates a lower center of
gravity for better stability, while also being more efficient for the motor. Meanwhile, the tires
are both 3 inch wide and also puncture resistant.
Trying out the basket for cargo, it’s
perfect for lugging around all your gear. It has a weight capacity of 130 lbs, and because
of the wide size and height of it, you can easily fit your groceries or other items without needing
to use a net or bungee cord to secure it down. Looking at the motor, it’s a 500 watt hub motor
in the rear wheel that gets you going up to 20mph. You have the option of using the
twist throttle for acceleration, or the 5 different pedal assist modes.
There’s also a 7 speed derailleur and Shimano shifter so you can
change the manual gears of the bike.
You control the pedal assist settings using
the small LCD display on the left hand side. It shows you the current pedal assist mode
you’re in, speed, odometer and battery life. While the display is small compared to other
eBikes, it’s also simple and does the job. The battery is a 48v, 15 amp hour pack that
fits nicely within the frame of the bike. You can easily remove the battery, using the
key lock, so you can bring it inside the charge. For range, Radio Flyer advertises between
30-50 miles, and your range will depend on how much cargo or kids you’re lugging
around. And if you want to go even further, the L885 has a dual battery mounting bracket
and plug for a 2nd battery that you can buy, which will add another 50+ miles for
those really adventurous families.
Looking at lights, the L885
features both front and rear LED lights that can be turned on and off, while
the rear light also functions as a brake light. For braking, the eBike features front and rear
disc brakes. While they aren’t hydraulic brakes, we found that they still do a good job
considering the weight of the bike. One downside is that there isn’t
any suspension in the front or back, so you’ll feel bumps and
potholes if you encounter them. But given the price tag, we’re pleased with
the build quality and components of this eBike. The aluminum frame is well constructed, with the
quality you can expect from a great brand like Radio Flyer. And they back it up with a 1 year
warranty on the eBike and all the components.
They even have a 15 day return policy if you decide
you don’t like the bike for whatever reason. Overall, the L885 should be a top choice
eBike that the whole family can enjoy, whether it’s going out for biking adventures, or
using it to do errands and even commuting to work. Alright, that’s it for now. Let us know
in the comments below what you think, and if you have any questions
about the Radio Flyer ebikes! If you found this review helpful
and want to support our channel, you can always subscribe for free. Next up, check out our other videos reviewing and
comparing longtail cargo eBikes for families..