Rad Power Bikes RadWagon 4: tire keeps going flat or blows out

Your RadWagon 4 tube keeps popping, a tire goes flat without warning, or the tire separates at the sidewall. Rad and the CPSC recalled RadWagon 4 bikes sold from September 2020 through August 2022 over two tire problems: a rim strip that can shift out of place and let the tube pop, and ribbed sidewall tires that can go flat unexpectedly. The short answer: check whether your bike is part of the CPSC recall before anything else, and stop riding it if it is.

Most likely cause

On affected bikes, the recalled parts. The CPSC notice reports blowouts, deflations and tires separating from the sidewalls on RadWagon 4 bikes. The remedy is a free repair that replaces both tires and both rim strips. The recall also covers spare 22 x 3 inch RadWagon 4 tires sold separately under the VEE Tire Co. name. (CPSC, Rad recall page)

Other causes to rule out

If your bike is outside the recall or already fixed, work through the usual flat causes on our e-bike flat tire page: debris in the tire, wrong pressure, and rim or tube damage. Rad's flat repair article suggests clearing debris from inside and outside the tire and keeping a pressure gauge handy.

How to confirm

1. Check the frame: affected bikes read RADWAGON on the upper down tube and RAD POWER BIKES on the lower down tube, in black, white or orange. (CPSC)
2. Look at the tire sidewall. Rad's recall page shows the ribbed sidewall tire marked with a red triangle in its photos. (Rad)
3. With the tire off the rim, look at the rim strip. Rad's photos show a misaligned rim strip, also marked with a red triangle. A strip that matches the photo means the bike is affected. (Rad)
4. If either matches, stop riding and request the repair through Rad's recall page.
5. If neither matches, inspect the tire for embedded debris and check pressure against the range on the sidewall. See set tire pressure.

Fix options

Get the recall repair (free)

Rad replaces both tires and both rim strips. Use the contact options on Rad's recall page.

Fix a regular flat (moderate)

For the rear, Rad's article says to remove the battery and drain power, loosen rather than remove the axle nuts, and protect the unplugged motor wire and brake rotor as the wheel comes out. Our fix a flat on a rear hub motor wheel guide covers the full job.

Replace a worn tire or rim strip (moderate)

If the tire casing shows through or the rim strip is damaged, replace it with the correct 22 inch RadWagon 4 parts from Rad or a shop.

Parts

• Tire (22 x 3 inch for RadWagon 4, per the recall notice)
• Inner tube
• Rim strip
• Zip ties

Videos

When to get a pro

If you're not comfortable removing a hub motor wheel, or flats keep coming after a new tube, tire and rim strip, have a shop look at the rim. See Rad Power Bikes troubleshooting.

Sources

• CPSC recall, cpsc.gov
• Rad recall page, support.radpowerbikes.com
• Rad, radpowerbikes.com
• flat repair article, radpowerbikes.com
• Changing a Flat, Riding Rad, youtube.com
• How to Repair Rad Wagon Rear Flat Tire, Rad Power Bikes Tire issues, Ep.13, youtube.com

Stuck after these checks? Find a shop near you.