Simple Glide Recumbent eTrike Comparison: Every Model, Measured and Explained

Meet the Simple Glide Family

The Simple Glide started as one idea: a recumbent electric trike that felt more like settling into a comfortable chair than climbing onto a bicycle. Over time that idea grew into a small family of models, each built around the same relaxed riding position but tuned for different riders, different roads and different priorities. If you have been browsing our recumbent electric trikes and wondering why there are several Simple Glides instead of just one, this guide is for you.

Our head fit specialist Dustin, who has spent about 20 years in the bike and e-bike business, lined up every version side by side with a tape measure and walked through the differences that actually matter once you own one. This article is the written version of that walkthrough, cleaned up and organized so you can scan it, compare numbers and come away knowing which model belongs in your garage.

Here is the lineup we are comparing:

• Simple Glide 500W – the standard model, with narrower tires and a 500 watt rear hub motor. It is the most compact and the lowest seat in the family.
• Simple Glide Fat Tire – 4-inch wide tires and a 750 watt rear motor, with a hitch on the back for towing.
• Simple Glide Low to the Ground – a stretched-out, extended frame for a more fully reclined recumbent position, aimed squarely at taller riders.
• Simple Glide Deluxe – the fat tire platform with rear suspension, hydraulic brakes, a footrest and a rear basket.
• Simple Glide Dual Motor – everything the Deluxe has, plus a second 750 watt motor up front and a second battery, for 1,500 watts combined.

One quick note before we go further. The Deluxe and the Dual Motor share the same frame and the same dimensions. The difference is what is driving them: the Deluxe runs a single rear motor, while the Dual Motor adds a front motor and a second battery. So whenever you see a measurement for the Dual Motor in this guide, you can assume the Deluxe matches it unless we say otherwise.

Also worth knowing if you have seen older photos or videos: early versions of the 500W model used a front hub motor. That has since changed, and the current 500W Simple Glide uses a rear hub motor like the rest of the family.

Motor size is usually the first spec people look at, and it is the one most likely to be misunderstood. Bigger numbers look better on paper, but how a trike feels on the road depends on the whole package, especially the tires.

The standard Simple Glide uses a 500 watt rear hub motor. The Fat Tire, Low to the Ground and Deluxe models step up to a 750 watt rear motor. The Dual Motor pairs that 750 watt rear motor with another 750 watt motor in the front wheel, giving you 1,500 watts combined.

Here is the part that surprises people. Dustin weighs about 240 pounds and has ridden all of these, and he finds the 500W model has plenty of pep. The narrower tires on the standard Simple Glide have less rolling resistance than the 4-inch fat tires, so the motor does not have to work as hard to get you moving. You feel that as quicker, livelier acceleration off the line. The 4-inch tires create more friction with the ground, which is exactly why the fat tire models need the larger 750 watt motor to feel just as responsive.

On hills, the gap between the 500W and the single 750W models is smaller than the numbers suggest. If you are under roughly 200 pounds and you are not facing a lot of steep climbs, the 500W Simple Glide will serve you well. Do not let the smaller number on the spec sheet talk you out of it.

The Dual Motor is a different story. Two motors means real, noticeable torque. Heavier riders, people who live in hilly areas, and anyone planning to pull a trailer or a passenger seat will feel the difference immediately. Dustin is openly a fan of this one: he likes it for hills, for acceleration and for the sheer amount of torque on tap. If you are over 200 pounds and your routes include serious grades, this is the model that makes those climbs feel easy.

Top speed

Every Simple Glide is set to top out around 20 mph on the throttle alone. With pedal assist, the single-motor models still land at roughly 20 mph. The Dual Motor can go past 20 mph when you combine both motors with pedal assist. We keep these trikes within the limits of what is legal for an e-bike, so think of them as comfortable cruisers rather than speed machines. If you are curious how throttle control works across our lineup, take a look at our electric trikes with throttle control.

Batteries and Real-World Range

Every Simple Glide runs on a 48 volt, 15 amp-hour battery. The Dual Motor is the exception, because it carries two of those batteries to feed its two motors.

With a single battery, you can expect up to about 50 miles of range. With the Dual Motor's two batteries, that climbs to up to around 80 miles. And there is a neat trick here: the Dual Motor does not force you to run both motors all the time. You can ride on a single motor while drawing from both batteries, which stretches your range even further. Ridden that way, some riders could see close to 100 miles on a charge.

Those are best-case numbers, and it is worth being honest about what moves them up or down. If you run both motors constantly on the Dual Motor, you will drain the batteries much faster than if you save the second motor for hills. Your pedal assist level matters too. Every Simple Glide has five levels of assistance, and living in level 5 uses a lot more energy than cruising in level 1 or 2. Rider weight, wind, hills, tire pressure and temperature all play a part as well.

A practical way to think about it: if your typical ride is a few miles around the neighborhood or a loop along a bike path, a single battery is more than enough. If you want long, all-day rides, if you are towing, or if you just hate thinking about range, the dual battery setup gives you a big cushion. Spare and replacement packs are available through our batteries and chargers page.

On an upright bike, seat height is something you adjust with a quick-release lever. On a recumbent trike, the height of the seat off the ground is built into the frame, and it shapes everything: how easy the trike is to get on and off, how far your legs are from the pedals, and how the trike feels to sit on. This is where the Simple Glide models really start to separate from each other.

Measured to the top of the standard seat in its lowest position, here is roughly where each model sits:

• Simple Glide 500W: about 26 to 26.5 inches. This is the lowest of the group, mainly because the narrower tires sit the frame closer to the ground.
• Simple Glide Low to the Ground: about 28.5 inches. Despite the name, the seat itself is not dramatically lower. What changes is the frame, which is stretched out for a more reclined, laid-back position.
• Simple Glide Fat Tire: about 28 to 28.5 inches. The 4-inch tires lift the frame a little compared to the 500W.
• Simple Glide Deluxe and Dual Motor: about 30.5 inches. The rear suspension and other hardware raise the seat roughly 2 inches above the standard fat tire model.

So between the lowest and highest models you are looking at roughly 4 inches of difference before you add any seat upgrades. That may not sound like much, but when you are sitting with your legs stretched out toward the pedals, a couple of inches changes your reach noticeably. A higher seat also means you lower yourself less to sit down, which some riders with knee or hip concerns actually prefer. A lower seat makes it easier to plant your feet on the ground.

All of the seats slide forward and back, so you have room to dial in your leg extension regardless of which model you choose. The seat height above the ground, however, is not something you can change much, which is why it is worth picking the right frame from the start.

Which Simple Glide Fits Your Height?

Fit is the single most important part of choosing a recumbent trike. Get it right and the Simple Glide feels like it was made for you. Get it wrong and you will either feel cramped with your knees too high, or stretched so far that you are reaching for the pedals. Here are the height ranges Dustin recommends for each model with the standard seat.

Simple Glide 500W: about 4'11" to 5'6"

The 500W has the shortest frame and the lowest seat, which makes it the best choice for shorter riders. It works well for people from about 4'11" up to around 5'5" or 5'6". Above that, most riders start to feel cramped. The good news is that adding the captain's chair (more on that below) shifts this model into a comfortable fit for riders roughly 5'6" to 5'9". Beyond about 5'9", it will be pushing it no matter which seat you choose.

Simple Glide Fat Tire: about 5'1" and up

The standard fat tire model fits riders from roughly 5'1" or 5'2" and up, which covers a broad range of people.

Simple Glide Deluxe and Dual Motor: about 5'3" and up

Because the seat sits about 2 inches higher, the Deluxe and Dual Motor start a little taller, at about 5'3".

Simple Glide Low to the Ground: 5'11" and up

This one is built for tall riders. You will want to be at least 5'11", and it really shines for riders who are 6'0", 6'1", 6'2" and taller. It can comfortably handle riders up to roughly 6'6" to 6'8".

To give you a sense of how stretched out this frame is, Dustin is about 5'9¾" with a 30-inch inseam. With the seat pushed all the way forward on the Low to the Ground, he is fully extended to reach the pedals. Someone around 5'11" or 6'0" with a 31 or 32-inch inseam will feel far more at home. If you are a taller rider who has struggled to find a trike that does not leave your knees up near your chest, this is the model to look at.

Height is only part of the story

Inseam matters as much as overall height. Two people who are both 5'8" can have very different leg lengths, and on a recumbent your legs do the reaching. If you are right on the edge between two models, measure your inseam and use that to break the tie. Our personal fitting process exists for exactly this situation, and you can talk it through with Dustin directly rather than guessing.

Every Simple Glide comes standard with the same seat, but you can upgrade any model to our captain's chair. It is plush, it reclines, it slides forward and back like the standard seat, and it comes with a swivel plate so you can turn the seat to make getting on and off easier. A lot of riders love it. But there is one thing you need to understand before you add it to your cart: it raises you up.

The captain's chair cushion alone is about 3 inches thick, and with the swivel plate the total gain in seat height is roughly 4 inches over the standard seat. On the standard fat tire model, for example, the seat top goes from about 28.5 inches to about 32.5 inches.

That extra height sits you higher and farther from the pedals. For tall riders, that can be a nice change. For shorter riders, it can make the trike hard to pedal, because your legs simply will not reach comfortably.

Can you lower the captain's chair?

Partly. The swivel plate can be removed, which drops the seat about 1.5 to 2 inches. You give up the swivel, but the chair still reclines and still slides forward and back. For riders who are just slightly on the short side for the captain's chair, this can be enough to make it work.

Captain's chair height guidelines by model

• 500W: With the captain's chair, the seat top goes from about 26.5 inches to about 30.5 inches, which is still a very manageable height. This combination suits riders roughly 5'6" to 5'9".
• Fat Tire and Low to the Ground: Plan on being at least 5'6" to use the captain's chair comfortably on the fat tire model. The Low to the Ground is already sized for taller riders, so the captain's chair is rarely an issue there.
• Deluxe and Dual Motor: Adding about 4 inches to a 30.5-inch seat puts you around 34.5 inches off the ground. In Dustin's experience, riders below about 5'10" or 5'11" will find it hard to pedal with the captain's chair on these two models.

A simple rule of thumb: if you are around 5'5" or 5'6" or shorter, the captain's chair is not a good option for you unless you are pairing it with the 500W model. You can see the captain's chair and other seating options in our seat collection.

Bolting on a different seat

People occasionally ask whether they can swap in a different seat altogether. A regular bicycle saddle will not work on a Simple Glide. However, the seat mounts with a four-hole bolt pattern, so a seat that matches that pattern, potentially even an office-style chair, could be bolted on. If you are handy and willing to drill holes that line up with the mounting points, you could customize it. That is entirely a do-it-yourself project, but the option is there.

Here is a benefit of the captain's chair that most people do not think about until they try to load a trike into a car: the backrest reclines almost flat.

The standard seat's backrest does not recline, and taking it off means removing four bolts with an Allen key. With the standard seat in place, the highest point on the trike is the top of that backrest, at roughly 52.5 inches off the ground.

With the captain's chair, you can lay the seat back nearly flat and fold the handlebars down. That drops the highest point on the trike to about 37 to 37.5 inches. That is a difference of roughly 15.5 inches, and it can be the difference between a Simple Glide fitting in the back of your SUV or hatchback and not fitting at all.

If you prefer the standard seat but still need to transport the trike regularly, there is a workaround. Some riders replace the four backrest bolts with wing-nut style bolts that can be loosened by hand, so the backrest can come off and go back on without tools each time they load up. Whether that is worth the hassle is up to you, but it is a practical option.

Keep in mind that all Simple Glides weigh in around 100 pounds, and the Dual Motor is heavier still, so lifting one into a vehicle is usually a two-person job or a job for a ramp. We will come back to weight a little later.

Length, Width and Fitting on a Hitch Rack

If you plan to carry your trike on the back of a vehicle rather than inside it, overall length and width become the numbers to watch. Here is how the Simple Glide family measures front to back:

• Simple Glide 500W: about 67 inches. This is the most compact model in the lineup.
• Simple Glide Fat Tire: about 73 to 75 inches.
• Simple Glide Deluxe and Dual Motor: about 78 to 80 inches, including the rear basket.
• Simple Glide Low to the Ground: about 98 inches to the back of the basket, and about 89 inches to the back of the frame itself.

The Low to the Ground's rear basket can be slid forward or back. Dustin had it pushed all the way back to make sure the seat could slide fully rearward. If you ride with the seat in a more forward position, you can move the basket forward too and trim a bit of that overall length.

For width, the fat tire models all come in at around 32 inches, while the narrower-tired 500W is about 31 inches.

The folding front end

The Fat Tire, Deluxe and Dual Motor models all have a front end that folds. It is not a dramatic fold, but when it comes to racks it can be exactly what you need.

A lot of flatbed hitch racks come in a standard 60-inch length. Unfolded, all of these Simple Glides are longer than 60 inches. Fold the front, though, and the fat tire models come down to roughly 57 to 59 inches depending on how the fold sits. That is short enough for many of the standard 60-inch flatbed hitch racks, which commonly sell for around $200. The next common size up is a 72-inch rack, which typically costs another $100 to $150 more. We have had plenty of customers fold the front end and fit their Simple Glide on a 60-inch rack.

The Low to the Ground is the exception. At its length, it needs a different, longer rack setup altogether, so factor that in if you are a tall rider who plans to drive to your rides. Before buying any rack, measure your specific trike in its folded state and check the rack's platform length, wheel spacing and weight rating. A roughly 100-pound trike, or a 120-plus-pound Dual Motor, needs a rack rated to carry it.

One of the big reasons people choose a recumbent trike is that it is easy to get on. You are not swinging a leg over a top tube or balancing on two wheels. Still, there is a bit of frame you need to step over, and the height of that step varies slightly from model to model.

Across the Simple Glide family, the step-over heights range from about 13.5 inches at the lowest to about 16 inches at the highest. Most of the models sit right around 14.5 to 15 inches. The Low to the Ground is the tallest step at about 16 inches, because its chain guard sits in that area.

An inch or two may not seem like a lot, but if you have limited hip mobility, knee issues or balance concerns, every inch counts. Think honestly about what your body is capable of when mounting and dismounting, and choose accordingly. Combining a low step-over with the captain's chair's swivel plate can make getting in and out especially easy for some riders, as long as the captain's chair fits your height.

If easy mounting is your top priority, it is also worth browsing our easy-to-mount eTrikes and our electric trikes for seniors to compare the Simple Glide against our upright step-through designs.

Baskets, Hitches and Carrying Capacity

Storage is another area where the Simple Glide models differ in ways that are easy to miss on a product page.

Front baskets

Every Simple Glide comes with the same front basket. It measures about 13 inches wide, 11 inches front to back and 10 inches deep. That is a good size for a purse, a water bottle, a light jacket or a small bag of groceries.

Rear baskets

Here is where it varies:

• 500W: front basket only.
• Fat Tire: front basket only, but it has a hitch (see below).
• Low to the Ground: front and rear baskets. The rear basket is about 17.5 inches wide, 15 inches front to back and 10 inches deep.
• Deluxe and Dual Motor: front and rear baskets. The rear basket is about 17.5 inches wide, 14 inches front to back and 10 inches deep.

So the Low to the Ground gets a slightly larger rear basket than the Deluxe and Dual Motor, by about an inch front to back. If you need more room than the standard baskets provide, our basket collection and bags and panniers are worth a look.

The hitch

The fat tire Simple Glides come with a hitch on the back. That hitch lets you attach an extra passenger seat or a trailer with a basket, which opens up a lot of possibilities: bringing a grandchild along, hauling gear to a picnic or running bigger errands.

The 500W does not have the hitch. It only has the front basket. If towing or carrying a passenger matters to you, that alone may rule out the 500W, so pay attention to this one.

If you do plan to tow, the Dual Motor is the natural fit. Pulling a trailer or a passenger adds a lot of weight, and having that second motor makes a real difference in how the trike accelerates and climbs with a load behind it. You can see more options built for riding with others in our trikes for passengers collection.

These three features are where the Deluxe and Dual Motor earn their place at the top of the lineup.

Brakes

The 500W and the standard Fat Tire use mechanical disc brakes. The other models come with hydraulic disc brakes. Mechanical discs work perfectly well and provide plenty of stopping power for a trike that tops out around 20 mph. Hydraulic brakes take less hand effort at the lever and offer a smoother, more progressive feel, which many riders appreciate, especially on longer descents or with a heavier load. When we added the Dual Motor to the lineup, hydraulic brakes came along with it as part of that upgrade. Browse our electric trikes with disc brakes to compare.

Rear suspension

The Deluxe and Dual Motor both have rear suspension, and it adds a meaningful amount of give to the ride. If your routes include a lot of bumps, cracked pavement or rougher paths, or you simply want the smoothest, most vibration-free ride possible, rear suspension is a big upgrade. It is also part of why these two models sit about 2 inches higher than the standard fat tire.

Footrests

A footrest gives your feet somewhere to rest when you are coasting or riding on the throttle without pedaling. The fat tire versions and the Deluxe models include one. The Low to the Ground and the 500W do not.

For all their differences, the Simple Glides share a lot. Whichever model you choose, you get:

• Seven speeds for a comfortable pedaling cadence on flats and hills.
• A twist throttle so you can ride without pedaling when you want a break.
• Five levels of pedal assistance, from a gentle nudge to a strong push.
• Front headlight and rear taillight for visibility.
• Reverse, which makes backing out of a driveway, parking spot or tight garage much easier. See more trikes with a reverse gear.
• Wheelie bars at the back for extra stability.
• A rear differential, which helps with traction by letting the rear wheels turn at different speeds through corners.
• A sliding seat that moves forward and back to fit your leg length.

Handlebar adjustments

All Simple Glides have a folding handlebar, and on every model the bars can be raised, lowered and tilted. There is a quick-release lever you pull to unlock the tilt, and there is a second adjustment point as well. Between them, you can find a comfortable reach for your arms without needing any tools.

The Low to the Ground adds one more adjustment: a tilting stem. That gives taller riders, especially those with long arms, another way to dial in the cockpit so the bars land exactly where their hands want them.

Displays

The Fat Tire, Low to the Ground, Deluxe and Dual Motor are moving to a color display mounted in the center of the handlebar. The 500W uses a display on the left side of the handlebar instead. Either way, the functions are the same and you are not missing anything. If you ever need a replacement, you will find them on our e-bike displays page.

Ride feel

Because the seats and riding position are so similar, all of the Simple Glides feel comfortable in much the same way. The differences you feel on the road come from the tires, the motor and, on the Deluxe and Dual Motor, the suspension.

Most Simple Glides weigh roughly 100 pounds, give or take. The Dual Motor is heavier at around 120 to 125 pounds. The second battery adds about 10 pounds, and the front motor adds a little more than 10 pounds on its own.

That extra weight up front is worth thinking about if you will be lifting the trike regularly. When you load a Dual Motor onto a rack or into a vehicle, the front end, with its motor built into the wheel, is noticeably heavier, around 10 to 15 pounds more than on the other models. If transportation is a big part of how you will use your trike, factor weight and how easy each model is to maneuver into your decision.

On the road, the 500W is the easiest to maneuver. Its smaller frame and narrower tires make it feel nimble, which is another reason it suits shorter riders so well.

The fat tire models trade a bit of that nimbleness for stability and traction. Honestly, the stability difference between the fat tire and the standard 500W is hard to feel, since every Simple Glide is very stable thanks to its three-wheel layout and wheelie bars. Where the fat tires really earn their keep is on mixed surfaces. Their knobbier tread is nicer on packed dirt, gravel paths and rougher trails. If you plan to leave the pavement now and then, the fat tire versions are the better pick. Our full fat tire electric trikes collection shows how they stack up against our other fat tire designs.

Quick Comparison at a Glance

Here is a summary of the key numbers and features covered above. Measurements are approximate and taken with the standard seat.

Feature500WFat TireLow to the GroundDeluxeDual MotorMotor500W rear750W rear750W rear750W rear750W rear + 750W frontBattery48V 15Ah48V 15Ah48V 15Ah48V 15AhTwo 48V 15AhRange (up to)50 mi50 mi50 mi50 mi80 mi (more on single motor)Seat height26–26.5 in28–28.5 in28.5 in30.5 in30.5 inRider height4'11"–5'6"5'1"+5'11"–6'8"5'3"+5'3"+Length67 in73–75 in89 in frame / 98 in with basket78–80 in78–80 inWidth31 in32 in32 in32 in32 inBrakesMechanical discMechanical discHydraulic discHydraulic discHydraulic discRear suspensionNoNoNoYesYesBasketsFrontFrontFront + rearFront + rearFront + rearHitchNoYes–YesYesFootrestNoYesNoYesYesFolding front endNoYesNoYesYesApprox. weight~100 lb~100 lb~100 lb~100 lb120–125 lb

All models share seven speeds, a twist throttle, five assist levels, lights, reverse, wheelie bars, a rear differential, a sliding seat and an adjustable folding handlebar.

With all of that laid out, here is how we would match riders to models.

Choose the Simple Glide 500W if...

You are a shorter rider, roughly 4'11" to 5'6", or up to about 5'9" with the captain's chair. You weigh under about 200 pounds, or you mostly ride on flat ground. You want the most compact, nimble and lightest-feeling Simple Glide, and you like the idea of zippy acceleration from those narrower tires. You do not need a hitch, rear basket or footrest.

Choose the Simple Glide Fat Tire if...

You are about 5'1" or taller and want a versatile all-rounder. You would like knobbier tires for the occasional gravel path or packed-dirt trail. You want the option to hook up a trailer or a passenger seat, and you want the folding front end for easier rack transport, without paying for suspension or a second motor.

Choose the Simple Glide Low to the Ground if...

You are 5'11" or taller, and especially if you are over 6 feet. You have struggled to find a trike that does not feel cramped, and you want a fully stretched-out recumbent position with a tilting stem to fine-tune your reach. You appreciate hydraulic brakes and the largest rear basket in the family, and you are prepared for its extra length when it comes to transportation.

Choose the Simple Glide Deluxe if...

You are about 5'3" or taller and want the most comfortable ride in the family on a single motor. Rear suspension, hydraulic brakes, a footrest, a rear basket and the hitch are all on your wish list, but your routes are not so hilly that you need a second motor.

Choose the Simple Glide Dual Motor if...

You are over 200 pounds, you live somewhere hilly, or you plan to tow a trailer or passenger. You want the most torque, the quickest acceleration and the longest range, up to about 80 miles on two batteries or more if you ride on one motor. You are fine with the extra weight and the slightly heavier front end when loading it up. And remember, if you want the captain's chair on this model, you will likely need to be about 5'10" or taller.

Still on the fence? Our buyer's guide covers the bigger-picture questions, and the Bike Advice blog has plenty more fit and comparison articles.

The Simple Glide family shares one goal: making riding comfortable, stable and enjoyable for people who want to stay active without the strain of a traditional bike. The differences between the models are less about which one is better and more about which one fits your body and the way you ride.

Start with your height and inseam, because that narrows the field fast. Then think about where you ride, whether hills and towing are part of the picture, and how you will get the trike to your favorite paths. Be cautious with the captain's chair if you are on the shorter side, and measure your rack and vehicle before you commit.

If you would like a second opinion, our team is happy to help you work through it, and our fitting consultation puts you in touch with a real person rather than a chatbot. You can also visit our store and sit on each model yourself. And because we know it is hard to be sure until you have ridden one on your own streets, every Simple Glide is covered by our 30-day test ride and our one-year warranty on parts and labor. Find the one that fits, then go enjoy the ride.