Taking the EVRYjourney Dual Motor Electric Trike Up an 11-Degree Hill

A second motor changes the conversation

Most people who come to an electric trike are looking for the same few things: a ride that feels steady, a seat that doesn't punish them, and enough help from the motor that hills stop being the reason they stay home. A single motor covers that for a lot of riders. But there's a group of people who keep asking for more. They live on a steep street. They want to carry a grandchild or a partner. They haul groceries, a dog, or garden supplies. They're bigger riders who notice that a trike slows down a lot when the road tilts up. For them, the question isn't whether a motor helps. It's whether one motor is enough.

That's the question Jack Martin set out to answer when he took the EVRYjourney Dual Motor out for its first real ride. He's ridden plenty of sixthreezero electric trikes before, so he wasn't judging this one against a regular bicycle. He was judging it against its own siblings, on a hill he knows, with a little extra weight on board. The short version is that he came back smiling. The longer version is worth walking through, because what he noticed along the way tells you a lot about who this trike is built for.

In this article we'll follow his ride from the bottom of the hill to the top and back down again, explain what the numbers on the display mean, and talk honestly about where a dual motor setup earns its keep and where a single motor trike might still be the smarter buy.

The headline feature is right there in the name. Instead of one motor, the EVRYjourney Dual Motor carries two 750-watt power units. Jack summed it up simply at the start of the video: twice as much power. That's a fair way to put it in plain terms, though it's worth thinking about what that extra power actually does for you on the road.

On a flat bike path, a single 750-watt motor is already plenty for most people. You'll rarely feel like you're short on help. Where a second motor shows up is in the situations that load a drivetrain: steep grades, heavy cargo, a passenger in the back, a strong headwind, or some combination of all four. In those moments a single motor is working near the top of its range. Add a second unit and the system has room to spare, which tends to mean smoother acceleration, less slowing on climbs, and a ride that feels less strained.

There's another, quieter benefit. Partway up the hill, Jack mentioned that he was holding 13 miles an hour on the grade with one of the motors running. Think about that for a moment. On a slope that would have most riders on a conventional trike standing on the pedals, a single unit was keeping him at a comfortable cruising pace, and the second one was still available. As he put it, that gives you the flexibility of going faster or carrying a load. You're not buying power you'll use every minute. You're buying a reserve for the minutes that matter. If you're comparing models, it helps to look at the full lineup of electric trikes with a high weight capacity alongside this one. Weight rating and motor output go hand in hand when you plan to carry more than yourself.

Setting up for the climb: assist level 3, gear 5

Jack didn't start the hill in the highest setting. He chose pedal assist level three and put the trike in fifth gear. Those two choices are worth unpacking, because a lot of new e-trike owners mix up what assist levels and gears actually do.

Pedal assist is about how much the motor adds to your effort. At a low level, the motor gives you a gentle nudge and you do most of the work. At a high level, the motor does much more of the work and you mostly keep your legs turning. Assist level three sits in the middle, which is a sensible place to start a climb when you don't yet know how a new machine will respond. It gives the motor something meaningful to do without lunging you up the road.

Gears, on the other hand, are about your legs. A lower gear makes each pedal stroke easier but moves you less distance. A higher gear asks more of each stroke and moves you farther. Starting in fifth, a middle gear, lets you feel how the trike responds and then adjust in either direction. If your cadence drops and you're grinding, shift down. If you're spinning too fast and not getting anywhere, shift up or raise the assist.

The combination is the real skill. On a steep hill, a reasonable assist level paired with a gear that keeps your feet turning at a steady, comfortable rhythm is usually more efficient and less tiring than cranking the assist to the top and mashing a hard gear. Jack's starting setup reflects that kind of thinking: moderate assist, moderate gear, room to go up or down.

Jack described his test hill as roughly an 11-degree grade. That number may not sound dramatic, but it's steeper than most people realize. In percentage terms, which is how road signs usually describe hills, 11 degrees works out to a little under a 20 percent grade. For comparison, many highway engineers try to keep major roads well under 10 percent. A 20 percent street is the kind you feel in your calves just walking up it.

On a traditional, non-electric trike, a hill like that is a real obstacle. Trikes are heavier than two-wheelers, they can't be stood up and rocked side to side the way a bicycle can, and the rider is usually sitting upright in a relaxed position that isn't built for power. Plenty of trike riders simply avoid routes with grades like this, or they get off and push.

That's what makes a hill test useful. Flat-ground speed tells you very little about how a trike will treat you in daily life. A steep climb tells you whether the motor has the muscle to get you home, whether the frame stays composed while it's working hard, and whether the rider can stay seated and comfortable instead of fighting the machine. If your neighborhood has even one hill you dread, that hill is the thing you should be shopping around.

Riders who are especially focused on comfort during climbs may also want to browse sixthreezero's picks for the most comfortable electric trikes, since seat shape and riding position matter just as much as motor output once a ride gets long.

Climbing through the assist levels

Once he got moving, Jack started calling out numbers. At assist level three, on the grade, he was doing 11 miles an hour. That's already a respectable pace for a climb that steep, faster than many people ride on flat ground on a regular bicycle.

Then he bumped it up to level four, and he said he could feel the trike accelerate right away. The speed climbed to 13 miles an hour. That responsiveness matters more than it sounds. On some electric bikes and trikes, changing the assist level produces a slow, mushy change that takes a few seconds to register. Here the motor answered immediately, which gives the rider a sense of control. You press the button, the trike responds, and you know where you stand.

At level five he was still holding 13 miles an hour up the grade, and this is where he made the comment about one motor carrying the load. It's an interesting detail. Rather than surging higher, the trike settled into a strong, steady pace, and Jack's takeaway was that there was more available if he wanted it, whether for extra speed or for hauling something heavier.

For an everyday rider, a steady 11 to 13 miles an hour up a hill of that steepness is the kind of performance that changes route planning. The hill stops being the part of the ride you endure. It becomes just another stretch of road, and you arrive at the top with enough energy left to enjoy whatever's there.

It's easy to look at a spec like two 750-watt motors and wonder whether you'll ever need it. If you only ride on flat paths, alone, with a light bag, the honest answer is that you may not. But most people's riding isn't that tidy, and reserve power earns its keep in a handful of common situations.

The first is weight. Every pound you add, whether it's the rider, a passenger, a basket of groceries, or a pet, asks more of the motor on a climb. A single motor that feels lively with a light load can start to feel stretched with a heavy one. Having a second unit means the trike's behavior doesn't change as much from an empty ride to a loaded one.

The second is consistency. A system that isn't working at its limit tends to feel smoother. Acceleration from a stop is cleaner, the trike holds its speed better as a hill steepens, and you're less likely to feel it bog down halfway up.

The third is confidence. Jack touched on this when he talked about flexibility. Knowing you have more power available changes how you think about a ride. You'll say yes to the longer loop, the friend's house across town, or the trip to the market with a full basket, because you're not quietly worried about the climb on the way home.

If hauling is a big part of your plans, sixthreezero's cargo electric trikes and models with a large basket are worth comparing side by side with the dual motor setup, so you can decide whether you need more carrying space, more power, or both.

Steady and composed on three wheels

Speed and power are the flashy parts of any test ride. The comment that may matter most to everyday riders came a little later, when Jack said simply that the trike felt very nice and stable.

Stability is the whole reason many people choose a trike over a two-wheeled e-bike. Three wheels mean you don't have to balance at a stop, you can start on a hill without wobbling, and you can ride slowly without tipping. But adding a lot of power to a trike can test that stability. A machine that pulls hard needs a frame and geometry that keep it planted, especially when the motor is doing serious work on a climb.

Jack's impression was that the EVRYjourney Dual Motor stayed calm while it worked. That's what you want. The rider shouldn't feel the motor wrestling with the frame or the handlebars twitching as power comes on. The trike should simply go where it's pointed, a little faster than before.

Three-wheel stability is also why these trikes are so popular with older riders and anyone who has lost a bit of confidence on a bicycle. If that describes you, it's worth looking at sixthreezero's collection of electric trikes for seniors and the easy-to-mount low step-thru models. Getting on and off comfortably is part of stability too, and it often gets overlooked until a rider has a sore knee or hip.

One small reminder: three wheels are steady, but they handle differently from two in turns. A trike doesn't lean, so you'll want to slow down before a corner rather than in the middle of it. We'll come back to that in the tips section.

After reaching the top, Jack mentioned that he was carrying a little extra weight, and he wanted to see how the brakes handled it on the way down. His expectation, based on the other trikes he'd ridden, was that they'd be very effective. He waited for a car to pass, then pointed the trike downhill.

This is exactly the kind of test that matters. Climbing is about what the motor can do, but descending is about what the brakes and frame can do. A heavier trike, a heavier rider, and a steep hill all add up to a lot of momentum. Brakes that feel fine on a flat path can feel very different when gravity is helping you along at 20-plus miles an hour.

Waiting for the car was also a small but good example of riding sense. Before testing speed or braking, make sure the road around you is clear. Give yourself room, and don't experiment in traffic.

Brake quality is one of those features people tend to skim past while shopping, and it shouldn't be. If stopping power is high on your list, sixthreezero has a dedicated collection of electric trikes with disc brakes you can compare. Whatever model you choose, it's worth reading up on how to check and adjust your brakes, and sixthreezero's Bike Advice section is a good place to start.

The descent: 18, 19, then 24 miles an hour

Heading down, the speed came up quickly, as you'd expect on a grade that steep. Jack called out 18 miles an hour, then 19, and noted that the trike felt very stable. By the steeper section he was at 24 miles an hour.

That's genuinely quick for a trike, and the fact that he kept describing the ride as stable is the key point. At those speeds, any looseness in the steering, flex in the frame, or wobble in the wheels would make itself known. A trike that feels composed at 24 miles an hour going downhill, with extra weight on it, is a trike that inspires trust.

Then he started braking. His words were that the brakes felt nice and smooth, followed by a note about really strong braking. Both parts of that description matter. Smooth means the brakes come on progressively, so you can scrub off a little speed or a lot without the trike lurching. Strong means that when you need to stop, it stops. You want both. Brakes that are strong but grabby can be unsettling, and brakes that are smooth but weak can be frightening.

For riders who are newer to e-trikes, a note of caution: just because a trike can reach 24 miles an hour downhill doesn't mean you need to. There's no rule that says you have to let gravity take over. Feather the brakes early, keep your speed where you feel in control, and build up gradually as you learn how your trike behaves. Speed on a descent should be a choice, not something that happens to you.

One of the numbers Jack mentioned twice was range. He said the EVRYjourney Dual Motor will go up to 80 miles on a charge, and he tied that directly to the dual motor design. That's a big number for an electric trike, and it's worth putting some context around it so you know what to expect.

Range figures for any electric bike or trike are best read as an upper limit under favorable conditions. How far you actually get on a charge depends on a long list of things: the assist level you ride in, how much you pedal, the total weight of rider and cargo, how hilly your routes are, wind, temperature, tire pressure, and how often you stop and start. Someone riding at a low assist level on flat ground with steady pedaling will get much more out of a battery than someone cruising at the top setting up steep hills with a passenger aboard.

That's not a knock on the figure. It's simply how batteries work. The practical takeaway is that a trike with a high top-end range gives you a big cushion. Even if your real-world riding uses more energy than ideal, you're starting from a high ceiling, which means fewer worries about running out on a long day and less frequent charging for typical rides.

A few habits help you get the most from any battery: use the lowest assist level that feels comfortable, keep your tires inflated to the recommended pressure, pedal along rather than relying entirely on the motor, and store the battery properly when the trike isn't in use. If you ever need a spare, sixthreezero sells batteries and chargers separately, which can be handy for riders who plan very long outings.

Room for a passenger

Near the end of the video, Jack pointed out one more feature: the EVRYjourney Dual Motor has room for your passengers. That's where the extra power really comes together with the rest of the design.

Carrying another person changes everything about how a trike rides. Total weight goes up substantially, climbs get harder, and braking has more mass to manage. A trike meant to carry a passenger needs strong motors to keep things moving and solid brakes to bring everything to a stop. The dual motor setup is a natural fit for that kind of use, and the steady handling Jack described at speed is just as important when someone else is trusting you with the ride.

Riding with a passenger opens up a different kind of outing. A grandparent can take a grandchild to the park. Partners can share a ride along the waterfront when only one of them is comfortable steering. Someone with limited mobility can get out and enjoy the neighborhood without needing to pedal. For a lot of families, that's the real reason to consider a trike like this.

If carrying people is your main goal, browse sixthreezero's collection of trikes built for passengers, along with the tandem and rickshaw styles. Each approaches the idea differently, and seeing them side by side will help you decide which layout suits the people you ride with. And whoever is on board, make sure they have a properly fitted helmet. sixthreezero offers helmets if you need one for yourself or a regular passenger.

After watching Jack's ride, it's fairly clear who will get the most out of this trike.

If you live somewhere hilly, it's an easy recommendation. Holding 11 to 13 miles an hour up a grade of roughly 20 percent is the kind of performance that takes steep streets off your list of worries.

If you plan to carry a passenger, a pet, or regular loads of cargo, the reserve power makes a real difference. The trike is less likely to feel strained when it's loaded, and that consistency makes every ride more pleasant.

If you're a larger rider, extra motor output means the trike won't feel underpowered with you aboard. Pair that with a model that has a weight rating suited to you, and you'll have a ride that feels lively rather than labored.

If you want long range, the 80-mile upper figure gives you room to explore, take longer loops, and charge less often.

On the other hand, if you ride mostly on flat ground, alone, with light bags, a single motor trike may give you everything you need for less money and less weight. There's no shame in buying the right amount of trike. The best way to sort out which camp you're in is to be honest about your routes and what you'll carry. sixthreezero's fitting process and its Ultimate Bike Buyer's Guide are both useful for that, and they'll help you weigh motor power against frame size, seat height, and comfort.

Tips for your first rides on a powerful trike

Jack has ridden enough trikes to take a new one straight up a steep hill. If you're newer to three wheels, or new to this much power, here are a few habits that will make the learning curve smoother.

Start in a quiet place. An empty parking lot or a quiet residential street is perfect for getting a feel for how the trike accelerates, turns, and stops. Spend some time at the lower assist levels before moving up. Learn the assist levels one at a time. Do what Jack did on his climb: ride for a bit at one setting, notice your speed on the display, then bump it up one notch and notice the difference. It's the fastest way to learn what each level feels like. Slow down before turns. Trikes don't lean the way bicycles do, so taking a corner too fast can lift a wheel. Brake on the straight, then steer through the corner at a comfortable pace.

Use your gears along with your assist. Shift to an easier gear before you stop or before a hill starts, so you're not grinding from a standstill. Practice braking at moderate speeds. Get a feel for how much lever pressure gives you a gentle slowdown and how much gives you a firm stop. You'll be glad you did when you need it.

Check your trike regularly. Tire pressure, brake function, and battery charge take a minute to check and save a lot of trouble. sixthreezero's assembly instructions are a good reference when you first set up your trike, and the warranty page explains what's covered if anything needs attention. Finally, know your local rules. Speed limits and e-bike classifications for paths and roads vary by area, so it's worth checking what applies where you ride.

A trike like this is a meaningful purchase, and it's normal to want some reassurance before you commit. A few of sixthreezero's policies are worth knowing about.

The 30-day test ride lets you ride the trike in your own neighborhood, on your own hills, before deciding it's right for you. That's far more useful than a quick spin in a parking lot, because you get to try it on the routes you'll actually ride.

sixthreezero also offers free shipping, and its bikes and trikes arrive mostly assembled, with the remaining steps covered in the assembly guides. If the price is a hurdle, there's information on available financing as well.

If you have questions about whether the dual motor is the right choice for your weight, routes, or passenger plans, the contact page is the place to reach the team directly. And if you'd like to see more rides like this one, the Video Blog collects sixthreezero's ride-alongs and walkthroughs, while Product Reviews covers other models in detail.

Jack's verdict at the end of the ride was simple: all in all, a great trike. He pointed to the combination of good power, good stability, room for passengers, and long range, and said he thought riders would really enjoy it.

Looking back over the ride, that summary holds up. The EVRYjourney Dual Motor climbed a steep hill at a comfortable pace in the middle of its assist range, responded immediately when asked for more, stayed steady at 24 miles an hour on the way down, and stopped smoothly and firmly with extra weight aboard. The second motor isn't there to make the trike a racer. It's there so the trike behaves the same whether you're riding alone on a flat path or carrying a passenger up the hill to your house.

If hills, heavy loads, or a passenger are part of your plans, this is a trike worth putting at the top of your list. If they aren't, the rest of the electric trike lineup has plenty of options that may suit you just as well. Either way, the best next step is to figure out how and where you'll ride, then choose the trike that makes those rides easy.