Why a Hill Is the Honest Test
Flat ground flatters almost any electric trike. Put a rider on a smooth bike path with no wind and most motors feel strong, most frames feel steady, and most brakes feel like enough. A hill changes that. A real climb asks the motor to work under load, it shows you whether the power arrives smoothly or in jerks, and it tells you how the frame behaves when gravity is pulling the rider backward. Then the trip down the other side asks a different question entirely: can you keep this thing calm and under control when it wants to run?
That is why Jack Martin skipped the parking-lot loop and pointed the sixthreezero EVRYjourney Electric Rickshaw straight at a hill of roughly 11 degrees. It was his first time on this particular model, so there was no muscle memory and no favoritism built in. He rode it the way a new owner would, adjusting settings as he went and talking through what he noticed in real time.
What follows is a fuller look at that ride: what Jack saw, what he felt, and what it means if you are thinking about bringing an electric rickshaw home. We will also step back from the video now and then to explain why certain features matter, especially if you have not ridden a three-wheeler with a motor before.
","id":"7ec50a7d-9795-4ba7-9918-a8fafedf60b4"},{"layoutId":"bike-listing","variants":{},"bikes":[{"id":"372183ee-6cf1-442a-a6d4-dc515b4feb0c","value":{"entry":{"entryId":"79CgCm3X3oXuh2gAsA9zLO"}}}],"id":"f96d25eb-82ed-4f6f-9376-0a03948f4135"},{"layoutId":"paragraph-section","variants":{},"heading":"First Impressions Before the Ride","body":"Jack's first reaction was simple. He liked the way the trike was set up, and he said it looked like a lot of fun. That might sound like a throwaway line, but it is worth taking seriously. A rickshaw is not a commuter tool you grudgingly ride to work. People buy one because they want to take grandkids to the park, carry a partner around the neighborhood, or make an ordinary errand feel like an outing. If the trike does not look and feel inviting, it tends to sit in the garage.
The EVRYjourney rickshaw is built around sharing the ride. It carries passengers on a dedicated bench, and that changes the whole personality of the machine compared with a solo trike. If you are curious about the broader category, sixthreezero groups these models under e-trikes for passengers, and you can see how the rickshaw sits alongside tandem and cargo options.
On this ride, though, Jack was riding solo. That makes the hill test a useful baseline. If the trike handles an 11-degree climb comfortably with just the rider aboard, you have a clear picture of how much reserve the system has before you start adding people and gear.
","id":"a40b26d8-acf5-445b-9283-125bc2127352"},{"layoutId":"paragraph-section","variants":{},"heading":"A Display You Can Read With Sunglasses On","body":"Before he turned a pedal, Jack pointed out where everything lives. The power control sits right on the handlebars, within easy reach, so you do not have to take a hand off the grip and hunt for a button. He called the readout perfect, and then gave a very practical reason why: he was wearing dark sunglasses, and he could still read every setting clearly.
That detail matters more than it seems. Plenty of e-bike and e-trike displays look great indoors and wash out completely in direct sun. Riders end up squinting, tilting their heads, or simply ignoring the screen. On a rickshaw, where you may be paying attention to passengers as well as the road, being able to glance down and get the information instantly is a real safety feature.
From the display, Jack could see his current speed and his pedal assist number at a glance. Those are the two things you check most often on a hill. Speed tells you whether you are still making progress or bogging down, and the assist number tells you how much help the motor is giving. If you ever need a replacement or want to understand what different screens show, sixthreezero carries ebike displays as standalone parts.
","id":"5647c071-80b5-4e4b-8051-d5fef3b9dd18"},{"layoutId":"full-width-image-with-out-bleed","variants":{},"image":{"assetId":"35J9gJjPNZy11KP6UFTo0F","options":{"backgroundSize":"cover"},"mobileAssetId":"","mobileOptions":{"backgroundSize":"cover"}},"id":"8ece452e-8f91-4ecd-a4e6-da86c10ba827"},{"layoutId":"paragraph-section","variants":{},"heading":"How Pedal Assist Works on This Trike","body":"The EVRYjourney rickshaw offers pedal assist levels from one through seven. Jack started the ride at level two, with a plan to step it up as the grade demanded. He mentioned the trike had a lot of torque, which is why he did not feel the need to start any higher.
If you are new to electric trikes, pedal assist is the system that adds motor power while you pedal. You keep turning the cranks, and the motor contributes a share of the effort based on the level you choose. Lower numbers give a gentle push and save battery. Higher numbers give more help and make climbing easier, at the cost of some range.
Having seven levels instead of three or five gives you finer control. On a long, steady climb you can nudge the assist up one step at a time rather than making a big jump that suddenly surges the trike forward. That gradual approach is exactly how Jack used it, and it is a good habit for anyone, especially newer riders or anyone carrying passengers who would prefer a smooth ride over a sudden lurch.
Torque is the other half of the equation. Torque is the twisting force the motor applies, and it is what you feel when the trike pulls from a stop or digs in on a slope. A motor with strong torque can keep a heavy machine moving up a grade at a lower assist setting, which is why Jack was comfortable starting at two. The rickshaw is built around a 750W motor, and on a trike that is designed to carry more than one person, that kind of output is not a luxury. It is what makes the whole concept work.
","id":"c873c5df-0e44-4c71-891b-9e5c0b776466"},{"layoutId":"paragraph-section","variants":{},"heading":"Rolling Out: Smooth Acceleration From the Start","body":"Once Jack got going, the first things he called out were the side-view mirrors, then the way the trike accelerated. He described it as nice and even, nice and smooth.
Smooth acceleration is one of the most underrated qualities in any electric ride. A motor that kicks in abruptly can be startling, and on a three-wheeler it can unsettle passengers or make tight spaces feel stressful. When the power comes on progressively, you feel in control from the first pedal stroke. That is especially important at the bottom of a hill, where you want to build momentum steadily rather than fight a sudden surge.
Jack also said he felt nice and stable right away. That is the core promise of any trike, but it is still good to hear confirmed on a slope, where a poorly balanced frame can feel light at the front or tippy on uneven pavement. With three wheels on the ground and the weight sitting low, the rickshaw stayed planted as he started the climb.
","id":"f7514cbe-5deb-4a1d-bb9e-43b2541b37a9"},{"layoutId":"paragraph-section","variants":{},"heading":"The Mirrors Are There for a Reason","body":"It is easy to skip past the mirrors as a minor accessory, but Jack noticed them right away, and for good reason. A rickshaw is wider than a bicycle and carries a passenger area behind or around the rider. Turning around to look over your shoulder is awkward on any trike and even more so when there are people sitting with you.
Mirrors let you keep an eye on traffic coming up from behind without twisting your body or taking your attention off the road ahead. On a hill, where you are moving slower than surrounding cars on the way up and possibly faster than you expect on the way down, knowing what is behind you is part of riding safely. If you ride in mixed traffic or on shared paths with cyclists passing you, they are one of the most useful features on the machine.
","id":"7cf7e557-482f-4f1c-b4cb-5fa5c6dab14b"},{"layoutId":"full-width-image-with-out-bleed","variants":{},"image":{"assetId":"3d4IlTUMOjFzLcMYr1buwn","options":{"backgroundSize":"cover"},"mobileAssetId":"","mobileOptions":{"backgroundSize":"cover"}},"id":"5a8a80e9-23f5-4117-a344-b01c04ff4fef"},{"layoutId":"paragraph-section","variants":{},"heading":"Stepping Up the Assist on a Steep Grade","body":"As the climb continued, Jack checked his speed: seven to eight miles per hour. Rather than letting the trike slow down further, he moved up to pedal assist three, and then to four.
That is a sensible strategy, and it shows how the level system is meant to be used. On a gradient around 11 degrees, a few miles per hour can feel like the difference between cruising and grinding. Bumping the assist up as the hill steepens keeps your pedaling cadence comfortable and your legs fresh, while the motor handles more of the work.
The most telling comment came next. Jack noted that it was a pretty steep grade, and yet he was still accelerating. Not just holding speed, but gaining it. For a trike designed to carry passengers, that is a strong sign. It means there is headroom left over when the rider is alone, which is exactly what you want before you add the weight of one or more people.
He described the rest of the climb in a few words: nice and easy, nice and smooth. No straining sounds, no stuttering power, no drama. Just a steady pull to the top.
","id":"716478d0-0ca5-43ac-88a9-d2a9ec5b214d"},{"layoutId":"paragraph-section","variants":{},"heading":"A Quick Note on Seven to Eight Miles Per Hour","body":"Some riders see a climbing speed of seven or eight miles per hour and wonder if that is slow. In context, it is not. That is a comfortable jogging pace up a hill that would leave most people on a regular bicycle walking. And Jack was doing it at low-to-moderate assist levels, with plenty of settings still in reserve above four.
Climbing speed is less about raw numbers and more about how it feels. A trike that holds seven miles per hour while you pedal at a relaxed rate is far more enjoyable than one that technically goes faster but leaves you breathing hard. The point of electric assist on a rickshaw is to make hills approachable, not to turn them into a race.
It also helps to remember that a rickshaw is a bigger machine than a solo trike. There is more frame, more seating, and more weight to move. Seeing it accelerate on a steep incline at level four tells you the motor and gearing are well matched to the job.
","id":"1d9215a2-9600-4c39-9d72-080073062167"},{"layoutId":"paragraph-section","variants":{},"heading":"Safety Starts With the Brakes","body":"Near the top, Jack made a point that is easy to forget on the way up a hill: going up is the easy half. He said one of the things he likes about sixthreezero is the attention paid to safety, and he pointed straight to the brakes.
The EVRYjourney rickshaw uses disc brakes, and Jack said they do a really good job of stopping you on a dime. Disc brakes work by squeezing pads against a rotor mounted at the wheel hub, rather than gripping the rim. That design tends to give more consistent stopping power, it is less affected by wet conditions, and it handles the heat that builds up on long descents better than many rim-brake setups.
On a trike that might carry several people, braking is not a place to cut corners. More weight means more momentum, and more momentum means you need brakes that can bring everything to a controlled stop without excessive hand effort. If braking performance is high on your list, sixthreezero has a dedicated collection of electric trikes with disc brakes worth browsing.
Jack's plan was simple: test the brakes for real on the way down. That is the right instinct. Any brakes feel fine when you are crawling across a driveway. You learn what they can do when gravity is pushing you.
","id":"6b7af613-0103-4ffc-86f3-c5bfb49bee70"},{"layoutId":"full-width-image-with-out-bleed","variants":{},"image":{"assetId":"49UsZ2Y8Wr1OyzVlsvxeUS","options":{"backgroundSize":"cover"},"mobileAssetId":"","mobileOptions":{"backgroundSize":"cover"}},"id":"d2c9d301-6872-4736-99cc-3c6c789d890f"},{"layoutId":"paragraph-section","variants":{},"heading":"Coming Back Down: 11, Then 18 Miles Per Hour","body":"With the turnaround done, Jack started the descent. The first speed he called out was 11 miles per hour. A little further down, he was at 18.
Then he made an observation that surprises a lot of people who have not ridden a well-built trike: the faster he went, the more stable he felt. On a poorly designed three-wheeler, speed can make things feel twitchy. Steering gets light, the frame wobbles, and every bump feels amplified. Jack described the opposite. The rickshaw settled in as it picked up speed.
Later he added that there was no wobble at all on the way down. It stayed nice and stable the entire descent. That combination of composure at speed and strong disc brakes is what lets a rider relax and enjoy a downhill instead of white-knuckling it.
And enjoy it he did. Jack said he loved it: the speed, the wind, everything about it was fun. That might be the most useful line in the whole video for anyone on the fence. A rickshaw is a practical machine, but it is also supposed to be a good time, and coming down that hill clearly was.
","id":"5e5dad21-caa5-426c-b73f-0f4cbf10da17"},{"layoutId":"paragraph-section","variants":{},"heading":"Power That Climbs Without Overwhelming","body":"In his wrap-up, Jack summed up the motor in a way that is hard to improve on. He said the trike has just enough power to get you up the hill without taking your head off coming back down.
That balance is what you want from an electric rickshaw. Too little power and hills become a chore, especially with passengers. Too much, delivered too aggressively, and the machine becomes intimidating, particularly for riders who are newer to electric vehicles or who are riding with family members aboard. The EVRYjourney rickshaw seems tuned to sit right in the middle: confident on a steep grade, predictable on the way down.
It is worth noting that Jack never needed the upper assist levels on this climb. He topped out at four out of seven. That leaves room for heavier loads, longer hills, or simply days when your legs are tired and you want the motor to carry more of the load.
","id":"d1dc9cee-66dd-4c98-8540-0d6f3cecae0a"},{"layoutId":"paragraph-section","variants":{},"heading":"The Three-Wheel Advantage, Explained","body":"Jack mentioned stability more than any other quality during the ride, so it is worth looking at why trikes feel the way they do.
On a two-wheeled bike, balance is an active skill. You stay upright by making constant small steering corrections, and at very low speeds that gets harder. On a hill, where you might be crawling uphill or stopping and starting, that balancing act can be tiring or even unnerving. A trike removes it entirely. With three contact points on the ground, you can stop on a slope, sit still, and start again without putting a foot down.
That is a big reason trikes are popular with older riders and anyone who has lost a bit of confidence on two wheels. sixthreezero has a whole range of electric trikes for seniors built around that idea, and a collection of easy-to-mount e-trikes with low step-through frames for riders who want an easier time getting on and off.
The rickshaw takes that stability and adds passenger capacity on top. The result is a machine that feels steady at a standstill, steady on a climb, and, as Jack found, steady at 18 miles per hour on the way down.
","id":"6fc2defd-bc6b-487a-9aa8-dbd162d66d0f"},{"layoutId":"full-width-image-with-out-bleed","variants":{},"image":{"assetId":"7k7AtZ5ZHR07W5qth25bpZ","options":{"backgroundSize":"cover"},"mobileAssetId":"","mobileOptions":{"backgroundSize":"cover"}},"id":"0cdab0d1-2144-4a3c-a724-7468708b2ece"},{"layoutId":"paragraph-section","variants":{},"heading":"Who the EVRYjourney Rickshaw Makes Sense For","body":"Based on Jack's ride and what the rickshaw is designed to do, a few kinds of riders stand out as natural fits.
Families who want to ride together. A rickshaw lets one person pedal while others sit and enjoy the scenery. Kids who are too young to ride confidently on their own, or family members who cannot ride a bike at all, can still be part of the outing.
Riders who live somewhere hilly. Jack's test shows the trike can handle a real grade without much effort from the rider. If your neighborhood has climbs that make a regular bike feel like a workout, the motor and gearing on this machine take a lot of that sting away.
Anyone who values stability over speed. If you want a ride that feels secure at every point, from sitting still at a stop sign to rolling down a hill, the three-wheel layout and composed handling Jack described are a strong match.
People who want a little more fun in daily errands. A trip to the farmers' market or the beach becomes something to look forward to when you can bring someone along. And if you need to carry more than people, sixthreezero offers e-trikes with a large basket and high weight capacity models for heavier everyday loads.
","id":"d5cbf10b-9475-4235-93d4-2105a0aebab5"},{"layoutId":"paragraph-section","variants":{},"heading":"Tips for Riding Hills on Any Electric Trike","body":"Jack's approach on this ride is a good template for anyone heading up a slope on an e-trike, rickshaw or otherwise. A few habits make hills easier and safer.
Start with a lower assist level and step up gradually. Jack began at two and moved to three, then four, as the grade increased. This keeps acceleration smooth and saves battery for when you really need it.
Keep pedaling at a comfortable cadence. Pedal assist works best when you are spinning the cranks steadily rather than mashing hard at low speed. If your legs feel like they are pushing against a wall, bump the assist up a level.
Glance at your display, not your feet. A readable screen, like the one Jack praised, lets you check speed and assist level in a fraction of a second so your eyes stay mostly on the road.
Use your mirrors before the descent. Know what is behind you before you start building speed downhill, especially on roads shared with cars.
Brake early and smoothly on the way down. Disc brakes are strong, but steady, progressive braking keeps the ride comfortable for you and any passengers. There is no need to grab hard at the last second when you can scrub speed gradually.
Wear a helmet. Even on a stable trike, protecting your head is the simplest safety step you can take. sixthreezero carries helmets designed with everyday riders in mind.
","id":"d8e8799f-cf4a-4f2b-9e8b-8c980b5bc02d"},{"layoutId":"full-width-image-with-out-bleed","variants":{},"image":{"assetId":"6ygs8ybi6hc2S2oWMbYYPC","options":{"backgroundSize":"cover"},"mobileAssetId":"","mobileOptions":{"backgroundSize":"cover"}},"id":"c0955b65-f7f4-4530-854e-3286b1a488af"},{"layoutId":"paragraph-section","variants":{},"heading":"Carrying Passengers on Hills","body":"Jack rode solo in this video, but the rickshaw exists to carry people, so it is worth thinking about how passengers change the picture.
More weight means the motor works harder on climbs, so expect to use higher assist levels than Jack did. The good news is that he only needed level four of seven to keep accelerating with just himself aboard, which leaves meaningful room above that. On the way down, added weight means more momentum, which is where the disc brakes earn their keep. Start braking earlier than you would alone, and let speed come down gently rather than all at once.
Communicate with your passengers, too. Let them know when you are about to start a descent or make a turn, so nobody is caught off guard. A smooth, predictable ride is what makes people want to climb aboard again next time.
Comfort accessories can make longer rides more pleasant for everyone. A canopy helps on sunny days, and bags and panniers keep water bottles, snacks, and jackets within reach without crowding the seating area.
","id":"85cbbb25-cab8-4d34-9e4c-186117fae1e2"},{"layoutId":"paragraph-section","variants":{},"heading":"Battery and Range Considerations","body":"Hills draw more power than flat ground, and higher assist levels use more battery than lower ones. That is true of every electric trike, not just this one. Jack's habit of starting low and stepping up only as needed is the easiest way to stretch your range.
If you plan to do a lot of climbing or ride with passengers often, it is smart to get to know your trike's consumption on your own routes during the first few weeks. Note how much the battery gauge drops on a familiar hilly loop, and you will quickly develop a feel for how far you can go. For riders who want extra range on long outings, sixthreezero sells batteries and chargers as separate parts.
","id":"7f3c5996-b263-4fdd-8bb3-9c037d6b1129"},{"layoutId":"full-width-image-with-out-bleed","variants":{},"image":{"assetId":"2QJ4g6YQB8AnEEWlt9ExXw","options":{"backgroundSize":"cover"},"mobileAssetId":"","mobileOptions":{"backgroundSize":"cover"}},"id":"53cd6317-43ef-45b9-b70c-55e1aae00449"},{"layoutId":"paragraph-section","variants":{},"heading":"How the Rickshaw Compares to Other Trike Styles","body":"If you are shopping for an electric trike, the rickshaw is one of several distinct shapes you will come across, and each one solves a different problem.
A standard upright e-trike is built for one rider and usually some cargo. It is lighter, takes up less space in the garage, and is a great fit for errands and neighborhood loops. A recumbent e-trike puts you in a laid-back, reclined seat that many riders with back or knee concerns find more comfortable over long distances. A tadpole-style trike, with two wheels up front, tends to corner with a sportier feel. Folding e-trikes are the answer if storage or transport is your main constraint.
The rickshaw's reason for being is people. None of those other layouts lets you bring passengers along in the same way. The trade-off is size and weight: it is a larger machine, and that is exactly why the hill test is so useful. If something this substantial can climb an 11-degree grade at moderate assist and stay composed coming down, the motor, gearing, and brakes are clearly sized for the job rather than borrowed from a lighter trike.
If you are torn between styles, start with how you picture using it most weeks. If the honest answer is solo errands, a standard trike may serve you better. If you keep imagining a grandchild, a partner, or a friend riding along, the rickshaw is the one built for that.
","id":"93556703-b6df-4352-9878-42a601ac3f96"},{"layoutId":"paragraph-section","variants":{},"heading":"What the Ride Felt Like, Start to Finish","body":"It is easy to reduce a test ride to numbers: 11 degrees, assist level four, 18 miles per hour. But the moments in Jack's ride that stand out are about how the trike felt.
At the bottom, there was the reassurance of a clear display and controls in easy reach. On the climb, there was the calm of power that came on without a jolt and kept building as the grade steepened. At the top, there was the confidence of knowing the brakes were up to the job. And on the way down, there was the plain enjoyment of wind and speed on a machine that felt more settled the faster it went.
That arc matters because it is what owners experience every time they ride. A trike that feels good in all four phases, the setup, the effort, the transition, and the reward, is one you keep reaching for. Jack's reactions throughout the video suggest the EVRYjourney rickshaw delivers on each of them.
","id":"747d38d5-8890-43ce-8809-e523d0165214"},{"layoutId":"full-width-image-with-out-bleed","variants":{},"image":{"assetId":"2l3ugkcVivzlgvqyGa2UE6","options":{"backgroundSize":"cover"},"mobileAssetId":"","mobileOptions":{"backgroundSize":"cover"}},"id":"8862c821-8b61-42f8-87f2-fba86d0c79e5"},{"layoutId":"paragraph-section","variants":{},"heading":"Finding the Right Fit Before You Buy","body":"One ride on a hill tells you a lot, but the best way to know if a trike suits you is to think about your own routes, your own passengers, and your own body. sixthreezero offers a personal fitting process that matches riders to the right model based on height, riding style, and what they want to do. It is worth a few minutes before you commit, especially if you are deciding between a rickshaw and another style of trike.
If you would rather compare on your own, the buyer's guide lays out the differences between categories, and the full electric trike lineup lets you look at everything side by side. Riders who prioritize comfort above all can also browse the most comfortable e-trikes.
If you are local to Southern California and want to try before you buy, you can visit the store and take a test ride.
","id":"e39d0c58-88dc-4c1d-88eb-2e671cab7db0"},{"layoutId":"paragraph-section","variants":{},"heading":"Buying With Confidence","body":"A rickshaw is a bigger purchase than a basic bike, so the support around it matters. sixthreezero offers a 30-day test ride, which gives you time to ride your own hills, take your own passengers, and make sure it fits your life. Bikes ship free nationwide, and there is a warranty behind the frame and components.
If spreading out the cost would help, financing options are available. And when your trike arrives, the assembly instructions walk you through the final setup.
","id":"be2eba99-113b-4c3d-ba81-107bae88cf71"},{"layoutId":"full-width-image-with-out-bleed","variants":{},"image":{"assetId":"1UbXAEAxDVk6GpQiDAkIib","options":{"backgroundSize":"cover"},"mobileAssetId":"","mobileOptions":{"backgroundSize":"cover"}},"id":"73afb3a0-51eb-46b7-8ee3-1935956f8ef2"},{"layoutId":"paragraph-section","variants":{},"heading":"Final Thoughts From the Hill","body":"Jack Martin went into this ride with no prior time on the EVRYjourney Electric Rickshaw and came out with a clear verdict. The display was easy to read even through dark sunglasses. The power came on smoothly and evenly. On an 11-degree climb, the trike kept accelerating at just pedal assist four out of seven. On the way down, it grew more stable as it gained speed, with no wobble at all, and the disc brakes felt plenty strong.
His summary was that it has just enough power to get up the hill without taking your head off on the way down, and that, all in all, it is a very comfortable trike. Then he offered the simplest advice anyone can give about a ride like this: give it a shot.
If a hill has been the thing standing between you and more time outside with the people you love, this is a machine worth a serious look. Explore more ride tests and reviews in the video blog, or browse the rest of sixthreezero's Bike Advice library for more help choosing the right ride.
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