Five eTrikes, One Afternoon, and a Lot of Hills
There's only so much you can learn from a spec sheet. Motor wattage, tire width, and gear counts tell you what a trike is made of, but they don't tell you what it feels like to start pedaling from a dead stop on a hill, or how the frame behaves when you cut a tight turn on a gravel path. To answer those questions, you have to ride.
So that's what we did. We took a group of riders and four very different machines from the sixthreezero lineup out for an afternoon of neighborhood streets, steep climbs, dirt trails, and uneven ground. The lineup included the Simple Glide Fat Tire 750W Recumbent eTrike with Footrest, the Relaxed Body 750W Electric Tricycle, the Easy Transit 750W Fat Tire Folding eTrike, and the ANYterrain Stabilized 4 Wheel Electric Bike. Some of our riders were testing a trike for the first time. Others have been riding for years. Everyone came back with an opinion.
This article walks through what we saw and heard on that ride, section by section, and pulls out the practical lessons along the way. If you're shopping our electric tricycles and trying to figure out which design fits your body, your neighborhood, and the kind of riding you actually plan to do, this should give you a much clearer picture than a product listing ever could.
We'll cover the parking brake, pedal assist and throttle behavior, a full hill climb at the highest assist level, cornering stability, cargo and fit adjustments, removing and charging the battery, folding a trike for storage, riding in reverse, the real difference fat tires make, and how a four-wheel design handles curbs and elevation changes. At the end, we'll help you match a model to your riding style.
","id":"36d36fae-aa56-4105-8b5c-3b0cb4dca100"},{"layoutId":"paragraph-section","variants":{},"heading":"The Feature Our Rider Called Her Favorite: The Parking Brake","body":"The very first thing one of our riders wanted to show off before anyone pedaled a single foot wasn't the motor or the display. It was the parking brake. That might sound like an odd place to start, but anyone who has owned a trike understands why.
A two-wheel bike leans against a wall or sits on a kickstand. A trike just sits there on its three wheels, which is great, until you're on a slope. Even a gentle grade in a driveway or a parking lot is enough to let a heavy electric trike creep away while you're loading groceries, getting on, or stepping off. A parking brake solves that completely. You flip it on, the trike stays put, and you can mount and dismount at your own pace without bracing the bike with one hand.
For riders who move a little more carefully, that's a big deal. Getting on and off is where a lot of people feel the least confident, and a trike that holds still makes that moment calm instead of stressful. Our rider flipped the lever down to release it, settled in, and was ready to roll. If ease of getting on and off is high on your list, it's also worth browsing our easy-to-mount eTrikes with a low step-thru, which pair well with a parking brake for exactly this reason.
It's a small detail, but small details are what make you want to ride every day. A feature you use every single time you get on and off ends up mattering more than one you might use once a month.
","id":"e7c0e285-365d-4b6f-bbb9-7bb857c7c60f"},{"layoutId":"related-bikes","variants":{},"bikes":[{"id":"3c032841-ac05-441f-8d95-8b112c0aebd0","value":{"logo":{"assetId":"1RX3Ask17Hc67nesD9RbzU"},"entry":{"entryId":"79CgCm3X3oXuh2gAsA9zLO"},"score":"99.8"}},{"id":"7151facd-d937-42d4-b2f3-1072f1e395ab","value":{"logo":{"assetId":"1RX3Ask17Hc67nesD9RbzU"},"entry":{"entryId":"2XHxWTKzOw7Q9lN4SMDViw"},"score":"99.5"}},{"id":"72817591-55c9-4b8f-92fa-e8915337821f","value":{"logo":{"assetId":"1RX3Ask17Hc67nesD9RbzU"},"entry":{"entryId":"4seQ3K4iehyMRZPODEyUba"},"score":"99.7"}},{"id":"32b545bf-a2da-4fda-bd4f-5f8f88c03528","value":{"logo":{"assetId":"1RX3Ask17Hc67nesD9RbzU"},"entry":{"entryId":"26Lgro1tcp3cXBvIm8XmBY"},"score":"99.5"}},{"id":"726f36ab-5663-47e3-b7e4-c15a64daee26","value":{"logo":{"assetId":"1RX3Ask17Hc67nesD9RbzU"},"entry":{"entryId":"6VWkXowyY8xQE2C3aXaZ1u"},"score":"99.6"}}],"id":"d546472b-6f57-4674-ba91-3da1896fc3ef"},{"layoutId":"paragraph-section","variants":{},"heading":"First Impressions on the Simple Glide Recumbent","body":"The Simple Glide is a recumbent design, which means you sit back in a supported seat with your legs extended forward toward the pedals rather than perched above them. Before we'd gone far, we asked our rider the obvious question: does it feel like a regular bicycle? With the pedals turning and the motor quietly helping, the answer was essentially yes. The pedaling motion is familiar. It's the body position that's different.
Then we asked about the back support. Her answer was simple and telling: her back felt good because she wasn't straining it at all. That's the whole idea behind a recumbent. On a traditional upright bike, your lower back and wrists carry some of your weight and absorb a lot of the road. In a recumbent seat, the backrest takes that load, and your spine stays in a relaxed, supported position. For riders with back trouble, or anyone who has given up on cycling because a standard saddle and forward lean became uncomfortable, it can be the difference between riding and not riding.
The Simple Glide also includes a footrest, which gives you a place to put your feet when you're coasting or using the throttle and don't want to keep them on the pedals. It's one more way the design lets you take it easy when you want to.
We also asked whether it felt the way she expected it to. She said yes, and immediately pointed to the pedal assist, noting how noticeably it kicks in. If a laid-back seated position sounds appealing, our recumbent electric trikes are built around that same idea of comfort first.
","id":"bc6356ea-3dc0-458b-9272-01a8e7426a3d"},{"layoutId":"paragraph-section","variants":{},"heading":"Why Pedal Assist Changes Everything on an Uphill Start","body":"As we rode, we asked our rider to keep an eye on which assist level she was in and to think about her own neighborhood. Specifically: how hard would this hill be without the motor helping?
Then the route turned right and pointed up another hill, and she shared something a lot of riders will recognize. Starting out going uphill has always been one of the hardest parts of cycling for her, even when she was younger. It's true for almost everyone. Getting a bike moving from a standstill takes the most effort of any moment in a ride, and doing it on an incline multiplies that effort. On a trike, which is heavier than most two-wheelers, that first push can feel like a wall.
Her verdict on doing it with pedal assist? It was fun. That's not a word people usually use for starting uphill. The motor responds to your pedaling and adds its own power, so the first few rotations feel close to what you'd expect on flat ground. Once you're rolling, momentum takes over and the climb becomes manageable.
This is the real reason electric trikes have opened up cycling for so many people. It isn't about going fast. It's about removing the specific moments that used to make riders stop, like a steep driveway, a hill at the start of the route home, or a stop sign halfway up a grade. When those stop being obstacles, you start choosing routes based on where you want to go instead of which roads are flattest.
","id":"06700074-9d55-4958-876b-b1298de4e4d3"},{"layoutId":"paragraph-section","variants":{},"heading":"The Relaxed Body: Pedals Out Front, Throttle Ready","body":"Next up was the Relaxed Body 750W Electric Tricycle, and the name tells you a lot about the goal. We'd describe it as one of the most comfortable riding positions in the lineup. Like the recumbent, it moves the pedals forward of your body, so your legs extend out in front of you rather than pushing straight down. Unlike a full recumbent, the seating is more upright, which some riders find easier to see over traffic from and easier to get into.
That forward pedal position does a couple of useful things. It lets you sit lower relative to the pedals, which means you can put your feet flat on the ground more easily when stopped. And it shifts your weight back into the seat instead of onto your hands and wrists. If you want to pedal out in front of your body but still have a throttle to get going, this is the setup that makes that easy.
We also tested the throttle at close range and low speed. That's where a throttle really earns its place. In tight spaces, pulling out of a parking spot, or nudging forward at a crosswalk, a twist of the throttle gets you moving smoothly without needing to time a pedal stroke. If having throttle control is a must for you, we keep a full collection of electric tricycles with throttle control so you can compare them side by side.
For riders who want the comfort of a reclined position without committing fully to a recumbent, the Relaxed Body sits in a nice middle ground. Our most comfortable electric trikes collection is a good place to see it alongside similar designs.
","id":"71b6454a-83da-40ea-b45f-d84e3578fa68"},{"layoutId":"full-width-image-with-out-bleed","variants":{},"image":{"assetId":"4RS2np87Sj4hEeUDDbrtar","options":{"backgroundSize":"cover"},"mobileAssetId":"","mobileOptions":{"backgroundSize":"cover"}},"id":"e673cf79-399e-4741-9aa5-b2399b6de7a9"},{"layoutId":"paragraph-section","variants":{},"heading":"What a Rear Differential Actually Does","body":"While we were on the Relaxed Body, we pointed out a feature that doesn't get nearly enough attention: a rear differential that supplies power to both rear tires.
Here's why that matters. On many trikes, the motor or chain drives only one of the two rear wheels. That works, but it can make traction uneven. On loose gravel, wet pavement, or a steep climb, the single driven wheel can slip while the other one just goes along for the ride. You might also notice a slight pull to one side under heavy power.
A differential splits power between both rear wheels while still letting them turn at different speeds through a corner, which they have to do since the outside wheel travels farther than the inside wheel in any turn. The result is better grip and more balanced power delivery, especially when you're climbing or riding on surfaces that aren't perfectly smooth.
You won't necessarily feel the differential working in a dramatic way. What you'll notice is the absence of problems: less wheel spin when you start on a hill, more predictable behavior on dirt, and a trike that feels planted. Our rider summed up the experience in one word: easy. That's what good engineering usually feels like from the seat.
","id":"d07a4a38-bd0d-4e00-964e-45acc109f019"},{"layoutId":"paragraph-section","variants":{},"heading":"The Hill Climb: Level Five Assist with a 230-Pound Rider","body":"Now for the test plenty of shoppers want to see. Our host, who weighs 230 pounds, took one of the 750-watt trikes to the base of a real hill to show what the motor could do with a full-sized adult aboard.
Before the climb, he did something worth copying: he shifted down. As you approach a hill, dropping into an easier gear lets your legs keep turning at a comfortable speed, and that steady cadence also helps the pedal assist system work smoothly. He noted he'd shifted down so the trike wouldn't take off too fast at the bottom, then started up.
In assist level five, the highest setting, there was simply no problem. He climbed steadily with a 230-pound load and plenty in reserve. Then, to show the other option, he twisted the throttle and let the motor do the work. Both approaches got him up the hill without drama.
If you're a heavier rider, or you plan to carry cargo or groceries, this is reassuring. A 750-watt motor has the headroom to handle real-world weight on real-world hills. It's also worth checking the rated capacity before you buy, and our electric trikes with high weight capacity collection makes that easy to compare. Matching the trike's capacity to your actual needs, with some margin, is one of the smartest decisions you can make.
","id":"c30104f0-a0bf-4858-a4a5-c95179dcdc52"},{"layoutId":"paragraph-section","variants":{},"heading":"Gears and Pedal Assist Work Best as a Team","body":"That hill climb is a good moment to clear up a common misunderstanding. Some new riders assume that once a trike has a motor, the gears don't matter anymore. In practice, the two systems work together, and using both well makes every ride smoother and helps your battery go further.
Think of pedal assist as a multiplier on the effort you put in. If you're grinding away in a hard gear at a slow cadence, you're working harder than you need to, and the motor is laboring along with you. Shift into an easier gear and your legs spin faster with less force, while the motor adds its boost on top. The climb gets easier for both of you.
A simple routine works well: shift down before a hill, not halfway up when you're already straining. Pick an assist level that matches the terrain, whether that's low on flat ground to save battery or high on steep grades. And on the way back down, or on a long flat stretch, shift up so you're not spinning wildly.
Later in our ride, one rider was told she could shift up to get more power out of each pedal stroke once she was rolling on flatter ground. That's the other half of the equation. Easy gears get you started and up hills, harder gears let you carry speed efficiently. Once you get used to pairing gears with assist levels, it becomes second nature.
","id":"3fe49db3-a79c-4520-b0cb-de950b2bc048"},{"layoutId":"full-width-image-with-out-bleed","variants":{},"image":{"assetId":"5oNlvz7l5NnisX5BEVkU9K","options":{"backgroundSize":"cover"},"mobileAssetId":"","mobileOptions":{"backgroundSize":"cover"}},"id":"00a40c56-e6ef-419c-adb7-74b7312ce8f4"},{"layoutId":"paragraph-section","variants":{},"heading":"A Longer Frame and Confident Cornering","body":"Cornering is where trike skeptics usually raise concerns, so we made a point of testing it. With a wider, longer frame, our host found the trike gave him excellent control through turns. He swung through several, including some taken a little tighter than a cautious rider might, and all the wheels stayed down without a problem.
There's a reason for that. A longer wheelbase spreads the trike's weight over a larger footprint, and a wider track between the rear wheels lowers the tendency to tip when the trike's momentum pushes outward in a turn. The geometry does a lot of the work for you.
That said, a trike corners differently than a bicycle, and it's worth understanding why. On a two-wheeler, you lean into a turn. On a trike, the frame stays upright, so your body and the trike's weight get pushed toward the outside of the curve. Good frame design minimizes how much you feel this, but slowing down before a turn is still the right habit, especially on tighter corners. We'll come back to cornering technique later, because it matters on every model.
After demonstrating stability on the pavement, our host said it was time to hit the trails. That's where the fat tires come in.
","id":"6171d3ab-778d-45a3-b177-cad37fa1c5d3"},{"layoutId":"paragraph-section","variants":{},"heading":"Riding the Trail on Fat Tires","body":"The weather didn't cooperate perfectly. It was a hazy day, so the views from the top weren't as crisp as they might have been. But the trail itself was the point. We rode up dirt paths to a high point overlooking the area, and the trikes handled the climb without fuss.
Fat tires are the reason this kind of ride is possible on a trike at all. A wider tire puts more rubber in contact with the ground, which spreads the trike's weight out and keeps it from sinking into loose surfaces. It also means more grip on gravel and dirt, and a softer ride over bumps and ruts because the larger air volume acts like a cushion.
If you've been limited to paved paths on a standard tricycle, fat tires open up a lot of territory: packed dirt trails, park paths, gravel roads, beach-adjacent paths with a little sand, and grass. You don't need to be an off-road enthusiast to appreciate that. It just means your route doesn't have to stop when the pavement does.
Our fat tire electric trikes cover a range of styles, from recumbent to folding, so you don't have to give up a preferred seating position to get the extra grip and comfort.
","id":"feb00db1-2be7-48bc-bb4e-024e1d414bf3"},{"layoutId":"paragraph-section","variants":{},"heading":"Cargo Space, Locking Brakes, and Adjustable Fit","body":"Once we reached the top, we took a few minutes to go over some practical features that matter in everyday ownership.
First, cargo space. The trike we were on has a basket in the rear, and there's plenty of room. One of the best things about a trike is that it doesn't care much about a heavy load the way a two-wheeler does. A bag of groceries in a rear basket on a bicycle can make it twitchy and hard to balance. On a trike, the weight sits low between the rear wheels and the ride stays steady. If hauling things is a big part of how you'd use a trike, take a look at our electric tricycles with a large basket, and for even more space, our cargo electric trikes.
Second, the brakes. The calipers have a latching function on both sides, which means you can lock them so the trike won't roll away when parked. Like the parking brake on the Simple Glide, this is a quiet but important feature anytime you stop on a slope.
Third, fit. This model uses a double seat post, which means you can raise the seat at two different points to get a much wider range of adjustment than a single post allows. That flexibility lets it accommodate a broad range of rider heights, from shorter riders up to quite tall ones. Our host raised the seat to demonstrate, then lowered it back down. Getting the seat height right is one of the most important things you can do for comfort and pedaling efficiency. If you're unsure where you fall, our personal fitting consultation can help match you to the right frame, and if you ever need a replacement, we carry seat posts as well.
","id":"f9343061-ab95-4c9c-a398-e54a4023853d"},{"layoutId":"full-width-image-with-out-bleed","variants":{},"image":{"assetId":"49UsZ2Y8Wr1OyzVlsvxeUS","options":{"backgroundSize":"cover"},"mobileAssetId":"","mobileOptions":{"backgroundSize":"cover"}},"id":"e4812673-4945-4f20-b97a-f7775ce64ca5"},{"layoutId":"paragraph-section","variants":{},"heading":"Charging and Removing the Battery","body":"Battery questions come up constantly from first-time eTrike buyers, so we covered the basics on the trail.
The battery charges from a normal household outlet. There's no special wiring or equipment needed. You plug the charger into the wall at home and into the battery, and you're set.
It also comes out of the frame. You insert the key, turn it to unlock, and the battery slides free. That gives you a few options. You can charge it right on the trike if it's parked near an outlet, or you can take just the battery inside to charge while the trike stays in a garage, shed, or on a porch. For a lot of riders, that's the most convenient setup, since you don't have to wheel a full-size trike into the house.
The lock also adds a layer of security. When you park somewhere public, locking the battery in place, or taking it with you, makes your trike much less attractive to anyone with bad intentions.
A few habits help batteries last: charge after rides rather than leaving the battery fully drained for long periods, store it somewhere that isn't extremely hot or cold, and use the charger designed for your model. If you ever need a spare or a replacement, our batteries and chargers page lists compatible options.
","id":"a859879e-7e93-4894-9573-8e293633f4bc"},{"layoutId":"paragraph-section","variants":{},"heading":"Folding the Easy Transit Step by Step","body":"Next we moved to the Easy Transit 750W Fat Tire Folding eTrike, and the headline feature here is in the name. It folds, which is a big deal for a vehicle that's otherwise quite large.
The process is straightforward once you've seen it. First, release the latch on the frame. Then swing the latch out. From there, lift up, and you'll feel the frame unlock. Once it's unlocked, the trike folds at the frame. Finally, the handlebars come down as well, reducing the overall height.
Why does this matter? Trikes are wide and long, and storage is one of the most common hesitations people have before buying one. A folding frame lets you fit the trike into a smaller corner of the garage, a storage closet, or the back of a larger vehicle. If you travel with your trike, live in a place with limited storage, or want to take it to a trailhead or a vacation spot, folding makes all of that more realistic.
Keep in mind that folding reduces the footprint but doesn't make an electric trike light. You'll still want to plan how you'll lift it, and removing the battery first is an easy way to cut some weight before loading it. You can compare designs in our folding electric trikes collection.
","id":"654092ab-0b8c-4f2c-ab89-43d8d82e6e72"},{"layoutId":"paragraph-section","variants":{},"heading":"Riding in Reverse","body":"Before heading back out, we demonstrated another feature that surprises a lot of people: reverse.
On a bicycle, backing up means getting off, or at least straddling the frame and walking it backward with your feet. On a heavy trike, that gets old fast. Pulling into a tight parking spot, backing out of a garage, or correcting a turn that didn't quite work out can all require backing up, and pushing a loaded electric trike in reverse by hand is real work.
With a powered reverse function, you just engage it and let the motor ease you backward at a slow, controlled speed. It's one of those features you don't think about until you have it, and then you can't imagine going without. Riders with limited mobility or strength in particular find it makes daily use much easier. Our electric trikes with reverse gear collection gathers models that include it.
Once we pulled forward again, our host remarked on how strong the motor felt. Even at a gentle start, there was plenty of power available.
","id":"5ba0ed20-aa89-4b3d-858b-246d5f0c920e"},{"layoutId":"full-width-image-with-out-bleed","variants":{},"image":{"assetId":"5lGStwaTzY8a1OlhRsTQM9","options":{"backgroundSize":"cover"},"mobileAssetId":"","mobileOptions":{"backgroundSize":"cover"}},"id":"93d5bb67-acb4-41f1-9138-900b4cf37992"},{"layoutId":"paragraph-section","variants":{},"heading":"4-Inch Fat Tires vs. 2.125-Inch Tires: The Honest Tradeoff","body":"This was one of the more useful conversations of the day, because it's a real tradeoff rather than a case where one option is simply better.
What our host loves about 4-inch-wide tires is the added stability. You feel it right away on uneven ground. The wide contact patch grips the surface and the trike feels planted. They're also easy to navigate and steer once you're used to them.
Narrower tires, around 2.125 inches wide, turn a little more easily. With less rubber on the ground, there's less resistance when you turn the handlebars, and the steering feels lighter and quicker. Some riders prefer that, especially if they ride mainly on smooth pavement and like a nimble feel.
Fat tires, by contrast, slow the steering slightly. Some riders actually prefer that too, since a calmer steering response can feel more stable and less twitchy. And on rough terrain, the 4-inch tires are a huge benefit, not just for stability but for grip. We were riding over a lot of uneven ground at that point, and the wide tires handled it without a problem.
So which should you choose? If your riding is mostly paved bike paths and neighborhood streets, a standard tire will serve you well and steer lightly. If you want to ride on gravel, dirt, grass, or broken pavement, or if you simply want maximum stability, fat tires are the way to go. You can browse standard and fat tire options across our full eTrike collection.
","id":"e657a1a8-3a78-4831-a88e-dc87f75ed9dc"},{"layoutId":"paragraph-section","variants":{},"heading":"Riding Uneven Terrain the Smart Way","body":"We want to be clear about something we said on camera: you always want to be careful on a tricycle, especially on uneven terrain. Trikes are stable, but they aren't immune to physics. A trike stays upright on its own when you stop, which is wonderful, but that same upright frame means you can't lean into a slope or a bump the way you would on a bicycle.
If you are going to take on rough ground, wide tires are really the way to go. On the trail, we zipped along comfortably because there's so much width on the tire. The trike balances on its own quite nicely. At one point on the way back to the office, one of the trikes caught a little crease in the ground, a dip that could easily have hung up a narrower tire. It rolled right out.
A few habits make off-pavement riding safer. Go slower than you would on pavement, since you'll have more time to react to ruts and rocks. Approach bumps and dips straight on rather than at an angle when you can. Avoid riding across steep side slopes, where one rear wheel sits much higher than the other. And keep a helmet on every ride; we carry sixthreezero helmets if you need one.
None of this should scare anyone away from trails. It's just the same common sense you'd apply to any vehicle. Ride within your comfort level, and the wide tires and stable frame will take care of a lot of the rest.
","id":"67bf890d-5e30-45a0-b1e0-bfdfe97af071"},{"layoutId":"paragraph-section","variants":{},"heading":"The ANYterrain 4 Wheel: Tilting Steering Explained","body":"The last machine of the day was the ANYterrain Stabilized 4 Wheel Electric Bike, and it takes a genuinely different approach to stability. Instead of three wheels, it has four, with two in front and two in back, and the front uses a tilting steering mechanism.
Here's what that means from the saddle. Our host leaned while keeping the handlebars steady, and the front end tilted with him. That tilt lets the bike lean into turns a little like a bicycle while all four wheels stay on the ground. The result is steering that feels easy and balanced, without the outward push you get when cornering on a rigid trike.
We also talked about using the throttle versus pedaling on this bike. Starting with the throttle is a little easier, but once you begin pedaling, you feel the assistance kick in. Our host had it in assist level one at first, so there wasn't much push from the motor. Bumping up to level two delivered noticeably more help. That's a good reminder that low levels are perfect for flat ground and saving battery, while higher levels are there when you want a hand.
If the idea of four-wheel stability appeals to you, especially if balance is a concern, our 4 wheel eBikes collection is worth a close look.
","id":"0d04c1b6-b94b-4657-be21-faca9acdd3e0"},{"layoutId":"full-width-image-with-out-bleed","variants":{},"image":{"assetId":"7qrdnWBD4R2HN9NlasS9CB","options":{"backgroundSize":"cover"},"mobileAssetId":"","mobileOptions":{"backgroundSize":"cover"}},"id":"95456b0a-b025-4e25-82dd-1d3f5787b0ca"},{"layoutId":"paragraph-section","variants":{},"heading":"Curbs, Dips, and Elevation Changes on Four Wheels","body":"Where the ANYterrain really showed what it could do was on changes in elevation. We rode it over a few spots where the ground stepped up or dropped down, which is exactly the kind of terrain that can unsettle a trike.
Coming down off a raised edge, the front wheels handle it because the tilt is ready for exactly that situation. Each front wheel can follow the ground independently, so the bike stays settled instead of rocking onto one corner. Our host rode down a couple of times to show it.
Going the other direction, he pointed out a useful technique. When he approached a rise, he made sure all four wheels were on level ground before the elevation change started. That way the bike was stable when the climb began. The same applies when coming off an edge: get lined up, let all four wheels settle, and then make the move. Taking it in that order keeps everything calm and stable.
For riders who regularly deal with driveway lips, curb cuts, sloped sidewalks, or uneven park paths, a four-wheel design with tilting steering makes those everyday transitions less of an event. It's one of the reasons this style has become popular with riders who want maximum confidence. You'll find more stability-focused options in our electric trikes for seniors collection as well.
","id":"624f202a-f1b5-4332-8179-3a0ea482f67b"},{"layoutId":"paragraph-section","variants":{},"heading":"Cornering and Braking Technique for Every Model","body":"Before we wrapped up, our host shared some technique advice that applies to all four machines, and honestly to any trike or multi-wheel eBike.
Slow down before the turn, not during it, and keep your speed down until you've made it all the way through. Entering a corner too fast is the most common mistake new trike riders make, because they're used to the lean of a bicycle covering for extra speed. On a trike, braking before the turn and then rolling through at a steady pace is the smooth, safe approach.
Ease into your brakes rather than grabbing them. A sudden, hard squeeze can make any vehicle lurch. Our host likes to pull both brake levers together when he's coming in quick, which spreads the stopping force across the wheels and keeps the bike tracking straight. Then gradually bring yourself down to the speed you want.
If you're new to riding, spend your first few sessions in an empty parking lot or quiet street practicing turns and stops at different speeds. It doesn't take long before the feel of your trike becomes natural, and that confidence makes every ride more enjoyable.
","id":"a91a7293-3ee1-45b4-8444-48586ef2aa8a"},{"layoutId":"paragraph-section","variants":{},"heading":"What Our Riders Said at the End of the Day","body":"By the end of the afternoon, the mood was obvious. One rider took off pedaling hard enough that her shirt was billowing in the wind. Another was encouraged to shift up for more power and did it with a grin. There was a lot of laughter on the way back.
After one last loop, our host summed it up with a remark aimed at one of the riders: you're not going to want to get off this. That was true for pretty much everyone.
What struck us most was how different the four machines felt, and how each one had a clear fan. The rider who struggled with uphill starts found pedal assist made climbing fun. The rider who worried about back strain found the recumbent seat removed it entirely. The trail riders appreciated what fat tires could do on loose ground. And the four-wheel design won over anyone who prioritized feeling planted above everything else.
There isn't a single best eTrike. There's the best one for the way you ride.
","id":"5baec2d9-2390-4b78-bfa8-7f9c6ded3bfb"},{"layoutId":"full-width-image-with-out-bleed","variants":{},"image":{"assetId":"7aRYPrmXqUO9MSsQ6gSAGU","options":{"backgroundSize":"cover"},"mobileAssetId":"","mobileOptions":{"backgroundSize":"cover"}},"id":"db1aa6dd-9e68-4126-8552-310c7554711f"},{"layoutId":"paragraph-section","variants":{},"heading":"Choosing the Right Model for Your Riding","body":"Here's a quick way to think through the four models we tested, based on what we saw on the ride.
If back comfort is your top priority, the Simple Glide Fat Tire Recumbent is the natural pick. The supported seat takes strain off your back, the footrest gives you a place to relax, and the fat tires let you leave the pavement. Start with our recumbent eTrikes.
If you want a relaxed, forward-pedaling position with an easy throttle, the Relaxed Body is a comfortable middle ground between upright and recumbent, and its rear differential delivers power to both rear wheels for better traction.
If storage or transport is a concern, the Easy Transit folds down with a simple latch-and-lift process, and it pairs that with 4-inch fat tires and reverse. See our folding eTrikes.
If maximum stability on uneven ground is what you're after, the ANYterrain Stabilized 4 Wheel uses tilting front steering and four contact points to handle dips, edges, and turns calmly. Browse the 4 wheel eBikes.
Still undecided? Our Ultimate Bike Buyer’s Guide walks through frame styles, sizing, and features in more depth, and there's plenty more to read on our Bike Advice blog.
","id":"1615de42-7ffa-46d7-a47f-2a113b86373d"},{"layoutId":"paragraph-section","variants":{},"heading":"Try One for Yourself","body":"Watching someone else ride is helpful, but nothing replaces your own time in the seat. Every rider's body, neighborhood, and goals are a little different, and the trike that feels right to you might surprise you.
That's why we offer a 30-day test ride. You can ride your new trike on your own streets and hills, and if it isn't the right fit, we'll cover the cost of shipping it back. We also offer free shipping on our bikes, and trikes arrive mostly built, with assembly instructions and mechanic support available if you need help with the final steps.
If you'd like a person rather than a product page to guide you, our fitting consultation connects you with a real fit specialist who can help you narrow things down based on your height, mobility, and riding plans. And if you'd like to spread out the cost, take a look at our financing options.
Whichever direction you go, we hope this ride gave you a better feel for what each design does well. Pick the one that fits the way you want to ride, get out there, and enjoy the hills you used to avoid.
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