Thinking About Three-wheeled Electric Bike

[JudyJB]

I have come to a big decision. Over the past two years, I have become more and more worried about falling when I ride my electric bike. I have been a lifelong bike rider and really enjoy the experience, but I am going to be 81 in June, and my balance is a lot worse than in the past. Plus, I am more hesitant while riding and feel more wobbly and less secure. I have not ridden my bike more than a handful of times over the past year, and this past week decided that I either need to ride it more to get more confident or give it up entirely. However, riding it several days in a row has not really helped, so I have decided to look for an electric trike. Having three wheels will make me feel more secure, with a lot less of a chance of falling and breaking a bone.

There are several brands available, but I don't want to buy one without trying it out. So, when I get to Ohio, I will do some more serious searching. I really like having an electric bike because it helps me get around campgrounds, especially since I do not tow a car. So, I had a neighbor help me load my bike on my bike rack, and I locked it down. Will wash the cover tomorrow and put that back on until I get to Ohio.

Some of the ones I have seen online weigh about what my current bike does, about 55 pounds, which is good. I am hoping I can find one that will fold sideways to become more narrow and fit on a rack on the back of my motorhome. Most of the trikes that are advertised as folding, fold into a square to fit into a trunk, which is not what I need. I know I'll need a ramp sort of rack, but I was hoping to not have it stick out too much in the back.

Has anyone tried an electric trike and use a bike rack of some sort to carry it around?

 

[Firstime RVer]

JudyJB I've been looking for a two seater and have exactlly the same questions.
Please keep us posted on your search. I've looked at a bunch of them and am staggered at the price and frustrated on how to carry it with us on our TT. I wish I could provide you with some answers, but I have found that there is no simple solution.

Safe travels and all the best.

 

[Lou Schneider]

I'd replace your bike rack with a mobility scooter rack. Just roll the trike on instead of having to lift it onto a bike rack. Here's one example:

Amazon.com

 

[Jubilee]

Wife bought electric trike a year ago from Amazon. 350 watt, $1000 to front door. Very good bike, but you’d best be very familiar with bike repair to assemble it.

I’m fortunate enough to be able to weld aluminum and have a lot of aluminum stock. I bought a Harbor Freight aluminum cargo carrier, widened 1/2 of it to 31” and built a double folding ramp ,front cage, and etc. for it.

Works great. Even though it’s aluminum, it’s heavy and awkward. I added six 3” caster wheels. 4 on the bottom and 2 on outer edge.
I can flip it on its edge, roll it easily through doors, down driveway, whatever to receiver hitch. Flip it flat on floor Jack and easily hook it up myself. Added bonus, wheels on bottom great for going through dips.

Mobility scooter rack good idea, but watch width. You’ll need about 2 feet of 30+” width.

 

[Tom]

Coincidentally, I was talking to the cycling group leader of our local retired guys club, and asked if they still had any tricycle riders (I'd seen one in a prior group photo). He explained that their latest group member had bought an electric trike - it sounded like a 'recumbent' trike. He casually mentioned that the guy paid $15,000 for it I didn't ask how the guy gets the trike between his home in the hills to the valley where the guys hold their 3-times weekly rides, but I wlll next time I talk with him.

 

[Firstime RVer]

Wife bought electric trike a year ago from Amazon. 350 watt, $1000 to front door. Very good bike, but you’d best be very familiar with bike repair to assemble it.

I’m fortunate enough to be able to weld aluminum and have a lot of aluminum stock. I bought a Harbor Freight aluminum cargo carrier, widened 1/2 of it to 31” and built a double folding ramp ,front cage, and etc. for it.

Works great. Even though it’s aluminum, it’s heavy and awkward. I added six 3” caster wheels. 4 on the bottom and 2 on outer edge.
I can flip it on its edge, roll it easily through doors, down driveway, whatever to receiver hitch. Flip it flat on floor Jack and easily hook it up myself. Added bonus, wheels on bottom great for going through dips.

Mobility scooter rack good idea, but watch width. You’ll need about 2 feet of 30+” width.

Wow Great job Jubileee!!

 

[Dusty Traveler]

You may want to re-think that if going to live in Florida. S-28 is in the works on EV as they pay no FUEL TAX. There will soon be a yearly fee which comes from FUEL FEE's. A charge of $200. then at some point jumps to $250, both per year. Learn more by Click Here

 

[JudyJB]

You may want to re-think that if going to live in Florida.

I don't plan to ever live in Florida, and I don't think an electric bike here needs a license anyway, even if it does have three wheels, because it is certainly not road-worthy. (I am just staying here for the winter and will be headed north in a couple of weeks.)

 

[JudyJB]

Right after I posted this question, I saw my neighbors ride their bikes in. One was a regular bike and the other was an electric trike. It has 20" tires and weighs 62 pounds without the battery, but I did not like the motorcycle-type twist throttle because I have slid my hand forward on my current electric bike, and it took off on me. (My original e-bike had a thumb throttle, which I felt was much safer.)

Been looking online and found one bike I kind of like. It has a thumb throttle and 16" tires. Without the battery, it only weighs 54 pounds which is 8 pounds less than the above option, and the seat is a bit lower. However, I am concerned about its having smaller wheels. Are they likely to be less stable? EZ Transit Folding Electric Trike | Foldable E Trike for Adults

I am going to be carrying this on the back of my motorhome in a carrier with a ramp, but being able to handle it easily and riding stability are going to be important to me. Opinions?

 

[Arch Hoagland]

I think the smaller wheels would make it a bit easier to get on and off. Can't say on the stability for sure but would guess it wouldn't affect it much.

 

[ferfer]

My biggest problem is being only 5'1" tall.

Given your height I think you achieve better stability the lower you are. Also the 16" wheels will have greater torque making it easier to push peddles (assuming similar gear ratio with 20" wheel one).

 

[RLBuch]

Hello Judy! I'll be checking out electric trike bikes soon. I'm hoping to get back on the road soon for treks to some of my favorite spots. I'm located East of Sacramento, so it's an easy trek to Reno and the Lake Tahoe area. I also love spots on the coast, such as Pismo Beach. The monarch butterflies migrate there during the winter and are a sight to see and photograph.

Will soon be checking out the E-Trikes I see advertised. I haven't had my live-in MH on the road in a year or so and am very anxious to get back on the road. I will be doing short drives initially to make sure I am still OK. I drive my car freely everywhere, including visiting family in the San Francisco Bay Area. I renewed my CA driver's license on my birthday last December for another 5 years through 2030!

I simply ran a Google search for E-Trike carriers, and there seem to be quite a few to choose from. A similar search responded that I will never get an E-Trike through the door of any motorhome. There was one on FB today that seemed very nice, folding up against the car when not in use.

I'll be anxious to see what you come up with!

 

[Wmlunt-WO]

The delta configuration for a trike is much more stable! (2 wheels on front) with a single wheel in front many riders pitch forward when braking, or rounding a corner, and fall forward breaking the collarbone.
Many of the electric trikes have the battery/motor come off separately to lighten the load when lifting.
I ride a non-electric ICE folding trike and love it!!!
Bill

 

[gwinger]

You may want to re-think that if going to live in Florida. S-28 is in the works on EV as they pay no FUEL TAX. There will soon be a yearly fee which comes from FUEL FEE's. A charge of $200. then at some point jumps to $250, both per year. Learn more by Click Here

Since there is no registration or motor vehicle title, I can't see where you would pay fuel fee.
They are not made to be driven on a highway

 

[DutchmenSport]

A few years ago my wife wanted a (manual) trike. We got one, a Schwin, used, for an excellent price. Wow! To both of our amazements, it was difficult to ride. I had a tricycle when I was 4 years old, but moved into 2 wheelers by the time I was 6 or 7. I had forgotten how to ride a 3 wheeler!

The biggest problem was turning. Instead of leaning with the bike, on a trike, you lean the opposite way or you'll topple over. It's so weird if you're not use to it. I never adjusted from my 2 wheeler mind set. My wife had equal problems with it. I ended up giving it to my sister (who is older than me) and absolutely could not ride a 2 wheeler any more. She says she's never had issues with it.

So, just a head's up, don't be disappointed if you have not ridden a 3 wheeler since you were a small kid!

 

[Wmlunt-WO]

When young you rode a tadpole style trike, one wheel in front.
Try a tadpole style trike, two wheels in front, way more stable!!!
Night and day difference!!!
Corners well, much faster going downhill than a bike, only downside is going uphill, you can’t stand up on the pedals and use your weight. Still faster overall which is why they are not allowed in Tour de France!
Also wide low pressure tires are much slower and with 3, much higher rolling resistance.
Have owned Catrike, and now ICE folding.
Have ridden all my life and the delta trike is best config as I get older.

 

[DutchmenSport]

Is the OP asking questions about a street worthy 3 wheeler motorized trike that requires a license plate, insurance, turn signals, and a licensed driver over the required age for a motorcycle. Or is he asking about a foot peddled electric trike with an electric motor to tooling around on a side walk with?

Based on what I read, he's asking for the foot peddled, battery powered assist version, not the motorcycle version. Or am I miss reading something?

 

[Larry N.]

She (the OP, Judy) has had a bicycle for years, and wants to switch to a trike, mentioning some that were not weighing much more than her current electric bike (55 lbs she said).

 

[UTTransplant]

And note that Judy asked the question 2 years ago. She has since put her motorhome up for sale and is stationary in a S&B. But the question of trikes might still be appropriate. For a few years we rode tadpole recumbent trikes, 2 wheels up front, one wheel in the back. They gave the must fun ride I have ever had on a non-motorized vehicle! Amazingly stable, I could go uphill in a super low granny gear without any fear of tipping over like a 2 wheeler, yet they turned easily, pretty much like a 2 wheel bicycle. We only sold them when we bought the motor home and couldn’t figure out a way to haul both of them around . The newer electric trikes would be an even easier ride. But instead of looking for a high riding trike, look at the recumbents.

 

[Wmlunt-WO]

And note that Judy asked the question 2 years ago. She has since put her motorhome up for sale and is stationary in a S&B. But the question of trikes might still be appropriate. For a few years we rode tadpole recumbent trikes, 2 wheels up front, one wheel in the back. They gave the must fun ride I have ever had on a non-motorized vehicle! Amazingly stable, I could go uphill in a super low granny gear without any fear of tipping over like a 2 wheeler, yet they turned easily, pretty much like a 2 wheel bicycle. We only sold them when we bought the motor home and couldn’t figure out a way to haul both of them around . The newer electric trikes would be an even easier ride. But instead of looking for a high riding trike, look at the recumbents.

Yes recumbents are way fun!
And the new ones have a unique folding frame to make transport easy!
Bill