E-Bike recommendations for my wife with MS

[Bonky]

Her balance is compromised and she has lost her confidence. A step-through bike, possibly with stabilisers is my first idea, but it would need to be packed into the back of a VW Golf. A tricycle is another idea but packing that into a Golf would be even more difficult. Has anyone any ideas/experiences and who could recommend a make/model?

Thanks

 

[vfr400]

Stabilisers wouldn’t work. They stop you from leaning over to go round corners. They're for kids that go very slow and have a low centre of gravity. Even trikes can be dangerous, as you have to steer the opposite way to go round corners, so they can take some time to adjust your brain. Just about everybody that I know, who tried a trike, fell off before they got used to it. Some got badly injured, like broken shoulder, etc. Sorry for the bad news. The only solution I can think of is to find a bike with the lowest centre of gravity or add a double gyroscope, like thes have:

 

[cyclebuddy]

Roodog do a folding electric low-step bike, and they offer adult stabilisers as an option.

 

[Bonky]

Thanks both. I agree with the inherent 'issues' with trikes and/or stabilisers but we would only be going on canal paths or old railway tracks. The Roodog seems ideal - esp the 'Bliss' model. Out-of-stock at present (of course); she would need to trial it first. Are there any other similar models? The MS Trust has various links to other bikes -but none that look as suitable as the 'Bliss'. Has anyone got one?
Thanks again.

 

[DiggyGun]

Doing a quick search on Google, other options include:

Jorvik Mid Drive Folding Electric Mountain Trike JMT9 (250w)

Rugged, off-road electric performance – expertly engineered to fold, store, and transport with ease. Effortless riding, endless possibilities. *Please note, images are for illustration purposes only and can vary as designs are updated*

jorviktricycles.com

AS FOLDING ELECTRIC TRICYCLE

Looking for a folding tricycle? Visit our bike shop and find the best folding tricycle.

www.foldingtricycle.co.uk

Another option is buy a standard folding trike and have a Swytch electric conversion done.

 

[vfr400]

The problem with trikes is that they have difficulty with uneven surfaces, like where you want to go. When an outside wheel goes over a bump, it tips the wrole trike. That tipping can be very violent if the left wheel gows over a bump soon after the right one. Trikes are not too bad on even surface, like roads and normal foot-paths/cycle lanes as long as there's no camber. I hope you don't think I'm trying to spoil things for you. I'm just trying to make sure that you don't end up disappointed.

Recumbent trikes with the two wheels at the front are the safest due to their low c of g and you can see where the wheels are going, so know when to expect tipping, but they're very expensive

 

[Lancslass]

Maybe a step through with small wheels may help with her confidence? She will be nearer to the ground riding on a smaller frame. I only base this idea on the face that when i tried out a 28" wheeled bike as against my usual 26" i found it most alarming! I assume that the reverse is probably true as well. There are plenty of small wheeled bikes on the market, some of which are foldable and all of which are step through.

 

[Bonky]

Maybe a step through with small wheels may help with her confidence? She will be nearer to the ground riding on a smaller frame. I only base this idea on the face that when i tried out a 28" wheeled bike as against my usual 26" i found it most alarming! I assume that the reverse is probably true as well. There are plenty of small wheeled bikes on the market, some of which are foldable and all of which are step through.

Thanks Lancslass.

Understood...and I agree

 

[Jodel]

Would something like this:

For Sale - Trego tilting trike kit for sale used £450

Have no need for this any longer:) has had very little use still got dimples on the tyres Turns any bike with 100m space forks into a tilting trike, it is the stronger bolt on version only takes a few mins to fit Huge save over the new price with out the long delivery and customs hassle...

www.pedelecs.co.uk

be worth considering?

You could have a 'normal' e-bike and convert it to a three wheeler quite easily.

 

[Bonky]

Would something like this:

For Sale - Trego tilting trike kit for sale used £450

Have no need for this any longer:) has had very little use still got dimples on the tyres Turns any bike with 100m space forks into a tilting trike, it is the stronger bolt on version only takes a few mins to fit Huge save over the new price with out the long delivery and customs hassle...

www.pedelecs.co.uk

be worth considering?

You could have a 'normal' e-bike and convert it to a three wheeler quite easily.

 

[Bonky]

Wow! Never seen one of those. I'll investigate....many thanks!

 

[Perseus]

I've got Parkinsons and this one is safe to ride https://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/alba-ebike-log.41583/

I've also got hemianopsia which makes cycling very tricky with balance. When I had the brain clot I only realised I was partially blind when I cycled into a lamppost.

 

[Bonky]

Thanks Perseus; so sorry to hear about your 'issues'. Thanks for the link - I'll pass it on to my wife.
(She's not taking all my prompting very well at present - so may need to 'back-off'.)

You've all been so kind on this forum - many thanks again. Google isn't alway one's friend when searching for such esoteric items. Experience and personal recommendations are so much better!