I am on my 3rd e-bike and unfortunately, my 3rd fall. I am nearly 80.....and it hurts. So decided it's not worth the pain so I an looking at an E-Trike or similar. I don't know the 1st. thing about them so any advice/recommendations welcome.
E-Trike
- Thread starter Seanoge
- Start date
Hard luck. Trikes are notoriously easy to turn over on corners if you aren't used to them. I believe those with two front wheels are a lot better in that regard than those with two rear wheels.
I've never ridden either so second hand information.
I've never ridden either so second hand information.
Many of them fall over more easily than bicycles, and you get worse injuries, so be careful. You'll probably be OK with a recumbent one with 20" wheels and two wheels at the front. They're the most stable and unlikely to topple if you keep the speed down. That type is very expensive though, especially electric ones.
Depends on your budget as the well regarded manufacturers are expensive.
You could have a look at and maybe chat with ICE about their Adventure HD, with raised seat and wider track.
They come up second hand occasionally, and a middrive conversion on a non-electric one would be a much cheaper alternative to off the shelf.
Otherwise look at cargo etrikes, normal bike back end and a two wheeled front, or the Jorvik which could have a front hub motor added.
But all suffer from limited width and so limited resistance to toppling over. Flat roads and low speeds are fine, but a bit of off camber on a curve is a problem.
You could have a look at and maybe chat with ICE about their Adventure HD, with raised seat and wider track.
They come up second hand occasionally, and a middrive conversion on a non-electric one would be a much cheaper alternative to off the shelf.
Otherwise look at cargo etrikes, normal bike back end and a two wheeled front, or the Jorvik which could have a front hub motor added.
But all suffer from limited width and so limited resistance to toppling over. Flat roads and low speeds are fine, but a bit of off camber on a curve is a problem.
For stability a Recumbent Trike aka Tadpole, issue may be getting on/off - up/ down from a low riding position.
If you go for a two wheel at the front trike, despite what people have said here, they are very stable, unless you take corners at stupid speeds. At modest speeds, even one wheel at the front trikes are not that bad.
As Nealh says, if mobility is limited, getting down into and out of a low recumbent can be an issue. Worth talking to people like this, as in the Netherlands, people cycle right into very old age and there are manufacturers that specialise in bikes for those with limited stability etc. Worst case, you could also go for an electric quadracycle!
www.vanraam.com
As Nealh says, if mobility is limited, getting down into and out of a low recumbent can be an issue. Worth talking to people like this, as in the Netherlands, people cycle right into very old age and there are manufacturers that specialise in bikes for those with limited stability etc. Worst case, you could also go for an electric quadracycle!
Van Raam | Manufacturer of unique special needs bikes | Van Raam
Specialist in custom (electric) bicycles, including tricycles, tandem bikes, wheelchair bikes & low-entry bikes. Over 100 years of Dutch quality bikes!
Hydraulic chairlift mod? Electric winch chair, suspended from a roll cage bar? That motor I scavenged from the dead and discarded escooter I found last year, may yet become useful as I become ever older...
I like the lower center of gravity of this, but look at the price of the Easy Rider @WheezyRider:
Easy Rider
Looking for a tricycle with backrest and specially developed for adults? Check the Van Raam Easy Rider. Elektric pedal support is possible. More information?
www.vanraam.com
Their two front wheeled model, is also expensive.
Viktor
Looking for a tricycle with two wheels in front? Look at the Viktor tricycle by Van Raam: many different options available. More information? Read here!
www.vanraam.com
I don't like the look of that Viktor one. The CofG is very high. The batteries are unnecessarily high too. It's going to topple if you hit a bump with a front wheel.Their two front wheeled model, is also expensive.
Viktor
Looking for a tricycle with two wheels in front? Look at the Viktor tricycle by Van Raam: many different options available. More information? Read here!
That universal joint steering looks very useful - is the Easy Rider the only production bicycle to have it? Van Raam list a lot of UK dealers.
Anyway, some design inspiration perhaps...
www.recumbent.news
Anyway, some design inspiration perhaps...
Breaking news: HP Velotechnik introduced new delta trike | Recumbent.news
HP Velotechnik has introduced their kind of surprising new delta trike model called Delta tx. They will be presenting it live at the Eurobike show this month for the first time.
www.recumbent.news
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These things are not going to be cheap as they are not mass produced in China. Even the fairly standard ICE recumbents made in larger numbers cannot be called cheap. The thing is you have to compare it to the alternatives. Public transport? OK if you are in a big city perhaps, but in the UK generally, it does not run where and when you want it to. Getting a car? Even a fairly basic car these days is heading towards £20k and the cheapest available is £13k. Then you have tax insurance, fuel etc to deal with and congestion charge/pollution zones cropping up all over the place. Plus you get no exercise. Also, if you are getting health issues with age, or your eye sight is going, you might not be able to keep driving.
Thank you all but I'm not ready for a Recumbent Trike just yet. Still mobile , just will be a bit nervous getting up on a 2 wheeler again........Looking at an Alpine Explorer Trike ....it was the pothole that did for me..this thing should take them in its stride........I've seen a goo second hand one......
Attachments
Much better carrying capacity too.
Not sure the need for knobbles on the tyres though.
Make sure you do a test ride before you buy to make sure it suits and feels stable enough.
The front motor looks a little more than 250W? Do you know the spec?
It says "250w brushless front hub motor (Bafang). High Torque". This is from the Manufacturer, I'm buying second hand, but it's the same TRIKE......I won't be able to test ride it.....It's in Sheffield......I'm In Penzance......
It's highly unlikely I'd be in any state to cycle honestly when/if 80 years old. I don't do that now lol. I'd convert something suitable rather than buy off the shelf, making absolutely certain I'd never need to put in any effort whatsoever! About 30A and 48V through a cadence sensored Bafang mid drive would be my choice. Of course I'd try to keep it legal with a 250W kit, even if I had to replace the controller with a 30A one. Failing that, a Bafang HD, laws be damned.
That bike weighs 35kg, has a 36V front hub motor - I don't think it'd be good for riding up hills, unless you're this guy:
Sandy lane:
That bike weighs 35kg, has a 36V front hub motor - I don't think it'd be good for riding up hills, unless you're this guy:
Sandy lane:
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Very interesting video, talks sense. It is a bit hilly here but `I never had problems with the other Ebikes I had, but I was a bit worried about this one.....If it doesn't work out ......then it's back to the drawing board .....maybe something with normal tyres.......
Sounds like I0kg+ might not make much of a difference to you, which is brilliant, well done for keeping fit. Hope it works out.
If it says 250W it should be ok, the motor just looks big. I would not like to splash out a lot of money on a bike without getting the chance to ride it, but it seems like you don't have much choice.
I think this could be the spec:
www.alpineelectricbikes.co.uk
Alpine Electric Bikes - Electric Explorer Trike - e Tricycle
Amazing Rigid Trike, Samsung battery 50 mile range, large cargo baskets, 2 year warranty, large LCD screen, 5 levels of pedal assist + throttle 15.5 mph
www.alpineelectricbikes.co.uk
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