Who has tried an electric trike?

[flecc]

Of course, sorry I'd forgotten the width issue Tara. Of course any narrower trike will be less stable, so you could hear that criticism with any narrow alternative.

As attractive as the Di Blasi trike design is, reviews often mention the instability issues with it due to the flexibilities inherent in the folding mechanism. It also appears from the comments that left turns are more of an issue than other single wheel drive designs, particularly if even slightly uphill. As ever, it would probably be best to try one out before any possible purchase.

 

[Tara]

Of course, sorry I'd forgotten the width issue Tara. Of course any narrower trike will be less stable, so you could hear that criticism with any narrow alternative.

As attractive as the Di Blasi trike design is, reviews often mention the instability issues with it due to the flexibilities inherent in the folding mechanism. It also appears from the comments that left turns are more of an issue than other single wheel drive designs, particularly if even slightly uphill. As ever, it would probably be best to try one out before any possible purchase.

"As ever, it would probably be best to try one out before any possible purchase"

A chance would be a fine thing I'm afraid.
I've phoned shops who sell this trike, and they say "Sorry, we don't have a demo model" - So I asked about popping over, to test other trikes, and was met with the same answer.

If I purchased blind, and requested a return because a bike didn't suit me, it can turn out very costly, as some dealers keep 30% back in fees (I only found this out by digging around in their T&C sections)

 

[flecc]

If I purchased blind, and requested a return because a bike didn't suit me, it can turn out very costly, as some dealers keep 30% back in fees (I only found this out by digging around in their T&C sections)

Retailers do try to avoid the law though Tara, trusting to consumer lack of knowledge of the position. If you order online, you have a period when you can return for full refund including carriage costs, I think 7 days at present. The goods do not have to be faulty and no reason has to be given, a change of mind being good enough. It's not even necessary to return the packaging. This is a cost retailers have to accept in order to sell online so that a customer can see the item in person before final acceptance.

 

[Tara]

Retailers do try to avoid the law though Tara, trusting to consumer lack of knowledge of the position. If you order online, you have a period when you can return for full refund including carriage costs, I think 7 days at present. The goods do not have to be faulty and no reason has to be given, a change of mind being good enough. It's not even necessary to return the packaging. This is a cost retailers have to accept in order to sell online so that a customer can see the item in person before final acceptance.

I know a little bit about 'distance selling regs' but, the dealer will have my money, and will give back only as much as he wants, while stating: "You agreed to my terms of sale"

In the meanwhile, I would have to go down the small claims court route to get back the 30% AND I would have to pay the case set up fees in front (been there before and won, but I wouldn't like to repeat the process - I would have to travel to the court district that the seller resides in too)

The bike dealer must be intent on keeping the 30%, or the dealers wouldn't add the terms to their T&C section.

Funnily enough, my neighbour is going through exactly the same thing with a motorbility trike - she has paid over £6,000 for a top of the range model that doesn't work.
She's had a replacement, and that doesn't work either. Stranded indoors, she asked for her money back so that she can buy elsewhere, but can she get a refund? Not a chance and has has to go to 'Consumer Direct' for support.
The law will protect her in the end, but she's got some real fun and games in front of her before she sees her ££££'s.......

 

[flecc]

I agree that can and does happen Tara, and of course it's important to choose supplier carefully. There are certain major national companies I wont buy from under any circumstances due to their rule bending practices.

But there are some good ones too, those who do comply with the law as long as customers play fair with them and don't abuse their rights. Sadly not many choices for you with such a specialised product though.

 

[oigoi]

Tara, Just a thought and I don't know how applicable it is to your circumstances, but I have found on ebay paying with paypal and being covered by ebays buyer protection program to be helpful in sorting things out when there are problems without having to resort to courts etc - in the case of a dispute being raised ebay act as judge and have sorted things out for me in the past a few times when sellers have messed me about.

 

[banbury frank]

Hi Tara

Looking at trikes for you I don't think you will be able to find a good trike that has not got a 30 inch wheel base at the rear i would think it would be unstable going around corners and try and tip over if narrower

The Best you are going to buy is a uk made pashley trike with a Ezze Kit fitted buy John

Not Cheap but will do the job But 30 inch rear end

Frank

 

[Cyclezee]

Yes Frank,

I agree with the unstableness of a narrow trike, I did think about a Pashley too, but it is the rear track that is the problem.
It is a bit of a compromise to buy a trike to fit a doorway, unless anyone has better idea?

 

[flecc]

There's a need for a trike on which the offside wheel frame folds inwards to narrow it for doorways.

Very easy to design since only the nearside wheel is driven via a shaft on most trikes, the offside frame just carrying a free-floating wheel. Especially easy on the trikes which have both their two required brakes on the front wheel.