Bikes made of three wheels turn out to be the best option for senior people because they feel in control and confident when they enjoy the ride. But recently, we can see more trike options and designs on the market that make younger adults interested in purchasing one.
Table of Contents
Comparison Chart
| Electric Tricycle | Wheel Size | Price | Frame Material |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26 Inches | ~$600 | Steel |
Emojo Electric Fat Tire Tricycle
| 24 Inches | ~$2800 | Aluminum |
| 24 Inches | ~$3300 | Aluminum |
Mobo Triton Pro Adult Tricycle for Men & Women.
This is an excellent option if you want a little exercise and fun outside.
Trike recumbent bikes are more comfortable thanks to the Ergonomic recumbent seat that provides evenly cushioned back support.
The adjustable frame also increases the comfort that making riding this 3-wheel bicycle easy for most riders. It is Suitable for riders 4 feet 2 inches tall to 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing up to 250 lbs. Talking about the frame, it is durable and constructed of Hi-ten steel.
This tricycle cruiser features :
- chainless design,
- caliper handbrakes,
- 20-inch front wheel with free-wheel hub and 16-inch rear wheels,
- inflatable rubber tires
- a safety flag.
If you have problems with balance, this is an excellent option because it has a low center of gravity, providing unprecedented stability.
This tricycle features Dual-joystick steering that offers smooth maneuverability with simple hand movements.
PROS
- High-quality frame
- Great for exercise and those having a problem with balance
- Good stability
CONS
- Some assembly is required.
Emojo Electric Fat Tire Tricycle
This tricycle comes with a powerful motor of 500W and a 48V battery, which ensures it gives a high-level performance.
It has impressive features such as the 7-speed transmission system and brakes that use hydraulics for efficiency and safety.
For the sake of comfort, the trike comes with a large seat that is comfortable and large enough with support for your back to give you proper rest while riding.
The tricycle also has useful storage baskets on the front and back. The rear cargo area is expansive to accommodate heavy loads and is very useful when you are out shopping.
Its build comprises durable material with the frame being from aluminum alloy and comes with a load capacity of 320 lb.
The three fat tires give you enhanced support and allow you to use the tricycle on terrains that include trails, streets, and beaches.
Pros
- The tricycle has a high weight capacity
- It comes with a motor that has high power
- The aluminum build gives it durability and makes it corrosion-free.
- The 7-speed transmission allows it to handle hills without strain.
Cons
- It is a lot heavier than the other trikes of the same category
- The top speeds are not convenient as the trike can topple over when turning.
Addmotor Electric Tricycle M 350 P7 Suspension
This trike is one of the heavy-weight trikes you can buy for seniors.
It can comfortably carry a person who has up to 350 pounds since it is very stable.
The Addmotor comes with wide tires up to 24 inches and an aluminum frame that is sturdy to enhance stability.
The trike also provides a front and a rear carriage for storage purposes, with the rear carriage having a cover that one can zip to store items safely.
It is an all-terrain trike with cushioned suspension forks to eliminate bumpy rides and a seat adjustable for better comfort. The other features on the trike include a battery that makes it easy to use level one pedal assist.
Pros
- The trike is battery-powered hence making it possible to ride without pedaling.
- It comes with speed controls for a controlled and better performance
- It comes with a sturdy aluminum frame construction that is convenient for heavyweights
- The 24-inched tires increase stability and mobility
- It is suitable for carrying luggage as it comes with two carriages
Cons
- This trike is more costly as compared to other options available.
Adult trike bike Preferences
With aging, things become difficult, like cycling a two-wheeled bicycle. The capability of trusting our bodies becomes less. Whereas cycling is a high activity that is smooth on joints as it improves our health by fighting depression and weight loss and refreshes our brains.
The difference between the trike and the traditional bicycle is only the extra wheel on the back.
The design for trikes makes it easy for riders to keep balanced and helps the bike from tripping when you make a sudden stop. These bikes can also accommodate more weight with more comfortable balancing.
Exercises are an important activity in our lives, both physically and mentally. Trike riding is one of the best ways of achieving a healthy lifestyle. Following is the pro and cons of a three-wheeled bike.
Pros
1. No training is required
Trikes offer stability, so you will not need to take your time in training. This is a plus because most senior people will not be comfortable with training on how to balance as it is in a two-wheeled bike. The bike offers a conducive environment where you will not need to set yourself in a position to avoid falling.
2. Climbing
Three-wheeled bikes are more comfortable climbing hills compared to ordinary bicycles. For those with gears, it makes it easy as the rider needs to put low gear, and with no struggle, it becomes straightforward. On the other side, the two-wheeled bicycle riders must maintain a certain momentum and balance to climb a hill with also consuming a lot of energy cycling up the hill to avoid falling.
3. Stability
In terms of stability, three-wheeled bikes are the best. There is no need to maintain a confident posture and forward movement, as with two-wheeled bicycles. This allows the rider to have freedom over the bike, enjoying fewer chances of tripping. When the rider wants to stop, it is also very easy for the three-wheeled as you only need to stop peddling and apply brakes as opposed to the two-wheeled, which need a lot of balancing when you stop.
4. Cargo
With the wide wheelbase, three-wheeled bikes offer only space for cargo but also the hefty amount a two-wheeled cannot tolerate adding; they can also be fitted with cargo packs. Trikes will always have strong stability, even with additional weight.
Cons
1. Difficult in handling
The trikes are very heavy to carry around without cycling. In most cases, when turning, there is difficulty experienced. Comparing this to the two-wheeled, they have a minimal turning radius making them flexible when handling.
2. Speed
Ordinary bicycles are way much faster compared to trikes. If you are engaging in a competition, it is a disadvantage when competing with a two-wheeled bicycle rider. This makes the trikes inconvenient for major sports.
3. Low height
Most trikes have a very low height compared to two-wheeled bikes. In a traffic situation, it can be very inconvenient because the cars driver may not be able to see you. It can cause an accident because of the visibility problem without necessary action.
Buyer’s considerations of trike bike for adult
While there are many models, selecting an adult trike also is very crucial so that it can suit you or your loved ones. Most of the bikes are the same mostly. Product differentiation is what makes them deviate from each other. Following are buyer considerations of trike bikes for adults
1. Position: upright or recumbent
With recumbents and semi-recumbent or upright, you will benefit from cardio workouts. Recumbent models users are more stretched and closer to the ground. Body positioning is less intense when riding the trikes due to weight and space disbursements. On the other side, upright bikes offer seat comfort, hand placement, and back. The user experiences less pressure on the lower back, making it easy to change positions.
2. Saddle seat or sling seat?
Upright bikes offer a saddle-style seat, which is full and comfortable. It ensures the user is comfortable landing on the ground when the bikes stop. With an aided three-wheel design, it gives a smart start and stops.
The recumbent and semi-recumbent bikes have a sling-style nylon seat plus a padded seat with back support. They make the bike comfortable removing the fear of losing control or tipping. This is because they are created low on the ground.
3. Traditional, chopper, or loop handlebars
most upright bikes use traditional curved handlebars in addition to the loop styles. Standard handlebars are preferred with a reasonable range of motion and appropriate upper body strength. With loop handlebars, an individual can steer with any part of the loop; for this reason, they are best suited for persons with weak hands or unsteady arms.
Chopper handlebars work as the traditional handlebars implying that they also need persons with a healthy upper body. They are used in both upright and recumbent bikes.
4. Traditional or bariatric weight capacity.
Manufacturers are the ones who decide the weight capacity of every model. This means the weight capacity mainly lies in the manufacturers decision. in general, the weight of upright bikes goes up to 350 pounds while the recumbent and semi-recumbent go up to 400 pounds. Bariatric bikes can accommodate up to 500 pounds.
Different types of tricycles for adults
For adults who cannot ride a regular bicycle, the following are various types of trikes they can choose from.
1. Traditional tricycles: two wheels behind and one in front, high seat.
Because of the bicycles frame, it does not lean in turns, which requires someone to get used to it. People with no experience with cycling will not have a problem, but for experienced bikers, there is a feeling of tipping when making turns. Also, because the seat is in a high position, it makes the bike unstable
2. Low entry tricycle for adults
These bikes have low seating positions located above the crank axle. The bike allows minimal movements on both legs on the ground. Stepping on this bike is quite different because of the lower center of gravity; it gives more stability to the user. Compared to the traditional bicycle, it is very comfortable and easy to ride.
3. Tricycles with two wheels in front and one wheel behind.
Some riders always prefer the traditional style but have a problem with riding. This tricycle comes with a two-wheel Infront and one at the back, which characterizes the traditional bicycle.
4. Tricycle with seating, a low entry, and a lower seating position.
The bicycle has a seat, recumbent pedaling, and much lower gravity levels, making it comfortable and safe to ride. Its positioning makes it very friendly for people with back problems.
5. Mobility scooter bicycle
This is convenient for people with fewer energy levels for peddling. The user can opt either to peddle or not. This bike lets you decide whether you want to use your power or the engine.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is advisable to decide before buying the bike the user requirements. The user needs to acquire a bike so they will not compromise their health conditions.