We like the concept of an e-trike: they allow you to carry shopping and other loads at the rear and you can also sit comfortably on the bike while it's stationary. But the reality is it can take a lot of time to get used to riding one.
Three wheels may deliver better balance to those who struggle to ride a regular bicycle at low speeds, but our tester and bike-fitting professional both say that an e-trike is actually more prone to tipping over unless you're going dead straight, on flat terrain or at walking or jogging pace.
The e-trikes we tested were not very easy to handle and often exhibited too much imbalance on turns and uneven ground. While they may be easier to sit on and manoeuvre at low speeds, they're not suitable for the elderly or the frail without a lot of guidance and practice.
On this page:
- Types of electric bikes
- What is an electric trike (e-trike)?
- Buying an e-trike online (Progear E-Free E-trike)
- Buying an e-trike from a bike shop (Eunorau New Trike)
- Is an e-trike more stable than an e-bike?
Types of electric bikes
E-bikes come in many different sizes and shapes, from mountain e-bikes for cross country adventure riding to hybrid e-bikes for a bit of off-roading and commuting.
Cargo bikes also have some ardent fans and are a popular choice for those looking for a car-replacement option, with loads of storage in the front or rear storage box, trailer and/or pannier mounts. Some may even be able to carry a couple of small children in compatible child seats.
However, all these e-bikes require a certain level of balance and control and they may not be suitable for those who are either not confident or capable in guiding a two-wheeler through traffic or a bike path. CHOICE experts have tested over 30 electric bikes in our labs and on the road to help you find the best performers that suit your budget. We consider factors such as ride comfort, handling, turning and low-speed performance and battery use (view full electric bike reviews).
What is an electric trike (e-trike)?
Promoted as a stable solution for people who aren't able to ride a regular e-bike, an e-trike has three-wheels for added stability as well as the option for storage.
Pros:
- Three wheels allow the rider to sit comfortably on the bike when stationary without having to balance.
- Manoeuvrability at low speeds or turning when starting out is very easy with the ability to almost turn a full circle.
- Very good storage options with most e-trikes including a large rear cargo area which is ideal for grocery shopping.
Cons:
- The three-wheel setup isn't as stable as an e-bike at speed or when dealing with bumps and rough terrain.
- Locking up the e-trike when travelling is difficult and most are not really compatible with public bike racks (they take up three bike spots).
- New users or those who have not ridden a bike for a long period may find it difficult to use an e-trike without some guidance.
Electric trikes are of course available to buy both instore and online. CHOICE experts advise against purchasing one online if you don't have a bike professional to help you assemble the bike at home. This is because assembling an e-trike can be much more complex than assembling an e-bike.
We put a couple of e-trikes to the test and assessed their performance on the road, as well as looking into a couple of different purchasing options to investigate whether you should get some proper guidance before putting your pedal to the metal.
Buying an e-trike online (Progear E-Free E-trike)
The first e-trike we rode was a product from a brand called Progear, which was ordered through an online marketplace. However, the same model (Progear E-Free E-Trike) can be easily found and purchased on other marketplace stores, at Bunnings or the Progear online store.
This e-trike arrived in a few pieces and we had to put it together ourselves; this included attaching the frame (it was in two pieces), the handlebars, saddle, pedals, wheels, brakes, electrical components, mudguards, and front reflector. Putting it together took a lot of effort and required two people to reduce frustration and stress.
The product proved to be too cheap to be good value, with very low-end components
The Progear E-Trike is a relatively inexpensive product aimed at those looking for a bargain. However, the product proved to be too cheap to be good value, with very low-end components.
After our tester Elias assembled the e-trike according to the supplied instructions – as well as referring to supplemental instructions online – we had the trike assessed by a qualified bicycle mechanic, a luxury not available to most people ordering this product online.
Unfortunately, the verdict from the professional bike mechanic was that the Progear e-trike was not safe enough to ride. Due to a design flaw, only one rear wheel propels the e-trike when pedalling, so it always felt like it was pulling towards one direction, and it was the same when braking as it made the trike head offline when slowing down.
Progear E-Free E-Trike 250W; Front Drive Motor; 36v Lithium-Ion Battery; 24-inch wheels; $1699 (includes storage basket).
Buying an e-trike from a bike shop (Eunorau New Trike)
The most important benefit of buying any e-bike from a local store is that you can approach a real person if, or when, something goes wrong soon after purchase. There is also peace of mind in knowing you have someone to deal with over the life of your e-bike ownership.
We bought the Eunorau New Trike fully assembled from a bike shop (check out au.eunoroau-ebike.com for a local dealer), and this trike was a better product and more closely delivered what we expected from an electric trike. The e-trike felt more comfortable thanks to its thicker wheels and wider seat and back rest. The braking was better thanks to having two rear brakes and all disc brakes. Our on-site bike professional confirmed that it was an overall better quality in terms of its build as well as the general setup for brakes and wheels
We experienced the same sensations of veering to one side along straight stretches of road, and tipping while taking corners
However, as with the Progear bike, we experienced the same sensations of veering to one side along straight stretches of road, and tipping while taking corners. But in this case, the smaller, but fatter 20-inch wheels helped provide a more stable ride overall compared to the Progear e-trike, which has thinner 24-inch wheels.
The bottom line is, e-trikes are not something we can recommend for those who have mobility or balance issues without guidance from bike professionals and a caveat that they should only be used on flat terrain and at low speeds. We especially don't recommend buying one online from a marketplace, which then has to be assembled by the user. If you are going to buy an e-trike, then you should buy from a reputable bike shop and make sure the staff properly explain how to get the best use out of it.
Eunorau New Trike 500W Front-Mounted Motor; 48v Lithium-ion Battery; 20-inch (fat) wheels; Folding frame; $3199.
Is an e-trike more stable than an e-bike?
The adage 'just like riding a bike' generally holds true when it comes to e-bikes. But for those who have never ridden a tricycle (battery assisted or otherwise), some guidance by an experienced trike rider on steering, how to deal with unstable terrain and braking suddenly would be recommended.
In general, e-trikes are more stable at low speeds, while e-bikes are more stable at high speeds or on uneven terrain. Here's a breakdown on which is the most stable option in different riding situations.
- Sitting on the bike in a stationary position (waiting at a traffic light or simply having a rest on the bike) – e-trike
- Riding slowly (around 10–15km) on a straight or gently turning bike path – e-trike
- Riding at the higher speeds available with assistance (25km or faster) when going downhill or pedalling hard – e-bike
- Turning suddenly at any speed above a fast walk or on unstable terrain – e-bike
- Riding in a busy area or an area where there is limited width for traffic on the road or a bike path – e-bike
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