Adult trikes Q&A: bike experts answer your popular questions

Adult trikes are becoming quite popular! It’s not that rare to see a three-wheelers on the city streets anymore. So what is a trike?

The tricycle is a bicycle that is designed with two wheels at the front or back. It can either be human powered or come with electric assistance. On the market there are three main models: upright, semi-recumbent and recumbent. Learn why fellow bike enthusiasts are choosing to ride trikes & if it could fit your lifestyle and possible health concerns too.

Now that we’ve got the basics down, let’s start with the five most popular questions…

Question 1: are adult trikes bikes better than normal bicycles?

Unfortunately, the answer is not a one-fits all. It really depends on your needs and the bike model chosen. Not every model responds to the same necessities. Generally though, if you’re in one of these profiles the trike should suit you better than a bike:

You’re looking for extra stability and comfort
You want to carry large freights or a passenger
You want safer rides
You’re a senior
You have an impairment and can’t ride regular bikes

Question 2: How do I know how to choose the perfect adult trikes?

There are some things you should keep in mind when choosing a bike:

Choose the trike that answers to your needs

Adult tricycles with two back wheels suit bikers that look for extra stability, comfort and safety. They don’t tip over and they’re quite easy to drive. It’s also a great option for seniors and can be modified to suit disabled riders too!
Semi and full recumbent are ideal for those who want a sportive experience without putting strain on the joints (ideal for seniors or people with arthritis). The seat is more comfortable and supports the core better than an upright bike. There are also many hand pedalling recumbents designed for disabled bikers.

Cargo trikes with front double wheels are ideal for the transportation of larger weights or passengers because they offer better support for the charges.

For example, the AddBike+ does that without reducing the dynamicity of the rides. The tilting wheel system allows the wheels to incline on the side when turning while the charges stay still.

There are three different kits that you can add to the system to make it into the perfect adult trike for you! You can safely carry a kid, a pet or heavy charges.

Adult trike: dad cycling with kids on his cargo tricycle

Choose a bike adapted to your frame

Picking the right bike size is essential for ensuring comfortable rides. Make sure that you check the bike features or speak directly with a seller or bike expert.

If you have small range mobility or you often wear skirts, you should pick a bicycle with a low frame. So that you can step on and off effortlessly, without any awkward movements.

It’s also important to find a bike with the right saddle, female seats can make a big deal of a difference especially for longer rides!

Does riding a tricycle everyday help keep you in good shape?

Riding any bike is considered an aerobic activity which means that your heart rate goes up for at least twenty minutes. So yes! Cycling brings great benefits to your health by building up your endurance and stamina. Did you know that while you’re on a bike you’re actually using most of your muscle groups? That means that cycling is a full body workout and you don’t even feel it! You can choose how far and for how long you want to go depending how intense you want your workout. If you’re looking for a soft experience but still enjoy some mouvement, you can cycle with a low electric assistance. Cycling is also a great means to spend some quality time with friends and family. It’s very beneficial to kids and teens, keeping them active and adventurous!

Question 4: How does the steering work on adult trikes models?

If you’re driving a trike with a tilting system like the AddBike+, it will take a little while to get comfortable steering. Start by cycling, without charges, on a straight line. Set the shifter to regulate the tilting system at your preferred level. When you feel ready, look up in the direction you want to turn and put more pressure on the side of the handlebar you want to turn.

To steer a rear tricycle, you can tilt the handlebars towards the direction wanted, without including your upper body in the movement. It’s an easy and effortless movement that won’t require much practice.

Adult trike: man steering on a tricycle with tilting wheels

Question 5: Are tricycles slower than regular two-wheels bikes?

Most rear adult trikes are developed for better stability and safety. Generally speaking, they can drive at a reasonable speed depending on the power provided by the rider & the electric assistance (if applicable).

The driving experience however will not be as fluid as the one of regular bikes due to the steering differences that require slowing down during turns.

On the other hand, front 3 wheel bikes offer great dynamics especially when combined with a pendular system like in the AddBike+. This helps keep the ride smooth even in the steering phase, giving an overall faster performance than the one of rear trikes.

The extra weight carried by a front trike should also be considered in the equation though. Front adult trikes can bring heavier weights than the other models and in some situations this might slow down the ride. For example, you might have to ride slower than you would normally when transporting kids, due to the extra weight & for safety reasons.

The conclusion

it really depends on many factors if you’ll be able to drive fast with your trike. If that’s something you desire from your rides, you should look into models with the pendular system or that are specifically developed for fast riding.

And with this question we conclude this little article on adult trikes. Still not sure about trikes and you want to speak directly to a mobility adviser? We would love to chat with you to help you find the right solution for your daily mobility!

Happy cycling!