Tips on Riding an Electric Tricycle

Tips on Riding an Electric Tricycle

Featuring the EVELO Compass Electric Tricycle

Comfort and Stability

Electric tricycles are a great way to carry cargo, and are a great choice for anyone with concerns about riding a regular bicycle due to balance. Riding an electric tricycle is a bit different than riding a regular two wheel bicycle since you can’t lean the bike into turns.

Pre-Ride

Before riding, check all three tires for adequate pressure. Using a gauge or floor pump is best. The tire sidewall will provide the maximum pressure allowed, but you do not need to use maximum pressure if you prefer a softer ride.

Saddle height is important to ensure a comfortable and safe ride. Lower saddle heights will improve balance, but will cause more flex of your knees. Higher saddle heights raise your center of gravity, but also allow for proper leg extension. Overall, getting onto an electric tricycle is more stable than getting ready to ride a bike.

While a higher saddle is more efficient for riding - it’s ok to run your saddle a bit lower if you feel safer.Adjust the handlebars so you’re in an upright and comfortable position. If you feel like you’re reaching or leaning over, you can bring them closer to you.Double check your battery in the back, and make sure it’s powered to the on position, which is the line, - the circle is off.

Power on the tricycle using the button on the handlebar. If you’re just starting out, set the pedal assistance level to 0. Once you are comfortable riding your tricycle, we will add power from the motor.

Many electric tricycles include a throttle, this is just like a gas pedal on your car. Don’t press this unless you’re ready to take off.

Now it’s time to put on your helmet, get comfortable in the saddle, and go for a ride.

The safety and stability of a tricycle


Power - 500w / 105Nm Mid Drive

Range - Up to 80 miles


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Starting Out

If you’re new to riding a tricycle, it will feel noticeably different than a bicycle. To get familiar, find a flat open parking lot, and ride the tricycle in assistance level 0, in the lowest gear setting. Practicing figure 8’s is a great way to get familiar with the handling characteristics.

If you’re turning left, lean a little to the left. If you’re turning right, lean a little to the right. Once you’re comfortable riding these figure 8’s, come to a complete stop and set the pedal assistance to level one.

Now go ahead and press the throttle lightly, and repeat these figure 8’s with throttle power only.

After this, pedal using the pedal assistance in the same figure 8 pattern. If you're used to riding bikes, you'll likely notice your tricycle making slightly wider turns than the corresponding bike.

While Riding

As you’re riding - you can adjust your pedal assistance levels and gearing to suit your needs. Lower assistance provide lower speeds and power, and the higher the number, the faster you go.

This also applies to the gearing. Higher numbers mean more speed.

There are also a number of features on the display panel such as your speed, wattage consumption, odometer, and battery life.

Stopping

When you’re stopping your tricycle, make sure to use both the front and rear brakes simultaneously to bring your tricycle to a stop. You want to stop when you’re traveling in a straight line. Trying to stop while you’re turning can cause the tricycle to tip.

Since tricycles have three wheels, they have a tendency to roll away when you hop off. Make sure to engage the parking brake after you hop off.

Best Practices

For maximum range, pedal your tricycle as much as possible. Utilizing pedal assist levels 1 and 2 will also increase your range. The more you use the higher pedal assistance levels, and the more you use the throttle, the battery will drain a bit faster.

Storage

After you’re done with your ride, you can charge the battery on, or off the bike. Plug the charger into the battery, then plug the charger into the wall.

Removing the battery and keeping it in a climate controlled environment is recommended, both for charging and long term storage.

Make sure to engage the parking brake so your tricycle doesn’t roll away!

Last but not least, a clean bike is a happy bike. Many maintenance issues can be avoided by keeping your bike clean. eBikes with belt drives and internal gearing make this much easier than bikes with chains.

More Electric Trike Info

Who are electric tricycles for? Anyone! While electric trikes are great mobility tools for anyone aging, or wanting a ride that's easier to balance on, benefits to riding a trike are many. Electric tricycles offer more storage than an electric bike, making grocery runs a breeze. Trikes can ride places that cars can't and are a safe way to get exercise and strengthen their leg muscles and skeletal system.

When shopping for an electric trike- consider how the overall dimensions, motor size, drivetrain, battery capacity will meet your riding needs. The Compass is unique as its differential and mid drive motor offer the smoothest ride on the electric trike market.

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