The Best 3-Wheel Electric Bikes for Commute and Recreation

(Last updated on March 17th, 2023)

Cycling is an incredible sport and one we can all get behind. It’s great for the environment, it’s an incredible way to travel, and it is excellent for your health too. What also makes cycling an amazing sport is all the different types of bikes, and one of the most unique types is electric three wheel bikes, often known as electric tricycles.

As cycling experts, we are often asked about bikes and which are the current best on the market. In this article, we’ll be speaking about the best three wheel electric bikes and what you need to think about when you’re looking to buy one.

Electric Tricycle
Electric Tricycle. Photo Credit Unsplash.

What Are Three-Wheel Electric Bikes, and What Makes Them So Great?

Electric three wheeled bikes are not the most commonly seen bikes out on the roads. Though they have some amazing advantages and now cycling infrastructure is improving, they are getting much more popular. Here are a few reasons why we think they are excellent;

Excellent for Low Mobility

Many people who struggle with mobility turn to electric three wheel bikes. They are much better on the body and have a much more relaxed position for riding. Ig you want to see this in action you can check out a video here

Great for Balance

One thing that three wheeled bikes can do much better than a typical bike is balance. If you struggle with balance, then a three wheel bike is ideal for you. Having three points of contact on the floor means you don’t need to worry about balancing the bike, just pedaling.

Easy to Ride

If you struggle with riding a bike, then a three wheel bike might be the ideal solution. They are very easy to use, and you don’t need to worry about balancing. They give you time to focus on steering and pedaling.

The Motor Makes It Easy

One of the toughest challenges with a three wheel bike is the fact they are much heavier. With electric three wheeled bikes, you don’t get this issue. With a powerful motor and battery, you can fly up hills much quicker and can use the assistance to counter the extra weight.

If you want to learn more about electric tricycles then check out this video

Electric Tricycle by a river. Photo Credit Unsplash.
Electric Tricycle by a river. Photo Credit Unsplash.

What Do We Look for When Picking Electric Three-Wheel Bikes?

Electric three-wheel bikes are very different from your standard electric bikes, and it can be challenging to know what you need to look for when searching for the best ones. That’s what we’re here to do at FAB333. Here’s what we look for;

Quality

High quality is the first thing we look for in a three-wheel electric bike. When it comes to such a unique style of bike, it’s important that they have been made by reputable brands and to a very high standard.

Design

Three-wheel electric bikes come in all different styles. The design is very important. You will see some bikes with two wheels at the back and some with two at the front. We take a close look at the design to ensure that it will not just work but will give you a great experience.

Performance

Although performance isn’t what most people aim for on a three-wheel electric bike, it is important. We need powerful motors and strong batteries so we can pull the bike up the hill and go for rides without the worry of running out of battery.

Value for Money

Then finally, we have value for money. We want to know that every cent we spend will give us the best bike we can possibly get. If we feel a bike is overpriced, then we wouldn’t recommend it to you.

 Electric Tricycle with childrens carrier. Photo Credit Unsplash.
Electric Tricycle with childrens carrier. Photo Credit Unsplash.
BikeWheel SizeGearingMotor and BatteryBrake TypeCostWhere to buy?Rating
Alpine Electric Explorer20” Fat BikeShimano 7 Speed250w Bafang with 33 miles of rangeCable Disc$32008/10
Sixthreezero Evry Journey26” HybridShimano 7 Speed250w with 40 miles on throttle 60 pedal assistRim Brakes$1540Check price7/10
Addmotor Grandtan M-34020” R 24” F Fat BikeShimano 7 Speed750w with 85 miles of rangeDisc Brakes$3,099Check price9/10
DWMEIGI Adult tricycle24” Hybrid TiresShimano 7 Speed350w with 25 throttle and 40 pedal assistDisc Brakes$1,399Check price8/10
Alpine Electric Easy Tricycle20” Hybrid WheelsSingle Speed250w with 30 miles rangeDisc Brakes$2,9997/10
Jorvik Elite Low Step Jet-E20” or 24” wheels3 Speed Nexus250w with 25 miles on throttle 35 pedal assistDsic Brakes$2,4008/10

Best for Off-Road

1. Alpine Explorer Tri Bike

Alpine Easy Tricycle
Alpine Easy Tricycle. Photo credit: Alpine bikes.

Our Rating

8/10

$3,200

KEY SPECS

Power250w
Range33 miles
Wheels20” Fat
Gearing Shimano 7 Speed
Brake Disc

PROS

  • Excellent off-road
  • Shimano gearing
  • Disc brakes
  • Lots of extra accessories
  • 250w Bafang motor

CONS

  • Not the cheapest
  • Will be sluggish on the road

If you love exploring the wilderness and need a rugged bike to tackle all terrain, the Alpine Explorer Tri Bike could be ideal for you. Starting with the Explorers design. It is a simple tricycle design with two wheels at the rear and one at the front. The bike has user comfort in mind.

It comes with a powerful 250w Bafang motor that gives you five different levels of assistance and takes you as far as 33 miles. The bike has large 20” fat bike tires not just to give you a lot of grip but also to increase comfort.

The gearing is from Shimano, and you get seven speeds to work with. Paired with this gearing, you get disc brakes and also front suspension to take all the bumps out of the road. This tri bike also comes jam-packed with great accessories such as cargo storage space, thermal bags, lighting, and mudguards.

OUR VERDICT

The Alpine Explorer Tri bike is great for off-road riding. It’s not the cheapest bike, but it has amazing ability, and it will be great to ride.

Best for Shopping

2. Sixthreezero Evry Journey

Sixthreezero Evryjourney tricycle
Sixthreezero Evryjourney tricycle. Photo credit Sixthreezero.

Our Rating

7/10

$1,540

KEY SPECS

Power250w
Range40-60 miles
Wheels26” Hybrid
GearingShimano 7 Speed
BrakeRim

PROS

  • Comfortable ride
  • Great motor and battery
  • Throttle and pedal assist
  • A lot of accessories
  • Good value for money

CONS

  • Rim brakes are not ideal
  • Only front brake

If you’re looking for the perfect electric city shopping tri bike, then the people at Sixtreezero have the Evry Journey. It offers comfort, style, and the ability to carry everything you need and more. The bike is designed to give you an upright position and a very smooth ride.

It comes with a 250w motor which on the throttle can give you up to 40 miles max, and on pedal assist, up to 60 miles which is a great range for a bike like this. It has 26” large wheels equipped with hybrid tires, which are great for riding on mixed terrain.

The Shimano seven speed gearing will give you a wide range of gears, and along with the motor power, you will be able to get up hills easily. The brakes are pretty basic rim brakes, but if you’re not doing anything extreme, they will be ok. The Evry comes in four colors and has fenders. You can also buy a wide range of accessories to suit this bike, such as bags.

OUR VERDICT

The Evry Journey is an excellent bike for running daily errands and is not short of space when it comes to carrying shopping. It’s basic, but for just popping to the shops or to work, it’s ideal.

Best for Shopping

3. Addmotor Grandtan M-340

Addmotor Grandtan
Add motor Grandtan. Photo Credit Addmotor.

Our Rating

9/10

$3,099

KEY SPECS

Power750w
Range85 miles
Wheels24” Front, 20” Rear Fat Tires
GearingShimano 7 Speed
BrakeDisc

PROS

  • Powerful motor
  • Large range
  • Throttle and pedal assist
  • Disc Brakes
  • Lighting

CONS

  • It’s quite a wide tri bike
  • Not the lightest

Addmotor, in recent years, has become a big name in the electric bike world. One of their most unique bikes is the Grandtan M-340. This three-wheel tri bike has some amazing features and is by far one of the best on this list. It comes in six different colors and is made for riding comfortably, that much so that it even has a backrest. It even comes with a front suspension ready to make those rough rides much easier.

It comes with a very powerful 750w motor, and with a large Samsung battery, you get a range of up to 85 miles which is incredible. It has a 24” wheel at the front and 20” wheels at the rear. They are equipped with fat bike tires. The gearing is Shimano, and like many other tri bikes, you get seven speeds.

It comes with some great features such as powerful disc brakes, a huge rear rack for carrying, fenders, and even a rear box to carry your goods safely. One of the best features of this bike is the lighting, which keeps you seen and is great for riding in low-light conditions.

OUR VERDICT

The Grandtan M-340 is a great bike, and it has a huge amount to offer, from carrying capacity to power and range. It’s a large bike, and it’s not the lightest, but it’s going to be a huge amount of fun to ride and very useful for carrying.

Best Budget

4. DWMEIGI Adults Tricycle

DWMEIGI Tricycle. Photo Credit Amazon.
DWMEIGI Tricycle. Photo Credit Amazon.

Our Rating

8/10

$1,399

KEY SPECS

Power350w
Range25-35 miles
Wheels24” Hybrid Tires
GearingShimano 7 speed
BrakeDisc

PROS

  • Amazing value
  • Great Traditional looks
  • Good motor and range
  • Lighting
  • Disc Brakes

CONS

  • Does have a limited range
  • Looks quite basic

If you’re looking for a classic-style tricycle with modern technology, then the DWMEIGI takes the best of both worlds. This city tri bike is great for shopping and commuting and has some great extras. The first thing to mention is the frame. It comes in two different colors, blue and red. Not only does it look fantastic, but it offers an incredibly high level of comfort and upright riding position.

It’s got a 350w motor and will give you 25 miles range on the throttle and 35 miles using pedal assist, which should be plenty enough. It has the Shimano seven speed gearing and also comes with disc brakes.

The bike comes with a great range of accessories that adds so much value to the cycling experience. It has lighting to keep you seen and show you the way, fenders to keep you dry, a large cargo hold on the rear to carry all your goods, and a comfortable saddle to keep you riding for long periods of time.

OUR VERDICT

We love the traditional styling of the DWMEIGI, and paired with the powerful motor gives you the best of both worlds. It does look a bit basic, and old-school styling isn’t for everyone but for $1,399, it’s a great buy.

Most Unique

5. Alpine Easy Tricycle

Alpine Easy Tricycle
Alpine Easy Tricycle

Our Rating

7/10

$2,999

KEY SPECS

Power250w
Ranges 30 miles
Wheels 20” Hybrid Tires
GearingSingle Speed
Brake Disc

PROS

  • Looks great
  • Unique twin front wheels
  • Easy to ride
  • Very Comfortable
  • Disc brakes

CONS

  • Not the cheapest
  • Single-speed gearing can be challenging without motor

Here we have our second Alpine bike, and this tricycle is nothing like anything else on this list. Instead of having the two wheels at the rear, it has them at the front. This not only makes the bike look completely unique, but it also offers greater control.

The frame is made for comfort and brings you into a very upright position with a seat rest to back you up. It has single-speed gearing, so you depend on the motor to help you up those hills. It does have a 250w motor which will give you 30 miles of general riding.

The bike is designed to be a city or town bike rather than something you will want to use on a trail. It does come with those powerful disc brakes, a bag set, and a front basket to help you carry everything you need.

OUR VERDICT

The Alpine Easy Trike is a fun bike and looks completely unique. It may have single-speed gearing, which in hilly areas isn’t ideal but overall great for city commuting.

Best Folding

6. Jorvik Elite Low Step Jet-E

Jorvik Elite
Jorvik Elite. Photo credit Jorvik Bicycles.

Our Rating

8/10

$2,400

KEY SPECS

Power250w
Range25-35 miles
Wheels20” or 24” Hybrid Tires
Gearing3 Speed Nexus
BrakeDisc

PROS

  • Shimano Nexus 3 speed gearing
  • High-quality build
  • Disc brakes
  • Wheel size option
  • Bafang 250w motor
  • Folding

CONS

  • Not the cheapest
  • Not a huge amount of space for carrying goods

Saving one of the best until last, we have the Jorvik Elite Low Step Jet-E. If you’re looking for a trike of incredible quality that will give you decades of use, this is one to consider. The Elite comes in six different colors and has a low step-through geometry. Like many tricycles, it’s made to give you the most comfort possible.

It comes with a Bafang 250w motor, giving you 25 miles on the throttle and 35 miles of pedal assist. You can choose a 20” or 24” wheelset depending on whether you’re a shorter or taller rider. You get a Shimano Nexus three speed gearing hub that will give you a few gears and require next to no maintenance.

It comes with disc brakes and a great set of suspension forks to make the ride as smooth as possible and help you through bumpy roads. You also get fenders and a great lighting set to help you ride in the dark. The best ability this bike has is that it can fold, making it easy to store if you are limited space.

OUR VERDICT

The Jorvik Elite Low Step isn’t the cheapest tricycle on this list, but it has incredible build quality and comes with some amazing components. It’s a bike built to last you decades.

Electric Tricycle by Phonebox. Photo Credit Unsplash
Electric Tricycle by Phonebox. Photo Credit Unsplash

Three-Wheel Electric Bike Buyers Guide

When it comes to getting yourself an electric tricycle, there’s a lot you need to consider before you hit the buy it now button. In this guide, we’re going to tell you all the questions you need to ask yourself before buying.

What’s the Budget?

When it comes to electric bikes, especially three-wheeled versions, you get what you pay for. The more money you spend, the better the bike will ride, the longer it will last you, and the more fun you will have. We recommend setting a budget and getting the best bike you can in the budget.

What Do You Want It to Do?

If you are looking for a tricycle for off-road, you will need it to have large tires, and some form of suspension will go a long way. If you plan on road riding, you might want something rigid that will be better equipped with tarmac. We highly recommend getting a bike for the rides you plan to do.

Will It Fit Me?

Tricycles generally come in one single size. Although they are highly adjustable, it’s a good idea to check the sizes the bike will work for. Some bikes might not fit you, and you might struggle to get comfortable if it’s wrong.

What About Accessories?

When it comes to electric tricycles, they can come with incredible accessories, and these can make your cycling experience so much better. Accessories like lighting, carrying bags, and fenders can save you money when they come with the bikes and also mean your bike can be used for commuting.

Conclusion

Three wheel electric bikes are a great way to cycle if you want the most comfort possible, lack mobility for a normal bike, and want to ride without worrying about balance. Tricycles are becoming increasingly popular with better cycling infrastructure and cycling paths everywhere. Also, with electric technology getting better and better, they are faster and more economical than ever.

Electric Tricycle. Photo Credit Unsplash.
Electric Tricycle. Photo Credit Unsplash.

Frequently Asked Question

Are tricycles good exercise?

Tricycles are a great way to stay in shape. Even if they have an electric motor on pedal assist mode, you still have to be pedaling, and you can adjust the amount of effort that you need to put in. We highly recommend a tricycle as a form of exercise.

Do you have to pedal an electric tricycle?

On electric three-wheeled bicycles, you generally get two options, throttle and pedal assist. With a throttle, you can just twist the handlebar, and you will go without needing to pedal. On the pedal assist setting, you have to pedal but can adjust the amount of effort you need to give.

What are the disadvantages of tricycles?

Three-wheeled bikes generally are much larger and heavy. They are great with an electric motor and are best suited to cycle paths over anywhere where else. On the roads, they can be challenging, and up hills, if you are out of power, they are very tough to climb with.

Why are adults buying tricycles?

Tricycles are fantastic for people who struggle with mobility and want to use a bike that doesn’t require them to balance. They are a great way to stay in shape without putting too much stress on the body.

How fast do electric tricycles go?

Electric tricycles generally are limited to certain speeds. You will generally find around 15 mph to 20 mph. This is to protect the motor from working too hard and so they don’t go too fast for other users on cycle paths.

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