Hello from Arizona

[Desert Bear]

Hi folks I was really glad to find this forum. It sounds like many of you are of similar ages and abilities. I am 63 years old and have been riding bikes all my life. I currently ride a 27" regular bike. I'm 6' tall and I think that was a mistake. It's too tall for me. It was ok when I bought it but lately I took a fall off of it going too slowly up a hill and tipped over. Nothing hurt but my pride. I still use it daily but I'm starting to think maybe an electric trike would be a bit safer for me. I have one bad knee. I have been looking at fat tire trikes that I could also take off road a bit. It seems like it would be a big market what with all the aging boomers like me out there but I've been searching for weeks and not finding too many choices. I've scoured the internet and youtube and checked out everything I found. I found one I really like on electrictrike.com from a company called Electric Bike Technologies in PA but have not been able to find any reviews on it anywhere. I'm a big guy at about 270lbs so I don't want a skinny tire trike. It seems like the Addmotor trike is everywhere but I'm not happy with all the stuff I'm reading about it not coming with good instructions to build it or sometimes with no instructions at all. The other one I found comes completely assembled out of the box which I really like. I'm interested to see if any of you guys have any info about that company. I'm looking for something with a 750W motor. Huge range is not needed nor is blazing speed but I would like to get up to 20 MPH. Looking forward to any input you might have and discussing the ups and downs of electric bikes.
And BTW I have not been able to find one bike shop near me that sells fat tire trikes. I figured that Arizona would be chock full of them. Maybe they are just too new

 

[indianajo]

Welcome to the site. At least you have e-bike shops, we have one Pedego dealer in the next state. Hope you find what you need. Be aware fat tires can have lower rated pressure than 2.25" tires, so the carrying capacity may not be above those tires. I got sold a 40 psi rated 2.1" tire by the LBS and had to change it out after 20 miles because I kept banging the rim on holes. And I'm only 170 lb.
I went over the handle bar last year after skidding on gravel and broke my chin, so consider a helmet with a chin guard IMHO. My Rampage Fox is nicely ventilated, but was harder than **** to find. The stocking distributor competitivecyclist.com wouldn't show me pictures of helmets before the accident, javascript error. And a bing search for bike helmets with chin guard got me only hot unventilated 100 mph rated motorcycle helmets.

 

[JRA]

Trikes are not insurance against tipping over. They banned 3 wheel ATV’s years ago for a reason. You may better off with a low entry two wheeled frame with fat tires.

 

[Toomanycats]

Trikes are not insurance against tipping over. They banned 3 wheel ATV’s years ago for a reason. You may better off with a low entry two wheeled frame with fat tires.

Maybe a two wheeled comfort or cruiser style where Desert Bear could easily put 2 feet on the ground while seated in the saddle? Are some of the Pedegos like that?

 

[Desert Bear]

Hey Indianajo sorry about the chin plant. I went flying over the handlebars once when I was a kid and broke my collarbone. I'm with you on the helmet front. I always wear a helmet, at least since I became an adult. I've never needed it but I'm all about being safe.
I do know that trikes are not tip over proof. I think you just need to take the corners very slowly. JRA and Toomanycats
why do you feel I'd be better off with a regular bike? Are you thinking a regular 26" bike with a lower stand over or a bike with smaller wheels? I've wondered about the effects of my weight on smaller wheels and the comfort of those wheels on dirt roads.

 

[Toomanycats]

Hey Indianajo sorry about the chin plant. I went flying over the handlebars once when I was a kid and broke my collarbone. I'm with you on the helmet front. I always wear a helmet, at least since I became an adult. I've never needed it but I'm all about being safe.
I do know that trikes are not tip over proof. I think you just need to take the corners very slowly. JRA and Toomanycats
why do you feel I'd be better off with a regular bike? Are you thinking a regular 26" bike with a lower stand over or a bike with smaller wheels? I've wondered about the effects of my weight on smaller wheels and the comfort of those wheels on dirt roads.

I’m around your age, and have back issues. I can’t walk very far, but can ride a bike. I don’t weigh as much as you, but I’m no lightweight, either. I’m just thinking that a two wheeled ebike would give you more flexibility and freedom. The wide tired ones have a lot of stability, and as I mentioned, many, like Electra are designed so that you can put your feet down but still pedal the bike properly. Also, there are several brands of ebike designed to carry 300 lbs max.
Then again, I don’t know your whole story. If you have balance issues, maybe a three wheeler is better for you. Also, I don’t do any off road yet, but there are many fat tire emtb’s out there.

 

[Omaha Action Man]

My Addmotor has 200 miles on it and is broken down with little help from the factory. I loved the bike....until I didn't. If you are not super handy, you should do something other than Addmotor.