Want an E-trike. Need Advice. Considering Sun 24 traditional E-trike & EWheels EW 29 electric trike

[DJK]

I'm a senior with some mobility issues (mostly to do with balance). E trikes recommended to me. Haven't ridden a bike in a long time. I've been researching & found 2 above trikes. Both seem good with some drawbacks. I'm particularly concerned about old fashioned battery on EW29, and lack of a back on seat on Sun 24. I'd appreciate feedback about these 2 E-trikes from anyone with experience with them (all info useful). And I'd appreciate any recommendations of/pointers about selection of, other affordable E-trikes. I live in urban area with some hills & won't be using trike for off-road. Mostly I want to be able to get around my local area to shop, go to appointments nearby, meet friends, go to library, etc.

 

[Dewey]

Avoid the EW29 it uses lead acid batteries and weighs 129lb! Consider buying an upright 3-speed pedal trike like a Sun Traditional or Raleigh Tristar and if necessary add a saddle with an adjustable backrest and a kit motor threaded into a 26", 24", or 20" wheel depending on what size you need, for example E-BikeKit in Pennsylavania sell an excellent trike front wheel kit with a reverse gear for $1k, Sun have the motor listed as an option on their website. From Court Rye's reviews on this site it is clear that when riding an adult upright trike you need to take corners really slow as in 5mph or you will tip over. Here is Court's review of the Sun Traditional 24" with this motor.

 

[DJK]

Avoid the EW29 it uses lead acid batteries and weighs 129lb! Consider buying an upright 3-speed pedal trike like a Sun Traditional or Raleigh Tristar and if necessary add a saddle with an adjustable backrest and a kit motor threaded into a 26", 24", or 20" wheel depending on what size you need, for example E-BikeKit in Pennsylavania sell an excellent trike front wheel kit with a reverse gear for $1k, Sun have the motor listed as an option on their website. From Court Rye's reviews on this site it is clear that when riding an adult upright trike you need to take corners really slow as in 5mph or you will tip over. Here is Court's review of the Sun Traditional 24" with this motor.

Thank you. I'll check into the Raleigh tristar

 

[rich c]

You might want consider the Liberty trike. https://www.libertytrike.com/products/liberty-trike

 

[DJK]

Thank you. I'll check into the Raleigh tristar

Thank you. I'll check into the Raleigh tristar

I've checked into the Raleigh Tri Star IE, and it looks like a very good e-trike. Anyone have experience with/knowledge of this etrike? And, one thing -- it doesn't have reverse -- how much of aproblem could I expect that to be?

 

[AlanDB]

My wife had a Miami Sun 24" trike (non-electric) with a 3 speed (internal geared) drive hub. It was a great trike, but she seldom used it because it was a bear to ride up even slight inclines, so I sold it. Now I wish I had kept it and added an e-bike kit. I think it would have been relatively easy to do with either a front or rear wheel hub drive motor, and there are plenty of places on a trike to mount the battery. As I recall, the chain/geared hub only drove one rear wheel, so the motor could have been easily added to the other rear wheel or to the front wheel. I wish I had it back now, as it would be a fun project. I didn't even know about e-bike kits at the time I sold it, but the buyer was really anxious to get it and I bet that is what he intended to do. Oh well ... hind sight is always 20/20.

 

[Dewey]

I've checked into the Raleigh Tri Star IE, and it looks like a very good e-trike. Anyone have experience with/knowledge of this etrike? And, one thing -- it doesn't have reverse -- how much of aproblem could I expect that to be?

Sorry no experience beyond watching Court Rye’s video review of that trike, the motor is by German company TransX and uses a pedal cadence magnet sensor so it will deliver power as long as the pedals are turning. I highly recommend fitting the optional boost button to help you get moving and for low speed manouvering. Court and Sam both mentioned the difficulty assembling the Raleigh trike so I also recommend getting it delivered and assembled by beeline. The video demonstrated exceptional low speed manouverability so not having reverse is probably not a deal breaker.

As well as the Sun Trike, another trike that uses the E-BikeKit motor with reverse function, has an optional seat with backrest seatbelts and folding armrest, and folds for storage, is the Worksman Port-O-Trike.

 

[DJK]

After advice on this forum, I looked into Raleigh Tri Star IE etrike, and decided to buy it. One problem I'm having is getting the battery to slide out of it's slot under the rear basket --- its very resistant to being slided out. Anyone have any experience with this/suggestions about this as to how to make it easier to slide out? I will need to do this regularly to charge it. Thank you.

 

[Dewey]

After advice on this forum, I looked into Raleigh Tri Star IE etrike, and decided to buy it. One problem I'm having is getting the battery to slide out of it's slot under the rear basket --- its very resistant to being slided out. Anyone have any experience with this/suggestions about this as to how to make it easier to slide out? I will need to do this regularly to charge it. Thank you.

Congratulations on your new e-trike, how do you like riding it? Did you fit the optional boost button throttle? In his review Court did write he found the battery pack was "difficult to slide out". Can the battery be charged on the trike? Regarding the bracket you might like to contact Sam at Fullerton electric bikes, he was the other guy in Court's review video and he sells this trike so might have advice for you.

 

[rich c]

If it's aluminum on aluminum, rub a candle on the slide to get a little wax in there.

 

[MikedaBike]

My wife had a Miami Sun 24" trike (non-electric) with a 3 speed (internal geared) drive hub. It was a great trike, but she seldom used it because it was a bear to ride up even slight inclines, so I sold it. Now I wish I had kept it and added an e-bike kit. I think it would have been relatively easy to do with either a front or rear wheel hub drive motor, and there are plenty of places on a trike to mount the battery. As I recall, the chain/geared hub only drove one rear wheel, so the motor could have been easily added to the other rear wheel or to the front wheel. I wish I had it back now, as it would be a fun project. I didn't even know about e-bike kits at the time I sold it, but the buyer was really anxious to get it and I bet that is what he intended to do. Oh well ... hind sight is always 20/20.

 

[MikedaBike]

Recently picked up a like-new (barely broke-in) SixThreeZero 7-speed trike (pretty: m

att black, fenders, big basket) for girlfriend ( she's reluctant...a fresh-air thing...)
Anticipating a front drive hub, 500-750 watt 48 volt
This is an all-steel step-through solid platform...may even "create" (modify) Adam's Trail-a-bike into "cargo trailer" ( already put 2-wheeled axle) (cart 4x8 sheets...telephone poles...etc...) ( make that motor choice 1,000 watt...min.)....CRAZY...(?)