[Npowel]

Someone I know went ahead and bought an electric three wheel bike because it had a handy basket in the middle at the back. But it’s broken down three times already. Does anyone know of decent, fairly reliable—but not super expensive—three-wheel bikes that are worth the money?

Topic

[Jessiethedog]

As others have said, to a

As others have said, to a great deal you get what you pay for.  I would recommend Jorvik Trikes from York.  I have spoken with people who own them and they are well made.  The motor is used in a wide range of other bikes and for example on ARCC conversions of Brompton bikes – I have one of these and it has been excellent and very reliable. It is a Bafang 250w brushless front motor.   https://jorviktricycles.com/

[andystow]

This is the one he got.

This is the one he got.

[andystow]

I just helped a friend build

I just helped a friend build one. If you’re finding anything with a motor, battery, lighting, gears, and disc brakes under $/£/€1000 complete, it’s junk. On his, I found:

• Screws made of Chinesium or perhaps a semi-firm cheese
• Brakes extremely difficult to get firm and effective
• Heavy but dodgy rear mudguard attachment
• A couple of threaded holes that needed re-tapping

To be honest, it rode okay when I got everything sorted. It may last him a long time since I doubt he’ll put more than 100 miles a year on it. 

[Rendel Harris]

If price is an important

If price is an important consideration, as it is for most of us, it might be worth finding a normal tricycle they like and retrofitting an electric kit (from a reputable manufacturer of course, for safety reasons). Otherwise I’ve heard the Jorvik brand very well spoken of, quite expensive but secondhand ones for around a grand on eBay.

[chrisonabike]

Three wheels, decent,
Three wheels, decent, reliable, electric, not super expensive? Hmm… good luck!

(Was looking out for one for a neighbour a few years back and “3 wheels, not super expensive and reliable” proved a pretty tall order without adding “electric” as well).

Have you tried asking in circles related to mobility eg. Wheels for Wellbeing etc?

[Author]

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