Laid Back Mickey here. If you searched "3 wheel bike," you're looking at two very different machines. A three wheel bicycle for adults is either an upright trike or a recumbent trike, and they ride nothing alike.
Upright 3 Wheel Bike vs Recumbent Trike
| Feature | Upright 3 wheel bike | Recumbent trike |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | Tall, like a regular bike | Low, close to the ground |
| Which end has 2 wheels | Usually the back | Usually the front |
| Stability in turns | Can tip in a fast turn | Sits low and stays stable |
| Back support | Saddle, no backrest | Full seat with a backrest |
The first is the upright 3 wheel bike. Big basket, tall seat, one wheel up front. It's great for a slow ride to the store. But you sit up high, so a fast turn can tip it. Yeah, it happens.
The second is the recumbent trike. That's what we do all day. You sit low in a real seat, two wheels up front. It stays stable in turns, and it won't tip at a stop light. With your back supported, your hands and neck can relax.
I hurt my back in '99. A Greenspeed GT3 got me riding again in 2010, and I've been riding trikes ever since. Thousands of riders later, here's what I tell people. Fit the trike to your body. Don't fit your body to the trike.
So which one is you? Go ahead and look at our recumbent trikes or the electric assist trikes if hills worry you. Or come test ride. We keep about 30 trikes on the floor in Sacramento to test ride, and we ship trikes to riders all over the country.
Why 3 Wheels on a Bike?
Most of us rode a trike as kids. Then we moved up to training wheels and finally the two wheeler. So some grown riders feel a little silly on three wheels.
Here's the thing. Once you're rolling, you stop worrying about how it looks. A good trike gets you out the door again, and that's the whole point.
What Is a Three Wheel Recumbent Bike?
Recumbent trikes sit low to the ground. You lean back in a seat, kind of like a lawn chair with pedals. Your back is supported, so you aren't hanging on the handlebars with your hands and shoulders.
Is a 3 Wheel Bike Comfortable?
On a regular bike you lean forward and your weight sits on your hands and your rear. On a trike it spreads out across a real seat. For a lot of riders that's easier on the back and the knees. That's why they keep riding.
Who Rides Trikes?
Some of our riders never stopped riding. Some quit years ago and want back in. Two wheel recumbents take some practice to start and stop. A trike doesn't. You sit down, put your feet on the pedals and go.
Is It a Real Workout?
Yes. You pedal the whole way. It's the same leg motion as a regular bike, so you get a real workout. The difference is your neck isn't cranked up to see the road. Read more on exercise on a trike.
Do You Have to Balance a 3 Wheel Bike?
With three wheels you don't hold the bike up. Stop at a light and you just sit there. Ride with your friends at your own pace. The third wheel does the balancing.
Easy on Your Body
You don't lean on handlebars on most recumbent trikes. Your hands rest at your sides, and the brakes are right there. The seat is wide and holds your hips. So a longer ride stays comfortable.
A Trike That Fits You
Every rider is different. Some need a higher seat to get on and off. Some want a hand crank or electric assist. Some just want to keep up with the grandkids. That's why we fit the trike to you before you buy.
When Two Wheels Don't Cut It
Maybe sitting up on a regular bike got old. Maybe balance got shaky. A recumbent trike is how a lot of folks get back out there.
If a bad back is what stopped you riding, here's what I tell people with bad backs who still want to ride.
3 Wheel Bike Questions We Hear
What is the best 3 wheel bike for adults who worry about balance?
For most riders with balance worries we point to a recumbent trike. Most recumbent trikes sit low with two wheels up front, so they stay stable in turns and won't tip at a stop. An upright 3 wheel bike sits higher and can tip in a fast turn.
Is a 3 wheel bike good exercise?
Yes. You pedal the whole time, and on a recumbent trike your back is supported, so a longer ride feels a lot easier.
Can I get a 3 wheel bike with a motor?
Yes. Many recumbent trikes come with electric assist, and some can take a motor kit added later. See our electric assist trikes.
Where can I test ride a recumbent trike?
At our Sacramento shop. Not local? Book a Build Your Dream Trike call and I'll help you pick the right trike. Then we build it and ship it to your door.
Can you ship a 3 wheel bike to me?
Yes. We build your trike here in Sacramento and ship it to your door.
What else should I know about three wheel bikes?
The three-wheel bike was really a genius idea. Many people are unaware that the first trike operated very much like a recumbent trike today using gears and hand cranks. Invented in 1680, it wasn’t until over a century later that the version most of us are more familiar with was invented.
The truth of the matter is, the recumbent trike offers stability, comfort and best of all, freedom. People of all ages and ability levels are discovering the adult three-wheeler as the perfect solution to get out, enjoy exercise and find a convenient mode of transportation.
Comfortable Ride
The recumbent bike is designed for comfort. You’re riding in a lounging position, with the weight of your body evenly distributed. As a result, you can enjoy cycling as your body ages or you become prone to joint, back and chronic pain.
Release Endorphins
You can maintain a better state of mind when riding with confidence on a three-wheel trike. Exercise releases endorphins, a chemical produced by our bodies that interact with brain receptors to help reduce pain. The same chemicals also produce positive feelings, so as you ride you feel energized and euphoric.
Cardio Workout
You enjoy the same benefits you would with a traditional upright bike because you are still using the same movement and activity to propel the trike forward. As a result, your heart is pumping, and you can improve your heart rate. Many riders who have loved bike riding throughout their lives can continue to enjoy cycling without the worry of neck and backaches, while still reaping the benefits of a solid cardio workout.
Less Pressure on the Joints
If you suffer from joint pain and issues such as knee osteoarthritis, cycling might seem like something you should avoid. However, low-intensity cycling is possible thanks to the third wheel.
You operate the brake from a reclined position, maintaining full control of the bike, reducing risks of toppling over, while also providing easier grip for arthritic hands.
Hips can also be impacted by traditional cycling. The wide seat and laid-back position reduce strain and pressure on the legs and hips by providing even balance and stability.
Cycling with Disabilities
Disabilities can also keep you from enjoying exercises such as cycling. For example, Parkinson’s Disease, a debilitating disease that impacts balance, makes riding a traditional upright bike difficult. A recumbent trike takes the balance part out of it.
Back and joint pain can keep you from leading an active life which in turn causes your body to become less mobile. When biking or even walking becomes too troublesome, the three-wheel bike reduces pressure and allows you to enjoy a fun, safe activity that takes away the discomfort of a traditional upright bike.
