Hills Wearing You Out? A Trike With a Motor Gets You Home
Do hills end your ride before you're ready?
You don't have to quit. A motor on a trike gives you a push when the hill shows up or your legs run out. You still pedal. You just stop dreading the way home.
I ride with a bad knee myself. When it hurts, I bump up the power, and I'm not pushing so hard on the pedals.
Kay
Kay had a trike she loved, but hills had started to beat her, and her feet kept slipping off the pedals. She didn't need to start over. We added a motor with automatic shifting, so she doesn't have to think about gears, plus heel straps to keep her feet in place. The motor takes the hills, and she keeps riding the trike she already loves.
How a trike helps with hills and fatigue
On a trike you can go as slow as you want up a hill, and it won't fall over like a bike does. Add a motor and that climb gets a lot easier. Some setups also have a throttle, so you can rest your legs for a bit and keep rolling.
The seat matters too. You're sitting back, supported, so you're not burning energy holding yourself up on the handlebars.
I'm Laid Back Mickey, owner of Laid Back Cycles. 15 years, over 6,000 trike clients. You can watch me talk trikes on our YouTube channel.
Hills and motors: questions riders ask me
Do I still have to pedal with a motor?
On most setups, yes. The motor adds to what you put in, so you pick how much help you want.
Can you add a motor to the trike I already have?
Often, yes. It depends on the trike. Tell me what you ride and we'll see what makes sense.
What's a throttle for?
A throttle lets the motor move you without pedaling for a bit. It's handy if you tire fast and need a break mid ride.
How far can I go on a charge?
40 to 60 miles on average on one charge, depending on the rider, the hills, the assist level and how much you pedal.
Other reasons riders choose a trike
Balance
Three wheels can't tip over at a stop light. You never have to put a foot down.
Trikes for balance problemsBack or neck pain
Sit back in a real seat with a backrest, not hunched over the bars.
Trikes for back painBad knees
No swinging a leg over a bar. Sit down and pedal at your own pace.
Trikes for bad kneesStroke recovery
A stable seat that stays upright, so you can get back out and ride.
Trikes for stroke recoveryElectric assist
You still pedal. The motor helps on hills and when your legs are done.
Electric recumbent trikesAnother reason
Lost a limb, a veteran, or riding to lose weight? Start with our complete trike guide.
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