How to Choose Adult Tricycle | Buyers Guide – 2022
Staying fit and active becomes increasingly important as you get older. But because of age and strength, you might not be able to ride on a regular bike to keep yourself active.
In such a case, what should you do?
Well, do not worry because we present to you the adult tricycle. This special kind of cycle was designed, keeping in mind the comfort of the riders.
Besides being an excellent exercise tool, a trike is also suitable for regular commuting for fun and fitness. Let’s discuss more this cycle type to know how to choose adult tricycle to buy one for yourself.
So, without further ado, let’s dive in.
How to Choose Adult Tricycle: Everything You Should Know
If you are new to triking, you should know some basic things about this special kind of cycle before buying one for yourself or your loved ones. Below, we have discussed the factors that you must keep in mind to score the best in the market.
What Are the Unique Benefits of Triking?
Triking or adult tricycles are immensely popular because of the set of advantages they offer to their users. The amazing benefits of triking are described below so that you know them well before making your final decision.
Offers both Fun and Fitness
Riding a tricycle is both fun and beneficial to adult riders. When you have a safe and secure bike and don’t fear falling, especially if you are an older person, you can ride it through your neighborhood and visit friends or ride it to the park easily and effortlessly.
Aside from being a fun factor, it also offers great fitness opportunities to the riders. When you ride it, all your major muscle groups get involved and help you to shed some extra calories and move a step forward to getting fit.
Helps you to be More Active
Another benefit of triking is that it helps you to be more active. As all your muscles get involved when you ride, aside from shedding calories, it also helps you to strengthen your muscles and make you more active and fit.
Furthermore, if you are an older adult, triking would help you to get rid of your muscle pain (due to constant muscle activity) and improve your joint health for a better tomorrow.
Ensures Greater Stability
Many adults and older people are afraid to ride a regular bicycle because they lack balance and fear that they would fall off the bike as soon as they start riding it. However, with a tricycle, there are no chances of this.
As this special kind of bike comes with a unique design with 3 wheels, it provides greater stability and balance and ensures that riders won’t fall off the bike easily. The increased stability provides a sense of security to the riders.
Types of Adult Tricycles
Like bicycles, tricycles also come in different types to cater to the needs of different types of users. So let’s learn about these cycle so that it’s easier for you to choose and buy the right one for you.
Recumbent Tricycles
Like other recumbent bikes, the recumbent tricycle is also the most comfortable trike available in the market. This special kind of cycle features a laid-back sitting position with a backrest to provide phenomenal back support to the riders.
Furthermore, as you mount the legs at the front due to the laid-back riding position, this bike also ensures exceptional neck, shoulder,and buttock support.
Because of such a comfortable riding position, a recumbent tricycle is the best option for riders with back pain, joint pain, and other types of mobility problems.
Semi-recumbent Tricycles
A semi-recumbent tricycle is a combination of a recumbent and an upright trike. Instead of featuring a fully laid-back riding position and front foot mount, a semi-recumbent tricycle combines a laid-back upright sitting position that is still very comfortable and effective.
Furthermore, as the legs are angled down in front of you, pedaling is also not as rigorous as a traditional upright trike.
Upright Tricycles
As the name suggests, an upright trike features an upright riding position to provide a more serious riding experience. This cycle resembles the traditional bike the most. This has a saddle-style seat and allows you to sit in a straight position for more effective rides.
If you gravitate more towards more comfortable riding, then the upright tricycle is not your cup of tea.
Electric Tricycles
An electric tricycle is a three-wheeled vehicle that is powered by an electric motor for ease of use. Many electric trikes are hybrid and hence, come with both motor and pedals to provide additional convenience to the riders. This amazing cycle is excellent for people who require a break from pedaling or seek an extra boost for going uphill.
Another great advantage of an electric tricycle is that it acts as an incredible form of transportation for special needs people.
Folding Tricycles
As the name suggests, a folding tricycle is a type of trike that can be folded into a compact size for the users best convenience.
You just fold the front fork and the handlebars to turn this bike into a super small size so that it can fit in your trunk without much effort. Because of its foldable feature, a folding trike can be carried around easily with you anywhere and everywhere you go.
Also, as it turns into a compact size, storing a foldable tricycle is effortless.
Features to Consider When Purchasing an Adult Trike
The type of tricycle is not the only aspect to consider before buying a three-wheeled bike. There are many other features and factors that you must keep an eye on to make sure that you get the best one in the market.
Here we have discussed them in detail to know these features well and make no mistake while buying the one for yourself.
Comfort Level
One of the main reasons adults buy a tricycle is because of its phenomenal comfort level.
To provide incredible comfort to the riders, it usually come with a wide, plushy padded seat saddle to make the bike super comfortable, especially for people with back pain and ensure an enjoyable riding experience. Many of these special bikes also incorporate seats with backrests to offer additional comfort to the riders.
Seat: Saddle Seat or Sling Seat?
Another important feature that you must remember when buying, is the type of seat it comes with. Tricycles usually incorporate either of these 2 seat types; the saddle seat or the sling seat. The seat type and style you should choose entirely depend on your riding style and comfort level.
If you want to enjoy the utmost comfort while riding, then you must go for the sling-style nylon seat.
This amazing seating style is usually used in recumbent trikes and comes with a backrest. The sling seat is specially designed low to the ground and provides security to the riders.
On the other hand, a saddle-style seat is mostly incorporated in an upright tricycle to ensure a serious, upright seating position for the rider. It is also wide, comfortable and doesn’t hurt your back. But a saddle seat doesn’t have a backrest and therefore, is not as comfortable as a sling seat.
Handlebars: Traditional, Chopper, or Loop Handlebars?
Like the seat style, the handlebars of a tricycle largely depend on your riding style and the type of adult trikes you choose. This come with 3 different handlebars to choose from: traditional curved handlebars, loop handlebars, and the chopper handlebars.
While the traditional curved handlebars are excellent for riders with good upper body strength and love a normal range of motion, the loop handlebars offer to steer using any part of the cycle's rectangular loop.
On the other hand, chopper handlebars are similar to traditional handlebars. However, they require more upper body strength and can be found in both upright and recumbent trikes.
Weight Capacity: Traditional or Bariatric?
The bike's weight capacity is another crucial factor to keep in mind as it determines whether you can ride it with ease and comfort. If your body mass exceeds the bike's weight capacity, there are high chances that the bike will fall apart and might cause you injury.
Usually, upright and recumbent tricycles come with a weight range of 200 lbs.-400lbs. Thus, to accommodate a wide range of riders. However, the bariatric trikes offer a super-extended weight limit of 500 lbs. and can accommodate even the most obese riders.
Design
The tricycle design is also an important aspect to consider when choosing the ultimate bike for you, as it can affect your riding style and the effectiveness of the ride.
When you adopt a recumbent trike, its design becomes even more crucial because you have to consider some important things, including aerodynamics, braking vectors, turning vectors, center of gravity, and tilting to enjoy the best performance and control.
Frame Material
The frame is the most important part of the tricycle as it holds the bike altogether. And the frame construction material is the most important aspect to keep in mind while buying because it determines its durability, stability, and maneuverability.
The stronger and sturdier the construction material is, the more durable the frame would be. But while making your final call, make sure that the frame material is lightweight.
Otherwise, with a heavyweight frame, you might find it difficult to control and maneuver.
Frame and Seat Height
Adjustability is a crucial aspect to consider as it ensures a super comfortable ride. If the trike is not adjusted to your requirement and comfort level, you won’t enjoy an effective ride.
Therefore, we would suggest you go for a tricycle that comes with an adjustable seat post because, with an adjustable one, you can always increase and decrease the seat height according to your comfort level for a more enjoyable riding experience.
Shifter & Drivetrain
Similar to regular bikes, trike also come with different gearing options. From a single-gear trike to a
6-speed gearing options, you have a wide variety of choices to pick up your speed range from. As an adult tricycle is made for a relaxed ride rather than a regular, high-speed riding session, its drivetrain is quite basic and therefore, can be used easily.
Brakes
Different tricycles come with different braking setups. While some come with rear brakes, other has front brakes for halting the bike. On the other hand, some trikes also come with both front and rear ones for better stopping power.
The most common braking mechanism that you will find in trikes is rear braking. However, it is advised not to use the front brake as much as the rear one because you could flip forward, fly off your bike, and cause a severe accident.
Therefore, be very careful while choosing the right braking mechanism for you when buying.
Wheels
Similar to traditional bicycles, tricycles also come in different wheel sizes. From 20 inch to 24 inch or 26-inch wheels, you have the flexibility to choose just the right sized ones according to your needs.For example, trikes used for commuting come with smaller wheels compared to the trade-off tricycles ones. You should first know your purpose of riding before choosing the wheel sizes.
Large Basket
One feature that sets a tricycle apart from others is its carrying capacity or storage. Adult trikes often come with a large carrying basket to provide you the opportunity to carry a lot of items.
This basket is very useful. While buying, don’t forget to look for a basket incorporated in it.
If it doesn’t come with a large basket, you might need to buy one and install it, potentially increasing the overall cost.
Accessories
Unlike other regular road bikes, accessories are very important for a tricycle.
If you use the trike for commuting or going on shopping trips, then you should adopt one that comes with a built-in storage basket or baggage rack for the best of convenience.
On the other hand, if your main purpose of using an adult trike is to exercise, then remember that the additional accessories would be a problem rather than useful.
Brands of Adult Tricycles
Many manufacturers in the market produce adult trikes in addition to their regular bicycles. Let’s have a quick look at these brands to know more about them.
Schwinn
Based in Washington DC, USA, Schwinn was founded in 1895 by Ignaz Schwinn with the hope of providing the best quality cycles to its customers.
Even though it didn’t initially produce adult bikes, Schwinn didn’t take time to enter the trike game and manufacture some of the best tricycles in the market at a very affordable price tag.
Raleigh
Founded in 1885, Raleigh Bicycle is a British Company that is one of the oldest cycle manufacturers globally. With a great range of bicycles and tricycles, it has established itself as the biggest cycle brand pretty early.
Because Raleigh Bicycle produces a wide range of models, you can find both high-end and budget-friendly ones from this amazing brand.
Kent
Based in Parsippany, New Jersey, Kent was founded in the early 1900s as a cycle and cycle parts importer and distributor. However, it expanded its business over time and became the 2nd largest manufacturer of bicycles in the United States.
Aside from producing different types of bicycles, this brand also offers an array of tricycles to cater to its customers' needs.
Huffy
Founded in 1892 and based in Dayton, Ohio, Huffy is another popular cycle manufacturer with a huge range of product lines for its customers. In addition to its regular road and mountain bikes, this company also offers a huge range of trike models to ensure that everyone finds a suitable cycle for them.
Trailmate
Founded in 1977 and based in Sarasota, Florida, Trailmate specializes only in producing different tricycles for its various types of users. From adult to junior tricycles and industrial trikes, it offers a wide range of three-wheeled cycles to meet its customers' demands.
Rifton
Rifton is another cycle brand that specialized only in manufacturing tricycles. Aside from offering a wide range of trikes to cater to its different users' needs, this brand also produces gait trainers, activity chairs, compass chairs for its various customers with special needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Wheels Are There on a Tricycle?
Unlike a bicycle, as the name suggests, a tricycle comes with three wheels. It has two rear wheels and a front wheel with a bracket in the middle. The rider sits above the bracket and rides the bike with ease and comfort.
Moreover, as this special kind of cycle has three wheels, it is comfortable and provides exceptional stability- you won’t trip off and fall from the bike easily. The combination of three wheels also provides immense maneuverability.
What Are Those 3 Wheeled Bikes Called?
However you call it, a three-wheeled bike is known as a tricycle, an adult trike or a rickshaw.
The “trike” is a shorter form of the tricycle as the bike is for bicycles.
Who Rides Adult Trikes? Who is using the Trike? (Special Needs, Sports, Children Etc)
Generally, adults who find it difficult to ride a traditional bike are the riders of tricycles. In addition, this is the best option for people with special needs or who have limited mobility.
However, it doesn’t mean that others can’t ride this bike. Everyone can ride this bike for fun and convenience.
Furthermore, this cycle is an excellent form of low-impact exercise tool in addition to being fun and comfortable. It will help older people, people with less mobility or pain, to exercise and strengthen their bodies for a more active tomorrow.
When buying, the features and factors you must keep in mind largely depend on “who is using the trike”. If you are purchasing the tricycle for an older person, make sure to pick a cycle with a low pedal and point of entry because it would prove to be easier on a rider’s knees and legs.
On the other hand, when you are short and lightweight, don’t forget to check the specks to fit you properly. In case you are heavyweight, check the weight capacity before making the final call.
Are There Training Wheels for Adults?
The most straightforward answer to this question is yes. Yes, there are training wheels for adults. But according to cycling enthusiasts and experts, it’s better not to use training wheels for adults unless they have severe balancing issues.
The best cycle for people with balance issues is a tricycle with 3 wheels and helps riders with incredible stability and balance.
Do These Tricycles Come Assembled?
Whether a tricycle comes assembled or not entirely depends on the brand and the manufacturer. While some companies provide partially assembled for their users best convenience, others offer just the parts and components that you have to put together to use the tricycle.
On the other hand, a few manufacturers sell a pre-assembled cycle to be used immediately after you unpack it.
Are These Tricycles Easy to Ride?
In a word, yes, tricycles are super easy to ride. In fact, adult trikes are easier and more comfortable to ride than any regular bike. It is effortless to ride because of its incredible stability and the support it offers to the riders.
The combination of stability, support, and tri-wheel ensures outstanding balance and easiness of riding as well.
Are Tricycles Safer Than Bicycles?
Yes, tricycles are safer than bicycles. Because this special kind of cycle offers incredible balance and stability, there are zero to minimal chances of falling and experiencing any injuries and mishaps.
However, remember that only balance and stability don’t ensure safety; your skills and the terrain you are riding on also plays a part in keeping you safe and secure on the bike.
Furthermore, if you want to enhance the safety options, we suggest you invest in cycling fears like reflective clothing, lights, and flags.
How Fast Can a Tricycle Go? Are Trikes Faster Than Bikes?
How fast your tricycle will go depends on your pedaling speed. If you pedal fast, the wheels will rotate more frequently, giving you high speed. On the other hand, if you pedal slowly, you will enjoy a slow, relaxed ride.
However, remember that a tricycle is not faster than a bike. While a bicycle comes with different gear ranges, a trike comes with the highest of 6 gears and cannot ever provide you with the bike's speed.
Is Riding a Tricycle Good Exercise?
Yes, it is. When you ride, no matter how comfortable you are, you always involve the major muscle groups while you pedal.
Stretching and relaxing muscles help strengthen them and burn many calories to become more fit and active for a healthier tomorrow.
Are Adults Required to Wear Bicycle Helmets?
Yes, it is a plus if you wear a helmet when riding a bike or a trike. The helmet protects your head and makes sure that your skull is safe and sound even when you have met an accident or simply fallen down from your bicycle or tricycle.
Can I Store My Tricycle Outdoors?
Yes, you can store your tricycle outdoor. But make sure that you have taken enough safety measures to keep your cycle protected from theft.
Will Tricycle Fit Inside a Standard Car?
The answer is both yes and no. And how is that?
Well, if you have a folding trike that folds into a compact size, you can fit it inside a car and carry it anywhere and everywhere you go.
However, if it is a regular trike without any folding mechanism, you cannot accommodate it inside the car and carry it with you wherever you wish.
What Is the Difference Between Adult Tricycle Vs. Recumbent Trikes?
There is no difference between the adult tricycle and a recumbent trike. A recumbent tricycle is a type of adult trike that is more comfortable than the others available in the market.
With its laidback seat and backrest, this trike will ensure additional comfort and convenience for the riders.
What Is the Difference Between Bicycle and Tricycle?
Just from the name, you can find out the main difference between a bicycle and a tricycle. While a tricycle comes with 3 wheels, two at the rear and one at the front, a bike has only 2 wheels, one at the back and the other at the front.
While both these types of cycles are used for commuting, fun, and fitness, an adult trike provides more stability and balance to the riders compared to a bike.
Also, while people with a physical disability cannot ride a bicycle, they can ride a trike without any problem.
Does Medicare Cover the Cost of Adult Tricycles?
Medicare might cover the cost of adult tricycles only if you submit a pre-approval letter before purchasing a tricycle along with a super detailed letter of medical justification.
Your physical or occupational therapist or primary care physician has sent both letters to justify that you need an adult trike for therapeutic benefits and not for fun or commuting purposes.
If these letters are authentic and approved, then Medicare will cover your adult bike's cost.
Does Private Insurance Cover the Purchase of an Adult Tricycle?
Private insurance cover varies from policy to policy. However, with hundreds of private insurance companies or policies, we could not find a single policy or company that provides adult or pediatric tricycle coverage. Therefore, it is safe to say that private insurance won’t cover an adult trike's purchase.
Do Adult Tricycles Need Much Maintenance?
No, tricycles don’t need as much maintenance as a two-wheeled bike. For example, you wouldn’t have to make adjustments or lubricate daily.
Also, as a tricycle mechanism is simple and easy, you wouldn’t need special parts or components to run smoothly.
Furthermore, even if you require any parts or components for your adult trike, you can always find it in your local repair shop or online because it uses the same components as a bicycle.
Wrapping Up
Now that you know everything you should know about how to choose adult tricycle, we are confident that it would be now easier for you to find the best one in the market. We would suggest you first understand your requirements and your riding pattern before making any final decision.
Happy Shopping.
