Electric Bike vs. Electric Trike: How to Decide the Best Fit for Your Needs

Light electric vehicles like electric bikes are electric trikes have gained a lot of popularity ever since the pandemic. These provide a more economical transportation solution for anybody to practice social distancing and also help minimize their carbon footprint.

ebicycles have always been the top contender. That is until 3 wheel electric trikes coasted along with certain improvements, including accessibility. Nowadays, it’s harder for beginners to decide between an e-bicycle or an electric trike. That’s how far things have come.

In any case, Addmotor offers both two-wheels and three at affordable prices. Regardless of where you land, you’ll always have the best pick.

So let's take a look at the differences between two-wheeled and three-wheeled ebicycles. Then, consider their practicalities, use cases and the type of rider that's best for each.

Riders for 2-Wheeled Electric Bikes

Here’s a list of the types of people who prefer a two-wheeled electric bicycle over three wheels. If your riding experience fits into these, you can be certain that a two-wheeled electric bike is best for you.

• Road Biker: If you’re all about speed, efficiency and only sticking with well-paved roads, it’s best to stick to two-wheelers. 3 wheel electric trikescan never match up to the speed and performance aspects of a two-wheeled eBike.
• Fitness Enthusiast: Similarly, if you’re hoping to bring more flexibility and reserve power to your cardio cycling routine, it’s best to stick with two-wheelers. 3 wheel electric trikesaren’t that energy-efficient and they can’t provide enough electrical assistance to keep up with a demanding rider.
• Off-Road Thrill Seeker: For outdoor adventurers hitting the trails with a mountain bike, three-wheeled electric trikes will just not do. They are too wide for off road trails and heavier to shift your weight and control. Also, 3 wheel electric bikescan’t match the sophisticated suspension systems in two-wheeled mountain bikes.  
• Urban Adventurer: Even on the other end of the spectrum, 3 wheel electric bikesjust still won’t do. You can’t match the maneuverability and speed of urban road bikes with an electric trike.
• Minimalist Rider: If you’re budget-conscious and want to minimize your impact on the environment, the fewer wheels you have the better. So if you’re all about minimalism and getting the best use out of your purchases, two-wheeled e-bicyclesare the way to go

Hopefully, these will give you a better indication of your riding habits and where you fit. That said, if you didn’t relate to any of the above types of riders, be sure to check out the next section.

The People Who Would Enjoy a Three-Wheeled Etrike

So in case you’re an absolute beginner or you don’t identify with the types mentioned above, you might be more comfortable with a 3-wheel electric bike.

In that case, keep reading because these types of riders might be more up your alley.

• Commuter: If you want to beat the traffic. But also if you want to carry your lunch, gym bag, laptop and more, an eTrike might be best. Three wheel electric bikescan provide more consistent electrical assistance without you breaking a sweat.
• Senior Citizens: With dozens of improvements for accessibility, an eTrike is the better option. Besides, the extra stability guarantees that seniors can ride comfortably without any safety concerns.
• Person with Mobility/Balance Issues: Three wheel electric bikesare also a safe alternative for adults with limited mobility and trouble balancing themselves on a two-wheeler. Extra features such as a low standover height and low center of gravity make them safe to ride and become more independent.
• Families with Kids or Loved Ones: If you need to haul a kid's trailer, safely or even carry passengers directly, an eTrike is the best fit. Three-wheeled electric bikescan provide safe and more comfortable seating for children and other adults.
• Cargo Carriers and Professional Delivery Riders: Three-wheeled electric trike bikesare the best option if you need to carry hundreds of pounds of cargo. With an eTrike you can carry your camping gear and supplies. Also, if you’re delivering loads of packages and mail, an eTrike is best.

These are the major types of riders that benefit the most from electric trike bikes. If you’re still unsure of where you fit in between these two groups, be sure to go with an eTrike. It’s the safest bet, as long as you don’t have any dreams of becoming a professional cyclist anytime soon.

But still, if you’re feeling unsure, let’s dive into more specifics so you can have a better idea.

Comparing the Biggest Differences Between E-bicycles and e-Tricycles

The standout difference between electric bicycles and e-tricycles is the third wheel. A three-wheeled “electric trike bike” is self-balancing so the rider doesn’t have to struggle to maintain forward momentum and keep the trike from tipping over.

That being said, not everything is on the up and up with e-tricycles either. The electrical assistance can make it seem easy but the third wheel does complicate a few things. Among other things, the third wheel makes an eTrike more expensive, heavier and difficult to control.

So at a glance, the things that you need to consider thoroughly are:

• Battery Life: Most e-trikeshave higher capacity batteries but they’re still not as energy efficient. Meanwhile, two-wheeled electric bicycles can have smaller batteries and provide more range.
• Speed and Handling: Two-wheelers are easier to control and maneuver. They are also lighter and more aerodynamic, meaning you can ride two-wheelers at higher speeds.
• Weight: e-trikesare heavier and sturdier. They are more impact and wind-resistant. Also, heavier electric trikes don’t lose traction as much as lighter two-wheeled e-bikes.
• Ergonomics and Comfort: Without a doubt, electric trikesoffer better ergonomics and comfort. Riding a eTrike is less taxing on the body and they are designed with accessibility in mind. The same can’t be said for most two-wheeled e-bikes.
• Cost: You can find a great eBike, or even build your own, for cheap. The same can’t be said for electric bikes. So three-wheeled electric bikestend to be much more expensive.
• Payload Capacity: You can carry a lot of cargo on an eBike if you’re resourceful and skilled in riding. That said, an eTrike can carry three times as much cargo without the rider having to worry about controlling the bike or keeping the cargo safe.

Safety Considerations

Many people avoid two-wheeled electric bicycles due to safety reasons and they’re not entirely wrong. An electric bicycle has a flimsier frame and can easily tip over. Besides, it doesn’t provide a high level of impact, even if the rider has more control to prevent a crash.

So if you’re a beginner or don’t cycle a lot, it’s better to err on the side of caution and consider an eTrike. Most Addmotor electric tricycles are designed to take a beating before they can harm the rider. Besides, a step-through electric trike will rarely fall over.

Another point to consider is visibility. You want to make you and your eTrike more visible to traffic and pedestrians. This can help prevent unnecessary accidents, especially during nighttime or conditions where it’s difficult to see the road (like a storm or heavy fog).

Here also, electric tricycles are the better choice, they are larger and improve visibility all around. Two-wheeler electric bikes are not that noticeable so you’ll have to set up extra reflectors and make it a habit to wear reflective vests.

These are just a few aspects, but you also want to consider things like:

• Stability: electric tricyclesare more stable due to the third wheel.
• Manoeuvrability: electric bikesare much easier to maneuver during emergencies.
• Braking Performance: This usually depends on the type of brakes. However, electric trikesare safer since they don’t flip over when applying the brakes.

Maintenance Aspects

Fixing a flat on a folding electric trike and replacing the inner tube is much more difficult. Meanwhile, replacing the tubes on a two-wheeler is pretty straightforward. 

In the same way, three-wheeled electric trikes are much more of a hassle to repair and maintain compared to two-wheelers. Their parts are hard to find in most bicycle repair shops and they might cost double, if not triple the price.

Getting stranded with an eTrike in the middle of nowhere is no fun. You can’t carry it around as easily as a two-wheeled eBike. Even if you could, it would be another story finding a repair shop that can fix whatever problem you run into.

So maintenance and cost can be a pain with a two-seater electric trike or any trike in general. This makes them less viable for riding long-distance and through remote and rural areas.

Verdict

Picking between an eBike or eTrike can be difficult if you don’t fall into the most common profiles like “Commuter,” “Fitness Buff” or “Bikepacker.” So, you’ll have to look deeper into the differences between these two and get a better idea.

But, if you want to get to the bottom of this. The factors mostly affected are speed, stability, maneuverability and carrying capacity.

So on the most fundamental level: go for a three-wheeled electric trike if stability and payload capacity are important.

On the flip side, stick with a two-wheeled eBike if you want more responsive controls and also to ride at a higher speed.