A trike, a tricycle, or a three-wheel bike is a human-driven single-person vehicle that runs on three wheels.
They come with low, reclining chairs with front pedals. This design offers a wide range of flexibility and mobility while providing safety for the user.
And if you’re big on cycling but want to experience it in a more relaxed and safe way, you should look for a good three-wheel recumbent bike.
If you’re not familiar with these vehicles, however, it may not be very easy to decide which one you should buy.
And if that’s the case, then check out this list of the best three wheel recumbent bike on the market.
Three Wheel Recumbent Bikes – Comparison Table
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The 4 Best Three-Wheel Recumbent Bikes
1. Mobo Triton Pro Adult Tricycle
If you’re a rider with a height ranging between 4’2″ or 6’3″, the Mobo Triton Pro will suit you quite well.
This versatile adult trike is one of the best three-wheel recumbent bikes for adults. It has a maximum weight capacity of 250 pounds.
It’s equipped with ten adjustable slots to maximize riding comfort and to give you a variety of positions that suit every specific preference.
Moreover, it’s reasonably priced for all the features it comes with. These include the ergonomic seat, chainless drive, and highlighted fenders for all wheels.
And to solve the visibility issue that all three-wheel recumbent bikes have, it comes with a safety flag. It also has clip-on pedals to keep your feet in place.
To provide you with comfort and reduce stress on all body parts, the Mobo Triton comes with a specially-engineered steering system that eliminates arm and shoulder fatigue.
The Mobo Triton also has a dual joystick steering control system that provides you with excellent maneuverability using only your wrist and hand pressure.
Finally, the Mobo Triton has a stylish appearance and comes in a variety of colors, including blue, orange, silver, and red.
- High quality and good value
- Pedals turn smoothly and effortlessly
- An excellent choice for special-needs children and seniors
- Bad turn radius
- The two rear axles are not well-aligned
- Only one speed
Bottom Line:
If you’re mostly going to be riding on flat surfaces and don’t need to change between gears that much, this affordable yet reliable and well-constructed trike will be a great choice for you.
2. Artifice Adult Recumbent Tricycle
One of the most practical features of the Artifice Tricycle is that it’s a foldable unit. This means that you can remove the front wheels to make transportation and storage easier.
If you want to ride with high speeds or tackle steeper hills, you’re going to need the 24 speeds that this trike comes with. These variable speeds make it the best three-wheel racing bike.
And it doesn’t lose any stability with higher speeds as it’s equipped with intercrossing of the steering linkage. Its steering is very responsive and accurate. It can accommodate users of weights up to 250 pounds.
The electrical pedal-assist contributes a lot to this reliable and smooth performance, but what really makes a difference is the huge 26-inch rear wheels and the 20-inch front one.
Moreover, it comes with a mesh seat that provides you with both comfort and good ventilation.
As for durability, the Artifice Tricycle comes with aluminum rims and stainless steel spokes.
It also has a low turning resistance that enables you to take on tighter turns without sacrificing stability.
And if you should ever want to park your trike on steeper grades or inclines, you can lock the brakes.
- Electric-assist or free pedaling
- Comes fully assembled
- Mesh style seat with neck support
- Durable, lightweight, and sturdy frame
- Performs well on level or downhill terrain
- Pricey
- Electrical power may not be enough on inclines
- Low-quality gearing
Bottom Line:
Being the most expensive choice on the list, the Artifice Tricycle is also the most durable and versatile. It suits experienced users looking for top-notch performance and full control over their bikes.
Upgrading to better gears will make this bike a fully-integrated choice with the smoothest ride possible.
3. Mobo Shift 3-Wheel Recumbent Bicycle Trike
The Mobo Shift was designed a little differently with outside-the-box thinking. It comes with reverse action without physical movement.
This is a very practical and impressive feature that’s exclusive to this innovative bike. This feature is very handy when mobility is needed in tighter places.
Moreover, the frame is rugged and robust enough to accommodate riders of heights ranging between 4′ to 6’3″. Its maximum weight capacity reaches 250 pounds.
The Mobo Shift is equipped with dual joystick steering, increased stability, dual steering controls, and accessible brake controls on the steering control arms.
Furthermore, it provides you with excellent control over the bike with a 20-inch front wheel and 16-inch rear wheels.
As for safety, it comes with caliper brakes and a safety flag.
And to provide you with maximum comfort, its back support can be adjusted to six different angles.
It’s available in multiple attractive colors, including black, red, and blue.
- Great option for riders with back issues
- Very durable
- Appealing aesthetics
- Easy to assemble
- Splash guards on all wheels
- Doesn’t result in neck discomfort
- Replacement parts are hard to find
- Needs special locks for anti-theft protection
- Single-speed operation
- Controlling the direction can be a hassle
- Produces rattling and shaking
Bottom Line:
If you’re looking for a reliable three-wheel road bike, the Mobo Shift is an excellent choice.
This reversible bike comes at a very good price without sacrificing durability or quality.
4. Mobo Mobito Kids 3-Wheel Bike
The Mobo Mobito comes with an adjustable frame that suits the rapid growth rate of younger users. This also provides them with years of riding enjoyment without needing continuous upgrades.
It suits users of heights between 3’ to 4’8”. So while it’s not the best for fully-grown adults, it’s still good for younger ones and teenagers. This is especially because its maximum weight cap is only 180 pounds.
Moreover, the Mobo Mobito is made from durable materials and withstand rough use. Its back support can be adjusted to six different positions to maximize comfort.
It also has enhanced rear-wheel steering, a low center of gravity, and an emergency braking system to respond to emergencies quickly.
There are also a couple of additional safety features, including hand-controlled mounted brakes that enable you to jump over makeshift ramps and ensure that the rider has total control over the bike.
Besides the low center of gravity, the Mobo Mobito comes with a larger front wheel (measuring 16 inches compared to the 12-inch rear wheels) that provides smoother and more controlled turns.
- Attractive design
- Good value for the money
- Easy to assemble
- Has a splash guard on all three wheels
- Quality can be improved with additional accessories
- Rugged and durable traction wheels provide more stability
- Chainless drive
- Substandard back wheel bearings
- Hard to adjust
- 180-pound maximum weight capacity
Bottom Line:
The Mobo Mobito is a great three-wheel sit-down bike that suits younger generations looking for an upgrade from an older, smaller bike.
It’s stylish, affordable, and comes with several practical features.
How to Pick a Three Wheel Recumbent Bike?
Before you decide which three-wheel recumbent bike to get, make sure you consider these features first:
Material
Check the quality of the materials that your recumbent bike is made from. You should get a frame that is sturdy, strong and resists rust.
Most recumbent bikes are made from steel, but the grade used makes a difference, so make sure you look into that.
Tires
Depending on your height and weight, you should make sure you get proper tire sizes that support you. Moreover, the design and materials also affect the durability and functionality.
Seat
The seat of a recumbent bike should be a lot larger than that on an upright bike. This makes it more comfortable and safe.
Look into the size, material, and ergonomics of a seat before you buy your bike.
Foldable vs. Non-foldable
If you’re concerned about portability, you should consider a foldable trike. Usually, foldable models include both the seat and the frame.
This also gives you an advantage when it comes to transportation and storage –something travelers and people living in 4-season climates would enjoy.
However, you should make sure that the trike’s portability doesn’t compromise its durability and build quality.
Warranty and Support
Always check the terms and conditions for the warranty of the trike you’re buying.
The warranty should cover any defects due to materials or construction, but it’s better if you find more comprehensive ones.
Moreover, research the company’s customer service performance. How long do they take to respond to emails? Do they offer 24/7 support? What kind of record do they have when it comes to customer support?
Gears, Brakes, and Suspension
These three things are related, so usually, a trike with good gears would also have reliable brakes and suspension.
If you’re going to use your trike to go up steeper terrain, consider a 24-gear trike.
And during the descent, you’ll need high-performance brakes, so don’t settle for the second-best.
Finally, the suspension’s importance increases as the bumpiness and unevenness of the terrain you’re going to traverse increases, so make sure you get a reliable suspension.
How Fast Can a Recumbent Trike Go?
Generally, recumbent bikes are a lot faster than standard bikes by around 30%.
The fastest record on a flat surface was a whopping 80 mph.
Are Recumbent Trikes Safe?
In terms of visibility, they may not be as safe as regular bikes. But other than that, they’re safer than regular bikes in every way.
Another disadvantage to trikes is that you can’t stand up to gain power or leverage when you’re going up hills. It becomes an issue of whether your gears are enough or not.
What are the Advantages of a Trike?
Spreads Weight
Regular upright bikes or trikes focus the weight of the body on two parts of your body: the hand and the feet.
However, a recumbent trike, thanks to its reclined seat position, focuses the weight on the rider’s back, bottom, legs, and feet. This effectively spreads the weight on various parts.
More Aerodynamics and Speed
On a traditional bike, the user acts as a wall that blocks the free flow of air over them and the bike. When you’re in a reclined position, however, the air or wind flow over the top.
This means that even when you’re riding through strong headwinds, you can still manage to get through with no issues.
And that’s why the three-wheel recumbent bike is the fastest human-powered vehicle out there.
Better Balance and Ergonomics
The reclining position of a recumbent bike takes a lot of stress off of the user’s back and distributes it more evenly over other body parts.
This invariably results in more comfort and less fatigue.
That’s why they’re the best choice for many older users and anyone that’s worried about pelvis and back problems.
Adaptability
Three-wheel recumbent bikes are the best option for anyone with a disability. They have a hand crank-operated model producing the same speed and enjoyable experience.
Final Thoughts
While the four choices on the list are definitely the best three wheel recumbent bike you can find on the market, I’d recommend the Artifice Tricycle for someone looking for the best and smoothest performance.
Although it comes at a rather high price point, it’s the only one that runs on various speeds and can help you traverse a wider variety of terrains.
However, if you’re looking for a simpler operation at a more affordable price, you can go for the Mobo Triton Pro. It provides you with excellent value for the price and suits almost any user.