5 Best Tricycles for Adults 2024 | Reviews of Budget-Friendly Options
Cycling is fantastic! It’s a great exercise and so much fun to get out on the road, and it’s a great way to commute to and from work without spending a penny on gas.
But unfortunately, a bicycle isn’t an option for everyone. If you suffer from balance issues, injury, or disability, a bike may not work. A good quality best adult tricycle bike is an alternative for anyone missing the road.
Adult three-wheeled bicycles are great for a lot of reasons. Like conventional bikes, they are fun, fast, and a great source of exercise. Trikes even have some significant advantages over conventional cycling.
This article will take a look at adult tricycle bikes and what makes them tick.
We’ll weigh the advantages and disadvantages and offer some tips on purchasing, riding, and storing them. Then we’ll review three great models I’d recommend checking out.
Let’s get started!
Our Testing Process For 5 Best Tricycles for Adults 2023
We tested dozens of tricycles for adults in order to find the best ones on the market. We looked at factors like comfort, maneuverability, and price. Our process included looking at different features of each tricycle, such as the size of the wheels, the type of brakes, the weight capacity, and whether or not the tricycle came with features like a basket or a cup holder.
Moreover, we also took into consideration the reviews of other customers who have purchased these tricycles recently. The average adult’s height and weight were also taken into account while examining and inspecting individual products.
Our testing process included riding each tricycle on a variety of terrain, taking them apart and inspecting the quality of their construction, and interviewing experts in the field. We also had each model evaluated by a panel of independent testers. Some major points that they tested in detail and spent hours on were as follow:
- Seat Comfort
- Handlebars Grip
- Electric Motors
- Suspension System
- Durability and Performance
To find the best tricycles for adults, we put them through a series of tests. First, we rode each one around to get a feel for how they handled it. We then took them on a variety of terrain, from flat sidewalks to hilly streets. We also tested how well they brake and how easy they are to pedal. Finally, we checked the quality of the materials and construction. Above all, our testing team performed these tests over a course of a month, to clear all doubts in mind.
- Test 1 (Comfort Test): This test was to see how comfortable the tricycles were to ride. Plus, how enjoyable the seat is and how easy it is to pedal.
- Test 2 (Durability Test): The purpose of this test was to detect how well the tricycles held up after being ridden on different surfaces.
- Test 3 (Ease of Use Test): Our objective was to determine whether tricycles are easy to ride, especially for beginners.
- Test 4 (Stability Test): To determine how well the tricycles stayed upright when taking sharp corners and bumping over obstacles.
- Test 5 (Weight Test): We weighed the tricycles and tested how much weight they could carry, which is important to know if you plan to carry groceries or other items.
After all of this, we came up with a list of the five best tricycles for adults for 2022. Based on our findings, we believe that the best tricycles for adults are as follows.
- Schwinn Meridian Adult Tricycle
- Slsy 7-Speed Adult Tricycles
- Mobo Triton Pro Adult Tricycle
- MOONCOOL 3 Wheeled bike for Seniors
- Kent Bayside Adult Tricycle
These are a lot of options, however, what’s important is to make sure you’re getting the best quality product. So, after going through all these efforts and spending an enormous amount of time on testing, we can finally conclude that Schwinn Meridian Adult Tricycle is by far the best product one can go for without any hesitation or reluctance. Believe us, you will not regret your decision even after years, dear readers. Happy reading!
Best Adult Tricycles – Top Pick for 2023!
Our top pick is the Schwinn Meridian Adult Tricycle. It’s perfect for anyone who wants a comfortable and stylish ride. The bike is designed with an upright seating position, which gives you a better view of your surroundings.
Quick Overview of Best Tricycle for Adults
The adult-sized tricycle is in demand today because there is a growing need for a middle ground in the cycling industry.
There are a lot of people who find a conventional bicycle is difficult or undesirable for a number of reasons, but still want to enjoy the many benefits of cycling.
Full-sized tricycles for adults aren’t new. They have actually been around since basically the birth of the bicycle around 150 years ago.
For some reason, however, they have been relegated to the background, and today they’re commonly associated with children’s toys, taxi service vehicles and utility cargo carts.
I suggest that we start to think differently, since in many ways trikes are a lot more practical than the two-wheeled variety!
Luckily, today is a great era for those interested in riding best adult trikes. Popular bike brand names like Schwinn are coming out with some functional and attractive options, like storage carts.
The 5 Best Adult Tricycles for 2023 Reviewed
After hours of research and comparison, we have come up with a list of the 5 best adult tricycles. These tricycles are durable, reliable, and perfect for anyone looking for a leisurely ride or something more strenuous.
One of the great things about adult tricycles is that they come in a variety of different styles. If you’re looking for something that’s easy to ride and provides a lot of stability, you may want to consider a three-wheeler with a large front wheel.
In order to help you find the best one for your needs, we’ve put together a list of the five best adult tricycles available today.
1
Schwinn Meridian Adult Tricycle
It is a large 3-wheeled adult bike that’s fun to ride. Its full-sized wheels Increase your top speed. The Schwinn Meridian is getting a lot of positive attention for its great looks, nice features and accessible price tag.
Reasons To Buy
Reasons To Avoid
The step-through frame makes it easy to get on and off, and the aluminum construction makes it on the lighter side as adult tricycles go. It’s a single-speed, so it’s best suited towards flatter areas with few hills. It’s awesome for the beach or the boardwalk.
This is one of my top choices because you would be hard-pressed to find a more affordable option than this. It’s a lot less expensive than many conventional bicycles, so it’s wonderful for riders wanting a stable, stylish and cargo friendly ride without breaking their bank account.
The padded seat and riding position are really comfortable, and you have a few color choices to pick from. And it comes with a rare inclusion: 26-inch wheels, meaning a higher top-end speed and smoother ride.
Long and lean, it’s got a dragster-like feel to it. If you’re an adult looking for a three wheel bike or trike and don’t want to sacrifice fun, give this one a look.
2
Slsy 7-Speed Adult Tricycles
If you are exploring a budget-friendly tricycle with all features, then your first preference should be Slsy Adult Tricycles. It is ideal for me, as I cannot balance on a regular bike. So it can be a supreme pick for someone with terrible balance issues.
Reasons To Buy
Reasons To Avoid
I know most people must be searching for a budget-friendly tricycle, so we added this to our list as this is the one beautiful, sturdy tricycle in this price range. Its seat is super comfortable due to the backrest fixed behind. This makes it perfect for comfy long-ride lovers.
You can pick your wheel size as it is available in 20, 244, and 28 inches, depending on your need. Its strong steel frame allows you to carry 350 lbs weight.
Assembly can be challenging for you if you are not good at putting things together. Once put together, the bike is adorable; the basket is perfect for your puppy to ride along with you.
So l encourages you to be far more truthful to yourself than I was when I ordered. I thought the fact that it was an adult tricycle that would take care of any issues I might face.
3
Mobo Triton Pro Adult Tricycle
It is a recumbent trike for a different riding position. The Mobo Triton Pro is an affordable, unique recumbent tricycle for adults.
Reasons To Buy
Reasons To Avoid
Recumbent means that you sit in a reclined position with your feet in front of you while you cycle. It’s a bit of a strange feeling at first, but ergonomically speaking it’s probably the easiest and most comfortable position to do it from.
With a single speed hub, a low center of gravity for great stability, direct steering and a high seat, this is comfy and easy to ride. You’ll also get a ton of attention at the park or beach, and everyone will want to see how it works and find out where you got it.
It’s a fantastic choice if you suffer from back or knee pain and feel more at ease in a reclined position. The Triton Pro has an extendable frame, meaning it’ll fit a wide range of riders. Pedaling is low impact and you steer using the two levers instead of a set of handlebars. It’s fun!
One note, if you opt for a recumbent adult tricycle, I’d make sure to fit it with a flag if you’re going to ride on the road, so vehicles can see you. The Triton Pro sits a bit lower to the ground than most upright trikes do, so buses and trucks might not see you very easily.
4
MOONCOOL 3 Wheeled bike for Seniors
It is the top choice trike for seniors as it comes with an extra soft bike seat with a backrest to provide additional support.
Reasons To Buy
Reasons To Avoid
When you buy any bike online, the main issue everyone faces is how to assemble it? The mooncool owner knows that its assembly is not an issue as the seller provides a manual with all useable tools to facilitate installation.
Most of the time, riders feel annoyed with the gears in the tricycles. But mooncool provides you with an easy shifting of gears. You can use a lower gear for uphill and quickly shifts to a higher gear for downhill or flat roads.
If you are a heavy person reading the review, note that it can carry a total weight of 350 pounds. Its high-quality iron-made frame is safe and strong during your ride.
Its basket will assist you with your picnic rides as you can take plenty of luggage. You can enjoy your picnic or outdoor journey with this trike as it offers seven speeds.
5
Kent Bayside Adult Tricycle
kENT Bayside is a comfortable, versatile full-sized tricycle for adults. It is a proper three-wheeled bike with a generous Basket.
Reasons To Buy
Reasons To Avoid
The Kent Bayside is a nice option for anyone who requires some versatility in gearing and a bit more comfort and support than what other models offer. It’s a fully steel-framed adult tricycle bike with a seven-speed Shimano grip shifter, so if you do run into any hills you’ll be prepared.
The trike is built with an adult rider in mind, and it’s very comfortable and easy to get on and off. You’ll notice the lumbar back support behind the seat, which is nice for when you need to lean back.
There’s a front suspension fork for a softer ride, and a front fender for wet weather or gravel. Finally, it has a large integrated rear basket for groceries, bags or whatever you need to bring along.
This adult-sized tricycle gets great reviews (worth a read), and it’s definitely one of the best three wheeled tricycles for adults available today. And it’s pretty affordable considering the basket, the gearing options and all the free extras it comes with.
Why pick a tricycle for adults over a regular bike?
Here are a few reasons why you might consider a 3 wheel bike over a standard bike.
- Stability: Adult tricycles are extremely stable in most situations. While they do take a bit of getting used to (they ride differently from a bike, no leaning involved), they are great for all weather and terrain situations that bikes normally face. For anyone with balance worries, an adult tricycle with gears is worth taking a look.
- Cargo Capacity: cheap tricycles for adults bikes can actually hold a decent amount of cargo compared with a regular bicycle. Many of them come with rear baskets that are quite large and stable. They are ideal grocery getters, and the ample storage capacity is a real advantage.
- Comfort: Tricycles for adults can be quite a bit more comfortable than a traditional bike. The riding position is relaxed, and there’s no tension involved with the effort to stay balanced. You can ride for a longer period without getting fatigued on one of these things.
Adult Tricycle: The Cons and Potential Detractors
There are a few ways that bicycles are more advantageous than adult tricycles.
- Weight: Adult Tricycles are obviously much heavier than bicycles. That means that they can be a little harder to control, and you need to be sure your brakes are operating correctly. Re-aligning them or pulling them around can be a challenge.
- Storage & Transportation: Storing your adult tricycle bike can be a pain, because they take up more room than a regular bike. They are still portable compared to a vehicle, but you should make sure you have somewhere to stash it. Likewise, transporting it in a car can be tough unless you opt for a folding variety.
- Mechanically Complex: This is unlikely to be a major detractor, but the best tricycles for adults are usually more mechanically complex than a bicycle. That means they should have regular tune-ups at a bike shop to make sure they’re running correctly.
Best Tricycle for Adult Buyer Guide
There are several factors to consider before purchasing the right adult tricycle for you. When you first hear the word tricycle, your mind will wander to plastic toys meant for toddlers and kids. So, you’ll need to do your research before purchasing one specifically for an adult.
Below we have created a list of features to consider before making your decision on one tricycle for adults.
Comfort
Adult Tricycles are not designed for mountain trails or endurance courses, so you can focus more on the comfort rather than the specifications. The seat can be more comfortable, the handlebars in a better position, and the wheels allow for better stability.
As you’re going to be travelling slower at a more leisurely pace, comfort is important. When riding a mountain bike down a steep trail, you will be too focused on the thrill of riding to notice how uncomfortable you are.
However, when cycling an adult tricycle slowly along the way, you’ll be more aware of how your boy feels. For this reason, don’t overlook how comfortable you feel on a tricycle.
Seat
Your seat should be firm, supportive, and cushioned for your comfort. You’re going to be sitting on the seat the entire duration of the ride rather than lifting yourself away from it continuously like you might do on a mountain or road bike.
So, the seat needs to be as comfortable as possible. Some find wider seats more comfortable while others find thinner seats better. It all comes down to your personal preference. Your seat should be adjustable so that your knees are aligned with the ball of your foot and the pedal at a 3 o’clock end.
Handlebars
Having to sit forward too much while riding your adult tricycle will make you feel much more uncomfortable than having your handlebars at the correct position. Your elbows should be able to have a slight bend in them as you hold onto the bars.
Your head, neck, and back should also be aligned in this position upright so that you’re not slouching forward or leaning back. The grips also need to be comfortable so that you don’t get hand strain during your ride.
Performance
Some adult tricycles come with better performance than others. The frames can vary in aerodynamics, affecting the speed you can go at. Tricycles that are lower to the ground are not affected by headwinds as much as higher adult tricycles are, making them easier and more enjoyable to ride.
The performance of the adult tricycle you opt for will depend on what you’re going to be using it for and your personal preferences.
Suspension
Tricycles come with three wheels, making the mode of transportation more comfortable and stable. However, being that close to the ground has to feel bumps in the terrain more than an average bicycle.
This is the reason why many adult tricycles will have a rear suspension which can prevent you from becoming uncomfortable too quickly into your ride. These will cushion most of the impact, although you’ll still feel some bumps from the front wheel. As you’re closer to the ground, it’s always advised that you opt for an adult tricycle with some sort of suspension.
Electric Motors
Some adult tricycles come with electric motors to help you get up steep hills or to give you an extra push. As the majority of the weight of an adult tricycle is at the back of the bike, you’ll need some immense leg strength to get yourself up a hill on a tricycle.
An electric motor is not essential, and they don’t come on every adult tricycle, but beginners might thank their electric motor when they realize how much harder it is to ride an adult tricycle than they first imagined.
Basket
The majority of adult tricycles will come with a basket for you to carry around your groceries or other belongings. The larger the basket, the more you’re able to carry. So, if you’re purchasing a tricycle to use while running errands, you might want a larger basket so that you’re not struggling with an overflowing compartment.
Bear in mind that a larger basket will allow you to carry more items and the weight of this will all add up. For this reason, an electric motor might be ideal for these adult tricycles. You’ll think that you can carry everything with just your leg power… until you try to cycle all of your groceries home.
Adult Tricycle Frequently Asked Questions And Answers
1. Why do adults ride tricycles?
There are many reasons why an adult might choose to ride an adult tricycle. For starters, they’re more comfortable to ride than bikes and can go slower speeds to leave you with a leisurely pace rather than a quick one.
Adult Tricycles are also safer to ride than bicycles, with a good performance, and you can store things in their baskets. Many bicycles don’t come with baskets anymore, and when they do, they’re considerably smaller than those of adult tricycles.
They’re more stable to ride and are unique. You won’t take a second thought after seeing someone riding a bike, but seeing an adult tricycle out will be the talk of the town. Finally, they’re just fun and a new way to get around.
2. Is riding an adult tricycle good exercise?
Yes, tricycles can provide an excellent method of exercising. It is similar to that of riding a bike, working primarily your legs. The more weight you put on the back of your adult tricycle with the help of the basket will make it harder to move and therefore a better workout.
Some people might find the temptation of an electric motor too much to get a good workout; however. So, you’ll need strong willpower to work your legs rather than giving up and using the motor.
3. Are adult tricycles dangerous?
As long as they’re ridden correctly, a tricycle should not be dangerous. However, people do have some concerns with tricycles due to how low the rider is to the ground. Drivers might not be able to see the tricycle or rider over their dashboard. However, this can be rectified by adding a flag onto the back of your adult tricycle.
Some people actually believe that adult tricycles are safer than riding bicycles. This is because they’re bigger and therefore can be seen easier by motorists further away. Tricycles also offer you better balance so that beginners won’t fall to the side like they might with a bicycle.
As your feet are in front of you rather than underneath you like they would be on a bike, adult tricycle riders can touch the ground with their feet easily to stop them from skidding. This would allow them to stop easier than being thrown headfirst from the bike.
4. How fast can an adult tricycle go?
Tricycles can travel up to 11 miles an hour, which is considerably slower than a bicycle. The average bicycle can travel around 62 miles an hour, which is a much faster mode of transportation than the tricycle.
5. Is it easy to ride an adult tricycle?
Yes, adult tricycles are even easier to ride than a bike. Instead of having to learn how to keep yourself upright with balance, you can simply sit on the trike and pedal to move. This is why many find tricycles one of the most leisurely forms of exercise and transportation.
Learning the correct techniques to ride up hills might take longer to master, and adult tricycles might require some patience to get used to. But overall, riding an adult tricycle is so simple that people of all ages can do it.
6. How much is an adult tricycle?
A typical tricycle for adults can be bought between $400 and $1000. However, the price of adult tricycles is usually dependent on the brand, model, and retailer. To get the best deal, consider researching some of the best adult tricycle reviews online. From there, you can get more insights from other experienced buyers and users and 3 wheel bikes.
7. What are adult tricycles used for?
With a single-speed and 6-speed adult tricycle, you’ll experience the dual benefits of shopping and exercise at the same time. When you are in the market to buy adult trikes, consider the size of its rea basket before placing an order. This rear basket is one of the important factors that differentiate one trike from the other.
Steve Beck is a passionate cyclist and experienced writer covering the cycling industry for over a decade. He has a wealth of knowledge and expertise in all bike-related things, from the latest products and technologies to the best routes and trails. His articles are well-researched, informative, and engaging, and he has a talent for explaining complex cycling concepts in a way that is easy to understand. Steve can be found on the road when he’s not writing about bikes, putting his knowledge and skills to the test.
I just bought my tricycle. And it is great for small rides with the kid and at the same time I do some exercise. Really happy with it. I bought the Slsy 7-Speed.
thanks so much!
How much do most folding tricycles weigh. Im not so young and not so strong any more but want to take a trik to the big park or the beach.
Thanks for this article. Although, I have a great experience with bikes and little bit of trikes as well but your article helped me to choose the right and affordable tricycle for my 58 yrs old father.
I loved your article. I’m 67 and on a limited budget and just purchased a tricycle online. I paid a cheaper price than a lot of the other sites but it looks like the same product. I have a lot of the same issues as Syma
, sure wish I’d seen your article before I bought mine, I just hope I get it! ha
Hi will,
My name is Syma. I fractured my knee last year, and have put on lot weight as a result. I also have had chronic back pain since a horse riding accident. Would a tricycle be a good option for these limitations, while also allowing some exercise (and fun!)? I want to get out more, get in shape and not dread the workout. Thanks for this article!
You’ll definitely want a trike with gears, as opposed to one with only one speed. The most efficient rate of spin, or cadence, at the pedals is around 90rpm, which is also better for your knees.