Riding a three-wheeler offers a distinct experience compared to a two-wheeler. If you have recent experience riding a bicycle, transitioning to a trike can be more of an adjustment. Interestingly, trike-riding is actually easier if you have no prior experience on a bicycle.

While the round-and-round pedaling and the sense of forward motion are similar, the handling characteristics and steering are noticeably different between bikes and trikes.

No Bicycle Experience? No Problem!

If you have no experience riding a bike, even as a kid, don’t worry! In fact, having no bicycle experience can be an advantage when learning to ride a trike. I didn’t have the opportunity to ride an adult trike until after several years of riding a bicycle. The sensation is not the same! I was fairly comfortable on the straightaways but felt insecure and uncomfortable with turns and curves.

Fortunately, it only takes about an hour of riding to begin feeling at ease on a trike. Let’s examine why riding a trike feels different.

The Self-Steering Nature of Bicycles

This might be difficult to grasp if you’ve never ridden a bike, but a bike almost steers itself. When encountering a curve or turn, the rider lets the bike lean in the direction of the curve and turns the handlebar very little, if at all. It’s all about leaning, not steering! Of course, the leaning ends as the curve is exited, and the bike and rider return to an upright position. All of this happens almost without thinking—it’s what the bike does naturally in a turn.

Trikes are Different

So, what’s different about turning a trike? Just leaning is not enough with tricycles or e-trikes. You must actually steer (turn the handlebar) to accomplish a turn. Depending on how fast you are riding, there can be a definite sensation of tipping or losing control.

Unless riding much too fast, this is mostly just a sensation and not reality. Mooncool trikes and most others are not likely to tip over at reasonable speeds. When executing a turn or rounding a curve, the combined weight of the trike and rider shifts in the opposite direction of the turn. This causes the sensation of losing control.

To compensate, lean your upper body in the same direction as the turn or curve. This will avoid the sensation of losing control and dramatically reduce the chances of actually tipping the trike. In extreme circumstances, one rear wheel may lift off the surface, but the trike is still very unlikely to tip. This just lets the rider know to slow down a bit.

NOTE: If the road or path or trail you are on happens to slant downhill from left to right when you come to a curve, do NOT lean in the same direction you are turning. Instead, slow down, and if necessary, lean to the left. Of course, the same instructions apply in reverse if the road slants downhill from right to left.

The Advantages of Trikes

All trikes, including Mooncool e-trikes, have certain inherent advantages. The primary advantage is balance. When riding a two-wheeler, if your speed gets too slow, the bike will wobble and eventually fall unless you get at least one foot on the ground.

The third wheel on a trike means that it is naturally balanced. No matter how slow your speed on a trike, it will not lose balance. You never have to get a foot on the ground until the ride ends and you are ready to dismount.

Balance is Safety

For anyone with balancing issues, trikes are definitely the better choice. Three wheels eliminate any worry about balance as you ride. In fact, it’s not a problem to come to a complete stop while keeping both feet on the pedals. Don’t try that with a bike!

Not having to balance the trike also makes it much easier to mount and dismount. If you dismount and just walk away, the trike won’t fall!

Shopping for a New Ride

Regardless of how many wheels you want for your ride, you absolutely want quality, reliability, and a company that values customer service. Mooncool provides high-quality trikes and bikes at very consumer-friendly prices, all backed with an excellent warranty. You are invited to visit the Mooncool website to get all the details on a new ride that’s just right for you!

In conclusion, while riding a trike and a bike share some similarities, the differences in handling and balance make each experience unique. Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or a newcomer, trikes offer a stable and enjoyable alternative to traditional bicycles. Happy riding!