E-Trikes
Before anyone asks, this article is separate from the very specialized world of recumbent trikes. I own one, it is comfortable, but Upright trikes still have their place. I hope to have one for snowy Winter commuting this year.
The trikes above are the best upright e-trikes I can find. This is at any price. I suppose there are some better for conversion, but this one works and is in stock at Ruby’s. If you feel the sting of comparison, remember, the alternatives are a lot worse.
These three trikes are all under $1600. They are mid-drives because trikes do not climb well, so hub motors weren’t even in the running.
The Buzz Cerana and Lectric trikes have disk brakes while The Ruby’s Trike has a traditional coaster brake at the rear and linear pull up front. The Lectric’s brakes are hydraulic, while The Buzz is mechanical (that is a huge advantage). A coaster brake virtually never wears out and never needs adjusting.
The Buzz and Lectric are 7 speeds. The Ruby’s Trike has an internal 3 speed. It can be shifted stopped or coasting. You cannot do that with any deraileur. You always start in the right gear with an internally geared bike. Perhaps most importantly, it is a lot more robust and needs far less maintenance.
While The Ruby’s Trike could be programmed for more levels of assist, tbh, it only allows you more choices, not more power. Both The Ruby’s Trike and The Buzz have a USB port for charging your cell phone or accessories. The Lectric is Bluetooth compatible for lots of ride information on your cell phone.
The Lectric and Buzz come with passable, but not great lights. Lights are optional on The Ruby’s Trike. They all have the same warranty, but The Ruby’s Trike is 50% more powerful than The Lectric and 125% more powerful than The Buzz. Only The Ruby’s Trike has over 90nm’s of torque. Do you need it? Probably not, but it sure is nice to have.
The Buzz though comes standard with the toughest racks both front and rear. A super heavy duty front rack is optional on The Lectric, but only a standard wire basket is optional on The Ruby’s Trike. Do you need more carrying capacity than that big rear basket?
The Ruby’s Trike comes standard with a 48 volt, 20ah battery. That’s 960 watt hours to burn, 70% more range than The Lectric and 2.5 times the range of The Buzz! Now, if you travel less than 20 miles round trip, between charges. This may not mean as much to you, but the first time you need to get somewhere and realize you forgot to charge, it sure is nice not worry.
The Ruby’s Trike is Cromoly Steel. It naturally absorbs vibration. Both the others use buzzy, straight gauge aluminum. Ruby’s will ride more comfortably.
When you factory in the price of assembly, for The Buzz and Lectric, you can only save $50 over The Ruby’s Trike. So, when you are in the market for an e-trike remember Ruby’s and know that you cannot lose with any of these three. I am impressed with your all of them!