Adult Tricycles vs. Bicycles: What’s the Difference?

June 25, 2020

You’re probably familiar with how to ride a bicycle, but you may be curious about what it’s like to ride a tricycle. Why are so many people choosing to ride tricycles instead of bicycles? The answer to this question depends on the individual, but many people find that tricycles offer some advantages over bicycles, especially for adults.

If you’re thinking about shopping for the best adult tricycle, but you need a little help finalizing your decision, it’s wise to learn how a trike differs from the standard bike. That way you can determine if the benefits of a tricycle are more attractive than the benefits your bicycle can offer you. Here are some of the main differences between trikes and bikes.

Stability

If you’re wondering “What is the difference between bicycles and tricycles?”, stability is one of the main differences. Naturally, when you ride on a bicycle, you have to maintain good balance. This is because bicycles only have two wheels, so it’s easy to tip them over. Even if you feel like you’re pretty good at balancing, you may change your mind if you run over gravel or hit a rock in the road while you’re riding a bicycle. It doesn’t take much for you to topple over.

Three wheel bicycles, on the other hand, offer more stability because they have three wheels instead of two. Additionally, your center of gravity is a bit lower on a tricycle, due to the trike’s design. This can also help you to maintain your balance and feel more secure than you would feel on a bike.

Comfort

The best trikes have comfortable seats that offer plenty of cushion. They also help you maintain a position that’s easy on your lower back and comfortable on your buttocks. Bicycles tend to be a little less comfortable for long rides because they tend to have narrower seats.

Depending on the style of the bike you ride, you may also notice that your lower back feels a lot of pressure on longer rides. If you struggle to feel comfortable on a regular bicycle, you may be better off riding at tricycle.

Climbing Abilities

When climbing a steep heel on a bicycle, the rider must maintain a certain speed to keep from tipping over. This can be very challenging and can result in over-straining the body. Since a tricycle stays steady even at slow speeds, they are often easier to ride on hill climbs. Tricycle riders can go slower up hills than bicycle riders without fear of potentially tipping over.

Safety

If you’re wondering “Are tricycles safer than bicycles?” the answer is “yes and no.” Tricycles are safer in the sense that they don’t tip over as easily as bicycles. Because of their stability, they are associated with less risk of injuries related to loss of control.

However, tricycles are also lower to the ground than bicycles. That means they are less visible to motor vehicles. Drivers of cars may find it difficult to see trikes when driving down the highway, backing out of driveways or pulling out of busy parking lots. For this reason, some trike riders choose to attach flags, extra reflectors and highly other visible elements to their trikes. You can mount a tall fiberglass rod and flag to your trike to increase your visibility and lower your risk of getting hit by a car.

Choose the Features That Matter Most

Some people prefer upright bicycles while others love the benefits tricycles provide. When deciding which option is right for you, weigh the pros and cons carefully. You should also take at least one test ride on a trike before deciding if you prefer it over your bicycle.