Stability is the name of the game when it comes to electric trikes. Most people prefer three wheels over two because of its self-balancing feature and its many comforts.
Despite the heavy price tag, most riders would go for an electric trike. They hope to find a comfortable riding experience that allows them to run errands and daily tasks without too much of a hassle.
Besides the self-balancing nature of the third wheel, electric tricycles have more opportunities to provide comfort. They can accommodate things like backrests, more spacious seats and better suspension.
So in keeping up with that, let’s talk more about suspension in electric trikes and why it’s better to go for a full-suspension electric tricycle in 2024.
Why Full Suspension Electric Trikes are Worth It
In most situations, electric tricycles are either about luxury, accessibility or utility. They aren’t as performance-heavy as two-wheeled electric bikes and you definitely won’t be using an eTrike to race your fellow two-wheelers on a dirt track or mountain trail.
Electric trikes are heavier and they put more weight on the ground. In return, the ground can also return the favor and send impacts and vibrations more intensely through the frame and onto the rider.
This is why a suspension system is crucial. An electric tricycle’s suspension system helps to absorb shocks and vibrations from uneven terrain. This ensures a smoother and more comfortable riding experience.
So instead of the forces from the impacts traveling up the frame and hurting the rider, the suspension system takes in this force, keeps it and sends it out when the time is right.
But that’s just the common benefit of a suspension system on an electric trike. Compared to a front-fork suspension, a full suspension system takes things to the next level.
Minimizes the Chances of Flipping Over
A full-suspension electric trike means it’s got shock absorbers in the rear wheels as well. So it’s not just the front fork you see in many other electric tricycles.
Electric tricycles with this configuration have a better chance of staying level and preventing the trike from falling over. This is because the full suspension system prevents the issue of “wheel-lift” when going over uneven terrain.
Wheel lift is when one rear wheel loses contact with the ground because of uneven terrain. This might be because of a large rock, bump or pothole.
Wheel lift can compromise stability and increase the chances of the tricycle falling over. The full suspension system prevents this because the shock absorbers in each rear wheel can compress and retract. This action prevents the wheels from lifting and forces them to stay on the ground.
As a result, electric trikes with a full suspension system rarely cause wheel lift. The shock absorbers on the rear help keep the trike low to the ground and perfectly centered, keeping the rider safe.
Better Off Roading Capabilities
Electric tricycles aren’t always the best choice for extensive offroading activities like mountain biking or riding through rugged mountain trails. That said, a full-suspension electric trike can keep you safe and comfortable when going fully off-road.
This is thanks to the impact absorption capabilities and the fact that it forces the wheels to stay in contact with the ground. You have better traction with a full-suspension electric trike which prevents the trike from slipping and getting stuck in various types of terrain.
Also, thanks to the wider contact area, electric trikes make for great utility vehicles when transporting cargo offroad. You can carry things like camping supplies and gear on a full-suspension electric trike better than a regular tricycle.
Better Cargo Loading
Speaking of cargo, a full suspension system can work wonders when you’re transporting different types of cargo.
The impact absorption capabilities, for instance, help you transport fragile cargo on a full suspension e-trike safely and comfortably. This can be anything from quail eggs to pet cats and dogs. The full suspension system guarantees these items and pets stay safe and comfortable during transport.
Other than that, the full suspension system allows you to load larger and heavier items without any issues. You don’t have to worry about strapping larger items too much. This is because the suspension system will dampen any impacts and prevent your cargo from falling over.
Also, the full suspension allows your cargo to be a bit more capable. This means you can actually test the limits of a full-suspension electric tricycle.
Comparing Regular Electric Tricycles to Full Suspension Electric Trikes
One of the most noticeable improvements of a full-suspension electric tricycle is ride comfort. Thanks to this, full-suspension electric trikes are great for seniors and people with limited physical fitness and endurance.
The full suspension system reduces discomfort and minimizes impacts and vibrations. So whether that’s going through a pothole, speed bump or rocks, you won’t feel their effect as much. The shock absorbers take in the brunt of these impacts and cushion the ride.
This means you can ride more comfortably. The full suspension system prevents RSIs (Repetitive Strain Injuries). It helps anybody ride for longer hours without hurting their knees or back. This applies to seniors and the mobility-challenged as well.
Apart from comfort, full-suspension electric trikes are better than regular trikes in ways like:
- Terrain Handling: Regular electric trikes with a front fork can only do one type of terrain better: that’s smooth paved roads. Meanwhile, full-suspension electric trikes provide better traction and stability for many terrains. This includes sand, snow, loose gravel, mud and more.
- Extra Stability: The full suspension system offers better control during wheel lift, tilting and cornering. This allows it to maintain more stability and handling during difficult conditions and emergencies.
- Durability: Impacts and vibrations can also affect the trike frame and other components, not just the rider. This can affect the long-term durability of the frame, battery and motor since the constant barrage of forces can degrade the structural integrity.
- Cost: This is the only factor that’s holding down the full-suspension electric trike. The extra components and shock absorbers are difficult for manufacturers to set up. So despite the many benefits and return on investment, you’ll have to pay a larger amount upfront.
The Best Electric Trike of 2024
An unavoidable fact about full suspension e-trikes is the price tag. There’s no getting around it, you’ll have to spend a bit extra to enjoy these benefits.
That said, you shouldn’t have to spend a fortune on getting a full-suspension electric tricycle. Most manufacturers and brands try to market the full suspension setup as the end-all-be-all solution and give them absurdly high price tags.
Fortunately, this is not the case with the Addmotor GRANDTAN X. Addmotor provides the best full-suspension electric trike that will make for a significant investment in your future.
So let’s learn more about the GRANDTAN X and how it can improve your day-to-day activities.
Best Features About the GRANDTAN X
The GRANDTAN X E-Trike is one of the few quality full-suspension electric trikes that live up to the promise. Crafted on the solid foundation of the previous GRANDTAN models, it takes comfort and stability to the next level.
The GRANDTAN X Trike has an Addshox front fork suspension along with two shock absorbers in the rear. This new configuration improves ride stability by 100% and completely minimizes issues with wheel lift and tilting.
Other than that, the GRANDTAN X manages to impress with features like:
- 750W Rear Mounted Motor: The GRANDTAN X comes with the same powerful motor you can find in previous iterations. This motor has 1,400W of peak power and 90 Nm of torque.
- 960Wh Battery Pack: The battery pack is also familiar. It boasts a 48V/20Ah setup that can guarantee 40-85 miles on a full charge (at PAS level 1). Also, the battery is swappable and comes with a UL-2271 safety certification.
- 380lb Payload Capacity: The GRANDTAN X can support a passenger as heavy as 280 lbs on the front and leave an extra 100 lbs worth of weight capacity for the rear rack. It’s an amazing option for delivery riders and off-road campers. Also, the GRANDTAN X has a strong trailer tube for towing trailers.
Wrapping Up
Full suspension electric trikes are somewhat of a rarity and most people don’t normally go for these. Many beginner riders consider these to be too expensive or unnecessary.
That said, most off-road enthusiasts, bikepackers, seniors and campers will disagree. A full-suspension electric trike is a great option for navigating harsh terrain without hurting yourself and your precious cargo.
Besides, it’s the safest option for seniors and physically challenged individuals. The full suspension setup guarantees to minimize RSIs and prevent the trike from falling over.
So if you’re considering safety, stability and comfort as a priority, be sure to invest in a full-suspension electric trike. These can do wonders to improve your riding experience and let you keep riding for longer distances without fatigue.
Addmotor recommends their GRANDTAN X as the best full-suspension electric trike. The GRANDTAN X builds upon the solid foundation of the previous GRANDTAN models but overhauls comfort thanks to the full suspension setup.
