Seattle-based EVELO has been crafting premium direct-to-consumer electric bikes since 2011, setting themselves apart with innovative features and an industry-leading 4-year/20,000-mile warranty. With a knack for equipping their bikes with advanced drivetrains and mid-drive motors, EVELO appeals to consumers seeking performance and quality over budget-driven competitors.
The Compass, EVELO’s only three-wheeled trike offering, breaks away from the market standard of hub motors and basic drivetrains that often leave riders wanting more. Instead, the Compass delivers a 120 Nm torque monster from its mid-drive motor, paired with a Shimano 3-speed internally geared hub and a unique rear axle differential that sends equal power to both rear wheels. Add dual battery capacity and the ability to haul over 350 lbs of payload, and the Compass positions itself as the premium option for those who want the best electric trike money can buy.
So, with a week of rides and testing under my belt with the EVELO Compass, let’s dive into all the specs and highlights—and see if there are areas to improve—in this comprehensive review.
My Experience Riding The Heybike Ranger 3.0 Pro E-Bike
I was sent the gloss white version of the Compass—hopefully you like white because that’s your only option with this one-color, one-size-fits-most setup. The ride position is upright and relaxed, with a surprisingly comfortable tan leather saddle that really helps keep things pleasant on longer rides. That low 15″ standover height makes mounting and dismounting way easier than a traditional bike, and those parking brake features keep everything rock-steady while you’re getting on and off.
EVELO claims this fits riders from 4’10” to 6’2″, which is pretty ambitious, but at 5’11” I never felt like it was the wrong size—not too cramped, not too stretched out. The fit worked well for me throughout the size range.
Even without any suspension, the ride is surprisingly smooth thanks to those chunky 24″ x 2.4″ tires and that comfy saddle. Now, here’s something I always test with trikes—the dreaded tipping point. Every delta trike (one front wheel, two rear) has that moment where physics takes over if you get too aggressive in corners. What made me curious about the Compass was those 24″ wheels instead of the more common 20″ size, which raises the center of gravity by about 4 inches.
So, does that higher center-of-gravity make it more tippy?
Turns out, no.
I did my usual series of increasingly aggressive corner tests, starting slow and ramping up speed until I felt that the inside rear wheel start to lift. The Compass held its composure until around 13-14 mph before things got sketchy—that’s actually a solid result. Most folks aren’t going to attempt tight corners anywhere near that speed on a trike anyway, so for normal riding, the Compass handles its size and higher center of gravity just fine. I felt confident hitting turns throughout my test rides.
One of the coolest features (beyond that mid-drive motor) is the Shimano Nexus 3-speed internal hub. No finicky rear derailleur to deal with—just a simple twist shifter that controls three speeds tucked away inside a sealed hub unit. Less maintenance, less mess, less tinkering than traditional setups. It’s perfect for the target audience.
While my test bike came with just one battery, there’s actually space for two under that rear rack to double your range if needed. Pretty slick setup.
Bottomline, the Compass rides stable and smooth with serious low-end grunt for hauling loads up to that 350-lb payload capacity. It does it all with a confidence that trike riders will definitely appreciate. This thing genuinely feels like a premium ride, and if you’re shopping for a high-end electric trike, the EVELO Compass should absolutely be on your radar.
Range
Estimated Range (from Evelo): Up to 40 miles
Real World Range Test Results:
- MIN Test: 45 miles
EVELO says the Compass will get you up to 40 miles on a single charge, though they’re pretty vague about what conditions that’s based on. Safe bet it’s the usual ideal scenario stuff—flat roads, average-sized rider, babying the throttle.
Well, I actually beat their estimate. At 180 lbs, I took this thing out on a flat paved bike path, stuck it in PAS 1, and managed to squeeze 45 miles out of it before the battery gave up. That’s 5 extra miles beyond what EVELO promised, which honestly doesn’t happen very often in the e-bike world where manufacturers can get pretty creative with their range claims.
Your results are gonna vary, obviously. Crank it up to PAS 5 or get throttle-happy and you’ll watch that battery drain way faster. Throw in some hills or a stiff headwind, and forget about it. But hey, it’s nice knowing you can actually get more than they advertise under decent conditions. For most folks, that 40+ mile range is gonna be plenty for daily rides or longer weekend adventures. And if you spring for the second battery? You’re looking at 80+ miles—enough range to get into some real trouble.
Power (Motor & Battery)
The heart of the Compass is a Bafang BBS02 mid-drive motor—a 500W unit that peaks at 960W with a hefty 105 Nm of torque. What surprised me was discovering this is a cadence sensor-based mid-drive, which isn’t something you see super often these days. But honestly, I think it works better for this application. Most trike riders aren’t chasing that refined, natural pedal feel you’d want on a high-end road bike—they want something easy, stable, and reliable to get around town, and this delivers exactly that.
The low-end grunt is impressive. Hills that would make you sweat on a regular bike become no big deal, and you get a confident, smooth start from stops without feeling too aggressive. Just keep it reasonable—fire this thing up in PAS 5 from a dead stop and it gets a bit jumpy, so stick to the lower assist levels when you’re starting out. The cadence sensor needs about half a crank rotation to kick in the power, which feels natural enough, and the motor cuts out immediately when you hit the brakes for safety.
As for top speed, EVELO advertises 20 mph, but I consistently maxed out at 19 mph—close enough for government work. The five PAS levels give you plenty of flexibility to dial in exactly how much help you want.
Powering all this is a 48V 10.5Ah battery pack (504Wh total), mounted below the rear rack with room for a second battery if you want to double your range. Nice touch: there’s an external LED display on the battery that shows charge level without having to plug it in or slide it into the bike—way more convenient than fumbling around trying to check battery status. The battery isn’t UL certified, but EVELO says it’s built to UL certification standards, which is something at least.
Components
The Compass uses a solid foundation of components that prioritize durability and ease of use over flashy specs. The hydroformed aluminum 6061 T6 frame keeps weight reasonable while providing plenty of strength for that 350-lb payload capacity. Those 24″ wheels with extra-wide rims and heavy-duty 13-gauge spokes are built to handle serious loads without flexing or breaking spokes—important when you’re hauling cargo or dealing with the unique stresses of trike geometry.
The CST Cyclops tires (24″ x 2.4″) with aramid flat protection strike a nice balance between comfort and puncture resistance. They’re wide enough to provide cushioning without suspension while giving you confidence that road debris won’t strand you miles from home. The composite fenders aren’t fancy, but they’ll keep you dry and clean without adding much weight.
That memory foam saddle deserves a nod of approval, it’s genuinely comfortable for longer rides, and the wide design works well with the upright riding position. The ape-hanger style handlebars might look a bit retro, but they put you in a relaxed, natural position that reduces strain on your back and wrists.
The Tektro MD-M300 mechanical disc brakes with 180mm rotors front and rear actually worked great during my testing. They provided solid, predictable stopping power and never left me wanting more bite. The integrated brake sensors that cut motor power when you squeeze the levers are a nice safety touch.
But, I also need to be honest with you all, while these brakes perform well, I think hydraulic disc brakes would make more sense on this bike. Yeah, both mechanical and hydraulic systems need maintenance, but hydraulics would give you better modulation and more consistent feel—especially important on a heavy trike where stopping power really matters. At this price point, hydraulics feel like they should be standard equipment.
Now for the tech that really sets this trike apart—that rear differential system. Most delta trikes just send power to one rear wheel, which can cause issues with traction and handling, especially on loose surfaces or when turning. The Compass actually drives both rear wheels simultaneously through what appears to be a mechanical differential system.
Think of it like a car’s differential—when you’re going straight, both wheels get equal power. When you turn, the outer wheel needs to spin faster than the inner wheel to maintain traction without scrubbing. A traditional single-wheel-drive trike can struggle here because the powered wheel might lose traction while the unpowered wheel just drags along. With power going to both rear wheels through a proper differential, you get better traction, more predictable handling, and less tire wear.
It’s honestly pretty clever engineering that addresses one of the fundamental weaknesses of most electric trikes. Whether you’ll notice the difference day-to-day depends on your riding style and terrain, but it’s the kind of thoughtful feature that justifies calling this a premium trike.
Screen / User Interface / App
The Compass comes equipped with a 3.2″ IPS display (DPC-18) that keeps things refreshingly simple. It’s bright and easy to read while you’re riding, which is really all you need from a display. No squinting at tiny numbers or struggling to see what’s going on when you’re moving.
All the basics are covered: current speed, elapsed time, real-time power output in watts, odometer, PAS level (numbered 1-5, not fancy names like “eco” or “turbo”), and remaining battery charge. It’s a straightforward setup that gives you the info you actually need without getting cluttered with features you’ll never use.
There’s no mobile app integration here—this is old-school, button-controlled simplicity. Some folks might miss having smartphone connectivity or the ability to track rides through an app, but honestly, it’s kind of refreshing to just get on and ride without worrying about Bluetooth connections or app updates.
The display is mounted in portrait orientation with physical button controls that are easy to operate even with gloves on. There’s also a USB charging port built in, which is handy for keeping your phone topped off during longer rides.
If you’re looking for high-tech features like GPS tracking, smartphone integration, or advanced ride analytics, you’ll need to look elsewhere. But if you just want a clear, reliable display that shows you what you need to know, the Compass delivers exactly that.
Evelo Compass Model Options
EVELO keeps things simple with the Compass—it’s a one-size-fits-most, one-color deal. That color happens to be a really nice pearl white with subtle metallic flakes that catch the light when the sun hits it just right. Combined with those tan leather accents on the saddle and contact points, it’s actually a pretty classy look that should age well.
The bike comes loaded with everything you need right out of the box: full fenders front and rear, that substantial rear cargo basket, and integrated lighting from front to back. Even the tire tubes come with thorn-resistant protection to help keep you rolling instead of fixing flats on the side of the road.
EVELO offers some thoughtful accessories if you want to customize your ride. The obvious one is that second battery for the dual battery slot under the rear basket—double your range if you’re planning longer adventures. For comfort upgrades, there’s a Cane Creek Thudbuster suspension seatpost to smooth out rough roads, and an even wider Selle Royal saddle if you want maximum cushioning. They even offer an EVELO brass bell if you want to complete that classic look.
Here’s where EVELO really stands out from the pack. They back the Compass with a massive 4-year/20,000-mile warranty—easily the best coverage I’ve seen in the e-bike world. Even better, they give you 21 days to try it at home with no restocking fees if it’s not the right fit. That’s serious peace of mind when you’re dropping over $4,000 on a trike. It shows EVELO has confidence in their product and actually stands behind what they’re selling,
Is The Evelo Compass Trike Worth Buying?
The EVELO Compass is clearly positioned as the premium option for folks who want more than just basic three-wheel transportation. This isn’t your typical budget trike—it’s built for riders who appreciate the difference between getting by and getting it right.
That Bafang mid-drive motor with 105 Nm of torque handles hills and cargo hauling with confidence that hub motor trikes just can’t match. The Shimano internal gear hub keeps things smooth and low-maintenance, while those quality tubed tires with flat protection mean fewer roadside repairs. But it’s that rear differential sending equal power to both wheels that really sets this apart—most trikes leave you dealing with single-wheel power limitations that the Compass simply doesn’t have.
At over $4,000, the Compass isn’t cheap, but EVELO backs it up with features and coverage that justify the premium pricing. The 4-year/20,000-mile warranty is genuinely industry-leading, and that 21-day trial period gives you real peace of mind to test it thoroughly at home. If you’re shopping for a high-end electric trike that delivers on performance, comfort, and reliability, the Compass should be at the top of your list. It’s simply a trike that gives you more—more power, more features, more confidence, and more peace of mind with that trial period to make sure it’s the right fit.
Pros
- This trike comes equipped with a mid-drive motor, which you don’t see every day in trikes, giving it a unique edge.
- It uses a Shimano internal gear hub, making shifting smooth and easy while cutting down on maintenance hassles.
- The warranty is top-notch, covering 4 years or 20,000 miles, and you get a 21-day trial period with no restocking fees, plus support available every day of the week.
- With its rear differential, both back wheels get power, which boosts traction and stability.
- You can add a second battery for an impressive range of over 80 miles, perfect for longer rides.
- The 24-inch wheels are larger than the usual 20-inch ones on trikes, so they handle bumps, curbs, and rough roads much better.
- While the mechanical disc brakes do the job well enough, I couldn’t help but feel hydraulic brakes would be a better match for a trike at this price.
Cons
- Mechanical Disc Brakes, while sufficient, left me thinking Hydraulics would be a better fit at this price point.
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