1 Year Frame and Motor, 6 Month Components and Battery
Availability:
United States, Canada, Worldwide
Model Year:
20152016
Rating:
7.5
Bicycle Details
Total Weight:
85 lbs (38.55 kg)
Frame Material:
Chromoly Steel
Frame Sizes:
17 in (43.18 cm)
Frame Types:
Step-Thru, Trike
Frame Colors:
Metallic Blue, Metallic Silver, Metallic Black
Frame Fork Details:
Rigid, Steel
Attachment Points:
Rear Rack Bosses, Fender Bosses
Gearing Details:
6
Speed 1x6 Shimano Tourney TX
Shifter Details:
Shimano SIS Index Thumb Shifter on Right
Pedals:
Plastic Platform, Folding
Stem:
Quill, Aluminum Alloy
Handlebar:
Mini-Cruiser
Brake Details:
V-Brake on Front, Drum Brakes on Rear, Wuxing Mechanical Levers with Motor Inhibitors
Grips:
Hard Rubber, Semi-Ergonomic
Saddle:
Oversized Comfort with Swivel Lever
Tire Brand:
Kenda Hybrid, 26" x 1.75" Front, 24" x 1.75" Rear
Wheel Sizes:
26 in (66.04cm)24 in (60.96cm)
Tube Details:
Schrader Valve
Accessories:
Full Length Matching Aluminum Alloy Fenders with Mud Flaps, Plastic Chain Guard, Bar Mounted Front Basket, Large Rear Mounted Cargo Basket, Classic Bell, Integrated LED Headlight, Fold-Forward Seat for Easy Battery Access
The Daymak Florence is one of the few electric tricycles I’ve had the pleasure to test ride. For that alone, it’s a solid offering! Trikes offer improved stability and superior hauling capacity compared with two-wheeled electric bicycles but they also tend to weigh more and don’t go as fast. The florence is upwards of 85 lbs making it difficult to transport or maneuver unless you’re riding it. Unlike some other e-trikes and kits that offer reverse mode, the Florence only goes forward but it does have a throttle and pedal assist so you can either sit back and cruise around like a scooter or join in by pedaling to get a workout and extend your range. I love that it comes with full length aluminum fenders that are paint matched to the frame and that it has an integrated headlight for safety but it would be nice to see a tail-light as well. I noticed that the keys have to be left in the battery while riding and this means they can jingle around a bit or get snagged but they aren’t really in the way like some other ebikes I’ve tested. Considering the ~$2k price tag and $200 or $400 shipping cost to Canada or the US respectively, this isn’t the most affordable bike but you do get a powerful motor and battery… at least in terms of rating. I felt like the motor was just average and the limited top speed of 15.5 mph is fairly typical of electric trikes but not super impressive for more active riders. If you’re looking for an ebike with lots of utility from a company that has been around since 2002 and offers a decent warranty, the Florence could be one of the best choices on offer but you might also consider building your own with the E-Trike kit from E-BikeKit if you’re looking for a different style of frame or need that reverse feature.
Powering the Florence is an impressively rated 500 watt planetary geared hub motor mounted in the front wheel. I was a bit confused when reviewing the bike in person because a store rep said it was 250 watt but the website and a marketing rep later said it’s actually 500. I can understand why the store tech might have been confused because it’s not that powerful or fast. Part of this is purposeful, they limited the speed because of the type of riding most trike users do, slower and cargo-hauling with groceries etc. I suppose it’s possible that the motor is actually 250 nominal and 500 peak but can’t really say… In short, it moved me just fine but ramped up a bit slower than some other performance bikes with 500 watt motors I’ve tested. This might be a good thing because it’s front-mounted and these designs can sometimes spin out if the torque is significant. The motor whirrs a bit when in use but is otherwise non-intrusive. There’s a quick disconnect point in the power line going to the motor so you can more easily take the front wheel off for servicing the spokes, rim and tire and this front wheel is larger than the rear at 26″ vs 24″. This offers the benefit of lowering the rear basket and improving stability and pedaling torque. Unlike some other electric trikes I’ve reviewed, this one offers multiple speeds (six in total) with a basic Shimano Tourney TX derailleur. It’s a decent range for hill climbing and low-speed riding around town and the oversized thumb shifter is easy to use even if you’re wearing gloves.
One of the more impressive hardware features on the Florence is the 48 volt 12 amp hour battery pack! It offers quite a bit of juice for extended rides and hauling larger loads which is great given the heavier build here. The cells are Lithium-ion which is regarded for being long lasting and relatively light weight. The pack isn’t super light but is removable when unlocked, just flip the saddle forward with the little silver lever that’s built into the rail mount then use the plastic handle on the battery to slide it up. This is a nice feature given the larger size of the trike, it probably isn’t easy to bring inside (though the wheelbase is designed to fit through most standard sized doors) and is too heavy to carry up stairs. If you’re storing the bike for longer periods, keeping the battery in a cool dry environment and at ~50% charged will help extend its life. I like that they designed the frame in such a way that the battery is kept low, center and protected. The weight distribution is good and unlike some other packs, this one doesn’t raise the basket or take up space that could otherwise be used for storage.
Operating the Daymak Florence electric bike is very very easy… You charge the battery, mount it to the frame and turn the key to on then pedal or twist the throttle to get going. There aren’t any assist levels to choose from or extra steps to mess with on the display panel, it basically only shows your charge level with six dots. As discussed earlier, this is sort of a blessing and a curse because it’s nice to know how far you’ve gone or how fast you’re going. Some ebikes have clocks, temperature readouts and estimated range functions but with this trike you’re left with the basics. I would like a way to adjust the pedal assist or turn it on and off but at least it has pedal assist. The cadence sensor that activates assist only has five magnets where other ebikes are offering six or even 12 for faster activation and smoother starts. The lower torque and top speed here help to reduce the perceived limitations of the cadence sensor so it’s all good. The twist throttle is a full-grip design vs. half-twist on most other ebikes. Keep in mind that it could activate accidentally as you approach the bike if you’re using the handle for stability. I do like the step-thru frame design because it means you don’t have to swing your leg up and over the basket. There’s only one frame size available for this bike and it sounds like they have black and silver frames (the blue one in this review was the last one they had).
There’s definitely room for improvement with this trike but I’m not sure it’s necessary… It was fun to ride, stable, easy to understand and use and even had a few upgrades. I’ve seen other trikes that have saddles with backrests to improve support and stability and you can add one of those yourself for $50 from Amazon if you’d like. It would be nice to have a bottle cage mount on the trike somewhere but with two large baskets (front and rear) you can just toss your supplies and water in there. I think my biggest gripe is the price and steep shipping cost… if the motor felt more powerful or it had a more advanced display or there was a back light and reverse I’d feel like the cost was more warranted. Still, it’s one of only a handful of e-trikes even being sold right now and Daymak has a large network of dealers in the Canada so maybe you can avoid the shipping. It gets the job done, looks great and is more capable in terms of range and lifespan than some trikes with Sealed Lead Acid batteries. It could be a great choice for someone looking for improved mobility and range over a traditional non-electric trike, especially with those six pedal speeds to choose from. One other gripe is the inclusion of drum brakes in the rear vs. v-brake (used on the front wheel) they are difficult to pull and don’t stop you as quickly so make sure you pull both brakes when stopping and get used to them before going too fast ;)
Pros:
Extremely stable and easy to mount, not only do you have three wheels but the frame is also a step-thru so you don’t have to swing your leg over the back basket
The two rear wheels are smaller at 24″ vs. the front 26″ wheel and this allows the basket to be mounted lower making it easier to load and more stable while riding
While the steal frame is heavier than aluminum it’s very sturdy and dampens vibration, I’m glad that the fork is also steel because this holds the hub motor and is recommended on most kits I’ve reviewed (vs. aluminum or a suspension fork)
The paint job is beautiful and I love that all three fenders are made from aluminum and painted to match perfectly, they also include rubber mudflaps on the end that bend if kicked accidentally
Lots of reflectors… the pedals are covered and both of the back two fenders have them, on the front you’ve got a basic light which runs off the main battery pack nice (most bicycle accidents happen from the front so this is great for safety but rear lights would also be nice)
I really like the small cruiser handlebar because it allows you to ride with a comfortable upright position and not reach so far out or lean over (which can make your back and neck sore)
Comfortable soft saddle and nice semi-ergonomic rubber grips, I’m not a huge fan of the “entire bar throttle” vs. a half-grip twist throttle but this won’t bother everyone and it works fine
Mid-mounted battery is low which improves stability, I like that it can be charged on or off the frame and while I wish the key didn’t have to be left in while riding I like that it’s mostly out of the way, if you do have to remove the battery the seat flips up so it’s very quick and easy
A semi-transparent chain guard protects your pants or dress from getting greasy or snagged while riding, this is especially important for a low-step frame
The width of the Florence is kept just narrow enough to fit through most standard doors (on houses or stores) so you can wheel it inside easily to avoid exposure to the elements
Cons:
The key must be left in the battery pack in order to power the bike on, it can jingle around a bit which produces extra noise and may scratch the frame or battery but it mostly stays out of the way
Some trike style bicycles have parking brake features built in so you can load the baskets without the bike rolling around, this bike does not offer that feature unfortunately
The rear drum/band brakes aren’t as strong as the front v-brake (they require more hand force to fully engage) but there are two of them which helps, all brakes are mechanical which requires extra energy compared with hydraulic
Being a trike, there’s an extra wheel and more frame material here (which is steel) and that adds weight, this ebike may be difficult to transport or move compared to a two-wheeled electric bike
The folding plastic pedals seem out of place on a non-folding trike (likely used to save on costs), I’d prefer large metal platform pedals like these Wellgo pedals for better traction and stiffness
Offers a lower top speed than most two wheeled e-bikes in America and Canada, at ~15.5 mph you’re probably safer with loaded baskets and won’t tip as easily but you also won’t get there as fast, also the cadence sensor only has five magnets so it’s not as responsive as some others I’ve tested with 12 magnets
Some electric trikes offer a reverse mode so you don’t have to push the bike backwards manually after you’ve parked at a rack or in a garage etc. if that’s an important feature for you then consider this kit from E-BikeKit
Minor gripe here but there’s no bottle cage mounting point on the downtube or seat tube so if you have a mini-pump, lock or water bottle you would probably need to put it in one of the baskets (which works great!)
There are no readouts for speed, odometer other ride statistics, the display on this bike is extremely basic and just estimates your battery charge level using six dots
This trike saddle doesn’t have an integrated backrest which could be nice for stability (I see these on some other e-trikes I review), you could always get one aftermarket like this if you feel the need for improved support
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I think the lower top speed is also in deference to the fact that any tricycle with one wheel in front is much more likely to flip over during tight cornering because you cannot lean into the turns. That is why a lot of three wheeled recumbents have two wheels in front, even though that makes the steering mechanism more complex.
Anyone riding this kind of trike should be forewarned to take it easy on curves. This trike might generally feel nice and stable, but when pushed to its limits, the results could suddenly become disastrous.
You’re completely right Nirmala, great point there… I feel safer on tadpole style recumbent trikes, even at higher speed, compared to the single wheel at the front design we see with the Florence and other tricycles. Thanks for chiming in ;)
I recently bought and received today a brand new Daymak Florence Fat Tire e-trike for my wife. She is disabled and cannot ride a 2 wheel bike. She really had her heart set on this.
I went to test ride it first so I could tell her what to watch out for. I own two ebikes already and have owned a few different models before so I had some measure of experience.
Well, I couldn’t control the damned thing at even the lowest power assist setting, it just took off as soon as I started to pedal. I almost hit a parked car on our street.
I phoned the vendor, TSC, who offers a 30 day return-refund and I explained the issue. They were at a loss to explain the trike’s behaviour and could not offer any repair services, so I had to initiate a product return. There is just no way I could let my wife try this trike and possibly fall off or collide with something.
Daymak really needs to step up their QC on their products. While the rest of the bike seems to be ok, the power assist pedaling function still seems to be something of a terrible, potentially fatal lab experiment.
So now I have to try to find some other suitable power assisted trike so my wife and I can bike together. Thanks Daymak for letting us down.
Hi George, thanks for taking the time to share this experience with us. I noticed that Daymak had a lot of “entry level” products that were prioritizing value and using basic parts. I’m glad you tested the trike before handing off to your wife… and I’m so sorry that it didn’t deliver on the excitement and hope that she had. Do check out the products at ElectricTrike.com including the Liberty Trike. Maybe there’s a product available at a similarly low price but with a bit more quality or control for her.
Hi John, great question! I’m not sure about the Daymak Florence. Most ebikes are rated to 250lbs or maybe 300lbs? Some trikes can support more weight. I’m not sure if this one can be broken down to save space, but here’s a folding electric trike that’s designed to be more portable if that’s what you’re looking for :)
I bough a Florence 3 years ago, and withing a year, the front (motor) wheel needed replacing. Daymak honoured the warranty, and installed a new wheel. Only problem was, they installed the cheapest wheel they could get their hands on, and all the spokes have rusted.
I’ve spent hours trying to clean them. I’ve also had problems with the brake cables shredding, and the adjustment screws threading. (I do like it, however.)
Hi Ken! Wow, I’m glad you’re enjoying the bike… bit of up and down from the purchase, to the wheel replacement, rusting, and the brake cables, but you’ve got a great attitude. Thanks for the update, I hope your Florence continues to function well enough for you to keep on riding and smiling :)
Nirmala
9 years agoI think the lower top speed is also in deference to the fact that any tricycle with one wheel in front is much more likely to flip over during tight cornering because you cannot lean into the turns. That is why a lot of three wheeled recumbents have two wheels in front, even though that makes the steering mechanism more complex.
Anyone riding this kind of trike should be forewarned to take it easy on curves. This trike might generally feel nice and stable, but when pushed to its limits, the results could suddenly become disastrous.
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoYou’re completely right Nirmala, great point there… I feel safer on tadpole style recumbent trikes, even at higher speed, compared to the single wheel at the front design we see with the Florence and other tricycles. Thanks for chiming in ;)
ReplyShawn
7 years agoThis client is not happy with his Daymak and I personally know this guy, I think he deserves a refund.
ReplyCourt Rye
7 years agoThanks for sharing Shawn, I hope they improve their product and are able to help your friend :)
ReplyGeorge
6 years agoI recently bought and received today a brand new Daymak Florence Fat Tire e-trike for my wife. She is disabled and cannot ride a 2 wheel bike. She really had her heart set on this.
I went to test ride it first so I could tell her what to watch out for. I own two ebikes already and have owned a few different models before so I had some measure of experience.
Well, I couldn’t control the damned thing at even the lowest power assist setting, it just took off as soon as I started to pedal. I almost hit a parked car on our street.
I phoned the vendor, TSC, who offers a 30 day return-refund and I explained the issue. They were at a loss to explain the trike’s behaviour and could not offer any repair services, so I had to initiate a product return. There is just no way I could let my wife try this trike and possibly fall off or collide with something.
Daymak really needs to step up their QC on their products. While the rest of the bike seems to be ok, the power assist pedaling function still seems to be something of a terrible, potentially fatal lab experiment.
So now I have to try to find some other suitable power assisted trike so my wife and I can bike together. Thanks Daymak for letting us down.
ReplyCourt
5 years agoHi George, thanks for taking the time to share this experience with us. I noticed that Daymak had a lot of “entry level” products that were prioritizing value and using basic parts. I’m glad you tested the trike before handing off to your wife… and I’m so sorry that it didn’t deliver on the excitement and hope that she had. Do check out the products at ElectricTrike.com including the Liberty Trike. Maybe there’s a product available at a similarly low price but with a bit more quality or control for her.
ReplyJohn Lockwood
5 years agoWhat is the weight capacity and can you break it down if need to?
ReplyCourt
5 years agoHi John, great question! I’m not sure about the Daymak Florence. Most ebikes are rated to 250lbs or maybe 300lbs? Some trikes can support more weight. I’m not sure if this one can be broken down to save space, but here’s a folding electric trike that’s designed to be more portable if that’s what you’re looking for :)
ReplyGabriel Castillo
4 years agoLooking for Florence e Tribune 500 watt.
ReplyKen
3 years agoI bough a Florence 3 years ago, and withing a year, the front (motor) wheel needed replacing. Daymak honoured the warranty, and installed a new wheel. Only problem was, they installed the cheapest wheel they could get their hands on, and all the spokes have rusted.
I’ve spent hours trying to clean them. I’ve also had problems with the brake cables shredding, and the adjustment screws threading. (I do like it, however.)
ReplyCourt
3 years agoHi Ken! Wow, I’m glad you’re enjoying the bike… bit of up and down from the purchase, to the wheel replacement, rusting, and the brake cables, but you’ve got a great attitude. Thanks for the update, I hope your Florence continues to function well enough for you to keep on riding and smiling :)
Reply