An economical recumbent etrike with a focus on comfort as well as stability with suspension, chair like seating position, and extra strong chromoly frame design rated to carry 400lbs
Open platform allows you to swap battery brands, adjust the top speed and amp flow to change performance vs. efficiency, large bright display panel is easy to work with
A nice SRAM GX derailleur, triple ring setup for 21 gearing combinations, 3 brakes with 2 in the rear and 1 in the front, and reliable electrical system
The display panel is mounted more securely but you have to glance away from the road to read it, the grip shift is difficult to actuate with pinky and ring fingers, and it is somewhat heavy and hard to maneuver in tight spaces
Video Review
Introduction
Make:
Electric Bike Technologies
Model:
Electric EZ-3 HD
Price:
$2,968
($250 Shipping, Fully Assembled Ready to Ride)
20 mph (32 kph)(Adjustable Speed, PAS Sensitivity, Current)
Written Review
To run the forums, host the website, and travel, I charge a universal service fee for my reviews. This review was sponsored by Electric Bike Technologies. My goal is to be transparent and unbiased, this video and written review are not meant to be an endorsement of Electric Bike Technologies products.
Electric Bike Technologies has definitely become a leader in trikes thanks to products like the Eco Delta and Liberty Trike. Today we are looking at the EZ-3 HD, a delta style trike made to help people get out and enjoy the day that would normally have a difficult time doing so. The trike features a very sturdy chromoly frame design, capable of withstanding a 400lb weight limit. It does this by using a truss like setup with multiple tubes for stability and maneuverability. The trike is very easy to get on and off of with its recumbent design and even keeps the handle bars within easy grasp since they come up from the seat. It is quite an impressive design with an overall focus of durability, comfort, and reliability. As I just mentioned, the handlebars are uniquely mounted, sort of upside down and backwards, but this allows the rider to get on and off very easy and positions them for this seating that thankfully resembles more of a chair than a narrow bicycle seat. Once seated the you can see the display on your left and throttle on the right. That throttle is mounted on top of the handle for your thumb to hit, and the brake handles are nice and long so you can actuate them easily. However, it is not an entirely clean setup with the wires going everywhere. The seat here is extremely comfortable. It features mesh backing with a lot of bracing while the bottom itself is very wide and plush, plus, it can be slid back and forth much like a seat in a car so you can find the perfect pedal extension. Also assisting in the comfort aspect is the the mid frame suspension, which helps absorb a lot of bumps. The wheels do a great job too, you get a set of Maxxis 20” x 1.95” tires that have an incredibly high volume. They are rated for a massive 85-110psi which can carry a load of a possible heavier rider while avoiding pinch flats other tires would attract. I love all the other little touches here like the tubing around the chain to keep your clothing and legs clean from grease, really such a simple touch that goes a long way. The pedals here are a metal and plastic combination which works well… and I have to call out this separate controller. This helps keep maintenance costs down while making battery replacement cheap and easy as well.
Driving the trike is a direct drive front hub-drive 500 watt motor. This works great in this application and gives it a smooth handling feel, thanks to that extra long wheel base. You get a throttle override and 5 modes of pedal assist. The pedal assist is powered by a 12 magnet cadence sensor, so as you apply gentle pressure to the pedals, the electric motor will quickly jump in and take over. Mechanically, the trike is quite interesting. You have a total of 21 gear combinations, due to the 3 chain rings in the front as well as the SRAM X3 derailleur. The setup uses a 32 tooth, 42 tooth, and 52 tooth rings in combination with a 11-34 tooth cassette in the rear. Actual shifting is done via the grip shift on the right handlebar, but I did feel it was a little out of place because it is kind of tough to actuate since you will be using your two weakest fingers to do so, the pinky finger and ring finger. Stopping the EZ-3 HD is a set of 3 separate brakes. In the front you have a Promax V brake also known as a ‘cantilever’ style brake. In the rear however, you have a set of two Promax 300 160mm rotor mechanical disc brakes. Mechanical brakes are great for adjustment and they are also very easy to maintain, however, they do lack the immediate stopping power that hydraulic brakes have.
Powering the EZ-3 HD is a rear mounted lithium ion battery pack. As tested, we went with the 48v 10ah pack which comes in this great metal case. It is secured via not only lock and key but also has a metal plate that it can securely mount on. Electric Bike Technologies does offer both a 8ah version as well as a massive 20ah version on their site. The former option would be great if you want to cut overall cost on the bike while the later option will grant you more range on a single charge. It should be noted however, that the metal casing is only for the 10ah version we tested. Both the lower 8ah version and higher 20ah version come in a zipper bag rather than a metal case. To really care for this and other lithium-ion packs, I have heard that storing in a cool dry location vs. extreme heat or cold will extend the life and try to keep it about 50% full when not using for long periods so you won’t stress the cells. Try not to let it run down to zero, because that’s really hard on the cell chemistry.
Operating the trike is simple. Once the battery is mounted, start by turning the key in the on position. From there, the display will come to life and give you the read outs. The battery is shown across the top in 16 ticks. These ticks are in an infographic that somewhat resembles a ruler. Shown below that is you speed in MPH and the various levels of pedal assist you might be in, 0-5. To change the pedal assist, simply hit up or down on the arrow controls mounted on the left handle bar. Keep in mind, the pedal assist level controls the throttle too. This is great so if you are in a parking lot, or need to take it slow, you can have it… let’s say at level 2, and the throttle will go nice and easy without fast acceleration and keeps the top speed limited. Similarly, if you want to go full out, you can put it in level 5 and the throttle will act accordingly. Anyways, there is an odometer readout below that and pressing the mode button will change that to display max speed, average speed, and trip set. Hold the up and down arrows together for a moment and that will unlock the deep drive menu. Here you can mess with top speed as well as other electrical power configurations to really get the setup how you want it. I think it is cool they used a special mount for the display here. However, my only gripe with the display on this trike is that having it mounted on your left side and a bit further down means you have glance over at it and take your eyes off the road, so do be aware of that.
Wrapping up my time with the EZ-3 HD really made me happy such a trike exists. Whether you are looking to get out and explore again, or even a commuter that wants a recumbent style, this is a wonderful option. I want to mention the tradeoffs here though, so let’s go over those real quick. The trike is cumbersome, so moving it around a garage, storage, or tight spaces and corners is somewhat difficult, however, on the road going up to speed it does wonderful. The grip shift placement makes you feel like you have to use your two weakest fingers (ring and pinky) to actuate it. And it should be noted that the display is a bit out of the way, so much so that you may have to take your eyes off the road for a glance to read it, so do be aware of that. At the end of the day however, the EZ-3 HD was a lot of fun wrapped in an economical price. I love that it is backed by the same company that brought us E-Bike Kit as well as the Liberty Trike, they have quite the stellar customer service reputation here too. I would like to thank them for the opportunity to come out and check out the EZ-3 HD.
As always, I welcome questions and feedback in the comment section below. Whether you own a previous version of the bike, have taken a test ride, or are brand new to the space, my goal is to provide an objective and honest resource. You can also join the Electric Bike Technologies Ebike forums and share your own photos, videos, and review updates to help others! Have fun out there, and ride safe :)
Pros:
An economical trike with a focus on comfort as well as stability with suspension, chair like seating position, and extra strong chromoly frame design
Capable of withstanding a 400lb weight limit, it does this by using a truss like setup with multiple tubes for stability while maintaining maneuverability
The trike is very easy to get on and off of with its recumbent design and even keeps the handle bars within easy grasp since they come up from the seat
The handlebars are uniquely mounted, sort of upside down and backwards, but this allows the rider to get on and off very easy and positions them for this seating that thankfully resembles more of a chair than a narrow bicycle seat
A great improvement is the metal plate for mounting a battery, this places it in a better position than the previous model for weight distribution and saftey
You get 21 gear combinations to pedal with on this trike (along with an extra large 34 tooth sprocket in the back) which is great considering it weighs more, whether you’re climbing or striving to maintain the top assisted speed of 20 mph those gears will make it easier
In addition to the larger name brand tires (Maxxis Hookwork, nearly 2″ diameter) the padded saddle, flexible back rest and mid-frame bumper shock add to the comfort of the EZ-3 HD, that’s important if you’re a larger person or just traveling faster and further than on an unpowered trike
I love that the seat slides forward and back to accommodate different leg lengths and that you can adjust the back rest angle for comfort, I tend to ride upright myself
The wheels are reinforced with sturdy spokes (48 in the rear), reinforcement eyeletts and nipples to reduce cracking and breaking due to heavier loads and more force (especially the front wheel which has the motor spoked in)
Decent brakes with motor inhibitors in the brake levers and a parking latch so the trike won’t roll away, while the rear brakes are mechanical vs. hydraulic you do get two disc brakes vs. just one on Eco Delta
This e-trike gives you pedal assist, throttle on demand and has an open computer system allowing for integration with more after-market battery packs, you can also dial down the top speed and amp output for safety and efficiency
A 12 magnet cadence sensor detects pedal motion (and stops) much faster than some of the cheaper 6-magnet designs I’ve seen, because it’s cadence sensing you don’t need to push especially hard in order to activate the motor, you can just stretch your legs and pedal gently if you want but still get a boost
I think it’s great that you can order the EZ-3 HD completely converted to electric, shipped directly to you ready to ride… but Electric Bike Technologies also sells the kits on their own so you could convert an existing trike too (they even have video tutorials)
I like the pedals they chose for this trike because they offer good traction, more surface area, they match the frame and just seemed sturdier
Given the added mechanical forces and weight at plan in the front wheel, I like that Electric Bike Technologies added an oversized torque arm to the front fork
Cons:
There’s no rear rack to mount a trunk bag or pannier to, it’s one of the big trade-offs I’ve seen with the Electric Bike Technologies Delta trikes (that have two wheels in the back and one up front)
My only gripe with the display on this trike is that having it mounted on your left side and a bit further down means you have glance over at it and take your eyes off the road, so do be aware of that
I like the grip shift on the right handlebar, but I did feel it was a little out of place because it is kind of tough to actuate since you will be using your two weakest fingers to do so, the pinky finger and ring finger
The gearless hub motor they chose is powerful and seemed sturdy (they tend to be bulletproof) but adds more weight compared to geared and this impacts steering, when you let go of the bars the front wheel wants to flop to one side or the other so it takes a bit of extra arm strength to maneuver this thing
There are no integrated lights or flag pole accessories included here, these would be nice to have because they would improve convenience while enhancing safety… but you do get reflectors and the silver frame is more visible
You get a lot of bang for your buck with this trike but keep in mind their shipping is an extra $350 anywhere in the contiguous USA
The key must be left in the battery pack and switched to on when riding, it stays out of the way on this trike but might still jingle a bit if you’ve got a keychain attached
Because this bike uses a gearless hub motor, there is a bit of cogging (magnetic drag) happening with the front wheel vs. a geared hub motor
A tadpole trike with a focus on value as well as stability with efficient tires, recumbent seating position, and adjustments to get you dialed in. Open platform allows you to swap battery sizes, adjust the top speed and amp flow…...
A fat-tire front hub-motor powered electric trike that is purpose built for backwoods adventures or anything else you can come up with thanks to its powerful motor and large cargo rack in the rear. Comfortable as well as capable with the ergonomic grips, Velo comfort saddle, approachable step-through frame,…...
A tadpole trike with a focus on comfort as well as stability with fat tires, recumbent seating position, and adjustments to get you dialed in. Open platform allows you to swap battery sizes, adjust the top speed and amp flow…...
A fat-tire mid-drive powered electric trike that is purpose built for backwoods adventures or anything else you can come up with thanks to its powerful motor and large cargo rack in the rear. Comfortable as well as capable with the ergonomic grips, Velo comfort saddle, approachable step-through frame,…...
A performance trike with a focus on speed as well as stability with narrow tires, recumbent seating position, and chromoly frame design. Open platform allows you to swap battery sizes, adjust the top speed and amp flow…...
An electric folding bike with a powerful mid-drive motor and battery, easy to stow and use as a last mile vehicle, and some great features. Includes rear rack, fenders, lights, comfortable stitched grips, beautiful wire loom wraps and integration, and…...
An electric cruiser bike with a powerful mid-drive motor and battery, laid back and comfortable fun riding, and some great features. Includes rear rack, fenders, lights, comfortable faux leather stitched grips, Kenda cruising tires, beautiful wire…...
An electric hard tail mountain bike with front suspension, powerful mid-drive motor and battery, aggressive and fun riding, and some great features. Includes front suspension, great locking ergonomic grips, Kenda knobby tires, beautiful wire loom wraps and…...
A feature rich step-through commuter ebike that includes fenders, racks, integrated lights, and a front spring suspension fork, from the company that originally brought us the E-Bike Kit and the Liberty Trike. Features a reliable and smooth Dapu mid-drive, centered battery and motor, 48v lithium ion battery,…...
A value priced sturdy style electric delta trike with a lot of strength (300lb max weight), while remaining simple and using reliable proven systems. Both throttle and cadence based pedal assist available, can go slow to walk with crowds…...
A value priced recumbent style electric delta trike with a lot of adjustability, possible configurations, and thoughtful considerations. Comfortable recumbent style seating, adjustable telescoping main tube, adjustable handle bar, and the seat is…...
Hi John! Upon first glance, it does not appear that this ebike has provisions for adding a rear rack or basket, but there are shops that could add bosses and some different bracket options out there. With the help of a good shop or some fiddling, I suspect that it would be possible to add either a rack or basket, but it could take some time and money. Maybe you could ask about this in the electric trike forums, to see if anyone has ideas or tips.
Yes. either a basket (as shown on electrictrike.com web site in the sizing section.) and or a single or two tier rack can be mounted. They will both attach to the same place as the battery plate is and the seat back. So if you wanted to have a heck of a long range on battery alone; you could mount 2, 18-20ah box batteries and strap on a 20ah on the top of the two tier rack. It does mean that you would have to change the discharge plug on the bag battery to a C-13. I have done so on my T3 CX. Ride out on the 18ah and use up the 1st 3 bars and come back on the 20.
John Lockwood
4 years agoIs there place to put a basket/rack on the electric ez 3 HD
ReplyCourt
4 years agoHi John! Upon first glance, it does not appear that this ebike has provisions for adding a rear rack or basket, but there are shops that could add bosses and some different bracket options out there. With the help of a good shop or some fiddling, I suspect that it would be possible to add either a rack or basket, but it could take some time and money. Maybe you could ask about this in the electric trike forums, to see if anyone has ideas or tips.
ReplyCharles Edmundson
4 years agoYes. either a basket (as shown on electrictrike.com web site in the sizing section.) and or a single or two tier rack can be mounted. They will both attach to the same place as the battery plate is and the seat back. So if you wanted to have a heck of a long range on battery alone; you could mount 2, 18-20ah box batteries and strap on a 20ah on the top of the two tier rack. It does mean that you would have to change the discharge plug on the bag battery to a C-13. I have done so on my T3 CX. Ride out on the 18ah and use up the 1st 3 bars and come back on the 20.
ReplyCourt
4 years agoGreat feedback, Charles! Thanks for taking a moment to explain. It sounds like your T3 CX is setup well, I hope you’re enjoying it this Spring :D
Reply