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.
If you haven’t noticed, Electric Bike Technologies has been keeping their new bike names straight forward and simple. Such is the case with the trike we are reviewing today, the ‘Fat Mid Drive Trike’. To reduce redundancy and confusion, we will refer to it as the FMDT for the rest of the review. As the name says, it is just that; an electric fat-tire mid-drive trike. But there is a lot more going on here, this thing is a beast and something to really behold. So most trikes have a slightly larger foot print than bicycles, and it seems as if they wanted to accentuate a trikes strength so to speak with this one. Even bigger, even stronger, even more stable is the name of the game here; this thing is long and massive, so it’s no surprise it weighs a whopping 102lbs. But that weight brings a lot of adventure with it, so let’s take a closer look. As you might expect, there are 3 separate 20” x 4” Kenda Krusade fat tires here, each with their own set of brakes (which we will get into later) and each with a separate sturdy metal fender to keep you dry in off-road terrain. The big basket in the back could easily carry a load of camping equipment or even a hunting trophy. At 20” long, we measured it to fit about 55 liters of capacity, pretty cool! There is some comfort here too, like the ergonomic grips, Velo comfort saddle, approachable step-through frame, and front suspension fork. The fork is a fat-tire specific RST Guide spring fork with about 50mm of travel, lockout, and preload adjustments. I also want to mention the battery integrated lights mounted in the front and rear, these are great for visibility and are a welcome addition on any electric vehicle. The cables in the front are wrapped by these nice wire loom sleeves, and the stem is even capable of folding down, so you can get this beast into the back of a truck or stow it away easier. Going back to the go-anywhere sturdiness of the bike, I want to talk about all the metal in the rear. If you were backwoods exploring, you would want something that is built for the task, and this trike definitely is. For support, there is a seat stay bridge, a 2nd seat stay bridge, 2 chain-stay bridges, and dropouts that are 3x as thick. If you want more information, check out the video review, but this basically means that the long rear and cargo rack will stay sturdy and stiff. The rear end here also connects securely to the frame with 3 M10 sized bolts with nyloc nuts. Additionally, there is a differential gear in the rear, similar to a car, so you can turn easy. Other trikes typically have one wheel do a tight turn while the other one follows. In this setup, you can make tight turns either way as the wheels can spin independently to help you turn better. Great for navigating tough terrain.
Driving the trike is one of the more powerful motors out there, the Bafang Ultra 1000. It is named so after its 1,000 watt nominal rating, and it looks like EBT has the trike set for a massive 1,440 watts peak. This not only offers power, but like a large truck motor, is able to carry the weight of the vehicle as well as any potential load. The electrical system has both a throttle and torque based pedal assist with 0-5 modes of varying assist. Mechanically, the trike is a single speed setup with a 20 tooth sprocket in the rear and a 46 tooth chain ring in the front with a dual bash guard and rust resistant chain. The FMDT really shines in the brake category. You get not 1 or 2, but 3 separate disc brake rotors for each wheel. And if you can believe it, they are hydraulic brakes too. That makes for some pretty high end stopping power, they are all 160mm and dual piston too. To kick it up a notch even more, the left brake lever has a motor inhibitor built in to cut power to the motor siamotainously when stopping, and there is even built in parking brake! It is so nice to see such a power and capable stopping system on such a beast of a bike, definitely not overlooked in the safety department and I really appreciate that.
Powering the bike is a lithium ion battery at 48v 14ah. With the combination of the voltage and amp hours, I would consider a very high capacity pack. The battery is easy to get in and out of the housing and is protected by lock and key. It also has a battery readout via LED to let you know where the charge lever is at. One other thing I have to mention is that the battery has its own USB you can plug devices into. Whether you want to charge something while you ride the bike, or take the battery off to use it as a portable power bank, this battery can do both. I also like that is mounted center to keep the weight balanced, a pretty good setup overall. 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 bike is simple enough. I’m kind of a control center geek and I always love to see comprehensive stats while riding. The control center on the FMDT does just that. It displays pretty much everything, including current speed, top speed, average speed, range, battery level, pedal assist mode, wattage output and more. More importantly, I could read it in direct sunlight! I love that it is color and uses an automotive motif. A big win here is that the battery power is listed in percentages. Some ebikes use just 4 or 5 ticks on the display to portray battery life. This can leave you guessing at the last tick. Do you have 25% battery life left? Do you have 2% left? You simply will have to guess. Not with this display… since it is written in percentages, you know exactly how much battery you have at all times. The only downside to this display was that it’s not removable, so I might worry about it getting dinged up when the bike is being parked or transported and just taking more sun and rain damage over time. It does however angle, and I love that the controls can be pressed easily by your left hand since they are positioned well as to keep your eyes on the road. Electric Bike Technologies was kind enough to enter a deep menu mode. By holding the UP and DOWN button, it will allow you to get in there and change things like the top speed or motor output. A great feature that goes well with Electric Bike Technologies customer support that can help you get it to where you want. There is also a USB port on the bottom of the display to charge devices, just like the battery has one.
In conclusion, I would say this sturdy trike is one of a kind. If it speaks to you, it is unlikely other offerings will sway you from your decision, but there are some tradeoffs to mentions, so I will go over those anyway. For such a beast of a bike with a bunch of sturdy parts, I was surprised the grips were non-locking. If you are being really hard on the trails and twist too hard, then they get some play in them. The integrated lights are appreciated, but the front light is mounted on the fork, so it could bounce up and down when you take if off-road, affecting visibility. But probably the most important tradeoff is the weight. Tipping the scale at 102lbs, this is defiantly a heavy vehicle. It is nice that the stem folds down to load it in a truck or canopy, but you may not want to really lift it in and out alone. But this thing is still so cool! I love Electric Bike Technologies customer service and support as well. When you couple that with all that you are getting, I think the offering is simply great. I want to thank Electric Bike Technologies for letting me check out the FMDT.
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:
- 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
- 3 separate 20” x 4” Kenda Krusade fat tires, each with a separate sturdy metal fender to keep you dry in off-road terrain
- The big basket in the back could easily carry a load of camping equipment or even a hunting trophy, at 20” long, we measured it to fit about 55 liters of capacity
- The trike has comfort as well, like the ergonomic grips, Velo comfort saddle, approachable step-through frame, and front suspension fork
- The fork is a fat-tire specific RST Guide spring fork with about 50mm of travel, lockout, and preload adjustments
- I love the battery integrated lights here, they have them both in the front and the rear, safety has always been a priority for myself and other cyclists, so it’s nice to see that more and more companies are including these
- For rear support, there is a seat stay bridge, a 2nd seat stay bridge, 2 chain-stay bridges, and dropouts that are 3x as thick, this means that the long rear and cargo rack will stay sturdy and stiff
- The trike has a differential gear in the rear, similar to a car, so you can turn easy, other trikes typically have one wheel do a tight turn while the other one follows, in this setup, you can make tight turns either way as the wheels can spin independently to help you turn better
- Uses the Bafang Ultra 1000, named so after its 1,000 watt nominal rating, and it looks like EBT has the trike set for a massive 1,440 watts peak, very powerful and capable
- Has a reliable single speed system here, with a 20 tooth sprocket in the rear and a 46 tooth chain ring in the front with a dual bash guard and rust resistant chain
- A big win here is the hydraulic brakes, they have a 160mm rotor for each wheel, so yes, 3 separate brake discs, there is also a motor inhibitor in the left handle and a parking brake, really a great setup
- The trike is really fun and the powerful system and stability make it great for adventuring, we had a lot of fun taking it out on the trails
Cons:
- For such a beast of a bike with a bunch of sturdy parts, I was surprised the grips were non-locking. If you are being really hard on the trails and twist too hard, then they get some play in them
- The integrated lights are appreciated, but the front light is mounted on the fork, so it could bounce up and down when you take if off-road, affecting visibility
- Tipping the scale at 102lbs, this is defiantly a heavy vehicle, it is nice that the stem folds down to load it in a truck or canopy, but you may not want to really lift it in and out alone, it is not the easiest to maneuver in a crowded garage or tight space
- The trike is very purpose built, so it may not be for everyone, it defiantly has an appeal to it, but make sure it fits your lifestyle before choosing it
Resources:
John A Sillasen
5 years agoThis trike appears to be the one Raleigh should have built when they made the Tristar IE. I upgraded the rear disk brake on my Tristar to hydraulic and it is a great upgrade but still only a single rear disk brake. Plus the Tristar is only 350 watt with just pedal assist. This 1K torque sensor arrangement is a big improvement. I don’t like the handlebars at all. Can this use a more swept back design like the Tristar and still fold okay?
ReplyCourt
5 years agoHey John, I agree! This is a great trike. You should easily be able to swap the handlebar out for something more relaxed… and yes, I do think it will still fold down, just maybe not quite as compact. Also, my guess is that the handlebar bore for this trike is 31.8mm but it could be narrower 25.4mm, so check with the Electric Bicycle Technologies company to be sure ;)
ReplyJohn Sillasen
5 years agoThanks Court! I know it’s 80″ long. Any idea what the length is when the handlebars are folded down and the wheel turned in?
I’m hoping it will still fit in my van from the side door since my bed takes up the side of the van by the. rear door.
John
John A Sillasen
5 years agoI spoke with Jason at Electric Bike Tech Sales & Support. He went into the shop with me on the phone, borrowed a tape measure from the people there and measured 72″ with the handlebars folded and the front tire turned in.
He invited me down there to test ride it on nearby hills. I may just to take him up on it.
Bruce Simon
4 years agoIs there a local dealer in the Salt Lake City UT area? Or can I order online for shipment to Pleasant Grove UT 84062?
Brooke J Clarke
5 years agoI live on a mountain and now have an Addmotor M-360 which has a front geared hub motor. The problem is when going up hill there is not enough weight on the front wheel to keep it from spinning. That’s to say there’s more power than can be used. I think this mid-drive trike would work much better in the mountains. Some questions about it:
Thanks for the review and have fun, Brooke
ReplyRobert
2 years agoI’m looking for an E-trike or quad that can carry me and my power chair. Total weight 600 lbs. Don’t need seat, looking for something similar to delivery trikes.
ReplyCourt
2 years agoHi Robert, nothing comes to mind immediately, especially if you need to easily load the power chain with a ramp or something, it sounds pretty heavy. maybe someone else will chime in with suggestions!
hugh osmus
2 years agoSame problem. I live on a mountain and have the AddMotor M360. Today with wet road from last nights rain, I had trouble getting up my driveway. wheel simply spins and bike slides sideways. have to get off and push it up the hill. Mid motor with power to rear wheels would really help. My next trike will be mid drive.
ReplyBrooke Clarke
2 years agoHi Hugh: Adding 20 to 40 pounds of weights to the front wheel does allow me to drive up my driveway. See this webpage with photos and more information. But that’s a patch. The correct solution is to get a mid motor rear wheel drive trike.
PS for me the whole reason for a trike is to allow going up hill very slowly. But they are not as safe as a 2-wheel bike. So maybe a mid motor rear drive bike may be a better option?
hugh osmus
2 years agoI thought of adding weight to front, but must consider the stress that extra forty pounds is going to put on frame. The sweep of the front fork is already pretty severe. imagine that is why most of the weigh sits on rear tires. I will remove my rear basket/cage, then screw on a thin aluminum plate. I use an insulated canvas cooler bag for shopping that is the same size as the basket. I can strap that on when shopping, or when I want to carry stuff on the trail. This won’t do much for changing the center of gravity, but every bit helps. I’m working on a front mounted carrier where I can place some weight and also have a platform to hold extra gear. That bottle mount you mentioned is where I plan to place my 2nd battery. The holes exactly match the battery mount for the main battery. With the hills I need to ride to get where I want to go, and the distance, I’m always at the last 1/2 bar by the time I get home. some days I need to stop in town and recharge before I can get up the last hill. Thanks for sharing your history. That mid motor trike by Electric Bike Technology is no longer being made. they contacted me today. It was a supply chain thing plus higher cost for parts. For me, it was just what a trike should be about. To bad. There front hub version is one of the best put together bikes available but still has that wheel spin problem. If only we lived on flat ground.
ReplyCourt
2 years agoInteresting, it sounds like you’re working through the different options and have some deeper perspectives. Thanks for sharing what you’ve found. Yeah, it’s too bad the mid-motor trike isn’t available. Hills can be fun to ride down… but yeah, it can be a LOT of work to get back up, especially with a loaded bike or trike.
Jon
4 years agoWhy is the cargo platform built so high? There appears to be maybe 5″-6″ between the platform cross tubes and the top of the chain. Lowering the platform would allow heavy cargo to sit lower and keep the trike more stable.
ReplyCourt
4 years agoThat’s a great point, Jon. I completely agree with you and cannot think of any good reasons off hand. Perhaps it was raised slightly to provide clearance for the chain and fender mounts… but the basket is much higher than I would have expected for exactly the same reason you point out, stability and it would be easier to load if it was lower as well :/
ReplyJon Reinsch
4 years agoThe details have the stem listed as telescoping. I do not see that in the photos or video review.
ReplyCourt
4 years agoHmm, perhaps they have updated the hardware since this review was shot? I agree, our photos do not show a telescoping stem, it’s more of a folding design. Best to reach out directly to the Electric Bike Technologies company to ask about this. I find that 50% of the time, companies will update hardware vs. what we reviewed, and the other 50% they actually have an error on their website ;)
ReplyVagner Cabral
3 years agoBoa noite! Qual o máximo de peso suportável, pessoa mais bagageiro?
ReplyCourt
3 years agoSaudações, disseram-me que a capacidade máxima total de carga desta bicicleta elétrica é 300 libras (136 quilogramas)
ReplyVagner Pereira Cabral
3 years agoBoa tarde! Moro no RJ – Brasil. Como faço para comprar esse triciclo? Obrigado.
Jon Reinsch
3 years agoElectric Bike Technologies is now showing this model as discontinued, does anyone know what happed there?
ReplyCourt
3 years agoGood question, Jon. It seemed like a pretty popular one?! I wonder if they were struggling to get certain parts, or maybe shipping was difficult? I just texted the founder for more insights, and I’ll let you know what he says if he responds. I was trying to think of an alternative model that might offer similar experience for you, but this one is pretty unique ;)
ReplyCourt
3 years agoHi Jon, I just received a reply from Jason! I’m paraphrasing but it seems like he was saying there was a big price increases from some of the hardware manufacturers specific to this motor and frame, and this was one of their more unique products that required more support because of the design. They want to offer a great customer experience, and they weren’t sure they could continue to do so with these technical hurdles. One alternative product worth considering is their hub motor fat tire electric trike! Hope this helps ;)
ReplyJon Reinsch
3 years agoThanks for the info Court, much appreciated. The front hub motor fat trikes are a dime a dozen these days and quite useless on steep inclines especially if you are carrying a heavy load in the rear basket.
ReplyCourt
3 years agoYeah, I’ve noticed that the front tire can slip much easier. Sorry Jon!
ReplyBill
3 years agoLooks like you can still buy thru Alibaba – I might give it a go. Found another one almost similar with a Shimano Internally geared 3 speed hub included. My question is – does this trike climb steep hills ok with a single speed?? I am worried that 160NM of torque might destroy the 3 speed???? Any answers – opinions out there?? thx b
ReplyCourt
3 years agoHi Bill! That’s a great question. I’ve found that most ebikes will climb steep hills okay as long as you carry some speed going in and do not stop. If you have to stop half way up and then start again, that could be difficult. I see what you mean about the internally geared hub not being rated for so much torque. I’m not really sure, perhaps someone else will chime in with some deeper insights :)
ReplyZach Zamora
2 years agoI like it! How do I buy this electric fat tire mid motor trike?
Thanks
ReplyZach
Court
2 years agoHi Zach! Some of these trike reviews are getting old, and I’m not sure about price and availability. I believe the best site to check for trikes these days is this one. You could reach out to them and ask about this specific model, and if they renamed it or have a replacement! They should also be able to comment on where it can be shipped.
Reply