Worksman Cycles PAV3 Stretch Electric Trike Review

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Worksman Cycles Pav3 Stretch Electric Trike Review
Worksman Cycles Pav3 Stretch Electric Trike
Worksman Cycles Pav3 Stretch Electric Trike 500 Watt Hub Motor Fender
Worksman Cycles Pav3 Stretch Electric Trike Metal Basket 48 Volt Battery Pack
Worksman Cycles Pav3 Stretch Electric Trike Backlit Lcd Display
Worksman Cycles Pav3 Stretch Electric Trike High Back Captain Seat
Worksman Cycles Pav3 Stretch Electric Trike Kenda Flame Tires
Worksman Cycles Pav3 Stretch Electric Trike Three Speed Shimano Nexus Internally Geared Hub
Worksman Cycles Pav3 Stretch Electric Trike 3 Amp Charger
Worksman Cycles Pav3 Stretch Electric Trike Review
Worksman Cycles Pav3 Stretch Electric Trike
Worksman Cycles Pav3 Stretch Electric Trike 500 Watt Hub Motor Fender
Worksman Cycles Pav3 Stretch Electric Trike Metal Basket 48 Volt Battery Pack
Worksman Cycles Pav3 Stretch Electric Trike Backlit Lcd Display
Worksman Cycles Pav3 Stretch Electric Trike High Back Captain Seat
Worksman Cycles Pav3 Stretch Electric Trike Kenda Flame Tires
Worksman Cycles Pav3 Stretch Electric Trike Three Speed Shimano Nexus Internally Geared Hub
Worksman Cycles Pav3 Stretch Electric Trike 3 Amp Charger

Summary

  • A heavy duty electric tricycle capable of carrying up to 550 lbs including the rider and cargo, large metal basket in the rear for transporting gear and the charger
  • Durable 500 watt motor paired with a 48 volt battery pack encased in Aluminum for added protection, this electric trike operates smoothly and quietly, it offers reverse mode too
  • Programmable top speed (up to 20 mph), large easy to read display panel and simple button pad for changing power level, offers cadence sensing pedal assist and twist throttle operation
  • A bit more expensive at $2,198 plus $350 shipping but it arrives fully assembled, weak front brake but the coaster brake is solid, heavier build at ~128 lbs but the battery is removable

Video Review

Introduction

Make:

Worksman Cycles

Model:

PAV3 Stretch Electric Trike

Price:

$2,198 ($350 Shipping, Fully Assembled Ready to Ride)

Body Position:

Recumbent

Suggested Use:

Neighborhood, Urban

Electric Bike Class:

Throttle on Demand (Class 2)
Learn more about Ebike classes

Warranty:

1 Year Comprehensive

Availability:

United States

Model Year:

2017

Bicycle Details

Total Weight:

128 lbs (58.05 kg)

Battery Weight:

9.3 lbs (4.21 kg)

Motor Weight:

12.8 lbs (5.8 kg)

Frame Material:

One-Piece Fully Welded Steel

Geometry Measurements:

89" Length, 33" Width, 15" Stand Over Height

Frame Types:

Trike

Frame Colors:

Gloss Black

Frame Rear Details:

Reinforced Gusseted 12 G Cross Axle

Attachment Points:

Front Fender Bosses

Gearing Details:

3 Speed 1x3 Shimano Nexus Internally Geared Hub

Shifter Details:

Shimano Nexus Thumb Shifter on Right

Cranks:

One-Piece Forged 6.5"

Pedals:

1/2" Resin with Boron Axle, Adjustable Strap

Stem:

Promax

Handlebar:

Adjustable Angle Tiller

Brake Details:

Generic Linear Pull Front, Coaster Brake Rear, Wuxing Lever on Left with Motor Inhibitor and Parking Brake

Grips:

Flat Rubber

Saddle:

12” High Back Captains Seat 18”x13x13, Thickly Padded,Steel Base Pan, Drainage Holes, Adjustable Position on Track, Optional Swivel Down Armrests

Seat Post:

Rans Style Seat Slide

Rims:

WTC Industrial Clincher Rims with Rolled Edge, 36 Hole

Spokes:

Front Stainless 12G Silver, Rear Stainless 11G Silver

Tire Brand:

Kenda Flame 20" x 3" Rear, Heng Shin 20" x 1.75" Front

Wheel Sizes:

20 in (50.8cm)

Tire Details:

35 to 50 PSI Front

Tube Details:

Schrader Valve

Accessories:

Steel Front Fender, Steel Chain Cover, Heavy-Duty Torque Arm for Motor Mount, Wire Basket 18x13x6”

Other:

Locking Removable Battery Pack, 1.5 lb 3 Amp Charger, Max Weight ~500 lbs

Electronic Details

Motor Brand:

Electric Bike Technologies

Motor Type:

Front-Mounted Gearless Direct Drive Hub
Learn more about Ebike motors

Motor Nominal Output:

500 watts

Motor Peak Output:

1000 watts

Motor Torque:

33 Newton meters

Battery Brand:

Electric Bike Technologies

Battery Voltage:

48 volts

Battery Amp Hours:

10 ah

Battery Watt Hours:

480 wh

Battery Chemistry:

Lithium-ion

Charge Time:

4 hours

Estimated Min Range:

10 miles (16 km)

Estimated Max Range:

20 miles (32 km)

Display Type:

King Meter, Fixed, Backlit, Monochrome LCD

Readouts:

Battery Level (5 Bars), Speed, Avg. Speed, Max Speed, Power Level (0-5), Odometer, Trip A, Trip B

Display Accessories:

Independent Button Pad, Reverse Toggle Switch

Drive Mode:

Cadence Sensing Pedal Assist, Trigger Throttle (12 Magnet Pedelec Sensor)

Top Speed:

20 mph (32 kph)(Adjustable Speed, PAS Sensitivity, Current)

Written Review

The Personal Activity Vehicle 3 (PAV3) from Worksman Cycles is a tricycle designed for full sized adults and those looking for comfort and cargo hauling ability. I visited Electric Bike Technologies in Croydon Pennsylvania to check out their electrified version of the Stretch trike which uses a 500 watt gearless hub motor and 48 volt Lithium battery pack from E-BikeKit.com and sold exclusively from ElectricTrike.com. Before I dig in too much, the point of sharing these details is that people who already own the Stretch could get their own motor and battery pack (the same ones shown in the video review) and convert their bike to electric with a bit of effort. For me, the motor really let this trike shine because it’s fairly heavy and only has three gears. It goes from something neat but potentially exhausting or short-ranged to something more useful and dynamic. For people who don’t have a license, this could be a great way to get around and actually haul food or fishing gear. While there are many other tricycles and recumbent trikes out there to explore, this is one of the most solidly built and comfortable. It has super-thick 11 gauge spokes in the rear with three inch wide tires! This is getting into moped and motorcycle hardware territory and that’s what makes it so capable. You can load the trike with up to 500 lbs of weight including the passenger. For those who don’t enjoy saddles or might not have as good of balance, the chair with arm rests is a great fit. It improves rider stability once seated but since the arms swivel up, it’s not too difficult to get on and off of (though the trike is a bit low).

As mentioned earlier, this trike uses a 500 watt nominally rated gearless hub motor mounted in the front wheel. This wheel also uses extra-thick 12 gauge spokes but has a more traditional tire. The hub motor is very quiet even when it’s peaking near 1,000 watts in the highest power level. For best results, I’ve found that pedaling a bit at start and when climbing will unleash the full power of the motor. These gearless designs aren’t as torquey but they tend to last longer than gearless. They are a bit heavier and suffer from cogging if the bike is turned off so keep an eye on the battery level and consider taking the charger along in the basket just in case you decide to adventure further. Getting stranded with this thing could be a nightmare given the awkward size and weight. Even loading it in your own car or truck could take some doing and might require a friends help.

Powering the trike is a large 48 volt 10 amp hour battery with light weight, long lasting Lithium-ion cells. The pack is encased in Aluminum making it tuff which is great because it passes through the rear basket and might get covered up by gear. The pack has a handle at the back making it easier to slide off and carry around, just under the handle on the right side is a charger plug and catty-corner on the front left is the ignition slot. Here is where you’ll need to insert and turn the key in order to start the bike. This key must remain in the pack, like a car, when riding and I found that it was a bit tricky to reach between the back rest on the seat and the wire mesh basket. This might be due to the seat position we had set up, the seat does slide forward and back to accommodate people with different leg lengths. Ultimately, the battery works fine and is covered by the one year comprehensive warranty from ElectricTrike.com.

Operating the bike isn’t quite as simple or quick as with more mainstream purpose-built electric bikes but it’s fairly typical. Turn that key then press the “M” button on the control pad near the left grip for a few seconds. The display panel comes to life showing battery capacity, speed, power level and a few other readouts. I love the size and position of the display because it’s very easy to read. You can swivel it forward and back to reduce any glare and at night it can be backlit if you hold the up arrow on the control pad… I might leave it off because it could be distracting. The only gripe I have about the display is that it is not removable. This means it could experience more weathering if left outside, and given the size of this trike that could be fairly common. Thankfully, the battery is removable so at least you can avoid extreme heat and cold (which both degrade the cells more rapidly). Coming back to the display, as you arrow up and down between level 1 and 5 the trike offers more power and a higher top speed. For those concerned about going too fast, the display lets you set a maximum speed (hold up and down simultaneously for a few seconds to access these settings). Making the trike go is a matter of selecting the power level then twisting the half-grip throttle on the right. Note that the red button mounted to the grip here activates reverse.

Some of the older trike kits I’ve reviewed were simpler but less well made. The Worksman Cycles PAV3 isn’t as complicated to use as an automobile but it’s definitely a step up from a regular tricycle. In addition to the motor (which can have throttle and pedal assist modes) there is a three-speed geared hub in the rear for pedaling. I love this feature because it makes pedaling more comfortable at a range of speeds. Even if you’re not pushing much, it’s nice to move your legs for increased blood flow and flexibility. One concern that some riders might have is foot stability so the added foot-straps are a real bonus. I rarely see this sort of thing and while you could probably figure out an after-market solution, it’s cool to have them from the get-go. My final thought on this trike is that it uses some basic parts (like the front brake) but has a solid motor system and offers a very approachable ride. It’s stable, easy to mount and fun to pedal without being dangerous… especially with the lower speeds. This trike isn’t as likely to tip from side to side because the seat is mounted low and towards the back where the two wheels are. Even the steering, which brings the bars way back to you vs. making you lean forward to reach them, is comfortable but also safe. Turning sharp is difficult without putting your arms way out from side to side. Your turning radius is reduced but the propensity to tip is significantly reduced. This is a niche electric trike to be sure but I think it’s amazing and potentially very empowering. Not only does it make cycling possible for people who weigh more or aren’t as balanced and stable, it can get shipped directly to you door ready to ride without assembly and it’s made in America… from the frame and assembly of electronics to support and shipping this is a bike that’s produced on the East Coast. Some of the battery and motor technology come from Asia but compared to many other products, this is a much more local product and the team is very cool. Big thanks to ElectricTrike.com for partnering with me for this review.

Pros:

  • Sturdy build with a 500 lb maximum weight limit, way more than most two-wheel electric bikes I review (they tend to max out at 250 lbs)
  • The seat offers more support than traditional saddles and even the woven designs on other recumbents I’ve tried, the arm rests help to bolster you from the sides but also fold up out of the way if you want, the seat also slides forward and back to accommodate with different leg lengths
  • Durable gearless hub motor should withstand years of use and works well once you get it moving a little (not super powerful from standstill), I love that they added a large torque arm to help disperse motor torque into the front fork without damaging the dropouts
  • Fat and tough Kenda Flame tires provide a bit more comfort and durability than traditional bicycle tires, even the spokes on this bike are thicker like a motorcycle
  • The handle bar extends way back so you don’t have to lean forward to steer and the angle is highly adjustable, this creates a more relaxed ride
  • In addition to the default forward drive mode, there’s a simple red button that let’s this trike go in reverse making it easier to park and just maneuver (given the wider turning radius)
  • Nice chain cover to keep your pants clean and snag-free, the little fender up front should reduce some splashing but isn’t full length… mixed experience
  • This is one of the only electric bikes I’ve ever seen with foot straps! Given the extended leg position and possibility of riders who need extra support due to weight or limited mobility I feel like this is a cool feature, it reduces the chance of a slip and foot drag
  • Three-speed drivetrain is more than I expected, the gears are internal so you can shift at standstill and the hub is well protected at the rear
  • The display is large, making it easy to read, and the controls are simple to use with just a bit of practice, operating the bike with the twist throttle is reminiscent of a motorcycle and very intuitive and smooth
  • The battery pack locks to the frame for security but can also be taken off to reduce weight or charge separately, it has a tuff Aluminum case which helps protect it if you put gear on top (since it’s mounted inside the rear basket)
  • Nice metal-mesh basket provides space for musical instruments, hunting supplies, video games, extra clothes, groceries, books and whatever else you might want to bring along for the ride
  • With a top speed of 20 mph this is a very capable trike but the display actually lets you tune it down if you want, reducing max speed to help avoid accidents and lessening torque for even smoother starts
  • Sturdy, relatively quick charger is compact and light weight so you can toss it into that rear basket and bring it along to help extend your range or limit the inconvenience of getting stranded with a low battery
  • I like that the frame, motor, battery pack, pedals, seat and basket are all black because it matches and helps to hide the black wires for shifting, throttle and power better… you can pay more for a custom frame color if you’d lie but if you stick with black just be careful riding at night and consider some lights or reflective gear since you’ll be sitting lower than more traditional bicycles
  • The brake lever has a lock built in so you can use it to keep the bike from rolling when you park, it also has a motor inhibitor so you aren’t competing with the motor by accident when you pull it
  • To me it’s pretty impressive that you can order this bike and have it arrive fully assembled and ready to go for just $350, especially given how large and heavy it is
  • Worksman builds their bikes in the USA and that’s also where E-BikeKit and Electric Bike Technologies is from so much of this is local
  • While it’s true of most low-speed electric bikes like this, you don’t need a license or insurance to operate so people who never got theirs or had it suspended or just don’t feel safe driving a car can get out and have some freedom
  • If you opt for the cadence sensor here, you can activate the trike just by pedaling and you don’t have to push hard, just keep your feet moving… it has 12 magnets and is very responsive, it’s a great way to get some light exercise and movement without straining knees and hip joints (unless you turn it way down and want a challenge!)

Cons:

  • Weighing in at 128 lbs this thing is not light… at all! It’s also rather long and wide for a bicycle meaning it could be difficult to transport (consider a utility trailer for your car like this)
  • While the motor rating of 500 to 1,000 watts and the 48 volt battery sound powerful on paper, they aren’t as zippy from standstill and will require some speed going into hills compared to a mid-drive or geared motor… though it should last longer with fewer moving parts and more air inside to disperse heat
  • Steering this thing takes some space because the bar extends so far back, it’s difficult to make tight turns without really stretching your arms out from side to side but the upside is that you don’t end up on two wheels or tipped over as easily
  • The display panel looks great but isn’t removable so it could take more rain, snow and sun damage over time if the trike is left out (or get scratched or vandalized), it does however swivel so you can reduce glare and it’s backlit if you hold the up arrow for a couple seconds
  • Your key must be left in the battery and clicked to the right like an ignition in a car to operate the bike and this can be tricky because it’s mounted between the back of the seat and the front of the basket (as shown in the video), I also found that you have to take the key completely out of the pack in order to slide the battery off the bike or else it will collide with the basket
  • The front brake is old technology and kind of weak in my opinion, it’s a mechanically activated cantilever vs. a hydraulic disco or something easier to actuate… thankfully you’ve also got the “pedal backward” coaster brake in the rear that works well
  • The seat is mounted pretty low, making it stable and easy to get onto if you’re short but it requires a bit of arm strength to get back up and off

Resources:

Review Updated On

Comments (19) YouTube Comments

Joe
7 years ago

I’ve decided to purchase and electric assist trike and your reviews have been most helpful searching out the right machine for me!! Thanks Much.

Having narrowed down my choice to either the Worksman PAV or Sunsetter’s EZ-3, I’m a little confused as to the placement of the hub drives. It seems to me that instead of placing it on the front wheel the makers of these trikes would opt for using the free wheeling rear wheel. Front wheels tend to be smaller, narrower and have a tendency to slip. Why don’t they use the rear left wheel or is there something I’ve overlooked?

Thanks, Joe

  Reply
Court Rye
7 years ago

Hi Joe! Glad to hear that this resource has helped you! I think it’s difficult to combine an axle mounted hub motor with trikes because they don’t usually have dropouts on the rear wheels, just a single axle jutting out to either side. Since the axle on a hub motor is mounted to the motor itself (the primary sun gear) and is not built around a thru-axle, you’d need to weld the threaded axle that is already attached to the motor to the bike frame in order to achieve the same end result and give it something to “push” against… or have two-sided dropouts on both rear sides of the trike vs. just the fork, which would add cost and weight to the trike. This would be my guess, it’s just simpler to use a front mounted motor, even though it slips a bit and impacts steering. Some mid-drive trikes do power a single rear wheel by powering the main drivetrain (the gearing that you pedal) but this has the consequence of turning a single wheel (usually the left as you pointed out). Here’s an example of that in action. I hope this helps!

  Reply
Smokie
7 years ago

Is the Worksman Cycles PAV3 Stretch electric trike unit still being made? I was looking last year and I’m ready to buy. I don’t see on the website.

  Reply
Court Rye
7 years ago

Hi Smokie! Maybe not? I just visited their website and got redirected. Went to the recumbents page here and didn’t see the PAV3 Stretch anywhere. Might be worth calling about, they have good customer service and a toll free number (800) 375-0224 good luck, please share what you find and if you like the bike if you get one :D

  Reply
Dewey
7 years ago

Still sold on the Worksman website here as of April 2018.

  Reply
Bruce
5 years ago

Yes they still sell them But it’s way different from the one reviewed here the new is crap compared to this just check specs out

sol
5 years ago

Would adding fat tires increase the weight capacity?

  Reply
Court
5 years ago

Hi sol! No, I don’t think that the tires increase weight capacity that much, the limitation is usually in the wheels and frame. Most ebikes seem to be rated conservatively, so the manufacturer isn’t held liable in the event of a catastrophic failure. I’ve seen 400+lb riders enjoying bikes that are only rated to 300lbs, and if it’s just around the neighborhood or city, they are usually okay. The primary issue I see and hear about is that their spokes will get loose and break more frequently. This causes the wheels to go out of true, and can cause more spokes to break etc. until the wheel fails, which can mess up the axle, the brake calipers, etc. I hope this helps! As a heavier rider, you do want to keep air pressure higher in the tires, so the rims don’t squish the inner tube too much and cause a pinch flat ;)

  Reply
Wiliam Neely
4 years ago

The front wheel loses traction on a black top road with a slight grade, would lowering the air pressure in the font tire help?

  Reply
Court
4 years ago

Hi William! I think this has to do with weight distribution. Lowering the pressure could help a bit, because it will increase the surface area making contact with the road. If you carry some speed when going into a climb, that will also help. At the end of the day, the design of this and other delta trikes just doesn’t put as much weight at the front, especially when climbing because weight shifts towards the back of the bike. I hope this helps a bit!

  Reply
Albin
4 years ago

Hello, I am interested in your electric bike and I have a question: of course it’s all about the price and is it possible to transfer the entire mechanism to the left hand. greetings, Albin Wierzbowski – Poland

  Reply
Court
4 years ago

Hi Albin, I’m not sure on that? Actually, I’m not sure this ebike is still being produced and sold? You can check and ask this same question to the company who manufactures them. I just provide reviews and some community tools here at EBR :D

  Reply
Ronald John Schumann
3 years ago

I hadn’t rode my trike over the winter but this Spring when I went to charge up the battery I noticed that the front wheel brake was locked and I had a tough time moving the trike. Could you please e-mail me what the fix is to my problem? [email protected] The bike was maybe 1-2 years since I bought it and was only ridden twice. I bought it for when I get old. Thank you for your help, Ron Schumann Lake City, Minnesota

  Reply
Court
3 years ago

Hi Ronald! So sorry to hear about your front brake getting locked up during storage. I don’t actually build or sell electric bikes, we just review them here to help people make decisions and connect. I suggest reaching out to the company to ask for help, their website is https://www.electrictrike.com/ and they have a contact form that should be able to help. Alternatively, you could ask a local bike shop for help! Most of them will have tools to clean and adjust standard bike parts. One tip I do have, is to store the battery in a cool dry place, and keep it at 50% charged vs. letting it slowly drain to zero, which is hard on the cells. If your battery wears out prematurely, it’s much more expensive to fix and may not be easily replaceable. I hope this helps!

  Reply
Chuck Oddo
2 years ago

Is it possible to convert a PAV3 peddle style to a battery assist?

  Reply
Court
2 years ago

Hi Chuck, I’m not sure that I understand your question. I covered this ebike a long time ago, but what I found was that it had a twist throttle and pedal assist. Those modes of operation are separate from the battery… which just offers power to the motor. Can you please clarify so I can try to help answer your question better?

  Reply
Edward Hund
2 years ago

What is the ground to seat Hight for the Worksman PV3 Stretch. I am concerned about getting out of the vehicle. Also I have a wide foot with braces. They are 11 quad E. Can the pedal straps accommodate my wide foot? My legs are short. I wear a 29 to 30 in inseam. Will the seat on the stretch move forward far enough? I would not ask all these questions if you had a dealer in Wichita, Ks.

  Reply
Court
2 years ago

Hi Edward! I’m just reviewing ebikes here and listing the details that I have access to, I don’t sell anything. This ebike was reviewed by me many years ago, and unfortunately I don’t have the measurements you’re asking for. Also, the ebike may be discontinued! I suggest contacting the people at ElectricTrike.com since I think they were the ones who used to make the Worksman Cycles PAV3 Stretch Electric Trike :)

  Reply

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