A 74th Birthday on Three Wheels: Ken Rides the Relaxed Body 750W Electric Trike

A Birthday Ride That Started at 6:30 in the Morning

Most people would spend a 74th birthday sleeping in, or at least lingering over breakfast. Ken Saint spent his on a trike. He arrived at 6:30 in the morning, ready to test ride a lineup of electric bikes and trikes along the coastal hills of San Clemente, and he made it clear from the first minute that he could not think of a better way to mark the day.

That detail matters more than it might seem. Ken was not a seasoned cyclist reviewing his twentieth ebike. He told us during the ride that he had never been on an electric bike before that morning. Everything he says in this ride-along comes from someone discovering motor-assisted riding for the first time, which makes his reactions useful for anyone who is curious about an electric trike but unsure whether they would be comfortable on one.

By the time he climbed onto the Relaxed Body 750 Watt Electric Tricycle, he had already tried two other models, including a four-wheel design he liked a lot. So he was not starting cold. He had a basis for comparison, and he used it. What follows is a walk through that ride, from the parking lot to the hilltop overlook and back, with his comments along the way and some practical context for readers who are weighing a similar purchase.

If you are just starting to look around, it helps to know the broader category first. Our full range of electric tricycles covers everything from recumbent designs to cargo trikes, and the Relaxed Body sits in the comfortable, upright, everyday-riding part of that range.

Before he rolled a foot, Ken had already decided he was going to enjoy himself. He looked the trike over and said it looked like it was going to be a blast. Part of that was simple: blue is his favorite color, and the trike he was riding was blue. It sounds like a small thing, but anyone who has bought a bike knows that how it looks matters. You are more likely to ride something you are happy to see in the garage.

The second thing he pointed to was the rear basket. Ken does his own shopping, and he wanted to know he could carry groceries home without strapping bags to the handlebars or wearing a backpack. A good-sized basket turns a trike from a recreational toy into something you can use for real errands, and that is a big part of why three-wheelers are popular with riders who want to leave the car parked more often.

If carrying capacity ranks high on your list, take a look at our electric tricycles with a large basket. And if you already own a trike and want more room, there are sixthreezero baskets you can add later.

The name Relaxed Body gives away the design idea. The frame puts you in an upright, easygoing posture rather than leaning forward over the handlebars. You sit, you look ahead, and your back and wrists are not doing much work. That posture is the reason so many riders who have stepped away from cycling for years find they can come back to it on a trike like this.

The first thing Ken genuinely remarked on, before he had even started riding, was how easy it was to adjust the seat. There was no wrench and no fiddling with bolts. He described it as a little switch: you flick it, you set the height, you lock it in, and you are ready.

This is one of those features that does not show up on a spec sheet in a way that grabs attention, but it shapes the whole experience. A seat at the wrong height makes pedaling awkward, puts strain on your knees and makes getting on and off harder than it needs to be. When adjusting it is quick, you are much more likely to get it right, and to tweak it again if something feels off after the first mile.

It also matters for households where more than one person rides the same trike. Ken mentioned his wife several times during the ride, and it is easy to picture the two of them sharing it. A quick-release seat post means each rider can set the height in seconds rather than hunting for tools every time.

Later in the ride, after plenty of hills and turns, Ken checked back on the seat and noted that it had not moved at all since he locked it in. Quick to adjust and solid once set is exactly the combination you want. He also called the seat itself really comfortable, which is high praise on a ride that lasted well over a quarter of an hour on mixed terrain.

Not sure what seat height or frame size you need? Our fitting quiz walks you through it based on your height and riding style.

Within the first minute of riding, Ken had a nickname for the trike. He called it a Kenny bike. When we asked what that meant, he explained that his wife often calls him Kenny, usually when he is acting like a little kid. And on this trike, he admitted, that is exactly what he was doing.

It became the theme of the whole ride. Several minutes later he came back to it, saying the trike brings out the little boy in him because it is fun. Near the end he put it even more plainly: instead of feeling 74, on this trike he felt about 14. He wasn’t sure whether that was good or bad, he joked, but he was certain it was a lot of fun.

It would be easy to treat that as a cute aside, but it says something real about why people buy electric trikes. Plenty of riders come to a three-wheeler for practical reasons: stability, a basket for errands, a way to stay active without straining joints. Those reasons are valid. But the thing that keeps people riding week after week is usually enjoyment. If a trike makes you want to take the long way home, you will ride it more, and riding more is where the benefits to fitness and mood actually come from.

Ken found that enjoyment right away, and he kept finding it. That is worth more than any single feature on the list.

The word Ken used most often on this ride was peppy. Within the first stretch he said the trike felt peppy, and he repeated some version of it throughout. Compared to the other two models he had ridden that morning, this one had noticeably quicker pickup from a stop and a livelier feel overall.

It is worth being clear about what that means in practice. A 750 watt motor gives the trike real get-up-and-go, and Ken felt it every time he pulled away from a light. But he was quick to add that you control how much of that pep you use. Electric trikes like this one let you choose your level of assistance and use the throttle as gently or as firmly as you want. His point was simple: the power is there when you want it, and it does not force itself on you.

He paired that with a reminder that came up more than once: you always have to ride safely. Having more power on tap is a benefit when you are climbing or merging, but it asks a bit more attention from the rider, especially in the first few rides. Ken took that seriously. He tested the acceleration in short bursts, settled into speeds he was comfortable with, and kept checking in on how stable the trike felt.

If having a throttle you can lean on is important to you, browse our electric tricycles with throttle control. Throttle-equipped trikes are especially helpful when you want to get moving from a dead stop without pushing hard on the pedals.

One of the honest moments in this ride came early, when Ken noted that you have to be a little more careful going around corners on this trike. That is true of every tricycle, and it is the single biggest adjustment for anyone coming from a two-wheel bike.

On a bicycle, you lean into a turn. Your body tilts, the bike tilts with it and the geometry takes care of the rest. On a trike, the frame stays upright. You steer through the turn rather than leaning into it, and you take corners at a more measured speed. Our team pointed this out to Ken during the ride, and he picked it up quickly. When asked if he had ever ridden a tricycle before, he laughed and said yes, when he was five.

Despite the seventy-year gap, he adapted within minutes. By the middle of the ride he was handling turns smoothly, crossing intersections and making his way back into the bike lane without a second thought. He even joked that when he goes out riding with his grandkids, he will be the one teaching them a thing or two, especially three-point turns.

If you are new to trikes, the best advice is the same advice Ken gave: go slow on your first few corners, steer rather than lean, and give yourself a few rides to build the habit. A quiet parking lot is an ideal place to practice. After that, it becomes second nature.

San Clemente is not flat. The route Ken rode climbed several real hills, and this is where the trike made its strongest impression on him.

On the first climb, he came to a stop at the bottom, started again and noticed that the trike was holding its speed on the grade. Then it did something he did not expect: it started picking up speed. He had planned to settle in at 10 or 11 miles per hour and glanced down to see 13. His reaction was a single word: easy.

That pattern repeated through the ride. On another climb, he said you could tell there was no strain on the trike at all. Later he noted he was doing 17 miles per hour while still going uphill. On yet another hill, he was cruising at 12 and admitted he had guessed he was going about four or five. Near the end, looking back on the morning, he said he was genuinely surprised the trike could maintain speed uphill, and that it actually accelerated on some of the climbs.

For riders thinking about an electric trike, this is the part that matters most. Hills are the main reason people stop riding regular bikes as they get older, and they are the main reason people give up on cheaper, underpowered electric models. A trike that climbs without fuss changes which routes are realistic. It means you can ride to the store on the far side of the hill, visit friends across town or take the scenic route to the coast without planning around the terrain.

Ken also kept an eye on the battery display. After a lot of climbing, he noted that the energy bar was still looking good. That kind of reassurance makes it easier to relax and enjoy a longer ride without worrying about getting stranded.

If you are shopping for a trike specifically for hilly terrain, our Bike Advice library has more guidance on matching motor power to the kind of riding you do.

If peppy was Ken’s favorite word for the acceleration, smooth and stable were his favorite words for everything else. He used them so often that he eventually apologized for repeating himself, explaining that he kept saying smooth because he kept thinking it.

What he meant was that the ride felt calm even at speeds that would make many riders tense up on a two-wheeler. Several times he looked at the display and was surprised by the number. The trike felt effortless enough that his sense of speed lagged behind the reality. He described the experience as smooth, effortless and stable all at once.

Even during the quickest parts of the ride, including a long downhill stretch where he could hear the wind rushing past, he said it still felt nice and steady and safe. That combination is a big part of what three wheels give you. With a wide, stable base, the trike does not wobble at low speed and does not feel twitchy as you pick up pace.

He also made a point of testing the brakes on purpose, slowing down from speed just to see how they responded. They did their job, and he moved on without comment, which is usually a good sign. Brakes that work predictably are the kind you stop thinking about.

That said, a smooth ride should never be a reason to stop paying attention to your speed. A downhill on any electric trike can add pace quickly, so keep a hand ready on the brakes and choose a speed that suits the road and the people around you. If strong stopping power is a priority, browse our electric trikes with disc brakes.

Partway through the ride, Ken mentioned something that a lot of trike owners say once they have spent time on one. He liked the perspective. He was sitting high enough to see everything around him, and he compared it to driving his SUV.

A higher, upright riding position has real practical value. You can see over parked cars, spot pedestrians at crosswalks earlier and read traffic ahead more easily. Drivers can see you more easily too. For riders who feel exposed or uncertain on a low bike, that sense of being able to see and be seen goes a long way toward feeling confident on the road.

It also pairs well with the relaxed posture. Because you are not hunched over handlebars, your head is naturally up and your eyes are on the road ahead rather than the pavement in front of your wheel. Ken’s comment about the SUV view came in the middle of a stretch where he was simply enjoying the ride, crossing at a crosswalk and letting another rider go ahead. That sort of easy awareness is what an upright trike makes possible.

If an upright, easy-to-board design is what you are after, our easy-to-mount electric trikes have low step-through frames that make getting on and off simple.

A lot of test rides stay on quiet paths. This one did not. Ken rode in bike lanes along busy streets, turned at traffic lights, crossed crosswalks and, at one point, moved into the car lane to make a turn.

That last moment is a good test of any electric trike. Moving into traffic to turn can be nerve-racking, and it is where many riders feel the most vulnerable. Ken said he felt very comfortable doing it, and he gave a specific reason: the trike had good acceleration when the light changed. Being able to get up to speed promptly from a stop means you are not lingering in front of cars, and you can clear the intersection and slip back into the bike lane quickly.

He made it look straightforward, and he said so himself. After one intersection, he described the whole thing as simple. After another, he noted how easy it was to cross the lane and get back into the bike lane. Through all of it, he stayed in the bike lane wherever one was available and observed right of way.

For anyone thinking about using an electric trike for errands, this is encouraging. Real errands usually mean real streets. A trike that pulls away cleanly from a stop and holds a steady line in the bike lane makes those trips practical instead of stressful. It is still worth learning local traffic rules for electric trikes where you live, wearing a helmet and using lights and reflectors, especially in early morning or evening light.

Need a helmet before your first ride? Take a look at our sixthreezero helmets.

After a series of climbs, the route turned into a church lot and continued straight back to an overlook. Ken pulled up, looked out and could not quite find the words at first. When he did, he said they were on top of the world.

He took a moment to enjoy it, calling the view gorgeous and saying more than once that it was a nice spot. It was a reminder of what an electric trike is really for. The motor, the battery and the frame are all just a means of getting you somewhere you want to be, and sometimes that somewhere is a hilltop on a clear morning where you would never have bothered to pedal on an ordinary bike.

Ken got there without being worn out, and he was ready to keep going. That is the quiet promise of a trike like this: it expands the circle of places you can comfortably reach. Viewpoints, parks, coffee shops across town and the long way around the neighborhood all become realistic options instead of plans you talk yourself out of.

Standing at the overlook, he summed up his thoughts so far: these trikes are fun, really fun, and he liked this one. Then he added the comparison that would carry through the rest of the ride. Of the three he had tried, this one felt the most like a regular bike.

Ken rode three different models that morning, which gave him a useful basis for comparison. The first was a four-wheel design that he said he really liked, describing it as nice and stable. The Relaxed Body was lighter and, in his words, peppier. It just moved right along.

At the overlook, he put it this way: of the three, the Relaxed Body was the most peppy and felt the most like a regular bicycle. Our team agreed, noting that it was probably the closest of the three to the two-wheel ebike another rider was on during the ride.

That distinction is helpful for anyone choosing between models. A four-wheel design offers a very planted, car-like feel, which some riders find especially reassuring. A trike like the Relaxed Body keeps the stability of three wheels while feeling livelier and more responsive. Neither is better in every way. They suit different riders and different priorities.

Ken was fair about it. At the end of the ride he said all three were good, each with different benefits depending on what you are looking for. But he left no doubt about his own choice. Of the three, he said, this was the one he would buy. If you are curious about the more planted option he rode first, take a look at our 4-wheel electric bikes. And for a broad look at what makes each style different, our Buyer’s Guide is a good place to start.

It is easy to forget, watching Ken climb hills at 17 miles per hour and merge into traffic, that he had never ridden an electric bike until about an hour and a half before this ride. He said so himself, and he made a point of it because he wanted people in his position to hear it.

His main takeaway was that everything felt intuitive. After doing something once or twice, he said, you have it figured out, and then you can just enjoy the ride. He compared it to the first time you learn to drive a car or ride a regular bike: there is a short period of getting used to it, and then it simply connects.

He also noticed that the basic controls carried over from model to model. Between the three he rode that morning, the main thing that changed was the throttle location. Everything else felt the same. He acknowledged that most people will not be hopping between three trikes in one morning, but his point stood: the controls are straightforward enough that what you learn transfers right away.

For first-time riders, that is reassuring. A lot of people look at an electric trike and assume it will be complicated, with displays and buttons and settings to master. In Ken’s experience, it was not. You turn it on, pick your assistance, pedal or use the throttle and steer. The rest is just getting comfortable.

If you are still deciding, our 30-day test ride gives you time to try a trike on your own streets. You can also visit our store to ride a few models in person, just as Ken did.

One of the most practical things Ken said came during a conversation about how hard these trikes look compared to how easy they actually are. His advice was simple: people just have to try them. You look at one and think you could never do it, he said, but you really can, because it is not hard.

He suggested starting somewhere low-pressure, like a parking lot. Once you get out there and do it, he said, you will understand. And then he made the point that matters most for couples and families. He described himself as a 20 mph person and his wife as a 10 mph person, and said the trike works for both.

That is the real value of adjustable assistance. One rider can enjoy the pep and the pace, while another can keep it slow and gentle on the same machine. You ride at your own safety and comfort level. Nobody is pushed to go faster than they want, and nobody is held back from enjoying a quicker ride if that is what they like.

Later, as he coasted along, he said he could picture his wife, Kathy, on the trike too. She might go at a different speed than he would, he said, but he thought she would really like it as well. Coming from someone who had spent the whole ride calling it a Kenny bike, that was a meaningful endorsement. It is fun enough for the kid in him and approachable enough for a more cautious rider.

If you are shopping with a partner, or for a parent, our electric trikes for seniors and most comfortable electric trikes are good places to compare options side by side.

Ken rode for more than a quarter of an hour on hills, flats and city streets, and at no point did he mention sore wrists, a tired back or an uncomfortable seat. Instead, he kept returning to the same three ideas: smoothness, control and comfort. He even said those were the things he liked most about the trike.

That matters because discomfort is the quiet reason many people stop riding. A bike that leaves your hands numb or your lower back aching after twenty minutes tends to stay in the garage. A trike that lets you sit upright, rest on a supportive seat and let the motor handle the hard parts invites you to go farther and ride more often.

Comfort also feeds confidence. When your body is relaxed, your reactions are calmer, your steering is smoother and you are more aware of what is happening around you. Ken’s steady, unhurried handling through intersections and crosswalks reflected that. He was not fighting the trike. He was simply riding it, and enjoying a beautiful morning in San Clemente while he did.

If you have stepped away from cycling because it started to feel like work, a relaxed, upright electric trike may be the thing that brings you back. As Ken put it, it is a great way to get outside and enjoy days like the one he had.

Ken mentioned that his grandkids have ebikes now, and he was already planning rides with them. He imagined all of them heading out together, with him doing some teaching of his own along the way.

This is one of the less talked-about benefits of an electric trike. As grandchildren get older and pick up faster bikes, it gets harder for grandparents to ride along. A trike with a capable motor closes that gap. You can keep pace on the flats, handle the hills without falling behind and enjoy the ride together instead of waving goodbye at the end of the driveway.

There is also a confidence factor. When you are on a stable three-wheel frame and the motor is doing the heavy lifting on climbs, you can focus on the people you are riding with rather than on your own balance or breathing. That turns a family ride from something you endure into something you look forward to.

Ken’s plan to teach the grandkids three-point turns was a joke, but there is truth in it. Experience counts for a lot, and on the right trike, an experienced rider can still be the one leading the group.

Based on Ken’s ride, the Relaxed Body 750 Watt Electric Tricycle stands out for a specific kind of rider. It suits people who want the stability of three wheels but do not want to give up the feel of a lively bike. It suits riders who live somewhere with hills and want a motor that climbs without complaint. And it suits anyone who plans to run errands, thanks to the rear basket, but also wants a trike that is simply fun to take out for the afternoon.

It is also a strong fit for first-time ebike riders who are a little nervous about the learning curve. Ken went from never having ridden an ebike to climbing hills, crossing intersections and turning in traffic in a single morning. The intuitive controls, quick seat adjustment and upright view all help shorten that learning period.

There are riders who might prefer something else. If you want the most planted, settled feel possible and do not care much about pep, a four-wheel model like the one Ken rode first could suit you better. If comfort and support for your back are the top priority, a recumbent design may be worth considering. And if you need to haul heavier loads or a passenger, there are trikes built specifically for that.

For those situations, you can explore our recumbent electric trikes, cargo electric trikes and high weight capacity trikes. If you are not sure where to start, our fitting consultation can point you in the right direction based on your height, riding style and goals.

Ken’s experience offers a simple roadmap for anyone getting started on an electric trike. The first step is to set your seat height properly. With a quick-release lever like the one on the Relaxed Body, this takes seconds, and it makes a big difference to comfort and control.

Next, practice somewhere quiet. A parking lot or an empty street gives you room to get a feel for the throttle and the pedal assist without traffic around you. Start on a low assistance setting, try a few gentle starts and stops, and test the brakes at low speed so you know how they respond.

Then focus on turning. Remember that a trike does not lean like a bicycle. Slow down before corners, steer through them and give yourself a few rides to build the habit. Ken picked it up in minutes, but there is no rush.

When you head out on the road, wear a helmet, use the bike lane where one is available and keep your speed within your comfort zone. A trike that feels smooth can be moving faster than you think, as Ken discovered more than once. Glance at the display now and then, especially on downhills.

Finally, keep an eye on the battery level and plan longer rides accordingly. Ken’s energy bar held up well through a hilly route, but range always depends on terrain, rider weight and how much you lean on the throttle. If you ever need a replacement or a spare, our batteries and chargers page has options, and our assembly instructions can help when your trike first arrives.

Ken started his 74th birthday at 6:30 in the morning and finished his ride grinning. Along the way he climbed hills that sped him up instead of slowing him down, merged into traffic without hesitation, took in a hilltop view over San Clemente and discovered that riding an electric trike was far easier than he had imagined.

He summed it up the way he had been describing it all morning: fun, fun, fun. He liked the peppiness and how the trike kept moving right along. He was surprised by how it held and even gained speed uphill, and he pointed out how useful that is on the days you do not feel like pedaling at all. It will take you uphill just fine.

Above all, he kept coming back to how it made him feel. Instead of being 74, he said, on this trike he felt 14. Of the three models he tried that morning, all of them good, the Relaxed Body was the one he said he would buy.

If Ken’s ride has you curious, the best next step is to try one yourself. Browse the full lineup of electric tricycles, take advantage of the 30-day test ride and see whether you end up with a nickname for your new trike too.