A 74th Birthday Test Ride on the Simple Glide Deluxe Fat Tire eTrike

A Birthday Ride Worth Taking

Some people celebrate a birthday with cake. Ken Saint Seir celebrated his 74th by climbing onto an electric trike and taking it out for a spin. He came by sixthreezero specifically to check out our three-wheelers, and he had one model in mind before he even sat down: the Simple Glide. “I can’t wait to try this,” he said, and within a few minutes he was rolling.

What followed was close to nine minutes of riding, a handful of turns, a hill, a few laughs, and one short, very honest verdict at the end. Ken isn’t a paid tester and he isn’t a cycling enthusiast showing off. He’s a 74-year-old rider who wanted to know whether this trike would actually feel good to ride. That makes his reactions more useful than any spec sheet, because they are the same questions most of our riders are asking: Will it feel stable? Can I control it? Will the hills wear me out? Is it going to be fun?

This article walks through Ken’s test ride moment by moment, then fills in the details of the trike he rode so you can judge for yourself whether it might suit you. If you’re weighing a three-wheeler for yourself, a parent, or a partner, his ride is a pretty good preview of what the first few minutes feel like.

The model Ken tested was the 2026 Simple Glide Deluxe 750W Fat Tire Rear Motor. It’s a recumbent-style e-trike, which means you sit back in a supportive chair-like seat with a high backrest rather than perching on a narrow saddle. Two wheels sit at the back, one at the front, and all three wear 4-inch-wide fat tires.

Power comes from a 750-watt rear-mounted motor fed by a 48V 15Ah battery. You can pedal with assistance through a Shimano Tourney 7-speed drivetrain, or you can twist the throttle on the right grip and let the motor do the work. Stopping is handled by a hydraulic braking system with three rotors, one for each wheel. A full-color Bigstone display shows speed, battery level, assist mode and trip information in large, easy-to-read numbers, and there are LED head and tail lights for visibility.

The 2026 Deluxe version adds a few upgrades over earlier Simple Glides: a dual rear suspension that soaks up bumps, a seat that adjusts up and down as well as forward and back, a rear cargo basket, and a built-in hitch attachment for towing a trailer. The aluminum frame is a low step-through design, the handlebars sweep back toward the rider, and the stem is adjustable so the bars can be brought to a comfortable reach.

The trike weighs about 125 pounds and is rated for riders and cargo up to 350 pounds. The recommended riding speed tops out around 20 mph, and the battery is rated for up to 50 miles of range, depending on how much you pedal, the terrain, rider weight and the assist level you use.

If you want to compare it with other three-wheel options, our full lineup of recumbent electric trikes and fat tire electric trikes is a good place to look side by side.

Before the ride started, there was a quick back-and-forth that anyone who has done a test ride will recognize. “I am ready to go. We ready?” Ken asked. “Ready.” “Let’s go.” There’s a small leap of faith in that moment, especially if you haven’t ridden anything in a while, or if you’ve never been on a recumbent before.

That’s where the design of the Simple Glide does a lot of quiet work. Because the frame is a low step-through, getting on doesn’t require swinging a leg over anything. You walk up to the seat, turn, and sit down, much like lowering yourself into a patio chair. The high backrest gives you something to lean into right away, and because there are three wheels on the ground, the trike doesn’t lean or wobble while you settle in and find the pedals.

For a lot of older riders, that first moment is the biggest hurdle. On a two-wheeler, you have to find your balance, push off, and get moving quickly enough to stay upright. On a trike, there’s no rush. You can sit still as long as you like, check the display, adjust your feet and only then start rolling. Ken didn’t need any coaching to get going, which tells you something about how approachable the setup is.

If ease of getting on and off is high on your list, it’s worth browsing our easy-to-mount e-trikes, which all share that low step-through height.

Barely half a minute into the ride, Ken had already formed his first opinion: “I like the shifter.” It’s a small comment, but it points to something important. On an e-trike, the gears still matter. Even with a motor helping, being in the right gear makes pedaling feel natural rather than like you’re spinning in place or pushing against a wall.

The Simple Glide uses a Shimano Tourney 7-speed system. Seven gears is a sensible number for this kind of riding. It gives you a low, easy gear for starting from a stop or tackling a climb, and a few taller gears for when you’re cruising and want your legs to keep up with the speed. More gears than that tends to add complexity without adding much for a neighborhood rider, and fewer can leave you without the right option on a hill.

What riders usually appreciate most is when the shifting is predictable. You click, the chain moves, and your pedaling changes the way you expect. For someone who may not have shifted gears on a bike in years, that predictability builds trust quickly. Ken’s comment came early, and it set the tone for the rest of the ride: the controls made sense to him.

About forty-five seconds in, Ken said simply, “Wow, this is nice.” Then, a little later, he put his finger on exactly why: “It has a lot of pep, but then you can also control it.”

That sentence is probably the best short description of what a well-tuned e-trike should feel like. A 750-watt motor has plenty of power. It can get you moving briskly and carry you up hills without much effort from your legs. But power alone isn’t what makes a ride enjoyable, especially for an older rider. What matters is whether that power arrives in a way that feels calm and manageable, not jumpy or surprising.

The Simple Glide gives you two ways to use the motor. With pedal assist, the motor adds power while you pedal, and you choose how much help you want with the assist level on the display. Lower levels feel like a gentle tailwind; higher levels feel like someone is giving you a steady push. With the twist throttle on the right handlebar, you can ride without pedaling at all, rolling the grip forward a little or a lot to set your speed.

Having both options is genuinely useful. Plenty of riders like to pedal for the exercise but appreciate the throttle for pulling away from a stop, crossing an intersection, or giving tired legs a break on the way home. Others ride mostly on the throttle and pedal now and then just to stay loose. Neither approach is wrong. The point is that you get to decide, minute by minute, how much effort you want to put in.

Ken’s “a lot of pep” reaction is common among first-time e-trike riders. The trick is to start in a low assist level, get a feel for how the motor responds, and work your way up. If throttle control is a feature you know you want, our collection of e-trikes with throttle control lets you compare models that offer it.

Around the one-and-a-half-minute mark, you can hear Ken figuring things out in real time: “Oh, I see. So, it goes.” That little moment of discovery, when the controls click and you realize how the trike responds to what you do, tends to happen fast on the Simple Glide. After that, the ride turns from cautious to fun.

Shortly before the two-minute mark, after a quick “All right, let’s go straight,” Ken made a point of commenting on the brakes. “I like how it stops.” For any rider, but especially for older riders, that might be the most reassuring sentence in the whole video.

Confidence on any wheeled vehicle starts with knowing you can stop when you want to. The Simple Glide uses hydraulic disc brakes with three rotors, so braking force is spread across all three wheels. Hydraulic systems are popular on higher-end bikes because they need less hand strength than cable-pulled brakes. You squeeze the lever and the fluid in the line does much of the work, giving smooth, progressive stopping without a hard pull.

That matters a great deal if you have arthritis in your hands, reduced grip strength, or simply don’t want to clamp down hard every time you approach a corner. A light, controlled squeeze slows you down predictably. There’s no grabby lurch and no feeling that you have to strain to bring the trike to a halt.

Three wheels also help when stopping. On a bicycle, hard braking can make the bike feel unsettled, and coming to a stop means putting a foot down to catch your balance. On a trike, you stop and simply stay put, seated and supported, until you’re ready to go again. Ken’s comment suggests that combination felt right to him from the start.

If braking is one of your top concerns, take a look at our e-trikes with disc brakes. And whatever you ride, a properly fitted helmet is worth having; we carry a range of sixthreezero helmets sized for comfortable, all-day wear.

Much of the middle of Ken’s ride was spent navigating. You can hear the directions being called out: make a right, we’re going up, take a left. Turns are where a lot of riders, especially those new to trikes, discover how differently three wheels behave compared with two.

On a bicycle, you lean into a turn. On a trike, you stay upright and steer. That takes a few corners to get used to if you grew up on bicycles, but for most riders it quickly becomes the easier of the two. You don’t have to judge your lean angle or worry about the wheels slipping out from under you. You simply slow down a little, turn the handlebars, and the trike follows.

The Simple Glide helps here in a few ways. The recumbent seating position keeps your center of gravity low, which makes the trike feel planted. The two rear wheels are spread wide, giving a broad, stable base. And the 4-inch fat tires put more rubber on the ground than a standard tire, adding grip on pavement and helping the trike feel secure on surfaces that aren’t perfectly smooth.

One practical habit worth building on any trike: brake before the turn, not during it. Approach the corner at a comfortable pace, ease off the throttle or stop pedaling, steer through, and then pick up speed again on the way out. It’s the same advice motorcycle and car instructors give, and it makes cornering on a trike feel smooth and relaxed.

After the ride, Ken shared what may have been the biggest surprise of the day. “I was going 20 miles an hour and it felt really comfortable,” he said. “I was surprised to see that I was going 20 and it felt that smooth.”

Twenty miles an hour is right at the top of the Simple Glide’s recommended riding range of 1 to 20 mph, and it’s a brisk pace for a three-wheeler. Yet Ken only realized how fast he was going because he looked down at the display. That disconnect between actual speed and how fast it feels is a good sign. It means the trike wasn’t rattling, wobbling or giving him reasons to be nervous.

Several features work together to create that calm feeling. The fat tires act as a first layer of cushioning, absorbing small bumps and road texture. The dual rear suspension on the 2026 Deluxe handles larger jolts, so cracks, uneven pavement and driveway lips don’t travel straight into your back. The supportive seat and high backrest keep your body cradled instead of bouncing. And the low, wide stance keeps the trike tracking straight.

A word of balance here: just because 20 mph feels smooth doesn’t mean it’s always the right speed. Neighborhood streets, shared paths, and anywhere with pedestrians, pets or kids call for a slower, more relaxed pace. Part of what Ken appreciated was that the trike gave him the choice. He could cruise gently, or he could open it up on a clear stretch, and either way the ride felt composed.

Ken had one more highlight to share in his wrap-up: “And going uphill was a piece of cake. I like that.”

Hills are often the deciding factor for riders thinking about an electric trike. Plenty of people stop riding regular bicycles not because they dislike cycling, but because the hills in their neighborhood make every ride feel like a workout they didn’t sign up for. Knees, hips and lungs all start to object, and eventually the bike stays in the garage.

A 750-watt rear-mounted motor changes that equation. Because the motor sits at the rear and drives the trike from behind, it delivers solid pushing power on climbs. Pair that with a low gear on the 7-speed drivetrain and a bit of throttle or a higher assist level, and inclines that once felt impossible become something you barely think about. That’s what Ken described: a climb that didn’t require effort or a second thought.

If you’re heading up a long or steep hill, a few simple habits help. Shift into an easier gear before the climb starts, raise your assist level a step, and keep pedaling lightly if you can; even modest pedaling helps the motor and stretches your battery further. Use the throttle as a boost rather than relying on it alone for the whole climb, and you’ll enjoy both the hill and the extra range.

About two and a half minutes in, Ken made a remark that says a lot about how quickly he was picturing this trike in his own life: “This will fit in my car.” He was already thinking past the test ride, to taking it somewhere and riding it there.

Transportation is a fair question to ask about any trike. The Simple Glide is a substantial machine at around 125 pounds, and three wheels make it wider than a bicycle. The product page highlights that it is sized to load quickly into a truck bed, and there are ramps and other transport solutions designed for moving a trike safely.

Whether it fits in a particular car depends on the car, so take measurements before you plan a road trip. Check the opening of your trunk or hatch, the depth of the cargo area, and whether the rear seats fold flat. It’s also worth thinking about lifting. Even when a trike fits, 125 pounds is a lot for one person to load, so plan on a ramp, a helper, or both. Removing the battery before loading makes the trike lighter and keeps the battery protected in transit.

Many riders find they don’t need to transport their trike often at all. If you have good riding right outside your door, the Simple Glide can simply live in the garage and head straight out onto the street. Either way, it’s great that Ken was already thinking about where he wanted to take it.

Ken’s comments focused mostly on the riding: shifting, power, braking, speed and hills. But some of the trike’s most important features are the ones riders don’t mention, simply because they don’t notice anything going wrong. When your back doesn’t ache and your hands don’t go numb, you just keep riding and enjoying it.

The seat is the clearest example. The Simple Glide’s recumbent seat has a high backrest that supports your spine and encourages a relaxed posture. Instead of leaning forward and putting weight on your wrists, you sit back with your weight spread across the seat and backrest. On the 2026 Deluxe, the seat slides forward and back and also moves up and down, so you can set your leg extension for comfortable pedaling and pick a height that makes getting on and off easy.

The handlebars sweep back toward you, so your arms rest naturally rather than reaching. The stem is adjustable, which helps fine-tune that reach for riders of different heights and arm lengths. The grips are soft and contoured to the hand, which matters more than people think on longer rides. Pressure on your palms can add up over half an hour or more, and a well-shaped grip prevents it.

Then there’s the suspension. The dual rear suspension on the Deluxe moves gently up and down to absorb vibration and impact before it reaches you. For riders with sensitive joints, hip or knee issues, or back pain, this can be the difference between a ride that feels pleasant and one you’re glad to finish. Combine that with the cushioning of fat tires, and you have a ride that stays comfortable on everyday pavement, paths and less-than-perfect surfaces.

If comfort is your number-one priority, our most comfortable electric trikes collection gathers the models designed with that goal first.

Ken’s ride was all about the fun of it, but the Simple Glide Deluxe is also built to be useful. The 2026 version includes a rear cargo basket, so it can carry groceries, a bag, a jacket, a water bottle, or whatever you need for an outing. For many riders, that turns a recreational trike into a practical way to handle short errands without starting the car.

The built-in hitch attachment opens up even more options. With a compatible trailer, you can haul extra cargo for a bigger shopping trip, bring along gear for a day at the park, or set up the trike for other kinds of hauling. It’s the sort of feature you might not think you need until you have it, and then you find yourself using it more than you expected.

Weather is another real-world consideration. An optional canopy, sold separately, adds shade from the sun and protection from light rain, which can make the trike usable on more days of the year. You can browse sixthreezero canopies and bags and panniers to set the trike up for the kind of riding you do.

About three and a half minutes into the ride, Ken said what may be the line of the day: “All right, this is fun. Absolutely. My grandkids are in trouble now.”

It’s a joke, but it also gets at something real. One of the quiet losses that can come with getting older is not being able to keep up. Grandkids head off on bikes or scooters, and grandparents are left waving from the porch. An e-trike changes that. With a 750-watt motor and the stability of three wheels, a 74-year-old rider can not only keep pace with the kids but might actually leave them working hard to keep up.

That shared experience is one of the most rewarding parts of riding a trike. A loop around the neighborhood, a trip to the ice cream shop, or an afternoon on a park path becomes something the whole family can do together, at the same pace, without anyone being left behind or worn out. The trike also gives grandparents a comfortable seat and a stable ride, so they can focus on the conversation and the scenery rather than on balancing.

Ken’s ride makes a strong case, but every rider is different. Based on how the trike is designed and how riders like Ken react to it, here is who tends to get the most out of the Simple Glide Deluxe.

It’s a natural fit for older riders who want to stay active but no longer feel steady on two wheels. The three-wheel base means there’s nothing to balance, and the low step-through frame and adjustable seat make getting on and off simpler. Riders with joint discomfort, back pain or reduced grip strength often appreciate the supportive recumbent seat, the suspension, and hydraulic brakes that need only a light squeeze.

It also works well for riders who live in hilly areas, since the 750-watt motor takes the strain out of climbs, and for anyone who wants a way to run local errands with the rear basket and hitch. Riders who simply want a relaxing, comfortable way to get outside will find a lot to like, too.

There are a few things to think about honestly. At about 125 pounds, it’s a heavier machine than a bicycle, so you’ll want a garage, shed or covered space to park it, and a plan if you need to transport it. Three wheels make it wider than a bike, so consider the width of your gate, garage door or storage area. The weight capacity is 350 pounds, which covers most riders, but check your own weight plus any cargo you plan to carry.

If you’re not sure which of our trikes suits your height, mobility and riding plans, our fitting tool is a quick way to narrow it down, and our electric trikes for seniors collection brings together models designed with older riders in mind.

If Ken’s video has you curious, the best next step is getting on a trike yourself. A few pointers will help you make the most of those first minutes.

Start by adjusting the seat before you ride. Sitting in the seat, you should be able to reach the pedals with a slight bend in your knee at the farthest point of the stroke. If your legs are cramped or overextended, slide or raise the seat until it feels natural. Next, check that you can reach the brake levers and the throttle comfortably without stretching.

Begin in the lowest assist level and roll forward slowly in a quiet, open area. Get a feel for how the trike accelerates and how it responds to the brakes before moving to a higher level. Practice a few stops, both gentle and firm, so you know how the brakes feel. Then try some easy turns, remembering to slow down before each one and steer rather than lean.

Once you’re comfortable, try both modes: pedal assist and throttle. Notice which feels better for starting from a stop and which you prefer for cruising. If there’s a small hill nearby, try that too, shifting into an easier gear before you start the climb. Like Ken, you may be surprised by how little effort it takes.

Can’t get to a showroom? Our 30-day test ride gives you time to try a trike on your own streets, and we offer free shipping. Most of our trikes arrive mostly built, and our assembly instructions walk you through the rest. If you prefer to see one in person first, you can visit us to arrange a ride.

When Ken pulled back in at the end of his ride, his summary was short and clear: “This was fun. Really stable.” He’d gone 20 miles an hour and felt comfortable doing it. Climbing hills had been easy. He liked the shifter, he liked the way the trike stopped, and he liked that the power was strong but easy to manage.

That’s a pretty complete review from someone who came in simply wanting to try something new on his birthday. Stability, comfort, control, real power on hills, and a genuine sense of fun are exactly what a good electric trike should deliver. Ken found all of them within a few minutes of sitting down.

Perhaps the best part is how it changed his sense of what’s possible. At the start, he was curious. By the middle of the ride, he was joking about leaving his grandkids behind and thinking about how the trike would fit in his car. That shift from wondering to planning is what a good test ride is supposed to do.

If you’d like to see more riders like Ken putting our bikes and trikes through their paces, browse the Video Blog section of our Bike Advice page. And if Ken’s ride has you thinking about your own, start with our full range of electric trikes. Happy 74th, Ken, and here’s to many more miles.