Big wheel trike frame. Who this is for

Big wheel trike frame

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• Free, fast shipping
• 1-year warranty
• Reliable service

You may have noticed that the shipping date for some models is currently listed as several months away.

While we understand that this is a long time to wait, we wanted to make sure that these bikes were available to purchase for any rider who had their heart set on a preferred model and wanted to secure theirs well in advance.

The dates listed are as accurate as possible, but please note that the entire manufacturing world is in the middle of a global supply chain challenge. As a result, there are some variables that are out of our control (like container shortages, port delays, and the Suez Canal incident).

We know how excited you are to get your new ebike and we are continually scaling up our operations to get it to you as soon as possible.

RadRover 6 Plus Assembly

Our riders say that this model is easy to assemble, however if you want help, our ebike assembly service will have you ready-to-ride.

What to Measure

Your “bike inseam”.- or inside leg length.- is the distance between your body where it sits on your bike saddle and the ground. This will typically be an inch or two longer than the length of your trousers, but you’ll want to measure to be sure. You’ll use this number on the chart to get a feel for how the different models will fit you.

How to Measure

Wearing your regular riding shoes and with your back to the wall, stand with your feet spread so there is about 7 inches between them. this is about the distance apart your feet would be when straddling a bike with your feet on

Place a hardcover book against the wall with the spine of the book facing upward. Slide the book upwards towards your groin until it is solidly against your body. This may be a bit awkward, but is way more comfortable.- and safer!- than trying to ride a bike that is too big.

If you have a buddy helping you, get them to measure from the floor to the top of the book spine while you hold the book in place. If you’re going it alone, carefully hold the book in place and measure from the ground to the top of the book spine.

Our Best Fat-tire Electric Bikes for 2023

The Best Class 3 Electric Fat Bike, 2023

A disruptive model when it first came into the fat-tire e-bike world, the Aventon Aventure set a new high bar for what consumers could expect from a sub-5000,000 electric fat bike when it first entered the market, and the followup Aventure 2 built upon that legacy. While many of its contemporaries have caught up in certain aspects, the Aventure 2 still stands out.

It’s not just the 750W Bafang rear hub motor or the 720Wh fully-integrated battery that have us so enamored with this electric fatty, it’s also that Aventon managed to chock it full of little features and extras that are still somewhat uncommon on many e-bikes in this category. It’s got a torque sensor which both allows for a more natural feel, and also gives it better battery efficiency making you go further without a larger, heavier battery. Throw in a full-color LCD display, metal fenders, a full Shimano Altus drivetrain, Tektro hydraulic brakes and, to top it all off, it’s just a really nice riding bike. The handling is sporty without being overly athletic and, though it is a bit heavy, it handles light doubletrack surprisingly well.

It also comes available in a step-over and step-through frames with a selection of good looking colors to choose from (a standout feature in a sea of black and white fat bikes).

The Aventure ships as a Class 2 e-bike, but like most of the bikes on this list it’s easily convertible to Class 3 through an app that paris to your bike, which gives it a top pedal-assisted speed of 28 mph. We’ve tested and even compared this bike head-to-head against some of its biggest competitors, and the results don’t lie: It’s a new breed of affordable electric fat bike.

To put it short, we’re really big fans of the Aventure and we think you would be too which is why it leads off our list of the best fat tire electric bikes of 2023.

Pro’s

• Unlocked to Class 3, this is an extremely fast and torquey e-bike.
• The full-color LCD display is great and features a percentage based battery readout
• The 720Wh battery is efficiency used for great range thanks to the torque sensor
• It’s got a unique styling for a fat e-bike that reminds us of another Aventon we really liked, the Level.

Con’s

• At 77lbs (we reviewed a large with the optional front and included rear racks), the Aventure is slightly heavier than many of its peers.

The Mokwheel Basalt

This beast of an e-bike has the brawn to carry its rider just about anywhere witha strong motor and 450 lbs payload capacity, and can be accompanied by some seriously impressive optional accessories.

Rad Power Bikes RadRover 6 Plus

The Best Class 2 Electric Fat Bike, 2023

We’ve long been fans of Rad Power Bikes’ RadRover line and many e-bikes on this list owe some thanks to the Rover for helping popularize fat tires into the mainstream. While there was plenty to appreciate with past iterations of the Rover, the RadRover 6 Plus is a marked upgrade over its predecessors in such a way that it demands to be seriously considered among anybody’s list for the best electric fat tire bikes.

There is a noticeable aesthetic overhaul compared to previous models that is largely credited to the new semi-integrated battery housed in a more modern, angular frame. There is also a unique dual display in the center and left of the cockpit that’s functional and just plain different.

But looks aren’t all that’s new here. Rad also added hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm rotors to bolster the stopping power and keep riders more in control when needing to come to a stop.

In a category of e-bike that’s often singularly-focused on speed and raw power, the Rad Power Bikes RadRover 6 Plus takes a different, more measured approach. It’s got a 750W rear hub motor that’s very similar to what you’ll find on many other bikes on this list of the best fat tire e-bikes, but the power delivery from that motor is much more gentle, particularly at low speeds. What this does is give the bike a very predictable and controllable power delivery that’s friendly to new riders or those who want a bike that’s easy to ride, all while still being plenty torquey to help you summit hilly areas.

If you want easily-controllable power from a bike that’s backed by an industry-leading e-bike company, the RadRover 6 plus may be the best choice for you.

Pro’s

• The 750W motor feels refined – it’s got plenty of torque but it delivers it smoothly.
• The 672Wh battery delivers impressive range even for its size.
• The hydraulic disc brakes performed very well in our testing, and they added it to the newest Rover model while keeping the price relatively affordable.
• While it may be subjective, we really love the new look of the redesigned RadRover.

Con’s

• The LED screen on the left is noticeably less bright than the center one.
• The cable management feels a bit messy.

The Blix Ultra

With speed, power, and a myriad of options to add versatility, the Blix Ultra is practical and completely fun to ride.

Lectric XP 3.0

Best Ultra Affordable Electric Fat Bike, 2023

The Lectric XP 2.0 already stood out by proving to be a quality folding bike with a solid spread of features at a very reasonable price. The combined package of integrated features such as the rear cargo rack, lights, suspension, and fenders is something you would only expect to see on more expensive models. Now Lectric has raised the bar even further by packing the new XP 3.0 full of upgrades and new features, while keeping the bike at the same price of around a thousand dollars.

The new Lectric XP 3.0 features a motor with increased peak wattage and torque for better hill climbing, a better gear ratio for ease of pedaling, larger brake rotors for better stopping power, an improved suspension for a more comfortable ride, and optional accessories for increased passenger capacity.

All of that capability on a bike that can fold up and fit behind a seat or in a trunk made it easy to choose the Lectric XP 3.0 for the best fat tire e-bike of 2023!

Pro’s

• The XP 3.0 only adds to the already great value of the previous model. For the same price, the 3.0 offers upgrades to the baseline integrated features and even adds new ones.
• While the motor on the XP 3.0 is still a 500W rear-hub, it now features an increased 55Nm of torque and 1000W peak output.
• An improved gear ratio and larger high gear result in a more efficient application of rider input.
• Increased brake rotor size – now 180mm instead of 160mm – gives more responsiveness and efficiency braking despite being mechanical instead of hydraulic disc brakes.
• The 3.0’s suspension fork has an increased travel distance at 50mm, making for a smoother ride on- and off-road.
• The weight capacity of the rear rack has doubled to a max of 150lbs, allowing for additional passenger capacity.

Con’s

• We’d have loved to see the option to operate the XP 3.0 without its key in the bike, but that is one upgrade Lectric has not yet made.
• While the 3.0’s grips are improved, we still would prefer something a bit softer.

The Velotric Nomad 1

With sleek design, excellent range, and plenty of power for speed and uphill travel, the Nomad 1 offers solid value for its price.

Mokwheel Basalt

The Best Fat Tire Electric Bike for Camping, 2023

Half the fun of camping is exploring the area visited. E-bikes offer campers the opportunity to go farther, see more and not be wiped out at the end of the day. The Mokwheel Basalt is unusual among e-bikes in that not only is it well-suited to off-road exploring, but it can serve as a valuable resource thanks to some of its unusual accessories. As a Class 3 e-bike with a maximum speed of 28 mph, it is terrific for getting around most anywhere.

The Mokwheel Basalt may not look all that unusual at first glance. It features a 750W brushless hub motor that can turn 90Nm of torque, making it suitable for riding steep hills, whether paved or not. The 110mm-travel suspension fork improves control on bumpy terrain and the 7-speed Shimano drivetrain helps both uphill and down. Hydraulic disc brakes offer terrific power even on steep downhills and Chaoyang 26 x 4-in. tires provide the necessary cushion and traction for exploring the backcountry.

What really sets the Mokwheel Basalt apart is its massive 940Wh battery that can power a 1000W power inverter that has the ability to run such essentials as phone chargers, coffee makers, electric grills and laptops. Planning to be gone more than a day or two? Mokwheel also offers a solar charger to keep the juice running to those essentials.

Riders can also choose between a traditional frame and a step-thru design. Because it has a 450-lb. payload capacity, campers who want to go bag dinner can carry it back to camp as well. This is ideal for anyone planning to go camping but still wants electricity.

Not only is it the best fat tire electric bike for camping, it’s just a good fat option period.

Pro’s

• 750W brushless hub motor has the power and torque necessary to climb hills and deliver riders to a maximum assisted speed of 28 mph for spirited riding
• Comes in both a traditional frame and a step-thru to fit a broad range of riders
• Can power a number of electric appliances while camping with the help of the optional 1000W power inverter
• 4-in.-wide tires and a front suspension fork make for a very comfortable ride
• 450-lb. payload capacity makes it terrific for hunters wanting to bring home their game

Con’s

The Aventon Sinch

With its low step-thru frame, big tires and suspension fork, this is a comfortable and easy to ride e-bike perfect for accompanying you on road trips and outdoor adventures.

How to measure a bike frame: our complete guide to sizing a bike

If you’re thinking of buying a new bike, or a first bike, understanding the key measurements that define your frame is important to ensure that you get a machine that fits you and works for the type of riding that you intend to do.

And if you’re planning to rent a bike, it’s useful to know your frame’s key measurements, so you can make sure that your rental will be comfortable to ride and can be adjusted to fit. Not all manufacturers measure frame sizes in the same way, so you need to look at a few fundamental measurements to ensure that you’re comparing apples with apples.

bike buying advice

Read on to find out how to size up your road bike or mountain bike frame. Also check out our comprehensive guide to mountain bike geometry, which tells you how these measures affect handling; even if you’re a roadie most of the measurements are still as significant.

We’ve also got advice on how to choose the right size frame for road bikes and mountain bikes and specific advice for choosing a women’s bike.

What you’ll need to measure a bike frame

Most bikes, whether road or mountain, are now measured in metric units, but you may find some manufacturers that still size mountain bikes in inches. Some brands, such as Moots, even mix the two!

We highly recommend you stick to metric units to keep things consistent. If you really must, you can always divide centimetres by 2.54 to switch to inches.

You will usually be able to find a geometry chart for all sizes of a current frameset on a maker’s site. If your bike is still a current model, it’s worth taking a copy of this because it will be more accurate than your measurements and likely a handy reference down the line.

How to measure top tube length

Once, bikes all had horizontal top tubes. Now many bikes’ top tubes will have a slope.

If you look at a bike geometry table, it will usually include the real top-tube length. But for a consistent measure, regardless of the top tube angle, you need to measure the horizontal top tube length, called the effective top tube length or virtual top tube in many geo charts.

That’s the horizontal distance between the centreline of the head tube and the centreline of the seatpost. Measuring it correctly will mean using your spirit level or the clinometer app, to ensure that your measure is really horizontal.

Many manufacturers size road bikes by top tube length. That’s not true of mountain bikes, where the frame size is usually marked S, M, L etc. That’s a system used for some road bikes too: Merida’s road bikes go through S, S/M, M/L and L.

Of course, this measurement is up to each brand’s interpretation – Ridley’s size S frames have a top tube around 54cm, which is equivalent to many brands’ size medium frames.

It’s worth noting that not all brands measure virtual top tube length in the same way either.

Colnago, for example, records the horizontal distance from the head tube to a vertical projected up from the top of the seat tube, so it doesn’t take account of the further backward projection of the seatpost and its numbers will come out smaller than other makers’. A 50s Colnago is equivalent to a 54cm top tube.

How to measure seat tube length

Seat tube length is the straight line distance between the centre of the bottom bracket and the top of the seat tube.

Again, it’s trickier than it sounds: some bikes like the Trek Madone have a considerable extension of the seat tube above the top tube junction while others use a seatmast, so it’s difficult to compare with an alternative’s dimensions.

Plus, mountain bikes in particular often have a kink in the seat tube, so you don’t want to follow the line of the tube itself, which will be longer.

Line up your straight edge with the bottom bracket centre and the top of the seat tube and measure along this, if you’re not sure you’re following the right line.

How to measure reach and stack

So we’ve seen that top tube and seat tube lengths are a bit of a minefield if you want to compare frames. For more consistency, most manufacturers will now show reach and stack values for their bikes.

These have the advantage of being independent of frame design and measure the perpendicular distances between two key contact points: the bottom bracket and the top of the head tube.

We’ve published a more detailed explanation of why reach and stack are important here.

In brief, the reach is the horizontal distance between the two. To measure it, you’ll need your spirit level again.

Attach a plumb line to the end of the level. If you’re using Blue Tack, make sure that the blob at the end of the string is fairly symmetric and your string hangs down straight otherwise your measure may be off.

Align the top edge of the level with the centreline of the top of the head tube. Then move the level back and forward until the plumb line intersects with the centre of the bottom bracket spindle. Now just measure the distance between the top of the plumb line and the head tube and you’ve got your reach.

Other good bike locks

If you need a lock for a bike-storage room or garage: Consider the Kryptonite New York Legend Chain, which is the strongest chain we tested but too big and heavy to carry around. (It weighs nearly 15 pounds and measures nearly 5 feet long; unlike the New York Fahgettaboudit Chain, it does not come in a shorter, lighter version.) The New York Legend Chain’s bulk makes it best suited as a leave-in-place lock, not one you would bring with you and use multiple times a day.

If you want a folding lock with more anti-theft insurance: Check out the Kryptonite KryptoLok 685, 610, and 610 S folding locks, which are all stronger versions of our folding-lock pick. The main difference is that they have rivets measuring 5 mm thick, instead of 3 mm. We wouldn’t spend the extra money on any of them for that reason alone, as in our tests a drill still defeated them easily. However, they all come with a much bigger insurance policy: 450,750, versus the 500 of coverage that comes with our top folding choice. If that’s of value to you, upgrading to one of these versions would be worth the investment. Of the three, we’d choose the 610 S; all other things being equal, the narrower design is nice and gives the 610 S a more streamlined fit if you mount it on a down tube.

The competition

Kryptonite Evolution Mini-7: This model, our previous top pick, was replaced by our current pick, the New-U Evolution Mini-7. (Although you may still see it for sale at some retailers and on Amazon, it no longer appears on Kryptonite’s website.) The main difference is that it locks on only one side, in contrast to the New-U Evolution Mini-7, which has a dual-locking shackle.

Kryptonite New-U KryptoLok Standard: This U-lock employs a disc-detainer mechanism, like the New-U Evolution does, and it now comes with the same double-deadlock design as our top pick. (The version we tested did not.) However, the biggest problem with this lock hasn’t changed: Bolt cutters can cut through it. We believe that spending more on a more-hardened lock, such as the New-U Evolution, could drastically reduce the percentage of thieves with the tools necessary to cut your lock.

Kryptonite KryptoLok Series 2 995 Integrated Chain: This chain’s biggest drawback is that a thief could cut it with bolt cutters, but in our tests the square shape of the 9 mm chain tended to slip out of the jaws of the cutters, and breaking it required quite some work on our part. This model would be a good secondary lock and chain.

Kryptonite New York Cinch: This chain is lighter and less expensive than the New York Fahgettaboudit Chain, and as a result it brings a slight decrease in security. If you already need so much security that you’re considering this model, getting the New York Fahgettaboudit Chain makes more sense.

Kryptonite TKO Folding Bicycle Lock: This folding lock is sold exclusively at Walmart, and for a very tempting price (about 25). It is made by Kryptonite, but that’s all it has in common with our picks. Walmart describes it as a “modern, high-security lock,” but its Kryptonite Security Level is “3”—suitable only for a quick stop in a rural area. Our tester was able to pop the rivets on the one we purchased, using a short length of pipe, in less than 10 seconds.

OnGuard: Generally, OnGuard locks did very well in our strength tests, with cutting times close to those of our top picks. But when we did our testing, we discovered that the huge deficiency of OnGuard locks, including the OnGuard Brute STD, OnGuard Beast 8016, and OnGuard Pitbull STD, was the lock mechanism itself. At that time, OnGuard used wafer locks, in contrast to the more secure disc-detainer style on our picks; wafer locks are particularly easy to pick without fancy tools or advanced skill. Since then, OnGuard has changed its models’ cylinders to the slider type, which can be more secure depending on how many sliders are involved. We’re putting these locks back on our list to test.

ABUS Folding Lock Bordo Granit X-Plus: Though folding locks are tempting for their light and compact design, they’re not as high-security as their makers claim, as a thief can easily defeat them by drilling out the unhardened pins that hold the links together. With enough patience we were also able to pop this model’s links apart by working large bolt cutters into the joints, as House of Chain demonstrates on a smaller version of the Folding Lock Bordo in this video. The Bordo Granit X-Plus would be okay for low-crime areas, but its price is too high relative to the level of protection it provides.

ABUS Folding Lock Bordo Alarm 6000a: This upgraded version of the ABUS Folding Lock has all the same perks and flaws, with the added annoyance of incessant beeping every time it senses motion.

ABUS U-Lock Granit X-Plus: This U-lock was one of the lightest for its size, and we took significantly less time to cut through it than we did cutting through the Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit Mini.

Hiplok Gold: This chain lock has a design that allows you to wear the chain around your waist without locking it. (Wearing one locked is something that you should never do—keys get lost, locks jam, accidents happen, and paramedics need to be able to remove the lock easily in the event of an emergency.) It’s a nice feature, but the cut time for this lock was one of the quickest in our tests, and the real dealbreaker was our ability to snip it quickly with large bolt cutters.

Hiplok D Bike Lock: This lock has a double-locking shackle and is hardened, and we were unable to cut through it with bolt cutters. It uses a wafer-style locking mechanism (which is less secure than the disc-detainer locks on our picks), albeit a much better one than on the OnGuard models we tested; a thief could still pick it with more basic tools than they’d need for a disc-detainer mechanism, but to us it seemed much more secure than any of the OnGuard locks. Even with the dual-locking shackle, though, the Hiplok D showed some movement after one cut in our tests, enough for a thief to remove it from many bike frames.

RockyMounts Compton Large: This 18 mm lock was one of the heaviest we tested. It is made of stainless steel, which is harder than mild steel but definitely not as hard as hardened steel—something we proved in our tests, as we were able to cut through it in just over half the time we took to breach the Artago and Kryptonite locks, both of which also use 18 mm shackles. In addition, this was the least ergonomic lock we tested, with nonrubberized, sharp steel edges. (This lock appears to have since been discontinued.)

Care and maintenance

Locks take a lot of abuse, from drops to rain to snow to road grime. Luckily, maintaining the locks we’ve chosen is easy: Just open the lock, clean out any grime you can see with a cloth, spray in some degreaser if it’s feeling gritty, and then spray in a dry lube (such as Tri-Flow Superior Dry Lubricant or Finish Line Dry Bike Lubricant) and rotate the key a few times in the lock. Kryptonite offers easy-to-follow instructions on its website.

This article was edited by Christine Ryan.