Pros
✅The front-mounted 750W motor offers plenty of torque for casual urban riding, delivering a smooth and enjoyable ride. It’s especially useful for tackling short city trips without exerting too much effort.
✅ The Pedego Fat Tire Trike features a cushioned seat and backrest for a relaxed riding experience. The step-through frame also makes it easy to mount and dismount, adding to the overall convenience.
✅The trike is equipped with responsive hydraulic disc brakes, which offer smoother, more controlled braking compared to mechanical brakes, providing peace of mind, especially at higher speeds.
✅The handlebar-mounted headlight, active brake light, and turn signals enhance visibility and safety in various conditions, making it easier to ride in low light.
✅With a large number of dealers, maintenance and service are more accessible, which can be reassuring for long-term ownership.
Cons
❌While the 750W motor provides ample power, being front-mounted can impact stability, especially at higher speeds or on uneven terrain.
❌The rear storage is adequate for smaller items, but the shallow compartments and battery placement reduce the trike’s overall cargo capacity, making it less practical for larger loads.
❌ At 104.7 lbs (without the battery), the trike is on the heavier side, which could make storage or transport a bit cumbersome.
Pedego Fat Tire eTrike Tech Specs
- Motor: 750W front-mounted motor
- Battery: 52V, 10.4Ah lithium-ion battery
- Brakes: Hydraulic disc brakes with 203mm front and 180mm rear rotors
- Weight Capacity: 400 lbs
- Weight (without battery): 104.7 lbs
- Speed: Top speed of 15 mph
- Cargo Space: Two shallow compartments
- Lighting: Handlebar-mounted headlight (high/low beam), radiant taillight with brake light, turn signals, and running light
- Tires: Kenda 20×4.0″ fat tires
First Impressions: Comfortable but On the Heavier Side
When I first got a look at the Pedego Fat Tire Trike, the oversized tires immediately stood out. It’s hard not to notice them, and they give the trike a bulky, fun look. But the real charm comes from the design and comfort features. The seat is comfortable and includes a small backrest, making for a smoother and more relaxed ride. The low-rise handlebars are easy to reach, and the step-through frame means getting on and off is effortless—perfect for those who want a stress-free riding experience.
However, as much as I appreciated the comfort, I also noticed that this trike requires a bit of space. It’s not the most compact option around, so unless you have room to store it, it might be tricky to fit alongside other bikes. The fat tires take up space, and while they provide a smooth, cushioned ride, they also make the trike a bit bulkier than some might expect.
Cargo and Visibility: Practical Design with Some Limits
The Pedego Fat Tire Trike boasts an impressive weight capacity of 400 lbs, making it capable of supporting both the rider and substantial cargo. Weighing in at 104.7 lbs without the battery, this trike is on the heavier side, but its build is solid and stable for everyday use.
In terms of cargo, the rear area is divided into two shallow compartments, which are practical for smaller items like groceries or a yoga mat. However, due to the positioning of the battery, the space is limited for larger items like coolers or sports gear. While this design is great for typical errands, if you’re looking to haul bigger loads, you might find it lacking in versatility.
Additionally, the trike is equipped with a handlebar-mounted headlight that offers both high and low-beam options, along with a built-in running light, ensuring you stay visible in varying riding conditions. The radiant taillight features an active brake light, turn signals, and a running light, providing added safety and visibility on the road.
Speed, Battery Life, and Power: Enough Power for Short Trips
The Pedego Fat Tire Trike is equipped with a 750W motor mounted on the front wheel, which gives it plenty of torque for casual rides. The top speed is capped at 15 mph, which is perfect for a laid-back ride around town. The trike can handle sidewalks and park paths comfortably, though I found myself slowing down when navigating corners or bumps—largely due to the trike’s form factor. With three wheels, turning requires a little more caution.
Powering the motor is a 52V battery, which offers a nice boost compared to other e-bikes in this category. While the trike isn’t designed for long-distance rides, the battery held up well for shorter trips—riding to the park or the local store multiple times without needing a recharge. I didn’t stress-test it over long rides, but for daily urban use, it performed admirably. The battery is housed in a compartment at the rear of the trike, which can be a bit of a hassle to remove for charging. You’ll need a key to unlock it, which might not be the most convenient for some.
Additionally, Pedego has a strong commitment to sustainability with its battery recycling policy. Every lithium-ion battery sold comes with a nominal $15 battery recycling fee. This fee helps support Pedego’s participation in the Call2Recycle program.
Braking Performance: Smooth and Responsive with Hydraulic Precision
The Pedego Fat Tire Trike is equipped with hydraulic disc brakes, offering a significant step up in braking performance. The 203mm rotors on the front and 180mm rotors on the rear provide excellent stopping power, allowing for smooth and controlled deceleration even at higher speeds. The hydraulic calipers deliver a more responsive feel compared to mechanical systems, making braking feel more precise and requiring less effort.
From my experience, the brakes felt very consistent, with no sudden jerks or delays when I applied pressure. Whether navigating tight corners or slowing down for speed bumps, the trike responded confidently, giving me a sense of security. The 5mm brake pads seemed to offer solid contact with the rotors, and I found that even on uneven surfaces, the brakes held up well without feeling sluggish.
A helpful feature is the built-in parking brake function. By pulling on the brake levers and pressing a button, you can lock the brakes in place, preventing the trike from rolling away when parked on an incline. This is a practical addition, especially for those who may need to park the trike on a slight slope.
Riding Experience: Smooth, Relaxed, and Customizable
Riding the Pedego Fat Tire Trike is a comfortable and stable experience, especially suited for city riding. The large fat tires help smooth out bumps and uneven surfaces, while the seat and backrest provide adequate support for rides. It’s a solid option for casual trips around town, offering a relaxed riding experience without requiring too much effort.
What makes the experience even better is the trike’s user-friendly control system, which allows you to customize your ride with ease. The three levels of pedal assist (PAS) range from minimal torque for those who want to work harder, to full assist for a much easier, more relaxed ride. I found the PAS system particularly helpful for adjusting my effort—when I needed a bit more help on inclines or wanted to conserve energy, I could simply shift to a higher assist level. There’s also a throttle-only mode for those days when you just want to cruise without pedaling at all, which was definitely my favorite.
The motor’s torque-sensing assist adds a nice touch, adjusting the power to match your pedaling effort, making the ride feel smooth and controlled. While riding, I did notice that speeds above 10-12 mph made me feel a bit less stable, especially when cornering or navigating uneven terrain, so I always made sure to slow down in those situations. But with the straightforward controls, including a clear LCD display showing speed and torque settings, managing these variables is simple and intuitive.
Conclusion: A Solid Option for Urban Riders, But With Considerations
The Pedego Fat Tire Trike is a reliable choice for riders seeking a stable and easy-to-use electric trike for city riding. Its large tires offer a smooth ride, while the seat and backrest provide adequate comfort for casual trips around town. The step-through frame makes it accessible for a wide range of riders, and the motor delivers enough power for everyday commutes or leisurely rides.
Although Pedego Fat Tire Trike offers a lot of great features, it also has a few downsides to consider. The front-mounted motor, while providing ample power for casual rides, can sometimes make the trike feel less stable at higher speeds or when navigating uneven terrain. Additionally, the 52V/10.4Ah battery, though sufficient for short trips, might not be the best option for riders seeking longer, more frequent rides without the need for a recharge. Cargo space is another limitation—while it can accommodate smaller items, the shallow compartments and battery placement make it less practical for hauling larger loads.
At a price of $3,299, it’s certainly not the most affordable option on the market. The value might not stand out when compared to some of the more budget-friendly trikes in the same category. However, one of its main advantages is the extensive network of Pedego dealers, making maintenance, repair, and service more accessible. If you’re willing to invest a bit more, the trike’s build quality and the convenience of ongoing support can make it a worthwhile purchase for urban riders who prioritize comfort and reliability.