Let’s take a closer look at the Ridex Passenger Seat Electric Trike. If you’re accustomed to the standard e-bike offerings, this model presents a refreshing departure. Unlike typical solo rider e-bikes, the Ridex is designed to accommodate passengers. Whether you’re transporting children, pets, or considering launching a pedicab service, this e-trike offers considerable potential. However, as with any product, there are a few areas where it could benefit from further refinement.
First Impressions: A Unique Approach to Multi-Passenger Transport
One quick glance at the Ridex Passenger Seat Electric Trike, and you can’t help but immediately notice the large bench seat in the rear for passengers. This immediately sets it apart visually, offering a unique riding experience that caught attention during my test rides.
While carrying passengers isn’t a new concept (think tandem bikes or child seats), the Ridex takes this idea further by integrating a permanent, spacious passenger platform as a core design element, not just an afterthought.
Think multiple children enjoying a leisurely ride together, or a beloved pet joining the adventure without the awkwardness of a carrier. Families with members who have special needs can finally experience the joy of cycling as a unit. The included lap belt provides peace of mind, especially for those with extra energy to burn.
Design and Features: Stability and Functionality
The Ridex is designed not just for looks but for practicality and stability. The 24×4” Kenda front tire and 20×4” rear tires provide an interesting setup that lowers the trike’s center of gravity, improving stability, especially when carrying passengers and cargo. The larger front tire offers better traction on rough terrain, while the smaller rear tires help balance the overall weight distribution, ensuring a smooth and stable ride, even on uneven surfaces.
The Shimano Tourney 7-speed drivetrain, paired with a Shimano Index Shifter, is a thoughtful feature. Many e-trikes are limited to single-speed drivetrains, but the Ridex allows you to shift gears when the battery runs low, giving you more flexibility on longer rides.
The two-tone LCD display is clear and readable, even under direct sunlight. It shows key information like current speed, battery level, and pedal assist settings. Grips and seat add a stylish touch, enhancing comfort, especially during longer rides. A notable design choice is the thumb throttle, which reduces wrist strain compared to traditional grip throttles, making long rides more comfortable.
The Ridex also features a rear seatbelt, a nice touch for families with children or those transporting small groups.
Power and Performance: Designed for Stability, Not Speed
The Ridex is powered by a 750W hub-hub motor.
For this test, I just pedaled at a relaxing pace, nothing fast (or slow), but rather just a leisurely pace, as you would likely expect to see on an e-trike.
Starting off in pedal assist level 1, the bike felt a slight nudge to the pedals, and the speed crept up to 9 mph. Finally, in PAS 5, the highest pedal assist level, the Ridex topped out at 20 mph.
The motor delivered power smoothly and consistently, a welcome characteristic in any e-bike. I observed a noticeable increase in torque, likely designed to accommodate the Ridex’s passenger capacity. Overall, the bike’s speed performance met expectations and provided a comfortable, predictable ride.
Battery & Range: Practical for Daily Use
The Ridex Passenger Seat Electric Trike isn’t the range champion, but it gets the job done for everyday trips. During a test ride on the first pedal assist setting (PAS 1), we managed to cover nearly 49 miles over 5 hours, tackling a bit of elevation along the way. It’s a solid performance if you’re planning on taking it out for a leisurely day of cruising around town or for family outings.
On higher pedal assist levels, the range takes a hit. On PAS 5, we managed just over 11 miles in under an hour. While that might not sound like a lot, it’s a fair trade-off when you’re pushing the trike to its limits with full motor power.
In short, the Ridex might not be the best pick for all-day, high-demand rides, especially if hills are involved. But for casual riders, town trips, or short family outings, it holds up well and gives you the reliability you need. If you’re after something for longer, tougher rides, you may want to explore other options with a more robust motor.
Braking System: Reliable, with Handy Features
The Ridex Passenger Seat Electric Trike is equipped with Tektro mechanical disc brakes and 180mm rotors on all three wheels. This setup provides solid stopping power, and for everyday use, it works well enough to bring the trike to a safe stop without much fuss.
One standout feature is the parking brake, which is activated by a button on both the front and rear brake levers. It’s a simple but thoughtful addition that locks the brake levers in place, so you don’t have to worry about the trike rolling away while you’re loading passengers or parking on a slight incline. While the mechanical disc brakes are effective for regular rides, having the parking brake as an added security measure is definitely a nice touch. It’s not a high-performance system, but it’s more than enough for casual use and provides peace of mind when you need it most.
What Could Be Better
While the mechanical disc brakes do the job, a hydraulic brake system would’ve been a solid upgrade for better stopping power. Given the size, weight, and potential payload of the Ridex, having hydraulic brakes would offer more consistent performance, especially when carrying passengers or tackling steeper inclines. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it’s definitely something that could make the ride even smoother and safer, especially for those looking to push the trike a bit harder.
Final Thoughts
The Ridex Passenger Seat Electric Trike truly stands out as a unique e-trike, and its potential uses are just as diverse. You can find some good options for traditional e-trikes, but we love how the Ridex opens new possibilities for families with kids or pets to enjoy rides together and empowers those wanting to give biking experiences to loved ones with special needs.
Plus, budding entrepreneurs can kickstart their pedicab dreams with this affordable option. Kudos to Ridex for daring to be different and filling a niche the e-bike world often overlooks.
Of course, there’s always room for improvement – especially for a product that’s largely attempting to blaze new trails.
Upgrading the brakes to a hydraulic system would offer more consistent stopping power, especially given the Ridex’s size, weight, and potential payload. While it’s not a deal-breaker, this would make the ride smoother and safer, especially when carrying passengers or riding on steeper inclines.
Despite these potential tweaks, the Ridex Passenger Seat Electric Trike remains a refreshing change in the often predictable e-bike market. From family fun to rolling business ventures, this e-trike is a versatile canvas that some people will eagerly paint with.