83 and a Half and Riding Every One: A Real Test Ride of the Simple Glide E-Trikes and E-Quad

Why I Wanted Constance on These Bikes

I've fitted a lot of riders over the years, and the conversations that stick with me are rarely about top speed or watt ratings. They're about whether somebody feels safe enough to get back outside. That's why this video is one of my favorites from our San Clemente store. Our test rider, Constance, introduced herself on camera as 83 and a half years old. She was very clear about that half. She came in on a bright, clear day to ride the Simple Glide family of electric trikes and the Simple Glide Quad, one after another, and tell us honestly what she thought.

A few things about Constance matter for the rest of this article, because she brought them up herself. She has osteoarthritis, and she told us it keeps her from pedaling a regular bike. She also described herself, more than once, as a very big person, and she wanted other riders her size to hear that they can be in control of these machines. She even put it in clothing sizes: if you wear a 24, 26, 28, or bigger, she said, you can ride these and they'll take you where you need to go. I could write a dozen articles about weight capacity and frame geometry, and none of them would land the way that sentence lands coming from her.

So I'm going to let her ride lead the way. I'll narrate, I'll add the context I'd give you if you were standing in the store with me, and I'll point you toward the right pages on our site when it helps. Everything she says about how each trike felt is her experience, in her words as closely as I can keep them.

What a test ride actually tells you

Spec sheets are useful. I read them all day. But a spec sheet can't tell you whether an armrest sits where your elbow wants it, or whether the trike feels planted when you turn toward the curb at walking pace. Those are the things that decide whether a trike gets ridden every morning or parked in the garage after two weeks.

Watching Constance, I noticed she judged every bike on the same handful of questions. Is the seat comfortable? Do I feel safe? Is it easy to steer? Does it turn without feeling tippy? Can I carry things? Every one of those questions is about confidence, not performance. If you're shopping for yourself or a parent, I'd encourage you to keep that same short list in your head. It's a better filter than most of what you'll find in online comparisons.

If you're early in the search, our full electric tricycle collection is the best place to see the whole range side by side. And if your situation sounds a lot like Constance's, the electric trikes for seniors page narrows it down to the models we most often recommend for older riders.

The lineup she rode

Constance worked her way through four machines that share the Simple Glide name and the same basic idea: a big, supportive seat that she kept comparing to an office chair, a stable multi-wheel platform, and an electric motor that does the work her knees and hips no longer want to do. She started with the standard Simple Glide, moved to the fat tire version with a 750-watt motor, then tried an upgraded model with suspension, a double motor, and a double battery, and finished on the four-wheel Simple Glide Quad.

I'll take each one in its own section below, because each deserves a fair hearing on its own terms. Then I'll pull it all together at the end with some honest guidance on how to choose between them, and what Constance said when we asked her to pick a winner. Spoiler: she couldn't, and I think her reasons are worth hearing.

A word about comfort-first riding

There's a quiet assumption in a lot of cycling culture that the goal is always faster, lighter, farther. That isn't the goal for most of the people who walk into our store. The goal is a ride to lunch, a loop around the neighborhood first thing in the morning, a trip to pick up flowers. Constance mentioned all three of those during her ride, and none of them require speed. They require a seat you can sink into, controls you don't have to think about, and a machine that won't wobble when you slow down to look at something.

That's the lens for everything that follows. If you want to see more of the seating and stability side of the range, browse our most comfortable electric trikes. Otherwise, let's get Constance rolling.

Constance's first ride of the day was the standard Simple Glide, and her reaction was almost immediate. Before she'd gone far at all, she was talking about the seat. The armrests on the Simple Glide can be brought down, and she described the feeling as sitting in your office. She called it very, very comfortable, then corrected herself upward to extremely comfortable. Her summary of the riding position was simple: you want to sit back and go.

I want to spend a minute on that, because it's the heart of why recumbent-style trikes work for so many riders. On a traditional upright bike, your weight is concentrated on a small saddle, your hands, and your feet. On the Simple Glide, the seat and backrest carry you. Your back is supported, your arms have somewhere to rest, and you're not perched on anything. For a rider with sore joints, that distribution of weight is often the difference between a ten-minute ride and an hour-long one.

If that seated, laid-back position is what you're after, our recumbent electric trike collection is built around exactly that idea.

Solid, safe, and easy to control

Once she was moving, Constance's next word was solid. She said the Simple Glide felt very solid and extremely safe. Then she said something I want every larger rider reading this to hear: if you're a little bit nervous about your size, don't be. She described herself as very big and said you can be in control of this trike. Don't worry about a thing, she said. It's extremely easy to steer and to turn up the throttle.

That pairing of easy steering and easy throttle is worth unpacking. On the Simple Glide, the motor responds to the throttle, so getting started from a stop doesn't depend on pushing hard through the pedals. For Constance, who can't pedal a regular bike, that's what makes the whole thing possible. She turns the throttle, the trike moves, and she steers. There isn't a lot more to it.

Throttle control is a feature a lot of our customers look for specifically, and you can find the models that offer it on our electric tricycles with throttle control page.

Cruise control for longer straight stretches

Constance also brought up cruise control. Her point was practical: if you're going a long distance on a straight road and you want to sit back a little and take your hand off the throttle, the option is there for you if you want it. She mentioned it as something you can choose to buy, so check the current product page for how it's offered on the model you're considering. Either way, I appreciate why she raised it. Holding a throttle steady for a long stretch can tire out a hand, and a rider with arthritis will feel that sooner than most.

Turning on a dime

About two minutes into her ride, Constance was up to 8 miles per hour by her own reading, and she said that was fine for where she was going. I love that line. She wasn't trying to set records. She had a destination and a pace that felt right, and the trike gave her both.

Then she headed back to home base and showed us the turn. She said the Simple Glide turns around very, very easily, and that it can turn on a dime, and then she did exactly that on camera. Going around corners, she said, you're not tipping and you don't feel like you're tipping. She put it down to the trike tires in the back and said you're very well balanced.

That matters more than people expect. Tight turns at low speed are where a two-wheeler is least stable and where a nervous rider is most likely to put a foot down. On a trike with two rear wheels, the platform doesn't need you to balance it. You steer, it follows, and the wide stance keeps it upright. For a rider who's had a fall before, or who worries about one, that single quality can rebuild a lot of confidence.

Who the standard Simple Glide suits

Based on Constance's ride, I'd point riders toward the standard Simple Glide when the priorities are a supportive seat, simple controls, and steady stability for neighborhood riding at a relaxed pace. She found it comfortable, safe, and easy, and she never once seemed to be fighting the machine. On a gorgeous day like the one we had, she looked like someone just enjoying being out.

If you're unsure whether a recumbent-style seat or a more upright position will fit your body better, our personal fitting is the fastest way to sort that out. Tell us about your height, your mobility, and how you want to ride, and we'll point you in the right direction.

For her second ride, Constance climbed onto the Simple Glide Fat Tire. She summed up the difference right away: fat tires and more juice in the motor. This version runs a 750-watt motor, and she predicted it would be a little peppier before she'd even rolled off. Then she rolled off and confirmed it. Oh yeah, she said, you can definitely feel the extra power.

I always pay attention to how a rider describes power, because the word means different things to different people. For a younger rider, power might mean acceleration or hill climbing. For Constance, it showed up as a more willing response when she asked the trike to go. That's a confidence feature, not a thrill feature. When a trike responds promptly, you spend less time waiting on it at intersections and less time worrying about whether it'll get you up a slope.

What fat tires bring to the ride

Wide tires put more rubber on the ground. On a trike, that tends to translate into a calmer, more cushioned feel over rough patches, cracked pavement, and the sandy edges you find around a beach town like San Clemente. Constance didn't go into tire theory, and I won't put words in her mouth, but her overall impression of this trike was the same as the theme of the whole day: comfortable, safe, and steady.

If the fat tire stance appeals to you, our fat tire electric trikes collection gathers every model with that wider footprint in one place.

Armrests up, armrests down

Constance kept coming back to the seat on this one too. She called it a very, very comfortable seat and showed how the armrests can be raised or lowered depending on how you feel about the day. If you feel like relaxing more, she said, put the armrests down.

That small detail says a lot about how people actually ride. Some days you want your arms free, maybe because you're turning more or getting on and off often. Other days you want to settle in and let the chair hold you. Having both options on the same trike means it adapts to your mood instead of the other way around.

A message for larger riders

This is where Constance delivered the line I quoted at the top of the article. She reminded us that she's a very big person, and said she was extremely comfortable on this trike and felt very, very safe. Then she spoke directly to anyone hesitating because of their size: if you're a size 24, 26, 28, or bigger, you can go on this wonderful bike, and it'll take you where you need to go.

I can't add much to that, except to say it reflects what we hear from riders all the time. Many people rule themselves out of cycling before they ever try a seat built for a fuller body. If weight capacity is a deciding factor for you, look through our electric trikes with high weight capacity and compare the listed limits on each product page.

Lunch, flowers, and first thing in the morning

Midway through the ride, Constance started describing the life she pictured with this trike, and it's the most persuasive sales pitch I've ever heard that wasn't meant as one. Pick up your bike, she said, go have lunch, then take it home and ride it first thing in the morning. She pointed to the basket in front and said you can go pick up flowers at the flower mart. You can just enjoy your life on this wonderful trike.

The front basket isn't a minor feature for riders like Constance. It's what turns a recreational ride into an errand, and an errand into a reason to get out every day. If carrying capacity is high on your list, see our electric tricycles with a large basket.

Going in circles, on purpose

Before she finished, Constance confirmed this trike also turns on a dime, then decided to ride in a circle just for the heck of it. She went around and around and added, with perfect timing, that some days feel like that. It got a laugh from everyone around, and it showed something useful at the same time. Tight, repeated circles at low speed are a stability test, and she did them while chatting and joking, completely relaxed.

That's my takeaway from her time on the Simple Glide Fat Tire. It gave her noticeably more pep, kept the adjustable comfort she liked, carried her things, and stayed steady through the tightest turns she could think of. For riders who want a bit more muscle without giving up an easygoing ride, she made a strong case for it.

The third trike Constance rode was what she called the Simple Glide upgrade, and she ran through its feature list before setting off. It has suspension, which she described as shock absorbers. It has a double motor and a double battery. It has a basket in the rear and a basket in the front. And it has the same armchair-style office seat, with armrests you can put up or down however you feel most comfortable. Then, with a happy little shout, she was off.

Of all the rides in this video, this one is where Constance spoke most personally, and I think it's the section that will matter most to a lot of readers.

Why suspension mattered to Constance

As she rode, Constance called the electric trike one of the greatest inventions ever for getting people out, and she meant elderly people specifically. She reminded us she's 83 and a half. Then she explained that she can't pedal a regular bike because of osteoarthritis. If you have osteoarthritis, she said, this is the way to go. Nothing hurts, because the bike is absorbing any kind of shocks.

I want to be careful here, because I'm a fit specialist, not a doctor, and every body is different. What I can tell you is that what Constance described is consistent with what we hear from many riders with sore joints. Every bump in the road travels up through the frame and into the rider. Suspension soaks up part of that before it gets to you. For someone whose knees, hips, or spine already ache, taking the edge off those small, repeated jolts can change how a ride feels from start to finish. If you have a joint condition, talk to your doctor about what kind of activity suits you, and then come try a trike like this one to see how it feels in practice.

Double motor, double battery

Constance didn't get technical about the double motor and double battery, and I'm not going to invent numbers for her. For the exact configuration, range, and output, check the current product page. What she did show us was how it felt when she asked for more. She said she'd kick it up a little so viewers could get a feel for how fast it goes if you want to go fast. On the straightaway, she read off 7 miles per hour, then counted up: 8, 9, 10.

Then she eased off and said that's about all she wanted to do today. I respect that a great deal. The ability to go faster is there, but the rider decides, and on a day out at 83 and a half, ten miles per hour on a straightaway was plenty.

Two baskets, real errands

A basket in front and a basket in back changes how useful a trike is. The front basket keeps small things within reach. The rear basket handles the bigger load, like groceries, a tote bag, or whatever you bring home from the market. For a rider using this trike in place of short car trips, that storage is often the most-used feature after the seat.

If you want to add or swap baskets on any trike you're considering, our sixthreezero baskets collection shows what's available.

Her full rundown

When she wrapped up this ride, Constance listed the whole thing out in one breath, the way you'd describe a car you were proud of: the Simple Glide upgrade, fat tire, double motor, double engine, suspension, basket in the back. It was clear she'd been charmed.

She also gave a shout-out to Lisa at the store. Constance said Lisa will help you pick out the exact right bike for you, that you can try them all out, and then find the one that has your name on it. That's how we want every store visit to go. Nobody should feel pushed toward a model. You ride, you notice what feels right, and the right trike usually makes itself obvious.

If you're local, everything you need to plan a visit is on our visit our store page. If you're not, our 30-day test ride gives you time to ride at home and decide.

Who the upgrade suits

From Constance's experience, I'd point the Simple Glide upgrade at riders for whom ride comfort over imperfect ground is the top concern, particularly anyone with joint pain, and who also want extra power and carrying space on hand. Her verdict on how it felt was the most personal of the day: nothing hurt. Coming from someone who can't ride a regular bike, that's about as strong an endorsement as a trike can get.

Constance saved the four-wheeler for last. She introduced the Simple Glide Quad as an electric bike with something different, and the word she kept reaching for was luxury. What caught her attention first was the front end. She explained that it has what seemed to her like shock absorbers up front, so when you go over a bump, the tires don't leave the ground.

That's a nice way of describing what front suspension does on a four-wheel platform. Keeping the front wheels in contact with the ground through bumps means steering stays responsive and the ride stays smooth. Later in the ride she came back to it again and said she really liked the front tires with their extra suspension, and that it was kind of cool. She compared it to a Harley, in a way, and then said it's better because it has four tires and you are extremely safe.

If four wheels sound right for you, our 4-wheel e-bikes collection is the place to start.

Vacation, campgrounds, and somewhere to put your things

Constance pictured the Quad as something to take where you go on vacation, for tooling around a campground. She pointed out that it has lots of places to put your stuff, plus the comfort of a real office chair. Those two things together, storage and a supportive seat, are exactly what make a campground loop or a resort path pleasant instead of tiring.

Fits your lifestyle, your pocketbook, and your body

As she set off, Constance invited viewers to come down to the store, try every model the way she was doing, and choose the one that fits your lifestyle, fits your pocketbook, and most of all fits your body. I couldn't have written a better brief for what a fitting is supposed to do.

She also made a broader observation. To her, it seemed like all of these trikes are great whether you're really thin or really heavy, and that they handle the same way regardless. For anyone thinking about budget, our financing options page explains how you can spread out the cost.

Feeling safe at 83 and a half

About halfway through her ride, Constance said something that stayed with me. When you're over 83, she said, and she reminded us she's half a year over it, the thing you need is to feel safe in how you spend your days, and to have the most fun of your life, like now. In the same breath, she said she was going as fast as she could, which at that moment was about six miles per hour, then five.

That's the whole philosophy of these machines in one moment. Safe enough to relax, fun enough to grin about, and at a pace that belongs entirely to the rider.

The pedal assist surprise

Then came my favorite unscripted moment of the video. Constance said you can up the pedal assist to go faster, did exactly that, and the Quad responded. Oh, whoa, she said. Did you see that? She laughed, explained that when you up the pedal assist you can go faster, and laughed again.

I'm keeping this in because it's honest and because it's useful. Higher assist levels mean more help from the motor, and the first time you step up a level you'll feel it. It's not dangerous. It's just a noticeable change, and it's a good reminder to try higher levels for the first time on an open, quiet stretch, exactly as she did.

Not much to learn

Constance's next comment should reassure anyone worried about technology. She said there's not a lot to learn, maybe three or four things before you can take off, and it's not complicated at all. You don't have to memorize anything, she added, because everything is written right there on the controls.

Then she told on herself. The throttle, she said, everybody knows what that is. Except she didn't. It's the thing you turn, she explained, now that she knew. I love that she shared it. Plenty of first-time riders don't know the term, and it takes about ten seconds to learn. She finished by doing a full 360 on the Quad and asked, quite reasonably, how cool is that?

For a rider who wants maximum stability, a smooth front end, plenty of storage, and something that feels a little special, Constance's ride made the Simple Glide Quad very easy to like.

When the riding was done, we asked Constance which one she'd pick. She said she'd tried all of these bikes and couldn't even decide. Three of them were her favorites, and she said you could probably guess which ones from the way she talked about the big fat tires and the luxury. Then she invited everyone down to try the bikes and find the one that has your name on it, and take it home.

I don't think that's indecision. I think it's what happens when several machines all solve the core problem well. Every trike she rode was comfortable, stable, easy to steer, and simple to operate. Once those boxes are checked, the choice comes down to the extras that match your life. So let me lay out how I'd think about it, using her own observations as the guide.

Start with the problem you're solving

For Constance, the problem was clear: she can't pedal a regular bike, she wants to feel safe, and she wants to get out and enjoy her days. Write your own version of that sentence before you shop. Maybe balance is the issue. Maybe it's joint pain, or getting on and off, or wanting to run errands without the car. The clearer that sentence is, the faster the right model jumps out.

If getting on and off is a sticking point, look at our easy-to-mount e-trikes with a low step-thru. If you'd like help from a real person rather than a quiz, our fitting consultation connects you with me and the team.

Comfort was the constant

Across every ride, the seat was the first thing Constance mentioned. She compared it to an office chair on nearly every model and showed off the adjustable armrests repeatedly. If you take one lesson from her day, let it be this: don't compromise on the seat. Power and range matter, but a seat you love is what gets you out the door tomorrow.

Stability was never in question

Constance turned on a dime on the trikes, rode tight circles for fun, and spun a 360 on the Quad. She never said she felt tippy. For riders worried about falling, the multi-wheel platform takes balance out of the equation, and her rides showed it at the low speeds where it matters most.

Power is a choice, not a requirement

Constance reported speeds anywhere from about five miles per hour up to ten, and she was happy at every one of them. She felt the extra pep of the 750-watt fat tire model, enjoyed counting up the speed on the upgrade, and got surprised by a pedal assist bump on the Quad. More power gave her more options, but she never needed it to enjoy herself. Choose the power level that fits your terrain and your comfort, not the biggest number on the page.

Suspension and tires shape the feel

Her strongest words about physical comfort came on the models with suspension. On the upgrade, she said nothing hurts because the bike absorbs the shocks. On the Quad, she loved that the front tires stay on the ground over bumps. If your joints are sensitive or your local streets are rough, give extra weight to suspension and tire choice.

Storage turns rides into errands

Front baskets, rear baskets, and lots of places to put your stuff came up again and again. Constance talked about lunch, the flower mart, and campground trips. Think about what you'll actually carry each week, and choose a setup that makes it effortless.

Don't rule yourself out

Constance's message to larger riders deserves repeating one last time. She is a very big person, she was in control, and she felt extremely safe on every model she tried. She said that whether you're very thin or very heavy, these trikes handle the same way. If you've been hesitating because of your size, take her word for it and come try one.

Ride before you decide

The best advice Constance gave was the simplest: try them all. Lisa and the team in San Clemente will help you ride each model and find the one that fits your body, your lifestyle, and your budget. If you can't make it to the store, our 30-day test ride gives you that same chance at home.

Watching an 83-and-a-half-year-old rider laugh her way through a 360 on a sunny afternoon is a pretty good reminder of what these machines are for. They're not about getting somewhere fast. They're about getting out, feeling steady, and having, as Constance put it, the most fun of your life, like now.