How to Ride and Operate the Relaxed Body Semi-Recumbent eTrike

Why a Semi-Recumbent eTrike Makes Sense

There is a certain kind of rider who looks at a standard upright tricycle and thinks, almost, but not quite. Maybe getting a leg over a tall seat is uncomfortable. Maybe balance is a concern when stopping and starting. Maybe a full recumbent, the kind where you lie back nearly flat with your feet out in front, feels like too much of a change. The Relaxed Body was built for exactly that middle ground. It is a semi-recumbent electric trike, which means you sit a little lower and pedal a little further forward than you would on a traditional trike, without going all the way to a laid-back recumbent position.

In a recent walkthrough video, Dustin, who has spent about twenty years in the bike and eBike business and serves as sixthreezero's head fit specialist, went over the Relaxed Body from rear motor to handlebar buttons. This article takes that tour and lays it out in a form you can read at your own pace, come back to, and keep handy while you get used to your trike. If you are still shopping, it should give you a clear sense of what living with this trike is like. If yours is already in the garage, consider this the owner's orientation that turns a new machine into a familiar one.

The Relaxed Body sits within sixthreezero's lineup of recumbent electric trikes, and it shares a lot of DNA with the broader range of electric tricycles. But the way it positions your body is what sets it apart, so we will start there and work through every control in the order you would actually use them.

Before getting into the hands-on details, here is the short version of what you are working with. The trike uses a 750-watt motor mounted at the rear, powered by a 15 amp-hour battery. That combination gives you speeds of up to 20 miles per hour and a range of up to 50 miles, depending on how much you pedal, which assist level you use, the terrain, and the rider's weight.

You get five levels of electric assistance, and you can use the motor two ways: by pedaling with pedal assist switched on, or by twisting the throttle and not pedaling at all. Separately from the electric side, there is a seven-speed drivetrain with a derailleur, the same basic kind of gearing you would find on a regular multi-speed bicycle.

Stopping is handled by mechanical disc brakes front and rear. Lights are integrated front and rear. The rear wheels are 20 by 3 inches, and the front tire is larger (the video calls out 24 by 3 inches), with the fork angled back slightly to add stability and shift more of the rider's weight toward the rear. Behind the seat is a large cargo basket, which puts the Relaxed Body in good company with other electric tricycles with a large basket. For exact measurements such as seat height range and overall length, check the product listing on the site, since those numbers matter for fit and are worth confirming before you buy.

The term can sound technical, but the idea is simple. On a standard upright trike, the pedals sit more or less directly beneath the seat. You push down, the same way you would on a bicycle. On a full recumbent, you recline and push your legs out in front of you, almost horizontally. A semi-recumbent splits the difference.

On the Relaxed Body, the pedals are moved forward 11 inches compared with a conventional layout. That one change has a ripple effect. Because your legs reach forward rather than straight down, the seat can sit lower to the ground while you still get the leg extension you need for an efficient, comfortable pedal stroke. A lower seat means you can put your feet flat on the ground more easily, which makes getting on and off far less of an event. It also lowers the center of gravity, so the trike feels more planted, especially in turns and at slow speeds.

Dustin points out that this layout accommodates both short and tall riders well, and that makes sense once you see it in person. Shorter riders benefit from the low seat, and taller riders still get full leg extension because the pedals are out in front instead of under them. The posture also tends to take pressure off the lower back and wrists, since you sit back into the seat rather than leaning over the bars.

If you are not sure whether semi-recumbent is right for you or whether a standard step-through would be a better match, sixthreezero offers a personal fitting consultation. It is a quick way to compare your inseam, mobility, and riding style against the options before you commit. Riders who prioritize easy mounting above all else can also browse the easy-to-mount eTrikes with a low step-thru for comparison.

One of the most common points of confusion with any electric bike or trike is the difference between the gears and the assist levels. They are two completely separate systems, and understanding the difference will make your rides smoother from day one.

Start at the back of the trike. The motor is mounted in the rear, and right next to it is the derailleur, the mechanism that moves the chain between the seven gears on the rear cassette. When you shift gears, the chain physically moves from one cog to another. That has nothing to do with electricity. It works exactly like the gears on a multi-speed bicycle, and its only job is to make pedaling easier or harder.

The assist levels, on the other hand, control how much help the motor gives you. Level one is a gentle nudge. Level five is the strongest push. Zero means no motor help at all, and you are pedaling a regular trike.

So why have both? Because they work together. As the motor helps you go faster, your legs need to keep up. If you are cruising at a higher speed in the easiest gear, your feet will spin wildly and you will not be adding much. Shift into a higher gear, and the pedals slow down to a comfortable cadence while you still contribute. The rule of thumb Dustin gives is easy to remember: when you want to go faster, shift toward gear seven. When you are climbing hills, shift down toward gear one. The gears let you match your pedaling rhythm to whatever the motor is doing.

Should the derailleur ever need replacing down the road, sixthreezero carries replacement derailleurs in its parts section.

The battery sits on the frame and is the heart of the electric system. It has its own power button, and this is a detail a lot of new owners miss: the battery must be switched on for the trike to work. Press and hold the button on the battery, and it lights up green. Only then will the display and motor come to life.

Right on the battery you will find the charging port. Charging is straightforward. The charger plugs into the port on one end and into any standard household outlet on the other. You can charge the battery while it is still mounted on the trike, or you can take it off and charge it indoors. There is no right answer here. If you park in a garage with an outlet nearby, charging on the trike is convenient. If you store the trike in a shed or somewhere without power, popping the battery off and charging it in the house is the easier route.

On the opposite side of the battery is a key. It is worth being clear about what that key does, because people often assume it works like an ignition. It does not. The key only locks the battery to the frame so it cannot be removed. When you leave the trike parked somewhere, lock the battery and take the key with you, and nobody can walk off with the most expensive part of the electric system.

To remove the battery, turn the key to unlock it, lift up slightly from the bottom, and slide the battery off. The battery weighs close to 10 pounds, so it is manageable for most people, but get a firm grip before lifting. Putting it back is even easier. Slide it into place and it clicks in, and once it has clicked, it is already locked. You do not need the key to lock it back on.

With a 15 amp-hour capacity, the battery is the reason the Relaxed Body can reach up to 50 miles on a charge. If you ever want a spare for longer days or need a replacement years from now, sixthreezero sells batteries and chargers separately.

A comfortable ride starts with seat height, and on a semi-recumbent the seat position has a big influence on how the pedal stroke feels. The Relaxed Body uses a quick-release seat clamp, so you can adjust it without tools.

To adjust the height, open the quick-release lever, raise or lower the seat to where you want it, and close the lever to clamp it in place. On the forward-pedal layout, a good starting point is a seat height that lets your leg extend nearly straight at the furthest point of the pedal stroke, with just a slight bend at the knee. You should be able to rest your feet on the ground comfortably when stopped. Because the pedals are already set forward, most riders find they can sit lower than they expected and still get good extension.

Over time, a quick-release can loosen, and you may notice the seat creeping downward on a ride. There is an easy fix. On the side opposite the lever, there is a small dial, sometimes called a spindle or tension nut. Turn it to the right to tighten it. That increases the clamping force, so closing the lever takes a bit more effort and the seat stays exactly where you set it. Make small adjustments, test the lever, and repeat until it closes firmly without needing excessive force.

If you find you want a different saddle shape or more cushioning altogether, it is worth looking through sixthreezero's seats. Seat comfort is personal, and a small change can make longer rides a lot more pleasant.

The handlebars on the Relaxed Body adjust in more ways than you might expect, and that flexibility matters on a semi-recumbent because your arms and shoulders sit in a different position than on an upright trike.

There are two adjustment points near the top, held by a pair of bolts. Loosening these lets you tilt the handlebars forward or back, changing the angle of the grips relative to your hands. Further down, there is another bolt that controls a hinge point on the stem. Loosen that one, and the handlebar assembly can pivot, letting you bring the bars closer to your body or push them farther away.

Dustin calls this one of the nicer features of the trike, and it is easy to see why. Riders with shorter arms or limited shoulder mobility can flip the bars back toward them so they are not reaching. Taller riders, or anyone who likes a more stretched-out feel, can push them forward. The goal is a position where your elbows have a slight, relaxed bend and your wrists stay fairly straight. You should not be locking your arms, and you should not feel cramped.

Whenever you adjust any bolt, retighten it securely before riding and give the bars a firm test push and pull while standing over the trike. If anything shifts, tighten it a little more. It takes a minute, and it is the difference between a cockpit that feels solid and one that wanders.

The Relaxed Body uses mechanical disc brakes. If you have not used disc brakes before, here is what is happening. A metal disc, called the rotor, is attached to the wheel hub and spins with the wheel. A caliper sits over the rotor. When you squeeze the brake lever, a cable pulls the caliper closed, and the brake pads inside it clamp down on the rotor, slowing and stopping the trike.

Disc brakes have a few practical advantages for an electric trike. They are consistent in wet weather, they provide strong stopping power without a death grip on the lever, and they handle the extra weight and speed that come with a motor and battery. Mechanical discs, as opposed to hydraulic ones, are also easy to service. The pads inside the calipers can be replaced fairly easily when they wear down, and cable adjustments are simple.

Get into the habit of checking your brakes before each ride. Squeeze each lever and make sure it engages firmly before it gets near the grip. If a lever starts pulling all the way back, or you hear grinding, it is time to adjust the cable or look at the pads.

If brake confidence is high on your list, sixthreezero has a whole category of electric trikes with disc brakes, and the Relaxed Body is a good example of why many riders consider them essential.

Every trike needs a way to stay put when you are not riding it, because unlike a bicycle, a trike will not lean against a wall. It will roll. The Relaxed Body has parking brakes built into both brake levers.

To set a parking brake, squeeze the brake lever, push in the small locking tab on the lever, and then release your grip. The tab holds the lever in the squeezed position, and the trike stays where you left it. To release the parking brake, simply squeeze the lever again and the tab pops free.

Dustin recommends using two hands for this: one to squeeze the lever and one to press the tab. A lot of people try to do it one-handed and end up fumbling. Two hands is quicker and more reliable, especially until you get the feel for it.

Use the parking brake every time you get on or off. A trike that rolls while you are mid-mount is the most common cause of awkward moments, and setting the brake takes two seconds. The parking brake also plays a role in the electric system, which we will get to when we cover the display, since the trike knows when it is engaged and will not let the motor run.

Near the throttle there is a small red button that Dustin says people ask about all the time. It is a kill switch for the throttle.

When the button is pressed in, the throttle works normally. When it is popped out, the throttle is disabled, and twisting it does nothing. That is useful in a few situations. If you are stopped at a light, chatting with a neighbor, or loading groceries into the rear basket, popping the button out guarantees that an accidental twist will not send the trike moving. It is a cheap insurance policy, especially if there are kids or pets around.

The flip side is that if you ever find the throttle unresponsive, this button is the first thing to check. Nine times out of ten, it has been bumped out. Press it back in and the throttle should come back to life.

The gear shifter sits on the right side of the handlebar. One button or lever shifts up to a harder gear, and the other shifts down to an easier one. The display does not need to be on for this, since it is purely mechanical.

There is one rule here that is worth taking seriously: only shift while you are pedaling and moving. The derailleur moves the chain from one cog to another, and that can only happen smoothly while the chain is turning. If you click through several gears while standing still, the derailleur moves into position, but the chain stays where it was. Then, when you start pedaling, the chain tries to jump several cogs at once, and you get a lot of clunking and grinding. Dustin calls that a recipe for disaster, and he is not exaggerating. Doing it repeatedly can wear out the chain, throw it off the cogs, or bend the derailleur hanger.

A good habit is to downshift into an easier gear as you are slowing down for a stop. That way, when you start pedaling again, you are already in a comfortable starting gear. With practice, it becomes automatic, the same way a driver with a manual transmission downshifts approaching a stop sign.

Shift one gear at a time, and ease off the pedal pressure for a fraction of a second as you click. You will hear and feel the chain settle, and the shift will be quiet and smooth.

On the left side of the handlebar is the control pad for the electric system, with a plus button, a minus button, and a power button. Remember that the battery must already be switched on. Then press and hold the power button for a second or two, and the display lights up.

If the first thing you see is a message or warning, do not panic. That is usually because the parking brake is engaged. The system recognizes that the brakes are applied and shows what is effectively an error, telling you the trike is not going anywhere. That is a safety feature, not a malfunction. Release the parking brakes and the message clears.

Once the display is up, you will see your odometer, which tracks total miles; your pedal assist level; your speed in miles per hour; and your battery level. These are the four numbers you will glance at most often on a ride. Battery level is especially useful early on, while you learn how quickly your typical rides draw it down.

If the display ever gets damaged or needs replacing, sixthreezero stocks eBike displays as a replacement part.

The plus and minus buttons raise and lower your pedal assist level. You can change the level whenever you like, whether you are stopped or rolling, and the change takes effect right away.

There is no rule that you must start in level one. Some riders like to begin in a higher level for a punchy start, especially on an incline. Others prefer to start at zero, which gives no motor help at all, and add assistance only when they need it. It is entirely up to you.

Here is how the levels tend to feel in practice. Level one gives a gentle boost that is great for flat paths, crowded areas, and riders who want a workout. The middle levels are a comfortable all-around setting for neighborhood riding and errands. Level five is the most help the motor gives, and it is the one to reach for on steep hills, into a headwind, or on days when your legs are tired.

Your assist level also affects range. The higher the level, the more energy the motor uses and the sooner you will need to charge. Riding mostly in the lower levels, combined with steady pedaling, is how you stretch toward the upper end of that 50-mile range.

The integrated front light is controlled from the same left-hand pad. Press and hold the plus button, and the headlight turns on. Press and hold it again to turn it off. It is worth turning the light on any time visibility is less than perfect, even in daylight, since a lit headlight helps drivers notice you sooner.

There is one button combination you should know about so you can avoid it. Pressing and holding the plus and minus buttons together takes you into the settings menu. Dustin is clear that this is not something riders should mess with. Those are factory settings that ensure the motor and controller work together properly, and changing them can affect performance or cause the system to behave unexpectedly. If you end up in that menu by accident, back out without changing anything. If you think something there needs adjusting, contact sixthreezero support first.

A single tap of the power button, without holding it, cycles the display through extra information. First you will see the trip odometer, which, unlike the total odometer, can track a single outing. Next comes battery output, showing the electrical current the motor is drawing at that moment. Standing still, that reads zero, but on a ride you will see it rise when the motor is working hard and drop when you coast. Then you will see the total running time, showing how long the system has been on. Tap again and you are back to the main odometer screen.

Why bother with these numbers? Dustin's point is that they help you understand your real-world range. The 50-mile figure is a maximum, and the actual number you get depends on your weight, your cargo, the terrain, your assist level, the temperature, and how much you pedal. Tracking your trip distance and riding time over a few outings, then noting how much battery you used, gives you a personal baseline. After a couple of weeks, you will know whether your usual loop uses a quarter of the battery or half, and you can plan longer rides with confidence instead of guessing.

Watching the battery output reading is also a handy way to learn how your riding habits affect efficiency. If you notice the current spiking every time you start from a stop using the throttle, for example, you might try pedaling for the first few seconds instead.

There will be times when you need to move the trike on foot: up a steep driveway, through a gate, or into a tight garage. The Relaxed Body has a walk mode on the left-hand control pad for this. Press and hold the walk control, and the motor moves the trike forward at a slow, steady walking pace while you guide it. Let go, and it stops.

Be ready before you press it, because the trike will start moving. Stand beside it with your hands on the bars and a clear path ahead.

Dustin mentions that he personally prefers a different method when walking the trike, which is to give the throttle a light twist to help push it uphill. That gives a little more control over the speed. Both approaches work, so use whichever feels more natural. Just keep in mind that the throttle can deliver much more power than walk mode, so go easy on it when you are on foot.

Trikes are wider and longer than bicycles, and you cannot simply pick one up and turn it around. That makes reverse a genuinely useful feature, particularly for backing out of parking spots, garages, or tight corners.

To engage reverse, press the minus button to go one step below assist level zero. The display shows a letter that looks a bit like an A, but it is actually an R for reverse. Then twist the throttle just a little. The trike will move backward slowly.

One thing to be aware of: in reverse, the pedals spin backward along with the wheels, so keep your feet clear or let them move with the pedals. Go gently, look behind you, and use small twists of the throttle. Reverse is meant for slow, short maneuvers, not for cruising.

To go forward again, press the plus button to move back up through zero to your chosen assist level. If reverse is a must-have for you, sixthreezero has a dedicated category of reverse gear electric trikes worth browsing.

The throttle on the Relaxed Body is a twist grip. Only the black section of the grip twists, not the whole handle. There are a couple of ways to hold it. You can grip the whole thing and rotate your wrist, the way you would twist a motorcycle throttle. Dustin prefers to pinch it between his thumb and index finger, which he feels gives finer control. Neither is wrong. Try both and see which feels steadier for you.

A good way to get the feel before riding is to set the parking brakes and twist the throttle. With the brakes engaged, nothing happens, since the system will not drive the motor against the brakes. That lets you practice the motion without going anywhere.

The best way to think about the throttle is the gas pedal in a car. You do not stomp on it and let off, stomp on it and let off. You press gradually, and when you reach the speed you want, you hold it there. Jerky inputs on a throttle produce a jerky ride. Smooth, steady inputs produce a smooth, steady ride.

Also expect a short delay. When you twist the throttle firmly, it takes a moment before the motor really pulls, and then the trike accelerates. Do not keep twisting harder because nothing seems to be happening. Give it a second to respond.

Every throttle feels a little different, just like every car's gas pedal. It may take a few rides before you develop a natural feel for how much twist gives you how much speed, and that is perfectly normal. If having a throttle at all is a priority for you, sixthreezero's electric tricycles with throttle control are a good place to compare models.

With all the controls covered, here is how a first ride typically goes. Start with the parking brakes set. Turn on the battery, then hold the power button on the handlebar display until it lights up. Make sure the red kill switch is pressed in. Check that you are in an easy gear, somewhere around gear one or two.

Set your assist level to one. Release the parking brakes, keeping a hand ready on the brake levers. Now you have a choice. You can give the throttle a gentle twist to get rolling without pedaling, or you can simply start pedaling and let the low pedal assist level help you off the line. Either is fine.

In Dustin's demonstration, he starts in level one with a light throttle twist, then lets go of the throttle and pedals with the level one assist. As he picks up speed, he bumps the assist up to level five and starts clicking up through the gears, all the way to gear seven. As he explains, the faster you go, the higher the gear you want, because the pedals get harder to push and that is what lets your legs keep contributing at higher speeds.

From there, you can also let go of the pedals completely and ride on the throttle alone. There is no wrong combination. Some riders mostly pedal and use the throttle for starts and hills. Others mostly use the throttle and pedal casually for exercise. Many switch back and forth depending on their energy level that day.

To stop, ease off the throttle or stop pedaling, and squeeze both brake levers smoothly. Once you have stopped, set the parking brake before you climb off.

A detail from the video that is easy to miss: if you start pedaling in a high gear with a low assist level, it will feel heavy, at least for the first few pedal strokes. In Dustin's demonstration, he starts from a stop in the lowest assist level while still in gear seven. It is a little hard at first, then you feel the motor kick in and help.

The fix is simple, and he shows it on camera. Use your thumb on the shifter to drop down through the gears while you are moving. Each click makes pedaling a little easier, until you find a nice, leisurely pace where your legs are turning comfortably and the motor is adding its share.

This is the core skill of riding any geared electric trike. You are constantly balancing three things: how much the motor helps, how hard the gear makes pedaling, and how fast you want to go. Here is a simple way to think about it. If your legs are spinning too fast and you feel like you are not pushing against anything, shift up to a harder gear. If you are straining and the pedals feel heavy, shift down to an easier gear or raise the assist level. If you want to go faster without working harder, raise the assist level and shift up to keep your cadence comfortable.

After a few rides, you will stop thinking about it and start doing it by feel, the same way you stopped thinking about turning on a car's blinker.

Turns on a trike feel different from turns on a bicycle. You do not lean into a corner. You steer through it, and the three wheels keep you upright. That stability is a big part of the appeal, but speed still matters, since a trike taken too fast through a tight turn can feel tippy, especially with a heavy load in the basket.

Dustin shares a practical tip here. In turns, he finds the throttle easier to manage than pedal assist. With pedal assist, the motor responds to your pedaling, and it is not always easy to fine-tune your speed in the middle of a curve. With the throttle, you control the speed directly with your hand, so you can hold a slow, steady pace through the bend and then roll on power once you are pointed straight again.

The other half of good cornering is braking before the turn, not during it. Slow down on the straight, steer through at a controlled speed, and accelerate out. Keep your weight centered in the seat, and if you are carrying cargo, remember that it adds weight to the rear of the trike and changes how it handles.

The Relaxed Body's low seat and the slightly raked front fork both work in your favor here. A lower center of gravity and more weight over the rear wheels make the trike feel planted, which is one reason the semi-recumbent layout is so popular with riders who value stability.

After a full walkthrough, it is clear who this trike suits best. If getting onto a tall seat is a struggle, the lower seat makes mounting and dismounting easier. If balance is a concern, three wheels and a low center of gravity remove most of the worry. If back or wrist discomfort keeps you off upright bikes, the reclined, forward-pedal posture spreads your weight more evenly and keeps you from leaning on your hands.

It is also a strong fit for riders with practical errands in mind. The big rear basket handles groceries, a picnic, or a bag of gardening supplies, and the motor makes those loads easy to move. For many people, especially those exploring electric trikes for seniors for themselves or a parent, that combination of stability and utility is exactly the point.

Riders who want a fully reclined, low-slung recumbent experience may prefer a different design, and riders who want a traditional upright posture might find a standard step-through trike more familiar. But for those in between, who want comfort and stability without giving up the feel of a classic trike, the semi-recumbent layout hits a sweet spot.

Dustin also notes that the pedal position accommodates both shorter and taller riders well, which is helpful for households where more than one person will ride the same trike. If you want a broader comparison, sixthreezero's most comfortable electric trikes collection and the buyer’s guide are both good next stops.

A trike that is cared for rides better and lasts longer, and most of the upkeep on the Relaxed Body takes just a few minutes. Before each ride, check your tire pressure, squeeze both brake levers to confirm they engage firmly, and glance at the battery level on the display.

Every few weeks, look over the bolts on the handlebar adjustments and the seat clamp, since those are the parts you are most likely to have adjusted. Wipe the chain clean and add a little chain lube, especially after riding in wet conditions. Spin the rear wheels and listen for any rubbing from the brake calipers.

When it comes to the battery, store it somewhere dry and away from extreme heat or cold, and charge it with the charger that came with the trike. If you will not be riding for an extended stretch, it is generally better not to leave the battery completely empty.

If something does go wrong, sixthreezero's warranty covers parts and labor for the first year, and the company can help connect you with an approved mechanic for service. For setup questions on a new arrival, the assembly instructions are a useful reference.

What stands out most from Dustin's walkthrough is how approachable the Relaxed Body is once you know where everything is. The battery has one button and one key. The handlebar has a shifter on the right, an electric control pad on the left, a throttle, and two brake levers with built-in parking brakes. Everything else, from the headlight to walk mode to reverse, is handled through those same few controls.

The learning curve is short. Spend your first ride in a quiet parking lot or an empty street. Practice setting and releasing the parking brakes, try each assist level, shift through the gears while pedaling, and get comfortable with gentle throttle inputs. Try reverse once or twice. By the end of that session, the trike will feel familiar, and by the end of the first week, you will likely be riding it without thinking about the controls at all.

If you are still deciding, sixthreezero offers a 30-day test ride so you can try the trike in your own neighborhood. For more walkthroughs and riding tips like this one, browse the video blog or the full Bike Advice library. Comfort, stability, and an easy way to get back on three wheels: that is what the Relaxed Body is all about. Enjoy the ride.