Michelle Rice Rides the Simple Glide: A First-Timer's Honest Take on sixthreezero's Recumbent Electric Trike

Meet the Simple Glide: A Recumbent Trike Built Around Ease

There is a particular look people get the first time they settle into a recumbent electric trike. It starts as polite curiosity, slides briefly into "what have I gotten myself into," and then, usually within a minute or two, turns into a grin they can't quite hide. Michelle Rice went through all three stages in about seven minutes when she climbed aboard the sixthreezero Simple Glide for the first time, and the footage of that ride says more about this machine than any spec sheet could.

Michelle isn't a professional reviewer or a cycling enthusiast who logs hundreds of miles a month. She's exactly the kind of rider the Simple Glide was built for: someone who wants to get outside, move a little, enjoy the scenery and feel secure doing it. That makes her first ride a useful case study. What follows is a closer look at what happened during that short test, what it reveals about the Simple Glide, and what anyone considering one of sixthreezero's recumbent electric trikes should know before taking their own first spin.

Before getting into Michelle's ride, it helps to understand what the Simple Glide actually is, because it doesn't look or behave like a conventional bicycle. It's a three-wheeled, recumbent-style electric trike. Instead of perching on a narrow saddle and leaning forward over handlebars, the rider sits back in a supportive seat, closer to the ground, with the pedals positioned out in front. Three wheels mean there's no balancing act at stops, at low speeds, or when you're figuring out a turn.

Owners describe a setup that gives the rider several ways to move: pedal on your own through the gears, pedal with electric assistance doing part of the work, or skip pedaling entirely and use the throttle. That flexibility is a big part of the appeal. On a day when your legs feel good, you can treat it like exercise. On a day when your knees are complaining, or when you just want to cruise, the motor carries you.

That combination of a low, reclined seat, a stable three-wheel footprint and on-demand power puts the Simple Glide in a category that has grown quickly over the past few years. Riders who once assumed cycling was behind them, whether because of balance issues, joint pain, a past fall, or simple nervousness, are finding their way back through machines like this. sixthreezero groups many of these options together in its electric trikes for seniors collection, though plenty of younger riders choose them simply because they're comfortable and fun.

Michelle introduces herself, announces she's going to try the Simple Glide, and gets going. Within the first minute, the most honest review of the entire video slips out: "Oh, Lord."

It's worth pausing on that reaction because almost every first-time recumbent rider has a version of it. The seating position is unfamiliar. Your eyes sit lower than they would on a bicycle. Your feet are out front instead of beneath you. Steering responds differently from what years of upright riding have taught your body to expect. For the first few pedal strokes, your brain is busy recalibrating.

The good news, and Michelle's ride demonstrates it clearly, is that the adjustment period is short. On a two-wheeler, that early uncertainty can turn into a wobble, and a wobble can turn into a fall. On a three-wheeled trike, the uncertainty is purely mental. The machine stays upright whether you feel confident or not. You can stop, think, start again, and the trike patiently waits.

That's one reason sixthreezero offers a personal fitting consultation before purchase. Recumbent trikes fit people differently depending on height, inseam and mobility, and getting those details right shortens the "Oh, Lord" phase considerably. A rider who is properly matched to the seat height and pedal reach spends less time feeling awkward and more time enjoying the ride.

"It's Fun Just to Glide Along"

Less than two minutes in, the tone shifts. Michelle is moving now, and the nerves have given way to something lighter. "It's fun just to glide along," she says, and it may be the best summary of the trike's personality you'll find anywhere.

The word "glide" is doing real work in that sentence. A recumbent trike, especially one with electric help, doesn't feel like pedaling up to speed and fighting to stay there. It feels more like rolling. The reclined seat supports your back, your weight is spread across a wide base, and the motor smooths out the parts of riding that usually take effort, like starting from a stop or holding pace on a slight incline.

This is the quality that separates comfort-focused machines from performance bikes. A road bike is designed to translate every ounce of your effort into speed. A trike like the Simple Glide is designed so that the ride itself feels good, whether you're going two miles an hour or ten. If you've ever wondered why some people choose a beach cruiser over a faster, lighter bike, it's the same instinct at work here. Some rides are about getting somewhere. Others are about enjoying where you already are.

For readers trying to figure out which of these comfort-first designs suits them, sixthreezero's most comfortable electric trikes collection is a useful starting point. It narrows the field to models built around seating, posture and easy handling rather than speed.

Around the two-minute mark, Michelle says something that has nothing to do with motors, gears or frame geometry, and everything to do with why people buy trikes like this. She'd love to head to the beach right now. The ride feels like paradise, she adds, and all it's missing is some raspberry tea.

It's a lighthearted line, but it captures a real effect. When the mechanics of riding stop demanding attention, your mind is free to wander somewhere pleasant. You notice the weather. You think about where you'd like to go. You start imagining the ride as part of your day rather than a task you have to complete.

That shift matters because it determines whether a trike gets used or ends up parked in the garage. A machine that feels like work will be ridden occasionally, out of obligation. A machine that makes you daydream about beach paths and cold drinks will be ridden often, because you want to. The long-term health and lifestyle benefits of riding, from better cardiovascular fitness to stronger legs to the mood boost of fresh air, depend almost entirely on that second category.

If the beach idea strikes a chord, practical details make it easier to act on. A canopy keeps the sun off during long, bright afternoons, and a water bottle mounted within reach means your raspberry tea, or plain water, rides along with you. The ride ideas section of sixthreezero's blog also has suggestions for scenic routes and relaxed outings if you need inspiration for where to point those three wheels.

Trying the Throttle Only

A couple of minutes into the ride, a voice from behind the camera suggests Michelle try using only the throttle. She agrees, and the ride carries on without her pedaling.

This is one of the features first-time electric trike riders are most curious about, and it's worth explaining clearly. Many electric bikes and trikes offer two kinds of motor support. Pedal assist adds power while you pedal, so you're still moving your legs but with far less effort. A throttle, by contrast, works on demand: you engage it and the motor moves the trike forward whether or not you're pedaling.

For some riders, the throttle is a convenience. It's handy for getting started from a dead stop, crossing an intersection quickly, or giving tired legs a break on the way home. For others, it's the feature that makes riding possible in the first place. Someone recovering from surgery, managing arthritis, or dealing with limited stamina may not be able to pedal for an entire outing. A throttle means they can still get out, still ride with a partner or friend, and still enjoy the experience without worrying about running out of energy halfway through.

Michelle's throttle-only stretch looks unremarkable on camera, and that's the point. She doesn't lurch forward or struggle to control the speed. She simply keeps gliding. Riders who know a throttle is non-negotiable for them can browse sixthreezero's dedicated electric tricycles with throttle control collection to compare their options side by side.

Leaving the Safe Zone: "We're Going Out on the Street, Y'all"

Three minutes into the video, comes the moment that turns a pleasant test ride into a genuine confidence check. The crew asks if Michelle wants to take the Simple Glide out onto the street. Her answer captures the push and pull every new rider feels: she isn't sure she should, she asks what they think, lets out an "oh, no," and then decides to give it a try anyway.

"We're going out on the street, y'all," she announces, and off she goes.

There's something quietly significant about that decision. Riding in a parking lot or a quiet, enclosed space is low stakes. Heading out onto a real street, with uneven surfaces, slopes and the unknowns of the outside world, is a different matter. Plenty of people who are perfectly capable of riding never make that leap because the vehicle underneath them doesn't inspire enough trust.

The Simple Glide gave Michelle enough confidence to take that step within the first few minutes of her very first ride. That's a meaningful data point. It suggests that the stability of three wheels, the low center of gravity and the predictable motor all work together to lower the mental barrier to real-world riding.

Of course, venturing onto the street calls for sensible precautions. A properly fitted helmet should be a given on any ride. A bell lets pedestrians and other riders know you're approaching. And it's always worth checking local rules about where trikes and electric vehicles can be ridden, since regulations about sidewalks, bike lanes and multi-use paths vary from one city to the next.

Handling the Bumps

The street isn't as smooth as the starting point. "It's kind of bumpy here," Michelle notes, followed a few seconds later by another "Oh, Lord" and a moment of uncertainty about whether she's just hit a bump or something else.

This section of the ride is genuinely useful for anyone evaluating a recumbent trike, because rough pavement is where the experience can vary most. Sitting low and reclined, you feel the surface differently than you would perched on a bike saddle. Some bumps that would barely register on an upright bike are more noticeable when you're closer to the road. Others feel softer, because your weight is spread across a seat back rather than concentrated on a small saddle.

What stands out in Michelle's ride is that the bumps surprise her but never unsettle her. She comments on them, reacts out loud, and keeps rolling. There's no moment where she stops, loses control or decides to turn back. On a two-wheeler, a rider unfamiliar with the bike might instinctively put a foot down or overcorrect when the front wheel jolts. On three wheels, the trike simply absorbs the bump and carries on.

For riders who expect to deal with rough roads regularly, cracked sidewalks, gravel paths, packed dirt trails or beach-adjacent sand, it's worth exploring options built for that environment. sixthreezero's fat tire electric trikes use wider tires that soak up more of the surface's irregularities. And if strong, confident stopping power matters to you on varied terrain, the electric trikes with disc brakes collection groups together models built with that in mind.

After the bumpy stretch, Michelle heads down a gentle hill. Her verdict comes quickly: it's pretty smooth.

Hills are a common source of anxiety for newer riders, and with good reason. Going uphill can be exhausting, and going downhill can feel like losing control. Electric assistance takes care of most of the uphill worry, since the motor can carry you up grades that would otherwise leave you breathing hard. Downhills are more about how the vehicle handles at speed and how secure you feel while braking.

On a recumbent trike, the low seating position and wide wheelbase tend to make descents feel calmer than they would on a tall, narrow bicycle. You're not perched high above the road, and the trike isn't going to tip if you need to slow down while turning slightly. Michelle's comment, that the hill felt smooth, reflects that. A short descent that might have made her tense on a conventional bike turned into just another part of the ride.

That said, every rider should get comfortable with braking on flat ground before tackling real slopes. Practice slowing down gently and coming to a full stop a few times in a safe area. Once that feels natural, gentle hills become far less intimidating.

Turning Around Without the Drama

Partway down the street, Michelle asks whether she should go around and whether she can turn around. The answer is yes, and she does.

It's a small moment that's easy to miss, but U-turns are one of the clearest advantages of a three-wheeled trike over a bicycle. Turning a bike around on a narrow street involves balancing at very low speed, which is exactly where many riders feel least stable. A tight turn on two wheels can lead to an awkward foot-down moment or, worse, a slow-motion tip-over.

On a trike, slow-speed maneuvers are much less dramatic. You can turn as slowly as you like, stop mid-turn if you need to, and continue when you're ready. The machine stays upright the entire time. For older riders, people with balance challenges, or anyone who has had a fall in the past, that fact alone can be the difference between riding confidently and avoiding certain routes altogether.

It's also worth noting that a recumbent trike is wider and longer than a typical bicycle, so turning circles are bigger. Michelle's ride took place on a street with room to maneuver. If you'll be riding in tighter spaces, it helps to practice turns in an open area first so you get a feel for how much room you need.

A Moment of Pure Joy

Just past the five-minute mark, the video fills with laughter. Michelle isn't narrating anything specific. She's just enjoying herself, and then she checks in with the crew: she hopes a little enthusiasm is all right. The answer, of course, is yes.

That moment deserves attention because it captures something that's easy to overlook when comparing motors, batteries and frame materials. The real reason most people buy a trike like the Simple Glide isn't to commute faster or log more miles. It's to feel this. Free, a little giddy, outdoors, moving under their own steam with a bit of help.

For many adults, especially those who haven't ridden in years, that feeling has been missing for a long time. Childhood bike rides were pure fun. Somewhere along the way, cycling turned into something that felt risky, sweaty or out of reach. A comfortable, stable electric trike can bring the fun back without the parts that used to get in the way. Michelle's laughter is evidence that it worked.

Six Miles an Hour, and Feeling Safe

When the crew asks Michelle to talk about her speed, she checks the display and is surprised. She's going about six miles per hour. "Oh, wow," she says, before adding the line that might be the most important of the entire ride: she's going six miles an hour, feeling all right, feeling safe.

Six miles per hour isn't fast by cycling standards, but context changes everything. It's roughly double a brisk walking pace. It's fast enough to make real progress through a neighborhood, cover a few miles in a relaxed outing, and feel a breeze on your face. And for a first-time rider, on her first few minutes on a brand-new machine, out on a public street, it's a pace that let her feel in control.

That combination of speed and security is exactly what comfort-focused electric trikes aim for. Most riders don't want to go as fast as possible. They want to go fast enough to enjoy the ride while never feeling like the vehicle is getting away from them. Electric trikes typically allow riders to increase speed gradually as they become more comfortable, so the six miles per hour of a first ride can become a faster, more assured cruise over time, if and when the rider wants it.

Keeping track of speed, distance and riding habits can also be part of the fun. sixthreezero offers a pedaling app designed to help riders log their rides and see their progress, which can be a nice motivator once the trike becomes part of a weekly routine.

With the street portion behind her, Michelle heads back to where she began. When the crew asks how she liked the bike, she says she liked it, briefly calling it the "Slow Glide" before laughing and correcting herself to "Simple Glide."

Then comes her summary. The Simple Glide felt fairly simple. She actually ventured out onto the street. It was comfortable.

There's no flowery language or technical analysis in that review, and that makes it more convincing. Michelle's three takeaways line up neatly with the three things most first-time trike buyers care about:

Simplicity. She could get on, figure it out and ride within minutes, with no complicated setup and no steep learning curve.

Confidence. She went from not being sure she should leave the starting area to riding on the street, over bumps, down a hill and through a turnaround, all on her first ride.

Comfort. The seated position, stable footprint and smooth motor support made the ride feel easy on her body, not something she had to endure.

Even the "Slow Glide" slip is telling. She wasn't criticizing the trike's speed. It came out in the same breath as "I liked it." For Michelle, slow and steady wasn't a drawback. It was part of what made the ride enjoyable.

Who the Simple Glide Is Really For

Michelle's ride makes a strong case for a specific kind of rider. Here's who is likely to get the most out of a recumbent electric trike like the Simple Glide.

Riders Who Are Worried About Balance

Balance is the single biggest barrier keeping many adults off bicycles. Whether it's age, an inner ear condition, medication side effects or a previous fall, the fear of tipping over can be enough to stop someone from riding at all. Three wheels remove that fear at the mechanical level. You don't need to balance, because the trike does it for you.

People With Back, Hip or Joint Discomfort

A traditional bicycle saddle concentrates your weight on a small area, and an upright or forward-leaning posture can strain the lower back and wrists. A recumbent seat spreads your weight across your back and bottom, much like a chair. Riders with chronic back pain often find this position far more tolerable for longer outings. The pedals out front can also be gentler on certain knee and hip issues, though anyone with a medical condition should check with their doctor about what kind of activity suits them.

Returning Riders

Plenty of people rode bikes enthusiastically when they were younger and then simply stopped. Picking it back up decades later can feel daunting. A trike like the Simple Glide offers a gentle on-ramp: familiar enough to feel like cycling, different enough to remove the parts that feel intimidating.

Anyone Who Wants Fun Over Speed

Not everyone who chooses a recumbent trike has a physical reason for doing so. Some riders just prefer the laid-back feel. If your ideal ride involves a slow loop around the neighborhood, a meander along a beach path or an afternoon in the park with no particular destination, the Simple Glide's personality fits that perfectly.

Who Might Want to Look Elsewhere

A recumbent trike isn't right for everyone. Riders who need to carry a trike up stairs, store it in a very small apartment, or navigate tight urban spaces daily may find a compact option more practical. Those who want a sportier, faster ride may prefer a two-wheeled e-bike. sixthreezero's electric bikes for seniors and bikes for seniors collections are worth a look for riders who feel steady on two wheels but still want comfort-focused design. And for anyone who wants three wheels but finds the recumbent position unfamiliar, the easy-to-mount electric trikes with low step-through frames offer a more upright alternative that's still simple to get on and off.

Tips for Your Own First Ride on an Electric Trike

Michelle's ride went smoothly, but a little preparation can make any first outing even better. Here's what helps most.

Start Somewhere Quiet

Michelle began in a calm, controlled area before heading out onto the street. That's the right approach. An empty parking lot, a quiet cul-de-sac or a wide driveway gives you space to learn the controls without distractions.

Learn the Controls Before You Need Them

Spend a few minutes before you set off getting familiar with the brakes, the throttle and the assist levels. Practice squeezing the brakes gently. Try the throttle in short bursts. Know how to turn the power on and off. When those motions become automatic, you'll have more attention free for enjoying the ride.

Use Low Assist at First

If your trike offers multiple levels of pedal assist, begin at the lowest setting. It gives you a feel for how the motor responds without surprising you. As your confidence grows, you can step it up.

Practice Turning and Stopping

Because recumbent trikes are wider and longer than bicycles, take a few practice turns in an open area. Get a sense of your turning radius and how the trike responds when you steer slowly. Practice full stops from different speeds so braking becomes second nature.

Expect a Short Adjustment Period

Like Michelle's early "Oh, Lord," a moment of uncertainty is normal. Give yourself ten or fifteen minutes before deciding how you feel. Most riders find that the awkwardness disappears quickly once the body adapts to the seating position.

Gear Up Sensibly

A helmet, comfortable clothing, closed-toe shoes and something to drink are the basics. If you plan to run errands, baskets and bags and panniers make carrying groceries or beach gear much easier. Riders who know they'll haul a lot regularly can also browse sixthreezero's electric tricycles with a large basket.

Give Yourself Permission to Enjoy It

Michelle checked whether a little enthusiasm was all right. It is. Laughing out loud on your first ride is a good sign, not something to apologize for.

Michelle's ride is a good reminder that recumbent and upright trikes deliver two different experiences, even though both stand on three wheels. An upright trike puts you in a familiar, chair-like seat above the pedals, with your eyes at roughly the same height as on a bicycle. Getting on and off feels natural, you see over parked cars a little more easily, and the riding position will be instantly recognizable to anyone who grew up on a bike.

A recumbent trike like the Simple Glide leans you back, lowers you toward the ground and moves the pedals forward. The trade-off is a slightly longer adjustment period, which is exactly what Michelle's early "Oh, Lord" moments reflect. The reward is a seat that supports your whole back, weight spread over a larger area, and a sense of rolling along rather than perching on top of something.

Neither layout is better in every situation. Riders who want maximum back support and a relaxed, lounging posture tend to prefer recumbents. Riders who value easy visibility in traffic and a more conventional feel often lean toward upright designs. If you can't decide, try both. Ten minutes on each will usually tell you which one your body prefers, and a fit specialist can point out details, like seat height and step-over, that are easy to overlook on your own.

What to Know Before Buying a Recumbent Electric Trike

If Michelle's experience has you thinking about a Simple Glide or a similar trike, a few practical considerations will help you make a confident decision.

Fit Matters More Than You Think

Recumbent trikes need to match your body. Seat position, the distance to the pedals and how easily you can get in and out all depend on your height, leg length and mobility. sixthreezero's Get Fitted program pairs riders with a fit specialist rather than an automated quiz, which is especially useful for a category as specific as recumbent trikes.

Try Before You Commit

Michelle's ride shows how much you learn in just a few minutes on a trike. If you can't visit a showroom, sixthreezero's 30-day test ride lets you try the trike at home and send it back if it isn't right. Riders near Southern California can also visit the store to test models in person, and the Find a Retailer page lists other locations.

Think About Where You'll Ride

Smooth paved paths, rough sidewalks, beach routes and hilly neighborhoods all ask different things of a trike. Think honestly about where you'll ride most often, and choose features accordingly. Wider tires help on rough surfaces. Strong brakes and plenty of motor support help in hilly areas.

Consider Weight Capacity and Storage

Recumbent trikes are larger than bicycles. Measure your garage, shed or storage area before buying. If weight capacity is a concern, the electric trikes with high weight capacity collection makes it easy to find models built for heavier loads.

Understand Assembly, Shipping and Support

Ordering a trike online raises practical questions. sixthreezero ships its bikes and trikes partially assembled, and its assembly instructions walk through the remaining steps. Details about delivery are on the shipping page, and coverage information is on the warranty page. If questions come up, the contact page connects you with the support team.

Plan for Long-Term Care

Electric trikes are low maintenance, but batteries, tires and brakes all need attention over time. Charge the battery as recommended, keep tires properly inflated and have the brakes checked regularly. Replacement batteries and chargers are available if you ever need them.

Explore Payment Options

A quality electric trike is a significant purchase. sixthreezero offers financing options for riders who prefer to spread the cost over time.

Why First Impressions Like Michelle's Matter

It's easy to dismiss a seven-minute test ride as too short to tell you much. In practice, first impressions on a trike are revealing. They show how quickly a new rider can get comfortable, whether the machine inspires enough trust to go beyond a sheltered space, and whether the experience is enjoyable enough that the rider will want to do it again.

On all three counts, Michelle's ride is encouraging. She got comfortable fast. She chose to venture out onto the street. And by the end, she was laughing, daydreaming about the beach and describing the ride as comfortable and simple.

For anyone still on the fence, sixthreezero's video blog features more first-ride footage and rider stories, and the product reviews section goes deeper into individual models. The Ultimate Bike Buyer's Guide and the choosing a bike articles on the Bike Advice blog help narrow down which design suits your body and riding style.

Is a recumbent electric trike hard to learn?

Most riders adjust within a few minutes. The seating position feels unfamiliar at first, but because the trike balances itself, the learning curve is mostly about getting used to the controls and the steering. Michelle went from her first nervous reaction to riding on the street in about three minutes.

Can I ride a recumbent trike without pedaling?

Many electric trikes, including the Simple Glide, offer a throttle that moves the trike without pedaling. Michelle tried a throttle-only stretch during her ride. Pedal assist is also available for riders who want exercise with less effort.

How fast does a beginner usually ride?

It varies, but a comfortable early pace is often similar to Michelle's six miles per hour, a bit faster than a jog and fast enough to feel a breeze. Riders tend to increase their speed gradually as they gain confidence.

Is a recumbent trike good for seniors?

For many older riders, yes. The stable three-wheel design removes the need to balance, the reclined seat supports the back, and electric assistance reduces strain on joints. As always, riders with health conditions should consult a doctor before starting a new activity.

How does a recumbent trike handle bumps?

Riders sit closer to the road, so bumps can feel more noticeable, but the trike stays stable over them. Michelle remarked on a few rough patches during her ride but never lost control or needed to stop. Wider tires can help soften the ride on rough surfaces.

Can I test a trike before buying?

Yes. sixthreezero offers a 30-day test ride, and riders can also visit the store or find a retailer to try models in person.

The Simple Glide didn't win Michelle over with impressive numbers or flashy features. It won her over by being exactly what its name promises: simple, and smooth enough to glide. In seven minutes, she went from "Oh, Lord" to laughing out loud, from unsure about leaving the starting area to cruising down a public street at six miles an hour and feeling safe.

That arc is what a good comfort-focused electric trike should deliver. Not a thrill ride, not a workout you have to dread, but an easy, joyful way to get outside and move. If you've been wondering whether a trike could bring that feeling back into your own life, the best next step is the same one Michelle took: sit down, push off and see how it feels. You can start by browsing sixthreezero's full lineup of electric tricycles, and if the beach is calling, maybe pack some raspberry tea.