Tackling terrain: Picking the right tricycle for your route

Choosing an adult tricycle isn't just about finding a model you like the look of. Where you plan to ride and the terrain you’ll be tackling can make a big difference when it comes to finding the right tricycle for you. 

A smooth cycle path calls for something different to a muddy woodland trail, while anyone dreaming of riding along the beach will need a trike that can cope with unsteady surfaces. 

At Jorvik Tricycles, we’ve designed our range of adult tricycles to ensure there’s something capable of everything from everyday journeys to off-road adventures. So, whether you're sticking to urban riding on roads and pavements or looking to explore gravel tracks, beaches and woodland paths, here's our guide to finding the right tricycle for the terrain. 

Roads and pavements

If most of your riding takes place on roads, pavements and smooth cycle paths, you don't necessarily need an off-road trike. 

For day-to-day journeys, an everyday tricycle from our RIDA range makes a great choice. These models are designed around practical, comfortable riding, making them well suited to trips into town, visits to the shops or simply getting out and enjoying a ride around your local park. 

If you're mainly riding on smooth surfaces, choosing an electric tricycle specifically designed for everyday cycling can also mean you don't need to carry the extra features designed for much rougher terrain. You can watch Sam test ride and talk you through the RIDA+ in the video below:

Gravel paths

Gravel is where the choice becomes a little more complicated. Loose stones and uneven surfaces can make a standard road trike less comfortable, particularly when the surface becomes rougher. If exploring gravel tracks is going to be a regular part of your cycling, it's worth looking towards a tricycle designed with travel and a level of off-road riding in mind. 

Our Explore tricycles are built for exactly this kind of adventure, with features designed to provide greater confidence across uneven surfaces. Also, if you’re planning to pop your tricycle in the car and head out for a ride down a canal towpath or National Trust site, the Explore range are our most compact folding tricycles for popping in the car boot or on public transport. 

The VANDRA X is an option that’s well worth considering if you want something more compact and portable. Its 3-inch tyres are designed to handle surfaces including gravel, mud, sand and rough terrain, while its folding design makes it easier to transport and store. 

Grass and fields

Want to venture away from the cycle path and onto grass? A mountain trike can give you much more freedom when the surface under your wheels becomes uneven. Wider tyres and suspension can help the trike cope with bumps and changes in the ground, while greater ground clearance is particularly useful when riding across rougher terrain. 

Our electric mountain tricycles are designed with this kind of riding in mind. For example, DRAKKAR combines fat tyres, front suspension and impressive ground clearance to help riders tackle grassy fields and muddy trails.

Woodland trails

Woodland riding can be one of the most rewarding ways to enjoy a tricycle, but it's also one of the places where having the right equipment matters most. 

Roots, stones, bumps, mud and changes in elevation can all make a trail more challenging than a normal cycle path. This is where a mountain tricycle really comes into its own. 

The FRELSI is also perfect for this type of terrain and can handle most things thrown its way thanks to its wide, puncture-resistant tyres, rear dual coil suspension and comfortable, supportive captain’s seat. 

Muddy trails 

If your ideal ride involves getting a little muddy, a standard trike probably isn't going to be your best option. 

Mud can be slippery and unpredictable, so grip, stability and control become particularly important. This is where the features found on our mountain trikes can make a real difference. 

Fat tyres provide a larger contact area with the ground, while suspension can help the wheels maintain contact across uneven surfaces. Hydraulic disc brakes can also provide strong stopping power when conditions are wet or challenging. 

Beaches and sandy paths

There's something special about cycling beside the coast as the waves lap on the beach beside you, but sand can be a particularly demanding surface for a bike. 

Loose sand requires a trike with tyres and geometry designed to provide additional stability and traction. This is another situation where an all-terrain or mountain trike can be a better choice than a conventional road-focused model. 

The VANDRA X is specifically designed to handle sandy beaches, alongside mud, snow, gravel and rough terrain, while retaining the features that make it great for riding around towns, making it an interesting option for riders who want one compact trike capable of tackling a variety of surfaces. 

Our Mountain Tricycle range is also designed for adventure beyond the beaten track, including beaches and woodland paths. 

Hills and uneven ground

Terrain isn't just about what's underneath your wheels. If your local routes include steep hills or regular changes in elevation, the right motor and gearing can make a significant difference. 

Electric tricycles provide pedal assistance to help make climbing hills more manageable, while mountain trikes combine electric assistance with features designed for uneven surfaces. 

Wider tyres can provide additional grip on looser ground, while suspension helps absorb bumps and maintain contact with the surface. 

For riders regularly tackling challenging hills away from smooth roads, a double battery option such as the VANDRA II could be a great choice for those power-sapping hill climbs. 

What makes a tricycle suitable for different terrains? 

If you're choosing a tricycle for more than just road riding, there are several features worth paying attention to. 

Tyres 

Tyres are one of the biggest differences between an everyday tricycle and an off-road model. 

Wider, more heavily treaded or fat tyres can provide greater grip and stability when you're riding across loose, muddy or uneven surfaces. 

Suspension 

Suspension helps absorb bumps and vibrations from uneven ground. This can make a significant difference when you're riding along woodland trails, gravel tracks or rough paths. 

Our mountain trikes use front suspension specifically to help riders tackle more challenging terrain. 

Ground clearance 

Ground clearance becomes particularly important when you're riding over roots, rocks, bumps and other obstacles. 

The DRAKKAR, for example, has been designed with increased ground clearance to help riders tackle mud, roots and rough terrain.

Brakes

When you're riding on hills or uneven surfaces, reliable braking is essential. 

Our mountain trikes feature hydraulic braking systems designed to provide strong and controlled stopping power. 

Electric assistance 

If you're tackling hills or longer off-road rides, electric assistance can give you an extra boost when you need it. 

A pedal-assist motor can make climbing easier and help reduce the physical effort required, particularly when combined with the gearing and traction features of a mountain trike. 

So, which Jorvik tricycle is right for you? 

The best tricycle isn't necessarily the one designed for the toughest terrain. It's the one that matches where you actually want to ride. 

Our guide to buying a tricycle can help you pick the right tricycle for your needs and intended use. 

Ultimately, the best way to find your match is to try a tricycle for yourself. At Jorvik, you can book a test ride at one of our showrooms in Chester, Southampton or York, where you’ll have the opportunity to compare different models and see which feels right for you. If you’re still unsure what you need, give our friendly team a call and speak to our experts. 

Whatever your terrain, there's a Jorvik built to help you keep exploring!