Sun Seeker Eco Tad Electric Trike Review - 1.9k

The Sun Seeker Eco Tad SX Electric Trike is one of the most affordable recumbent tadpole trikes I've tested, you do have to pay an additional $350 for shipping but it comes "ready to ride" so you can hop right on. The 48 volt battery supports increased power and higher speeds for the 500 watt internally geared hub motor, this thing can reach ~26 mph or you can set the speed much lower using the display. Solid rack with pannier blockers and two bottle cage bosses on the seat frame for fluids, locks or a mini-pump, independent mechanical disc brakes from Tektro with electronic sensors and a parking brake. The trike is rear heavy with both the battery and motor positioned at the back but the battery is removable for charging or lightening the load, it's also not a proprietary battery so you can upgrade or replace it more easily.
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[@davesworld7961]

This is what I want. I'm 51 and in good shape but this looks like something I could ride into my 90s. It looks like even someone who doesn't ride or is in bad health could get healthier with this thing and have fun doing it.

[@rubenmejias7302]

Dude you have the best most comprehensive reviews .....great product. A true beauty

[@jimmythepirate494]

i built one of these custom. (bought the bike then modified to electric) you get way less resistance in the pedaling if the bottom chain tube is below the steering rod. also, im over 6 ft tall, although the crankpost is in fact adjustable, if my seat were in your seats position, it would endo on a sudden stop. i have the bottom seat bracket (the quick release)about 6 to 10 inches further back. im almost at 1200 miles since the build. our local shop uses Shimano for powertrain on (chainrings, brake and shifter kits, derailleurs etc)sun ecos, works beautifully pedaling or throttling or both. 500w hub, 36v 12ah li-ion battery. average of 17.2 mph for 25-30 miles depending on conditions. i will mention, the promax stock brakes have a defective caliper that sun acknowledges, i wrecked them rapidly because of it, i recommend the bb5 or bb7 mechanical disc brakes, they work awesome and arent terribly pricey, and my bb5s came with the rotors included in the boxes. im digging alot of your conversions, hopefully my recommendations are useful to you. thanks for the video and the detail.

[@genebrown9242]

I bought The Sun Seeker Eco Tad SX Electric Trike last fall 2018. I like it, however I had a flat tire every 25 miles I rode it. So I bought 3 new tires and tubes, as large as I could get to fit on the thin 1.5 inch rims. Much better! Problem now is I bought new tubes to fit the lager tires, BIG mistake, still having flat tires. So I put the smaller tubes back on the rims with the larger tires, that solved the problem! Also bought an extra battery that's 12 amp and works fine. I use it for extra power for going up steep hills and to increase my range.

[@ronwhite6180]

Very informative review. Makes me want to get one!

[@rd2246]

Very cool value for money ..... Without lights take care bro 👍🏻🇨🇦

[@tomthumb9839]

Personally I like my Terra Trike with a Magic Pie conversion. My unit lets you use the motor without any pedaling at all. I also have 24 speeds. I got my trike because I was having balance problems and with a trike I could ride instead of giving up the Electric Bike world of riding. I do have to admit I have more money invested because the trike itself is a 24 speed. As always a good review from EBR.

[@brentandrosemarykirbykirby4074]

This unit also has a throttle so it can be ridden without pedaling as well.

[@jeffbranning144]

I enjoyed your review. We’re in the process of getting two of these bikes so I can have one as well as my wife. We should have them prior to Christmas 2020 as our presents to each other. Anyway, my first post and question; Is there anyway to make the display removable? We full time in our Class A motorcoach and the bikes will be outside locked up when not in use. If it rains due to a pop up shower occurring and we don’t have a cover over the Eco-Tads it would be nice to be able to remove not only the battery at night but also the display for safety and security. Thanks again for your review and help!

[@j.charlesdill198]

This video made me actually consider a tad pole trike.

[@j.charlesdill198]

Me too.

[@peterwilliamson4296]

Great e trike! Its important to lock in your feet on a fast trike (clips or straps) cos you never want them to slip off the pedals. Cheers

[@novacolonel5287]

Once again great review and hope your voice gets better soon, but why did you have to film next to the shield generator? This humming is really dominant.

[@ElectricBikeReview]

Yeah... sorry about that! I try to film each video in a different spot as I ride around. In this case there was a motor or something going in the background?! I didn't realize at the time because I was under the weather and I didn't want to remove the hum and make the speaking sound weird in post production so... I just left it ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@novacolonel5287]

Simply the fact that you perform a post production on your already glorious videos excuses pretty much anything. The epic smiley mulitplies this effect. Also, my stupid ex-boss had my electric bike stolen from him, and I sold my car, so there's a new ride to be bought very soon :-D (not that you'd wanted to know, but hey)

[@timothyaguilera7848]

Nice bike 👌

[@ElectricBikeReview]

I agree, these are pretty cool machines and much easier to justify than the $5k+ models... maybe just not quite as polished ;)

[@TheARCtrooper97]

where could I get my hands on one of those batteries and rack mounts?

[@georgeherman8826]

Are those the fattest tires that can be installed on the trike? Also on your web site you have the seat height listed at 17"-18". Is that an adjustment of 1"? Is it possible to adjust it maybe 1 to 2" higher than 18"?

[@jessaphillips2846]

I had a great idea for how to make a long range/ unlimited range solar bike. Basically you would need an e-bike with adjustable assistance to run in eco mode, two batteries that you can switch from one to the other, and a solar array, both on the bike (between the downtube and the top tube on the sides, and on a tow behind trailer. You would have to figure out the wiring, but the idea is ride in eco mode on one battery while the other one is being solar charged, then swap out. At the very least it should give you a bike that will go hundreds of miles with electric assistance, if not a theoretically infinite range

[@ElectricBikeReview]

That's awesome! You've got some great ideas Jessa. Recently a young man from India created a solar powered ebike and contacted me about a book he was publishing. I interviewed him and made a post about it (including pictures). Check it out here for more cool ideas: electricbikereview.com/guides/tips-for-ebike-trekking-and-touring/

[@ravenrg84]

Jessa Phillips look for the sun trip, there are seversl solar ebikes prototypes, im building one this summer

[@uiteoi]

You don't need 2 batteries for that, you can charge a single battery and ride at the same time. When you ride solar panels reduce the amount of energy taken out the battery. The SunTrip 2018 race goes from Lyon (France) to Canton (China) starts on June 15th and features a number of such designs. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i32Vinhvm7mpfLs

[@jessaphillips2846]

I was thinking about something and was hoping to get your input. What do you think about the Tour de France or some of these other major cycling races having an ebike support class race specifically for amateurs to get into the sport? I think that would be great to get more people into bicycle racing

[@ElectricBikeReview]

That's a neat idea Jessa! There are many people who enjoy cycling and the fun of making new friends at events... like 5k runs. Perhaps an open or ebike specific ride would be more accessible for people like this. I know I'd be much more open to it than a hard core race :)

[@ic3cold87]

i want to get this for my wife who is disabled with no use of her legs. would the company maybe help put a platform or something for her legs to rest on for an extra cost?

[@georgeherman8826]

Yes I really like this trike. Price is right. The only thing I would prefer is a twist throttle instead of a flip throttle. I wonder if that is a option?

[@ElectricBikeReview]

Hey George! The folks at Electric Bike Technologies seemed very open to customizing and I bet the twist throttle wouldn't cost much extra to do. It seems like their kits are more open and thus, would be able to interface with a variety of parts. This company contains E-BikeKit and ElectricTrike.com, just reach out and you might even reach the founder, Jason :)

[@georgeherman8826]

Thank you.

[@Cody196]

hey court is there a way i can show you a video review of my bike and how its coming along so far?

[@ElectricBikeReview]

Sure, just link it here or email me through the website: electricbikereview.com/contact/

[@JM-zu2pd]

How's the gearing work with the electric motor?

[@antoniobrasiliano2531]

Gostei muito desse triciculo modelo simples e funcional e pelo jeito bem leve o q e interesante

[@hassanbazel2060]

خیلی عالیه ارزوی چنین چرخی رادارم توریست شصدو شش ساله ام از ایران

[@wessonjoe]

- is that style of steering better or worse than some others? - :).

[@DannyHarris614]

What kind of the best for downtown?

[@brickboo1]

HOW STABLE CAN IT BE AT 27 MPH? THAT SEEMS A BIT FAST TO ME ON A THREE WHEEL TRIKE

[@MsRubbersidedown]

What’s the range on the battery mileage wise

[@djcarlcee]

Nice

[@ElectricBikeReview]

NICE XD

[@tomhammen6570]

ElectricBikeReviewn.com

[@geoffolinyk177]

Where can this be purchased??

[@brickboo1]

Where can I buy this for 1875? Is it 48V 10 AH or 17.5 AH? ThaNKS FOR ANY HELP!

[@t.a.2484]

This review was five years ago. Unfortunately the price is much higher now.

[@rlachermeier]

I have this trike. Can I buy just the electric kit?

[@geraldhenrickson7472]

He gives some .com websites early on in the video.

[@mtlnascarfan]

Bottles behind the rider are useless. I would mount it up front between my legs. I'd also find a way to have both front brakes run off the left lever and have the rear one run off the right. Other than that, this is seriously on my list of things to buy this year. Simplistic style and great affordability.

[@ElectricBikeReview]

Thanks for your feedback! I think this trike skipped having a rear brake at all but I'm sure one could be added with a bit of inginuity. The bottle idea is good but sometimes horizontally mounted cages let your bottle leak. I tend to use a camelbak and now they have waist packs which could be attached to the seat and sit right behind you (with the straw coming up to sip whenever you want)

[@mtlnascarfan]

ElectricBikeReview.com If leaking is a potential issue, then maybe mount it to one of (or both of) the vertical posts for the handle bars? I'm sure there would be a workaround for it. As for using a camelback, I can'rt see them as being very comfortable when seated on this bike with a seatback. You'd be leaning back on it, thus warming the fluid with your body heat, no? It's a shame they don't deliver to Canada.

[@brentandrosemarykirbykirby4074]

The trike also has bottle mounts on the handlebars.

[@stevepittman2735]

Promax is the brake lever maker

[@tubesarkilar]

can i get a shell to separate myself from the elements and make it into a velomobile.

[@locuscades1906]

Bill that wpulf ve sweet.

[@skyboy1956]

I just got an old dinosaur egg shell and used that.

[@bonniejaillet6318]

Hi Bill! My husband and I both have the Eco Tads, and I created a simple cover for mine when either riding in the rain, or along the east coast in bright sun. It is made from a dome tent pole, pvc pipe and awning material. Folds up in a bag when not in use, and can be taken along. We also have Ridekick assist carts in lieu of full electric. I am 68 years old and my husband is 74! We do street and rail trail riding.

[@ravenrg84]

this + solar panels roof = my dream bike

[@cetincerchez1945]

Transmisia cardanică ??? Nu s-a inventat îndcă ????

[@PeterKenyon]

Why are Americans so obsessed with throttle over pedal assist and power over economy of movement that comes with a good pedal assist system. The focus on how fast you can go seems to be looking at re-inventing the car or motor bike. I have used a 250 watt pedal assist that, though cuts out at 25 kilometres/hour, allows me to comfortably pedal at 25 kph assisted by the motor. This is my car replacement and I love it. I do not feel the need to have the bicycle get up to 40 kph with a throttle. I had a moped that did that.

[@ElectricBikeReview]

Hey Peter! Where are you from? I was born and raised in the US and have discovered that in many areas here the distance between home and any of the stores or work or school can be quiet far. This might be the cause of high-speed obsession. Maybe it's also a cultural thing with hot rods and race cars being popular here. I like that the Sun Seeker conversions (like this one here) can be set to go slower if you want. I'd rather have choice to go fast than not... even if I skip it, maybe someone else will really value it. We're not super fond of laws and regulations in the US... There's this attitude of "leave me be" which can result in some accidents and harm but also innovation and a sense of individualism. Hope this helps shed some light :)

[@PeterKenyon]

I should say "Gidday" as I live in Aussie Land. I have been following your videos for a couple of years now and have enjoyed them all, so keep up the good work. I've been riding a pedalec for about three years now and it has replaced the moped I used to ride. Wouldn't go back to a non-peddalec as it is too hard on my knees and the hills are too steep (Ferny Hills, Brisbane). I like the 25kph restriction as it means I am able to work myself if I want to go faster, but after riding for thirty five years I am happy to stick to the 25 limit with the motor assist. To be honest I usually only engage the motor on the hills and when I need a recovery break. I tend to use the motor like extra gears on a bike, so my range on a full charge (hub motor with 7 speed on a 20 inch) is around 100 kilometres (not pushing it) at smell the roses speed. Anyway, thanks for writing and if you ever find yourself in the land Down Under I'll be happy to show you around.

[@PeterKenyon]

I found this post on my WP site (2 Tyred 4 Fun) which I wrote not long after purchasing my e-bike. Thought you might like a read - wp.me/p3CUsa-3h

[@richardburnett6781]

Peter Kenyon I'm from Scotland and I like going fast with normal pedal power being able to go faster with a motor seems fun too plus if you are commuting 20 miles and tired from a long day at work it can be a God send. :)

[@joelg3283]

first comment. do i get a free bike?😂🚲🚲

[@ElectricBikeReview]

Well, I don't have any extras to give at the moment. What part of the country or world are you from Joel?

[@joelg3283]

ElectricBikeReview.com im from the tip of texas. (deep south texas). i live in the city of Brownsville it is a border city with mexico so i guess you can say im also from mexico because that is the culture here