A Tale of Two Electric Trikes: From DIY to Addmotor Fancy Ride

By ADDMOTOR | 30 April 2025 | 0 Comments

In this episode of Low Buck Garage, I went on an adventure to fix up my dad’s ride, turn a busted old bike into something electric, and even test out a fancy three-wheel e-bike sent over by Addmotor. Here's how it all unfolded.

The Problem with Dad's Ride

My dad’s mobility scooter wasn’t doing so great—it got a flat tire. Now, normally you’d just patch things up, but these tires weren’t made for outdoor life. So I decided to swap them out for solid flat-free tires. They’re tough, cheap (just $15 a piece), and way better for the kind of terrain my dad deals with. Problem solved, right? Not quite. The scooter was still too slow. My dad deserves better, so I figured it was time to step things up.

The DIY Trike Project

I dug out an old three-wheeled bicycle that’s been sitting around for ages. This thing looked like it had potential—it’s got big tires and a long wheelbase, perfect for some speed upgrades. I found the cheapest electric bike conversion kit I could get my hands on and got to work. The kit had a motor, a controller, a throttle, and other bits and bobs, but no instructions. So I had to wing it, as always. After some tinkering (and maybe a little frustration), I managed to electrify the bike. It wasn’t perfect, but it moved!

Enter the Addmotor M-340

Just when I thought I had my DIY project under control, Addmotor reached out and offered me their Grandtan M-340 fat tire electric trike for a test ride. This thing is a beast! Here’s what makes it special:

* Motor Power: It’s got a 750-watt motor, compared to my DIY bike’s little 250-watt motor. Big difference there.
* Battery Life: The M-340 uses a 48-volt lithium battery with almost 941 watt-hours of energy. That means a long ride without worrying about recharging.
* Chunky Tires: Huge 27-inch tires that handle bumps, sand, and dirt like a champ.
* Top-Notch Brakes: Disc brakes that stop on a dime—no squeaky, unreliable rim brakes here.

Here’s the best part: the Addmotor bike came mostly pre-assembled. All I had to do was attach a few things and it was ready to go. This was worlds easier than wrestling with my DIY trike.

Testing Them Out

Now for the fun part—seeing what these best electric trikes can do. The Addmotor bike blew me away. It’s faster (15 mph cruising speed), smoother, and the electric-assist settings let you pick how much help you need pedaling. Here’s a breakdown:
* Eco Mode: You can cruise at 8 mph with minimal effort.
* Max Assist: Feel like a speed demon at 14 mph—perfect for getting around town.

Meanwhile, the DIY trike did its job but couldn’t keep up. It’s still a great option if you’re on a tight budget and love tinkering, but for performance and reliability? Addmotor Grandtan M-340 takes the cake.

Both bikes handled dirt paths, sandy trails, and hills pretty well. The M-340 especially shined on rough terrain—it’s built for this kind of stuff. My DIY bike held up, but let’s just say there were a few “learning moments” along the way (like snapping chains and breaking welds—oops).

The Final Verdict

When it’s all said and done, both trikes earned their stripes:
* The DIY trike is perfect for folks who like hands-on projects and saving money.
* The Addmotor M-340 is for anyone who wants a hassle-free, high-performance ride—and doesn’t mind spending more for it.

Here’s something to think about: the Addmotor M-340 isn’t just a bike—it’s a loophole. You can take it places where cars and ATVs aren’t allowed, like nature trails or parks. And the best part? People smile and wave at you because it looks like you’re doing something good for the environment. Try doing that on an ATV—you’d probably get ticketed!

In the end, my dad’s got two solid options for getting around, and I doubled his ride’s speed without breaking the bank. It’s been a fun, rewarding journey, and I hope you enjoyed tagging along!

Disclaimer: This post is a summary of viewpoints shared by Low-Buck Garage in his video review of Addmotor Grandtan M-340. It aims to provide a concise overview of the key features and performance discussed in the video. For the full review, please refer to the original video.

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