FAQ

• With our 24 v battery, 500 watt motor and variable speed throttle system, you control the power for speeds up to 20 mph for your bike or recumbent trike.

• It will go about 8 – 10 miles on a charge with the 12 Ah sealed lead-acid (SLA) battery, and 25 – 30 miles on a charge with our 20 Ah lithium iron (LiFePO4) battery. You can use two SLA batteries for a range of 20 miles, or double up lithium for a long 50 mile ride.

Click here for more on the distance you can ride.

• These estimates depend on many things, but are based on a 170 lb rider on flat terrain in moderate temperature (70 degrees) with well-inflated tires on the bike/trike, and no wind, as well as proper care of the battery.

• Delightfully, no fish-tailing. The patented design creates propulsion with un-perceptible sideways forces. You’ll be surprised at how comfortable the boost feels on your bike or recumbent trike.
  Watch figure 8s in a product review.

• Hills and head-wind are where you appreciate the boost the most. You’ll find that short hills with slight grades become a joy.
  Getting started on a recumbent trike is a breeze with a little Ridekick boost. Gentle hills can be challenging with a recumbent trike, and the Ridekick assist makes it so much EASIER!
  The 500 Watt system does have it’s limits. While it won’t motor an adult up a 10% grade hill on its own, it’ll make it easier to accomplish what you could barely pedal over before. Start with easier hills, and explore where it’ll take you on your recumbent trike.

• The holding capacity is 42.8 liters. That’s enough space for two grocery bags, or a briefcase, laptop, and lunch.
  See what it will hold
• The cargo bin is weather resistant (tested in Portland, OR!)
• The trailer can carry up to 75 lbs of weight.  You’ll notice that you don’t feel the extra cargo weight! Not only does the power boost the load, but the extra weight is on the trailer wheels. Your bike handles as well as normal.

• The Ridekick power trailer comes with a rechargeable battery (either SLA or LiFePO4) and charger that can be used in your normal household or office outlet (110 – 120v).

Here is a simple infographic comparing a battery to a gas tank.

Click here to see a comparison of battery options.

Click here for a lithium FAQ.

• You can easily do it yourself (with no special tools) in about 20 minutes. Then you can unhitch it in 20 seconds and ride for a workout, and it’s ready to hitch on your bike or recumbent trike again in 20 seconds.
  Click here to see more about installation.

• It’s 38 – 43 lbs (25 lbs of frame/motor/wheels/controller, 13 – 18 lbs of battery)

• Yes, you can purchase an extra set of hitch plate and throttle to install on each cycle. Then, it takes less than 1 minute to switch between them. It’s easy to outfit the whole household!

• The Ridekick power trailer has a steel loop welded onto the frame. It fits a cable lock (not provided). In addition, the cargo compartment locks with a combination lock (provided.) Both of these features deter theft.

• SLA batteries are heavier than lithium. We like them because they’re 1) a tried and true technology, 2) more affordable, and 3) riding in the trailer, not on your bike or recumbent trike. This makes the balance of your bike or recumbent trike feel normal, not skewed by extra weight. A lithium battery option is available as well.
  Click here to see a battery comparison.

Click here to see a lithium FAQ.

• Sealed lead-acid (SLA) batteries will support riders for about 4,500 miles. The battery must be charged at the end of each day of use. During long periods when it’s not being used (for example, extreme hot or cold weather), it must be disconnected from the controller/trailer and charged at least once per month. The goal is to keep it fully charged, but not to keep it plugged into the outlet full time.
• LiFePO4 (lithium) batteries will support riders for about 45,000 miles. The battery must be charged within a few days of each day of use. During long periods when it’s not being used (for example, extreme hot or cold weather), it must be disconnected from the controller/trailer and charged about once per month. It’s best kept charged, but not plugged into the outlet full time.

• Yes, you can! The controller is designed to work with any 24 volt battery, and we’ve added a feature that lets you adjust battery level feedback based on SLA or LiFePO4 batteries. If you are interested in extending your range, you can purchase a second SLA battery ($125) and Y-cable ($35) to put your batteries in parallel for a seamless 20 mile range of riding. We sell an accessory LiFePO4, 20 Ah battery for $795 that gives you 25 – 30 miles on a charge.

• The SLA takes about 5 hours to fully charge, and the LiFePO4 takes about 3 hours to fully charge.

• Based on average energy costs, it uses about 2 cents worth of energy to get to a full charge.

• Ridekick power is ~900 mpg! When using the coal-powered electricity to charge the battery, the carbon equivalent of a gallon of gasoline boosts you ~ 900 miles. Wind or solar power improves that number. You can ride circles around a Prius.

• Without giving up any power performance, 24 v is better for battery management and longevity. Our battery, controller, motor combination provides great torque in a more economical system for your bike or recumbent trike.

• It is a 500-watt brush motor.

“But, brush motors aren’t as good…are they?”

• In this design, a brush motor is a great answer. Our motors have taken riders over 25,000 miles and are still going strong! The 4 brush system has extended life brushes that keep powering for years of riding.

• Yes, the Ridekick power trailer is designed to meet the requirements of low-speed electric bikes [per 49 U.S.C. § 30102(a)(6)]. Some cities and states have more restrictive rules, so check your local rules.

• Cheating is driving to the store two miles away or using electric power in a pedal-power race. The Ridekick assist enables us to ride instead of drive. It also enables us to exercise at our preferred level for longer distances. Our dedicated riders tell us, “It’s not cheating, it’s having fun!”

• You may have heard the terms PAS, Torque sensors, or biometric feedback. They all try to measure your exertion and add the appropriate amount of boost. It turns out that your brain is better! For example when you can see an upcoming stop sign or a hill in 100 feet, you can adjust the throttle in anticipation … the fancy systems just can’t do that as well as you do!
• The throttle can be set up on the right side, the left side, and for either finger or thumb control. You can decide what works best for you on your bike or recumbent trike!

• The Ridekick power trailer uses only the safest styles of batteries. The SLA (lead-acid) has NO liquid in it, so it’s safer than a car battery. SLA batteries are used in wheelchairs and can be taken on airplanes. Our LiFePO4 lithium battery is a safe chemistry. There are videos of lithium batteries catching on fire, but the LiFePO4 chemistry in Ridekick batteries is much, much safer than other lithium formulas. Lithium batteries are classified as hazardous materials so require special handling when shipping.

Click here for more on Lithium safety.

• 6 months on the SLA battery, 1 year on the LiFePO4 battery and 1 year on the remainder of the product.

• You can buy direct from the manufacturer with a 30 day guarantee!
  Go shopping now!

• Download a copy of the 2016 Ridekick 900S Owners Manual by clicking here.
  Download a copy of the Original Ridekick 900HT Owners Manual by clicking here.