Trikes Gone Wild / Commute To Work On Your Big Wheel?

Remember when you were eight? And if you were one of the lucky kids on the block, after Santa climbed back up the chimney, he may have left you the best present you have ever received. It was the stuff of dreams for boys and girls who wanted to tear around the driveway doing donuts after gaining what seemed to be supersonic speed. Even today, although likely a bit more muted, boys and girls may ask Jolly Old Saint Nick for one. What is it? Of course, it is the “Big Wheel,” and it had its 50th-anniversary last year.

Well, now it seems you don’t have to be a kid to ride one, sort of. Enter VOOK, an electrically powered, three-wheeled cycle made for “…commuting to work, enjoying a leisurely ride, or searching for some adventure…” So could you commute to work on the VOOK? If the specs are any indication, it would seem so.

Range shouldn’t be an issue for urban or even suburban commuters. VOOK says thanks to its “…optimized battery system, regenerative braking technology, and powerful rear-wheel drive brushless hub motors, you can travel up to 110 miles (180 kilometers) on a single charge!” Drilling down a bit, the range comes in two flavors. With a 50Ah battery, VOOK claims you can travel 110 miles on a single charge. Equipped with a 30Ah battery, the range drops to 80 miles.

VOOK says its e-trike has a max speed of 40 mph (65km/h), and you can limit its speed through the VOOK app. It also comes equipped with four “Riding Speed Modes;”

Of course, the more you turn up the juice, the less range you can expect.

VOOK claims charging times between 2.5 to 4 hours depending on the battery and the charger used. A 12/220V – 8 Ah charger is standard and included. Unfortunately, VOOK did not reveal the state of charge ranges those times reflect.

Image: VOOK

The VOOK is made from 6160 lightweight aluminum. VOOK claims it offers the perfect balance of strength and weight reduction with less susceptibility to corrosion. Hydraulic brakes help bring the VOOK to a stop using a 180mm disc at the front and a 135mm disc at the rear. Tires are “puncture-proof,” with a 20-inch fat tire up front and 6.5-inch tires at the rear.

The VOOK has an LCD display with navigation functionality.

Telling you your VOOK’s status is an LCD monitor which displays speed, distance, and energy regeneration information. In addition, the display is also equipped with navigation capability and a motion sensor.

At the rear of the trike, you will find a small fiberglass trunk that VOOK says offers secure storage for the machine’s battery and a 14-inch laptop. To help keep you visible, the VOOK features red LED stop and brake lights. At the front, you will find a 20W LED front headlight, which is available in white and yellow, as well as other color options.

VOOK’s 30Ah (1860W) and 50 Ah (3100W) batteries are claimed to offer 3,000 cycles or 3 years of service. An additional two-year battery warranty is available as an option. In addition, the VOOK’s battery can serve as a power bank with a 120W Type-C output, two 32W type C outputs, and two USB-A ports that can charge smartphones, tablets, laptops, and other USB-powered devices.

To help the battery pack, the VOOK is equipped with regenerative controllers that generate energy in the braking process. VOOK says this feature increases riding range and efficiency.

Each VOOK incorporates a GPS tracker both in the battery and trike frame. As a result, the e-trike can be tracked if lost or stolen. In addition, there’s also a smartphone feature that lets you track battery life, access GPS location, select ride modes, view ride history, and start/stop the motor. The app also supports energy regeneration control and motion sensing, with a theft warning for added security.

ADV-ing on a VOOK?

One of the features that many riders wished they had is cruise control. That feature is standard on the VOOK and lets riders set a speed without continuously using the throttle. And if you are stuck in a tiny spot, VOOK offers an optional “reverse driving option. VOOK says the feature adds “…convenience and maneuverability to the riding experience.”

The VOOK has just gone live on Indiegogo, with shipments expected to begin in December 2023. Early bird pricing for the VOOK e-trike starts at $2,300 for the 30Ah equipped machine and $2500 for the 50Ah e-trike.

I like the VOOK’s concept. At its price point, if it can live up to all its claims, including its up to 100 miles of range, the VOOK seems to be a bargain. Utility, check.

And the fun factor for many might be off the charts. There’s something about the VOOK’s configuration that may take many people back to their childhoods, and that won’t hurt either. Fun, check. So for a purely fun machine, the VOOK seems to be an easy winner.

But unfortunately, I’m not sure I’d be willing to commute to work on a VOOK. Its small and low form factor would seem to make it an easy target, especially for inattentive drivers. That said, recumbent bicycles are in a similar situation, and it doesn’t keep them from riding on public roads. Maybe riding on the side of the road would be OK?

What do you think about the VOOK? Is it a winner or not? Let us know in the comments below.