Ride quality, or the overall measure of how a bike/trike feels to ride, involves many elements. The frame’s sizing and geometry, the comfort of its contact points and suspension (if present at all), and the complexity of its user interface are just a few of the factors that influence ride quality.
As an e-trike in the premium tier, the Compass largely shines in this area. It is well-specced, comfortable, and easy to operate, though it is also not without its flaws.
Evelo advertises that the trike is suitable for riders between 4’ 10” and 6’ 2”. It offers a relatively high degree of adjustability to accommodate such a wide range of users, including a seatpost that offers 8” of saddle height adjustment, a threaded/quill stem, and a set of polished high-rise handlebars with an adjustable angle.
At 5’ 11”, I was comfortable when riding the Compass, though neither the saddle nor handlebars could raise quite as high as I usually prefer. As such, the trike’s sizing seemed best for those of short to average height; those on the taller side should expect it to feel somewhat small, though not egregiously so.
I appreciated the trike’s overall comfort, primarily being a result of its cushy Selle Royal saddle and ergonomic rubber grips. The base model has no suspension (as mentioned in the intro, Evelo offers an optional suspension seatpost that can be added separately), but its wheels/tires at least partially make up for it.
Most electric trikes we’ve tested have small 20” wheels, which are maneuverable, but less comfortable when rolling over bumps than the Compass’ larger 24” wheels. Evelo’s trike also sports 2.4”-wide CST Cyclops street tires, which add an appreciable amount of cushion that helps to smooth and soften bumps. From my point of view, the suspension seatpost isn’t essential, but it’s a great option for those who want an even gentler ride.
We liked that the Compass included a large, bamboo-bottomed cargo basket, along with its lights, fenders, chain guard, and color display. Our contact at Evelo shared that the basket can carry up to the trike’s 350-lb weight limit (which should also include its rider), so it is clearly built to withstand daily uses such as hauling groceries or other goods.
Potential buyers should be aware of the unique handling characteristics of delta-style tricycles like the Compass. Cornering requires slowing down and tilting somewhat into turns to avoid tipping up on two wheels. With a relatively narrow rear wheel spacing, the Compass could do this fairly easily, though it didn’t feel unsafe (again, the characteristic is common to trikes of this style).
Otherwise, the Compass functioned well and felt sturdy when riding. We appreciated the simplicity of the Shimano Nexus drivetrain and the well-presented ride data on the display. The trike also offers a fair amount of customization through its settings menu—users can adjust speed, the automatic low-light sensitivity, the number of assist levels, and more.
