Bikes have made a comeback in recent years — but some of us have enough trouble keeping our balance without also dealing with angry pedestrians and angry drivers trying to zoom past us as we calculate how much space we have between our bike and that parked car on the side of the street. Enter the adult tricycle.

　　Over time, tricycles were relegated to children and boardwalks, while two-wheeled bicycles became a rite of passage for suburbanites and urban commuters alike. We can’t blame them — when “adult tricycle” conjures up this monstrosity, who would even contemplate shopping for one?

　　While we wholeheartedly agree everyone should try to learn to ride a traditional bicycle, we think there’s room in your life for both. Just imagine the freedom that comes from pedaling as fast as you can without worrying about tipping over?

　　Adult tricycles, by design, are extremely stable. Not to mention that many adult tricycles sit low to the ground and use an actual chair-shaped seat, as opposed to a bike saddle, which can make them much more comfortable.

　　There’s also the matter of storage, and adult tricycles have bicycles beat. Because the design creates a gap between the two rear wheels, adult tricycles frequently incorporate baskets in that space, making lugging groceries or supplies a lot easier than with a traditional bike.

　　Perhaps the last benefit has to do with users. Because there’s a lot less balancing involved (and thus less risk of falling), adult tricycles can be safer and better for seniors or those with limited mobility.

　　If having trouble selecting the best adult tricycle to suit a laundry list of different needs, then we recommend comparing the options below based on the following criteria:

　　Brand reputation: There some great deals on sites like Amazon for adult tricycles by lesser-known brands, and if shopping on a budget, this can be a good option. However, we recommend sticking with trusted cycling companies like Schwinn and Kent as much as possible.

　　The frame: Make sure it’s a durable metal and big or small enough to suit the rider.

　　Wheels: Ensure they don’t seem like pieces of junk, and get bigger wheels for bigger people. It’s not fun to change a bike tire on a tricycle. Trust us.

　　Shocks: If rough or uneven terrain is part of the bike’s daily travels, make sure to outfit it with shocks to smooth out the ride.

　　Gears: There’s no need for gears if riding on flat terrain, but we wouldn’t recommend tackling hills without gears, especially with luggage in tow.

　　Brakes: Non-negotiable — preferably multiple. Find them on handlebars as well as on the pedals (sometimes).

　　Points of contact: Does the handlebar style work for the rider? What about the pedals or seat? Will they be comfortable using them? Is the seat adjustable?

　　Assembly: There will be some assembly required. The wheels and basket on the tricycle will have to be attached, and users should tinker to make it best suit their needs.

　　Take a page out of the childhood book and upgrade the morning commute with one of our picks of adult tricycles. We bet it’ll be used a lot more than one would think.

　　BEST OVERALL

　　For a great, affordable adult tricycle with additional speeds, we recommend the Slsy 7-Speed Adult Tricycle. It can be fashioned with 20-inch, 24-inch or 26-inch wheels depending on the rider’s expected distances and usage. The bike features a steel drop frame to get on and off easily. It’s rated to carry riders up to 350 pounds. We can’t forget about the big basket too for any and all storage needs. For additional comfort and support, Slsy opted for a padded seat with a backrest.

　　RUNNER UP

　　For a solid, overall great adult tricycle, check out the Schwinn Meridian Adult Trike. It’s designed with 26-inch wheels for a smooth ride and a low aluminum drop frame so shorter people can get on with no problem. This tricycle only offers a single-speed setup, but that helps keep the price reasonable, and riding on mostly flat terrain nullifies the need for additional gears. If there is a hill too steep to ride, it’s easy enough to walk the bike up. And when heading downhill, riders can count on the linear brakes on the handlebars to keep them from cruising out of control.

　　BEST COLLAPSIBLE

　　Maybe there’s simply no room to store an adult trike. If that’s the case, check out the Kent 26-Inch Alameda Folding Adult Trike. Not only does this bike store easily, but it can support up to 275 pounds and can hold a number of goodies in the back basket. Make that weekly trip to Trader Joe’s just a little more fun.

　　BEST FOR GROCERIES

　　Not only does the Viribus 24-inch adult tricycle come with a front and a rear basket, but the rear basket is wheeled and detaches, which means it’s both a trike and a cart for the price of one. With a weight capacity of 110 pounds, the rear basket can hold whatever needs to be brought home — or taken for a day in the park or at the beach.

　　MOST FUN

　　If on the hunt for a more radical — and more fun — take on the adult tricycle, check out the Mobo Triton Pro Adult Tricycle. Rather than a traditional bike frame, this tricycle has a recumbent steel frame with a padded back and seat rest. Rather than traditional handlebars, riders use dual joysticks for steering, maneuvering, and braking. The bike also covers a wide range of heights thanks to the adjustable length, though it won’t be comfortable for adults pushing far beyond 6 feet.

　　MOST COMFORTABLE

　　Two features really set the Mobo Shift Recumbent Bicycle apart from the competition. The first is the addition of the ability to bike in reverse. These low-to-the-ground adult tricycles don’t always have the best turning radiuses, so being able to pedal backward can be really helpful. Because this trike has an adjustable, recumbent-style seat, we think it’s among the most comfortable adult tricycles.

　　BEST FOR ROUGH TERRAIN

　　Looking to go on a hike? Transport everything one could need in this adult tricycle designed for rougher terrains. The fold-down rear basket holds up to 60 pounds, and the three wheels provide riders with ample control, even over the most uneven roads and trails. Because the granular tire boasts stronger friction, this adult tricycle can even be taken out in the snow.

　　THROWBACK PICK

　　To be honest, this would be a terrible tricycle for anything except what it’s made for. It won’t help with groceries and it’s fairly compact, so though it is suitable for adults, it’s not suitable for larger riders, with a max capacity of 198 pounds.

　　For those looking for fun, this tricycle will help to drift and fly along the streets like no other, courtesy of the Super Slider POM rear wheels. With those in the rear, power slides and 180s won’t be a problem for an exhilarating first experience or a throwback to those days attempting donuts in the driveway.

　　BEST COLORS

　　This sturdy-as-hell, 7-speed adult trike is perfect for those who like to show off in style. Because it’s a 7-speed, it’s perfect for riding and shifting for a grand ole time out and about. It’s constructed with a high-quality tensile steel TIG welded frame, providing support to riders up to 350-lbs, which is one of the strongest-holding trikes we’ve come across.

　　BIGGEST SPLURGE

　　It’s electric! Splurge on this electric tricycle from sixthreezero and get that extra push for when pedaling gets to be too much. Glide down the streets smoothly and safely with 1.95″ tires ready to take on the streets. There’s a clear and uncomplicated display screen on the left handlebar that shows how fast the rider is going and which level of assisted help is being used. On the right side, there’s a throttle which can be pushed down for extra helpful motorized power.

　　BEST DOUBLE BASKETS

　　This tricycle comes with seven variable speeds that allow riders to shift easily as needed. It has front and rear brakes, three large wheels, and an adjustable cushioned seat for comfortable riding. Great for days at the park or runs to the store, this bicycle comes with a foldable front basket and a large rear basket for convenient carrying of any important item.