ESKUTE T300 Trike: Assembly and Folding, Step by Step
The ESKUTE T300 arrives folded and partly assembled, and most of the setup is tightening screws that are already in place. This guide follows the order in ESKUTE's T300 manual, with a few notes on what to check as you go.
Set aside an hour and a clear patch of floor. A second pair of hands helps at the unfolding stage, when the trike is awkward to turn.
Before you start
Open the box and check that everything is there. ESKUTE says the box holds:
- The trike itself, folded
- The battery and charger
- Two keys
- A toolkit
- The seat and the front wheel
- A front basket and a rear rack bag
- The user manual
The manual refers to a "vehicle-mounted tool" for the stem screws, which is the tool from the kit. Keep the manual nearby. Its photos show the position of each part more clearly than any written description.
Stage 1: Unfold the frame
- Rotate the front fork 180° around the wheels until it reaches its final position.
- Unfold the frame 180° clockwise.
- Close the folding hinge lever. The manual's photos show the lever open while you unfold and closed once the frame is straight.
Check that the hinge is fully closed before going on. If the lever won't close all the way, the frame isn't fully straight yet.
Stage 2: Fit the handlebar
- Tighten the stem screws clockwise with the tool from the kit.
- Tighten the two handlebar screws.
Before the final turn on the handlebar screws, sit on the trike or stand behind it and check that the bar is square to the front wheel and the brake levers fall naturally under your hands.
Stage 3: Attach the front wheel and front fender
- Fit the front wheel into the fork and tighten the screws on both sides of the wheel.
- Tighten the screws on the fender support rod where it meets the fork.
- Fix the front fender and the headlight in place.
Spin the front wheel by hand afterward. It should turn freely without rubbing on the fender.
Stage 4: Fit the rear fenders
Each rear fender has two brackets, and each bracket takes two screws, so you'll fit four screws in total. Snug them evenly so the fenders sit straight over the rear wheels.
Stage 5: Add the baskets
The rear basket folds, and it fixes to the frame with the matching parts in the kit. The front basket is held by three locking screws. ESKUTE rates the T300 for a maximum load of 350 lb, and that figure covers you and whatever you carry, so keep heavy shopping in mind.
Stage 6: Thread on the pedals
Take care here, because the two pedals thread in opposite directions. Each pedal is marked:
- The left pedal tightens counterclockwise
- The right pedal tightens clockwise
Start each pedal by hand for the first few turns so you don't cross the thread, then finish with the tool.
Stage 7: Fit the seat and battery
Fit the seat. ESKUTE gives a rider height range of 4'8" to 6'2" for the T300, and the 345 mm step-through frame makes getting on and off easy.
The 48V 13Ah battery sits in the frame behind the seat. To take it out or put it in, press the button under the seat to release the saddle lock and lift the saddle, or take the whole seat off. Lock the seat again before you ride.
To check the charge, press the button on the battery's top cover. A row of four lights comes on: two green, one yellow and one red. ESKUTE's manual reads green as anywhere from full down to about 65%, yellow as about 35% and red as empty.
The manual also suggests recharging before the battery runs completely flat, which helps it last longer. If the key is left in the on position and the trike isn't used for more than 24 hours, the battery goes to sleep. Press the same button to wake it.
Folding the T300 back up
To fold, reverse Stage 1: open the hinge lever, fold the frame back, then rotate the front fork back around the wheels. ESKUTE gives the folded width as 13.8 inches and the folded height as 47.2 inches, which is narrow enough to roll through most doorways and into a utility room.
The handlebar also rotates 180° on its own, which helps when you only need the trike narrower for parking and don't want to fold the frame.
First-ride checklist
Before the first ride, go over these:
- Hinge lever fully closed and frame straight
- Stem and handlebar screws tight, bar square to the wheel
- Front wheel screws tight on both sides and the wheel spins freely
- Both pedals tight
- Seat locked over the battery
- Brakes squeeze firmly, and you know where the parking brake is
When you switch on, the T300 starts in P mode every time. Squeeze the brake once to leave P mode, then start gently. A trike corners differently from a bicycle because it doesn't lean, so take your first few turns slowly in a quiet spot.
The first charge
It makes sense to start your first ride on a full battery. ESKUTE's manual sets out the charging order:
- Open the charging port cover.
- Plug the charger into the battery first.
- Plug the charger into the wall.
- The charger light shows red while charging and turns green when the battery is full.
- Unplug from the wall first, then from the battery.
A full charge typically takes 6 to 8 hours. Don't leave it charging for more than 12 hours, and charge only when the temperature is between 32°F and 104°F (0°C to 40°C). ESKUTE rates the battery at IP65, but charge indoors anyway, where it's dry and within that range.
Where to go next
Full specs for the trike are on the ESKUTE T300 Folding Electric Trike page, and you can compare it with other three-wheelers in ESKUTE electric trikes. For a sense of how far the 48V 13Ah pack takes you, see ESKUTE battery life and range. Our ESKUTE review covers the whole lineup, and the ESKUTE FAQ answers common questions.