Are trikes allowed to be dIscussed.

[BrianP]

I have had a serious change in my health, a recent brain tumour, awake surgery and now chemo and radio treatment. The tumour has left me with reduced right leg and arm mobility.

I need a trike now to keep as mobile as possible. Living in the New Forest I have only ridden on tracks and sea wall rides for years, so will need a trike designed for gravel use.

My knowledge of MTB and Fat Bikes tells me the best option will be 3" tyres, called Plus size. 3" avoids the need for suspension, and keeping to 3" will keep weight down and costs. Fat tyres and wheel sets are horrendously expensive.

I am obviously going to need pedal assist, simplist layout I see looks to be motor mount at the forward crankset. Distance not too far, Lymington and home, around 15 miles. Max 25 miles, so only a modest battery needed.

So, would hugely appreciate the forum's help if trikes, or at least this mobility trike design, was allowed.

Thanks
Brian

 

[flecc]

Electric assist trikes are allowed in law and in this forum. Indeed, the government now encourage them more having removed all weight limits last year.
.

 

[HelenJ]

I have moved the thread to this section Brian (where others make recommendations and suggestions on brands/models to think about). I hope I understood you correctly in that's what you're after.. In the meantime all the very best with the treatment.

 

[danielrlee]

I find it concerning that such a question should have to be asked, but maybe not surprising considering the self-appointed policing that seems to be occuring on this forum lately.

 

[BrianP]

HelenJ, thanks for accepting my thread. The actual trike I know will work best is not quite available. The current trikes use too small wheels, and the fat trikes are very heavy and hugely expensive. Looking help to build a half fat, 3" tyre trike which is half way between and I think will work really well.
Perhaps could the thread be moved to Conversion Kits or MTB sections. Thanks. Brian.


Admin: All are welcome here Sorry my mistake in not reading your OP properly - I've moved it back to the main category for now.

 

[D8ve]

Hi

Good to know you want out and about.
This site http://www.atomiczombie.com/ is full of home build info.
Perhaps a wooden frame? It's flexible.
With a rear wheel drive either crank or hub drive will do.
Perhaps a velomobile chassy?

 

[anotherkiwi]

Full suspension so no need for 3" tyres.

http://www.hpvelotechnik.com/produkte/scorpion_fs26_enduro/index_e.html

You can have a higher more upright seat fitted.

 

[D8ve]

I think the fat tyres are for gravel or sand. To run over the surface not dig in.
The soft sand was a minor issue last time I was about the new forest.

 

[BrianP]

The HP Enduro is superb, but with electric assist the price is very high, around £5k. I know from my fat bike I had that 3" semi fat without adding the weight of all those suspension components will be fine.
AZUB do a lovely fat trike and sell it as chassis and wheels, but they surprising refused to add electric assist or help even though they supply other models with assist.
http://www.azub.eu/azub-fat-recumbent-trike-for-snow-mud-sand/
So this might be my nearest route.

 

[anotherkiwi]

A better option for the HP is to buy the standard one and put a Bafang BBS01 on the front. One thing that trikes (and recumbents D8ve?) help with is gear changing - the chain is so long it absorbs much of the overload. Or choose a geared hub motor with lots of torque instead of the GoSwiss Drive which costs a small fortune.

I am going to do a Gekko conversion as soon as possible (end of next year I hope) because my bike is my car and I don't see any reason to not be comfortable going from point A to point B.

 

[D8ve]

Still working out the BBS01 . It's a bit crude in control and blipping the brake is my current gear change option, until I get the rohloff ;-)

 

[BrianP]

Really good to read your posts on forward mounted motors. That you have both chosen Bafang BBS01 is greaŧ and means I can follow your progress and removes my concern about how on earth I sort out a choice from so many options.
What battery makes the best choice from my unusual requiremenŧ of only modest range, and wanting as light as possible. I guess the current most sold size will in fact be the best price.
Brian

 

[anotherkiwi]

Tony's rule for battery buying:

Buy what you think you need then add some more.

Once you get a taste for it you will want to go further and need a bigger battery...

 

[D8ve]

Modest is what? 25 miles low assist

Any 10ah battery should give you 25 easy miles.
If you wanted super speed in soft sand you would need more power.

It's all about how much power you can give and how fast you want.

 

[anotherkiwi]

About that if you don't pedal.

 

[BrianP]

This electric kit was added to eBay and looks to me to be the correct one? Any idea of bid that should win it?
I would need to go to someone to fit it. A shop will not like me turning up with a kit rather than buying?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Electric-Mountain-Bike-Kit-Bafang-BBS01-250w-36v-Mid-Drive-Conversion-Kit-/131815459332?hash=item1eb0d04a04:g:SfgAAOSwRjNXOJu9

 

[Nealh]

This electric kit was added to eBay and looks to me to be the correct one? Any idea of bid that should win it?
I would need to go to someone to fit it. A shop will not like me turning up with a kit rather than buying?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Electric-Mountain-Bike-Kit-Bafang-BBS01-250w-36v-Mid-Drive-Conversion-Kit-/131815459332?hash=item1eb0d04a04:g:SfgAAOSwRjNXOJu9

Now you have posted a link a higher bid then mine or anyone else on here who wants it . There's 10 watching so expect a bidding frenzy in the last 5-10 miins of the bidding in 6 days time, probable it will be over 250 if not 300.

 

[anotherkiwi]

He wants £290 for it which is £60 off list.

Ask him how many miles it has on it, it would have been wise of him to photograph the total mileage before taking the kit off the bike. It makes me a bit nervous that he hasn't done this. Where did the battery go and why is another question to ask.

 

[BrianP]

Did not realise the kit was only around £350. Seems odd for anybody to pay a price so close to new when there is no guarantee or returns for fault.
If I found a Hampshire based Pedelec supplier and asked them to supply and fit this kit, what should I budget. Thanks.
Brian

 

[D8ve]

With battery whoosh want £600
That's a good price to include everything and a warranty.
My kit cost £330 plus £150 for battery and charger
But self fitted. It's not too difficult if you have basic mechanical skills.

Taking the bottom bracket off is the hardest part.
Then it's just slot in the motor, bolt on the battery, and connect up the colour coded wires simples as meerkat say