Brandon calling...

[brandon]

Hi all. I found you last night whilst searching for mid drive units.

We are looking to replace our family vehicle with a cargo bike of some description. Most likely a school run from the cargo bike company in Derby (I like to support UK business where possible).

We live in Mid Wales, and as such some e assistance on the hills would be much appreciated.

Know the rules on 250W and 15mph... oh the joys. I would be looking to either limit to 15mph with a bit more grunt as my wife will be carrying 3 kids.

I was wondering if there are any mid drive units that drive the left side, allowing the front derailleur to remain for a greater peddling with out assist performance. We have good long valley bottom roads punctuated with fairly steep and long/grinding climbs.

Any help would be greatfully received.

On the finance side I have realised that 3 or 4 tank fulls of fuel (every 2-3 weeks will cover the cost of going electric and is thus very affordable.

Thai have thanks for your great advise that I have already read.

Cheers Brandon

 

[Deleted member 4366]

All the crank-drive units work in such a way that you can pedal with or without the motor. You don't need a left side one.

 

[trex]

shouldn't you look at a front drive 200 rpm BPM kit? it'll give you the extra torque and keep your front derailleur?

 

[brandon]

Thanks for your quick responses.

@d8veh,

I know that one can pedal with the crank drive fitted, but I was just wondering if there was the option of maintaining full gearing, as it looks as though (from what I have seen) that they mostly drive on an inner ring, so that one can only use the larger ring. This might not be the problem that I perceive it to be, but a laden cargo bike can take some getting started, so the ability to access the lower ratio would (I would have thought) be advantageous.

I see that you are in Telford, we are only in Welshpool.

@trex,

That is the other option, but from my engineering side I do like the idea of the crank drive.

I will keep reading and asking questions.

Thanks

Brandon.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

There are crank drives with double chain-wheels:
http://www.cyclone-tw.com/order-3chain.htm

or, it's pretty easy to make your own left side crank-drive out of a hub-motor, like this one I made:



All the photos are in the folder:

http://s451.photobucket.com/user/d8veh/library/Crank drive?sort=3&page=1

 

[brandon]

That looks great d8veh.

Akin to the Stoke monkey.

I'll look at the photos.

Thanks.