Conversion kit for a trike?

[Astrobint]

I'm aiming to buy an electric tricycle. I'm not sure whether to opt for a trike with the electric motor already built in - there doesn't seem to be very much choice of these in the UK, or keep my options open regarding the style and comfort of the trike itself by opting for a non powered trike and then find someone who can install a conversion kit to turn it into an electric one for me.
I'd need one with a throttle so that pedalling is not essential.

So my questions are: is there anything specific that I need to look out for or to avoid in a trike to ensure it can be converted? What are the options and costs roughly of having one converted? Are there major limitations I need to be aware of with a converted trike that one with built in electrics doesn't suffer from? And is it difficult to find a genius who can do the conversion (I live in the Midlands)?
I've already read many of the resources on this website but if there's any other advice you guys and gals can think of that I might need to know, that would be great.
Thanks

 

[Deleted member 4366]

There's a lot of things you have to look out for, but different on every trike. the best would be to find a trike that you like and then post details here. we can then see what problems there are.

Things to look for:
Standard 68mm bottom bracket
Standard bicycle cranks
100mm wide forks, ideally with a disc brake (if single front wheel
135mm wide rear frame, ideally with disc caliper lugs
No hub brakes

You can generally put up with one of those things, but when two come together, conversions steps up a level on trickiness.

 

[grldtnr]

There's a lot of things you have to look out for, but different on every trike. the best would be to find a trike that you like and then post details here. we can then see what problems there are.

Things to look for:
Standard 68mm bottom bracket
Standard bicycle cranks
100mm wide forks, ideally with a disc brake (if single front wheel
135mm wide rear frame, ideally with disc caliper lugs
No hub brakes

You can generally put up with one of those things, but when two come together, conversions steps up a level on trickiness.

By the way, D8veh neglected to add that he is a 'Genius', when it comes to converting to electric bikes.

Such a modest chap!

 

[Deleted member 4366]

By the way, D8veh neglected to add that he is a 'Genius', when it comes to converting to electric bikes.

Such a modest chap!

Blast, I was just about to get a cup of tea from the kitchen, but I can't get my head through the door now. I'll have to wait until it's shrunk back down.

 

[Astrobint]

Heheh! You guys!

 

[Astrobint]

By the way, I'm not doing too great at finding somewhere in the Midlands yield I can try some out. I don't care if they don't have the facilities to ride them around, but I do need to be able to sit on some trikes to get a feel for posture and handlebar positioning. Especially as I'm torn between upright and semi-recumbent models. The only place I've seen listed is in Sussex which I can't get to.
Any thoughts on a tricycle shop in the Midlands? I like several of the Mission trikes and wouldn't mind trying some other brands too.

 

[Astrobint]

Sorry, predictive text barf ^
For "yield" please read "where"

 

[Deleted member 4366]

I already gave you a link in your other thread.

 

[Astrobint]

I already gave you a link in your other thread.

Thanks - was that the Severn Valley link? They only seem to have one tricycle. I need to try several types out.

 

[grldtnr]

By the way, I'm not doing too great at finding somewhere in the Midlands yield I can try some out. I don't care if they don't have the facilities to ride them around, but I do need to be able to sit on some trikes to get a feel for posture and handlebar positioning. Especially as I'm torn between upright and semi-recumbent models. The only place I've seen listed is in Sussex which I can't get to.
Any thoughts on a tricycle shop in the Midlands? I like several of the Mission trikes and wouldn't mind trying some other brands too.

Astronomy,
Is there a reason why you are looking for a trike?
They are not easy to ride, perversely specially if you have ridden 'solo' bike's mostly. You have a better chance of getting along on one if you have never cycled before. It's a balance thing, something you need to relearn, you will likely find yourself heading anywhere ,rather than where you want to, then there's the stopping and going round corners,

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Astronomy,
Is there a reason why you are looking for a trike?
They are not easy to ride, perversely specially if you have ridden 'solo' bike's mostly. You have a better chance of getting along on one if you have never cycled before. It's a balance thing, something you need to relearn, you will likely find yourself heading anywhere ,rather than where you want to, then there's the stopping and going round corners,

Its because you turn a bicycle left to turn right, but you turn a trike right to go right. You have to retrain your brain to steer the right way, especially as people don't realise that they steer left to turn right on a bicycle. We've even had people arguing about it to the death on this forum.

 

[grldtnr]

Its because you turn a bicycle left to turn right, but you turn a trike right to go right. You have to retrain your brain to steer the right way, especially as people don't realise that they steer left to turn right on a bicycle. We've even had people arguing about it to the death on this forum.

D8VEH.
I ride a trike some times ,most times I ride a solo, because of convenience, perhaps it is so I don't have to think what I am doing?
If I want to go fast ,then it is the recumbent trike,mainly coz it so much more fun! But that might not be Astrobints' aim, she/ he may need a trike for reasons of poor mobility.
But in reality finding the ideal trike will be hard, as so few of them are around.

 

[Astrobint]

Astronomy,
Is there a reason why you are looking for a trike?
They are not easy to ride, perversely specially if you have ridden 'solo' bike's mostly. You have a better chance of getting along on one if you have never cycled before. It's a balance thing, something you need to relearn, you will likely find yourself heading anywhere ,rather than where you want to, then there's the stopping and going round corners,

Yes, I have a disability. Neurological problems which affect my balance. Two wheels are definitely out. I've not actually ridden a bike since I was about 11 and that was a two wheeler, 30-odd years ago. My neurological impairments were only acquired 3 years ago so I'll be pretty much learning to ride from scratch anyway.

 

[Astrobint]

Its because you turn a bicycle left to turn right, but you turn a trike right to go right. You have to retrain your brain to steer the right way, especially as people don't realise that they steer left to turn right on a bicycle. We've even had people arguing about it to the death on this forum.

I don't claim to be particularly coordinated, but after ten years living and cruising on a narrowboat, where the tiller really does get pushed to the left to turn the boat right, I think I'll grasp steering a trike. My reaction times having spent a decade at 4mph or less, are an entirely different matter...

 

[grldtnr]

I don't claim to be particularly coordinated, but after ten years living and cruising on a narrowboat, where the tiller really does get pushed to the left to turn the boat right, I think I'll grasp steering a trike. My reaction times having spent a decade at 4mph or less, are an entirely different matter...

In which case I think trikes are the way to go!
You say the mission trikes are your main interest, for what you're getting,it's lowtech, and not a good ride, do you have a low budget for this bike?

If you have a higher budget ,maybe a recumbent trike is your direction, consider a HP velotecnic Geckho or Scorpion, they list models for disabled, but alas dealers in this country are either London or Scotland,a British company called ICE trikes also build for disabled, these machines are full on recumbents, with a higher seating position, but would be ungainly to handle through a street door.

There is one other way that I can point you, if willing to travel to Cambridgeshire,contact Kevin Dunsheath at Dtekhpvs@btopenworld.com
Kevin deals in Recumbents & human powered vehicles , he had a George longstaff trike for sale ,a bespoke machine.

Sadly there is a limited choice for what you want

 

[Astrobint]

The reason some of the Mission trikes appeal is because they have a range of semi-recumbent (a*se not too close to towpath puddles and nettles!) and upright models as well as those with lots of adjustability of handlebars and seat angles and heights. I don't want speed so it would be silly to pay more for it, because I don't have the reaction times to cope with speed and I'll be riding on canal towpaths and I hate cyclists who are ignorant of the dangers to boaters, walkers and dogs when cycling at speed on towpaths - so I won't be adding to that mayhem. It would also be mad to get something that leans into corners all flash, when I can't even lean into corners myself and guarantee I'll still get back upright again

I don't want to have to pedal at all unless I'm having a day that I'm well enough to so I will need a throttle not just assist. And I don't want anything too wide (some lock gates reach into the towpath width quite substantially). So there's a lot to consider. Thanks for the brands above - don't think I'd heard of those before so more for me to look at. Good to see a folding model in there too.

There's budget and then there's budget - three grand for something that I don't know if it can cope with a stoney towpath full of puddles up a flight of locks without me pedalling, would be too much money to risk. One and a half grand, less of a risk. That's why having the option of a retro-fitted electric drive is handy - it keeps my trike style options open. I'll take a look at your suggestions above. Thanks.

 

[grldtnr]

Well that narrows things down a fair bit, since your machine is likely to be a conversion, D8veh and others will like as not advise a hub drive, with a throttle, the thing with recumbents is they do offer a lot of stability, uprights are inherently more tippy, but with the Missions I don't think that matters so much.
There is one more option a Dutch cargo trike,

 

[johneb]

Quest88 in Shrewsbury specialise in a wide range of disability cycling models, including electrically-assisted bikes and trikes. They will sell you a bike/trike without VAT, providing you meet the criteria, and are very helpful and approachable, with no pressure to buy. Last time I was there (about two months ago) they had some lovely electrically-assisted recumbent trikes from ICE and Hase in stock - pricey, though! They also sell more traditional upright trikes.

https://www.quest88.com/

 

[johneb]

I should add - Quest88 don't supply conversion kits and there are lots of people on this forum (such as d8veh, above) who are far better qualified than me to advise you in that respect.

 

[reynoldsc07]

Hi. I’ve been a cyclist for years and have recently bought a mission trike off ebay. I’ve had to get this sort of bike due to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. My energy is erratic and some days non existent. Like you I’m looking to convert this semi-recumbent trike to throttle control. Like you I may need to use electric power totally for some journeys. Have you had any success with your project? Happy to swop notes and combine brain power! I have a friend who is pretty handy with electronics so I’d very grateful for any advice on kit suppliers.