Hello everyone! I have joined this amazing forum because over the past couple of weeks I have been reading online about e-conversions and pedelecs, and discovered that here we have such fantastically knowledgeable participants, so passionate about e-cycling and generous towards others by giving advice and encouragement. Also, I have found that following people’s stories, from the start of a project to the end, can be pretty addictive!, for someone who two weeks ago didn’t know what a geared hub was J Than you all!
Unsurprisingly, initially I would love to get advice as to how to go about a rather unusual conversion: a vintage R.A. Harding tricycle called the ‘Safety’, which was built for the Royal Air Force. R.A. Harding used to operate from Bath and my tricycle, which is in very good nick, dates to the 1930s-60s, it’s an all-steel construction, it has a Sturmey-Archer 3-gear hub at the rear and drum brakes, and it’s driven via the left/inside wheel. I am after a conversion that is both sympathetic to the tricycle’s aesthetics, but also practical for my needs so that this lovely machine can go back on the road and be enjoyed again properly, rather than just round the local park. This means I need a conversion system that is minimalistic and unfussy, and ideally compatible with the existing tricycle format. However, if in order to put it back on the road some alterations need to be made, then so be it, as I said the main thing is to get it (and me!) going again. For example, a particular electric conversion system may not be compatible with the existing gear format –but maybe these gears could be disabled, etc.
Being for a tricycle, I believe the conversion needs to be front wheel (the gap between the tricycle forks is 100mm, which I understand is good news). Also, since my interest in cycling only extends to a short ride to the school where I work, and riding for fun nearby, a UK road legal 36V 250W would be perfectly suitable for all my needs. Both pedelec or traditional electric would be fine, it depends on what features a particular kit has to offer, though I am more inclined to think that a pedelec system would suit me better. Is there anyone out there who could advise me on what system to purchase, please? If it turns out that the conversion is reasonably straight forward, it will be done at home; if it is a complicated or tricky affair, it will be done in a (hopefully) good cycle shop, happy to do either if it means getting the right conversion right.
I am interested in integral hub systems because they are neat and unfussy. I have read about them in various threads, but my head is swimming with so much info! One is the Xionda 2-speed hub motor because it has an integral controller, as well as the gears. Another is the Tongxin Nano with its speed sensor. Goldant and Keyde also have just one connection going to the battery (plus the LED display, which I would only use if it’s really necessary). I haven’t looked at batteries really, I guess one chooses one compatible with the conversion system once the latter has been decided (?)
Finally, I understand that there are lots of things to consider before deciding on a particular conversion option amongst the myriad of choices, but my ideal conversion would not only be sympathetic to my traditional tricycle, but also take advantage of what 21st century technology can offer us, like:
- A discrete motor/hub
- No gears to worry about while riding
- No unnecessary cables cramping style
- A differential to stabilize/ease riding the tricycle, like Samagaga
- A reversing facility of some sort for greater maneuverability
- Walk Assist for my 5’1”, 50kg frame and shorty arms
- No throttle. Or perhaps just a half throttle or a switch/button
- An additional rear brake for parking or when stopped on a hill?
- Perhaps a cut off brake or a kill switch for added safety
Please tell me, oh wise ones, is my dream possible…?
Thank you so much for reading this unusually long post, and please get in touch if you could recommend a specific conversion option! I would post images of any part you ask (I only have this one at the moment), and I would be eternally grateful for any advice you could offer me.
Kind regards,
Lilibet
Unsurprisingly, initially I would love to get advice as to how to go about a rather unusual conversion: a vintage R.A. Harding tricycle called the ‘Safety’, which was built for the Royal Air Force. R.A. Harding used to operate from Bath and my tricycle, which is in very good nick, dates to the 1930s-60s, it’s an all-steel construction, it has a Sturmey-Archer 3-gear hub at the rear and drum brakes, and it’s driven via the left/inside wheel. I am after a conversion that is both sympathetic to the tricycle’s aesthetics, but also practical for my needs so that this lovely machine can go back on the road and be enjoyed again properly, rather than just round the local park. This means I need a conversion system that is minimalistic and unfussy, and ideally compatible with the existing tricycle format. However, if in order to put it back on the road some alterations need to be made, then so be it, as I said the main thing is to get it (and me!) going again. For example, a particular electric conversion system may not be compatible with the existing gear format –but maybe these gears could be disabled, etc.
Being for a tricycle, I believe the conversion needs to be front wheel (the gap between the tricycle forks is 100mm, which I understand is good news). Also, since my interest in cycling only extends to a short ride to the school where I work, and riding for fun nearby, a UK road legal 36V 250W would be perfectly suitable for all my needs. Both pedelec or traditional electric would be fine, it depends on what features a particular kit has to offer, though I am more inclined to think that a pedelec system would suit me better. Is there anyone out there who could advise me on what system to purchase, please? If it turns out that the conversion is reasonably straight forward, it will be done at home; if it is a complicated or tricky affair, it will be done in a (hopefully) good cycle shop, happy to do either if it means getting the right conversion right.
I am interested in integral hub systems because they are neat and unfussy. I have read about them in various threads, but my head is swimming with so much info! One is the Xionda 2-speed hub motor because it has an integral controller, as well as the gears. Another is the Tongxin Nano with its speed sensor. Goldant and Keyde also have just one connection going to the battery (plus the LED display, which I would only use if it’s really necessary). I haven’t looked at batteries really, I guess one chooses one compatible with the conversion system once the latter has been decided (?)
Finally, I understand that there are lots of things to consider before deciding on a particular conversion option amongst the myriad of choices, but my ideal conversion would not only be sympathetic to my traditional tricycle, but also take advantage of what 21st century technology can offer us, like:
- A discrete motor/hub
- No gears to worry about while riding
- No unnecessary cables cramping style
- A differential to stabilize/ease riding the tricycle, like Samagaga
- A reversing facility of some sort for greater maneuverability
- Walk Assist for my 5’1”, 50kg frame and shorty arms
- No throttle. Or perhaps just a half throttle or a switch/button
- An additional rear brake for parking or when stopped on a hill?
- Perhaps a cut off brake or a kill switch for added safety
Please tell me, oh wise ones, is my dream possible…?
Thank you so much for reading this unusually long post, and please get in touch if you could recommend a specific conversion option! I would post images of any part you ask (I only have this one at the moment), and I would be eternally grateful for any advice you could offer me.
Kind regards,
Lilibet
The wheels are 26" though.
