Tandem Conversion Kit
- Thread starter makM
- Start date
Should be easy enough to fit a hub motor to either wheel. Disk brakes not a problem. What gears and wheel size? If you haven’t seen it already, have a look at the Woosh range of hub motor kits (out of stock currently). That will give you a good idea of choices and weights. Someone on here fitted a front wheel conversion on their tandem.
Thanks Jonah
Tripple chain ring shimano 105 think 11/32 cassette 700 wheel size. Will have a look on Woosh, if you find the person who fitted their tandem could you let me know
Many thanks
Mac
Yes, we fitted a Woosh XF07 front just over 2 years ago to a more basic (Viking) tandem. No disk brakes, not sure if the wheel would take them; Woosh will clarify.
Ideally we would have had a more powerful motor, but were limited by what was available in 700c at the time. It has been a great boon and allows us to get up most hills with relative ease. Winchester area: no big hills but a few quite sharp sections of a couple of hundred metres. We usually ride at 2/5 assist setting or 3/5 on the hills. It definitely needs input from us especially on the steeper hills, we still use the lowest gear (somewhere around 25" ???, I can check if it will help). As we drop below around 6mph the motor struggles to help. Increasing to 4/5 or 5/5 makes us go much faster on the level and shallow hills, but once the speed has dropped the top power levels don't help that much (*). I think (???) it may be that the 13aH battery is not good at delivering the current needed, and of course motor efficiency drops at low speeds.
A lot has been said against front wheel motors and slipping. That does not apply on the tandem with the different weight distribution. In particular there is one mild slope of wet grass (almost mud) we regularly go up and fairly often the motor will continue to grip at the front while the back slips under pedal power. Two wheel drive is a boon there. (p.s. You probably shouldn't fit a significantly more powerful front motor without the extra complication of torque arms.)
Woosh were helpful in decision making before the sale (eg warning us of relative lack of XF07 power and checking geometry details for battery space), and supplied the kit with cables appropriately extended for the tandem. We had a few silly niggles at the very start; none the fault of Woosh and all quickly resolved with their help. Thoroughly recommended.
(*)
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A tandem with disc brakes should be the easiest to convert because you have so much room for everything. You might have to look at extending some of the cables, but it depends on your layout.
It's tandems with eccentric bottom brackets and drum brakes that cause all the problems.
For simplicity and reliability, I'd go for a rear hub-motor system.
It's tandems with eccentric bottom brackets and drum brakes that cause all the problems.
For simplicity and reliability, I'd go for a rear hub-motor system.
Agreed.
Just in case I had a look and our XF07 does have a fitting that I'm 99% certain is for disk brakes.
For lightweight I like the Aikema 85SX available from Woosh. If you are just wanting help on the hills rather than Moped like assistance I believe you’d be very happy with this. More power is available with other motors if you want the motor to do more of the work.
It depends what you want and whether you're happy to do everything yourself or you want a ready-made plug and play kit with guarantees. Obviously price is a factor, and performance characteristics, like power and speed. Another important factor is compliance with regulations. Some people are happy to bend the rules a bit when they do, it would be difficult to prove that they have, some don't care about any legal aspects, and others want absolute proof that their systems are compliant.
You can get larger motors that are absolute workhorses and a little heavier, medium sized motors that are pretty good all round, or small motors if light weight is a priority.
For a tandem I'd go for something more than the Aikema 85SX, even for 'just help on the hills'. It is lighter but rated even below our tandem's XF07. You could save a bit getting separate parts, but if I were buying now I'd go for the SWX02 48v from Woosh (also depending on availability, they've nothing available right now).
You haven't said how fit you both are, we are 73/67, not too unfit but not nearly as fit (or light) as we were 20 years ago. Or how hilly it is round you (middling around here in Winchester; though I guess some people might call it almost flat!)
I expect Woosh will come up with a comment here, if not email him pictures of the bike for suggestions about best kit and also battery placement etc.
You haven't said how fit you both are, we are 73/67, not too unfit but not nearly as fit (or light) as we were 20 years ago. Or how hilly it is round you (middling around here in Winchester; though I guess some people might call it almost flat!)
I expect Woosh will come up with a comment here, if not email him pictures of the bike for suggestions about best kit and also battery placement etc.
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