Planning a E-Bike Recumbent Trike project

[chopper_elec]

I've been hugely facinated with the styling and overall feel of a Recumbent Trike and was wondering if anyone can give me a few opinions on how they are to ride?

I would likely build a pretty simple 250w 36v rear hub motor system for it, and it would be used for long distance.

Would you know roughly how much I would be looking at for a basic Recument Trike?

[chopper_elec]

Here is one that i've been considering:
http://www.aliexpress.com/product-fm/57 ... alers.html

[goriverman]

I have made two, one has a hub motor There both a blast to ride

[chopper_elec]

IMG_2189s.jpg

I have made two, one has a hub motor There both a blast to ride

Wow you wouldn't happen to be in Australia would you?

They look stunning. I lack all abilities of being able to weld so I would have to get someone else to do that for me.

[Ben Wilson]

The one thing I would suggest is trying one out before you commit. I'd basically decided on a basic trike, but when I test rode it, I found that I hated the direct steering (the ergonomics just didn't work for me).

I've been commuting on a trident Stowaway with a 6t MAC for a while now and apart from the lack of suspension, it's awesome.

[jkbrigman]

I've been hugely facinated with the styling and overall feel of a Recumbent Trike and was wondering if anyone can give me a few opinions on how they are to ride?

I would likely build a pretty simple 250w 36v rear hub motor system for it, and it would be used for long distance.

Would you know roughly how much I would be looking at for a basic Recument Trike?

Hi "chopper_elec";

Qualification: my comments are regarding recumbent BIKES. You are looking at a TRIKE. So my feedback will have limited value, except to (hopefully) validate your choice of steed...

I've got a SWB Actionbent with 9c 2810 motor wheel on the rear. AlanB has done a Bike-E with a 20" rear geared hubmotor (from cell_man).
Speed and efficiency are great. Stability, not so great. I've got about 500 commute miles on my bike and so does AlanB. I'm considering building up an upright bike with the e-bike components so I can compare the feel.

I'm not "down" on using a recumbent - in fact, I've got a LWB in the works that I might switch over. But I would not say SWB recumbent or BikeE have become our every-day-commuter bikes because they just aren't stable enough.

Although I dearly love the comfort, efficiency and range, I expect to dismantle my recumbent ebike and return it to stock configuration. It's just too freaking dangerous to put up against normal, everyday road hazards. My build thread is in my signature below.

Overall, the brain trust and conversion experience here on E-S is incredible. You'll learn who to listen to and who not.

Trike is a very cool way to go - stability concerns totally resolved and very long distance riding is possible. What keeps me from building up one of those is cost of the trike (although I continue to watch ebay and craigslist) and the width of the trike - too wide for everyday commuting where I live.

But I have not given up recumbent hope: LWB machine is in the works, but it'll be a very long time build.

JKB

PS: Holy Carp, Trident Trikes is in my backyard! (Lincolnton, NC)

[Ben Wilson]

PS: Holy Carp, Trident Trikes is in my backyard! (Lincolnton, NC)

If you can get a chance to catch up with Tom from Trident, it will be worth the trip. He is the single most helpful business owner I have ever come across.

[docnjoj]

Also check out Utah Trikes as they have a large selection and pretty reasonable prices. Also great custom service.
otherDoc

edit: If you want full suspension, check out Cyclone.tw because their trike is cheap. We need a guinea pig to test one!

[jkbrigman]

PS: Holy Carp, Trident Trikes is in my backyard! (Lincolnton, NC)

If you can get a chance to catch up with Tom from Trident, it will be worth the trip. He is the single most helpful business owner I have ever come across.

That's awesome to hear - I can reach Trident Trikes in less than 3 hours. I've actually never ridden a trike - might be time to fix that, but I'm afraid I'll end up having to have one...

[Ben Wilson]

I've actually never ridden a trike - might be time to fix that, but I'm afraid I'll end up having to have one...

A friend of mine is an avid mountain bike rider, he was rebuilding his bike and he borrowed my trike to get to work for a week or so.

His description was that his bike was a better means of transport, but the trike was heaps more fun. That was before I added the 6T MAC to it, I'm not sure what he will say once he rides it in it's current form...

[Xanda2260]

IMG_2189s.jpg

I have made two, one has a hub motor There both a blast to ride

Hi river!

OP, if you want cheap, try KMX. They're the cheapest I've seen but shipping to Aus may change that. I've got a homebuilt trike (like gorivermans, left of pic. See my sig). With no suspension they're only fine at low speeds, but then you're going for 250w so you should be ok. Terratrikes is also a good place to check out, but again Aus shipping may make them pricey.

Good luck

[Ben Wilson]

Didn't notice that you were in Australia, if you happen to be in Canberra some time you're welcome to try mine out.

[docnjoj]

Here is one that i've been considering:
http://www.aliexpress.com/product-fm/57 ... alers.html

I just had a good look at that trike in your link and it does not have a suspension like they claim! I would buy local or at least a US dealer.
otherDoc

[ebent]

I ride a tadpole recumbent trike. Catrike Pocket. Catrikes are sold in Australia. Well made. I've had it since 2005. Electrified 2010. I believe in the long run quality is cheaper. Keep the batteries low and forward or a roll over is possible. No part of the battery above the rear axle and all forward of the rear axle. Then it will handle like a go cart. Good luck.

[jateureka]

Have you made any progress with your recumbent trike purchase?

That one on alliexpress looks nice for the money http://www.aliexpress.com/product-fm/572658831-Bike-Recumbent-Trike-Pet-wheelchair-Electric-Recumbent-Trike-Recumbent-bike-with-suspension-wholesalers.html

The one cyclone has is cheap at about $800 delivered to Aus, but looks a bit nasty based on the parts pics http://www.cyclone-tw.com/order-diy-recumbent.htm

Flying Furniture and MR Components have a big range, some ex demo http://www.flyingfurniture.com.au/shop/catalog/recumbent-trikes
http://www.mrrecumbenttrikes.com/comparisons.html

[jkbrigman]

Also check out Utah Trikes as they have a large selection and pretty reasonable prices. Also great custom service.
otherDoc

edit: If you want full suspension, check out Cyclone.tw because their trike is cheap. We need a guinea pig to test one!

Utah Trikes ROKKS. They take a $999 Terratrike Rover and for $1299 turn it into a supa-badd machine.

[Diamondback]

i've just finished building up my e trike.

i put a 20A 20" ezee kit on my new HP Velotechnik Scorpion FS.

running on 12S lipo (44v nominal).
efficiency has been incredible. i have 12s 2P lipo 16ah total.
i have so far been able to get 100+ km on well under half a charge.
i did 3 rides totaling 105km. when i checked the capacity remaining on my cell checker, it read 66% - 68% for all 4 packs.
take note that i only use the motor when i need it. as a true assist. not using the motor everywhere.

with the same setup on my regular DF bike, that distance would be 20% remaining maximum.
i ride both the same way. only using the motor when required for hills / headwinds.
i can only attribute the difference in efficiency to the reduced wind resistance on the trike.

if you are ever in Sydney, shoot me a PM, you are welcome to test ride it.....



Jason.

[docnjoj]

That is one nice looking trike!
otherDoc

[Diamondback]

That is one nice looking trike!
otherDoc

why, thank you kind sir !

Jason.

[Kirk]

For efficiency, stability, speed and safety a well designed and built recumbent trike is hard to beat. Here in the US the Catrike fills the bill very nicely. In AUS the Trisled and Steintrike comes to mind but there are a couple of Taiwan built trikes that might be worth looking at. A good trike can be damned expensive but they are worth it in the long run. Look for one used while you save up your dinero and get your Bill Of Materials together. Catrike, Trisled, Steintrike and ICE owners tend to take very good care of their trikes and can be a good buy.
My current ride is a Catrike Exxpedition with a GM Pro 901 hubbie, 24 FET 80A controller, 18s6p LiPo battery and a stand alone CA. When you figure in the costs of the car it replaced, it will have paid for itself in approximately 2.5 years.


Recumbent trikes are chick magnets too.