Enclosed pedal electric tadpole trike

jmygann

100 kW
Joined
May 30, 2008
Messages
1,069
[youtube]hc_kLG9eRJU&feature=plcp[/youtube]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hc_kLG9eRJU&feature=plcp

http://www.organictransit.com/index.html

any others for sale ???
 
That is pretty cool. With a 35 to 40 mph speed is would be awesome for most everything other than obeying the law.

Tom
 
http://www.bentrideronline.com/?p=7786

organictransitrender-300x259.jpg
 
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/842248593/1676700992?token=7ae49992
 
http://www.americruiser.com/

Add motor. This has a shock at the back. Someone near by has one with a solar panel on top like the Elf. He is coming to me for drive options. We are considering a mid-drive or hub.
 
CogHog said:
http://www.americruiser.com/

Add motor. This has a shock at the back. Someone near by has one with a solar panel on top like the Elf. He is coming to me for drive options. We are considering a mid-drive or hub.

You'd best not set that one up for very much speed. It's too high and narrow to corner at traffic speed without dumping the driver on his head. At the slightly faster than walking speeds most pedal-only Americruiser trikes travel, it's not nearly as significant an issue. A picture from the manufacturer's website tells the tale better than I could:

TANDEM%208.JPG


We're talking half 'bent tadpole, half wheelchair. Please be realistic about the safe operating envelope for such a contraption.

Slinging a bunch of SLA batteries very low on the frame would help vehicle dynamics, at the expense of diminished performance and increased weight.
 
Please be realistic about the safe operating envelope for such a contraption.

I had to laugh and post this up, this is something I have thought about and messed around with a couple times, when I saved the files I didn't know what to call it, so I saved it as 'the contraption'. This would definitely not be very safe, it would basically be a light, aerodynamic shell that integrates an off the shelf 350W panel, built around a full suspension tadpole style recumbent electric trike. I have tinkered with the idea of building something like this with the fantasy of going cross country with no gas, it would be quite an adventure.
the contraption:
thecontraption.jpg
 
With the lower rider position, and presumably batteries and luggage arranged low inside the shell, you'd be looking at much better stability at speed than an Americruiser-based velomobile. For reasons of both storage and aerodynamics, I expect that a boattail or turtle format would work better than what you've rendered here.
 
I am looking for a shell or shell builder

The Elf is a bicycle ......20mph max

If someone can build me one like the elf for under $4K ,,,, please contact me
 
The ELF is a bicycle with a 750w motor for $4K. a custom job would cost someone more so that may be a good deal.

http://www.organictransit.com/models.html
 
http://kmxus.com/models/tornado/

Just add a hub motor and your good to go.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/130809645726?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649
 
Its that full shell I want .....

I have a trike >>>>>

http://www.evalbum.com/4095

4095b.jpg
 
http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=224126274334946&set=pb.223767927704114.-2207520000.1354765655&type=3&theater
I think this is kinda what youre talking about, it dosent have a ferring yet, but Im just starting on another one that dose, relyably 400watts of solar, 2kwh of battery and soon pritty good aro, could be an epic touring mechine :D
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=KtW_MWFMZ7w#!

[youtube]KtW_MWFMZ7w#![/youtube]
 
CogHog said:
http://www.americruiser.com/

Add motor. This has a shock at the back. Someone near by has one with a solar panel on top like the Elf. He is coming to me for drive options. We are considering a mid-drive or hub.

I used one of Sid Gowdy's trikes for years. It did need modifications to corner well but I got up to V 5.0 over a period of 5 years befire I decided on store bought. It is easy to modify and can be lowered and re-suspended to get lower stance. Chalo is right and Sid does not recommend it for over 15 MPH. My "Adjusted" and re -engineered version could corner at over 20 mph and not come close to going over on smooth ground. I had a Bafang rear motor and about 54 volts at the time. Nowdays I prefer the slower lane and bike trails. The Americruiser is still a very good deal for the money if you are interested in "adjusting" kit bikes to go faster etc. I even was gunna use my old cross country skis to make a front suspension, but one accident too many made me go to the stores for more regular trikes and slower speeds.
otherDoc
 
The elf to be on the Today Show .... today Friday

312399_422026651199223_830900590_n.jpg
 
docnjoj said:
CogHog said:
http://www.americruiser.com/

Add motor. This has a shock at the back. Someone near by has one with a solar panel on top like the Elf. He is coming to me for drive options. We are considering a mid-drive or hub.

I used one of Sid Gowdy's trikes for years. It did need modifications to corner well but I got up to V 5.0 over a period of 5 years befire I decided on store bought. It is easy to modify and can be lowered and re-suspended to get lower stance. Chalo is right and Sid does not recommend it for over 15 MPH. My "Adjusted" and re -engineered version could corner at over 20 mph and not come close to going over on smooth ground. I had a Bafang rear motor and about 54 volts at the time. Nowdays I prefer the slower lane and bike trails. The Americruiser is still a very good deal for the money if you are interested in "adjusting" kit bikes to go faster etc. I even was gunna use my old cross country skis to make a front suspension, but one accident too many made me go to the stores for more regular trikes and slower speeds.
otherDoc

I agree with Doc above; I also have a Tricruiser.... mine (mid drive) would climb quite well. With lots of skill, engineering and time in saddle you could corner at 15mph. alas, I could never grow a liking to the "body english" differnce on trikes, and have given way to a return to two wheel steering.

d

temporarily in So Cal
 
Personally, am I the only e-triker that doesn't want a velomobile?

a.) Too expensive - Costs at least double a normal e-trike tadpole
b.) Too scary on the multi-user paths to innocent grandmothers
c.) Less utilitarian in town, parking the thing - riding it at/in the market? In a great throng of humans? Not me...
d.) Less green than a regular e-trike, as it uses more material and energy to manufacture it. Electricity is cheap, like gas in the fifties - a good substitute for aero.
e.) Looks so conspicuously green, or at least an escape from a Woody Allen movie. Not that that's bad per se...just so, well, OBVIOUS.

Granted, its fast. But I'm already able to reach 30mph with the 9C on the back. And it has good carrying capacity. And it is a dry ride. But I'm already used to the "outdoors" as I'm a sea-kayaker. I like the outdoors. And I like the kind of rad look of a naked e-trike, as I hurtle past the lycras. Why dress an e-trike in a space suit? i guess if I wanted to go fifty miles an hour..but then I would be in with the cars...

I already get too much attention from the public, having to explain my e-trike to everybody. I don't need more.

I think the niche that a regular e-trike occupies has advantages over a pimped up version. You would sacrifice too much for the aero...

Just me? And I will keep my stereo and the wind in my hair thank you. I laugh at the smart cars too...oh well...now where's that link to that little trike fairing I saw...and what about a tailsock...HMMM...PASS ME THE KOOLAID...
 
Velos and whatnot are all well and good but for me my trike with a XT fairing does very well. When it isn't carrying home the groceries it has been an excellent touring machine.
8429631465_b32dbd6063_c.jpg


As always YMMV
 
I know this one does not have pedals but I think its one of the best looking designs out there, and adding pedals would be pretty easy..

http://www.blueskydsn.com/kit_aero.html


Not too bad on the price either..
 
http://www.hlntv.com/video/2013/02/11/solar-powered-trike
 
Back
Top