Installing a Motor on One Front Wheel of a Cargo Bike with Two Front Wheels???

[Polerkongen]

Hi - does anyone have experience with installing a motor on just one of the front wheels of a cargo bike, where the two wheels are located in the front rather than at the back of the bike? I don't need to go fast, max 12-15 mph. I don’t think it would be optimal - but I already have an older build with 20" wheels and a throttle, so you can also increase the speed gradually. The setup will only be used occasionally when my wife and I go to nearby events. I’ve searched for experiences but haven’t found anything. The picture I found is not the bike I plan to install it on, but just as an example. I hope some of you have experiences that can help me make a more informed decision.

Thanks in advance Michael

 

[Papa]

I’ve searched for experiences but haven’t found anything

I'm not surprised.

I too have NO first-hand experience building or attempting what you ask, because the end results is predictable - torque steer.

 

[Polerkongen]

I'm not surprised.

I too have NO first-hand experience building or attempting what you ask, because the end results is predictable - torque steer.

Yeah, good point !

 

[lnanek]

I've definitely read some motor write ups from Grin where they said motorizing one of the side wheels of a trike works OK. No idea if it being a cargo trike helps or hurts.

 

[gromike]

You'd need a single sided hub motor for a front wheel install into a tadplole.
What's wrong with putting a motor in the back wheel? Probably cost less and work better.

 

[neptronix]

Single sided hub motors will cost you a pretty penny because they're specialized components that rarely get sold.

Your speed requirements are very low, so i'd pick a rear motor... because two motors would be exponentially more expensive.

You'd want 2 motors if you were climbing really steep hills often.

 

[Polerkongen]

You'd need a single sided hub motor for a front wheel install into a tadplole.
What's wrong with putting a motor in the back wheel? Probably cost less and work better.

It was mostly because I had a 20" wheel with a motor, battery, etc. as a spare that I was considering it before buying a 3-wheeler. I already have two others that are rear-wheel driven, so that's also what I'm used to.

 

[Polerkongen]

Single sided hub motors will cost you a pretty penny because they're specialized components that rarely get sold.

Your speed requirements are very low, so i'd pick a rear motor... because two motors would be exponentially more expensive.

You'd want 2 motors if you were climbing really steep hills often.

Steep hills are the last thing we have here in Denmark I think I'll find another solution, thanks