Bafang BBSHD and Nuvinci N380 cvt combo-anyone else using this?

[Recumbentrx]

I tried three different cassette/derailure setups (8 sp, 9 sp and 10sp), each with a gear sensor and had a very tough time getting my system to shift correctly. I am not a beginner as far as bicycle mechanics go (I actually worked as a bike mechanic in my youth and was the group mechanic for both my transcontinental cyclo-camping tours across the USA) so I understand a lot about chain line, cable tension, wheel dishing, chain/cassette/shifter compatibility etc. I never got my recumbent trike to shift easily. I realize the trikes have three times the chain length as a regular bike so I tried each combination on my son's cannondale touring bike and had similar failures. Even though the gear shift sensor did its job, shifting was clunky and harsh. Finally, the rear derailure hanger literally was torn out of the frame. That and several snapped chains (new chains!) and I sought out a better solution.
I read a review of a guy using the nuvinci n380 cvt hub with his bbshd and was impressed. Even though it's only rated to handle 350 watts, he claims to run all 1500 watts through it regularly and it's holding up fine.
Long story short I tried it with my rans crank forward semi recumbent first as it's as close to a wedgie bike as possible but without the pain! I used a Paul's components "Melvin" chain tensioner (best one I found after extensive research) and the Luna Cycle eclipse 46 tooth chainring (The absolute best chainring I was able to find for this moto, worked better than my lekkie bling ring). I kept the 22 tooth chainring that came with the hub and used a kmc 8 speed (3/32") chain. The results were a perfect and smooth shift every time and I didn't use the gear shift sensor. No clicking or clunking or cigs in a transmission. Simply steel balls moving around inside a special fluid that acts as a solid when under compression.
Anyway I was so blown away at how this setup works, I installed the exact same thing on my long wheelbase rans stratus xp two wheel bent and my terratrike gran truisms tadpole trike. I am not a hot rider but rather a commuter I use my motor sparingly other than long steep climbs which both of my surgically altered knees can't handle any more. Most of the time I only use about 200 of the available 1500 watts this system can put out but there are definately times on every single ride I do where I am using as much as 1300 watts for short bursts and 800 watts for longer periods as I live in a mountainous are. There are flat sections which make up 65% of my commute and that's where I run 200 or less watts. So far my long wheelbase has 3600 miles with this system and other than two stretched out (Not snapped!) chains, everything is working flawlessly.
Has anyone else used this setup and if so what has your experience (Not guessing but actual experience) been?

 

[MadRhino]

The Nuvinci was very popular on ES a few years ago. Many members had built ebikes with it. You will not have a hard time finding building threads.

 

[amberwolf]

If you do want to go with an NV, go with the old 171. Craig Calfee has them for sale in the Items For Sale New section here for only $80 plus shipping ($20 more if you need to use it with a disc brake).

From what I've seen, the 171 was tougher than the newer ones....but the main thing is that you need to respect the max torque input to it (like any other system) so you don't break parts in it. So you must setup your input gearing from the BBSHD to not exceed that. This rating is in the last pictured page of the manual in Craig's NV tech manual thread (linked from his sale thread).

 

[Rassy]

My comment about the N171 is efficiency. I put together two TerraTrike tadpoles, a Rover and a Path, both with an auto shift N171 and a brushless hub motor mounted as a Mid-drive chain puller. The auto shift was set up to keep the cadence at the pedals between 60 and 70 RPM.

These trikes worked out great, good hill climbers up to 20% grade which was needed just to return to my house on each ride, and easy for a novice or experienced visitor to operate, since all you had to do was pedal along and give it as much throttle as you needed to maintain the speed that was desired. Even Justin, owner of this forum, had a chance to ride one up my hill when he stopped in on a trip down the Oregon coast, and his comment after the ride was that with a good PAS system it would be great for long rides.

Now the problem. I often rode with a friend that has a hand cycle that was powered by a WE BD36 in a 16" one wheel pusher trailer. Riding together I always used about twice the Watt Hours that he used so one day on a nice flat stretch of road we stopped, reset out Watt Meters, and rode side by side for a mile, throttle only, 10 MPH. Our meters showed that I used twice the Watt Hours that he used. Both trikes used 48V Ping batteries, which is probably not material. Of course there were other contributors, such as both my trike and myself were heavier and my triple length chain had to turn during the test while his just freewheeled at his front wheel derailleur.

Those systems were scrapped about 5 years ago and I have since used BBS02 systems exclusively, with either a NEXUS 8 IGH or a derailleur system and I do like having the basic PAS systems the BBS02 uses which relives long periods of having to hold a throttle steady. Now when I ride with him we both use about the same Watt Hours.

 

[Recumbentrx]

It’s been a few months since I’ve been on this site - covid craziness etc. I am going to attempt to post pictures of my trike that’s set up with the bafang BBSHD, Nuvinci N380 CVT, Lunacycle chainring, Paul’s components chain tensioner, 24” front wheels, 26” rear wheel, some Terracycle bits, adjustable handlebars, TRP Spyre dual piston disc brakes, custom shortened (155mm) cranks, etc.

 

[Recumbentrx]

I also installed the upgraded bafang full color display, a 48 v, 17AH battery and Schwalbe “Big Ben Plus” balloon bike tires in the 2.15” wide size with schwalbe tubes, Rocky Mountain trike saddle bags, terratrike seat bag and a ventist seat cover. I built it up with the intention of doing a third coast to coast tour but when the pandemic hit I had to cancel my plans so it only has like 350 miles on it. The tires add a perfect level of built in air suspension, especially when I run them at 30 PSI. It’s literally a car replacement

 

[fireflyer451]

Recumbentrx , I am installing virtually the same setup on my ICE Adventure trike (BBSHD & Nuvinci N380). Do you have the Gear sensor installed?

I really came to like the Nuvinci N380, I installed one on my ICE Spint trike late last year and have put a bunch of miles on it. It has a TSDZ2 mid-drive and is a very smooth rider. This Sprint is my 'street' / 'bike path' trike. The Adventure is my off-road trike. I have had zero issues with this setup, no gear sensor installed.

Thanks
Mike