E-recumbent is amazing

[veloman]

The motor negates much of the downsides to a recumbent. I get off the line just a fast as a my normal ebike. The 'set-back-in-the-seat" feeling is a bowl of cherries

For anyone interested in long range /efficiency ebiking on roads, you have to try an e-recumbent.

My setup is a very basic, stock, upright Lightning Stealth with 9c rear hub 26" wheel, 1800watt max, 51v battery, 30mph top speed, or 37mph on 120% speed setting.

I can't give hard numbers on how much more efficient at speed, but it's looking like about 3-4watt hour/mile less than my upright. So from 21wh/mi, to 17wh/mi. And my Lightning is fairly upright with no aero mods whatsoever. This in city riding too,

 

[recumbent]

Absolutely correct about the comfort, and overcoming the drawbacks recumbents have with low speed handling issues.

Just twist & go past the 3mph/ (5kmh) threshold where my LWB bike can be cumbersome. Lots of room for panniers and the built-in passive suspension from the cr-mo steel frame to smooth out the small bumps. It's Like riding on a 6 foot long leafspring.

This was my third ebike build, but first recumbent, after three years of joy i'm gonna buy a trike, another "bent" of course, I'm totally hooked.

 

[Alan B]

Nice Project!

I have enjoyed my EbikeE and find it to be very efficient compared to my mountain bike. Thumb throttle really solves the difficulty of getting started.

One question - how stable is your recumbent at low speed? Mine seems more wobbly at low speed than my other bikes.

 

[StudEbiker]

Glad to hear you got it going and are loving it.

I am loving my E-Bike-E as well, and I just purchased a MAC kit to put on a second Bike-E for my girlfriend.

I really believe that for e-bike commuters (read stick to the pavement guys), an e-recumbent is just about the ideal platform for e-biking.

Where's the pics of it with the motor on it??

 

[docnjoj]

Put that 3rd wheel on a recumbent and you have a comfortable deck chair that can go pretty fast. A rear suspension (at least) really helps your back over bumps. Remember FFR trikes that won Pikes Peak. I guess even without a suspension they can go PDQ.
Recumbents rule.
otherDoc

 

[amberwolf]

If you ar eusing a suspended mesh seat, and a long-wheelbase bike, (like on CrazyBike2), then at least for the rider it's not so bad even without rear suspension except for bigger potholes...but the bike doens't like it much.

 

[veloman]

I hit a dip in the pavement at 35mph last night and nearly got launched out of the mesh seat. Steering is still too responsive with the small wheel. I'm building a full suspension longer wheelbase one with 26" wheels.

 

[StudEbiker]

Obviously I haven't ridden your bike, but the two recumbents I ride one has a 16" front wheel and the other is similar to yours with a 20" in the front and rear. In the beginning, the one with the 16" seemed especially twitchy, but after a few hundred miles it wasn't an issue. Other than full suspension bikes I would think that hitting a significant dip at 30mph is going to be a bit of a shock. I would recommend spending some time riding well known routes during times that have light traffic to deal with (bike paths?) to get accustomed to the handling. Once you get to the point where you can relax enough and not white knuckle the bars the quick handling becomes a plus.

 

[Jason27]

Cool bike! I bet it turns some heads.

 

[www.recumbents.com]

I had a Vision R40, which was similar to the lightning. It needed a front suspension to prevent that problem. You can get them at hostelshoppe.com.

-Warren.

 

[Pat Eaton]

I have been riding 2 wheel e-bent for three years and love it. I have racked up around 12,000km. I have just finished building a delta e-trike and will have a battery ready for sprig riding. See.

http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=45126&hilit=Recumbent&start=60

For pictures.

Best way to IMHO.

Pat