mid-drive on a SWB recumbent?

[judoman09]

Hello all,
I'm contemplating my first e-bike conversion. I have a DIY Bentech short-wheel-base recumbent. My trip involves 3km rather hilly then 7km dead flat. I like the idea of mid-drive for the gear efficiency, but I'm not opposed to hub-drive either. Any opinions on the following options:

1. Can a mid-drive be used in the middle of the driveline on a swb, eg under the seat? I've been browsing google-images and searching the web, but haven't been able to find any examples of this, which makes me wonder if there is some problem with doing this. I have found plenty of long-wheel-bases with mid-drive, but no shorts.

2. I do see tadpole trikes that have a mid-drive at the end of the boom, so presumably that is possible. I'm not sure if my front derailer will get in the way though.

3. front or rear-wheel hub drive, I was thinking of mounting the battery over the boom to help with weight distribution. Not sure if the 20" wheel matters or not.

thanks,
Charlie

 

[amberwolf]

There's at least a couple of middrive 'bent builds here on ES, including one from LI-ghtcycle, IIRC. There's also a trike by Rassy using a drive system you could probalby mount similarly to your bike.


Given the top-heavy weight distribution of that type of 'bent, I would recommend putting as much of the added weight below your own weigth as you can, preferably either along or below the axle line. Panniers at the rear centered around the rear axle or just forward of that behind/below the seat might be a good place. Possibly putting them (or some of them) in front axle-centered panniers mounted on teh fork, if you need to distribute weight evenly.

 

[johnrobholmes]

I have ridden a few SWB ebikes.


Rear motor will get under you when pedaling too, it will wheelie if you don't have weight up front.

Front motor will skid around. You must be very careful when turning and applying power. Best to steady power through or coast through.


I prefer the rear mounted with careful riding or front hung battery.

 

[johnnyz383]

Mid drive will always be best...as long as it is engineered properly.


John

Arctrike.com