StudEbiker's hypothetical Giant (r)E-vive build

[StudEbiker]

I am planning my next build. Last summer the LBS had a used Giant Revive on the lot. I took it for a test ride and was very impressed with the ride and comfort of the bike but since it weighs 46lbs normally it needs some electrifying for sure!! I really didn't like the color of the one at the LBS and it had a few cosmetic issues with it as well that caused me to pass. I've been on the look out for one ever since though and I am hoping to find one soon. I thought I would "ask the audience" so to speak and get some suggestions about how you would do a quality E-Revive. Front hub is pretty much out because I think you have to replace the fork which I really don't want to mess with.....besides, I am wanting something a little more elegant than a front hub. This will be my third build and ideally I would like to do something that runs through the gears though I am not completely opposed to another rear 9C, but I am going to want more speed than I get out of the 2807 in the 26" wheel that I have at 36v (which tops out at 22mph if the wind is at my back. :wink: ). Oh yeah, definitely want to move to LiPo on the E-vive. I initially thought of doing a RC drive. However, Recumpence's wife has a Revive that he says he has considered doing an RC drive on but there is no convenient way to configure it. If Matt can't figure it out, I'm pretty sure I'm not going to be able to get it to work either. :? There is the Cyclone option, but those seem so fraught with problems I'm not sure I really want to go there. Keep in mind a Revive has 20" wheels. I am looking for a top speed around 30 mph and be able to climb 8-10% with little or no pedal assist. With the starting weight of the bike being 46lbs, I'd also like to keep the add-on weight to a minimum. Okay, I am open to ideas.

 

[dogman dan]

Seems born for a front hub to me. Looks like a cromo fork. The obvious place for the battery is on that rack, sooo.

For a chain drive, the motor could mount on the frame, right under the G, and then drive the crank on the left side.

 

[chvidgov.bc.ca]

I have two Revives - one front hub, and one rear 9C. I much prefer the handling on the front hub, as the logical battery placement on the rack conflicts with the 9C, in a way, making the back end too heavy. It could be all right if you could figure out a better location for the battery in the middle. I put apehangers on the front, with a brushed geared motor and it is a very nice ride.

 

[chvidgov.bc.ca]

I have two Revives - one front hub, and one rear 9C. I much prefer the handling on the front hub, as the logical battery placement on the rack conflicts with the 9C, in a way, making the back end too heavy. It could be all right if you could figure out a better location for the battery in the middle. I put apehangers on the front, with a brushed geared motor and it is a very nice ride. I have to say that I enjoy my EZ-Sport CX recumbent quite a bit more than either of the Revives though, for its mid-rack battery carrying capability and excellent comfort.

 

[Drunkskunk]

Looks like a nice fork for a front motor, but it also looks like your entire body weight, from the knees back would be on the back half of the bike, so not what I would chose for a front motor.

Thats a nice long suspension arm, so I bet it it does ride nice. But it's also got the wheel tucked almost under you, so I wouldn't want a rear motor either.

So RC, if it was me. I'd mount it on the under side of the suspension arm, behind the crank, and drive through a freewheel crank. I'd put the batteries on top of the frame, infront of the seat.. But how much room is inside that frame tube? can you slide some packs down from the rear?

 

[StudEbiker]

So I am starting to move towards a Cyclone set-up. It seems like they can be made to work pretty reliably if one takes care in setting it up. The RC setup seems like it may be overkill for what I want. One of the big pluses for the cyclone is being able to run 24v instead of 36v so a pretty good savings on batts. I think in my reading it seems as though the Cyclones with internal controller are to be avoided. I am thinking of the 960w version, but I am a little confused on the single chainwheel vs. the 3pcs chainwheel setup. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each setup and which do you think would work best with the Revive? @Drunkskunk- I like the idea of being able to stuff some batteries down the frame, I'll definitely have to check into that.

 

[StudEbiker]

Hmmmm, that EZ Sport CX looks interesting. 26" rear, 6lbs. less than a Revive, and lots of frame space. Looks like a double freewheel Cyclone could work real nice on that too. Too bad about the color though.