Hi I'm looking to build bike that i can take on bike paths and suburban roads, I'm not looking for speed but rather hill climbing ability with no pedaling when I get too tired. Was thinking hub gears with belt drive. Any ideas.
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The only problem I have seen with introducing a belt instead of sticking with the original chain in a mid drive conversion is getting past the bottom support on the freewheel side. Though some bicycle models have a break near the rear axle for fastening parts on (like a rear derailleur), my tricycle would require me to cut a spot then weld it back together. Sorry, but I can't draw a straight line let alone all that! 🤣
I'm in the process of doing an adult trike ebike build using a Schwinn Meridian. The reasons I went with a trike are:
I've never enjoyed biking for exercise. A trike is more utilitarian since you can run to the grocery and have a place for stuff.
The build is simpler since the bike stands up on its own so it's easier to work on.
There are a number of not totally horrible YouTube videos.
With a trike, you're likely going to use a hub motor and having the added weight on the front wheel is a good thing. This also simplifies the installation. There's a post down below discussing a mid-drive on a Meridian.
A tricycle is also a "step through" which is nice. I'm kinda done with throwing my leg over the bike.
You'd likely use a rear rack battery box that's mounted in the basket. This somewhat simplifies the installation and gives you a lot of options for battery size.
Downsides:
It's going to be heavy compared to a two wheeled ebike.
Typically, you'd use a single gear Meridian which means that above 10mph or so, you can't pedal fast enough for pedal assist. Or to say it another way, pedaling is useful for getting the bike moving and maneuvering but anything above 10 is going to be on the battery.
It's going to be relatively slow since it's heavy and over 25mph-ish it's going to get unstable.
It will not do well on the hill test.
The Meridian has a rear brake but it doesn't work well.
The front brakes aren't adequate to stop the bike but this is easily fixed by adding larger brake pads ($10 or so.)
Trikes don't ride like bikes. You sit upright and don't lean into the turns.
You absolutely need two torque arms on the front wheels or the front wheel will depart the bike in short order. These are cheap as well.
You can find the Schwinn Meridian used or they often go on sale particularly as we get into the holidays.
Mark
id recommend watch johhnys many youtube videos for ideas. hub motors are a NO GO here, do not buy anything with hub motors (in general, but I suppose with trikes they are a special exception). belt drives arent a thing with mid drives, yet.