Where can I find a friction drive wheel

[jgillick]

I'm building my first ebike and for a quick build I'm just doing a friction drive with a motor I'm getting off eBay. Since I'm doing a friction drive system, I'll need to put a small wheel on the motor shaft to spin the bigger wheel with, right? Where I can find these?

Thanks.

[BroadwayJoe]

Scooter guys use freestyle footpegs for drives with their weed-eater motor conversions. They mount it to the motor shaft and shove it against the tire.

Google/eBay Warrior EV, I think there is/was a friction drive with a knurled drive wheel and I just saw one for auction. Friction drive seems quick/easy but no good in rain and tire wear will increase greatly.

Personally, I'd suggest a front 26" hub kit. About as easy - remember you still gotta wire-up controls, batteries and stuff with either design.

[jgillick]

Thanks for the details, this helps a lot.

I would love to use a hub kit or connect the motor through a chain, but I'll actually be mounting this on a children's tricycle. :o) I'm also going to mod the tricycle a bit, but I don't think I can fit the hardware for either of these drive solutions.

What I learn in this project will help when I want to scale up to a real bicycle. This project is just for fun though.