Electric Bikes - After 5,000 pedaled miles, looking at a trike setup

http://picasaweb.google.com/ryseancorp/Schwinn#5356825149157843026http://picasaweb.google.com/ryseancorp/Schwinn#5356825149157843026http://picasaweb.google.com/ryseancorp/Schwinn#5356825149157843026http://picasaweb.google.com/ryseancorp/Schwinn#http://lh5.ggpht.com/_tyxSqFhzhzQ/SldEF2tuoFI/AAAAAAAAARU/mA23ra6yTF8/s512/schwinn.jpg


I've put around 5,000 miles on this bike over the years and am slowing down a little bit. Was considering a Trike setup for going to the grocery store, and little neighborhood errands. I noticed in another thread that Amped has come or is coming out with a newer type hub:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=545968

I am thinking this would be ideal to put on this trike:
http://cgi.ebay.com/09-SCHWINN-26-Meridian-3-Wheel-Tricycle-Bike-Bicycle_W0QQitemZ220365651157QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item334ed0fcd5&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A3|66%3A2|39%3A1|293%3A3|294%3A50 (http://cgi.ebay.com/09-SCHWINN-26-Meridian-3-Wheel-Tricycle-Bike-Bicycle_W0QQitemZ220365651157QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item334ed0fcd5&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A3%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C293%3A3%7C294%3A50)

But not really sure if this is the Trike I should get.

I do have a LIFEPO4 20AH 36 Volt Battery, but no controller or wheel hub.

Since I'm starting with nothing but the battery, I would gladly like some input.

My goal is not necessarily money related, but typically I like to spend in the area where you get the most for your money, and the next upgrade is twice as much, for only 20% more performance.

I hope that makes sense.

Thanks in advance for input, I have been lurking here for quite some time.

Personally I like your idea, but I'm just curious why you might be considering a trike?

I've been commuting on an ebike (ElecTrec) for over a year. Last fall I entertained the notion of maybe converting to a trike to more easily carry stuff and not worry so much about stability on ice in the winter. I aired my thoughts on the commuting forum and, aside from a few recumbent trike fans, was basically ridiculed and put down. Ridicule aside, they did have a few good points - trikes are heavier, harder to fit through doorways and dynamically less stable than bicycles.

Not sure how much you are willing to spend however the Lightfoot line of trikes is a very high quality product. I have a Ranger recumbent. My son has a electric World Traveler. Both bikes are very well built. They make a electric trike.

http://www.lightfootcycles.com/trikes.php

One problem with the "granny"-style trikes is that all I've ever seen were either one or three speeds, and only a coaster brake.

The Recumbent delta trikes cost a lot more than the "grannies", but then, the recumbents have full-range gearing that you cannot easily or cheaply add onto the grannies.
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Thanks for the input. I guess I'm now hoping there is a better Trike than the Granny style referred to but in between cost of $300 and $3,600. That link above sure does take you to some nice bikes, but to me, that is the high end, and I'm more middle of the road guy. Especially for something I'm just wanting to be able to pick my dry cleaning up for my family. And make the grocery store trip in one load rather than the current 3.

Thanks for the input. I guess I'm now hoping there is a better Trike than the Granny style referred to but in between cost of $300 and $3,600. That link above sure does take you to some nice bikes, but to me, that is the high end, and I'm more middle of the road guy. Especially for something I'm just wanting to be able to pick my dry cleaning up for my family. And make the grocery store trip in one load rather than the current 3.

There is one option that's less than $3600....

All the delta trike drive setups I've seen used a geared hub that has another cog on the right-hand side, and this is why you cannot easily adapt just any multi-speed hub onto a delta trike. The $1500 Rohloff hub is different--apparently it has a provision for using it this way.

....So that would cost,,,, one Rohloff, plus one of whatever granny trike you decide to use.

The granny trikes still have other problems IMO with regard to sizing and general durability.
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Really depends on how you plan to use it & what your budget is. We've converted the Schwinn you linked to in your original post (edit - I should mention, that eBay listing is about $100 more than going to Wal-Mart, they sell the exact same model for $250). Its not bad, really, for the money. It has an alloy frame so it isn't has heavy as it could be & comes with a good V-brake on the front rim & a traditional 'strap' brake in the rear. For us, it was important to find something in the lower price range that we could build w/ SLAs (though the one below has our LiFePO4 pack below the rack) for folks with mobility issues, etc. Not everyone can shell out for a high end recumbent tilt-trike & not everyone can get by with the cargo capacity of a front & rear bike rack system. ;)

http://suncoastelectricbikes.com/images/bike_pix/trike_b.jpg