Framebuilders - A recumbent electric bike?

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pengyou
05-09-11, 07:04 AM
This question is about an electric bike, but it is much more so about frames than it is about the electrical components. I want to buy a bike like this:

201191

If I were to move the crank foward about 12" to the base of where the battery is now, what would be the effect on pedaling this bike? I would lower the seat about 5" so the legs would still reach the pedals :) My goal in doing this is to lower the center of gravity, reduce wind resistance and create some free space where the crank now is for a critical component. The picture I have in my mind is a bike that is halfway between a recumbent and an upright.

PaPa
05-09-11, 07:22 PM
If I were to move the crank foward about 12" to the base of where the battery is now, what would be the effect on pedaling this bike? I would lower the seat about 5" so the legs would still reach the pedals :) My goal in doing this is to lower the center of gravity, reduce wind resistance and create some free space where the crank now is for a critical component. The picture I have in my mind is a bike that is halfway between a recumbent and an upright.You'd be wise to forgo the modifications and begin with a clean-sheet.

* Moving the cranks isn't an issue. However, lowering the seat would place the handlebars chin high - can you live with that?

* The optimum location of the laden vehicle's CoG (talking single-track vehicles only), is typically well above axle height, and often closer to the top of the wheels. 'Tis only the multi-track vehicles that gain from low CoG.

Have you seen theses?:

http://www.atomiczombie.com/main.aspx?click=plans
pengyou
05-12-11, 05:38 PM
Thanks! I hadn't thought of the handlebars. I did a quick estimate/measure...I think I may be able to get by without lowering the seat an appreciable amount. It is already about 3-4" too low for comfortable pedaling - I just got the bike and have not adjusted the seat yet. My concern was the angle of pedaling. The recumbents are mostly a horizontal pedal stroke, i.e. parallel to the ground. If I moved the crank, the stroke would be 45% to the ground. I was concerned about the ergonomics of the move.

crackerdog
05-14-11, 09:24 AM
Check out crank forward bikes like Rans.