Electric Bikes - Electric Assist for my Pashley with Hub Brakes

Electric Assist for my Pashley Sovereign

** I posted this in the commuting forum by accident. Im re-posting here...sorry about that **

I have a Pashley Roadster Sovereign and want to look into adding an electric assist to it. The issue is that the Pashley has hub brakes. Is there a way to electrify it through a wheel hub, even though thats where the brakes are located?

The specifics of my bike is here:

http://www.pashley.co.uk/products/roadster-sovereign.html

The reason why I want to electrify it, is because I want to be able to ride to work without sweating and then completely ride home (without electric assist) to get my work out. Im just tired of going to work, showering, changing..etc. It would be nice to arrive sweat free with my work clothes. So i want to use the electric assist to help me get over the uphill slopes on my way to work. The flat and narrow isn't a problem. That's easily ride-able

I can't think of a front hub motor that has drum or roller brake. I would recommend that you replace the fork for one that has brake mounts when you get the hub.

Either that or see if a Stokemonkey can be mounted in the frame's main triangle.

Thanks AllenG..I was hoping for a better solution. I don't really want to lost my brakes in the front. I can't use stokemonkey because my fenders are pretty low.

Edit: Thought I had a plan for you but was wrong after thinking about it more closely. Good luck!

Thanks AllenG..I was hoping for a better solution. I don't really want to lost my brakes in the front. I can't use stokemonkey because my fenders are pretty low.

If you replace the fork you can use rim brakes for the front.

Suggesting .. go buy a bike built around the electric motor,
spare the expense of all the stuff you have to do to a bike, not made for it.

leave the push-bike as is.

the conversion parts, in a box, = the cost of a ready to go E bike.
and then you don't have to spend additional $ to make it work.

That's my kind of bike, I like it! From my recent experience converting my Raleigh Sports to electric (http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=27813) (for the same reason you want to), I have to suggest leaving that beauty as is. Find a donor mountain bike, or comfort bike to convert. The cost of a used serviceable, sturdy bike is a pittance compared to the cost of the ebike parts. That's what I'd do, if I had it to do over, and I may still do just that. Converting my Raleigh back to original.

macteacher, were you ever able to add electric assist to your Pashley? I have a 24.5" Roadster Sovereign and am interested in doing it myself. It is such a stable bike it seems like a natural, although I agree that it diminishes the beauty of the original.

macteacher, were you ever able to add electric assist to your Pashley? I have a 24.5" Roadster Sovereign and am interested in doing it myself. It is such a stable bike it seems like a natural, although I agree that it diminishes the beauty of the original.


hi there,

im hardly ever on here these days. It certainly is doable. You would have to remove the front brake hub and convert it to a rim caliber break system. Then you can install a front wheel electric.

i never did it as I didn't want to meddle with the system. It's unfortunate there is no manufacturer that has created a hub brake electric assist. So my Pashley is all natural. If you come up with anything, please let me know

I think I may have found a possible solution at a reasonable cost. I saw a blurb on my fb feed and followed it. Depending on distances and how secure your parking/storage is, of course. http://www.bikecommuters.com/2012/10/30/review-ridekick-e-trailer/