JTownCitycycle

I need to get an electric motor for his Sun tadpole recumbent, I just have no idea what are some reliable company's out there making motors for bikes so i don't know where to begin? My budget is about $700-$800 I think because of his advanced age it would be best if he didn't have to pedal so I guess it would come down to one that pushes the bike from behind? What choices would I have ? It will only be used on a level rails to trails type of terrain.

FMB42

First, from what I understand, the 2008-9 (or newer) Sun Tadpole is considered to be "unstable" at speeds above 15mph according to certain reports. Please keep this possibility in mind while undertaking an E conversion on this, or any tricycle. Some electric kits offer selectable "low-med-high" speed settings that can be used to set their maximum top speeds. Other manufacturers offer kits that have a "speed reduction" wire "pig tail" that can be either connected or disconnected to limit their top speed. Others yet, have no means of selectively limiting their top speeds.

Either way, I'd recommend a maximum power system battery voltage of no more than 36. Running battery voltages above 36 will often result in top speeds that can exceed 20 mph.

Many 36 volt geared-drive type hub-motor kits have a maximum top speed of ~ 17mph (dependent, of course, on rider weight, (lead-acid) battery charge level, etc).

Meanwhile, the 36 volt direct-drive hub motor kit in the link below is within your price range. This rear drive lead-acid battery kit should fit the Sun Tadpole as long as the trike's rear-dropout is 135mm. Other install issues will be wheel size and the number of freewheel speeds (see the EbikeKit website for these options, and other options).

https://www.e-bikekit.com/shop/produc...ry-134-19.html

The EbikeKit company has a "FAQ" section that explains the difference between "direct and geared" drive hub motors, various battery chemistries (lead acid, Li-ion), as well as other "E conversion" questions you may have (I've had good service from the EbikeKit company). However, I'm not sure if any of their kits offer any type of speed limiting option (I recommend that you contact EbikeKit, or any other manufacturer, for more info on this).

Note: I do not recommend that you modify/alter the Tadpole's rear drop-out in any way (i.e. by spreading, squeezing, or grinding, etc).


Another well respected kit retailer would be "ebike.ca".

And yet another retail option can be found at; https://www.yescomusa.com/ I've had good luck with my "yescom" hub-motor kit (these kits do, or did, offer speed limiting options). Unfortunately, Yescom does not sell batteries on their website.

chvid

Yescom sell the Conhis hub motors, either identical or very similar to the ones from GoldenMotor. GoldenMotor also sell the Magic Pie kits with external or internal controllers (in the wheel) and those motors are reputed to be powerful.

cbzen

Hi JTownCitycycle... check out the following article on selection of an Ebike conversion kit. A friend of mine purchased a kit for her recumbent from this site (not sure which kit) and loves it.

https://california-ebike.com/ebike-co...kit-selection/

Hope that helps. Cheers!