keg61

Hello e-folks, I know next to nothing about e-bikes, so i apologise if this a stupid question... is there a danger of damaging a powered wheel by coasting at speed when it is not engaged, turned on, whatever the proper terminology is? I live on a pretty good sized hill and am considering some type of e-drive for my tricycle, I think a mid drive would suit the project best but will probably end up going with an e-wheel. My concern is that I can visualize easily exceeding30-35mph going down this hill,would that be a problem? when the wheel is not under power is it in a true neutral or could it be damaged by the speed? the drive is needed to come back up the hill on a more circuitous route, I don't think it would climb the direct route

Dunbar

No damage at all from coasting down a hill. Both hub motors and mid-drives freewheel when going down hill with the power off. Most e-bikes shut the motor off above a certain speed (usually 20 or 28mph) so there wouldn't really be a point in turning off the electric assist when descending.

Bmach

+1

speedy25

However remember that a mid drive is MUCH better for hilly terrain.

-SP

2old

I can't envision 35 mph on a tricycle except the horror when you need to turn the bike. However for the ascent, you "MIGHT" get by with a high torque front hub motor and 20" wheel (check ebikekit; the guy who answers questions, Dan, is a straight shooter and very knowledgeable). However, as said above a mid-drive is preferable for hills.

keg61

my bad.. I could see 30-35 easily on a DF.i've never done any real descending on this tricycle I doubt it would be stable enough to hold any kind of line at speed.. I did speak to Dan last week, he suggested a 20" wheel and stated that it would melt if i couldn't maintain 10 mph, i'm 100% certain i can't maintain 10mph on this hill even with assist

chas58

One thing to consider:

Direct Drive hub motors can regenerate the battery when coasting downhill. I don't know that you are going to get much power back into the system to make this much of a selling point, but it can be done.

"geared" hub motors and mid drives don't do this. They freewheel just like any bicycle wheel.

J Boz

No, damage at all. ebike hub motors can be run over 100kmh no problem.

You can choose a direct drive which has less moving parts so more reliable or a geared hub motor which has a clutch like system. If you are riding on road a geared motor will be fine especially if you are wanting to stay around the 1kw area. Geared hubs have almost no drag when coasting but can't have regen like direct hub motors do.