emcycler

I recently ordered a Kent Cavalier recumbent trike from Walmart. I am wanting to convert it to an electric shortly after I get it.
I have limited mechanical ability, and am looking for suggestions as to how to go about the build. I was considering both mid-drive and a hub motor. Now I am leaning toward a wheel hub motor as I found out that it would be simpler to install and possibly lower maintenance.
I would like to find a kit that pops in easily without any elaborate modifications if possible.
Thankyou.

linberl

Where do you live? i had a rear wheel hub system installed on my recumbent trike by a terrific guy in the Bay Area. If yours is a tadpole style trike, 2 front wheels, then Dillinger, Leeds, and Golden Motors all make great kits. If yours has a single front wheel, you could consider the Swytch front hub system which is super easy to install yourself. ok I looked it up it is a tadpole. One thing to be aware of is it is only 7 speeds and they didn't list the gear inches. VERY likely that the motor will provide more assist, even at the lowest level, than you can spin the pedals to keep up with. You will probably want to swap out the chain ring for a larger one, which will mean adjusting the chain length so it is longer. it's called "ghost pedaling' when the motor makes the bike move faster than you can spin the pedals so your pedaling has zero resistance. Happens often when you add e-assist to a bike that is not geared for a motor. I would definitely not put anything over 36v on that trike.

adlai

So it's tricky. Recumbents are weakest on hills. Middrive is better on hills.

But middrive also is hard on chains and a recumbent chain is especially difficult to change. So chain life is important.

​​​​​​Also many recumbents don't have brakes on the rear wheel and this is where a regen in hub motors would be useful.