electric triple tandem bike ?
08-06-23, 09:30 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2022
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I built our custom handicapped assistive steel tandem with a Bafang 1000 watt middrive motor and 52 volt battery. We pedal full time but the battery makes hills possible and makes up for our minimal stoker power. At 400 lbs gvw heavy bike, med gear, and two riders, we can go 15 to 20 miles on gravel trails and retain reserve battery power. 0 to 300watt on level dirt and 900 watt on very steep hill in granny gear. Throttle control only, hate the PAS.
So 3 riders with less gear at perhaps 500 lbs gvw shouldn't be an issue. Bafang also makes a larger 1500 watt motor and there are 3000w alternatives.
Upfitting a middrive to a tandem or triple is not simple! Consider:
-idlers or move drive train to one side of bike
-freewheeling pedal arms to enhance flexible starts and stops. If you goose the motor how will that affect linked peddlers?
-Roughly 36 lbs of motor and battery. Balance gear layout, consider difficulty of hauling bike.
- derailleur and powerful motors may clash and break chains. We quickly changed drive train to costly Rohloff hub and love it.
-I cannot pick up our fully packed bike at >100 lbs. to maneuver curbs rocks etc. Plan out your weight and usage.
- my experience kitting two different middrive builds is the drivetrain pushes far far to the right. Center of balance is not over frame, and had to make up many drivetrain spacers and mods to accommodate. Seatstays could interfere with chain line depending on your geometry.
If you are strong at tinkering, go for it.
So 3 riders with less gear at perhaps 500 lbs gvw shouldn't be an issue. Bafang also makes a larger 1500 watt motor and there are 3000w alternatives.
Upfitting a middrive to a tandem or triple is not simple! Consider:
-idlers or move drive train to one side of bike
-freewheeling pedal arms to enhance flexible starts and stops. If you goose the motor how will that affect linked peddlers?
-Roughly 36 lbs of motor and battery. Balance gear layout, consider difficulty of hauling bike.
- derailleur and powerful motors may clash and break chains. We quickly changed drive train to costly Rohloff hub and love it.
-I cannot pick up our fully packed bike at >100 lbs. to maneuver curbs rocks etc. Plan out your weight and usage.
- my experience kitting two different middrive builds is the drivetrain pushes far far to the right. Center of balance is not over frame, and had to make up many drivetrain spacers and mods to accommodate. Seatstays could interfere with chain line depending on your geometry.
If you are strong at tinkering, go for it.
