Bored retiree here wanting to build something..

[Dayna]

With an inventory of 3 20" bikes, I hope to build a quadracycle. I desire it to move 2 adults and a bag of groceries for up to 2 miles. No major speed concerns. Any input on what i should be looking for in a motor, controller and battery would be greatly appreciated. An option for used stuff would be welcomed as well.
Thank you. Dayna

 

[Gionnirocket]

I couldn't tell you where to start... But you may want to post this in the DiY Forum as you may get more replies there.
Good luck.

 

[rich c]

A quad cycle is not considered a bicycle like a three wheeler. You’ll have to check local laws about where you can ride it, if at all. Next would be total weight of the adults and the machine. EBike kits will be under a lot of stress if you get much over 600 pounds. Will you both be pedaling or just on a throttle?

 

[Art Deco]

Interesting project ... I would think a side by side tandem ... something like a golf cart made from 2 ebikes with 20 inch wheels bolted together, a pair of hub motors and awd ... and if you could either fold it or carry it on a bike rack for camps or resort towns for the RV crowd you'd have something ... maybe ...way beyond me ..

 

[Dallant]

There’s a YouTube somewhere about a guy who built a very similar cart from ebike parts for his now wife who has MS. Maybe you can get some solid ideas from someone who’s actually done it.
He’s now formed a company to build them.

 

[Cyklefanatic]

With an inventory of 3 20" bikes, I hope to build a quadracycle. I desire it to move 2 adults and a bag of groceries for up to 2 miles. No major speed concerns. Any input on what i should be looking for in a motor, controller and battery would be greatly appreciated. An option for used stuff would be welcomed as well.
Thank you. Dayna

Have a look at this design as a starting point for ideas. I would guess a hub drive would be the easiest to adapt into a home built design. Grin Technologies makes everything you would need but if you only intend to go a few miles that would be overkill. Maybe a Bafang hub motor?

Sport Standard | ParBikes

www.vierbike.com

 

[Dayna]

Great input guys, thanks. I have friends with limited income in a gated community that has no outside access with a cart. I'm trying to make something for them that is inexpensive. I bought a cyclekart to go to my mailbox, but had better make for myself before I hurt somebody with it. Can I buy a motor and gear it to a derailer? That would give me many gearing options. I will be building a frame, probably PVC pipe and hope to use minimal bike parts. Any thoughts on motors, controllers and batteries?

 

[Dallant]

PVC? Sorry, I got nothing.

 

[rich c]

PVC is a horrible idea. It'll sag under it's own weight. Then degrades in direct sunlight

 

[Dayna]

There’s a YouTube somewhere about a guy who built a very similar cart from ebike parts for his now wife who has MS. Maybe you can get some solid ideas from someone who’s actually done it.
He’s now formed a company to build them.

Thanks. I'll look it up

 

[Dayna]

PVC is a horrible idea. It'll sag under it's own weight. Then degrades in direct sunlight

Thanks. As an engineer, I relish the thought of design and assembly to overcome weakness, but I'd better stick knowledgeable input.

 

[Dayna]

A quad cycle is not considered a bicycle like a three wheeler. You’ll have to check local laws about where you can ride it, if at all. Next would be total weight of the adults and the machine. EBike kits will be under a lot of stress if you get much over 600 pounds. Will you both be pedaling or just on a throttle?

Thanks Rich. I have no legality issues, but weight is. No pedals. I can always buy more power. What kind of weight can a good tire handle? I would hope to be able to go safely to 500.

 

[Dallant]

Thanks Rich. I have no legality issues, but weight is. No pedals. I can always buy more power. What kind of weight can a good tire handle? I would hope to be able to go safely to 500.

500 lbs? I’m no engineer but I think you better forget PVC.

 

[Balemonkey]

if you have 20 inch wheels and frames try a reverse trike design. you may need to do some welding to the frames and use a hub motor kit to power the back wheel. Another option is the bike they used before they built not a wheelchair. The welded two seperate bikes togeth side by side and used two hub motors, two rad rovers if i remember correctly. I think it would be possible to do the same thing with two twenty inch frames and two hub motor kits.

 

[rich c]

You might get some ideas on design and structure here. https://www.atomiczombie.com/plans/

 

[Dayna]

if you have 20 inch wheels and frames try a reverse trike design. you may need to do some welding to the frames and use a hub motor kit to power the back wheel. Another option is the bike they used before they built not a wheelchair. The welded two seperate bikes togeth side by side and used two hub motors, two rad rovers if i remember correctly. I think it would be possible to do the same thing with two twenty inch frames and two hub motor kits.

Thank you. I went with four wheels because of the expected load. I think the hub motors would minimize my opportunities for error and allow more efforts for the frame itself. 1 or 2 and what size is the question now.

 

[Dayna]

You might get some ideas on design and structure here. https://www.atomiczombie.com/plans/

Nice site. Thanks