Crazy idea? Or Not maybe!

[Djson]

Hello everyone

I came across this website a week or so ago.

I was going to ask a different question, but crazy idea has formulated since then.

I would like to pick your brain.

I have something of an unusual problem.

Well not so unusual these days "lack of money".

Although that isn't the reason for this email.

I am 60 with Rheumatoid arthritis, curvature of the spine, I can't walk very well and an electric bike.

My electric bike has had 2 wheels destroyed in the past 5 months.

So with one thing and another.

I had the thought to put 26" rims on it, they are 29 now and turn it into a trike. Well probably not 3 wheels, put stabilizers on.

Yes I am sure that is a mad idea!

However after looking at the 3k price of buying a trick I'm thinking this is my only option.

So my question to you is can i get 26" rims (of steel i think) and shorter spokes to be able to put the motor in the wheel?


What you think?

 

[harryS]

If you put training wheels on an ebike, you better ride really slow. You'll tip over in turns. If you don't tip over, the rear wheel will still lift and lose traction until it comes down spinning. I think upright adult trikes are better for slow riding than a bike with training wheels.

Nonetheless, I hear about people doing this, so if your expectations are low for speed, it's possible.

Unless you've got a lot of weight to carry, broken wheels are more due to cheap spokes and poor assembly. I've learned how to lace my own wheels, and have done over a dozen now for myself. I use more expensive spokes, designed for ebiking. If you're going to pay to have a wheel redone, might as well use the existing rim and better spokes.

If you want smaller rims, I assume you have disk brakes on the bike? Rim brakes won't fit anymore,

 

[Djson]

Hello Harry's I came to that conclusion, I did not realise the issue with the rear wheel.

I think a trike, which I have been looking at.

Unfortunately for me they are far too expensive.

However perhaps I can add a motor kit to a trike?

What do you think.

 

[6zfshdb]

Welcome to the forum. I sympathize with your disabilities since I too suffer from arthritis.

How did you destroy your wheels? Why switch to 26"? Do you also have balance issues and need a third wheel?

In my case, I bought an e-bike with mag wheels to avoid spoke related problems. They are much stronger and will handle considerably more weight. Another, possibly cheaper option for you might be to put mags on your existing bike. This would require finding a 29" mag with an integral motor for the rear though and would involve considerable DIY skills. Such a conversion may also include replacing the motor controller as well.

The costs associated with conversions can add up quickly. If you can get along with a stronger 2 wheeled bike, it might be cheaper to sell yours and shop out one with mag wheels.

Good luck with your project and keep us informed with your progress!

 

[Djson]

Welcome to the forum. I sympathize with your disabilities since I too suffer from arthritis.

How did you destroy your wheels? Why switch to 26"? Do you also have balance issues and need a third wheel?

In my case, I bought an e-bike with mag wheels to avoid spoke related problems. They are much stronger and will handle considerably more weight. Another, possibly cheaper option for you might be to put mags on your existing bike. This would require finding a 29" mag with an integral motor for the rear though and would involve considerable DIY skills. Such a conversion may also include replacing the motor controller as well.

The costs associated with conversions can add up quickly. If you can get along with a stronger 2 wheeled bike, it might be cheaper to sell yours and shop out one with mag wheels.

Good luck with your project and keep us informed with your progress!

Hi

The tyres exploded. I don't really know why.

First the front tyre made like a rumbling noise I stopped could not see anything went about another 200 meters and then it exploded ripping the inner tube to bits and bucking the rim.

About 3 months later the same thing happened to the rear.

Which is where I am right now.

I cant seem to find wheels,except for the originals. Which considering my experience I'm reluctant to buy again.

26" was just a thought although I dont have balance issues, getting on and of the bike is always difficult and often painful.

So I thought about staberizer then while looking I thought of a trick.

Do you have a link to the bike you bought?

I have been looking at mag wheels since you mentioned it.

So I'm trying to find a 29# mag wheel, that can take a motor.

 

[6zfshdb]

It sounds like the problem is with your tires, not the rims. Perhaps a set of good Schwalbe or Kenda tires with protective liners, like those from Tannus, would be a cheaper fix.

I bought a Pedego Platinum Interceptor. I got the step thru model since I also have mounting & dismounting issues:

Interceptor E-Bike: Platinum Edition | Pedego Electric Bikes

Discover the perfect electric beach cruiser with the platinum edition of Pedego's Interceptor e-bike, offering unique style and a 5-Year warranty.

pedegoelectricbikes.com

They also make a 26" model. They are a bit pricey though.

If all else fails, you might try contacting Pedego and see if they will sell you a 29" motorized mag rear wheel. They are 52V though and may not be compatible with your battery & controller.

 

[tomjasz]

Can you please share more information on your bike? Make, model, what motor, and year?
I'm putting a trike together, A very slow process since somedays my arthritic hands are too painful to use a wrench.

There are kits to convert a bike to a trike but it sounds like your issue is over or under inflation of your tires. They don't just explode and rims literally disintegrate if the tires are underinflated. SOmething I see often on bikes here. I never quite understand why riders don't realize all that resistance is those underinflated tires.

 

[Djson]

Can you please share more information on your bike? Make, model, what motor, and year?
I'm putting a trike together, A very slow process since somedays my arthritic hands are too painful to use a wrench.

There are kits to convert a bike to a trike but it sounds like your issue is over or under inflation of your tires. They don't just explode and rims literally disintegrate if the tires are underinflated. SOmething I see often on bikes here. I never quite understand why riders don't realize all that resistance is those underinflated tires.

https://www.norauto.es/p/bicicleta-electrica-wayscral-everyway-e200-28-negra-bateria-incluida--71603.html

It has been said now by a few people that it is a tire, inflation issue.

The psi for my tire is 60psi, I tend to put 55.

I check the pressure at least once a week, orchid I feel it might be low.

The front tire, which was the 1st to explode, completely destroyed the inner tube.

The rear only had a small pin prick hole in the inner tube. But bent the rim wall.

As far as inflation,

How much under inflation would be needed?

I have seen the pressure at 40psi, but not less.

And a minimum of 60psi, but normally indent go quitecthat much.

I can only think the inner tubes are of poor quality, and have purest.

I have to go down a track to get in andclutvof my place, semi tend to get a fair few punctures.

Or the foot pump I have, which is for a bike, guagecis faulty, and actually it is putting in much more, pressure.

But really I dont see that.

I will look for a conversion kit for a trike.

Thanks

 

[harryS]

My first thought when I heard explosion was bad tire gauge, and you concur. My pump was $9.99 from Harrbor Fright, with attached gauge. The needle gradually slipped on its peg, until it was off by 2X. I had a couple of tires spring leaks after a refill, and then one exploded a week later while I was pumping it. Then I checked with a second gauge and saw the issue. I reset the needle with some super glue.

Are your rims actually bent, with a flat spot? Or are they just wobbly? The latter can be trued.



.

 

[Djson]

My first thought when I heard explosion was bad tire gauge, and you concur. My pump was $9.99 from Harrbor Fright, with attached gauge. The needle gradually slipped on its peg, until it was off by 2X. I had a couple of tires spring leaks after a refill, and then one exploded a week later while I was pumping it. Then I checked with a second gauge and saw the issue. I reset the needle with some super glue.

Are your rims actually bent, with a flat spot? Or are they just wobbly? The latter can be trued.



.

I dont really concur, it is a thought that crossed my mind. However I cant really see it.

I am using an old 24" 21 speed cycle, which I have managed to get the gears working enough that I can use it.

I am still using the same pump on this cycle as I did on the other.

This is the front rim, the damage happened at the time.

The rear rim however was my less damaged, whenbthe inner tube exploded, but I had 3 miles to walk home, so by the time I got back, it is now more damaged.

 

[AHicks]

Looking at that picture, my bet is that rim was damaged somehow (a rock, a pot hole, etc), and that damage was the reason the tire let go. This based on the severity of the bend, and the fact it's bent inward rather than outward.

 

[Djson]

Looking at that picture, my bet is that rim was damaged somehow (a rock, a pot hole, etc), and that damage was the reason the tire let go. This based on the severity of the bend, and the fact it's bent inward rather than outward.

It is difficult to see from this photo, but definitely blow outwards.

I did think someone had done it.

I dont know how.

But everyone seems to think it is a tyre, pressure issue.

 

[Djson]

Has anyone had any dealings with

Trego?

How it works - Specifications — TReGo, upgrade your bike

trego-trolley.com

There are some posts on the forum.

Front cargo dolly/trike conversion kits

The TreGo is a dolly/cart you can attach to a bicycle front fork to turn it into a tadpole trike or tow behind as a cargo trailer. The concept has been subject to both a Kickstarter and IndieGoGo fundraising campaigns, and the company appears to be willing to ship anywhere from Israel.

electricbikereview.com

Saturday I started asking some questions about it.

They answered everything.

Until I asked about secure payment within the EU payment protection system.

Now they dont answer.

Has anyone actually seen, bought one of these?