Interesting Requirements - Electric Trike?

[sTrike]

Hi Everyone,

I work for a city in Ontario and we are required to inspect the sidewalks once a year. In the past the inspector has used a pedal powered adult sized tricycle to get around, and more recently we purchased an electric tricycle to help with hills and generally make it a bit easier. The trike we purchased was a Daymak Florence.

We have had several problems with the trike and are putting far too much time into maintenance than we'd like. The trike has mechanical disc brakes. We have replaced the front brake already, and the back brakes need constant adjustment.

What options do we have for replacements? Doesn't necessarily have to be a trike, but we have found it is good for getting around, moving out of the way of sidewalk users, and carrying equipment.

Requirements:

1. Stopping and starting often. When stopped, typically need to get off the trike to measure whatever deficiency has been found.
   • This stopping and starting is what keeps us from getting a bike. Using a kickstand every 20 metres would not be great. Plus carrying all the equipment, it's just awkward.
2. Carrying equipment. Things like: snacks, water, paint, iPad, clothing (layers in May), etc. Easy access to the equipment too.
3. Can't be overly expensive. Prefer electric or pedal powered.
4. Brakes should be hydraulic and of decent quality. One of the biggest downsides of the current trike is the brakes need constant adjustment, almost daily.

Please don't be afraid to ask for any clarification. We are keeping an open mind for our mode of transportation, and would like something that might last a few years without major maintenance.

Thank you!

EDIT:
There have been a couple comments about replacing the brakes on our current trike to hydraulic. Note that the frame cracked on us and was welded back together. We're hopeful the tricycle makes it another season, but we are not overly confident in the frame for future years.

 

[Dewey]

Can you get to Toronto easily? Curbside Cycle are the biggest Canadian stockist of cargo trikes, they carry most of the brands, and can tell you what they have for your budget. Good luck! https://curbsidecycle.com/collections/cargo-bikes

 

[tomjasz]

I'd look at industrial trikes, with an RTR conversion from ebikes.ca.

 

[Dewey]

Good point Tom, Worksman trikes are good candidates for conversion and offer Electric conversion options.

 

[retiredNH]

Good point Tom, Worksman trikes are good candidates for conversion and offer Electric conversion options.

Interesting. A different world of bikes/trikes. Steel frame. Rear Coaster brake. Front drum brake with optional caliper/rim brakes!
The front hub drive makes a lot of sense in an application like what the OP's looking for, as long as it can handle any hills.

 

[fauconnier]

Why not just keep the Daymak and replace the 3 brakes by hydraulic ones ?

 

[Dewey]

I like the steel toolbox option, my Dad was a carpenter and when working on building sites kept his tools locked in his car.
I could be wrong but I wonder if Worksman's Lightning kit is a rebranded Electric Bike Technologies kit, which is a direct drive motor, 22a controller, and 48v battery, laced into a smaller 20" wheel for the Worksman Mover model. I like it has a reverse function.

 

[tomjasz]

Good point Tom, Worksman trikes are good candidates for conversion and offer Electric conversion options.

Husky too! My very low step Husky Cruise Master steel recreational is very stout. 350Lb limit 150# less than the commercial. The Husky Cruise master will hold up in the OP's intended use.

With a Grin kit, and front-drive 9C the OP would have a great Canadian source and I'm certain Justin, the owner, would go out of his way to help a fellow Canuck.

A simple and extremely reliable option.

 

[tomjasz]

Good point Tom, Worksman trikes are good candidates for conversion and offer Electric conversion options.

Worksman was difficult given the use of front hub brakes so no other front brake options without a fork change.
At first, I was looking for 26" trikes but the torque and power of a 24" build are definitely more powerful.

 

[sTrike]

Can you get to Toronto easily? Curbside Cycle are the biggest Canadian stockist of cargo trikes, they carry most of the brands, and can tell you what they have for your budget. Good luck! https://curbsidecycle.com/collections/cargo-bikes

Thank you for this recommendation. I will contact curbsidecycle and see what they recommend.

I'd look at industrial trikes, with an RTR conversion from ebikes.ca.

ebikes.ca looks like an excellent resource. Thank you for this.
For conversions, we want to purchase something that is already put together. Possibly a shop will do the conversion for us?

Good point Tom, Worksman trikes are good candidates for conversion and offer Electric conversion options.

I'll take a look at worksmancycles. From a first look, they appear to be geared for shop floors, rather than outside. Not sure if this makes a difference.
The brakes also appear interesting, particularly the pedal brake. I'm not sure how well this will work, particularly for maintenance.

Why not just keep the Daymak and replace the 3 brakes by hydraulic ones ?

The Daymak frame cracked and had to be welded. We are not confident in the trike lasting too much longer, and hydraulic brakes are expensive to put on something we are likely to dispose of soon.

I like the steel toolbox option, my Dad was a carpenter and when working on building sites kept his tools locked in his car.
I could be wrong but I wonder if Worksman's Lightning kit is a rebranded Electric Bike Technologies kit, which is a direct drive motor, 22a controller, and 48v battery, laced into a smaller 20" wheel for the Worksman Mover model. I like it has a reverse function.

A reverse function on an electric trike is an interesting idea. I don't think this will be useful for our applications though. The trike needs to be able to be moved around by one person, particularly getting out of the way of sidewalk users. The reverse function implies a heavy and awkward vehicle.

Husky too! My very low step Husky Cruise Master steel recreational is very stout. 350Lb limit 150# less than the commercial. The Husky Cruise master will hold up in the OP's intended use.

With a Grin kit, and front-drive 9C the OP would have a great Canadian source and I'm certain Justin, the owner, would go out of his way to help a fellow Canuck.

A simple and extremely reliable option.

The husky trikes look nice. I will look further into this option.


Thank you all for your responses; all good information to look into.

 

[TrevorB]

Cube do electric trike. Local cube dealer may import one for you. Will most likely be 25kmh but that won't be issue for what you do.

Trike Concept

www.cube.eu

 

[TrevorB]

NZ design that just swaps rear axle, so rest of bike is standard and easily supported.

Custom Trike - Sinch | Trikes NZ

Custom built by TrikesNZ Electric assist motor by Shimano Front disc brake Adult size trike Come to our showroom for a test ride.

www.trikesnz.co.nz

 

[tomjasz]

ebikes.ca looks like an excellent resource. Thank you for this.
For conversions, we want to purchase something that is already put together. Possibly a shop will do the conversion for us?

The Grin, ebikes.ca, and RTR kits are VERY easy to install with front-wheel drive motors.

 

[PedalUma]

My friend Garret died on Monday. This thread reminds me of him. His widow just approached me asking for a good home for his work trike. It is also a good reminder to enjoy life now. A group of us did a ride up a mountain this morning to be in the quiet among the wildflowers. It was beautiful.

 

[PedalUma]

Thanks @tomjasz. He was a fun guy. Nice. Brilliant. The trike was to move satellite parts across campus in the giant rear basket. He had a PhD in Physics from Harvard and a sense on humor like Richard Feynman. Here is a photo of the wildflower ride today. They are there but hidden by the grass. This is open rangeland. Cows will be in the middle of the road as you ride past. But it is very close to San Francisco. Yet a world away.

 

[tomjasz]

Like the Hiawatha Valley in spring.

 

[RandallS]

There are tons of configuration options at Mastretta - from Mexico City.
Their Website link is here for their Cargo/Working trikes

Just presenting an option that may or may not deserve your consideration.
My wife has a City Trike - handles well and pretty good components.

The tilting technology is useful when riding at higher speeds when going to and from worksites, but locking it out would likely work well during low speed inspections.