SWB Recumbent conversion

[NwRecumbentRdr]

Hi everyone!
Hoping someone here can provide the benefit of your experience, to help me design a recumbent ebike conversion.

I recently acquired a used second recumbent (Bacchetta Giro 20, with a Chromoly frame) for the express purpose of doing an e-conversion. In all options, I'd use a Terratrike battery mount, which positions the battery mid-frame. I'm 220lbs, and am a really cautious rider on the road who adjusts to weather/conditions as needed. The bike has more weight on the rear wheel (26") than the front (20") though it's a short wheel base recumbent (not the classical long recumbent with the front wheel WAY out there).

My 2 options:
1) 500w geared hub on the front
-easy conversion (pro)
-cost (pro)
-between chain & motor, both wheels are driven (possibly a pro, at least when going straight on soft surfaces)
-20" front wheel too small for that much torque? e.g. potential traction issues? (especially when NOT going straight, potential con, not sure)
-spinning motor weight effects steering? (Potential con, not sure).

2) 750w Bafang mid-drive.
-great power for the hilly area I live in (pro)
-cost (con)
-drivetrain wear (con)
-flats are easier to service (pro)
-installation is less straightforward, so I hear.

Anything I'm missing or have incorrect? Recommendations? Other thoughts?
Much appreciated!

 

[NwRecumbentRdr]

I have not chosen a specific motor yet. Bafang maybe? I have not researched the field beyond exploring general configurations. I've heard people in other forums warn that (generally speaking) 500w is probably the most power you'd want to put on a front fork, for structural reasons. No idea if that's true today, but that's why my next step up is mid-drive. Re: torque. Well ... for any given motor, force at the pavement increases as the wheel radius decreases. Sure, I could down spec a motor to keep it 'safe', but the lower power hubs I've ridden seem anemic (probably partly due to my size).

 

[NwRecumbentRdr]

Maybe I can ask differently. Anyone have experience with a front hub motor with a little power (about 500w)? What was your experience? What was the wheel size?