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« Last post by Kim on Today at 04:38:26 pm »
Because someone just asked, I'll add a couple more updates from 2024:
- The membrane switch power level control buttons de-laminated a few years ago. I replaced them with a cheap plastic power level switch for some random Chinese system. This, combined with moving these controls to a point low down on the right handlebar, has been a great ergonomic improvement.
- No problems with the motor itself. It's had a few soakings and not a lot of miles.
- The console is still alive, and is as terrible as ever. We're careful to keep it protected from rain.
- The Ping LiFePO4 battery is still working, although one of the balance lights on the BMS never illuminates. I haven't investigated properly, but presumably a dying cell.
- I bought a cheap 48VDC -> 230VAC inverter on AliExpress and made up a suitable lead to connect it to the battery pack. This has been surprisingly useful, not least to power the BHPC's race timing equipment (which draws about 120-130VA, so will run for over 6 hours). So far, the battery has only been fully depleted twice, both when used to power this inverter rather than when riding the trike.
- We briefly instigated a BHPC e-assist racing class. Barakta managed to win the championship before it was indefinitely suspended on the grounds that we couldn't realistically enforce the insurance requirement that e-assist cycles be road legal.
- The only reason we've removed the motor wheel in recent memory was for BHPC races. (I raced the trike for the truncated 2020 season, and came second in Multitrack. Natalya's lanterne-rouged a few races un-assisted.)
- Natalya's been cycling a lot less in recent years. Combination of hip dysplasia (and recovering from surgeries to attempt to correct it), and deterioration of her visual processing / migraine. Shoulders are also an issue, though not usually the limiting factor. Her ability to walk has deteriorated faster, to the point where the trike mostly gets used as a mobility aid in the rare situations (campsites, etc) where it's useful and appropriate to use it as such.
- I still think that the rear hub is the best place to put a motor in a tadpole recumbent trike, but:
- I'm extremely impressed by the current generation of mid-drive motors from Shimano and Bosch. If you want an e-assist trike, depending on what you want to use it for, I'd recommend either a new trike with the factory e-assist option, or the cheapest nastiest retrofit kit you can find (combined with appropriately low expectations).
- As most manufacturers now offer an e-assist option, there are better ways of mounting a battery easily than there were in 2013. You really want it under or behind the seat, not on top of the rear rack.
- Lithium Polymer batteries are substantially cheaper and have better longevity than they did a decade ago. I wouldn't use LiFePO4 on an HPV today without a specific reason; it's just too much weight.
- Falco are inexplicably still in business. Ping doesn't seem to be.
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