loquin
Well-Known Member
Steep hills would tend to push you towards a bigger 4-stroke, if you're dead set on rack mounting. Of course, that adds a fair amount of width between the knees. The EZM, geared for low speed, coupled to a Honda GXH-50 could be an alternative for you. (It uses a belt internally, plus a chain to the rear axle.)
Since you're in CA means that there's no issue with the legality of a motorized bicycle, whether it be frame mount OR rack mount.
While the frame mount does put the weight of the motor lower, I've never felt uncomfortable or unsafe with a rack mount. The weight of the drive train is so much less than the weight of the rider that you soon forget that it's there. Plus, having the motor behind you is quieter (for you) and no difference for others. The fact that you need a high torque, lower speed 'application would tend to make the GEBE system less attractive, though, I would think
Staton's Nuvinci system has a lot going for it - from all reports, you can almost go up a wall with it, and since high speed isn't high on the priorities, calculations indicate that the Nuvinci drive could push you + 50 pounds of bike+motor up a 20% slope at 10MPH using 1.5HP at the motor. This means a Honda GX35 or a R/S EHO35 should work just fine.
Plus, you can adjust the ratio on the Nuvinci once the road levels out. They're pretty expensive, though (but, staton makes rugged hardware - the gearbox is guaranteed for life.) I believe you can get the Nuvinci with a disc brake mount.
Since you're interested in a high reliability, high torque solution, if you DO use a chain drive, I personally would stay clear of clamping anything to the spokes. Take a look at Creative Engineering's Sprocket/Sprocket adapter, which clamps to the hub, and provides a self-centering, aligned sprocket mount.
If you want the ability to freely coast when you let off the gas, you need a freewheel, either at the hub, or at the drive sprocket. Staton's Nuvinci has this. I don't believe the EZM does. The clutch bell will spin as you coast (assuming that the RPMs are low enough to allow the clutch to release) but it adds some drag.
Since you're in CA means that there's no issue with the legality of a motorized bicycle, whether it be frame mount OR rack mount.
While the frame mount does put the weight of the motor lower, I've never felt uncomfortable or unsafe with a rack mount. The weight of the drive train is so much less than the weight of the rider that you soon forget that it's there. Plus, having the motor behind you is quieter (for you) and no difference for others. The fact that you need a high torque, lower speed 'application would tend to make the GEBE system less attractive, though, I would think
Staton's Nuvinci system has a lot going for it - from all reports, you can almost go up a wall with it, and since high speed isn't high on the priorities, calculations indicate that the Nuvinci drive could push you + 50 pounds of bike+motor up a 20% slope at 10MPH using 1.5HP at the motor. This means a Honda GX35 or a R/S EHO35 should work just fine.
Plus, you can adjust the ratio on the Nuvinci once the road levels out. They're pretty expensive, though (but, staton makes rugged hardware - the gearbox is guaranteed for life.) I believe you can get the Nuvinci with a disc brake mount.
Since you're interested in a high reliability, high torque solution, if you DO use a chain drive, I personally would stay clear of clamping anything to the spokes. Take a look at Creative Engineering's Sprocket/Sprocket adapter, which clamps to the hub, and provides a self-centering, aligned sprocket mount.
If you want the ability to freely coast when you let off the gas, you need a freewheel, either at the hub, or at the drive sprocket. Staton's Nuvinci has this. I don't believe the EZM does. The clutch bell will spin as you coast (assuming that the RPMs are low enough to allow the clutch to release) but it adds some drag.
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