Electric Sun Recumbent Trike

[FurryOnTheInside]

.........It's got KMC HL710 7-speed chain on it, I have built dozens of shifters with it and no problems so I'm not the least bit worried about it..........

KMC HL710 and KMC K710SL are single speed 1/8". I can't find a seven speed listed with 710 in the title... So does this mean that the trike has a IGH gearing system on it? The derailleur is being used as a chain tensioner to deal with the cantilever suspension rather than as an actual derailleur onto a cassette/cluster?? edit: now I zoomed in on the pic I can see that it is definitely not a half link (HL710) and it is using a rear seven speed cluster.. So
typo?
KMC Z7, KMC Z72 , KMC X8-99 and KMC Z50 are 7, 7/8, 6/7/8 and 5/6/7 speed 3/32" derailleur chains.

Either way we have all seen nine speed chains in use on shifting MBs before so I can see nothing at all wrong with using a multi speed chain. It is probably even more stable, too, being lighter than a 1/8"

 

[KCvale]

Correct, thanks for the correction, I was reading the the wrong empty box I have on my desk, that was my reference for 1/2 link chain and not 7-speed chain.
It's not friendly chain to work with but just the thing for some things like SBP shift kit Jackshaft chains.

Anyway as mentioned, I am not the least bit worried about the chain ;-}

 

[GGH]

OK, I will have to defer to your experience. I've never owned a powered trike. I just read through a number of threads on endless sphere about recumbent e-trike builds. In a couple of them, the builders experienced chain failures. Seems like the standard in gas engine kits is a 415 chain. A 2kW+ electric motor is putting out more power than a 50cc 4-stroke. Also, the nature of electric motors means the torque is more immediate and chain stresses will be greater. My thought was, if you are going to take long rides (and with a rig like that, I certainly would) you don't want to be left stranded a long way from home. especially if you have COPD. Not trying to take a shot at anybody's build. As I said, I think this one is awesome.

 

[FurryOnTheInside]

OK, I will have to defer to your experience. I've never owned a powered trike. I just read through a number of threads on endless sphere about recumbent e-trike builds. In a couple of them, the builders experienced chain failures. Seems like the standard in gas engine kits is a 415 chain. A 2kW+ electric motor is putting out more power than a 50cc 4-stroke. Also, the nature of electric motors means the torque is more immediate and chain stresses will be greater. My thought was, if you are going to take long rides (and with a rig like that, I certainly would) you don't want to be left stranded a long way from home. especially if you have COPD. Not trying to take a shot at anybody's build. As I said, I think this one is awesome.

Flimsy derailleurs do kill chains and poor setup, poorly joining chains, ommitting chain tubes to decraease parasitic drag when limited power is available, that kind of thing, and bike mechanics forums are usually mostly people asking for help with their mechanical failures.. Just like this forum.
Certainly he would be well advised to carry some spare chain, tool and a brake cable and bit of wire tie to pull chain through the tube.

 

[KCvale]

All derailleur systems have 2 inherent flaws.
The chain is only straight on one of the rear sprockets, and they use thinner chain that is being forced from sprocket to sprocket .

That's why I prefer internal hub shifters, just one sprocket and fatter chain.
Ohh, and you can shift them without moving the pedal chain, perfect for 2-wheel shifters.

For motorized derailleur shifters you don't use all the gears anyway, it's usually always jumping 2 gears at a time, like all even numbers or odd number gears because of the vast difference between what human power can do and engine power can do.

One other note about the difference between gas and electric power...
Gas power is pulsed, electric is not, this is why a NuVinci CVT hub will take electric power no problem, but have a high failure rate with gas.