motor assist

[AdamC]

Hello all,

Last yeah i had 2 ebikes, each had their own issues, and i was thinking about switching to a staton 35cc friction drive kit. I have a 35 mile commute and i miss getting some excercise getting to work. that said, i wold like to use the motor as an assist... and putting in a decent workout for myself while flattening some of the west virginia hills.
am i looking in the right direction here? any advice is welcome.

thanks in advance

 

[Bonefish]

Yes, Staton Friction drive kits are reliable and well built. I would go with the Honda GX50 though. More torque to get up the hillls than the GX35.

 

[darwin]

2nd the vote on the GX50, you'll regret the 35 soon if you have any hills. Maybe $75 more I'm guessing.

 

[5-7HEAVEN]

Just my oinion, I'd stay away from friction drive for reliability.

.Througout the few years, I must've gone thru 50 rear tires and many flat tires.

Meanwhile, I replaced about 2 front tires.

The roller literally ate the tire tread.

It also caught every nail, screw or sliver of metal and drove it thru my rear tire.

I'd go for chain drive, preferably midframe.

Honda GX50 is a good choice.

There's no kit for this install, but it's straight forward and very reasonably priced.

For more dependability, I'd vote for left-side drive.

If you have big hills, I'd use a shift kit and run power thru the nbike's multi-speed gears.

Using rear drive throws the bike's center of balance completely off, if that bothers you.

It might seem you have 20lbs on the front axle and 50lbs on the back end.

A midframe engine migt feel 30lbs front/40lbs rear.

Sorry for the rant.

Many people here like friction drive and have had better luck than me.

FWIW, after switching to midframe drive, I might've had 1 rear flat tire and replaced 1 worn out rear tire.

 

[AdamC]

Unfortunately unless i buy a new bike my only options are belt drive or friction drive. Its running sturmey archer drum brakes front and rear. They are the most reliable bullet proof low maintenance brakes/hubs ever but the left side where a cog would go isnthe backing plate for the brake shoes

 

[AdamC]

On a side note: schwalbe marathon tires! U can literally run a tack into them and drive on

 

[5-7HEAVEN]

Lol, I crammed a small-diameter tire INSIDE a larger-diameter tire.

I STILL! got flat tires!

 

[AdamC]

Ive seen that tactic.. Even tried ittself once eons ago. I couldnt makebit work. The schwalbe uses they call indian rubber very tuff material used it for years never had a single flat due to puncture. Down aide the tire is so hard to put on at first i had tk watch youtube videos to learn thw technique

 

[Mudflap]

I'm in a similar situation to the OP, want some assist at times but not all the time. In past years I've built several bikes with the frame mount Chinese 2 strokes but they're not practical to peddle because of drag from the chain and clutch. I also built one with GEBE belt drive parts but it regularly broke spokes. Easy to pop the belt off for peddling though. My favorite was the single wheel pusher trailer with a Honda 5 hp engine. Easy on and off but too hard to pull it while peddling.

Now I'm going to try a 37cc friction drive on my folding bike. No drag except weight with it lifted off the tire. The question is can I fold the bike with the engine in place, and can I make it quick and easy to remove and install.

 

[5-7HEAVEN]

I had FD on my Dahon foder.

When I installed FD, the bike no longer folded.