Electric Cyclemaster?

[timidtom]

Hello, I'm a 70+ year old returner to cycling (rest of the family are quite sane ...) Last year we bought a tandem, intending to re-experience joys of 50 years ago. A month later I was diagnosed as having Angina. I have memories of the Cyclemaster 32cc wheel, which simply slotted into place. The fuel tank was also built into the wheel so the only connection was to fit the throttle to the handlebars and motor away. It did work, honestly. Spokes broke, it ran out of puff on hills but on the flat it was wonderful! So: I'm looking for a modern version with built-in battery and in this day and age I would expect to find wireless controls. I'm all for the Keep It Simple approach! Any ideas? Many thanks for looking!
T.

 

[Pete]

Well you have come to the right place for advice, though not from me as there are some real experts on here. What I just wanted to say is you are doing the right thing, I have Angina too, and have been using an ordinary bike for 6 months, I am still here but boy those hills are hard, so I have gone the electric route, just, and I think it will be just the job, for you too.

 

[flecc]

There are plenty of electric hub motors Tom, but none have the battery built into the same hub. Recently one organisation did announce a prototype with built in battery, but it was a very weak affair, even worse than the old 25 cc and 32 cc Cyclemasters.

Having the battery built in is undesirable for several reasons. The heat the motor generates is bad for battery life and batteries are very expensive. An unnecessarily heavy wheel means worse bike handling, especially if it's a front wheel, and most kit hub motors are front wheel. Thirdly, being able to remove the battery means it can be charged away from the bike and also a second battery can be used to extend range or allow cycling again immediately following return with a low battery.

Kits usually have some arrangement for battery mounting, often on or in the rear rack, but sometimes within the frame. Some kits that are available include:

Alien

eZee (no longer available from that link but from Onbike instead)

Heinzmann

Tongxin
.

 

[Pete]

Thought you might find this of interest, in a thread called "
Just joined club Cytronex "

Whilst at Winchester, THE Super 6 Ultegra was there, lovely, but out of my price range. They had also converted a tandem to an eTandem, now that was a funny site to see, Mark and one of his mechanics riding it (how do you turn those things around), apparently it belongs to an MP.
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Pete

 

[Bigbee]

I have a brand new electric tandem if any one is interested.I can email some pictures next week if required.