ManMaid

Hello I would like to fit Magura HS11 hydraulic rim brakes to the two front wheels of my cargo trike. Currently I have cable rim brakes and they don’t provide sufficient braking force when the trike is loaded. The cable brakes are operated in parallel from a single lever. The lever also has a lock button so that the brakes can be permanently engaged (operate as a handbrake) and prevent the trike rolling away when parked. I would like to know whether anybody has experience of splitting the hydraulic system into parallel such that two pairs of pistons can be operated with one lever? Does anybody have any suggestions for how to fit a park brake once I’ve removed the existing one. Cheers MAN MAID

That’s clear. Thank you for clarifying.

Thank you

Yes definitely. I’ve got to keep the top speed down for safety reasons but the torque will be such a relief when taking off from the lights or going up hills.

Thanks Peter I thought that may be the case Just from looking at them online. I’ll follow your advice and change fixings and use thicker steel.

Really appreciate the info. Will look into the hydraulic brakes up front, although two levers only works if I have no rear brake or really big hands! Will see if they can be modified to operate in parallel from one lever. I’m concerned about only having front brakes and sending myself over the bars. Gonna give the bolt on disk calliper a go but try not to use it too often. Tony has recommended the Shengyi DWG22C 250W 48V due to its high torque at low speeds. Although he’s not got stock until mid July.This has a max power rating of 750W although nominal 250W. Having just read the gov.uk website I can see that it states that an EPAC (pedelec) must have a max power of 250W. I’m guessing that a routine police check is only gonna pick up on what the label says although if someone gets injured then perhaps I may be in trouble? Just bought myself an air horn to reduce that risk!

Thank you for pointing me in the right direction.

That’s good to hear.

Thank you Fat Rat

I’ve found a possible solution. Rear hub motor with disk brake adaptor that just clamps onto the frame so no welding required. Anyone got experience of these?

Hi Mine is the Bakfiets. https://www.bakfiets.com/modellen/cargotrike/trike-classic-wide I am being cautious with her especially when laden. In reality I would probably be maxing out at 80Kg up front anyway. However, I fully appreciate your comments regarding structural damage to the frame. I’m in for about £1500 so far for bike, box mod and motor so am willing to pay a bit more for brake and gear upgrade. Looking for someone who can weld bike frames. Any suggestions around West London?

Thank you for your advice, Benjamin. I was wondering about the legalities and whether they get enforced. I guess changing the labels on the motors isn’t a good option then? There are standard v-brakes on the front wheels but I can’t get them to lock up and they feel under-rated. Would love to go hydraulic disk on a rear hub. How do I find someone that can weld disk brake mounts? It was a Bafang 250W motor that wouldn’t fit around the bottom bracket. It was supplied by Tony at Woosh and I am in communication with him. He recommended that I come here!

Hi Pedelecs I am a handyman working in London and am in the process of swapping my old diesel builder's van for an electric cargo trike. Hoping to be ready for the expansion of the ULEZ next year and to make some substantial savings on transport costs . So, I purchased a second-hand Bakfiets Troy cargo trike, under the impression that I would be able to convert it to electric by getting a hub-motor for the rear wheel. "Easy!", I thought..haha! I have converted the box on the front to make it lockable and able to fit my toolboxes. I've been riding it for a few weeks now and it feels very comfortable when laden although sketchy on corners and pot holes due to the 3 wheels. However, I'm exhausted by the time I get to jobs and desperately need the assistance of a motor to get up the hills and deal with the stop-start at traffic lights or as pedestrians, eyes glued to phones, randomly step out in front of me. Grrr I realised that I can't just replace the rear wheel with a hub motor wheel because I have a 7-speed hub gear with back pedal brake. I really need that back brake when I'm carrying 150Kg of tools and suicidal zombies keep jumping into the road. There are no weld bosses on the rear stays for mounting brake calipers. I could add a deralieur and freewheel cassette on the E-hub, which would not need to be expensive. So, due to the brake problem, my local bike shop recommended that I try a mid-mount motor. This sounded perfect from my research until I ordered one and it would not fit. Bakfiets make two versions of the Troy trike, one is mid mount electric and the other, like mine, is standard human powered. I realise today that the two frames are different, in order for there to be space for the mid mount motor. I now have the following options: 1. Forget the e-conversion and just keep pedalling. 2. Find someone who can weld brake bosses to the seat stays and get a rear hub motor kit. 3. Fit two hub motors, one to each of the two front wheels. Synchronise them so I dont go round in circles?!? 4. Find a different supplier for mid mount motor. 5. Find a different solution. PLEASE HELP Any comments and feedback much appreciated. THANK YOU