E-Trike Conversion Project Overview and Budgeting

Converting a standard pedal powered adult tricycle into an e-trike is an excellent choice in the range of options for e-trikes in today’s marketplace. When doing an e-trike conversion, it is not where to mount the motor which will be a front hub version, but where to mount the battery and controller. The brackets found here will allow you to bolt your battery and controller onto your trike frame without drilling. Here is an overview of the e-trike conversion process.

Entry level e-trikes are priced at a minimum of $650. These e-trikes require you to do the assembly to get them rideable. These basic entry level e-trikes are steel frame, skinny tire, 250W 36V front hub motor with a 10.5 amp hour battery. For just a little more investment you can get a superior end result bringing 3 individually selected components together with a hardware kit found here at e-trikekits.com. The 3 items to select are an adult trike, an e-bike conversion kit for the front hub and a compatible rear rack style e-bike battery. Here is a breakdown of basic things to consider when making selections of these components

ADULT TRIKE:

Basic adult tricycles have steel frames, single wall rims and a single speed drive train with a front rim brake and rear drum brake. These basic trikes are available for around $200. More expensive trikes have upgraded features will add to the cost of the trike you select. These upgrades are aluminum frame material, double wall rims, multiple speed drive train and disc brakes among others. Most trikes have a rear axle cage that looks like this:

This is where the patent pending battery bracket will be bolted using the basket holes and bolts. Your basket will bolt on top of this bracket.

Single Battery Hardware Kit installed 

Dual Battery Hardware Kit installed on Fat Tire Trike

Many adult trike choices are available including fat tire trikes. Here are some examples.

 

E-BIKE CONVERSION KIT:

Here is where you can get the most bang for your buck. The low end $650 E-trikes with 250W motors are underpowered. By converting a trike, you can upgrade this power to a motor of your choice. For example, if you obtain a 750W front hub motor kit, this is the maximum power allowed to be considered a class 2 e-bike which is legal to ride on bike routes in most communities. When selecting your e-bike conversion kit match the wheel diameter on your trike (20", 24, or 26"). The width between your front forks known as "drop out" is important too. Regular skinny tire drop out is 130MM. 750W motor kits with the rim attached are available online starting at around $200. Here are some examples of what is available. 

 

REAR RACK STYLE E-BIKE BATTERY:

The rear rack style battery will bolt onto the battery mount basket riser. The battery will be removable from the rear of the trike. Select a rear rack style battery based on capacity. The larger the amp hour capacity, the more range you will have. To power our example of a 750W front hub motor go with a 15AH capacity battery. Make sure you match the battery voltage to the motor voltage. In our case we will go with a 48V system. These batteries can be purchased without the rear rack.  The battery described for our example is $235.00

 

 

Bring it all together with a HARDWARE KIT FROM E-TRIKEKITS.COM:

The single battery hardware kit will allow you to bolt your battery onto your trike frame centered above the axle and also mount your motor controller behind the seat. It will also give you 2 storage boxes that are located on each side of the battery. This kit is $149.95

 

WHY CHOOSE THE CONVERSION OPTION?

The total cost for the e-trike conversion in our example is $785.00. The $135 difference from the lowest priced e-trike available results in a more powerful 750w 48v front hub motor, a large battery capacity of 15amp hours, and the bonus of having 2 dry storage boxes under your basket. The assembly effort to do this conversion will be similar to putting together a box of parts that will be sent to you when buying an entry level 250W e-trike. By choosing your combination of adult trike, e-bike conversion kit and a rear rack battery, and bringing it together with an e-trikekits.com hardware kit you will have an e-trike customized to your needs that fits your budget.