Quattrovelo with crank motor text and photos Denis Bodennec
I wanted to avoid the complete solution of the Bafang BBS02, I thought that the solution of using a direct-drive motor would be more reliable because there would be no need to change the bearings every 10,000 km. The motor fits perfectly in the empty space above the boom in front of the pedal in the nose section. It is a small direct-drive wheel motor, 180 mm in diameter and the simplest that exists. No gables, no wheel, just a rotor that rotates on bearings, normally without any worries at all. It is mounted on a welded support attached to the boom with a freewheel and a 52t chainring. Despite its small size, this motor is powerful and torquey. It only heats up a little (not above 40 °C ). I added an air intake in the nose which is relatively effective because the temperature has decreased by 5 to 10 °C.
The lower door allows easy access to the pedal.
8,000 km later (not counting the 4,000 km it had done on the wheel of the trailer), I am still completely satisfied. 250 Watts is enough because the engine always runs at optimal speed, not always the case when it was installed as a wheel hub engine on the trailer.
The engine installed in front of the pedal.
I added an air intake in the nose.
56
2019-2
The Golden Motor on its support.
Benefits Engine without worries – brushless and without gears for super simple operation. Quick disassembly, to revert to muscle power alone. Can be mounted with a Schlumpf or triple chainring. Less wear because it does not rotate constantly and does not support the mass of the bike like a classic wheel hub engine.
You now have a fairly detailed overview of what can be mounted on the different velomobiles. <
Disadvantages Needs enough room for integration. All the power goes through the chain. Requires a left pedal with chainring and freewheel (origin Hase Pino). Pedal Assist System to prevent the engine from running if you don't pedal. As I failed to make it work properly, I removed it. My very good friends who were also forced to install electrical assistance, adopted exactly the same mounts on their Strada (Jean-Luc)and their Quattrovelo with Schlumpf (John). I thought the empty space in the Strada would not accommodate the engine, but it went in well. The engine is attached to the oblique part of the boom in front of the pedal. The controller is attached to the right front wing cheek.
Once mounted in front of the pedal.
The engine is attached to the oblique part of the boom in front of the pedal.
