Quattrovelo with crank motor

text and photos Denis Bodennec

e lower door allows easy access to the pedal.

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.

e motor ‡ts 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 e–ective because the temperature has decreased by 5 to 10 °C.

8,000 km later (not counting the 4,000 km it had done on the wheel of the trailer), I am still completely satis‡ed. 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.

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.

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. e engine is attached to the oblique part of the boom in front of the pedal. You now have a fairly detailed overview of what can be mounted on the di–erent velomobiles. <

e controller is attached to the right front wing cheek.

e engine installed in front of the pedal. I added an air intake in the nose. e Golden Motor on its support.

Once mounted in front of the pedal.

e engine is attached to the oblique part of the boom in front of the pedal.