Tommey Reed's E-Trike Update

[Pirate88179]

Lookin good! Ain't nothin about that bike i don't like.

Gonna have front brakes?


CANGAS 230

Brakes?  Brakes?  Who needs brakes, ha ha.  The other folks will stop....right?

Bill

[TommeyLReed]

Hi All,

Brakes yes, I have disc front brakes that works perfect and rear brakes also.

I am selling this first design and building another one that will use the same basic design.

I have over 1,000 miles on this trike and with a new steering system it will sell like hot cakes.

I'm asking $1,500.00 with 1000w 48v hub motor and 4- 12v10a battery bank, this is everything with front and rear shocks.

I believe this is a good market and already building another one to sell.

I'm moving back to Florida where I can make these bicycle to sell. Also it's warmer then in N. Pa where it get too cold.

Whats your opinion on my goal?

Tom

[ramset]

Tommey

Having a dream as well as the ability to make it come true ??
looks like you have met the requirements ...as well as a great place to Market {Florida] .

regarding you sale offer here ?
As not everyone has followed the build progress,  Perhaps a list of descriptive features that the Bike has [small brochure ?] didn't it have fenders too? also will there be any type of post sale assistance offered to the buyer ?

  IMO it would not be possible to get a vehicle with all these features at anywhere near this price.



Chet

[picowatt]

Hi All,

Brakes yes, I have disc front brakes that works perfect and rear brakes also.

I am selling this first design and building another one that will use the same basic design.

I have over 1,000 miles on this trike and with a new steering system it will sell like hot cakes.

I'm asking $1,500.00 with 1000w 48v hub motor and 4- 12v10a battery bank, this is everything with front and rear shocks.

I believe this is a good market and already building another one to sell.

I'm moving back to Florida where I can make these bicycle to sell. Also it's warmer then in N. Pa where it get too cold.

Whats your opinion on my goal?

Tom

Lookin' good since you added the handlebars...

You might consider switching to a double wishbone front end on your next version.  It could cut down on unsprung weight in the front end and with rubber bushings at the frame ends and sealed ball joints at the wheel end, would be weatherproof, maintenance free, and couple less vibration to the frame.  As well, and from what you said, anything you can do to lower the CG is always a good idea.


As for manufacturing and marketing these guys, I would be very concerned about liability issues.  I'd check with a lawyer regarding product liability related issues to see if any customer signed boiler plate would be sufficient to limit liability.  I'd also talk to an insurance company regarding the required liability insurance and rates.

You have the lithium battery packs and charging issues to worry about (home fires, etc) and of course the worry over any accidents the trikes may be involved in on the road.   I am not sure what DOT regulations might apply, but I'd check into that as well.  Where I live, it used to be that Moped's were not required to be registered or meet DOT requirements as a motorcycle.  That is no longer the case.  I do not know where your E-trike would fall within the various state and federal regulations.

In any event, you'll want to protect your liability insurance rates by doing everything you can to prevent needing it!  Your battery pack and charging system will need to be very well engineered to ensure safe operation and charging.  Just one "event" could put you in the poor house.  Perhaps a commercial battery pack and charger should be a consideration.  As well, you'll want to mount the battery pack using vibration isolation.

I am not sure what all you can do to ensure/enhance safe operation on the road, but high visibility flashing lights/flags, torque and speed limiters, anti-skid, etc, come to mind.  I believe we saw some rollover/stability concerns in your past videos of early tests while turning around, perhaps you could address that somehow.  Have you considered front wheel drive?

To be honest, I don't know how even pedal bike manufacturers survive in the current legal environment.   

When I was growing up it was unheard of to sue an individual or company.  Times have changed...

PW       

[TommeyLReed]

Hi Picowatt,

The battery bank is lead acid, due to many problems with lithium batteries that others could run into.

The motor will be 500w and and 20mph max, this falls under all US states federal regulations on electric bikes

Also by offering a kit, it takes most all individual or a company to be sue.

The kit is the way to go.

Tom