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| Easter weekend 2017 |
As you know, I love the trike. It was given to me by my brother. He didn't need it any more after his knee surgery. It's kind of big and weird, and i didn't know how much i would really use it. Answer - ALL THE TIME!
The one problem with the trike is that the battery is super heavy. It's 3 cells in a sort of plastic shark egg case. My friends over at Cycle Electric were great about testing the electrical, and recommending a new controller and charger when I was first getting it back on the road. I have a couple of other bike batteries that are lighter. CE said he could make me an adapter from the trike controller to my Solo Rock battery - which he felt was compatible with the trike - if i brought him the parts. I know right, I was a bit bipolar with that news. Complicated enough solution that, suffice it to say, I have not procured the parts.
I wrote to a couple of other local-ish outfits companies asking for help and advice. I actually did not get an answer back. At all.
After more mulling, I wrote to Clean Republic with my question. Exchanged a few emails with attached pics of the machine with Mark, who seemed to take the problem seriously. His workaround is that CR has compatible a lithium battery that would cut the weight in half. Ok that would be more money than a patch cable to the batteries I already have. But it's a good option for when these batteries kick the bucket or i just can't deal with the weight any more. My bro had said you have to be careful with patching in the electrical or you can blow the motor, etc. So likely the patch was a long shot anyway.
But I felt really positive after this experience. Sometimes you invest in something a bit weird and wonderful like an electric bike, and you don't know where you will get help when it might break down.
I try to source local. But in all honestly, I have to tell you that having people to go to who take the time to look into your problem and help find a solution in timely manner is golden. It makes you feel like you're not alone out there. The ebike won't be left gathering dust in your garage with the first electrical problem.
So I feel confident that if anyone asked me where to get a trike like mine, I could in fine conscience say, get a basic trike from Can Tire and add a CR Hilltopper Kit to it.
I see the current price on Can Tire's Schwinn Meridian trike is $479. I've seen it on sale, so put it on your sale alerts. O keep you eye peeled for it at yard sales. Or police bike auction? And go ahead an get the 26" Hilltopper kit. The 26" kit with econo battery is $499.
So I know the cost feels like it's like it's getting up there. But there are 2 great things about the trike. The huge basket means you can carry a ton of stuff - like the kid's softball gear, a couple of planters from the garden centre, your empties from the Beer Store, maybe a pet if you put down some plywood, a dog bed and fasten a harness (you've gotta know your pet) - you name it. The other thing is, the stability of this bike gives you a longer cycling season. So when the hardtop is clear but slick after a shoulder season pass of the snow plow, I have no hesitation at all about taking out the trike - I never worry about wiping out.
I talked to my bro when the other half and I needed to get a new vehicle. A small truck was one option. Bro says, do you just want a little grocery getter. I said, I don't need a grocery getter - I've got the trike! It's a solid machine that basically replaces a car for running errands around town. It's not light. So I take the Schwinn Tango folding bike with the SoloRock ebike kit camping. It lifts up decently well into the back of the van. It's heavier than you'd expect, but tons lighter than the trike. Ultimately the trike serves it's purpose, and I think putting an electric kit on an adult trike is a good option and worth the money.
I'm not just schilling here. Because I feel that with the kit comes a support team that doesn't leave you stranded.
Thus endeth the lesson. Peace out and ride on :)
PS - One more reason I like the trike. This won't be a common usage for most people. But our town has a little lake (basically a reservoir or mill pond that's been there for 100 yrs.) It's less than 10 mins by bike. Last yr we made a lot of trips with our Wike Kayak kit. This is a set of wheels and tow bar for hauling a kayak or small canoe by bike. I like the trike for this. Taking the bike means i don't have to load a boat on to the top of my van. And taking the trike means that if i feel a bit overextended after paddling, I can coast home with no worries.
