What needs to be changed and identify where to get it.

[Snakeler1]

[attachment=4681]

I just got a Schwinn Meridian Adult 26-Inch 3-Wheel...trike and added an electric front wheel hub motor. The problem is it's a single speed. I can't keep up the the motor without pedaling like crazy. I was told the easiest way to fix this would be to change the front gear at the crank to a like 52 tooth gear from the current 42 tooth one. I'm not sure if I can just change the gear or if I need to change the entire crank set. I need to know exactly what to buy to do this . I know I need a crank puller . It would be appreciated if anyone could send a link with the exact parts needed because I don't know which parts to buy for this specific bicycle.I watched YouTube videos to see how the crank comes apart and goes back together.. thanks Scott

[nfmisso]

Hi Scott;

I would be looking at changing the rear cog first; less thing to change.

For the crank chain ring, you will need to modify the chain guard, and get a new chain. For a crankset, get one that you can replace the chain ring, like this one: http://www.amazon.com/Projekt-Fixie-Fixed-Track-Crankset/dp/B008PNU4WS/

Then you can replace the chain rings with other 110mm BCD rings, like these: http://www.amazon.com/Vuelta-868991460-SE-Chainring/dp/B005DU2A8C/

The other thing you could change, is shorter cranks, which will allow you to spin faster than longer cranks.

[Snakeler1]

[quote='nfmisso' pid='29922' dateline='1384119737']
Hi Scott;

I would be looking at changing the rear cog first; less thing to change.

For the crank chain ring, you will need to modify the chain guard, and get a new chain. For a crankset, get one that you can replace the chain ring, like this one: http://www.amazon.com/Projekt-Fixie-Fixed-Track-Crankset/dp/B008PNU4WS/

Then you can replace the chain rings with other 110mm BCD rings, like these: http://www.amazon.com/Vuelta-868991460-SE-Chainring/dp/B005DU2A8C/

The other thing you could change, is shorter cranks, which will allow you to spin faster than longer cranks.
[Thank you for the reply. Are you sure this will fit my bike? I don't know much about crank and gears. I just don't want to order the wrong one. It looks like exactly what I was looking for.I'm not sure about the shorter crank arms, seems like that would make me have to pedal even faster to keep up to the motor. I'm thinking the 52 tooth chain ring would allow me to pedal much slower at the higher speeds and that's what I am looking for. When I asked an online company who builds this trike with motors , he said the rear cog is a pain to change because it involves taking the rear axle and stuff to get to the cog. What is your opinion on this.? The cog in the rear, the farthest toward the back is keyed with a set screw I believe. Looks like the cog is easy enough to get off and that was my first thought. But not sure what's involved with removing the axle to get the cog off. Again thanks for the reply and look forward to hearing what you think about the rear cog option. I work at a machine shop so altering or modifying the chain guard probably wouldn't be to difficult.But if the rear cog is easier it would probably be cheaper as well. Haven't seen anything online about how to remove that and I was wondering if the cog would have to be ordered from Schwinn if it is brand specific. ]

[nfmisso]

Hi Scott;

I am not a trike guy - have never worked on them; if you have no trouble with modifying the chain guard, go for it.

Please note that the link I provided does not have 52T rings, but does have 53T and a few others all the way to 60T to fit the 110mm BCD cranksets.

You may have to play around a bit with side to side spacing (known as chainline) to get things working right - but with your machine shop experience should be easy. The chainring can be mounted on either side of the cranks; and you can get different length bottom brackets. I would mount the new cranks on the BB you have; then measure things, and figure out what to change to get the chainline dialed in.

[Snakeler1]

Hi Nigel, I added up the cost of the part with the puller and it's like 100.00 . Then there is modifying the chain guard which isn't difficult. I know you said your not a trike guy but you were mentioning changing the rear gear that would be easier.I looked on Amazon and the have a single speed 16 tooth freewheel for 20.00.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0011YEAZ0/

And a removal tool for 18.00 I looked at the freewheel which is in the middle of the trike to the far right and it doesn't seem like it would be hard to replace . I have a 22 tooth freewheel on there now so maybe a 16 would do the trick. I put the links here and could you just let me know what you think? I'm kinda just looking at the easiest and cheapest way to accomplish what I want to do and that is not to have to pedal so fast. Most people are looking to do the opposite for going up hills but with motorized hub bikes you usually just leave the bike in the highest gears whether on flat ground or hills. Ok I thought it was going to be easy but after looking for the freewheel removal tool I came across the fact that the freewheel that's on the bike is a Dicta and they don't have a tool to remove it. Most forums say put it in a vise and use a center punch and hammer. That doesn't sound good. Why would they use something that doesn't have a tool to take it off and replace it. Hmmm. Back to the drawing board.

[nfmisso]

Hi Scott;

The Schwinn brand is owned by Pacific Cycles - by reputation an awful company to deal with.......

I would seriously look at replacing the whole middle hub; might be easier than getting the freewheel off the existing one - but I do not know, I have not got a trike to look at. This one is a "flip-flop" hub with threads for mounting cogs on both sides. It needs a freewheel on the driven side, and a fixed on the drive side.

[cradom]

Don't know about your particular trike but these are good for research:
http://www.terratrike.com/index.php
http://www.atomiczombie.com/

[Snakeler1]

[quote='cradom' pid='29965' dateline='1384273928']
Don't know about your particular trike but these are good for research:
http://www.terratrike.com/index.php
http://www.atomiczombie.com/
[thank you for that link that thing is cool I can use it on my trike because I work at a machine shop and can alter anything to fit my needs I was just trying to figure out how I could mount a disc brakes since the brake that comes with it sucks].

[Snakeler1]

[quote='nfmisso' pid='29922' dateline='1384119737']
Hi Scott;

I would be looking at changing the rear cog first; less thing to change.

For the crank chain ring, you will need to modify the chain guard, and get a new chain. For a crankset, get one that you can replace the chain ring, like this one: http://www.amazon.com/Projekt-Fixie-Fixed-Track-Crankset/dp/B008PNU4WS/

Then you can replace the chain rings with other 110mm BCD rings, like these: http://www.amazon.com/Vuelta-868991460-SE-Chainring/dp/B005DU2A8C/

The other thing you could change, is shorter cranks, which will allow you to spin faster than longer cranks.
[Hello and thanks again for the info. I changed the freewheel on the center shaft fro a 22 tooth to a 16 tooth single free wheel and now I can pedal and keep up to the motor when I am going about 21 mph instead of the 12 mph before and it is still fairly easy to pedal on human power alone. I still might change the chairing from a 44 to maybe a 48 to get a bit more top end .Also the Dicta freewheel that only had 2 holes on it to remove cam off easily with a prick punch and hammer. I thought it was going to be a project. Bought a chain break and shortened the chain a bit and it worked great. ]

[nfmisso]

excellent

[Snakeler1]

[quote='nfmisso' pid='30101' dateline='1385391264']
excellent
[Well thanks for the suggestions here on the site!]

[David Harding]

My hub motor stripped its gears. I have it apart and am ready to order new planets. It is impossible to count teeth but my guess is 30 teeth. I have found 28 31 and 36. The 31 are a snug fit and failed again. The motor is unmarked except for a long numerical code. It has no freewheel clutch. Does 30 tooth exist ?? or 29 tooth?.

[bikeracer]

Have you fixed this problem yet?