Adding Electric Assist to your recumbent or  tadpole trike or tandem is a remarkably simple and painless process.

Abstract: This article presents a step by step guide to adding electric assist to your trike. Adding electric assist to your trike is a remarkably simple and painless process. Let us review what does it involve.

Introduction: In the year 2013, Falco eBike systems were launched in the US. Since that time, our eBike systems have gone through remarkable changes in all aspects of design and performance. Our goal has always been to make the systems more fun, versatile, and robust. However, the target at the beginning was not trikes but bicycles. As we discovered over time, bicycle conversion had challenges because of a vast variety of brands available.

Falco Recumbent Compatibility Chart - Falco eBike Systems are universally compatible with most of the brands such as HP Velotechnik, Catrikes, Ice Trikes, Terra Trikes, Green Speed, Azub, Bachetta, Easy Rider, Rans etc.

On the other hand, we discovered that tadpole trikes were amazingly simple to convert. Bikes have a lot less space than trikes. Also, they may have disc brakes. Both add more complexity to a bike conversion. The main challenge in a tadpole Trike conversion, on the other hand, is installing the battery. Another surprising fact is that a Falco system is compatible with all brands of trikes - Catrikes, Icetrikes, HP Velotechnik, Green Speed, Terra Trike , etc.

Falco Tandem Compatibility Chart - Falco eBike Systems are universally compatible with most of the brands such as Santana, Da Vinci, Co Motion, Cannondale etc

What and How to order: Falco systems can be categorized into two: e series and f series. The e series is limited to 500W whereas the f series is limited to 750W. 

Within e and f series, are two categories - simplicity vs. regular. Simplicity systems do not have the wireless LCD console included. Regular systems do.

Differences between e and f series, are highlighted above. Apart from the obvious difference of power, there is also the difference in range and top speed.

For the US market, one must answer the following questions to decide on a system: 

1. How far: How far do you want to go? Check out the 150-mile ride by Weston Thompson recently.

2. How fast: How fast do you want to go?

3. How much: What is your budget?

Let us look at the decision table below:

While ordering you will need to know the following info:

1. Wheel Size: What is your wheel size. It ranges from 20” to 700C;

2. Speed Limit: What is the required speed limit. It is 20mph in most of the US. Some exceptions exist for operation beyond 20mph;

3. Cogs: You can use your own gears and ask us to add some to your order;

4. Throttle: A Thumb throttle is included in all systems. You can choose not to use it. European systems don’t have a throttle;

5. Frame Drop-Outs : Frame drop-outs for 99% of the trikes are vertical. However, there are some exceptions. Catrikes, Icetrikes, and HPVelotechnik are all vertical. Terra trikes are mostly vertical. Verify drop-out before ordering;

6. Spoke Color: We build the wheels in the US. Therefore, you can choose to have silver or black spokes;

7. Spoke Hole Count : Our standard spoke holes are 36. However, you can choose, 32 or 48 or custom spoke holes.

8. OLD (Over the locknut Dimension) : 99% of the trikes have 135mm OLD. However, we do have other options available as well.

The Process of Conversion: Let us analyze the components of a Falco eBike System:

Let us look at the steps involved below:

For more adventurous souls, there is a lot more a Falco system can offer. Have a look below:

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Download Falco eBike Systems Owners Manual
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