Falco eDrive on the ICE Adventure HD

FALCO eDRIVE  ×  ICE TRIKE   |   Complete Conversion Guide Series

 

The Complete Conversion Guide for Daily Riders, Rail-Trail Cyclists & Seniors

By Falco eMotors   •   ICE Trike Conversion Series, Article 1 of 100

⚡ Quick Answer The Falco f7.7 750W system is the ideal conversion for the ICE Adventure HD, fitting standard 135mm vertical dropouts with no frame modification. It delivers a 65–85 mile range via a 48V 672Wh battery, with zero freewheeling resistance and a 5-phase torque-sensing motor that provides a natural, silent riding experience for seniors, daily riders, and rail-trail cyclists.

 

“ICE Adventure HD is compatible with any of our systems,” notes Rakesh Dhawan, founder of Falco eMotors. For many riders, the Adventure HD is the gold standard for stability and comfort — but as the miles add up or the hills get steeper, even the best trike can benefit from a boost. By integrating the Falco eDrive on the ICE Adventure HD, you aren’t just adding a motor. You are reclaiming your freedom to explore daily riding and rail-trail routes without physical limitations.

This conversion guide focuses on the seamless partnership between ICE’s heavy-duty engineering and Falco’s 750W eDrive system. Whether you are a senior looking to keep up with a group, an all-ability rider seeking a more reliable way to commute, or a touring cyclist chasing 30–60 mile rail-trail days, this setup provides a natural-feeling power assist that complements your pedaling rather than replacing it.

The primary benefit of this specific pairing is the preservation of the “trike feel.” Unlike bulky mid-drives that can strain the frame or noisy geared motors, the Falco system operates in near silence with zero freewheeling resistance. This article delivers a step-by-step understanding of the components, the expected 65–120-mile range, and why the 5-phase motor technology makes the ICE Adventure HD the ultimate long-distance touring machine.

Inspired Cycle Engineering (ICE) has been building recumbent tricycles in Falmouth, England, since 1999. The Adventure HD is their flagship all-ability model — and it earns that title through a combination of design decisions that happen to make it an ideal candidate for Falco conversion.

Engineering precision that benefits electric conversion

Every ICE Adventure HD uses vertical dropouts — a detail that matters enormously for e-assist. Vertical dropouts hold the motor axle in a fixed, defined position. The axle cannot shift or creep under load, and the 135mm OLD measurement is perfectly matched to the Falco wheel system. No torque arm wrestling, no shimming, no compromise.

The riding position changes everything

The recumbent position distributes weight across the back and seat, not onto wrists, neck, and a saddle. For the seniors, injury-recovery riders, and long-distance rail-trail cyclists who make up the core ICE Adventure HD audience, this isn’t a luxury — it is the difference between riding and not riding. Pair that ergonomic advantage with Falco’s torque-sensing assist, and you have a machine that physically adapts to your capacity on any given day.

Quality at real-world scale

ICE trikes have customers in 32 countries. The Adventure HD comes standard with a Shimano Deore drivetrain, which is fully compatible with the Falco hub motor. Rob Sabin, an ICE Adventure HD owner, reports 11,000 miles in two years on his unit. That is the baseline durability you are adding Falco power to.

The hub-vs-mid-drive debate is often oversimplified. On a recumbent trike, the physics are different from a standard bicycle — and the calculus tips strongly toward a direct-drive hub motor like the Falco 5-phase system.

•       Zero freewheeling resistance. A geared hub motor creates drag when off due to internal planetary gears. Falco’s direct-drive freewheels cleanly. On a 50-mile rail-trail day where you pedal under your own power for most of the ride, this is the difference between a tired rider and a fresh one.

•       Torque sensing that feels intelligent. Falco’s internal torque sensor reads how hard you are pushing and responds proportionally. On hills with a dog trailer, it pushes harder. On flat sections, it backs off. It feels like super-legs, not a motor pulling your chain.

•       40% more power density than 3-phase systems. The 5-phase motor delivers 40% more power. For the heavier Adventure HD carrying a rider, rack, and gear, this matters on every hill.

•       Regenerative braking on a heavy trike. Trikes descend differently — three contact points, more momentum. Falco’s regen captures downhill energy and returns it to the battery. On long rail trails with elevation change, this meaningfully extends range.

•       Retrofit simplicity. The Falco wheel drops into the Adventure HD’s 135mm vertical dropout. No boom modifications, no bottom bracket work, no chain rerouting. It is a wheel swap plus a battery mount.

 

Component	Specification
ICE Trike Model	Adventure HD (all years)
Falco System	f7.7 750W (recommended)
Motor Type	5-phase direct drive hub motor
Motor Wattage	750W peak
Battery	Li 9 — 48V, 672Wh (Sanyo/LG cells)
Voltage	48V
Estimated Range	65–120 miles (terrain dependent)
Dropout Type	Vertical, 135mm OLD
Wheel Size	20–26–27.5–29" (matched to your trike)
Torque Sensor	Internal — proportional assist
Freewheeling Drag	Zero — direct drive
Motor Warranty	5 years
Regen Braking	Yes — recovers 5–15% on descents
Frame Mod Required	None — wheel swap only
System Price	From $2,595 (f7.7 + Li 9 + console)

 

The Falco installation on the Adventure HD is designed to be completed in under two hours at any qualified bike shop. Here is what the process involves:

1.    Remove the existing rear wheel.

The standard Adventure HD rear wheel comes out cleanly from the vertical 135mm dropout. No disassembly of the frame or boom is needed.

2.    Install the Falco motor wheel.

The Falco wheel is built in the US to your Adventure HD’s exact specifications — correct diameter, spoke count (standard 36-hole), and axle width. It slides into the same dropout position.

3.    Mount the battery.

The Li 9 battery mounts using the TerraCycle battery bracket (standard 2.5” × 5” tray) on suspended models, or a down-tube mount on standard frames. The battery is key-locked and can be charged in place or removed.

4.    Route the wiring.

Because the Falco motor has an integrated controller, there are very few cables to route — the installation stays clean and compact. The wireless console option eliminates handlebar clutter entirely.

5.    Mount the console and test.

The ANT+/BLE wireless console mounts anywhere on the handlebars. Power on, select your assist level (0–5), and ride. Your first test ride will immediately reveal the difference between cadence-based assist and Falco’s true torque sensing.

The community of ICE Adventure HD owners who have converted to Falco eDrive is active, vocal, and remarkably consistent in their experience:

Rob Sabin — ICE Adventure HD Owner “I love my ICE Adventure HD. With ICE, you get excellent customer service from the factory, and they will advocate for you with their partners like Shimano. I have put 11,000 miles on it in two years. I have heard horrible stories from other manufacturers when it comes to support and service.”

 

Kenneth van Velsor — Age 80, 3 Years Riding “I have an ICE Adventure and have had no issues with motor or assist. Enjoy! It’s the best thing we did getting trikes. Now 80 and been riding for 3 years.”

 

Dr. Gabe Mirkin — 82-Year-Old Competitive Cyclist “She has incredibly horrible osteoporosis and so she can’t fall — if she falls, she can die. So for that reason, we ride a recumbent tandem bicycle. We have bought several of his motors that we put on our recumbent bicycles — we use the motor when we need help.” — On using Falco systems on ICE-style recumbents for medically complex riders.

 

The 65–120 mile range figure is a real-world average across mixed terrain. Here is how terrain and riding style affect it:

Riding Scenario	Expected Range	Notes
Flat rail trail, light assist (Level 1–2)	85–120+ mi	Regen on any descents adds back 5–10%
Mixed terrain, moderate assist (Level 3)	65–85 mi	Most common real-world scenario
Hilly terrain, full assist (Level 4–5)	45–65 mi	Add a dual battery for 90–130 mi
Loaded touring (50 lb+ cargo)	55–70 mi	750W handles load; range drops slightly
Dog trailer towing on flat	60–75 mi	Additional weight absorbed well at Level 3

 

Yes. The Falco f7.7 750W motor is designed to fit the standard vertical 135mm dropouts of the ICE Adventure HD. No frame modification is required, ensuring your trike’s structural integrity remains completely intact.

On an ICE Adventure HD, riders typically see 65–120 miles depending on terrain and assist level. The efficiency of the 5-phase motor means you get more miles per watt than standard 3-phase systems. On flat rail trails at Level 2 assist, 100+ miles is achievable.

Not at all. A key Falco advantage is zero freewheeling resistance. When the motor is off or you exceed the assist speed, the trike pedals exactly like a standard non-electric ICE Adventure HD. This is a direct-drive advantage that geared hub motors cannot match.

Absolutely. The 750W 5-phase motor provides 40% more power than a comparable 3-phase system and is specifically tested for the heavier Adventure HD frame with cargo. Multiple community members have reported pulling dog trailers for 4,000+ miles with no issues.

While mid-drives can feel “jerky” at the pedals due to cadence sensing, the Falco hub motor uses advanced internal torque sensing to provide a smoother, more natural push. The transition is proportional to your effort — it feels like you have super-legs rather than a motor pulling your chain.

Ready to Convert Your ICE Adventure HD? The Falco f7.7 system starts at $2,595, including the 750W motor wheel, Li 9 48V 672Wh battery, wired console, and throttle. 5-year motor warranty. Ships from the US. Built for your exact ICE model. ➤  Visit falcoedrive.com to configure your system

 

Explore the full Falco eDrive × ICE Trike series:

•       Essential Falco eDrive battery guide — How to maximize range and choose between Li 3, Li 7, Li 9, and Li 11 batteries for your ICE model.

•       Hub motors vs mid-drives on ICE Trikes — A detailed comparison to help you understand why direct drive wins on recumbent trikes.

•       Best electric trikes for seniors — A buyer profile guide covering the Adventure HD, Sprint RS, and what assist level suits each rider.

 

FALCO eMOTORS INC.

falcoedrive.com  •  +1 (877) 278-6323  •  Founded 2011 by Rakesh Dhawan

This article is part of the 100-article Falco eDrive × ICE Trike Content Series.