How much power for dog in sidecar going uphill?
Posted by PappyPoobah@reddit | ebikes | View on Reddit | 10 comments
I would like to be able to go up a fairly steep hill at speed with my 60lb golden retriever in a sidecar. I assume I’ll probably need a dual motor, but how much power in total should I be looking at?
redpillsrule@reddit
If you want to climb at 25 mph plus a mid drive combined with a hub works great.
chrispark70@reddit
Why are you using a sidecar? A trailer would be much better. I didn't even know they made sidecars for bicycles.
Also, if you are going to be pedaling, the extra weight and bearing resistance really isn't that much. Even a relatively low power motor will help a lot. Your pedaling will provide significant extra torque (which is what the bike needs to accelerate up a hill). I've towed a trailer loaded with kerosene, like 15 gallons and more and it really wasn't that much harder to pedal, at least not as much as you would think.
Ohm_Slaw_@reddit
You're much better off with a mid drive for that use. It's very hard to get enough power to pull a steep hill with a heavy load using hub motors unless they are very powerful. With a mid drive and good gearing, you can just put it in a lower gear and chug on up the hill.
I used to live in an area with a lot of hills carrying about the same weight as you. 1500W wasn't enough. 3000W did it, but not on the steepest hills. Overheating was a problem. My mid drives did fine with only 500 watts.
You also might want to consider legal limits where you live.
You can also put a sled dog harness on your passenger and get him to help out. :)
PappyPoobah@reddit (OP)
I was looking at something like the power goat. 2k rated, 3k peak. Do you think that would be enough?
Ohm_Slaw_@reddit
There's a lot of "that depends" here. How steep? How long is the hill? Does the motor actually put out the power that it states? A lot of web sites lie about specs.
But offhand I would say no. My hub drive did not perform at 1500W. I knew how much power was being used, I metered it.
Mid drives are best for hills. There are many posts that repeat this here. It has also been my experience in a very hilly area. My mid drive with 500 watts would easily pull a hill that a 1500W hub drive would not.
BassesNBikes@reddit
Bikejoring!!
olight77@reddit
How much do you weigh?
PappyPoobah@reddit (OP)
165lbs. Sidecar probably 40, dog 60 so around 265lbs total. Maybe a little more if I have a backpack or some groceries too
Schemeckles@reddit
The weight of the bike is another factor...
Adorable_Isopod3437@reddit
This model comes with 1000w, so i assume is enough for comfortable hill climbing.
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4Wl4E5r