Technical description
Cycle part
- Optima LynxX recumbent bike;
- 20" front wheel, 26" rear wheel;
- pedalboard, number of chainrings, teeth
- derailleur, number of gears
- Brakes
- crutch
- Carry Freedom Y Large trailer, 2 wheels 20" (8.4kg)
- Aluminum box screwed to the trailer bed.
Motorization
- Nine Continent RH212 wheel motor, Direct Drive;
- Baserunner Controller – Grin Technologies
- Console Cycle-Analyst V3 – Grin Technologies
- Battery 48V, 22Ah – Déclic-Eco
Solar equipment
2 solar panels 170 Wc SunPower, permanently exposed, one on the bike, on the roof, and the second on the trailer;
1 removable 100 Wp solar panel, under the trailer panel, usable when stationary;
2 "Chinese" solar regulators.
Feedback
I drove more than 10,000km for the Sun Trip Europe in 2021.
Cycling
I have done a lot of kilometers with this bike since 2017, the year of my first Sun Trip. I like its robustness, even when I have experienced galleys, such as falls on broken roads. I just had to deplore the breakage of the rear derailleur… The trailer, too, supported everything: the potholes (it looks like what a "dance" on the road bouncing in the holes!) and even falls.
Electrical system
It worked well throughout the trip, except for one connector that heated up, deformed, and made intermittent contact that turned off the Cycle Analyst and cut off the assistance. At the time, it was rather stressful, but after a methodical analysis of the entire electrical circuit, the cause was found. In two minutes, everything is back in order thanks to Patrice and his ultra practical Wago connectors!
Motorization
I am satisfied with the RH212 Direct Drive engine. Its direct transmission, without gear, gives a feeling of serenity when traveling far. It also allows to regenerate in the descents and brings an engine brake that avoids being tense on the brakes. I appreciate it! But in the big passes, as I can not "grind" at low speed, I was forced to stop to rest my thighs.
Solar equipment
I theoretically had 340Wp of panels exposed, but at certain times of the day, the roof of the bike overshadowed the trailer, which decreased my solar production.
As for the removable panel, it was not easy to get out from under the trailer, and then it had to be connected to the circuit. In fact, for short stops, I often did not have the courage to do all these manipulations.
The load-bearing structure needed minor repairs several times, as vibrations and falls damaged it. Rilsan and a piece of rebar found on site did wonders.
My next solar bike
I would like to install all the panels on the bike, on the roof. I would like my panels to be exposed in direct sunlight, without shading each other. So, I could remove the trailer to lighten the vehicle. The luggage would hang on the bike, in adapted panniers.
And for the Sun Trip Alpes, I would be tempted to complete my engine with a pedal motor.