Catrike Motor Kits -Bosch & Bafang Overview

Mel's helpful overview for purchasing a motor kit for your trike covers motor and battery size, torque vs cadence sensing, throttle vs no throttle as well as providing tips to ensure you purchase a safe motor kit.
He then drills down on the Bosch and Bafang kits offered by RPDX.
RPDX has over 40 Bosch and 125 Bafang Motor kits in stock! Plus: Almost 200 Catrikes! No other shop in the Western United States is even close!
Pro Tip: The ONLY way to know if a motor kit is right for you is.....to test ride!. RPDX has Bosch and Bafang-equipped trikes on our showroom floor for test riding. We even have a Bosch-Rohloff E-14 electronic shifting demo trike.
Finally, if you've already purchased your motor kit from the RPDX, our owner's manual videos can be found on the Maintenance page (under the Service drop down) on on our site: recumbentpdx.com/maintenance/
Call (503 231 1000) or email ([e-mail]) the shop to schedule a test ride!

[@sylvain65]

Thanks Mel, this was the best video I’ve seen on pedal assist.

[@RecumbentPDX]

Thank you!

[@dborchers1]

Thanks Mel for the video. Also, I really appreciate your help with my trikes. My wife says, "I don't want to work with any other dealer than, Recumbent PDX. I agree. Thankyou!

[@RecumbentPDX]

Thank you so much!

[@theresafinn4257]

Thank you. I wish I’d seen this before I had a motor installed.

[@paulahavens2764]

just caught this video, Thanks Mel it was great. I have been thinking about getting one but have not decided yet but you gave me lots to think about.

[@Olyphoto7]

Great video Mel!

[@brianwiirre5110]

This is a banger video Mel. You really thought this out ahead of time and made a top notch presentation. Thank you!

[@RecumbentPDX]

thank you so much!

[@bonilla2022]

Great video, Highly informative! Happy Trails! 😎👍

[@RecumbentPDX]

Thanks! 👍

[@bchmieleski]

Nicely done, Mel! Very informative and clearly presented.

[@RecumbentPDX]

Thanks so much!

[@bcrumbs937]

Excellent video and extremely informative!

[@RecumbentPDX]

Thank you!

[@PhotoStrider]

An excellent video , thank you for taking the time to produce this well thought out video. So we can all make informed decisions…..well done 🍻😃🇨🇦

[@RecumbentPDX]

Thank you! Always happy to get positive feedback

[@michaelhill4301]

This a great Video, very informative. Thank you.

[@RecumbentPDX]

Thank you! Always happy to get feedback!

[@anniecharles]

I thi8nk Mel‘sd advoce is good and helps me make an informed decision.

[@RecumbentPDX]

Thank you!

[@BakaWoodworker]

Fantastic Video Mel. Keep up the great work!

[@RecumbentPDX]

Thank you!

[@45flint]

The French cyclists were powering a super light 2 wheel touring bike. A trike is much heavier and less efficient, not sure those power ratings for a pro cyclist really apply? Seems to me its easiest to use a little less of a powerful motor than running up against the wall on a less powerful one? Remember trikes are often used by older or challenged riders. I’m 72 and have some health issues, I need about 50% help.

[@RecumbentPDX]

We all have opinions. Mine is bases on having sold hundreds of electric motors kits in the last decade. Your opinion may guide you in a different direction.

[@APhotographerTravels2025JohnMc]

I have a trike Scorpion FS 26 PE hub motor it fails sometimes and I can’t ship it on planes to tour in other countries , so I add a Rohloff 14 speed hub, with my 12 Speed pinion gearbox gives me 152 gears had a great experience touring in New Zealand Climbs over Mountains with ease but with my gear and cameras + the Trike weight it’s slower then I like. Been studying some of the motor you mentioned, kinda know what I want if buy a motor it will be 750 w. Don’t want to buy China, so price determines whether I buy or not! I can see spending $4,000. More on my trike when it’s great as a trail rider, and my Quatrevelo is the fastest bike I have without the need of a motor So I guess I’ve talked my self out buying a motor in writing this comment, thanks for not mentioning prices. By the A scorpion FS 26 can be class 3 moped so 750 motor can be added.

[@RecumbentPDX]

A word of warning: The Pinion-Rohloff combo runs the risk of destroying the Rohloff. The crank must be at least 1.8x the Rohloff Sprocket or it's out of warranty spec. We've done similar builds with Schlumpfs on the front, but it comes with a clear disclaimer to customers. Have a great time out on the road!

[@johngulino2651]

I’ve been to Recumbent PDX! Even though I live in Oakland. I visited there when I was in Portland. I think I know the answer to this question: are recumbent trikes allowed to go on Amtrak trains?

[@RecumbentPDX]

Amtrak is a tough one. They technically forbid ALL recumbents. But, we've have customers roll their folders on without issue. We've also had customers whose physical limitations make their trike Personal Mobility Devices and roll them on as well. But, that's the extent of my knowledge.

[@tomprentice6935]

⚔️💪😎🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿👍(stroke)

[@IraQNid]

You shouldn't be telling customers they don't need a 750 watt motor simply because you don't sell them. Or you got stuck with a bunch of low end 250-500 watt motors. Let the customer decide what they want or need.

[@RecumbentPDX]

Thank you for sharing your opinion. My own opinion is based on having sold hundreds of motor kits over the past decade. I am unaware of ANY manufacturer that won't void your warranty for installing a 750 watt (Some - like ICE - will even do it for a 500w). So, based on my experience, I will absolutely continue to provide what I believe is the most prudent advice. That includes "telling customers they don't need a 750 watt motor". If your judgment takes you in a different direction, well, that's what makes this country great!

[@davidzeledon61]

I live in Edmonton, Canada and anything over a 500 Watt motor is illegal. People buy electric bikes not knowing this only to get big time tickets and end up with a bike they can't ride. (Online sales).

[@waltk7624]

None of these motors have enough power to pull me up hills in northern Wisconsin.

[@marcusmobley5411]

I get no audio.

[@RecumbentPDX]

Try again. I'm getting audio. Thanks

[@SalaiThangte]

250 vs 500? 🤔

[@RecumbentPDX]

250. If you MUST have a 500, fine. But, almost nobody needs one

[@minibirddog]

No sound

[@RecumbentPDX]

I've got sound, so I can only point finger at youtube. The video is also up under the "Motor Kits" tab on the "What We Sell" page on our website www.recumbentpdx.com

[@paulahavens2764]

sometimes you have to hit the sound button on the videos to unlock them, so you can hear what people are saying. check the sound symbol on the video to see if it is on. Hope this helped.