Discover the Joy of Cycling

Electric assist kits for bicycles are widely available globally. The Simple Cycle Project is not affiliated with any manufacturer and we make no brand recommendations.

Virtually any type and make of hub motor kit can be installed on a Simple cycle, regardless of axle diameter, axle length, torque arm attachment, and type of multispeed freewheel or cassette.

Motors which bolt on to the frame and drive the wheel through an additional chain can also be utilized.

Battery, controller and throttle are easily mounted on a Simple frame.

Hub motors are built into a bicycle wheel, the motor body replacing the normal wheel hub. Both type of hubs have bearings and mounting threads/holes for drive sprockets and (perhaps) disk brakes. Wheels that have "Rear" hubs can be used on any Simple cycle that utilizes rear wheels of that same diameter. "Front hub" motors can be mounted on any Simple model with the appropriate diameter of front wheel.  A throttle-controlled "Rear" hub (if that is all you have) can also be used up front on a Simple cycle, requiring only a small change to the spacing of the forks.

Mid-drive motors attach to the crankset and add their power at the same point in the transmission that the rider does. Unlike a hub motor, the mid-drive motor "sees" the rear wheel gears. Once installed, the mid-drive works in tandem with the person pedaling. When the rider shifts to a higher or lower gear for themselves, they are also shifting for the mid-drive motor. This results in both higher cruising speeds and better climbing torque than that provided by a single-speed hub motor of the same rated power.

Most Simple chain-drive bikes have room at the crankset for attachment of a mid-drive. You may need to shave some wood if the fit is tight.

Motors from other applications (household appliances, etc.) have been modified by inventive persons and attached to all kinds of tricycles and pedicabs. This same approach can be taken with Simple trikes, as well. The attachment of the motor is made easier by including the Simple trike's jackshaft in the motorized transmission. The jackshaft allows you to put the motor and the sprocket it is driving in a number of different locations on the cycle.