Versatility Is the Key
Shimano Steps Electric Drive: The Bottom Bracket Motor for Your Electric Tricycle
Maximum range: With the E5000 andE8000 systems, HP Velotechnik integrates both the entry-level and top models from the Shimano STEPS engine family. Each engine has its advantages. For the price-conscious, the small E5000 motor can be integrated very compactly into the boom. Shimano originally created the 8000 series with mountain bikers in mind and equipped it with enormous power.
The positioning of these motors is technically remarkable for a recumbent bicycle. What would come along in the upright bike as a classic mid-engine, becomes a super power unit at the front end of the recumbent trike. As usual with HP Velotechnik, the bottom bracket is located at the front of the boom. In the past, this was a reason against the installation of bulky mid-engines. A high torque with a small chainring would introduce immense tensile forces into the frame.
Electric drives of the Steps series are different: They can be equipped with large chainrings (38, 44 or 50 teeth). This makes them absolutely trike-compatible and, with their slim outline, they blend subtly into the already award-winning design of our tricycles. The large chain rings ensure lower chain forces at high torque, which has a positive effect on the lifetime of chain and sprockets compared to many other bottom bracket motors. The driver’s forces go directly to the chainring, even at speeds above the pedelec support limit of 25 km/h (15.6 mph, US-versions 20 mph), your power arrives at the rear wheel without the detour via an intermediate bottom bracket gearbox!
Note: We offer electric drive systems of the Shimano STEPS series for all HP Velotechnik trikes, but not for our two-wheelers (single track). For recumbent bicycles with two wheels, please have a look at our neodrives hub motor.
Propulsion at the highest level
The STEPS drive is compelling because of its efficient use of energy: the lithium-ion battery offers 418 Wh in the basic version and enables a range of up to 145 kilometers (90 miles) This increases by about a fifth if you alternatively choose the battery with 504 Wh, which we supply with a quick charger with 4 A charging current. The visually identical power packages can easily be removed by unlocking and detaching laterally. They lock into place just as quickly and have contact – without any loose cable plugs. If you have electricity available for your trike at the “parking lot”, you can even charge the battery without removing it.
All those who want to be totally at ease when it comes to range will choose the optional additional battery, which comes with 504 Wh. It travels safely under the seat on a special bracket on the frame. To supply the system with power, you can replace it with the empty battery at a short stop.
The clearly structured display with its high-contrast black-and-white screen ensures good readability. Ein weiterer Vorteil in puncto Komfort ist die integrierte Bedienung für die Lichtanlage: Unsere Akku-Lichtanlage können Sie per Knopfdruck am Display bedienen.
A veritable firework of options awaits trike fans when it comes to the gears that HP Velotechnik offers for its Shimano electric drives. This ranges from a conventional derailleur to an electrically operated XT derailleur to a fully automatic electric hub gear.
Shimano STEPS E5000
Making the Triker's Life so Easy
By far the most economical electric motor in our modular system, it quickly found many friends: Simply because – typical for Shimano – it is technically convincing and easy to use. So silent as the E5000 provides its support, this is absolute outstanding for a bottom bracket motor! It has a particularly small body, which fits elegantly into your trike’s front boom, forged especially for the STEPS motors.
With its harmonious characteristics and a well-adjusted torque of 40 Newton metres, the E5000 in combination with the shifting options we have selected is the ideal companion for comfort-oriented cyclists. In the base version, with the 8-speed X4 derailleur system from Sram, you are well prepared for the little ups and downs in the life of a cyclist.
If you want to enjoy the maximum convenience of a triker’s life to the full, choose Shimano’s Nexus Di2 8-speed gear hub with the fully automatic gearshift. When it comes to this highly integrated combination, it’s all about ease of use. You don’t have to worry about changing gears anymore, because the Nexus Di2 shifts gears fully automatically. The system automatically selects the most efficient gearing.
A very comfortable feature: when you stop at traffic lights, the Shimano Nexus Di2 drivetrain automatically changes to a small gear. To ensure that the shifting process is smooth and jerk-free, the motor power is reduced for a short moment during gear changes.
Shimano STEPS E8000
Power Paired with Precision
The flagship of the STEPS engine range is a real powerhouse. The motor produces up to 70 Newton meters at the front of your trike. Designed by Shimano for the MTB sector, the E8000 fits just as well into the requirement profile of a travel or trekking trike. The heart of the system is the very variable system control with the support levels “Eco”, “Trail” and “Boost”. The support levels can also be individually adapted via smartphone.
Remarkable: The power engine also shows its advantages in terms of range on mountain slopes. From the standard 418 Wh battery in “Eco” mode it draws juice for around 80 kilometers and about 800 altitude meters. Built into a HP Velotechnik’s sleek front boom specially forged for the STEPS system, it remains surprisingly quiet.
Top engine, top gearings: With the XT Di2 electric derailleur system, the 11 gears on the rear wheel are changed with the utmost precision at the push of a button, even under load. Fans of derailleur shifting will be particularly pleased to notice that this Shimano derailleur does away with the regular maintenance of the derailleur inner and outer cables! Reisende mit viel Gepäck wünschen sich dagegen eine Kombination von durchzugsstarkem Motor und unverwüstlicher Schaltung. Many adventure cyclists with a lot of luggage, on the other hand, want a combination of a powerful engine and nearly indestructible internal gear hub. This makes the Rohloff 14-speed rear hub a faithful companion on your recumbent. As the friends of the Rohloff hub most likely know, the pressure has to be taken off the pedal for a short moment to change the gears in the hub.
Found the right electric drive? Configure your dream bike now!
With our online configurator, customizing your recumbent bike is easy and fun. Choose to your heart’s delight from the extensive range of our components!
Find a Dealer
All Right, Enough Theory, How Do I Get on This Recumbent?
At these dealers, recumbents from HP Velotechnik with Shimano STEPS-System are waiting for your test ride. Click on the dealer for the details and your desired date for an individual consultation.
