Transforming a tandem into an electric tandem

The LIFT MTB mid drive motor allows you to transform any bike into an electric bike, we regularly transform a classic tandem into an electric tandem, thanks to our specific tandem version which uses a specific crankset and a longer electric harness.

The advantage of transforming your tandem into an electric tandem is certain, because tandems are expensive, simply adding an electric motor for tandem will be the most interesting financially and much more efficient than a commercial electric tandem like the electric tandem moustache.

The different existing transmissions in electric tandem

Below are the different possibilities of transmission, click on one of the buttons to be redigested directly on the article of your choice.

1

Mixed left transmission

2

Straight transmission

3

Transmission dissociate

1

Left-hand drive for electric tandem

There are 2 possible solutions for the mixed left transmission:

The most common today is the mixed transmission:

The front crankset is connected to the rear crankset by a connecting chain on the left.

Originally the front person has a specific crankset with a single chainring on the left that goes to the rear crankset via a connecting chain.

Originally the person at the rear has a crankset composed of two sets of chainrings, a single chainring on the left for the front / rear connection, and a classic crankset on the right for the rear wheel.

tandem electrique bike kit

-1.1- Left hand drive mixed / rear engine:

Benefits

  • -Easy to install because you only need to modify the rear part of the tandem.

  • Easy to adapt for single or double chainring rear drives or with a rolhoff tandem hub with integrated gears.

  • – We keep the front / back synchronization (some prefer…)

Disadvantages

  • Not always compatible with certain rear suspension systems of all-suspension electric tandem bikes.

  • Not always possible to keep 3 chainrings on the right rear if the bike is equipped with them.

Note about the single chainring transmission: With the help of the engine the small chainrings are generally less necessary, moreover it remains possible to make evolve the transmission with a cassette with bigger staggering (see our article on :Mountain bike transmissions

Composition of the electric kit left tandem mix / rear engine :

– Front crank identical to the original (we keep the one of the bike)

– A specific left rear crank with a unique left plate (included in the kit)

– A straight crank with a freewheel system on the chainrings (included in the kit)

– A single or double chainring on the right for the connection with the rear wheel. (included in the kit)

– specific electric beam 170cm instead of 130cm.

-1.2 Mixed left transmission / Front engine:

Benefits

  • Easy to adapt to tandem rear suspension frames.

  • Easier to keep 3 chainrings at the rear if the bike is equipped with them.

  • We keep the front / back synchronization (some prefer…)

Disadvantages

  • Ground clearance in some cases.

  • No freewheel on the crankset so when you pedal backwards you will have the resistance of the motor.

Composition of the electric kit left tandem mix / front engine :

– Rear crankset identical to the original (we keep the one of the bike)

– Specific left front crank with single chainring for connection to the rear crankset (included in the kit)

– Front right crank without freewheel system on 38 plate for connection to the motor (included in the kit)

-Electrical harness 130cm

2

Straight transmission for electric tandem

There are 2 possible solutions for the right transmission:

There is another possibility of tandem transmission called straight transmission:

Less common, the straight drive requires very few or no special parts at the bottom bracket, which makes it simpler for manufacturers:


The person in the front
has a classic crankset with a right-hand chainring. In the case of the right-hand electric tandem transmission , the front crankset drives the rear crankset by a connecting chain placed on the right.

And the person at the rear has a classic crankset composed of a chainring connected to the front crankset by a chain link placed on the right, and one or more chainrings for the connection with the rear wheel, the front crankset will therefore be dissociated from the rear crankset.

2.1- Straight transmission / Rear engine :

Benefits

  • Easy to install because you only need to modify the rear part of the tandem.

  • Easy to adapt for double or single chainring transmission and with rolhoff tandem hubs .

  • The rear tandem crankset becomes dissociated from the front crankset thanks to our freewheel system integrated in the chainrings of the right rear crank (some prefer synchronized, others not, it’s up to you).

Disadvantages

  • Not always possible to keep more than 1 chainring connected to the rear wheel if necessary.

  • Not always compatible with some electric tandem mountain bike suspension systems.

  • We remove the synchronization front / rear pedal (some prefer synchronized other not, to you see.)

  • Sometimes requires the use of a second crankset with freewheel at the front if you want to be fully synchronized.

Note about the single chainring transmission: With the help of the engine the small chainrings are generally less necessary, moreover it remains possible to make evolve the transmission with a cassette with larger staggering for more versatility, see our article below on this subject: The mountain bike transmissions

Composition of the tandem electric kit Right-hand drive / rear motor :

  • Front crankset identical to the original (we keep the one of the bike)
  • A classic left rear crank (included in the kit)
  • A straight crank with a freewheel system on the chainrings (included in the kit)

– Chainring -1- right side for the connection between the front and rear crankset (included in the kit / usually 32 teeth).

– Plateau -2- right side for rear wheel connection. (included in the kit, between 30 and 38 teeth depending on use)

– Plate -3- of 38 teeth for the connection to the motor (included in the kit)

-Beam 170cm instead of 130cm

-2.2- Straight transmission / Front engine :

Benefits

  • Compatible with all electric tandem mountain bike suspension systems.

  • Easy to adapt for double or single chainring transmission and with rolhoff tandem hubs .

  • The front crankset of the tandem becomes dissociated from the rear crankset thanks to our freewheel system integrated in the chainrings of the right front crank.

Disadvantages

  • We remove the synchronization front / rear pedal (some prefer synchronized other not, has you see.)

  • Sometimes requires the use of a second crankset with a freewheel at the back if you want to be fully synchronized.

Composition of the tandem electric kit Right-hand drive / front motor :

  • Front cranks with specific right crank with freewheel system and two chainrings.

– Chainring -1- right side for the connection between the front / rear crankset (included in the kit / usually 32 teeth).

– Plate -2- right side for the motor link. (included in the kit, 38 teeth).

  • Solution 1 rear crankset with specific right crank with freewheel system and two chainrings (which allows to dissociate the front and rear cranksets).

– Chainring -1- right side for the connection between the front / rear crankset (included in the kit / usually 32 teeth).

– Plateau -2- right side for the connection to the rear wheel. (included in the kit / usually 30 or 32 teeth).

  • Rear crankset solution 2 with original right crank without dissociating the front and rear cranksets.

– Original chainring -1- right side for the connection between the front / rear crankset (usually 32 teeth).

– Original plate -2- right side for the connection to the rear wheel. (single, double or triple trays).

– Electrical harness 130cm

3

Crank dissociate for tandem