New Project Idea for Bicycle Enthusiasts

JLocke

Ran across this article and thought it would interest the bike riders of the group...

Bike Lets You Change Gears With Your Mind

Jessica Uelmen

Wow, that is incredible! The least favorite part of biking for me is shifting, I always seem to get discombobulated whenever I try.

DavidSmith

For decades, bicycle enthusiasts have been trying to come up w an automatic shifter or even an infinitely variable drive train. All of the efforts I am aware of have been mechanical - some of absolutely incredible ingenuity. However, they all added mechanical complexity and destroyed the 99.99% efficiency of a good bicycle.

However, I wonder if going electronic w a microprocessor, some sensors, and some solenoids could do the same job well enough to be worth the trouble.

icepuck

My Idea was to get rid of the drive train, by using a generator and hub motor(s) for an infinitely variable drive train with out the mechanical complexity. Think of diesel electric locomotive but using a human to drive the generator. This could also double as a back up power source when not being used as transportation.
-dan

DavidSmith

Icepuck,

Good idea, but not new. Would work great - except one of the most attractive features of a bicycle is its super high efficiency. It's difficult to beat a simple chain/gear system for efficiency.

The only likely advantage for any automatic shifting system would be in country so hilly, the rider is changing gears every 5 - 10 seconds. Otherwise it's a net plus if the rider just accepts the PITA of shifting and keeps the high efficiency.

Still, fascinating project.