BCBeaver
10 mW
I'm in the conceptual design phase of building a recumbent bike. Typically these thing have chain lines that are 5-6' long so usually need an idler pulley. So I got thinking, why not 2 chains? Why not make the idler a hub motor? Why not make it a 2 speed hub motor? Why not put a mid derailleur on the bike? This thing could have a front, mid, rear derailleur with a 2 speed in the middle, it could have more gears than a highway tractor. 3 in front x 10 in the middle x 2 x 10 in the rear = 600speed. My next thought was, "Just because you can doesn't mean you should." I figure if I have a rear derailleur I can gear it to be fast on the flats/downhill and be able to climb like a goat. If I use 3 chain rings up front I'll be able to actually add some useful power to the system.
I've a got a Xiongda 2 speed motor so that is likely what I'll be using, it's only rated at 450 watts (but will pull 700 easily) so it would get good range. For the hub motor idler system I think I could mount a chainring to the hub with 18 little screws through the spoke holes and use that to turn the rear chain and power the driver gear from the front as a normal hub would be. I'll need to mount the hub using the axle though a saddle mounted to the frame probably under the seat.
Any suggestions, knowledge to impart or experience to share would be appreciated.
I've a got a Xiongda 2 speed motor so that is likely what I'll be using, it's only rated at 450 watts (but will pull 700 easily) so it would get good range. For the hub motor idler system I think I could mount a chainring to the hub with 18 little screws through the spoke holes and use that to turn the rear chain and power the driver gear from the front as a normal hub would be. I'll need to mount the hub using the axle though a saddle mounted to the frame probably under the seat.
Any suggestions, knowledge to impart or experience to share would be appreciated.