Chainless DD ebike - this system any good?

[Mondo]

Hi - ran across this ad on ebay..

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=260427301258

Looks interesting although the seller has a pretty ordinary reputation. I'd not seen this system on a bike before (eBike or not). The gears are limited but I imagine the direct drive is a bit more efficient for pedalling..

It's been raining for about 8 days solid in Sydney so I can't test my new Cyclone kit yet . Will post the build thread soon..

Mondo

 

[JS Tyro]

When considering building an e-bike, I looked at a shaft drive first. The price for a good one turned me off. The Biomega models are nice (e.g. Copenhagen - CAD$1500) with the shaft integrated into the chainstay rather than being separate like the one you link to. If you don't live in an overly hilly location, the 8 gears possible with the fancy multi-speed hubs (ignoring the $$$ 14 speed one) are more than adequate. It seems to me that the low maintenance and clean (no oily crap on pants legs/socks etc) mechanics of these bike makes them ideal for electrification.

 

[dnmun]

i wonder if optibike will try to sue them for having the motorized bottom bracket. i like the concept more than the cyclone.

i think someone should buy one and open it up. i really would like to see both ends of the driveshaft and how they mated it to the hub in back. and the motor, wonder if is a brushed or brushless motor?

 

[Miles]

i wonder if optibike will try to sue them for having the motorized bottom bracket. i like the concept more than the cyclone.

Probably not, because it isn't...... :wink:

There are quite a few shaft drive bikes out there. Neat, but heavier and less efficient than a chain drive.

 

[Mondo]

i wonder if optibike will try to sue them for having the motorized bottom bracket. i like the concept more than the cyclone.

Probably not, because it isn't...... :wink:

There are quite a few shaft drive bikes out there. Neat, but heavier and less efficient than a chain drive.

Mles is right - this is a front hub motor design

So I imagine the inefficiency comes from being some kind of worm gear design? Thanks for the clarification.

So cleaner and quieter, but heavier and less efiicent than a chain. I'm not a huge fan of front hub motors so it probably isn't for me but as a commuter concept I think it has some advantages. Maybe the 2009 Trek Soho with belt drive etc is a better option though.

 

[Miles]

So I imagine the inefficiency comes from being some kind of worm gear design? Thanks for the clarification.

Not a worm gear, but the two right angle gear sets at either end of the shaft are a bit less efficient than a chain drive - coupled with more planetary gears in the hub, it all adds up...

The bit I liked best was the "dual suspension front wheel"

 

[Mondo]

The bit I liked best was the "dual suspension front wheel"

Yeah aren't eBay ads wonderful examples of language slaughter..

Originally I emailed this guy because the ad said "free shipping" in the copy, but there was a $US200+ postage fee in the item. His response was to change the ad and send me an email saying
"Hello There

They are one shipping cost I f ship to Australia or ship to the USA."



Still I can only speak one language - I imagine if I tried to reply in my schoolboy French it would be just as bad :wink: My daughter who did university level French really pays out on me when I try to pronounce anything French...



Mondo

 

[spinningmagnets]

Front E-hub (250W??), battery is 24V lithium 10aH,...plus a driveshaft drive from the BB to the rear Nexus 3-speed hub,

Front suspension hardtail with V-brakes...for $999 (plus shipping)

What can we put together for $1,000?

Ampedbikes.com has a front hub kit for $400 + battery. Lead @ 36V is $100, lithium, well...depends on V and aH. I believe the two 90-degree angles on the pedal driveshaft waste energy when pedaling. How much would it cost to get a toothed-belt drive with a nexus 7-speed hub? Seven speeds is my minimum for pedaling...

 

[Mondo]

by spinningmagnets » Tue Jun 23, 2009 1:33 pm
Front E-hub (250W??), battery is 24V lithium 10aH,...plus a driveshaft drive from the BB to the rear Nexus 3-speed hub,

Front suspension hardtail with V-brakes...for $999 (plus shipping)

What can we put together for $1,000?

Ampedbikes.com has a front hub kit for $400 + battery. Lead @ 36V is $100, lithium, well...depends on V and aH. I believe the two 90-degree angles on the pedal driveshaft waste energy when pedaling. How much would it cost to get a toothed-belt drive with a nexus 7-speed hub? Seven speeds is my minimum for pedaling...Front E-hub (250W??), battery is 24V lithium 10aH,...plus a driveshaft drive from the BB to the rear Nexus 3-speed hub,

Front suspension hardtail with V-brakes...for $999 (plus shipping)

What can we put together for $1,000?

Ampedbikes.com has a front hub kit for $400 + battery. Lead @ 36V is $100, lithium, well...depends on V and aH. I believe the two 90-degree angles on the pedal driveshaft waste energy when pedaling. How much would it cost to get a toothed-belt drive with a nexus 7-speed hub? Seven speeds is my minimum for pedaling...

Sure - my post wasn't really about price, I was just interested in the driveshaft system. As I pointed out earlier in the thread you can get a quality Trek Soho
with exactly the system you describe and electrify that (and they've designed the belt material from the ground up out of some carbon composite) - I doubt you'll get out of it for a lower price and there will be no purpose built battery mount, but the Trek is going to be a much better bike..
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/urban/soho/soho/

 

[Drunkskunk]

Creative advertising... " Dual suspension front wheel "

I guess that means both sides of the fork are suspension forks?