CIXI PERS system

[offGridDownUnder]

Chainless & gearless electric drive.

Admitted less efficient, but with a ebike and possibly solar panels, who cares? It does appear to be adequate for the task of riding a bike or trike.

For perspective, if 5 years from now some approach increases the efficiency of ebikes by 10%, does that mean we are all wrong for riding them now?

Youtube videos:
CIXI
Utah Trikes
etc. Search for new items.

 

[OlderGiantFan]

A bash plate for the motor, the guy must be a dirtbike rider! And an app, gotta have an app.
But dare I say the mechanical losses incurred in that gearbox, and the generating and subsequent consumption of the electricity, would have to be higher than a basic chain and sprockets. I think with a battery where you can draw power for hills and take a brake from pedaling would be a must.

 

[offGridDownUnder]

I think with a battery where you can draw power for hills and take a brake from pedaling would be a must.

Well, this is an ebike forum.

 

[neptronix]

What's the pros/cons?
My immediate thoughts:

pros:
no chain

cons:
more weight
more expensive
proprietary parts
how do you pedal home if the electrics go out?
less efficient pedaling

Am i missing a pro?

 

[gromike]

Theoretically, an infinitely variable power transmission from foot to motor.
It's not a revolutionary idea, just a generator making electricity to help power the drive motor. Less efficient than mechanical transmission, but by how much? Add more battery to compensate?

I wouldn't mind trying one out, but it does seem to be loaded with proprietary crap.

 

[neptronix]

I would guess the loss is 20% in the best case. This best case assumes unusually high efficiency motors ( unlikely ). Worst is 30% - 40%

So worse than a CVT hub.

For an ebike i don't think we need infinite gears. A few is fine
I don't see that as a pro

 

[lnanek]

Feels like I could just leave the chain off my PAS system and have that for free anyway. My pedaling doesn't actually generate much power over my 20 mile commute at 30 mph anyway. Might allow a 20Ah battery instead of a 24Ah, I suppose, but I bring two batteries totaling 34Ah anyway.

 

[offGridDownUnder]

Am i missing a pro?

That's more a personal issue. "Pro" for who? I'm not advocating for it, or targeting anyone, just mentioning thoughts.

Pro:

• No gears to change/misuse
• no shifting adjustment
• no oil or grease and so no concern about re-oiling after weather
• no snapping chains far from home (mid-drive concern)
• ease replacing rear tube/tire (no chain)
• provides regen (not unique, of course, but this is a pro)
• may get more people riding (more voters for cycling and you can still laugh at them)
• Does it have a mode that charges the battery while not moving? Or can this be hacked in?

Cons (apart from what others think of):

• no chain, so no limping home
• unknown reliability and vulnerabilities (might not be an issue)
• It's a hub motor capped at 250W continuous (in this incarnation) so this may be prone to overheating on lengthy, steep hills. Known problem for my specific use case - the down-gearing in my trike final drive avoids lugging the motor and overheating. It may work in my application - this is partly dependent on whether I can program the wheel size - my current 26" rear wheel multiplied by the down-gearing means I enter a 12" wheel to get the speed sensor to work correctly.
• Perhaps greater battery 'wear' due to lower efficiency?

 

[OlderGiantFan]

Am i missing a pro?

Probably the biggest one in the eyes of many, The WOW factor of having the latest tech on the block. It's well documented as being the driving force in many purchasing decisions now, the basic assumption that if it's newer, it's better. The marketing teaser vid makes that clear.

 

[jordyperson]

I have an ebike project I'm working on that HAS to use a pedal generator. I can't use chains because it has 4 independent wheels. Where can I get something like this?

 

[offGridDownUnder]

Where can I get something like this?

CIXI is a company. I don't know if they are prepared to sell to individuals now - they may not have the manufacturing bandwidth.

You may be waiting for them, or developing your own.

Have a look at this: DIY Pedal Generator for Electric Bike or Trike

I searched on this on Youtube.