Front Wheel Shaft Drive! Anyone have more info on this bike?

[LI-ghtcycle]

I found this by accident last night, maybe it's already been posted .. couldn't find it with search, so here ya go!

[youtube]nroVxpmUMQg[/youtube]

 

[StudEbiker]

I don't think it is shaft drive. That shaft may be hooked to some sort of generator or something, but I'm pretty sure the drive is coming from that Cyclone kit hooked to the cranks.

Edit: Just read the description on Youtube, I guess that is some sort of drive system, but I bet the vast majority of the power is driven through the rear wheel. That front drive doesn't look like it would handle much power at all, it may even just be primarily for looks if you ask me.

 

[LI-ghtcycle]

I don't think it is shaft drive. That shaft may be hooked to some sort of generator or something, but I'm pretty sure the drive is coming from that Cyclone kit hooked to the cranks.

Edit: Just read the description on Youtube, I guess that is some sort of drive system, but I bet the vast majority of the power is driven through the rear wheel. That front drive doesn't look like it would handle much power at all, it may even just be primarily for looks if you ask me.

Yeah, but if the concept works at all, might be interesting to see, I would want that on the rear wheel as the main drive, maybe follow the chain stays, so then the motor could be right there and you could even use it on FS! 8)

 

[Thud]

That is a Christini awd system.
http://www.christinibicycles.com/tech-about.php

we have a long thread some where in the motorcycle section with these in there & the discusion regarding the value of front wheel drive as opposed the the added complexity/weight of these systems.
The Only riders utilizing these in competition are sponcered buy the guys licensing the design...& they don't dominate any of the competitions they enter. If it was revolutionary enough, or higher performing, every one would have it or another version to side step the pattents.

 

[recumpence]

That is a Christini awd system.
http://www.christinibicycles.com/tech-about.php

we have a long thread some where in the motorcycle section with these in there & the discusion regarding the value of front wheel drive as opposed the the added complexity/weight of these systems.
The Only riders utilizing these in competition are sponcered buy the guys licensing the design...& they don't dominate any of the competitions they enter. If it was revolutionary enough, or higher performing, every one would have it or another version to side step the pattents.

I agree completely.

Matt

 

[mdd0127]

It's one of those things where it might only be really useful a small percentage of the time, like in deep sand or mud. Somewhere I saw a video of a 2wd yahama dirtbike tearing up the dunes. He could turn pretty sharp without the front wheel loading up with sand. I thought it was pretty cool. I think theirs was hydraulic drive though.

 

[Hillhater]

Yeah, but if the concept works at all, might be interesting to see, I would want that on the rear wheel as the main drive, maybe follow the chain stays, so then the motor could be right there and you could even use it on FS! 8)

I wouldnt want to be riding that bike when a rock gets into those gears !!!

Rear shaft drive available if you really want it..
http://webbicycle.netpaths.net/

 

[LI-ghtcycle]

Yeah, weird that I found that or a very similar drive shaft bike earlier looking at something else! But at least on this one, there is a cover over the gears, so no rocks getting in there!

 

[ducatiluke]

the bike is a joke
it would only be usefull in in deep sand or mud

where a rider wouldent be able to propell the bike in such conditions

and the Exposed bevel gears are not suitable for such conditions , (mud/sand would ruin the gears, chains are more suitable for such conditions )

powering it makes sense but only if the bevel gears were covered or replaced with chains.

 

[NeilP]

There is...or was ...one hanging in our local shop...I'll get more info when I am in town..maybe today

Neil

PS if i forget PM me

Edit:

sorry..should have checked out the video first.

the one hanging in the local shop is probably the donor bike for the front wheel drive system.
but I'll still post what I find when I check it out...and maybe pics of the original

 

[NeilP]

Well no more pics, sorry, they still have it for sale in the store...but it has been taken off the wall and is now back in the back of the workshop ...wonder If I can get it cheap

 

[TylerDurden]

 

[Hillhater]

so, if i read this correctly, the drive to the front wheels is taken from the rear wheel via another bevel/pinion gear set,...and transferred thro' various shafts, couplings, and gears ,..to the front drive shaft ! ..and only drives if the rear tyre slips !..
Ingenious, and clever engineering ...but what a joke ! :lol:
how often does a pedle powered (or E powered) bike experience wheel spin ?
Muddy mountain climbing i hear you say !...... OK, but with open bevel gear sets ??? ..i doubt it !
I am not surprised that bike didnt sell.

A geared front hub motor would be a much better solution...and probably weigh less too

 

[NeilP]

Yep, that is right, and there is a lever on the bars so you can select rear wheel drive only or two wheel drive

 

[deVries]

so, if i read this correctly, the drive to the front wheels is taken from the rear wheel via another bevel/pinion gear set,...and transferred thro' various shafts, couplings, and gears ,..to the front drive shaft ! ..and only drives if the rear tyre slips !..
Ingenious, and clever engineering ...but what a joke ! :lol:

They do list the patent numbers ...so it should be easy to determine.

From their website:

"A handlebar-mounted switch controls the AWD "shift on the fly" clutch. When the clutch is engaged, the rear spiral gear interlocks with the rear hub and power is transferred via internal shafts to the forward spiral gear set, which drives the CHRISTINI freehub.

Due to a slight gearing differential, the front wheel is not actively powered on smooth level ground. However, the moment the rear wheel slips, power is instantaneously transferred to the front wheel. Similarly, the moment that the front wheel decelerates, as in hitting a rock or starting to wash out in a corner, power and traction are transferred to the front wheel.

The effect is awesome. Instead of stalling when the rear wheel slips - the front wheel hooks up and you keep climbing. Instead of glancing off a slippery root - the CHRISTINI AWD tracks right over it. Instead of washing out the front end in an off-camber corner - the front wheel literally chews it's way through the turn. The CHRISTINI AWD is simply the best climbing mountain bike on the market.

The CHRISTINI AWD has the capability to take you places other bikes won't or can't follow... and the durability to get you back.

In over 4 years of testing, the AWD components have required far less routine maintenance than the primary drive train (which is comprised of top quality sprockets, high-end shifters and standard hubs). The best corrosion and wear resistant materials are utilized and we have "designed in" extremely simple service procedures. For instance; should the sealed bearings ever need to be replaced, the entire internal drive system can be disassembled for complete overhaul in less than 10 minutes.

* There is a 5 year warranty on the frame, a 2 year warranty on the entire all wheel drive system, and a one year crash replacement warranty on any Christini drive system parts.

The Christini AWD system and Christini AWD bicycles are protected worldwide by US Patent Nos. 6,161,854; 6,161,855; 6,182,991; 6,439,592; Austalian Patent 724405; Canadian Serial No. 2,252,654; and European Patent 0 895 503 B1. Other US and international patent applications are pending."

 

[NeilP]

Still...no mention of what happens when a stone or other piece of hard debris jams between those exposed bevel gears when you are flying at speed downhill