Motor to Rear Wheel Drive Chain Question.

[Joaquin Suavve]

I am just about to complete my prototype Left side brake disc (203mm)and sprocket (26 or 28 tooth) assembly that fits on the Shimano spline (like on Alfine & XT/ XTR).

Should I make it only to take only 1/8" wide chain or 3/32" that can be used for both sizes chain?

 

[qwerkus]

I am just about to complete my prototype Left side brake disc (203mm)and sprocket (26 or 28 tooth) assembly that fits on the Shimano spline (like on Alfine & XT/ XTR).

Should I make it only to take only 1/8" wide chain or 3/32" that can be used for both sizes chain?

1/8". You re not going to use a derailleur (they won t work on the left side anyway) so there is no point in using a weaker chain. Also, you might consider #219 cart chain + sprockets, which are stronger and have a smaller pitch, so you can achieve larger ratios.
And finally: a picture would be welcome Always nice to see someone going the hard diy way...

 

[Joaquin Suavve]

Well, it's been a little crazy around here... We got close to 50% of our annual rainfall OVER THE LAST 2 1/2 DAYS!!!!

And oddly enough my shop fared pretty darn well.

This first prototype is 1/8" chain, however I am inclined to turn the teeth of the remaining sprockets to take 3/32" chain because I really like the Shimano 2 piece master links.
I have done some drive line stuff with #219 chain, however I prefer that my devices have only one size/type of chain/ belt/ I or M hardware/ etc. so that my little bike tool kit stays small and light.

Of course I have already come up with the next design that will have radial holes in the adapter so that it can be quickly cleaned with compressed air. I am however going to stick with 26T & 28T sizes, and then modify my primary belt and pulley sizes to fine tune the motor/ wheel ratio.

 

[vklurk]

That is seriously cool. No freewheeling, I assume?

 

[Joaquin Suavve]

The freewheel is between (or more correctly inside of) the driven pulley of the motor primary and the jack shaft.

 

[vklurk]

The freewheel is between (or more correctly inside of) the driven pulley of the motor primary and the jack shaft.

Ah, cool. I had been thinking of the possibility for regen.

 

[Joaquin Suavve]

I honestly lack the experience and "E vehicle" acumen to share this next statement...
But from many decades of designing and building mechanical " things", I want to avoid regen at all costs! The driveline lash on "high end* bicycle components that were never designed for such loads... Is just begging for trouble!
The bike has excellent brakes designed for down hill racing, I'll stick to them.

 

[ak136]

Ahh using regen on a bicycle is another story just like downshifting a car and hearing the revs go wrooom for me same thing

 

[vklurk]

Ah, I find regen one of the great joys of both my car and my DD hub ebike. I've long wanted to build a system with some of the properties of a mid-drive (low or adjustable gearing, to help with hills) and still keep regen.

I believe someone here made such a system with a Grin All-Axle on their trike, but being able to drive both sides of the wheel and on an IGH is I think the coolest form of that idea so I hope you keep it up and let us know how it goes!

 

[ZeroEm]

You don't need regen set high, it is adjustable. could use it to keep speed in check going down hill. Really saves the brakes.

 

[PaPaSteve]

My 2 cents . . .
Teeth of the DIY sprocket appear to square-ish on top.
This could lead to rough chain engagement and noisy drive.

 

[Hummina Shadeeba]

3/32” chain. The chain goes so fast it seems more appropriate.

My bike is very similar

 

[Papa]

I want to avoid regen at all costs!

No qualms from this ol' fart.
Me?... I'm still pondering a small, lightweight (Q100/Q85?) front gear hub motor, primarily wired for regen. And... possibly, just enough boost to eliminate drag when on-the-legs (maybe a Baserunner would suffice? dunno).

 

[Joaquin Suavve]

My 2 cents . . .
Teeth of the DIY sprocket appear to square-ish on top.
This could lead to rough chain engagement and noisy drive.

I just pulled one of the fresh laser cut sprockets I received then attached it to the disc/ spline. Regularly I would have chamfered the teeth but wanted to "suss" the compilation first. I'll correct the tooth profile before any serious riding.

I've come up with a SERIOUSLY fun cool way to house the bikes newest controller! Pictures to follow in a day or 2!

 

[offGridDownUnder]

The driveline lash on "high end* bicycle components that were never designed for such loads

Not to contradict your own choice, but this is why I moved my final drive to a Gates Carbon Belt. The belt is quite 'happy' with full tension and no whiplash.

The first version of my stoke monkey motor used bicycle chain and after the basic idea was proven I began refining. As a consequence, I spoke with a business here that supplied components for track bikes, and the fellow told me he did not see sprockets lasting more than 4k km on bikes.

 

[Hummina Shadeeba]

with what I see u could do a belt if u keep that small sprocket in back. The belts are so much nicer: quiet and no maintenance

Speaking of big or small chains I’ve been running these bikes for three years and prefer with the narrower, lighter, quieter chain but if could put a belt I would.

I do hard regen no problem

I see u have a small sprocket in the rear. If u get a bigger one and increase the gear ratio it will be a very different bike.
If ur interested in track chains n giant track chainrings (70t) I have a couple I don’t use

 

[Joaquin Suavve]

Thanks for the offer. I am currently running a 6.9 to 1 (motor to 26" wheel) ratio and I'm plenty happy with that for the time being, now that I'm using the Shimano Alfine 8 speed IGH (36T to 26T cogs). I believe that I've got a couple days more work fitting the new Spintend controller and packaging it so that it is "somewhat" waterproof.
After that, I'm going to take my time creating a good connection/ interface between my phone & the controller while starting to design the first batch of production bikes.

 

[Hummina Shadeeba]

When u say production do you mean you plan to sell them?

What battery will you use?
Somewhat waterproof doesn’t sound so sellable.

 

[Joaquin Suavve]

When u say production do you mean you plan to sell them?

I may weld up a batch of a specific frame design I have been "tinkering" with. A hand full of old friends have expressed getting one from me.
I guess I owe one old friend one because he came to me a few years ago when he wanted to start building bikes again. He spent a WAD of money with me building him a trick 80/20 bike fixture with plumbed in tube purging ( for welding ti bikes), mitering fixtures, alignment fixtures... Like 99% of all the stuff necessary to be in the "Custom Bike Building business."

Then about 6 months ago he came for a visit... and unloaded all his bike building stuff in my shop, and told me to start making bikes

So we'll see. One thing I KNOW I WILL NOT DO is build other peoples designs. But that is a long way from being at all important, because I am still "fiddling" with my first test buck... And at the end most of my afternoons I'm feeling that I am the proud owner of 3 pounds of shit in a 2 pound bag!

What battery will you use?

Probably EM3ev...I'll be doing in my power to have batteries be an "non-issue".

Somewhat waterproof doesn’t sound so sellable.

See! you found my "marketing genius"!