Supersized bike transmission?

[akumabito]

I was just fixing an old 3-speed bicycle hub and it got me wondering if it could be supersized. The idea is simple enough - just a planetary gear set and a selector really. I know gears of all sorts and sizes can be purchased form industrial dealers. It would probably be pretty heave, but I don't see a reason it wouldn't work. It would make some builds a lot more compact.. Any thoughts?

[sbrumby]

I think a man on a bike puts out about 1/4hp, so multiply your 3 speed hub by 40 for ten hp and add a clutch, I dont know but it sounds pretty big.

[coachgeo]

in an off shoot sorta way..... your onto something. The planatary CVT; they call it CVPlantary style of NuVinci automatic bicycle tranny has now liscensed its patents etc. to Team Industries one of the USA's largest rubber belt type CVT manufactures. Team Ind. also manufacture many other gear box and tranny's etc. for various industrial equipment. The side they liscences is intended for ATV' range as well as EV's and small gas vehicles on up thru wind turbins.. no mention of diesel vehicles. An oversight orr ????. I think NuVinci (Fallbrook Tech.) has been looking for someone to Liscence this side too possibly cause it's an industry they are not familure with being that I think Fallbrook Tech started with bicycles in mind and are only really familure with that industry.

http://www.team-ind.com/news/article/te ... on-technol

[Dougy]

I've just built an registed a 50cc moped, it was originally a single speed, but laced in a 3 speed Sturmy Archer drum brake an gear box, I've done about 300 miles on it so far but can't fault the gears at all, you just have to throttle off, change gear an your away again ! Can't see any reason why going up in size would be a problem .

[akumabito]

Hah! I knew there'd be someone out there who tried it on a motorized bicycle. I think a decent quality hub can stand up to the power of maybe 3 horsepower or so. The components wouldn't have to be enormous to deal with a small diesel engine..