Moped with bicycle rim/tires?
05-20-06, 08:17 AM
#26
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Bikes: 1993 Dorado sherpa
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Efficiency, speed, light weight, and safety. You cant have them all in one pkg.
One or more will be comprimised. Can a bike rim/tire even a great rim with stainless
spokes survive a pothole, treelimb, stray animal at 30 mph+?? I wouldnt want to be the
one to find out....
Ask yourself again what is most important and go that direction. If its speed with
safety think motorcycle. If its less speed with lightweight and efficiency think bicycle.
My version. Speed is low 30's but in retrospect with hundreds of miles. Going steady30 mph
on a mt bike is not safe, practical or even enjoyable. It requires too much concentration,
max rpm (noise), wind is annoying and your just a pothole away from destroying
yourself. Generally I cruise at a sedate 23. Bike 37 lbs, motor/drive 12lb. 49 lbs total.
Its still a bike and not a boat anchor. Ive pedaled this setup for at least 100 miles.
I can pedal 60+ lbs cargo easily and if I get tired just power up and cruise. I weigh in at a
whopping 135 so efficiency is good. I get about 240 mpg (96km/ltr). This is important
because unleaded weighs 5.6 lbs per Gal. As seen 30 oz bottle and 17 oz tank range is
85 miles. The Robin/subaru micro 4 cycles are gems. Fairly quiet, easy starting with
decompression. Its the cleanest running engine Ive ever witnessed, not a drop of oil
or fuel on outside. Doesnt smell at all, I keep in the foyer with no qualms. Its not mounted
between your legs to burn your ankles. Chain drive is the prior art, belt drives are most
efficient, quiet and dont use/fling lubricant everywhere.
This is just one mans answer. I like biking in its purest form. And in a typical 20 mile
grocery run I usually pedal 60% or more, I like the exercise. In town I shut down and
cover the eng with a rain cover for military cap. Stealthy and legal enough for the MUP
or sidewalk if thats where you need to go. 2 bolts and 2 minutes and the motor comes off
and its small enough to fit in a pannier.
To your original question of running a bike rim at 35-50 mph...... I run velocity triple
V's with 2mm stainless spokes, tough wheels. The wheel in a susp fork, swing arm
may survive a pothole, tree branch or stray dog... but the nut behind the wheel
might not be so lucky.
Img:
One or more will be comprimised. Can a bike rim/tire even a great rim with stainless
spokes survive a pothole, treelimb, stray animal at 30 mph+?? I wouldnt want to be the
one to find out....
Ask yourself again what is most important and go that direction. If its speed with
safety think motorcycle. If its less speed with lightweight and efficiency think bicycle.
My version. Speed is low 30's but in retrospect with hundreds of miles. Going steady30 mph
on a mt bike is not safe, practical or even enjoyable. It requires too much concentration,
max rpm (noise), wind is annoying and your just a pothole away from destroying
yourself. Generally I cruise at a sedate 23. Bike 37 lbs, motor/drive 12lb. 49 lbs total.
Its still a bike and not a boat anchor. Ive pedaled this setup for at least 100 miles.
I can pedal 60+ lbs cargo easily and if I get tired just power up and cruise. I weigh in at a
whopping 135 so efficiency is good. I get about 240 mpg (96km/ltr). This is important
because unleaded weighs 5.6 lbs per Gal. As seen 30 oz bottle and 17 oz tank range is
85 miles. The Robin/subaru micro 4 cycles are gems. Fairly quiet, easy starting with
decompression. Its the cleanest running engine Ive ever witnessed, not a drop of oil
or fuel on outside. Doesnt smell at all, I keep in the foyer with no qualms. Its not mounted
between your legs to burn your ankles. Chain drive is the prior art, belt drives are most
efficient, quiet and dont use/fling lubricant everywhere.
This is just one mans answer. I like biking in its purest form. And in a typical 20 mile
grocery run I usually pedal 60% or more, I like the exercise. In town I shut down and
cover the eng with a rain cover for military cap. Stealthy and legal enough for the MUP
or sidewalk if thats where you need to go. 2 bolts and 2 minutes and the motor comes off
and its small enough to fit in a pannier.
To your original question of running a bike rim at 35-50 mph...... I run velocity triple
V's with 2mm stainless spokes, tough wheels. The wheel in a susp fork, swing arm
may survive a pothole, tree branch or stray dog... but the nut behind the wheel
might not be so lucky.
Img:
Last edited by sherpa93; 05-20-06 at 08:36 AM.
05-20-06, 02:01 PM
#27
Pedaled too far.
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: La Petite Roche
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Check out the Giant Stilletto. They make motor kits for it that adapt directly to chain drive. You'll look cooler than on any moped.
