automatic shifting bike
#1
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automatic shifting bike
I posted this same question in general discussion, Do you remember those auto shifting bikes a few years back? whats the opinion on them as mechanics? anybody get to work on them or even own one?? just asking,,,,,,some say they were cheaply made??
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Autoshifting without derailers? The ol' Sachs Torpedo Automatic has a bit of a cult following, and SRAM recently resurrected it as the SRAM Automatix. Looks pretty foolproof, with only 2 speeds, but i'd rather have a regular kickback. (And I do.)
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I assume you're referring to those derailleur bikes with front freewheel and wheel weights that controlled the shift process.
If so, they fall into the category many here refer to as BSOs - bicycle shaped objects - which pretty much says what folks think of them. Problem wasn't the concept, but that they were built to dept. store quality standards.
That said, I've seen some that worked fine for quite a while, and in some cases were able to bring people into the sport that otherwise would still be playing golf (or whatever). So I don't find them objectionable, though I wouldn't ever recommend one to a friend.
If so, they fall into the category many here refer to as BSOs - bicycle shaped objects - which pretty much says what folks think of them. Problem wasn't the concept, but that they were built to dept. store quality standards.
That said, I've seen some that worked fine for quite a while, and in some cases were able to bring people into the sport that otherwise would still be playing golf (or whatever). So I don't find them objectionable, though I wouldn't ever recommend one to a friend.
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There have been MANY attempts to have an auto shifting bike over the years. Most are mechanical systems using either rotationally spinning weights to lever the der or chain tension to do the same. Electronic systems are being developed that have power or cadence sensors and servo controled gears (internal hubs are the usual here). All suffer from the 'program" that controls the shifting. One of the problems with riding is that at different moments one might want an up shift at a lower cadence or a higher one. How to "tell" the system what to do is a one shot deal at this point. Either you get low cadence shifts, or higher. Since most of these efforts are targeted to the casual rider the shift points are almost always too low a cadence for a "sporting" rider. Then there's the issue of the down shifts... Andy.
#5
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Fastfingaz, I was given two of the ones that use sliding weights, both not shifting, one really screwed up by somebody working on it. The one I was able to repair I gave to one of my son's in law mother and the other had just too many issues and gave up some parts to the repaired one.
The system as I remember (been over ten years) kept cadence within a fairly narrow range, there was no ability to down shift and seemed best suited for neighborhood or gentle path riding. The bikes themselves were basically underwhelming otherwise. There are cyclists that are well suited to this bicycle.
Brad
The system as I remember (been over ten years) kept cadence within a fairly narrow range, there was no ability to down shift and seemed best suited for neighborhood or gentle path riding. The bikes themselves were basically underwhelming otherwise. There are cyclists that are well suited to this bicycle.
Brad
Last edited by bradtx; 08-19-13 at 01:59 PM.
#6
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I've worked on an 'Autoshift' bike, the kind with the weights on the rear wheel that controled shifting. I even had to take it for a test ride. My advice; If you ever come across one, run, don't walk, away from it. They are cheap in every sense of the word. And the ride is horrible. It will shift when you least expect it, and it is jarring. Cheaply made would be a compliment for these things.
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They're still around.
https://evolvethebike.com/
Their commercials were so bad I used to scream at my TV. Clearly targetting an audience who doesn't know anything about bike riding or bike mechanics.
https://evolvethebike.com/
Their commercials were so bad I used to scream at my TV. Clearly targetting an audience who doesn't know anything about bike riding or bike mechanics.
#8
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They're still around.
https://evolvethebike.com/
https://evolvethebike.com/
Brad
Last edited by bradtx; 08-19-13 at 02:12 PM.
#9
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The Brain Implant to just think to shift may seem intrusive.
I watched 'Hardwired' https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1405412/ this week ,on DVD.
I watched 'Hardwired' https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1405412/ this week ,on DVD.
Last edited by fietsbob; 08-19-13 at 02:39 PM.
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I'm not up to speed on newer products, but I remember when the Browning Smart Bike was introduced in the early 90s. Never wanted one for myslef, but it's an intriguing bit of bike technology/history:
https://www2.bsn.de/cycling/articles/browning.html
https://www2.bsn.de/cycling/articles/browning.html
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They're still around.
https://evolvethebike.com/
Their commercials were so bad I used to scream at my TV. Clearly targetting an audience who doesn't know anything about bike riding or bike mechanics.
https://evolvethebike.com/
Their commercials were so bad I used to scream at my TV. Clearly targetting an audience who doesn't know anything about bike riding or bike mechanics.
AutoBike, Inc. was formed in 2011 in metro Detroit, Michigan and has no affiliation with CSA (which went bankrupt back in the late 90s). We build an electronically controlled automatic shifting cruiser/comfort bike and will soon offer more of a commuter/hybrid style bike as well as a retrofit kit. There's nothing like it on the market and we have all the previous attempts at automatic shifting bikes at our facility.
Happy to answer any questions.
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AFAIK, there were several iterations of these. The only one I ever saw was at the shop for a repair, but another mechanic was fixing it. The quality of all the bits was pretty low, but the other mechanic was impressed with the concept, if not the execution of it.
Autoshifting without derailers? The ol' Sachs Torpedo Automatic has a bit of a cult following, and SRAM recently resurrected it as the SRAM Automatix. Looks pretty foolproof, with only 2 speeds, but i'd rather have a regular kickback. (And I do.)
Autoshifting without derailers? The ol' Sachs Torpedo Automatic has a bit of a cult following, and SRAM recently resurrected it as the SRAM Automatix. Looks pretty foolproof, with only 2 speeds, but i'd rather have a regular kickback. (And I do.)
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I'm not in the market, just interested in the technology. I thought a combination of the NuVinci hub, a crank or pedal based power / cadence meter and a PID controller would make a great system for commuters etc.
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We use speed and grade to estimate power. We line up that power output estimate with a target cadence and we let the rider adjust that on the bike itself or through iOS/Android apps that we've developed. So whether you are a masher or a spinner, you can find your comfort zone and the bike will keep you in that zone at all times. It's pretty sweet!
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I've often wondered about this. I guess auto shifting would not be great on climbs (i commute in a hilly area). I can imagine getting out of the saddle, gears shift, i fly over the handlebars
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It is. I'm not sure if seansimp is suggesting the N360 for use with some sort of auxiliary auto-device that I am not aware of, or if he's just thinking that the twist-for-variance shifting is "auto" enough. I want to try the N360 pretty bad, but an auto-feature wouldn't interest me at all.
The SRAM Auto hub uses magnets to determine speed, and up- or down-shifts between the low gear and the overdrive accordingly. Pretty interesting.
The SRAM Auto hub uses magnets to determine speed, and up- or down-shifts between the low gear and the overdrive accordingly. Pretty interesting.
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It is. I'm not sure if seansimp is suggesting the N360 for use with some sort of auxiliary auto-device that I am not aware of, or if he's just thinking that the twist-for-variance shifting is "auto" enough. I want to try the N360 pretty bad, but an auto-feature wouldn't interest me at all.
The SRAM Auto hub uses magnets to determine speed, and up- or down-shifts between the low gear and the overdrive accordingly. Pretty interesting.
The SRAM Auto hub uses magnets to determine speed, and up- or down-shifts between the low gear and the overdrive accordingly. Pretty interesting.
Not with the Nuvinci. It's so smooth you can't even feel the shifts and you don't have to be pedaling for a shift to take place which is pretty cool. One of the coolest feelings on the bike is getting out of the saddle and really getting after it. It'll keep feeding you gears as you rock and roll down the road.
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It's not difficult but it's not typically the highlight of the riding experience. Many people don't shift enough (some don't shift at all) and that leads to poor riding experiences. Poor riding experiences lead to bikes collecting dust in garages. Our system is certainly not for everybody but everybody who has tried it has been impressed and knows someone that could benefit from its simplicity and ability to deliver a comfortable ride. I used to design automatic transmissions for GM and the manual trans guys would make similar arguments to the one you made above. 95% of cars in the US are sold with automatics despite getting worse fuel economy and costing more. Why?
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With their "Coasting' auto-shifting parts group a few years ago, Shimano spent big money proving that the demographic of folks that can balance, steer, pedal and brake but not shift is extremely small.
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Ah, the old automobiles/bicycles argument. A comparison to motorcycles would be more apropos.
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Imagine some of you hardcore riders trying to sell an automatic bike? Of course that's not going to work out. LandRider sold a far inferior product at a much higher rate simply because they were reaching the target customer that doesn't visit bike shops for fun.