View Poll Results: This Bike Deserves a....
Voters: 10. You may not vote on this poll
The Alpha Bike
04-29-11, 02:12 PM
#1
don't door me bro!
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The Alpha Bike
The Alpha Bike
The Alpha Bike, designed by a group of engineering students, contains an entirely internal drivetrain that allows riders to switch between fixed-gear and multi-gear setups. The simple switch is enabled by an electronically controlled clutch, part of the Switchable Integrated Free-Fixed Transmission (SWIFT), discreetly hidden in the bike's frame. Populating the front hub are a drum brake and a dynamo, which juices the bike's electronics -- the back hub contains a three-speed gear set, put in motion by a simple push-pull cable. When the front wheel starts rolling, an LED screen mounted in the carbon fiber handlebars is illuminated, displaying time, cadence, and speed, among other things -- this data and more is stored on an accessible SD card.
04-30-11, 02:38 PM
#3
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I'm not very interested in any of that stuff and I have doubts about how practical it all is. Never-the-less, I think that it's cool that they built it. You have to have a prototype design before you can turn new ideas into a practical design.
I voted FTW and I'm a non-repetant retro grouch.
I voted FTW and I'm a non-repetant retro grouch.
04-30-11, 02:45 PM
#4
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I like the enclosed chainless drive and the hub brakes, not too sure about all the electronics though.
05-01-11, 07:43 AM
#5
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Looks pretty cool, I'd ride it. I can always appreciate student engineers who dedicate their projects to bicycles - this helps everyone.
05-01-11, 09:59 AM
#6
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Looks like an engineering exercise rather than a practical bike. Engineers tend to fall in love with techno-stuff for its own sake.
I'd like to know how this 3-speed is superior to existing 3 speed hubs.
Want to impress me? Work on the bike lock problem. Secure, lightweight, compact, durable in an affordable package.
I'd like to know how this 3-speed is superior to existing 3 speed hubs.
Want to impress me? Work on the bike lock problem. Secure, lightweight, compact, durable in an affordable package.
05-01-11, 11:48 AM
#7
in cog neato
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Looks like its just a garden variety Sturmey Archer 3-speed hub:
https://www.thealphabike.com/ALPHA/Concept.html#2
The integrated clutch in the bb is the inspired bit.
I needs me one of those computer-controlled milling machines. Tthe bb shell is beautiful. The lugs ain't bad either!
Needs a rear brake though. Maybe actuating the right brake lever switches it to fixed gear mode...
https://www.thealphabike.com/ALPHA/Concept.html#2
The integrated clutch in the bb is the inspired bit.
I needs me one of those computer-controlled milling machines. Tthe bb shell is beautiful. The lugs ain't bad either!
Needs a rear brake though. Maybe actuating the right brake lever switches it to fixed gear mode...
Last edited by itsmoot; 05-01-11 at 11:53 AM.
