Originally Posted by
Booger1
If the bike has no torque converter,I would be pretty much direct drive.You would have to compress the fluid in order to lose power,that isn't going to happen.
Looks like there could be vanes in the rear though.
Efficiency of fluid drive is real close to chain drive.About 95% for fluid/98% for chain.
There would be loss of power through fluid friction as it passes through the system, and it is possible that there would be further losses if there were vanes or gears where some fluid 'passes,' but still a good attempt!
I have always wanted to have my pedals driving a generator and the generator powering an electric motor at the rear wheel, but I know it would not be particularly efficient so I have not spent the time trying it.