Large front hub -- what was that?
08-25-08, 10:35 PM
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Large front hub -- what was that?
On my ride home this evening a fellow commuter passed me and I noticed that his front wheel had a hub that was like 6-8 inches in diameter. Any idea as to what this might have been? Some sort of generator perhaps?
Sorry for my ignorance, but it has me intrigued as to what that was.
Many thanks in advance.
-KHD
Bothell, WA
Sorry for my ignorance, but it has me intrigued as to what that was.
Many thanks in advance.
-KHD
Bothell, WA
08-26-08, 03:07 AM
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6-8" could be an electic assist as AllenG pointed out, or possibly a drum brake. Generator hubs are about the size of the old high flange hubs that were used on bikes back in the 70's, just thicker.
Aaron
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Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Last edited by wahoonc; 08-26-08 at 05:21 AM. Reason: speeling arror
08-26-08, 04:05 PM
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Not to be discussed in polite society.
08-26-08, 04:11 PM
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I've installed several electric bicycle kits like the one above. There actually a good thing. People that would never purchase and use a bicycle will purchase and use an electric bike. After a few weeks they figure out they don't need the kit and remove it or swap it for a real bike. The bike shop makes more money and people that would never consider a bicycle become regular bike commuters and customers for the LBS.
08-26-08, 04:13 PM
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That hub is why he passed you. Without it he'd probably be hurting and wheezing.
The front electric hub is why I got into bike commuting in the first place. I wanted to find an electric bike to get to work. I spent over a month researching, making comparisons, writing cost analysis sheets (nothing serious, just notebook paper), and then eventually I realized something: Why not spend the thousand dollars on a nice bike instead of a crappy bike with a hub motor that will break?
So I did.
And what seemed like a huge pain (and was actually painful for the first couple weeks) has turned into a nice commute.
And I can get to work only FIVE minutes slower than if I drive my car!!!
Seriously, it takes me 15-20 minutes to get to work by car, but it takes 20-25 minutes to get there by bike.
And forget the electricity. I use manly muscle power instead.
And I hate to sound silly, but I can FEEL my butt getting harder, and my wife noticed the change in my body as well.
Let's see: No gasoline bill, no electricity, no batteries, but better body???
It's a no-brainer.
The front electric hub is why I got into bike commuting in the first place. I wanted to find an electric bike to get to work. I spent over a month researching, making comparisons, writing cost analysis sheets (nothing serious, just notebook paper), and then eventually I realized something: Why not spend the thousand dollars on a nice bike instead of a crappy bike with a hub motor that will break?
So I did.
And what seemed like a huge pain (and was actually painful for the first couple weeks) has turned into a nice commute.
And I can get to work only FIVE minutes slower than if I drive my car!!!
Seriously, it takes me 15-20 minutes to get to work by car, but it takes 20-25 minutes to get there by bike.
And forget the electricity. I use manly muscle power instead.
And I hate to sound silly, but I can FEEL my butt getting harder, and my wife noticed the change in my body as well.
Let's see: No gasoline bill, no electricity, no batteries, but better body???
It's a no-brainer.
08-26-08, 06:15 PM
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Could have been, but not likely, a hub I have seen in Japan a few years ago. The hub has a built in air pumping feature, so that as you ride your tires are always inflated to the correct pressure. I don't really know how to set the desired pressure. I only know that as the hubs rotate they pump air, and excess is bled off through a relief valve. But I don't remember the hub I saw being that large in diameter.
08-26-08, 07:55 PM
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I've installed several electric bicycle kits like the one above. There actually a good thing. People that would never purchase and use a bicycle will purchase and use an electric bike. After a few weeks they figure out they don't need the kit and remove it or swap it for a real bike. The bike shop makes more money and people that would never consider a bicycle become regular bike commuters and customers for the LBS.
08-26-08, 08:01 PM
#13
Senior Member
That hub is why he passed you. Without it he'd probably be hurting and wheezing.
The front electric hub is why I got into bike commuting in the first place. I wanted to find an electric bike to get to work. I spent over a month researching, making comparisons, writing cost analysis sheets (nothing serious, just notebook paper), and then eventually I realized something: Why not spend the thousand dollars on a nice bike instead of a crappy bike with a hub motor that will break?
So I did.
And what seemed like a huge pain (and was actually painful for the first couple weeks) has turned into a nice commute.
And I can get to work only FIVE minutes slower than if I drive my car!!!
Seriously, it takes me 15-20 minutes to get to work by car, but it takes 20-25 minutes to get there by bike.
And forget the electricity. I use manly muscle power instead.
And I hate to sound silly, but I can FEEL my butt getting harder, and my wife noticed the change in my body as well.
Let's see: No gasoline bill, no electricity, no batteries, but better body???
It's a no-brainer.
The front electric hub is why I got into bike commuting in the first place. I wanted to find an electric bike to get to work. I spent over a month researching, making comparisons, writing cost analysis sheets (nothing serious, just notebook paper), and then eventually I realized something: Why not spend the thousand dollars on a nice bike instead of a crappy bike with a hub motor that will break?
So I did.
And what seemed like a huge pain (and was actually painful for the first couple weeks) has turned into a nice commute.
And I can get to work only FIVE minutes slower than if I drive my car!!!
Seriously, it takes me 15-20 minutes to get to work by car, but it takes 20-25 minutes to get there by bike.
And forget the electricity. I use manly muscle power instead.
And I hate to sound silly, but I can FEEL my butt getting harder, and my wife noticed the change in my body as well.
Let's see: No gasoline bill, no electricity, no batteries, but better body???
It's a no-brainer.
And the best of all is that we'll all live longer and collect back our pension contributions and then some.
08-26-08, 08:11 PM
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Very interesting... thanks for all the responses. I was speaking to a co-worker today who said that he had such an item on one of his bikes. He stated that he typically only uses it during the winter when it's windy. I can see it being pretty handy in that scenario.
-KHD
Bothell, WA
-KHD
Bothell, WA
08-26-08, 09:35 PM
#15
Senior Member
Having had to pedal "uphill both ways" a few times due to fighting serious winter storm winds I can somewhat see why it would seem attractive.
But on the good days when it's just as easy to pedal leasurely along the weight of the motor and batteries needed for this conversion would really ruin the ride and the temptation to just switch on would be so very great.
I'll stick with my pedalling thankyouverymuch.
Besides, even on the really seriously windy bad days it's a personal challenge to beat the elements and make it home. If that means a little more energy expenditure than hey, that's part of the challenge.
But on the good days when it's just as easy to pedal leasurely along the weight of the motor and batteries needed for this conversion would really ruin the ride and the temptation to just switch on would be so very great.
I'll stick with my pedalling thankyouverymuch.
Besides, even on the really seriously windy bad days it's a personal challenge to beat the elements and make it home. If that means a little more energy expenditure than hey, that's part of the challenge.
