Fixed Gear Clutch
 

Here's an idea - build a fixed gear hub with a little clutch that is disengaged by a lever on the handlebars. When you get to the top of that big hill (for all you San Francisco people, imagine the Headlands loop or Mt. Tam) you pull the lever, disengaging the clutch, which allows you to coast down the hill. The lever would have an indent or some method to hold it in position until you are ready to re-engage it. You could then slowly move it back into position. The cranks would start to turn but there would be slippage to allow your legs to catch up before the bike is completely back to fixed gear mode. The one possible drawback I see is that if the clutch were to suddenly re-engage (broken cable, lever pops back out) then you would get tossed off the bike and into the ocean where the great white sharks would munch on your carcass and crabs would eat your eyeballs. (Or if not doing this on a coastal road, substitue vultures and rats for sharks and crabs).

But it does sound kinda cool, right?

Build one. Let us know how it turns out.


Serious!

Blasphemy.

one word: freewheel.
AKA- flip flob hub
sorry for sounding harsh but it is indeed a cool idea.

something like this? http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2005...hamWebster.htm
its using a sturmey archer asc fixed hub but im sure you could rig it with a converted three speed hub.

Funny thing is, you can get nos SA hubs for cheap. I have a sachs torpedo laced to some campy mirox 26" rims on my daily commuter. It really is a singlespeed 95% of the time, but i have the option of downshifting for big hills or snow and shifting into high when the wind is behind me or im in a hurry.

I know this is the singlespeed/fixed forum but i think three speed internal hubs belong here more than any of the other forums.

I know people have made multi-speed fixie hubs from time to time. Was a company in Seattle converting Bendix hubs for this.

Here is one such example:

"A Bendix 2 speed fixed gear hub. yes, a TWO SPEED FIXED GEAR HUB.

How does it work? Well, it's activated from a friction lever via a cable (included in the auction). Gear changes are instant and silent. The hub allows a downchange of approx 25% which lets you coast up hils in the saddle instead of grinding up in a big gear. It works superbly. Bendix hubs have the reputation of being bulletproof and nigh on indestructable. "


This is from http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1

I!! AM!! DRIVEN!!!



Uhm, sorry bout that...


Wouldn't it be a little weird to "coast" on pedals that had no resistance in either direction? You'd (well, I'd) almost *have* to ride this clipped in or clipless for fear of slipping off a flat and then just dropping to the top tube/handlebars like I just broke chain. = /

I love these ideas though. Keep at em.

I agree with Gibo, build one and let us know how it goes.

I've also gotta say... reading about riding the top of Mt Tam sure brought back memories... thank you! (Ever off road around her nipple?)

What about inclipping for coasting prowess?

I do that routinelly, sucessfully enganging them again @ +- 100 pedal rpm.

s-i-m-p-l-e

ps. I have a front brake ... I am crazy but not dumb