h a l f b a k e r yIdea vs. Ego
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A motorbike lookalike, powered by a spring hidden in its innards. You wind it up by pedalling away in the privacy of your house and then, after you have sweated away your quota for the day, shower, dress for work, and get on it and drive away to the railway station. It will have hidden speakers to simulate
the sound of the engine.
Why not just ride a normal bike? Well, in my part of the country it is considered to be below 'status' to be seen pedalling a bike. So, I ride a motorbike to work - and excercise on a stationary bike. So - combine the two.
The size of the spring and the amount of energy stored might limit the range of the bike to a few kilometers, ie, the nearest railway station.
Wind up Car
http://www.halfbake.../idea/Wind-Up_20Car
Similiar idea. [neelandan, Jul 12 2002, last modified Oct 04 2004]
[link]
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It would have to be a pretty big spring .... how about charging a battery ? Then you have power on board to run the motorbike sound simulator as well, and you don't have to carry extra batteries or a generator. And you could use regenrative braking going down hills. With this system, the range might well be more than a couple of kilometers. |
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In my day, you fastened playing cards on the fender supports with clothespins for motor sound. And if you mounted cowlings on the sides of your bike (outside the pedals) with images of resting legs, then you could pedal 'away' and no one would be the wiser. |
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Just pull it backwards until it clicks, and away you go! |
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Aww, I thought this idea was original to me. Oh well. I decided a spring, probably down around the bottom bracket area somewhere was the best choice. I don't think a battery system would be efficient enough, or light enough. Alternately, stash the spring inside the freewheel, so that coasting etc. could be ratcheted into the system. |
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I don't think you could ride far on it, but the bike is as efficient as it's going to get regarding steady speed, it's the loss of energy stopping and starting again that's the killer, and this should help with that. |
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You could probably burn rubber on a takeoff. |
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Like I said in the other bicycle power posts. |
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Dude...just peddle it man. You've got to use the energy sometime and it is much more effecient to use it immediatly than trying to store it. I do like the idea of poster board with a picture of not moving legs so no one would know. good luck |
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I found this on a search after reading
[django]'s post about a third world car.
The spring could allow steady pedalling
at the most comfortable sustained rate
(as is the ideal with the gears), but allow
bursts of inhuman power by deploying
the spring. [neelandan] winds it up at
home, but this would be good for a city
bike messenger who could keep
pedalling and winding the spring when
stopped for whatever reason (in traffic,
waiting for package etc). |
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Bikes are coasting most of the time. If it's a commuter cycle, you just measure the altitude difference and combine that with the mileage drag and presto, that's how big a spring you need (based on regenerative braking as well) |
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