Automatic Gears

[Tenkaykev]

Just read an article in Ars Technica about a possible alternative to the derailleur system.
https://arstechnica.com/cars/2023/1...t-is-wild-and-spiky-and-could-be-a-big-shift/

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

Don't we see something like this about every 2 years - then it goes away???

 

[Cycleops]

Cyclists are very traditional in their outlook and like to stick with what they know. The other thing is what would this give you that the derailleur doesn't? I imagine cost would be high so I can't really see many rushing out to adopt this system.

 

[cyberknight]

that looks so overcomplicated and prone to failure its unbelievable

 

[fossyant]

The whole thing about a bike is it's relatively simple, even expensive ones. Shoot me down, but even electronic shifting is overly complicating things.

 

[oldwheels]

My Kettwiessel trike has the option of automatic gears but I never use it as it always has the gear in a higher ratio than I would like.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

that looks so overcomplicated and prone to failure its unbelievable

Good point - the state my gears end up in after a wet ride round the canal paths - can;t see all that grit helping those gear systems!

Also - one of the things with "manual" gears is that you can match your pedalling to how you are feeling and the circumstances
an automatic systems will be tunes to a specific torque or cadence - but sometimes you want to cruise along at a slow cadence and just watch the scenery - or change down up and stand on the pedals as you approach a short sharp hill
Neither are probably the authorised technique - but they are more fun!

The big difference between an car's auto box and a similar concept for a bike is that the engine on a bike is human and not an unfeeling engine

it might work for "serious" cyclists - but they would moan about the weight

 

[cyberknight]

Good point - the state my gears end up in after a wet ride round the canal paths - can;t see all that grit helping those gear systems!

Also - one of the things with "manual" gears is that you can match your pedalling to how you are feeling and the circumstances
an automatic systems will be tunes to a specific torque or cadence - but sometimes you want to cruise along at a slow cadence and just watch the scenery - or change down up and stand on the pedals as you approach a short sharp hill
Neither are probably the authorised technique - but they are more fun!

The big difference between an car's auto box and a similar concept for a bike is that the engine on a bike is human and not an unfeeling engine

it might work for "serious" cyclists - but they would moan about the weight

i think serious cyclists wouldn't touch it with a barge pole

 

[kingrollo]

I was expecting a massive CC thumbs up for this 🤪

 

[Drago]

An answer to a question no one had asked.

 

[simongt]

Don't we see something like this about every 2 years - then it goes away???

Indeed. Not long back, a YouTube post demonstrated a bottom bracket mounted gearbox; based on a Porche design apparently.
'Best thing since sliced bread' etc., etc..
Main drawback was the specifically designed bottom bracket mount to house the gearbox in the first place.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Is that a Deal Drive that has escaped from the 1980s?
http://www.zoxed.eu/photos/bikes_drives.html

 

[Dogtrousers]

Indeed. Not long back, a YouTube post demonstrated a bottom bracket mounted gearbox; based on a Porche design apparently.
'Best thing since sliced bread' etc., etc..
Main drawback was the specifically designed bottom bracket mount to house the gearbox in the first place.

I think there's a big difference between BB mounted gears which do have a specific - if rather niche - use, and bizarre Heath Robinson CVT/automatic ideas that nobody will ever use, ever.

 

[Dogtrousers]

By the way I invented the expanding chainring myself in the 1970s. Being an "ideas man" and not one for the boring minutiae of mechanical implementation, I never delivered a prototype and so was not recognised as the crank genius that I really am

 

[22point8]

https://owuru-ebike.com/en/