Flywheel bike

[mike1026]

Now this is what I call a novel approach.
Flywheel Bike

 

[I like Skol]

I'm no scientist but I think I can see 2 immediate problems here.

1 is that extra weight that has to be incorporated into the bike by the flywheel. this will make accelaration hard work and slow.

The 2nd problem is the possible gyroscopic effect of the heavy flywheel. I can forsee this inducing some 'interesting' handling when trying to lean the bike into corners and the weight of the flywheel will also cause problems with a high COG and sluggish turning.

Apart from that, 10 out of 10 for some inovative thinking.

EDIT: spelling

 

[Bobtoo]

I think the bike is purely a test bed and he's intending to use the system in an automotive application.

 

[BrumJim]

Chain's slack.

 

[cisamcgu]

I think it looks excellent, saving all that energy that the brakes waste

 

[Cyclopathic]

All it does is make your bike 15 lbs heavier. Even if it does give you a boost at a chosen point you will still have to have put that energy into it and if it is still spinning when you come to want to end your journey then all that energy is wasted. You can't create energy from nothing it can only be transfered and in this system it is you putting all the energy in. I think that on average you will have used more energy and be more knackered using this than a normal bike.

 

[xpc316e]

@ cyclopathic

You are absolutely correct. What is deeply troubling is that this chap has got so far through his expensive education without realising this basic fact.

 

[MontyVeda]

i think you two are missing the point of the flywheel

 

[Little yellow Brompton]

Now this is what I call a novel approach.
Flywheel Bike

Yee cannae beat the lors O physics C'ptin!

You are humping extra weight up hill, on the flat and downhill...