dual freewheel front sprocket drive

GoldenMotor.com

jdcburg

New Member
Jul 9, 2009
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massachusetts
Hello folks - I have developed and bench tested a prototype dual freewheel front sprocket system to allow an emotor to power the bicycle through the pedal crank so the shifting system (rear hub or derailleur) can be utilized. One freewheel allows the cranks to remain stationary when under motor power (nothing new there) and the second freewheel allows the motor driven sprocket (on the BB spindle) to remain stationary when under pedal power, reducing drag caused by the motor system to a minimum. I've posted a video on YouTube of the rough first prototype during a bench test. It's at YouTube - Dual Freewheel Front Sprocket System Prototype If others are interested I'll post details. - jd
 

jdcburg

New Member
Jul 9, 2009
150
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massachusetts
Hi Cabinfever - The system I designed and built is different from the Cyclone systems as well as others that drive through the derailleur/rear hub (SickBikeParts, Elation and Eclipse) in that the freewheel that frees up the motor when under pedal power is on the bottom bracket spindle. All the others have the freewheel on the motor and the motor-driven sprocket (on the BB spindle) is bolted or riveted to the pedal-driven sprocket. In those systems the motor chain is driven by the pedals, causing some excess drag. Also the smallest motor freewheel sprocket is 14T, where my motor sprocket is 9T. The Giant has been discontinued and replaced by the Sanyo Eneloop, a $2300 front hub drive. The Cyclone single chainring system has the motor down in the lower chainline, subject to water, mud and debris. It's all about compromises. Mine can't be used for regen or pedal-start (rules out most 2-cycle CGs) because of the freewheel.

I put a 350W Unite MY1016Z3 (w/built-in gear reduction) and took it out for a short test drive during a break in the weather. There didn't seem to be any problems. I used a little pedal-assist and had good hill-climbing ability in the lower gears and reached an estimated 25 mph in 8th on the flats - jd
 

jdcburg

New Member
Jul 9, 2009
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massachusetts
Roofman6 - you can see more pix and details at Endless-sphere.com • View topic - Dual Freewheel Front Sprocket system. I don't have any intention of manufacturing/marketing the adapter but you are free to copy the design. I had the local voc-tech school fabricate the part to my design. I probably have a thousand miles on it now and it works fine so far (knock on wood). I think the weak link is the Southpaw freewheel as that takes the power of my 350W motor. Using a more powerful motor and/or rough shifting/throttle use may cause it to fail more quickly. PM me if you want more info. jd
 

savanne

New Member
Nov 17, 2010
3
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AZ
I have a 250 w motor and controller, but it has a counter clockwise rotation that can't be reversed. Is it possible for me to fabricate a dual front wheel sprocket drive with the motor driving sprocket on the left crank arm? Thanks.
 

Russell

Well-Known Member
Apr 19, 2009
1,276
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MA
It looks a lot like the one I built several years ago. Freewheel on chainring and motor. Motor freewheels when pedaling and pedals sit still when under motor power. You can utilize seven gears in either mode.
 

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jdcburg

New Member
Jul 9, 2009
150
0
0
massachusetts
Very similar Russell, except I put the "motor" freewheel down on the chainring on the BB spindle. That way I was able to use a 9 tooth motor sprocket driving a 36 tooth chainring for a 4:1 reduction. To get the same reduction using a 14 tooth freewheel sprocket on the motor I would have had to use a 56 tooth chainring. Also you have the slight extra drag of driving the motor chain when you pedal. But yours is much simpler at the BB because you just bolted the 2 chainrings together, where I have the 2nd freewheel there. Also I was limited to using the Southpaw for the 2nd freewheel as it needed left hand threads. It's all about choices...
 
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Russell

Well-Known Member
Apr 19, 2009
1,276
155
63
MA
Yes I have the chainrings bolted together but there is also freewheel mounted on the custom BB shaft. True their is a really a slight drag on the chain going to the motor freewheel but it can't really be felt.
The ratio for this setup is proper due to the gearmotor reduction. Haven't rode this bike for a few years since due to max distance limit (18 mi.) I was running two lawn tractor (lead acid battries).

I am assuming the differance is that you have dual freewheels mounted right on the BB shaft itself.
Might try that if I ever come across some affordable high quality battries!
 
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diceman2004

New Member
Aug 26, 2009
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Kitchener , Ontario
Sweet , I love the fact thay you are not moving the chain on the motor , at all , when pedaling . Not only are you reducing the drag a little , but you are also eliminating the noise of that chain freewheeling over the electric motor .

Nice job .
 

corgi1

New Member
Aug 13, 2009
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KCMO
It looks a lot like the one I built several years ago. Freewheel on chainring and motor. Motor freewheels when pedaling and pedals sit still when under motor power. You can utilize seven gears in either mode.
is it one side off of a elect. wh chair? I am thinking that it looks like it has a gear reduction on it