GOAT logo

Join the conversation! The forum activity is now at GOATeach.org!  We are working to cross pollinate our conversations. Document and share tools at farm hack and talk at GOAT!  Also join GOAT riot and introduce yourself and your projects!

  1. Forums
  2. Tool Forums
  3. culticycle
  4. Pedal power Flywheel technology?

Pedal power Flywheel technology?

dorn's picture
Submitted by dorn on Mon, 02/18/2013 - 12:46pm
Topic Type: 
Idea

I wonder if the pedal power flywheel technology might be helpful for powering through bumps and irregularities in the row and even out the effort? http://www.pedal-power.com/ I imagine that some of the ergonomics might work well too?

green tractor farm's picture
Submitted by green tractor farm on Fri, 02/22/2013 - 9:22am

Definitely, which opens up another question, what is the ideal weight overall in terms of balancing traction and effort? Maybe an elliptical sprocket too, oriented the way Sheldon Brown advised - http://sheldonbrown.com/biopace.html

theunixwizard's picture
Submitted by theunixwizard on Tue, 04/07/2015 - 9:59pm

You could consider a larger wheel of the big pennyfathing wheels existed that way due to the uneven roads of its day.

You may wish to think about solar PV and electric motors for less physical fatigue.

baruch77's picture
Submitted by baruch77 on Wed, 04/08/2015 - 1:25pm

Flywheel: it will be important to disengage the flywheel when you want to stop or even slow down because it will continue to power the driveline. That is a feature I will be working in the coming months. Options for disengagement include a manual clutch system, electric clutch (think automotive A/C clutch), or electric solenoid. As soon as you want to slow down it will need to be disengaged.

Electric drive: Contemplating that too. Could be expensive. Check out www.offgridworld.com and DIY Electric Car (can't paste the link on this site using my iPad. What is the larger wheel someone is asking about?