The Wheel Reinvented

[Malaconotus]

What do the wise old men of the forum think of this?... http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/120 ... le-bicycle

I can't see any way to adjust the spring rate, and fear the wheels would be horribly squidgy with my weight on board. For that reason, I'm out, but the idea is rather better than I expected when I read that the bicycle wheel had been reinvented.

[Brucey]

it has some good features, and good on 'em for having a go.

But.... the idea is as old as the hills; it is just done with carbon springs here. Whilst I'm sure you could make springs of different stiffnesses, what I'm not sure about is if there is any way to control preload or not. I think not, which means there will be sag.

Sag is a problem....fundamentally, if there is no damping, it isn't good suspension. If there is damping, it'll be like riding uphill all the time.

I also worry about the rim; it isn't supported in the same way as normal, so may bend or break more easily than in a tension wheel.

So... best of luck and all that but it is not for me I think.

For others who have an interest in whacky wheels, google 'tweel'.

cheers

[mig]

what happens when it goes out of true?

[hamish]

Will it work? Guess we will only find out if he gets the backing. On that basis I'm in. Got to be worth a few quid?

[Elizabethsdad]

I'd be interested to see how a set fitted to my racing pedal car would affect performance, but it will be a while before I could afford to indulge such curiosity.

[hamish]

And here is another one. This one looks as though it won't get funding......

Looks like a nice gadget made by some nice people but one I don't think I need. I think the compromises in terms of strength and reliability would outweigh any advantages?

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/486778887/hubdock-quick-release-rear-wheel?ref=ending_soon

[breakwellmz]

This man is obviously very happy with his latest design-

http://9bytz.com/wp-content/uploads/201 ... els-00.jpg

[profpointy]

What do the wise old men of the forum think of this?... http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/120 ... le-bicycle

I can't see any way to adjust the spring rate, and fear the wheels would be horribly squidgy with my weight on board. For that reason, I'm out, but the idea is rather better than I expected when I read that the bicycle wheel had been reinvented.

Nothing new here - Edward Turner designed something similar for Triumph motorcyles in 1938

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triumph_sprung_hub