This is a new one on me.....

[indalo]

Just noticed this on eBay and found it interesting only in as much as I don't know the make but shaft-drive is fairly rare and I haven't actually seen another ebike so equipped.

Electric Bicycle - NEW - Mens | eBay

Indalo

 

[Cyclezee]

Firstly Happy New Year Indalo.

Below is an example of a Danish Biomega shaft drive bike with an eZee conversion and all the trimmings.
I think it is georgeous, but would only ever ride it on a dry sunny day.

 

[lemmy]

That bike reminds me of my all-time favourite piece of industrial design, the Fender Stratocaster.

Its beauty comes from its fitness for purpose, your eye runs over it and it just looks right.

I love the idea of shaft drive for a pushbike but I understand it is much less efficient and somewhat heavier than chain drive. On a largish motorcycle it doesn't matter but on a pushbike?

I'd love to try one for myself, just to see if I would find the trade-offs worthwhile.

Thanks for posting that, Indalo, it's been ages since I've seen anything new (to me) on a bicycle.

 

[catsnapper]

They're around....
Hybrid Road Bikes : Folding Bicycles : Commuter Bicycle : Dynamic Bicycles : Bicycles

Still prefer the Stratocaster

Alan

 

[flecc]

This shaft drive system comes from shaftdrive.com, a Taiwanese company. There were also the Zero shaft drives previously with many sold, and within the last decade had a UK branch based at Birmingham, long gone now though

shaftdrive.com

Zero pdf review from Velovision

 

[funkylyn]

Now that sounds interesting.......

An electric folder ( min 20" ) with shaft drive and hub gears is appealing....
cleaner and no maintenance....

Anyone know if there are any around, or would it be a case of buying non assist and
fitting a conversion kit ?

Would they / could they be any good....powerful enough ?
What would the pros/ cons be ?

Lynda

 

[flecc]

No electric ones around, but easy enough to add a front hub motor. The other options are out though, no crank or rear hub motors possible. These shaft drives have some restrictions, for example the Zero one specifically joined to the Nexus 7 speed gear hub, nothing else. And of course changing a bike's gearing isn't possible without chainring or sprockets, you're stuck with what you get.

These shaft drives work quite well though,less efficient than chain but not seriously so.

 

[funkylyn]

No electric ones around, but easy enough to add a front hub motor. The other options are out though, no crank or rear hub motors possible. These shaft drives have some restrictions, for example the Zero one specifically joined to the Nexus 7 speed gear hub, nothing else. And of course changing a bike's gearing isn't possible without chainring or sprockets, you're stuck with what you get.

These shaft drives work quite well though,less efficient than chain but not seriously so.

Thanks Flecc.....but as I cant even change a tyre or fix a puncture ..........not being able to change the gearing wouldnt be a problem for me haha.......and as an occasional folder for the car I would be quite happy to be stuck with what I got.
Not too sure about a front hub motor but I would rather have that so as to keep the hub gears which I love.
So, they are up to the job then.....not liable to breaking ?
Are they any heavier than conventional chain drives ?

Lynda

 

[flecc]

Only slightly heavier and the increased drag is barely noticeable. Not quite as clean as might appear though. The rear bevel gears are only covered on the outside, the inside has to be open for taking out the back wheel. When that's lifted out the two greasy bevel gears are exposed, one on the shaft end, one on the side of the gear hub where the sprocket normally is.

But all in all very practical and ideal for a folder. I'm pleased that they've increased the drive ratio to compensate for the small wheels and use the Nexus 8 speed hub gear. Only USA at present it seems, at $799 which would probably be the same or more in pounds here, so quite dear, especially once a motor kit and battery are added.
.

 

[funkylyn]

Ah....good point......I have already felt like I was pedalling like a whirling dervish on the folders I have previously tried......so yes, ....good advice to always try before you buy.
It would have to be a minimum 20" wheels but I would prefer the larger wheels but they are few and far between anyway in folders so probably not even made in a folding shaft drive.

Lynda

 

[flecc]

Sorry Lynda, I was amending while you posted. I'd just spotted in the small print that they had uprated the gear ratio on the folder, so could be ok now. Still best to try first though.
.

 

[funkylyn]

Thanks for the update Flecc....
but as you say....pretty expensive.....
I could almost buy a Haibike EQ XDURO for that...

Lynda

 

[johnc461165]

Shaft drive has been around for 100 years, so it says on google.