Internal Combustion Wheel

This is an engine-driven, self-contained 26" front wheel for a bike. I
haven't seen anything like this before, interesting but probably doomed
to failure - a regular Euro scooter makes more sense for the target
market. Not too expensive though, so who knows? Clever name... "The Wheel"

http://www.revopower.com

(from the website)

SPECIFICATION MEASURE
Powered by: 25cc two-stroke engine
Power Train: A series of gears which drive the engine (and the Wheel)
around a fixed axle
Top Speed: 20 mph (32 kph)

Easy Installation (1)
Takes only minutes to install using standard tools No need for a
mechanic or any modifications to most bikes; can be used with any 26” or
commuter style bike; Does not interfere with drive train;


Useful for young people or those who have lost licenses (!)

Diablo Scott wrote:

This is an engine-driven, self-contained 26" front wheel for a bike. I
haven't seen anything like this before, interesting but probably doomed
to failure - a regular Euro scooter makes more sense for the target
market. Not too expensive though, so who knows? Clever name... "The
Wheel"

A few things spring to mind:

1) Having a 2-stroke engine spewing its foul breath of unburnt fuel and
oil in front of you, you will *stink* after any ride.

2) You need a fork that's strong enough to resist the torque (a
disc-specific fork would probably do), since the motor is in the hub.
The actual torque reaction seems to be taken by a chain wrapped round
the fork leg, which is crude.

3) Not sure what a 15lb hub is going to do for handling!

4) Illegal in the UK without a motorcycle licence and helmet, so you
might as well have a 50cc 4-stroke moped. Electric bikes are allowed
without a licence, but are limited to 15mph (electric power, on the flat)

5) I wonder how the front wheel drive will cope with steep hills, where
all the weight is on the back wheel (more pronounced than a car). It
should be better in mud or snow though, like FWD cars.

AND NNOWWWWWWWW!!

several words from-
honda
your insurance agent or rather your former insurance agent
and last butnot the local sheriff

http://64.233.179.104/search?q=cache...h+mopeds&hl=en

Diablo Scott wrote:
This is an engine-driven, self-contained 26" front wheel for a bike. I
haven't seen anything like this before, interesting but probably doomed
to failure - a regular Euro scooter makes more sense for the target
market. Not too expensive though, so who knows? Clever name... "The Wheel"

http://www.revopower.com

Perks & Birch did something like that in 1899. They called it "Power
Wheel".

http://www.ozebook.com/a-z_files/perks&birch.jpg

Chalo Colina

Diablo Scott wrote:
This is an engine-driven, self-contained 26" front wheel for a bike. I
haven't seen anything like this before, interesting but probably doomed
to failure - a regular Euro scooter makes more sense for the target
market. Not too expensive though, so who knows? Clever name... "The Wheel"

http://www.revopower.com

(snip)

Nah, that's too wimpy!

If one is going to be so goofy as to put an IC motor on a wheel, this
is the way to do it:

http://theriotwheel.com/

Mark ;o)

Interesting but what is it for? The interviews are very telling...
A bunch of couch potatoes who don't want to have to pedal but want to
be able to say they ride a bike. Or people who are afraid to ride
motorcycles and are more comfortable with the "idea" of a motorized
bicycle, even though they'd probably be safer on a motorcycle.

If I wanted a motorcycle, I'd get a motorcycle that can take me
farther, faster, with proper lighting and braking systems than a
motorized bicycle. What real difference does it make whether I get
240 mpg (marketing BS) or 50? That guy who comments about 240 mpg
probably drives an SUV fer chrissakes! Talk about penny-wise and
pound-foolish...

I'll stick with my bicycle.

calculus wrote:
Interesting but what is it for? The interviews are very telling...
A bunch of couch potatoes who don't want to have to pedal but want to
be able to say they ride a bike. Or people who are afraid to ride
motorcycles and are more comfortable with the "idea" of a motorized
bicycle, even though they'd probably be safer on a motorcycle.

If I wanted a motorcycle, I'd get a motorcycle that can take me
farther, faster, with proper lighting and braking systems than a
motorized bicycle. What real difference does it make whether I get
240 mpg (marketing BS) or 50? That guy who comments about 240 mpg
probably drives an SUV fer chrissakes! Talk about penny-wise and
pound-foolish...

I'll stick with my bicycle.


Yeah, I don't think a niche exists for this, either. But it shows that
if we had motor scooters, they could be useful. Funny how so many
countries like motor scooters but the US doesn't.


--
Tom Reingold
Noo Joizy
This email address works, but only for a short time.

Tom Reingold wrote:


Yeah, I don't think a niche exists for this, either. But it shows that
if we had motor scooters, they could be useful. Funny how so many
countries like motor scooters but the US doesn't.


That's 'cos people are too scared to go out among all those Humvees and
Explorers...

Diablo Scott writes:

This is an engine-driven, self-contained 26" front wheel for a bike.
I haven't seen anything like this before, interesting but probably
doomed to failure - a regular Euro scooter makes more sense for the
target market. Not too expensive though, so who knows? Clever
name... "The Wheel"

http://www.revopower.com

(from the website)

SPECIFICATION MEASURE
Powered by: 25cc two-stroke engine
Power Train: A series of gears which drive the engine (and the Wheel)
around a fixed axle
Top Speed: 20 mph (32 kph)

Easy Installation (1)
Takes only minutes to install using standard tools No need for a
mechanic or any modifications to most bikes; can be used with any 26? or
commuter style bike; Does not interfere with drive train;

I often wonder whether these guys are charlatans or babes in the woods
with no ability to suspect that this is an old idea. A motor in the
front wheel was brought to market by Megola years ago and a rotating
piston engine in aircraft:


http://www.revopower.com/gallery.html
http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mcmuseu...otos/gug8.html
http://www.kunis.nl/bikesuk/index.html#Megola
http://www.magpie.com/nycmoto/guggen...es/megola.html

http://www.keveney.com/gnome.html

Jobst Brandt