Hubless Wheel Feasibility Project

[Captain Awesome]

Been awhile since I’ve dabbled in polymers but PA6 has a relatively low friction coefficient and a decently high melt point, yes?

 

[BartRidesEternal]

Start making your “prototypes” and doing mock ups. You’ll still have plenty of work left to do even by May

Plus you still have the rest of the bike to deal with

Following along!!

Thanks cap! I'll build a "working" prototype then!

Been awhile since I’ve dabbled in polymers but PA6 has a relatively low friction coefficient and a decently high melt point, yes?

I also had to look up the properties of Nylon again to be honest. In our workshop, at my employer we also utilize Nylon wheels.
They are tough, wear-resistant, sound dampening. But having seen the incredible wear resistance of these wheels being used on rough, street/tile like surfaces, this was my first choice.

 

[BartRidesEternal]

I was focussing on this term 'hubless wheel' which I would like to call an 'open wheel'.

But I just realized the principle I'm working with is more like a monowheel:

Check the rail (wheel) and rollers.

 

[BartRidesEternal]

Found this via pinterest:
Except being just beautiful and/or interesting, someone found a use for it

Now I have to put this on my 'to build' list too.

 

[BartRidesEternal]

So at this point I wanted to show you guys the direction I'm heading with this wheel prototype:

Years ago, I read a 'recumbent' topic here on Ratrodbikes. There I saw the #flowroller from 'Rohorne'.
I never lost sight of that front wheel driven and steered custom cycle. Its so obvious, genius and cool at the same time.

Seeing that rear wheel, hanging and doing nothing (taildragger?), I thought, this is a perfect opportunity for some Bartrideseternal sauce.

Alright, below some pictures of the flowroller and then some of my ideas on CADboard scale 1:1.

I plucked these pictures from the internet.

My first sketch.
Details are flawed, but its pretty cool!

[EDIT] I don't know if I will build again with a shaft drive. Dimensions and alignment with my current tools is an absolute nightmare. The shaft drive klunker from the ORBO build this year will turn out great, but I'll leave the shafts for a little while.

 

[us56456712]

How does the chain line work? Looks to me when you turn the chain will bind and get thrown.

 

[kchurch86]

Oh I gotta follow this one...