Just an idea, not sure how practical it is. Those of you more technical than me may let me know about details and what you think.

Basically I was thinking about the mechanics of a hybrid and how it stores braking energy for later use. This idea does not have to necessarily be connected to a gasoline-run system.

Think about a bicycle with a small electric motor integrated either into the bottom bracket (where the cranks attach) or into the rear wheel hub. A battery could be mounted on a rear rack, over the rear tire. The brakes could operate this in reverse to generate power (as in a hybrid car). You could then have some kind of throttle for a little electric boost to help you up hills.

There are people who will pay $3k for a decent dual-suspension mountain bike frame. I wonder if there are people who would pay the required price for a setup like this?

sounds like more of a novelty item than anything. The advantages of a hybrid system go down as vehicle mass goes down, and a bicycle doesn't exactly have much mass.

I'd rather just use my legs .

I thought a hybrid bicycle was ridden by a guy who was shocked when he slowed down and accelerated when he farted.

Just to clarify - I was picturing this more for weak or older people who can no longer climb hills themselves.

Just an idea, not sure how practical it is. Those of you more technical than me may let me know about details and what you think.

Basically I was thinking about the mechanics of a hybrid and how it stores braking energy for later use. This idea does not have to necessarily be connected to a gasoline-run system.

Think about a bicycle with a small electric motor integrated either into the bottom bracket (where the cranks attach) or into the rear wheel hub. A battery could be mounted on a rear rack, over the rear tire. The brakes could operate this in reverse to generate power (as in a hybrid car). You could then have some kind of throttle for a little electric boost to help you up hills.

There are people who will pay $3k for a decent dual-suspension mountain bike frame. I wonder if there are people who would pay the required price for a setup like this?

Instead of being like a 10-speed, does it come with a CVT? :AH-HA_wink:

Instead of being like a 10-speed, does it come with a CVT? :AH-HA_wink:

Speaking of which... has anybody else seen these automatic bicycles??? I saw an informercial late one night for one of these things. Essentially your derailleur (gear changer) senses the hub speed and changes the gears for you. It was all mechanical and not sensor based, looked pretty interesting.

i know there is a bike with a shaft driven wheel, and an 2wd version too. it uses an automatic gear change... pretty sure i heard about a near cvt bike too, chain driven.

After the numerous hills I had to push myself to ride up on the 23 mile ride I took today... But I like the exercise.