Pedicab with brushless motor and NuVinci stepless transmision

We take a quick tour around a Pedapod Pedicab with all new electric and pedal drive systems, then we take it for a run. We rebuilt a pedicab to take a brushless motor which has been built in to the front wheel. Also the existing derailleur was prone to failure so on my suggestion, it was replaced with a 'NuVinci' CVT (continuously variable transmission) giving an unlimited range of ratios. The existing equipment was ok in flatter areas, but under the hot and hilly conditions these particular vehicles have to work, both the motor and pedal drive both proved inadequate - the usual Australian problem of stuff that works fine in Europe but just not being strong enough to cope in Australia, so as an engineer with long experience in electric vehicles of all types, I volunteered to help build an 'Australia proof pedicab' as a hobby project. Alas holding the camera, turning the twist grip shifter and holding the camera took rather more hands then I had available so alas the quality could have been better, but never mind, it gives the general idea. This particular vehicle was an engineering knock up, the road going vehicles will be tidied up and will have new wiring looms. My main involvement was to redesign all the electronics, this transmission upgrade was an extra.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Pedicab
• electric
• vehicle
• cycle
• bicycle
• CVT
• NuVinci
• gear
• shift

[bigrobnz]

that "petrol head" was a toyota prius you goose!!!!

[ChuffChuffWoo]

@bigrobnz I know - I own a Prius myself, was just having a little joke at my own expense ;-))

[bbglas007]

Ah, you're in Sydney. I'm very interested in buying a hub but unfortunately every bike store in Sydney look at me blankly when i mention this hub. Is this the N360 model? If so, where did you get it from and how much did it cost? Is this your business? Did you buy them in bulk or just 1? How efficient would you say it is? Do you feel like there is a slight energy loss in comparison to a derailleur? Cheers!

[ChuffChuffWoo]

@bbglas007 Alas back in the UK now as am too old by a year to get a visa to live there, they seem to be quite efficient, and ideal for Pedapods. Look up 'Pedapod' or 'Peda pod' on Google and you should find them, they buy them in especially and would probably quite happily sell you one.

[jacktheripped]

@ChuffChuffWoo ...your too old to live in Australia? what kind of stupid laws do they have there? that's just retarded.

[ChuffChuffWoo]

@jacktheripped Age means experience - in this case, 40 years of experience in renewable energy and tecnologies.

[ChuffChuffWoo]

@bbglas007 Try contacting Pedapod direct - they import them from the states, and may well be happy to sell you one. :-))

[sohc287]

That's the nicest rickshaw ever.

[C210288A]

CVT sucks because u can change between a small ratio