New bicycle to minimize short trips

Just ordered a 2012 Specialized Crux Comp Disc Apex in the 56cm size. Will also be adding a trailer hitch and a 1up USA rack soon. Boy was that an expensive week.

 

Started for recreational riding off road but now just ride around town with it or take it to the beach. It fits in the back with the seats flat and front tire removed. Paid about $250 for it and damn its heavy...I've read close to 30lbs. but seeing as I used to jump it and other stuff it's handled it pretty well and the full suspension has come in handy. My other "fun" bike is an old, circa 2005, Trek thats been beaten, and dropped multiple times but still works.

 

Has anyone designed a hybrid bicycle with a proper HSD-like transmission? I see a number of benefits compared to the simpler hybrids out there:
* The operation of the system is determined mostly in software. You can customize the software to make it operate more like what you want.
* The default programming could have the HSD perform MPPT (Maximum Peak Power Tracking) to extract the most power. In fact, if you had a way to hold the bike stable, you could use the bike as a stationary bike, with all of the energy being stored in the battery.
* The fact that a HSD can measure power (MG1 current is proportional to input torque and the input speed is easy to measure) means that the pedal power measurements are really power measurements, not estimates.
* It's also possible to get regen all the way to zero by pedaling backwards. Once the speed drops too low for MG2 to regen effectively, the backwards pedaling allows MG1 to regen while applying negative torque.
* The fact that the HSD needs its controller to operate gives a security advantage. If a thief tries to pedal with the HSD not booted, MG1 will simply freewheel and nothing will happen. Even a simple challenge/response authentication method would be relatively difficult to bypass, and you could have a "fake boot" mode where it seems to start up, but gradually shuts itself down after a minute.

But since bicycles are of limited use in my area, I didn't build one. I did, however, build a pedal generator for my senior design class. (It's just a permanent magnet alternator connected to some pedals though a gearset and some electronics to control the power flow.)

 

The BB 7 brake has only one pad that actuates although both pads can be adjusted. An out of true rotor is the main problem with the Avid brakes but they do stop well.

 

Divided into the cost of the bike, it will take you how long to recover the bike purchase?


j/k... the rewards of bike riding are many.

 

Hello, sorry I missed your question!

The hitch installation wasn't *too* bad—a little frustrating with the muffler (had to undo the fastener to put the hitch between the car and the muffler), but that did the trick. We didn't have to modify anything on the car.
The rack works great on the Prius and the weight of the two hybrid bikes (my husband has the same type of bike I do) is not a problem at all. I often leave the rack on the back of the car.

 

We need more bike threads on PC. I'm a some-times bike commuter. Sometimes I'll go 4 weeks straight bike commuting, other times I'll go 8 weeks without riding. Been bike commuting regularly since 2007.

I have 2 bikes right now. A Surly Long Haul Trucker touring bike (pictured below with the dog trailer - from a tour last year in upstate New York) that is my primary commuter, grocery getter, tourer, and bad weather bike.

Touring setup with dog trailer by bendertj, on Flickr

I also have a Surly CrossCheck (see pic below) that I currently use as a get-around-town bike. Like if I run to the movies or to a ballgame, and just want to wear shorts and gym shoes. No fenders, platform pedals, balloon tires - you get the idea. The CrossCheck has been great - I've had it setup as a cyclocross racer, commute bike, skinny tire road bike, touring bike, and light-duty trail bike.


CrossCheck Fat Frank Build by bendertj, on Flickr

 

Here's my DIY ebike I use for short trips. Its pretty fun to ride and effortless too.

 

Nice, but where do you carry the beer, and how do you keep it cold?

I notice it's plugged in. Does the Boss know your charging at work?

 

backpack cooler.

 

Omg! Brett is still alive!

 

Here is my human powered Prius alternative :

 

I just got back into riding in April. I've lost 23 lbs since then riding twice a week. On the weekend I usually do my long ride which I'm up to 70 miles. I ride from my house to the Pacific Coast Highway and turn around at 35 miles. I'm hoping to ride in the Tour de Tuscon in Nov. It's 112 miles so I've still got a way to go!!

I got a great deal on a full carbon bike made by Ridely. The local shop was trying the brand out to see if it would sell here in CA since it's made in Belgium.

 

heres my CArbon ibis mojo SL. still thinking how to cary it it on my prius.

 

Here's what I had in the back of my Prius this morning:



Fits in just fine with the back seat down and the rear wheel of the bike removed.

 

Ooh, I like that. Tell us more. Is there a low racer version? It reminds me of this: