Rochester Institute of Technology RIT Scholar Works Theses 8-1-1983 A constant force bicycle transmission Thomas Chase Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.rit.edu/theses Recommended Citation Chase, Thomas, "A constant force bicycle transmission" (1983). Thesis. Rochester Institute of Technology. Accessed from This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by RIT Scholar Works. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses by an authorized administrator of RIT Scholar Works. For more information, please contact
[email protected]. A CONSTANT FORCE BICYCLE TRANSMISSION by Thomas R. Chase A Thesis Project Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE in Mechanical Engineering Approved by: Prof. Richard Budynas Thesis Adviser Prof. Dr. Bhalchandra V. Karlekar Department Head Prof. '"egible Signature Prof. Ray C. Johnson DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING ROCHESTER INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY ROCHESTER, NHJ YORK August 1983 A CONSTANT FORCE BICYCLE TRANSMISSION ABSTRACT A prototype design for a human powered automatic transmission intended for use on an ordinary touring bicycle is presented. The transmission is intended to automatically adjust the gearing of the bicycle to maintain an optimum pedal force, regardless of the current riding conditions. Therefore, the transmission eliminates the need for the cyclist to manually adjust the bicycle gearing. The entire transmission is a self-contained unit designed to bolt onto the rear wheel of an otherwise unmodified 27-inch bicycle. The transmission combines a unique adaptation of a commercially popular continuously variable traction drive with a totally mechanical integral feedback controller. The features of the traction drive unique to its application to a bicycle are outlined in detail, along with an analysis of the important traction drive design parameters.