Gearing problem

steamer · 2004-10-31T17:52:14+00:00

--OK here's the thing; I've a notion to build a 2-passenger pedal powered vehicle, but I want to set it up so that driver and passenger face each other. No problem with the layout or seat locations but I'd like it to be possible for both riders to contribute to the pedaling. Now, aside from having the passenger pedal backwards, how would one go about gearing the thing so both riders would pedal "forward"? The best I can figure out is to have an intermediate assembly with two keyed shafts, each with a spur gear, so that rotation is reversed somewhere in the drive train. Trouble is this is mechanically complex, heavy and robs power. A twisted drive belt is another option, but I've found that belts need extreme tension to avoid slipping and on a slender tubular framework this would probably want to twist, which would again rob power. Anyone got a viable plan "C"??

Oct 31, 2004 21 Replies

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steamer 21 years ago

Des Bromilow wrote: : How is the person facing backwards going to feel with no control? - I see : people on the trains all the time feeling nervous about travelling --Heyy, I'll add a cup holder! Remember this thing's going to Burning Man, heh. A few Margaritas and passenger will be right as rain! ;-)

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jim rozen 21 years ago

Uh oh, the chunk-blowing factor just went up by an order of magnitute! Better include a sick-sack holder as well...

Jim

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