From the Fixed Gear Gallery

[Kervin]

http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2008/dec/1/AkiraYOSHIZAWA.htm

I can't figure out how this would help:

This newly built bike has an original $B!H(BPower Assist System$B!I(B, which preserves stopping energy and utilizes it to move the bike forward when the rider wants to start.
By using the drive train on the left side of the bike, you can enjoy to ride the bike as a normal fixie. And when you pull the rear brake lever, the arms holding the rear caliper move as the rear wheel rotates and pushes down on the yellow coil springs. The springs are for ancient front suspension forks. I got them for free from a local MTB shop.
It has a locking system to hold the springs at the certain length.
When the rider releases the lock by pulling another lever, the arms starts to move backward and rotates the second crank arms clockwise above the rear wheel.
It means that the free wheel on the right side of the rear hub rotates to assist the first pedal.
Please don$B!G(Bt ask me its effect...
I uploaded movies to YouTube.
Click the following links to see how it works.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlWmu4RaRQs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXiVJQHY8bI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4YwRMzsov8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9XC-T-eQB0
Thanks,
Akira YOSHIZAWA
Tokyo, Japan

[Louis]

More evidence that some guys have a bit too much time on their hands.

[Mike748]

I prefer flywheels to springs for energy storage.

[regularguy412]

Well,,,, that'sssss,,, interestingggggg. I wonder if the extra help is a wash, when starting out uphill-- due to the extra weight of the energy storage unit.

Mike in AR :beer:

[torquer]

Your bike is ready!

http://www-uxsup.csx.cam.ac.uk/~fanf2/hermes/doc/talks/2006-07-exim-course/heath-robinson.gif

[rustychisel]

I can't work it out either... nope.

Reminds me of an article I read from the early 1970s (author was American) about a system which captured a small amount of energy from the pedalling action and stored it in a compressed air cylinder located in the frame tube, then was released via slow bleed valve to 'assist' in pedalling uphills. AFAIK it didn't work.

Someone of similarly elephantine memory may recall the origins/author.

[Peter B]

A solution to a problem that didn't exist.

[shoe]

there are many doors to be walked through...thanks...d

[Fixed]

A solution to a problem that didn't exist.
+1
the cat must be really smart though imho
cheers

[DarkStar]

Post this on Weightweenies and see what they make of it. :rolleyes: