Prototype Maglev Transrapid technology

[shemozzle999]

Lightweight 12kg

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/this-electromagnetic-hidden-motor-bike-can-go-100kph-211660

 

[soundwave]

would you pay 10k plus for it tho?

 

[trex]

it'll be half that price in a couple of years.
Seriously, this one points to the future of e-bikes.

 

[anotherkiwi]

The article was sickening to read, WTF was all that about cheating? It is a light weight e-bike (with another non user changeable battery) with interesting technology on board. Why must it automatically become a tool for cheating in pro racing?

 

[flecc]

The article was sickening to read, WTF was all that about cheating? It is a light weight e-bike (with another non user changeable battery) with interesting technology on board. Why must it automatically become a tool for cheating in pro racing?

I agree, complete nonsense since it would be impossible to hide the essential components at the wheel interface and the easily checked high weight of the QD wheel would be an instant giveaway.

Its the usual poor journalism of course and with other inaccuracies, such as quoting 45 kph as EU law for e-bikes, should have been 25 kph of course.

As for the system, I'm not quite as confident as Trex about this being the future for e-bikes. "Maglev" type propulsion (which is basically long-existing solenoid power) is more suited to very high linear speeds as in solenoids and train propulsion.

300 mph is great for trains but a little scary on a bike, and power consumption in the acceleration and lower speed hill climbing phases can be very high.
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[trex]

With a promised power of 500W, therefore on the smaller side compared to the usual DD motors, this motor gives enormous benefits: can have hub gears, lighter, the wheel diameter gives it a better torque (depending on the number of poles) than other DD motors of similar power, it can easily be made EN15194 compliant, very low maintenance compared to existing motors of all types (especially crank drives) and excellent weight distribution.

 

[anotherkiwi]

It would be interesting to see the numbers for acceleration to 25 kmh with 500W. All the maglev train stuff is for a vehicle weighing many tons. Not to talk of rail guns which use megaWatts to launch projectiles. And they talk about regen in the article which we know doesn't work very well with current battery technology (many less Amps accepted in than Amps out) but it appears that they are using it as the rear brake.

 

[trex]

It would be interesting to see the numbers for acceleration to 25 kmh..

I'd love to see manufacturers quote this magic figure for their bikes, preferably with as little pedaling as possible.
(this is where you can sort the men from the boys).

 

[flecc]

With a promised power of 500W, therefore on the smaller side compared to the usual DD motors, this motor gives enormous benefits: can have hub gears, lighter, the wheel diameter gives it a better torque (depending on the number of poles) than other DD motors of similar power, it can easily be made EN15194 compliant, very low maintenance compared to existing motors of all types (especially crank drives) and excellent weight distribution.

I agree those benefits and better torque than existing DD motors, but still think the power consumption could be a big problem.

Bike wheels aren't exactly precision so the flux airspace isn't going to be optimal in a practical bike design that keeps weight within bounds. Maglev trains have never majored on current economy, always on their speed and friction free low wear advantages.
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[anotherkiwi]

In the article there is mention that getting the gap to a millimetre (or less) on a bike is nigh impossible.

 

[flecc]

I'd love to see manufacturers quote this magic figure for their bikes, preferably with as little pedaling as possible.
(this is where you can sort the men from the boys).

Not really possible though. Only throttle controlled bikes could give comparable figures and torque sensored bikes would depend too heavily on the rider input to make any sense.
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[anotherkiwi]

Looking at the photo of the bike again:

- Fill the triangle with batteries, it is a cutting edge high-tech pedelec not a vanilla bicycle get over the traditional looks already!
- extend the motor to half the wheel with a "mudguard" = 1000 W (???)

I bet we would still be under 20 kg. And it would have some serious range or do smoky burnouts at the trafic lights

 

[flecc]

I bet we would still be under 20 kg. And it would have some serious range or do smoky burnouts at the trafic lights

I very much doubt under 20 kilos, theres a lot of iron in the poles around the wheel, especially aiming for 1000 watts. I've got reservations on the 500 watts anyway, it's very much a claim at present.

However I would love to see someone produce a prototype, preferably fuel celled with the bike's frame being the hydrogen pressure tank, easily big enough capacity for 50 miles assisted. Having no batteries would keep the weight down.

One for the Chinese to steal a march on The West perhaps, since they are already skilled with maglev.
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[trex]

the one millimeter air gap may be OK though. I usually keep my wheels trued to about that any way.

 

[the_killjoy]

1 mm gap is fine until you pick up some muck