Why Is A Shaft Not Used In Bikes Instead Of A Chain?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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A shaft-driven bicycle is a bicycle that uses a drive shaft instead of a chain

to transmit power from the pedals to the wheel

. Shaft drives were introduced over a century ago, but were mostly supplanted by chain-driven bicycles due to the gear ranges possible with sprockets and derailleurs.

Why do bikes use chains instead of gears?


Chain is used as it is both cheap, has very low losses and can transmit a lot of power for it’s mass

. There are only 2 places where a chain loses power, at each end, and it can accommodate a lot of misalignment and movement of the ends, which the other systems cannot do.

Which bikes have shaft drive?

  • BMW /5 motorcycles.
  • BMW /6 motorcycles.
  • BMW HP2 Enduro.
  • BMW HP2 Sport.
  • BMW K1.
  • BMW K100.
  • BMW K1200GT.
  • BMW K1200R.

What can you use instead of a bike chain?

Yes. You can use

chainsaw (bar) oil

as a wet bike chain lube and would be best used for riding in inclement weather where you need a sticky oil that will not get washed off from rain or wet conditions. Unless you’re consistently riding in rainy weather, this lube is too sticky for most riding conditions.

Which is better chain belt or shaft?

Despite all those negatives,

chain and sprockets are the most efficient at transmitting power

, with only 1 – 4 % transmission loss. That’s significantly less than belt drives, and a no-contest as compared to the heavy losses incurred by shaft drives.

What are the pros and cons of a shaft drive motorcycle?

Pros Cons Requires Less Maintenance Heavier Reliable For Long Distances Requires More Torque Reliable For Difficult Conditions Less Efficient Power Transmission Minimal Chances Of Breaking Down Difficult To Make Adjustments

How does a shaft-driven bicycle work?

A shaft-driven bicycle is a bicycle that

uses a drive shaft instead of a chain to transmit power from the pedals to the wheel

. Shaft drives were introduced over a century ago, but were mostly supplanted by chain-driven bicycles due to the gear ranges possible with sprockets and derailleurs.

Who invented gears on a bike?

“In 1871

James Starley

invented the Ariel which was probably the first geared bike,” Elking told BikeRadar. “In 1868 and 1869 there were three patents for variable gears on front-wheel-drive velocipedes.” Additionally, in 1870 it was written in Le Cyclist that a Dr.

Who invented bicycle chain?

Bicycle chains are properly “bush roller chains.”

Hans Renold

invented this common bike chain and patented it in Manchester in 1880. This Swiss engineer was born in Aarau, Switzerland (about 30 miles west of Zurich). In 1873 at age 21, Renold found work with a Manchester machinery-exporting firm.

Does Harley Davidson make a shaft drive bike?

Why does Harley Davidson use belt drive?

There are good reasons to adopt belt drive:

It requires no lubrication, lacks the sound of a roller chain, and cannot stretch because it doesn’t have a chain’s 100 or more joints to wear

.

Whats a drive shaft do?

A drive shaft is a rod-like component that

transmits torque from your vehicle’s engine to the wheels

. It’s essentially the shaft that drives your vehicle. The driveshaft transmits torque at varying angles between driveline components.

Can I use WD-40 as chain lube?


No. You should never use WD40 as chain lubricant

since WD-40 is NOT a true lubricant. WD40 is primarily a solvent or rust dissolver.

Can I use Vaseline on my bike chain?


Petroleum jelly can work as a chain lubricant, but it has some shortfalls

. What is this? First, it is more viscous than regular chain lubes or oil. Therefore, it doesn’t easily reach the inner surfaces of a bike chain.

Is WD-40 good for bike chains?

Can I use WD-40 on my bike chain?

Yes, WD-40 can be used and will not damage your bike chain

. It is primarily a cleaner, but also a light lubricant that will last best in dry conditions. It’s not the best lubricant for riding in wet conditions, because it will come off quickly.

Why is a belt drive better than a chain drive?


Chain drives are made of metal, which makes them more durable and stronger compared to a belt

. The metal chain is designed to have a design that corresponds to the other side. On the other hand, the belt drive is made of synthetic materials, and it is also flatter and smoother.

Can you convert a shaft drive motorcycle to chain drive?

What is the advantage of using a chain sprocket over spur gears?

*The advantage of a chain drive that uses sprocket gears over using spur gears is

the ability to transfer torque and speed over longer distances

.

Are shaft drive motorcycles better?


Driveshafts are nearly maintenance-free, impervious to the outside environment, and—barring any sort of freak failure—will last the life of the bike

. All strong benefits, but shafts are also costly to build, heavy, and sap more power than other final-drive systems.

Can you wheelie a shaft drive motorcycle?


Performing wheelies on a shaft-driven motorcycle probably won’t damage the bike the first time, but it probably will damage it eventually

. Shaft-driven motorcycles usually require less maintenance, but they’re not immune to ill-advised stunts and maneuvers.

What’s the difference between chain drive and shaft drive?

The chain drive system is made up of two sprockets, one on the gearbox and one on the rear wheel, that are connected by a chain. In a shaft-driven system, a shaft connects a gear inside the gearbox to another gear inside a hub on the rear wheel.

How efficient is a drive shaft?

Friction Facts have tested a singlespeed chain to be about 99% efficient at 150-watts (2-watts drag), and a belt drivetrain to be 98.6% efficient (2.45-watts drag) at 250 watts power output. Using this current data, it would mean a shaft drive is around

92% efficient (12-watts drag)

.

What is a bicycle sprocket?

A sprocket, sprocket-wheel or chainwheel is

a profiled wheel with teeth that mesh with a chain, track or other perforated or indented material

. The name ‘sprocket’ applies generally to any wheel upon which radial projections engage a chain passing over it.

What is a bike cassette?

The cassette on your bicycle can be found on the rear wheel and is

a cluster of sprockets that are a part of the drivetrain

. They slide onto the freehub, the ratchet system that controls the drive of your bicycle when you pedal, and can have anything from 5 to 12 ‘speeds’.

Can you put any derailleur on a bike?

Shimano derailleur compatibility

This means that

you can use an 8 -or 9-speed mountain bike derailleur with road shifters or vice versa

. The only exception is pre-1997 9-speed Dura-Ace gearing, which won’t play nicely with anything because it uses a totally different cable pull ratio.

How do you say derailleur in French?

Traditionally, in U.S. usage, the gear-change mechanism we all know and love has been called a “derailleur.” This is actually a French word, but it is commonly pronounced in an anglicized manner, as “de-RAIL-er” or “de-RAIL-yur.” The actual French pronunciation is more like “

day-RYE-EUH

” but nobody says that when …

Carlos Perez
Author
Carlos Perez
Carlos Perez is an education expert and teacher with over 20 years of experience working with youth. He holds a degree in education and has taught in both public and private schools, as well as in community-based organizations. Carlos is passionate about empowering young people and helping them reach their full potential through education and mentorship.