velovations blog update 1-24-11

8/7/2019 Velovations blog update 1-24-11

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KitsAfrican Cruiser Upgrades


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The Kits Concept

As part of the Wiki-bike design competition, we are developing a number of kit

ideas to address issues we have found with the Black Mamba bikes seenthroughout East Africa. Each kit would be marketed and sold as an upgrade toincrease value and capacity of existing bikes.

We have narrowed the number of kits to five including a drive kit, low bar kit,brake kit, solid tire kit, and pedals kit. The following pages describe each kit

concept in further detail.

Thanks for your time, the Velovations crew


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Drive Kit

The following pages describe t

he drive kit

The drive kit aims to increase power from the rider to the wheel which canfeasibly be done by three options as explained in the following pages.


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1. Drive Kit Chinese PartsThis option is an upgrade to a larger 32-tooth front sprocket, a more durablechain and longer (170mm) cranks that would ideally utilize the existing rearsprocket.

Pros: Inexpensive, Off-the-shelf part

Cons: Questionable quality, Minimum order (1,000 pcs), unknown thicknesses

Moving Forward:Obtain samples from one of the Chinese manufactures (32 Tooth Chain ring w/ 170mm cranks andchain)

Required Testing : Chain mating with rear cogChain strength and qualityCost AnalysisCompatibility with existing chain

Price


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1. Drive Kit WBR PartsThis option is an upgrade to a larger 32-tooth front sprocket, a more durablechain and longer (170mm) cranks that would ideally utilize the existing rearsprocket.

Pros: Locally available, proven success, increased chain strength

Cons: More expensive?, questionable compatibility

Moving Forward:Obtain samples from WBR (32 Tooth Chain ring w/ 170mm cranks and chain)

Required Testing : Chain mating with rear cogChain strength and qualityCost Analysis

Price Around $7.00 MSRP


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1. Drive Kit Elliptical Chain RingThis option is an upgrade to an elliptical front sprocket and a more durablechain.

Pros: Promotes rider to pedal more efficiently, thus saving energy possibly while transporting heavyloads

Cons: More expensive?, manufacturing quality? questionable compatibility

Moving Forward:Obtain samples from Indian manufacturer (32 Tooth Chain ring w/ 170mm cranks and chain)

Required Testing : Comparison test Does an elliptical crank work better than a traditional circularcrank when handling significant payloads on rough terrain? What size chain is needed to operate with elliptical chain ring?

Price


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Low Bar Kit


he low bar kit

The low bar kit aims to enable women to commute with ease and comfort,which can feasibly be done by two options as explained in the followingpages.


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2. Low Bar Kit Welded Low BarThe welded low bar replaces the top bar of the frame with a lower bar similar toa womens frame and is welded in place.

Pros: Uses local parts and manufacturing, stiffer, no moving parts

Cons: Men may not want to ride it, decreased load capacity, unchangeable position

Moving Forward: Start analyzing bar positioning and placement minimum material and welding withgreatest strength

Required Testing : Metal bar strength requirements

Positioning on seat tube Finite Element AnalysisStiffness testing

Price $10.00 (est.)

Picture shown is only one of the many configurationspossible for the low bar kit option.


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2. Low Bar Kit AdjustableThe adjustable idea modifies the top bar of the frame so that it can pivot intomens or womens frame position.

Pros: Uses local parts and manufacturing, appeals to men and women

Cons: More expensive, may have longevity issues, involves moving parts, increased weight

Moving Forward: Start analyzing bar positioning and placement as well as pivoting options

Required Testing : Metal bar strength requirementsPositioning on seat tube Finite Element Analysis

Stiffness testing

Price $12.00 (est.)

Picture sh

own is only one of th

e many configurationspossible for the low bar kit option.


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Brake Kit


he brake kit

The brake kit aims to provide the user with improved braking power andlonger product life, this can feasibly be done by three options as explainedon the following pages.


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3. Brake Kit WBR Coaster BrakeThe brake kit replaces the existing linkage brakes on bikes with a new coasterbrake resulting in a better braking and a much longer product life.

Pros:Already in use, proven quality - product life

Cons: More expensive compare to existing Black Mamba brakes, weight, hubs need to modified forincreased spoke count

Moving Forward: Starting analyzing hub/spoke/ tire interaction, determine how much the hub can bemodified to account for appropriate spoke count.

Required Testing : Compatibility with 36 spoke wheelsBraking power versus Black Mamba linkage brakes

Price $10.00 MSRP


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3. Brake Kit Coaster withKickBack Shifter

Incorporates WBR coaster brake with shifter. KickBack enables users to use a additionalgear, without introducing problems inherent in derailleur

Pros: Greatly increased braking power, additional gear for easier riding and hill climbing.Greatly increases performance for climbing when carrying a substantial load.

Cons: Requires new part manufacturing in China, questionable quality?

Moving Forward: Obtain kickback shifter to understand the mechanics behind itsfunctionality, pursue manufacturing possibility

Required Testing : Quality test determine quality of Chinese produced KickBackCompatibility testing

Price


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3. Brake Kit Add-on CoasterThe brake kit replaces the existing linkage brakes on bikes with a new coasterbrake resulting in a better braking and a much longer product life.

Pros:Adds on to existing hub, cheaper?

Cons: Complete new brake design, manufacturing quality?, Complexity?

Moving Forward: Obtain coaster brake from WBR and Chinese manufacturer toanalyze and understand the functionality ofhow the coaster brake works.

Develop add-on coaster prototype

Required Testing : Comparison test coaster brake vs. modified add-on brake

Price


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Solid Tires Kit


he solid tires kit

The solid tires aims to provide a possible solution to the constant flat tiresthat plague users throughout Africa, this can feasibly be done by threeoptions as explained on the following pages.


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4. Solid Tires Kit Solid tire with attachmentThe solid tire kit replaces existing 28 tires on bikes with a flat-proof solid tire.

This option is a modification to existing Chinese-made solid tires. The

modifications include securing solid tire to the rim using metal clips and drillingholes through the tire horizontally to soften the ride.

Pros: Inexpensive, built around off-the-shelf parts,

Cons: Modification could be tricky, requires lots of testing

Moving Forward: Obtain samples and begin testing and possible modifications

Required Testing: Tire and clip compatibilityIntegration of clips with rimEffectiveness of drilling holesNumber ofholes to drill

Price


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4. Solid Tire Kit Solid tube with traditional tireThis option is a modification to existing solid bicycle tubes. The modifications includesecuring solid tube to the rim using the existing tire.

Pros: Inexpensive, built around off-the-shelf parts, better traction than a solid tire

Cons: Modification could potentially be tricky, requires lots of testing

Moving Forward: Obtain samples and begin testing and possible modifications. Determinefeasibility of using locally sources plastic/rubber for tube. Does the tire securethe solid appropriately to prevent slipping off the rim? What modifications (if any)

need to be made to standard tires instructions to accommodate the solid tube?

Required Testing: Materials testing for solid tubesBest installation methods

Price


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4. Solid Tire Kit Repurposed tubeThis option is a modification to existing bicycle tubes and tires assembly. This consists ofadding a hard plastic liner between the inner tube and tire.

Pros: Inexpensive, built around off-the-shelf parts, could possibly be built usingrepurposed materials to further reduce cost of production.

Cons: Requires lots of materials testing.

Moving Forward: Obtain samples and begin testing and possible modificationsWhat materials can be used for the liner?

Of the materials available, what repurposedmaterials can be used for this application?How do the installation instructions need to bemodified to incorporate the addition of the new liner?

Required Testing: Materials testingPuncture resistance testing

Price


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Pedals Kit


he pedals kit

The pedals kit aims to provide users with an upgrade kit for those whosepedals have broken and are resorting to pedaling on the axles, this canfeasibly be done by one option as explained on the following page.


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5. Pedals WBR SourcedReplace existing pedals withhigher quality and more durable plastic pedals.

Pros: Utilizes a tested, working product that already exists in the African market. Higherquality part: longer lifetime, better performance. Easy to incorporate into a kit.

Cons: More expensive, difficult to sell quality and longevity.

Moving Forward: Focus on incorporating into another kit to help promote marketability.

Required Testing : Durability and increased strength testing

Price: $3.00


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5. Pedals Attach to existing axleNew design for an easy to install and easy to replace pedal.

Pros: Easily added on to existing bikes. Works with

existing axles.

Cons: Difficulties manufacturing locally.

Moving Forward: Work out specifics on design and look intomanufacturing possibilities.

Required Testing : Strength and durability testing.

Price

ExistingAxle

SteelStamping


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5. Pedals Locally producedThe idea is to replace existing pedals with locally produced pedals. Also a greatway to customize a bike. Could be part of another kit (widerhandle bars forexample).

Pros: Uses local parts and manufacturing, inexpensive

Cons: Questionable quality

Moving Forward: Determine what materials are available to produce the pedals (metal,plastic, bamboo*,etc.)Determine material properties for available materialsDetermine what manufacturing processes are available for the givenmaterials.

Required Testing:

Concern Bamboo not being legal for commercial use in Kenya

velovations blog update 1-24-11

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