Bike Hugger@Interbike

Ellsworth/NuVinci's CVT concept bike

So the biggest promise of the whole show may come from the Ellsworth/NuVinci concept bike.

Its NuVinci drive system is the latest shot at what many engineers have called “the Holy Grail” for inventors, a continuously variable transmission. The idea of a CVT is that instead of having distinct gears, a mechanism somehow provides a way for an input and output to change their relationship smoothly to “gear up” and “gear down” smoothly, without jumping from gear to gear.

Here's the page on CVTs from Howstuffworks: It notes that the first CVT patent was granted in 1886, and that US carbuyers have been able to buy CVT autos since 1989, but that most automotive systems use a pulley system, where a belt moves higher or lower in a gap between two cones, changing the effective size of the pully.

The NuVinci system, on the other hand, borrows from planetary drives, enough that its manufacturers call the NuVinci a “CVP” system, or Continuously Variable Planetary. In this design, a series of 3-12 drives function as the “planet” gears in a planetary system with a movable cage altering their relationship to the “sun” gear. The whole thing is bathed in a new fluid from Valvoline called Inveritorc.

Cars generally control their CVTs through onboard control computers, figuring what ratio is best for given engine horsepower and torque. The NuVinci leaves that to the rider, so you will have an adjustable input, probably like a motorcycle throttle, that lets you choose “harder” or “easier” in any interval at any time. Suddenly hit the bottom of a big hill? Twist that grip all the way down. Want to pedal 3 more rpm on the flats? Twist it a little.

Of course, only time will tell whether this mechanism's going to stand up to everday (ab)use.

The Ellsworth is deserving of mention even if it were sporting a Sturmey-Archer 3 speed hub: It's a gorgeous combination of cruiser-bike and motorcycle styling cues, slathered in immaculate Ferrari red, and even includes partial fenders.

Technorati Tags: Interbike, Ellsworth, NuVinci

Shimano Coasting Mystery

OK cool on Coasting and all, but the website is like Myst of something. As Jason noted, "is there a secret telescope I need to look through to find the key to get in?" Ya know, I don't know either. The coasting people I met were anything but mysterious, but I'm just as lost on that website. Don't know if its not working right, not loading, PC only, or maybe I need a secret handshake password invite from Coasting Girl?

Sycip Alfine

Arguably the best in show, it's that or the Ellsworth, is the Sycip Alfine. Note the clean lines, attention to detail, powdercoat finish, and focus on an urban, utility bike. As I posted earlier, a theme at Interbike is bikes as fun transportation solutions. I wish I had more time to talk Jay as I was really impressed.

The Sycip bike also represented the struggle the industry has had in the USA with urban, city bikes. I heard that at Eurobike every manufacture had an Alfine bike and at Interbike there were just a handful.

At Bike Hugger, we're doing our part to see more bikes like this.

Spheres not gears - Ellsworth Ride

I attended a historic industry event where the NuVinci Smooth Cruise VCP was announced. NuVinci is continuously variable planetary hub and promises to change the way bikes are designed and built. They showed that promise with an Ellsworth, limited edition NuVinci hub, belt-driven "Ride" cruiser/commuter bike. I'll get photos of it up later.

I'm going to meet with DaVinci and Ellsworth to discuss this hub and bike in detail and blog all about it. It was an impressive event, impresssive technology, and gee-whiz bike.

Surly Xtracycle confirmed!

Byron sends along this photo from the floor of Interbike, which officially starts today. I'm sure we'll have more details when the show is open and the bike isn't locked down, but the long and short of it is: Surly is launching the first production all-in-one Xtracycle.

That means folks who love the idea of an Xtracycle will have one less obstacle to hurdle: No more kit-building. Also, I can't see any reason the StokeMonkey wouldn't work.

Questions for our eyes and ears in Vegas: Is Surly selling this as a frame or a bike? What are they calling it? What's the availability?

I'm crossposting this to both Bike Hugger and our special Interbike coverage site. Most of our Interbike content will be at the Interbike site, so if you dig this, check there.

Pylon

And that's what I'm talkin' 'bout right there at Saracen Cycles, an urban bike with internal hub gears, Schwalbe big apples, and all. Exactly what I'll be looking for at Interbike.