4 ms·
Almost always the downside to a non chain drive is a loss of efficiency. A chain and cog setup is really really good, like 99% efficient with a clean lubed chai
by jackmott42 4y ago
Almost always the downside to a non chain drive is a loss of efficiency. A chain and cog setup is really really good, like 99% efficient with a clean lubed chain. Internal hub gears, drive shafts, strings, almost all of them have losses a bit worse than that, which sucks when you are a 0.5hp motor.
- cyberferret 4y agoInteresting - I was just having a discussion with my son the other day about the term "horsepower". Quick research showed that the average human can generate 1.2 HP in a burst, or 0.1 HP sustained. Is 0.5 HP the accepted measure for sustained output while riding a bike?
- desertrider12 4y agoDepends on how long to sustain - 0.5 HP is 373 watts, which is more than male pros sustain over a whole race stage but less than some can do for ~10 minute sections. [1](https://cyclingtips.com/2017/06/just-how-good-are-male-pro-road-cyclists/ https://cyclingtips.com/2017/06/just-how-good-are-male-pro-r...)
- _carbyau_ 4y agoI have never really looked up the details. But I watch MotoGP and figure if something was better they'd be using it. So chain it is.
- ben-schaaf 4y agoThis only really matters for sport. Hub gears and dynamos are less efficient but much more convenient for commuting.
- pengaru 4y agoUnless you're commuting in a salty environment destroying your chain (and bike arguably), I fail to see how a conventional chain drive is anything resembling inconvenient for commuting.