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Cycle Accessories and Parts

Coverings

1. Bodyshell (Blue Sky Design)
   Starts at around 300 dollars, weighs 14 pounds, and is made from ABS plastic. 8-01
2. Bodyshell (SkyDelight.com)
   A light weight body shell could be constructed of kite materials, such as fiberglass poles and ripstop nylon or mylar. Awesome Library does not endorse this product, but only provides it as an example. 6-01
3. Bodystocking by Zzipper
   Provides pictures of a bodystocking on a Terratrike. 8-01
4. Cover Design (WISIL)
   Shows a championship level cover design for a recumbent bicycle. 9-01
5. Cover Designs and Projects (WISIL)
   Shows how covers are made for a recumbent bicycle. 9-01
6. Covering - "Body Stocking" and More (Peterson)
   Provides simple instructions and pictures of a recumbent bike with a light weight, homemade cover. The increased speed required upgrading the brakes. 7-01
7. Drag on Bicycles - Windscreens Test Comparison (Zzipper.com)
   Provides results of test by Martin, comparing windshields (fairings) for bicycles. The Zzipper body stocking resulted in the greatest speed and distance, but the Windwrap was the quietest. 7-01
8. Drag on Tricycles - Full Fairings (Wizwheelz.com)
   Shows a trike that is fully covered (with a Zzipper bodystocking) for maximum speed and all weather driving. Awesome Library does not endorse these products, but only provides them as examples. 6-01
9. Enclosure Construction (WISIL)
   Provides directions for constructing an enclosure for a bike, trike, or quadcycle. 12-01
10. Improve Speed on Bicycles With the Least Cost (Hernandez)
    Provides tips from experts on how a bicycle's speed can be increased with less than 100 dollars. Many of the answers involve the use of fairings (covers) for the bike and buying lighter tires to reduce rotational weight. 6-01
11. Rear Covering for a Recumbent (Aetos)
    Shows a rear covering for a recumbent bike or trike that should be very good for speed. 6-01
12. Rear Covering for a Recumbent (Aetos)
    Shows a rear covering for a recumbent bike or trike that should be very good for speed. It weighs one pound. 6-01
13. Recumbent Tricycles - Building a Full Enclosure (Puckett)
    Provides pictures and an explanation of the development of a full enclosure for a Greenspeed trike. The author found that the weight of the enclosure did not justify the speed increases going down hills compared to the loss of speed going up hills. 7-01
14. Wind Drag and Speed Comparisons (M5 Recumbents and Handbikes)
    Compares the speed of different bikes with the same conditions. Fairings (windshields) and the recumbent position both provide considerable advantages. Light weight is also an advantage when climbing hills. 6-01
15. Windscreens - Streamer (Kinetics.org.uk)
    Describes a fairing or windscreen for recumbents with a short wheel base. 6-01
16. Windscreens and Covers for Bikes (Zzipper.com)
    Provides windshields (fairings) for bicycles. Awesome Library does not endorse these products, but only provides them as examples. 6-01
17. Windscreens and Full Covers for Recumbent Bicycles (DH Enterprises)
    Provides fairings (covers) for recumbent bikes, such as MR Components Swift and Greenspeed. Awesome Library does not endorse this product, but only provides it as an example. Sometimes called three-wheel bicycles. 6-01
18. Windshield - Removable (Hostel Shoppe)
    Starts at around 400 dollars. The windshield attaches to its hardware with velcro, making the fairing quick and easy to remove. 7-01
19. Windshields (Hostel Shoppe)
    Starts at around 150 dollars. Fairings are from a variety of manufacturers. 7-01

Discussions

1. Discussions of the Rohloff Hub and the Schlumpf Mountain Gear (IHPVA)
   Provides discussions, mostly at a technical level, on the combinations, strengths, and weaknesses of these two options to improve gearing. 1-02

Electric Power

1. Electric Motor-Generator (Ecycle.com)
   Describes an electric motor-generator for use on an electric bike or other vehicle. 3-02

Electric Power

1. Electric Bicycles by Name of Company (Source Guides)
   Provides sources of electric bicycles or motors. Awesome Library does not endorse this product, but provides it as an example. 1-02
2. Electric Hub Motor (Estelle)
   Provides the FreeBike, an electric assist system starting at around 520 U.S. dollars. Provides 250 watts of power. Awesome Library does not endorse this product, but provides it as an example. 1-02
3. Electric Hub Motor (FreeBike)
   Provides the FreeBike, an electric assist system starting at around 777 U.S. dollars. Adds approximately 2.6 kg in weight and provides 400 watts of power. Awesome Library does not endorse this product, but provides it as an example. 1-02
4. Electric Motor (Currie Technologies)
   Provides the U.S. Pro-Drive, an electric assist system starting at around 560 dollars. Adds approximately 28 pounds and goes up to 18 miles per hour for up to 20 miles. Uses lead-acid batteries, good for up to two years of 4-5 trips per week use, especially if it is recharged before losing more than half of the charge each time. Batteries come in 7Ah and 13Ah sizes. Awesome Library does not endorse this product, but provides it as an example. 1-02

Electric Power

1. -Motors - Birkestrand Electric Motor with Regenerative Braking (Rabbit Tool)
   Describes the electric motor system, which costs 500 dollars and weighs around 15 pounds, including batteries, motor-generator, recharger, and controller. It provides speeds up to 20 mph and has a range of about 20 miles. The motor provides 500 watts (24 volts) of power and the batteries are NiMH. Includes a solar power option. 7-01
2. Batteries - Lithium Compared to Alkaline (Tadiranbat.Lithiuim Batteries)
   Compares the energy available from different types of lithium batteries with alkaline batteries. 12-00
3. Batteries - Manufacturers (About.com)
   Provides a list of battery manufacturers, including most types of batteries, such as Alkaline, Carbon Zinc, Lithium, Lithium Ion, Nickel Cadmium, Nickel Metal Hydride, Sealed Lead-Acid, VRLA Modular, and more. 12-00
4. Batteries - Nickel-Zinc (Electroportal)
   Starts at around 260 dollars for two 12V 22Ah batteries, provides twice the power (for weight) of lead-gel batteries, and lasts up to three times as long as deep discharge lead-acid batteries. Evercel batteries come in several configurations, including two 12V 30Ah batteries for 360 dollars. Awesome Library does not endorse this product but only provides it as an example. 8-01
5. Batteries for Electric Trikes - NiMH Batteries (RabbitTool)
   Provides information on the care and use of NiMH batteries. They come in battery packs of two sizes, 24 Volt (8AHr) for 200 dollars and 24 Volt (13AHr) for 320 dollars. Awesome Library does not endorse these products, but only provides them as examples. 6-01
6. Battery Comparisons (Cooke)
   Compares different types of batteries for cost, weight, duration, and power output. 7-01
7. Electric Bike - Convert a Bike (Gerosa)
   Provides plans or a kit to convert a bicycle to electric power instead of pedal power. Awesome Library does not endorse this product, but provides it as an example. 1-02
8. Electric Concept Tricycle Construction (EPV - Rafferty)
   Describes and illustrates the construction of a three-wheel neighborhood electric tricycle, based on the Anthrotech trike and a ZAP motor. (Editor's Note - The Birkestrand hub motor with regenerative braking may be more practical.) 7-01
9. Electric Generator - Hub Generator for Electricity (White)
   Provides information for the Nexus generator, which costs between 45 and 55 dollars. 7-01
10. Electric Generator - Sidewall Generator for Electricity (LightSPIN)
    Provides information for the LightSPIN generator, which maintains a constant and strong light due to an integrated battery. Provides light even when the bike or trike is stopped. Claims that it takes one third the effort compared to other dynamo generators to provide the same amount of electric power. 8-01
11. Electric Generator - Sidewall Generator for Electricity (PeterWhiteCycles.com)
    Provides a variety of lights and a Dymotec generator. Awesome Library does not endorse these products, but provides them as examples. 1-02
12. Electric Motor - Review (Currie Technologies - Smith)
    Provides a review of the Currie Technologies US ProDrive motor. Awesome Library does not endorse this product, but provides it as an example. 12-02
13. Electric Motor and Battery Kits (Electroportal)
    Provides hub motor kits. Prices and specifications were not available at the time of review. Awesome Library does not endorse this product but only provides it as an example. 8-01
14. Flywheel Energy Storage
    Provides sources of information on flywheel storage systems. Eventually, flywheel systems may be used instead of batteries. 1-02
15. Light Generator System (SheldonBrown.com)
    Describes the Dynohub lighting system that is powered by a hub generator instead of batteries. The value of the system is that it generates a strong light but does not create mechanical friction or noise like a wheel rim generator. (See JerseyYellow.com below for availability.) Awesome Library does not endorse this product, but provides it as an example. 1-02
16. Light Generator System (YellowJersey.com)
    Provides the Sanyo Dynohub lighting system that is powered by a hub generator instead of batteries. The value of the system is that it generates a strong light but does not create mechanical friction or noise like a wheel rim generator. Starts at (gulp) 135 dollars. The special headlamp and controller (to prevent bulbs from constantly burning out ) are an additional 40 dollars. Awesome Library does not endorse this product, but provides it as an example. 1-02
17. Motors - Electric Generator and Regenerative Braking Controller (Rabbit Tool)
    Provides information on the Birkestrand motor-generator controller. 7-01
18. Motors - Electric Hub Generator (PeterWhiteCycles - Schmidt)
    Provides the Schmidt hub generator for electricity for lights on a bike. Designed to provide less resistance than a tire-based generator. 7-01
19. Motors - Heinzmann Hub Wheel Motors (Heinzmann)
    Provides motors that fit directly on a wheel for the most electrical power and least slippage between motor and wheel. 6-01
20. Motors - Hub Chainless Motors (Toprun)
    Provides motors for bikes and electric bikes. Awesome Library does not endorse this product, but only provides it as an example. 6-01
21. Motors for Bicycles (Zap World)
    Describes a motor that can be retrofit on bikes. Awesome Library does not endorse this product, but only provides it as an example. 6-01
22. Motors for Bicycles (i-Bike)
    Describes a motor that can be retrofit on bikes. Awesome Library does not endorse these products, but only provides them as examples. 6-01
23. Solar Power for Trikes and Bikes (Reflex 1000)
    Provides recumbent trikes and bikes with solar power. Also includes new and used components, such as lithium-ion batteries, motors, and controllers. 6-01

Lesson Plans

1. Helmets - How They Protect (Superspeedway.com)
   Provides a lesson on how and why a helmet protects the head from injury. 12-01

Lists

1. Design and Construction of a Recumbent Bicycle 2 (IHPVA - Smith)
   Provides sources of different types of recumbent bicycles, as well as components. 1-02

Papers

1. Chain Enclosure (Brown)
   Describes an enclosure that can be used with some bikes with hub gears. The device is called a gear case. 1-02
2. Helmets - HANS Device to Protect Neck (HowStuffWorks.com)
   Describes a head and neck safety device that fits with a helmet to protect the neck in an accident. Drivers and passengers of small electric vehicles should consider the device since, in an accident, maximum protection for the neck is needed. While practicing for an upcoming race, Bruno Junqueira spun out of control and slammed into a concrete wall at 200 mph (322 kph). "Junqueira, who was wearing the HANS device, walked away from the crash without injury." 12-01
3. Helmets - How to Fit a Helmet (RaceCarsSupply.com)
   Describes how to fit a helmet and check for pressure points that should be avoided. 12-01
4. Helmets Save Lives (Orlando Sentinel - Stutzman)
   Provides a summary of the accidents and fatalities that have resulted from Florida removing the requirement for motorcyclists to wear helmets. 2-02
5. Hub Transmission Development (Saldivar)
   Provides detailed diagrams for development of a chain-less bicycle transmission using planetary gears. Uses PDF format. 2-02
6. Hub and Sprocket - Five Speed (Sturmey Archer)
   Provides detailed diagrams of a 5-speed hub, including brake. Uses PDF format. 2-02
7. Internal Gear Hubs Comparison (Brown)
   Compares various styles of internal gear hubs. 1-02

Projects

1. Analysis of Speed for a Cycle (WISIL)
   Provides the maximum miles per hour a cycle can go on a level surface with no wind, given the wheel size, the pedaling speed, and the size of the largest front and smallest rear gears. 9-01
2. Analysis of a Bicycle (Lutus)
   Provides how fast a bicycle will go with different gearing, wheel diameter, and pedal speeds. 7-01
3. Brompton Folding Bike - Conversion Kit (Neuss)
   Converts a Brompton folding bike into a recumbent bike. Starts at around 700 dollars. Awesome Library does not endorse these products, but only provides them as examples. 6-01
4. Building an Ideal Bike (Nikolas)
   Suggests components and manufacturers of an "ideal" bike. 8-01
5. Carbon Fiber Construction (Riley)
   Describes the plans for building your own carbon fiber bicycle. Carbon fiber is generally the lightest material for frame construction. Does not provide the actual plans. Awesome Library does not endorse this product, but only provides it as an example. 6-01
6. Couplings to Breakdown Bike (Lightning Bikes - Lightning P38)
   Provides steel couplings that allow bikes to be put into a suitcase for travel. Awesome Library does not endorse this product, but only provides it as an example. 6-01
7. Forces on a Bicycle Rider (AnalyticCycling.com)
   Provides the variables and suggested values to determine how much energy (in watts) a bike rider will need to exert with different conditions. You feed in the conditions, such as the weight of the rider, and then it calculates the results online. 7-01
8. Light Construction - LED (Cooke)
   Provides instructions for making an LED front light that the author claims provides more usable light than a strong standard bike light, costs very little, and requires much less battery power. 12-01
9. Light Construction - LED (Cooke)
   Provides instructions for making an LED front light that the author claims provides more usable light than a strong standard bike light, costs very little, and requires much less battery power. 12-01
10. Rear Covering - How to Make (Mueller)
    Shows how to make a rear covering for a recumbent bike or trike that should be very good for speed. The material is cloroplast, which is both light and inexpensive. 6-01
11. Roll Bar (SkyDelight.com)
    Describes kite fiberglass poles that may be shaped into a roll bar for placing lights above the rider's head. The fiberglass could also be used for framing a bodyshell of ripstop nylon or mylar. Awesome Library does not endorse this product, but only provides it as an example. 6-01
12. Solar Cells for Recumbent Tricycles (Uni-Solar)
    Provides photovoltaic thin film for application to electric trikes. Pricing is under 400 dollars for 32 watt (1.94 amps and 16.5 volts) flexible panels. A panel weighs about 4.7 pounds and is .25 inches thick. Awesome Library does not endorse this product, but only provides it as an example. 6-01
13. Storage on a Bicycle or Tricycle (Mueller)
    Shows how panniers that are practical can also be inexpensive. 6-01

Purchase Resources

1. Chainguards (Hostel Shoppe)
   Provides chainguards ranging in price from 18 to 36 dollars. The Vision chainguard (to keep the length of the chain away from your leg) was of particular interest. Other chainguards cover the chainrinks only. Visitors sometimes spell as chain guards. 8-01
2. Custom Bicycle Frames (BikeForest.com)
   Provides sources builders of custom bikes and bike frames. 6-01
3. Frames - Titanium Bike Frames (Siberian Express)
   A titanium frame that weighs 3 pounds costs about 1,100 dollars. 1-02
4. Frames - Titanium Frames and Parts (Kinetics.org.uk)
   Describes titanium parts and frames from Heavy Industries. A titanium frame that weighs 3 pounds costs about 600 dollars. 6-01
5. Helmets - Good Protection (RaceCarsSupply.com)
   Describes helmets designed for race cars. Helps protect the neck and face, as well as the head, with kevlar. Light weight and ventilated designs available. Recommended for cycle riders and use with smaller cars. Awesome Library does not endorse these products, but provides them as examples. 12-01
6. Helmets - HANS Device to Protect Neck (HansDevice.com)
   Describes a head and neck safety device that fits with a helmet to protect the neck in an accident. Cycle riders should consider the device since, in an accident with a car or even a spill, maximum protection for the neck is needed. 12-01
7. Internal Gears - Rohloff Speed Hubs (Rohloff)
   Describes the Rohloff internal speed hubs. Has 14 gears, with the lowest setting at 15, 16, or 17 teeth, depending on the version. Rohloff recommends using chainrings of no less than 42, 44, or 46 teeth. (Up to 60 teeth in the chainring are acceptable, however.) A cycle with a Rohloff Speed Hub with 15 teeth at the low end (800 dollars) and a 53 tooth chainring with a Schlumpf Speed-Drive (350 dollars) will have a gear inch range of 15 to 128. (Standard speed score of the Speed Hub and Speed-Drive combination is is 30.5 mph). 8-01
8. Light - Metal Halide (CatEye.com)
   Describes a light that uses the same type of bulb as some of the most expensive luxury cars. Several times brighter than other bicycle lights, possibly making it the safest. Awesome Library does not endorse this product, but provides it as an example. 1-02
9. Light - Solar-Powered (RealGoods.com)
   Describes a light that uses solar power and runs up to 6 hours per charge. Awesome Library does not endorse this product, but provides it as an example. 1-02
10. Lights (RaceCarSupply.com)
    Provides a powerful LED light that take very little electricity. Starts at around 40 dollars. Awesome Library does not endorse this product, but only provides it as an example. 12-01
11. Seatbelts (RaceCarSupply.com)
    Provides seatbelts with 5 or 6 point connections, for tricycles and quads. Starts at around 70 dollars. Awesome Library does not endorse this product, but only provides it as an example. 12-01
12. Shock Absorbing Wheels (Recument Headquarters)
    Describes composite wheels designed to absorb road shocks. Awesome Library does not endorse this product, but only provides it as an example. 8-01
13. Shocks for 20 Inch Wheels (Kinetics.org.uk)
    Describes a variety of shocks for recumbent bikes. 6-01
14. Solar Power (Rabbit Tool, USA)
    Provides a solar quick (2-hour) recharger that could be used with a matched battery pack for an electric bike or trike. Costs 700 dollars and provides 100 watts (24 volts). It is encased in glass in a closable briefcase. Awesome Library does not endorse this product, but only provides it as an example. 6-01
15. Solar Power (Uni-Solar)
    Provides photovoltaic thin film for application to electric trikes. Pricing is under 400 dollars for 32 watt (1.94 amps and 16.5 volts) flexible panels. A panel weighs about 4.7 pounds and is .25 inches thick. A controller would be needed to fit the particular battery pack. Awesome Library does not endorse this product, but only provides it as an example. 6-01
16. Speed Drives and Mountain Drives (Kinetics.org.uk)
    Describes drives that can give additional low gears or additional high gears. They cost around 350 U.S. dollars. Also carries the Rohloff Speed Hub for around 800 U.S. dollars. 6-01
17. Spoke LED Lights (HokeySpokes.com)
    Provides LED lighting from spokes to provide the look of solid, lighted wheels for greater safety at night. LEDs usually take very little power to operate. A three-light set costs 80 dollars. 6-01
18. Trainers for Cyclists (Brown - Harris Cyclery)
    Provides stationary resistance for bikes for training. Awesome Library does not endorse these products, but provides them as examples. 1-02

Trailers

1. Carts for Hauling (BikeCartAge.com)
   Starts at around 356 Canadian dollars. Awesome Library does not endorse this product, but only provides it as an example. 6-01
2. Trailers for Bikes (BicycleR Evolution)
   Starts at around 200 dollars and weighs 17 pounds. Awesome Library does not endorse this product, but only provides it as an example. 8-01
3. Trailers for Bikes (Bobtrailers.com)
   Starts at around 275 dollars for the YAK and weighs 12 pounds. The COZ is available for 200 dollars. Awesome Library does not endorse this product, but only provides it as an example. 8-01
4. Trailers for Bikes (Bykaboose)
   Starts at around 200 dollars, weighs 15 pounds, and folds down. Awesome Library does not endorse this product, but only provides it as an example. 8-01
5. Trailers for Bikes (Cycletote.com)
   The "bare trailer" model starts at around 265 dollars, weighs 16.5 pounds, and has a very low center of gravity. Based on specifications and review, this is a Best Buy. Has an automatic disk brake option (for 265 dollars), which is desirable with any trailer when going down steep hills or during emergency stops. It has two wheels and is made of steel for durability. Awesome Library does not endorse this product, but only provides it as an example. 8-01
6. Trailers for Bikes (Equinox)
   Starts at around 365 dollars, weighs 19 pounds, and folds down. Awesome Library does not endorse this product, but only provides it as an example. 8-01
7. Trailers for Bikes (Koolstop Kargo Van)
   Weighs 31 pounds and folds down. Awesome Library does not endorse this product, but only provides it as an example. 8-01
8. Trailers for Bikes (Koolstop Wilderbeast)
   Weighs 18 pounds and folds down. Awesome Library does not endorse this product, but only provides it as an example. 8-01
9. Trailers for Bikes (Pacasaurus.com)
   Starts at around 265 dollars for the lockable Pac-A-Saurus Commuter Trailer. Awesome Library does not endorse this product, but only provides it as an example. 8-01
10. Trailers for Bikes - Comparison of Brands (Bikeroute.com)
    Provides a comparison of major trailer brands on price, weight, capacity, foldability, wheels, and much more. 8-01
11. Trailers for Bikes - Review of Blue Sky (Blue Sky - Krieg)
    Starts at around 275 dollars, weighs 25 pounds, and folds down. It is made of steel rather than aluminum for carrying a heavy load and durability. Weight distribution (toward the front) seems better than some other two wheel trailers (with the weight in the middle). Awesome Library does not endorse this product, but only provides it as an example. 8-01
12. Trailers for Bikes versus Panniers (Bikeroute.com - Krieg)
    Provides arguments for using a trailer instead of panniers for carrying packages on a bike. 8-01