The Autobike Classic is a self shifting bike sold during the early 2000’s through made for TV infomercials. Using a series of sliding weights on the back wheel, as the bike gains speed the centripetal force pushes the weights outwards on your spikes, engaging the derailleur and giving the auto shift function.
Additionally for this design to work, the drivetrain uses a front free wheel system (FFS) where the coasting mechanism is actually in the crankset/chainring. This allows the chain and drive train to remain in motion while coasting , allowing the bike to downshift.
This is all to say, this thing is weird as hell and heavy as shit, but I’m fucking stoked to build it up.
throwawayyyycuk on
That is actually insane, thanks for sharing and good luck!
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The Autobike Classic is a self shifting bike sold during the early 2000’s through made for TV infomercials. Using a series of sliding weights on the back wheel, as the bike gains speed the centripetal force pushes the weights outwards on your spikes, engaging the derailleur and giving the auto shift function.
Additionally for this design to work, the drivetrain uses a front free wheel system (FFS) where the coasting mechanism is actually in the crankset/chainring. This allows the chain and drive train to remain in motion while coasting , allowing the bike to downshift.
This is all to say, this thing is weird as hell and heavy as shit, but I’m fucking stoked to build it up.
That is actually insane, thanks for sharing and good luck!